title: [Yeasts: cause of infections of the respiratory tract?].
abstract: Poor data are given in literature on the rate and concentration of yeasts on mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Our data show a rate of lower than 0.2% (only concentrations of 10(4)-10(5) detected). In contrast to this low colonization rate, a percentage of higher than 20% can be detected in patients on intensive care units. The aetiologic role of yeasts in pneumonia and bronchitis can be evaluated more easily, if candida is not only found in a single tracheal or bronchial secretion, but in follow-up specimens and if yeasts can be detected in blood culture, urine, or from other mucous membranes. Our own experience underlines the value of the new tests for candida antigens: a titer higher than 1:4 is a strong hint for fungaemia.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Immunologie, Universität Freiburg.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ringelmann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Müllensiefen
mesh_terms: D001980:Bronchi / Q000382:microbiology; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000382:microbiology; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000382:microbiology*; D009181:Mycoses / Q000382:microbiology*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000382:microbiology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D014132:Trachea / Q000382:microbiology; D015003:Yeasts / Q000302:isolation & purification*
vernacular_title: Sprosspilze: Erreger von Infektionen des Respirationstrakts?