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Candida dubliniensis is a recently described species of pathogenic yeast that shares many phenotypic features with Candida albicans. It is primarily associated with oral colonization and infection in HIV-infected individuals. Isolates of C. dubliniensis are generally susceptible to commonly used azole antifungal agents; however, resistance has been observed in clinical isolates and can be induced by in vitro exposure. Molecular mechanisms of azole resistance in C. dubliniensis include increased drug efflux, modifications of the target enzyme and alterations in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway.

The influence of organic and inorganic nitrogen sources on low temperature growth of Shiga-like verotoxin-producingEscherichia coli(VTEC) was studied. Seven verotoxigenic strains were studied in complex and minimal medium systems. Results indicate that verotoxigenic strains require an organic nitrogen source (amino acids or peptides) for growth at 6.5°C. Minimal medium systems containing ammonium sulfate as the nitrogen source and glucose as the carbon source did not support the growth of any strain at 6.5°C. However, glucose and fructose minimal media systems with ammonia sulfate as the source of nitrogen supported growth at 9.5°C. Amino acids and/or peptides could serve as the source of nitrogen, carbon and energy for growth of some VTEC at 6.5°C. These results suggest that VTEC can readily grow at 6.5°C owing to the availability of organic nitrogen sources and sugars in foods.

Medial arterial calcification (Mönckeberg's arteriosclerosis) is well described in diabetic patients with autonomic neuropathy. There is also a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus among subjects with calcific aortic stenosis and mitral annular calcification. We describe a diabetic patient with autonomic neuropathy and extensive medial arterial calcification who also had calcification of the aortic valve and of the mitral valve annulus. We propose that autonomic neuropathy may play a role in calcification of these structures at the base of the heart.