Objective To determine whether Trichophyton rubrum isolated from different lesions in the same patient is of different strains. Methods DNA was extracted from the isolates, then subjected to a polymerase chain reaction-based typing which analyzed the number of repetitive elements in the non-transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal DNA gene repeats. Results Thirty-six strains of T. rubrum were isolated from 17 patients with fungal infection on multiple sites. All strains could be classified into 10 genotypes. The genotype distribution was unrelated to sites of infection. It happened to 8 of the 17 patients that multiple genotypes were involved in T. rubrum infection on different sites in the same body. Conclusion The study shows that multiple genotypes are involved in T. rubrum infection on different sites in the same patient, suggesting external sources of infection rather than infection from a different site in the same individual.

Objective To follow up the changes of postnatal cardiac sizes and function in infants of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods Eighteen GDM mothers with euglycemia (GDM group) and 24 gestational age-matched normal pregnant women (control group),having prenatal examination and delivered in Women's Hospital of Fudan University from January to August in 2007, received fetal echocardiographic examination in late pregnancy. Infants of these GDM mothers and 24 age-matched healthy infants of normal pregnancy (control group) received sonographic follow up. Cardiac sizes and function were evaluated and compared. Results At birth, there were six (33.3%) infants of large for gestational age (LGA) and 12(66.7%) appropriate for gestational age(AGA) in GDM group, while in the control group, there were two LGA (8. 3%) and 22(91.7%)AGA infants (x2 =3. 840, P= 0. 05). Both the interventricular septum and left ventricular walls in GDM fetuses were thicker than in control fetuses (P ＜ 0.05). No increase in the thickness of ventricular walls was observed till infantile period. However, the end-systolic thickness of left ventricular walls in LGA infants was still larger than in control infants [(4.55 ± 0.37) mm vs (4. 13±0.39)mm, P＜0. 05], and end-diastolic left ventricular long-diameters were also larger [(37. 3±2.3) mm vs (34.6±2.6) mm] (P＜0. 05). In GDM fetuses, the peak velocities of aorta and pulmonary artery and left cardiac output were higher than in the controls (P＜ 0. 01 ), and right/left cardiac outputs ratios were lower (1.198±0.206 vs 1. 430±0. 321, t= -2.668,P=0. 011). Till infantile period, only right/left cardiac outputs ratios in AGA infants of GDM group were larger than in controls (P＜0. 05). GDM fetuses' left atrial shortening fraction and tricuspid E/A ratios were smaller (P＜0. 05). In infantile period, only left atrial shortening fraction in GDM infants was still smaller than in controls (0. 356 ± 0. 040 vs 0. 386 ± 0. 041, t = - 2. 332, P = 0. 025). Left and right ventricular Tei index in GDM fetuses were 0. 482±0. 129 and 0. 414±0. 094, both larger than those of control fetuses (0. 309 ± 0. 074 and 0. 283 ± 0. 072) (t = 5. 075 and 5. 129, P = 0. 000 ). Till infantile period they both became significantly lower and no differences were found among LGA, AGA and control infants. Conclusions The cardiac sizes and function at 2-3 months of age, in infants of GDM mothers with good glucose control, became better than that in uterus.

Objectives To analyse the antifungal susceptibility of Candida spp. isolated from the patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and asymptomatic carriers and to study the correlation between different Candida strains and antifungal susceptibility. Method According to the NCCLS-M27-A scheme, the antifungal susceptibility of Candida spp. isolated from the above different groups was measured. Results Almost all the MICs of C. glabrata and C. krusei to 8 antifungal agents were higher than those of C. albicans. The average MIC of C. albicans isolated from RVVC patients was higher than that from asymptomatic carriers. The resistant strains were mainly isolated from the RVVC group. No resistant strains against itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole, econazole and nystatin was found in asymptomatic carriers. Conclusions These results indicate that more attention has to be paid to the low susceptibility of non-Candida albicans in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis, and the resistant strains may result from long-term or irregular antifungal treatment.

