Peroxynitrite formation in the orbit of diabetics with rhinocerebral mucormycosis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether an intact respiratory burst exists within the orbit of diabetics with rhinocerebral mucormycosis.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical detection of nitrotyrosine in the orbital tissue of diabetics requiring exenteration due to rhinocerebral mucormycosis. Nitrotyrosine is the stable product of the nitration of tyrosine residues by peroxynitrite. Peroxynitrite is a potent oxidant produced by the combination of superoxide and nitric oxide during the respiratory burst.


RESULTS
Four specimens were analyzed. All showed focal areas of specific staining against nitrotyrosine of the walls and internal structures of fungal organisms.


CONCLUSIONS
An intact respiratory burst is present in the orbit of diabetics during infection with rhinocerebral mucormycosis. Possible mechanisms of peroxynitrite's microbicidal effects and reasons for a deficiency in diabetics are discussed.
Read
R W
RW
Doheny Eye Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Maguluri
S
S
Zhang
J
J
Rao
N A
NA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009091:Mucormycosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism*; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D016897:Respiratory Burst; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism
D009566:Nitrates; C039642:peroxynitric acid; C002744:3-nitrotyrosine; D014443:Tyrosine