Figure 1 shows clusters of strains of the same species with closely similar physiological profiles, but none of the clusters was taxonomically homogeneous. Degrees of intraspecific variability were found to differ between species. The least variable species were S. aurantiacum (22.5%) and S. prolificans (27.2%) with three

and four isolates analysed, while the five strains of S. dehoogii were highly variable (48.4%). It may be noted that S. prolificans is the most virulent species of the analysed group of fungi and also S. aurantiacum is considered to be virulent,12 whereas S. dehoogii is nearly exclusively environmental14 where more physiological versatility may be needed. During the last decades, commercially available microbiological identification systems have become increasingly miniaturised, automated and computer-assisted. PCI-32765 in vitro The major aim of these developments was to save time, material and laboratory man-power. In addition, computer-assisted identification is expected to bear fewer risks of individual mistakes arising from inexperience or inadvertence. However, visual verification of results usually remains necessary to detect sources of inconsistent results such as differences in the filling of the wells or overflow of suspension into adjacent wells. Methods using extended physiological

panels seem to Selleckchem Fostamatinib be less appropriate for species identification, such as the distinction between the therapy-refractory species S. prolificans and less recalcitrant species of the P. boydii complex. Rather, we conclude that the Taxa Profile MicronautA, C and E systems provide acceptable results for strain differentiation in view of epidemiology and detection of microbial diversity. We thank Merlin Diagnostika GmbH, Bornheim-Hersel, Germany, for supporting this work, and colleagues from the Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology for technical assistance and

discussion. We are indebted to H.M. Daniel for comments and significant improvement of the manuscript. All authors have no relevant financial interest in Sinomenine the products or companies described in this article. “
“Endogenous Candida endophthalmitis is sight-threatening, difficult to treat and sometimes leads to loss of the eye. Only a few therapeutic agents are available for its treatment. Caspofungin is the first of a new class of antifungal drugs (echinocandins) with a high activity against Candida species, the most common pathogens found in endogenous endophthalmitis. This study investigates the safety profile of caspofungin for intraocular application in a cell-culture model. Endothelial toxicity of caspofungin was evaluated in cultured human corneas.