Objective To investigate the characteristic,diagnosis and treatment of the nipple discharge.Methods The clinical data of 174 cases who were diagnosed as nipple dlscharge from January 2001 to December2006 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.Results Among those 174 cases,136 cases were confirmed histopathologieally to be intraduetal papilloma.The confirmed diagnosis rate of intraduetal papilloma by galaetograghy was 85.00%.Carcinoma-charge rate of the intraduetal papilloma was 5.17%.Conclusion Nipple discharge was the most common symptom in the intraductal papillomatesis.The galaetography was a valuable method in the diagnosis of the intraduetal papilloma.There was carcinoma-charge possibility in the intraduetal papilloma.

Objective To develop a murine model for infection by Cladosporium carrioni. Methods A total of 72 ICR mice were equally divided into 4 groups, group A (healthy mice inoculated by C. Carrioni suspension of 1 × 108 cfu conidia mL-1, group B (immune-suppressed mice inoculated by C. Carrioni sus pension of 1 × 108 cfu conidia mL-1), group C (immune-suppressed mice inoculated by C. Carrioni suspen-sion of 1 × 106 cfu conidia mL-1), group D (healthy mice inoculated by sodium chloride solution). C. Car-rioni suspension or sodium chloride solution was subcutaneously inoculated into foot pads of mice. On day 7, 30 and 60 after inoculation, 6 mice were killed in each group followed by the measurement of thickness of foot pads, pathology and mycology of skin samples taken from foot pads. Results In group A, B and C, there were swelling, blackening, ulceration and crusts at the inoculation site of all mice, with a morbidity of 100%. The thickness of foot pads in group A on day 30 was significantly higher than that on day 7 (2.40 ± 0.45 mm vs 2.85 ± 0.47 mm, P < 0.05), but lower than that on day 60 (1.64 ± 0.13 ram, P < 0.05). In group B, increased thickness of foot pads was observed on day 30 compared with that on day 7 and day 60 (2.19 ± 0.27 mm vs 1.80 ± 0.21 mm and 1.86 + 0.22 mm, respectively, both P < 0.05), which was the case with group C (1.98 ± 0.06 nun vs 1.51 ± 0.11 mm and 1.82 ± 0.09 mm, respectively, both P < 0.05). No significant changes occurred to the thickness of foot pads in group D from day 7 to day 60 (P > 0.05). Pathological changes in group A, B and C included necrosis, abscess and chronic granuloma formation; dark brown sclerotic bodies were observed on HE and PAS staining as well as on direct microscopy; cultures of tissue samples grew Cladosporium carrionii. The mice in group D remained uninfected. Conclusion Mouse model for chromoblastomycosis may be established by subcutaneous inoculation of Cladosporium carrionii suspension into foot pads of healthy or immuno-suppressed mice.

Objective To investigate the potential effect of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide(CTAB)separated mannan of cell wall from Candida albicans on the production of IL -6and IL -8in h uman peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC)induced by lipopoly saccharide(LPS).Methods PBMCs were pretreated with differen t concentrations of CTAB mannan(1.000mg /mL?0.100mg /mL?0.010mg /mL)for 24h.LPS(50?g /mL)was added and co-incubated for 24h.And a t 48h,the supernatants were collected.At 24h and 48h,only the super-natants of stimulated by CTABmannan were collected.LPS(50?g /mL)was the positive control,unstimula ted culture medium the negative control.The con tents of IL -6and IL -8in the supernatants were determined by ELISA.Re-sults At 24h and 48h,no IL -6and IL -8were detected in 3different concentration-CTAB mannan groups.LPS could induce IL -6(478.507?24.876ng /mL),IL -8(529.655?53.279ng /mL).The contents of IL -6and IL -8of negative control were not detectable.In 1.000mg /mL CTAB mannan +LPS group the contents of IL -6were(85.620?16.058ng /mL,P=0.004),IL -8were(123.940?20.319ng /mL,P=0.011).In 0.100mg /mL CTAB mannan +LPS group,IL -6(210.086?27.874ng /mL,P=0.007),IL -8(206.798?31.878ng /mL,P=0.022).In 0.010mg /mL CTAB mannan +LPS grou p,IL -6(201.387?32.396ng /mL,P=0.014),IL -8(203.133?36.012ng /mL,P=0.015).Conclusion CTAB mannan of cell wall from Candida albicans could downregulate the production o f IL -6and IL -8from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells induced by LPS.

