Here's Some newer Stuff...Even the Europeans Are not Studying It. And they Study Everything!-----------------------------------Fortschr Med 1996 Sep 20;114(26):319-21 [Pathogenicity of Fungi in the Intestines--Current Status of the Discussion]. [Article in German]Scheurlen M Medizinische Poliklinik, Universitat, Wurzburg.The hypothesis that colonization of the intestinal tract by yeasts (e.g. Candida albicans) can lead to disease in immunocompromised individuals is currently being discussed controversially. Proponents assume that toxins produced by the fungi can trigger such complaints as irritable bowel syndrome of the chronic fatigue syndrome, and that such chronic or recurrent infections may be caused by an intestinal reservoir of yeasts. Opponents of the hypothesis, however, point out that no hard data on the pathogenetic significance of an intestinal reservoir of yeasts are available, controlled studies have failed to demonstrate the effectiveness of antifungal treatment. Discussions are however, hampered by a lack of objective data. The postulated pathomechanisms therefore need to be clarified, diagnostic criteria developed, and the efficacy of the proposed therapeutic measures shown by controlled studies. Until this has been done, assumption about the pathogenicity of yeasts in the bowel, cannot be taken as a basis for binding therapeutic recommendations.-------------------------------------The only place chronic diarrhea and candida is being studied, therefore one cannot say much about it, is in immunocompromised patients (opportunistic infection):--------------------------------Sante 1997 Nov-Dec;7(6):349-54 Related Articles, Books, LinkOut [A clinical and biological study of parasitic and fungal diarrhea in immunosuppressed patients in an urban and suburban area of Yaounde]. [Article in French]Same-Ekobo A, Lohoue J, Mbassi A Laboratoire de parasitologie, mycologie et immunologie parasitaire, CHU de Yaounde, Cameroun.We studied 66 cases of intestinal mycosis and parasitosis in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus with chronic diarrhea. All subjects were from the Yaounde urban area and were followed between February and December 1996. They were recruited from 3 hospitals in the center of Yaounde and were aged between 2 and 52 years. There was weight loss in 80.3% and severe dehydration in 72.3% of cases. Feces consisted mostly of watery stools similar to those of cholera patients (50% of cases) and loose stools (43.9% of cases). Parasitic agents were detected in 31.8% and fungal agents in 80.5% of cases. The opportunistic Protozoans detected included Cryptosporidium parvum (15.8%), microsporidia (8.8%) and Isospora belli (3.5%). Six cases of helminthiasis were also identified. Candida albicans was the most common opportunistic mycosis agent (39.1%). Other fungal species detected included Geotrichum candidum, Candida pseudotropicalis and Trichosporon sp. but all of these were less common.---------------------------------Nobody is even looking for it as related to IBS except that it can occur as a complication (superimposed mycotic infection). At least I have had it twice, (actually probably once, and the initial course of antifungal therapy was probably insufficient and it recolonized) if no one else ever has (on this planet). But it did not cause my IBS it aggravated it. And some IBS patients come up reactive to candida, which they should not (not pathogenic) unless infected (or post-infection if it became allergenic). This is unclear. Do not know if the rate is higher than in the general population (ie: no epidemiologic data). ------------------------MNL____________________________________ www.leapallergy.com [This message has been edited by Mike NoLomotil (edited 09-21-2000).][This message has been edited by Mike NoLomotil (edited 09-21-2000).]