Objective To develop a rapid and reliable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure to detect the pathogenic fungi in clinical specimens. Methods Skin, nail and hair samples were taken from patients suspected of being infected with superficial mycosis. Pathogens were detected by PCR based on the ITS1 primer, and the results were compared with those from microscopic examination and culture. Results One hundred and twelve patients were recruited in this study. For PCR, microscopic examination and culture the sensitivities were 80.7%, 96.5% and 70.2%, the specificities were 100%, 89.1% and 100%, the positive predictive values were 100%, 90.2% and 100%, and the negative predictive values were 83.3%, 96.1% and 76.4%, respectively. The PCR process could be completed within 24 h. Conclusions PCR assay has good specificity and accuracy, while fungal culture takes 2 weeks to get the results. PCR is helpful for making rapid clinical diagnosis, which leads to the appropriate treatment of superficial fungal infection.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics, mycology and therapeutics of 5 cases of cutaneous zygomycosis collected in recent 3 years. Methods A retrospective study was performed using clinical data on 5 cases of cutaneous zygomycosis collected in recent 3 years. Also, previous reports of this entity were reviewed. Results There were 1 male and 4 females among the 5 patients with cutaneous zygo-mycosis confirmed by mycology and/or pathology. The onset of age varied from 5 to 49 years, and course of disease from 7 months to 16 years. Of the 5 patients, 1 presented with superficial cutaneous zygomycosis, and the other 4 with gangrenous cutaneous zygomycosis; 3 had a history of trauma or surgery, 2 had no obvious inducements. Eruptions were located in the face of 2 patients and in the extremities of 3 patients. The isolate was identified as Rhizomucor variabilis in 3 cases, and species remained unclear in 2 cases. Four patients were treated by amphotericin B, and 1 by oral flueonazole as well as oral and injected itraconazole. Finally, 2 patients were healed, 1 was improved, 1 experienced no obvious improvement, and 1 died. Con-clusions Cutaneous zygomycosis is a rare severe devastating deep fungal infection. The first choice of drug is amphoteracin B for it. To improve the understanding of this disease may benefit the early diagnosis and therapy of it.

Objective To elucidate the genetic base of psoriasis for Chinese patients, the positional candidate loci (D6S273?D6S276?D6S422?D6S299?D6S291?D4S1535?D4S1652?D4S171)previously reported in the regions 6p21.3 and 4q were studied in some carefully examined psoriatic families in order to establish whether the eight reported microsatellites loci(STRs) underlay susceptibility to psoriasis in different populations. Methods Two hundred and five probands with psoriasis vulgaris were identified from outpatients attending the Institute of Dermatology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Genotypes were generated at 8 polymorphic loci on chromosome 6p21 and 4q in 14 pedigrees. The results were analyzed parametrically by linkage 5.0 software. Results There was evidence for linkage to D6S273 in 6p21.3 (the LOD score was 1.26) . No evidence for linkage was obtained at other loci including three loci on chromosome 4q. Conclusions This study confirms the presence of a psoriasis susceptibility locus on chromosome 6p previously studied. It is shown that there may be psoriasis susceptibility locus D6S273 on chromosome 6p21.3 in the Chinese population.

Objective To develop a murine model of chromomycosis by using Cladosporium carrioni and explore the pathogenicity of Cladosporium carrio nii in mice. Methods The suspension of Cladosporium carrioni was inoculated to two groups of mice, the immunocompetent mice and the immunosuppressed mice, b y intraperitoneal route using 1 ml inoculum containing 108 conidia/mL. All mice were sacrificed 30 days after inoculation, and then macroscopic examination, his topathology and fungal culture were performed. Results The morbidity in both g roups was 100% according to the dark brown hyphae and sclerotic bodies found in histopathologic examination and fungal culture. Macroscopic examination found th at the adhesion among the internal organs in immunocompetent mice was more sever e than that in immunosuppressed mice. Histopathologic sections showed that necro sis and inflammatory infiltration in immunocompetent mice were more obvious than those in immunosuppressed mice. Conclusions The virulence of Cladosporium car rionii strains is strong enough to construct experimental murine model of chromo mycosis, and animal passage of the strains is unnecessary. This murine model cou ld be used to study the pathogenesis of chromomycosis.