Showing papers in "Revista Iberoamericana De Micologia in 2005"
TL;DR: There is no unique essential virulence factor for development of this fungus in the patient and its virulence appears to be under polygenetic control, but knowledge about relationship between pathogen and immune response of the host has been improved, opening new research possibilities.
Abstract: Aspergillus fumigatus causes a wide range of diseases that include mycotoxicosis, allergic reactions and systemic diseases (invasive aspergillosis) with high mortality rates. Pathogenicity depends on immune status of patients and fungal strain. There is no unique essential virulence factor for development of this fungus in the patient and its virulence appears to be under polygenetic control. The group of molecules and genes associated with the virulence of this fungus includes many cell wall components, such as beta-(1-3)-glucan, galactomannan, galactomannanproteins (Afmp1 and Afmp2), and the chitin synthetases (Chs; chsE and chsG), as well as others. Some genes and molecules have been implicated in evasion from the immune response, such as the rodlets layer (rodA/hyp1 gene) and the conidial melanin-DHN (pksP/alb1 gene). The detoxifying systems for Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) by catalases (Cat1p and Cat2p) and superoxide dismutases (MnSOD and Cu, ZnSOD), had also been pointed out as essential for virulence. In addition, this fungus produces toxins (14 kDa diffusible substance from conidia, fumigaclavin C, aurasperon C, gliotoxin, helvolic acid, fumagilin, Asp-hemolysin, and ribotoxin Asp fI/mitogilin F/restrictocin), allergens (Asp f1 to Asp f23), and enzymatic proteins as alkaline serin proteases (Alp and Alp2), metalloproteases (Mep), aspartic proteases (Pep and Pep2), dipeptidyl-peptidases (DppIV and DppV), phospholipase C and phospholipase B (Plb1 and Plb2). These toxic substances and enzymes seems to be additive and/or synergistic, decreasing the survival rates of the infected animals due to their direct action on cells or supporting microbial invasion during infection. Adaptation ability to different trophic situations is an essential attribute of most pathogens. To maintain its virulence attributes A. fumigatus requires iron obtaining by hydroxamate type siderophores (ornitin monooxigenase/SidA), phosphorous obtaining (fos1, fos2, and fos3), signal transductional falls that regulate morphogenesis and/or usage of nutrients as nitrogen (rasA, rasB, rhbA), mitogen activated kinases (sakA codified MAP-kinase), AMPc-Pka signal transductional route, as well as others. In addition, they seem to be essential in this field the amino acid biosynthesis (cpcA and homoaconitase/lysF), the activation and expression of some genes at 37 degrees C (Hsp1/Asp f12, cgrA), some molecules and genes that maintain cellular viability (smcA, Prp8, anexins), etc. Conversely, knowledge about relationship between pathogen and immune response of the host has been improved, opening new research possibilities. The involvement of non-professional cells (endothelial, and tracheal and alveolar epithelial cells) and professional cells (natural killer or NK, and dendritic cells) in infection has been also observed. Pathogen Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMP) and Patterns Recognizing Receptors (PRR; as Toll like receptors TLR-2 and TLR-4) could influence inflammatory response and dominant cytokine profile, and consequently Th response to infec tion. Superficial components of fungus and host cell surface receptors driving these phenomena are still unknown, although some molecules already associated with its virulence could also be involved. Sequencing of A. fumigatus genome and study of gene expression during their infective process by using DNA microarray and biochips, promises to improve the knowledge of virulence of this fungus.
248 citations
TL;DR: A. flavus genomics is expected to advance the development of therapeutic drugs and to provide information for devising strategies in controlling diseases of humans and other animals and will provide vital clues for engineering commercial crops resistant to fungal infection by incorporating antifungal genes that may prevent aflatoxin contamination of agricultural harvest.
Abstract: Aspergillus flavus is an imperfect filamentous fungus that is an opportunistic pathogen causing invasive and non-invasive aspergillosis in humans, animals, and insects. It also causes allergic reactions in humans. A. flavus infects agricultural crops and stored grains and produces the most toxic and potent carcinogic metabolites such as aflatoxins and other mycotoxins. Breakthroughs in A. flavus genomics may lead to improvement in human health, food safety, and agricultural economy. The availability of A. flavus genomic data marks a new era in research for fungal biology, medical mycology, agricultural ecology, pathogenicity, mycotoxin biosynthesis, and evolution. The availability of whole genome microarrays has equipped scientists with a new powerful tool for studying gene expression under specific conditions. They can be used to identify genes responsible for mycotoxin biosynthesis and for fungal infection in humans, animals and plants. A. flavus genomics is expected to advance the development of therapeutic drugs and to provide information for devising strategies in controlling diseases of humans and other animals. Further, it will provide vital clues for engineering commercial crops resistant to fungal infection by incorporating antifungal genes that may prevent aflatoxin contamination of agricultural harvest.
157 citations
TL;DR: It was determined that yeast carriage was not associated with the number of CD4+ cells or the viral load, but HAART reduced the prevalence of oral candidiasis, and most patients harbored strains in vitro susceptible to fluconazole, however 10.8% of the yeasts were resistant to one or more azole antifungal agents and 29% were intermediate susceptible to them.
Abstract: Resumen Hemos realizado un estudio longitudinal durante tres anos para valorar la prevalencia, la microbiologia y los patrones de sensibilidad in vitro a los antifungicos de los aislamientos de levaduras que colonizaban o infectaban la cavidad oral de 111 pacientes mexicanos con infeccion por VIH (51 adultos y 60 ninos) y de 201 personas sanas no infectadas por el VIH (109 adultos, 92 ninos). Candida albicans fue la especie mas frecuentemente aislada. Setenta y uno de los 85 aislamientos de personas colonizadas eran C. albicans (83,5%); veintisiete de estos aislamientos procedian de ninos con infeccion por VIH y 44 se aislaron de personas no infectadas por VIH. Sesenta y dos aislamientos de C. albicans pertenecian al serotipo A siendo el serotipo mas prevalente. Se aislaron especies no C. albicans (Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis y Saccharomyces cerevisiae) en el 16,5% de los pacientes colonizados y en el 38,5% de los pacientes con candidiasis o enfermedades asociadas a Candida. Hubo nueve episodios de infeccion o colonizacion mixta. En el caso de los pacientes infectados por VIH o con sida, la colonizacion por levaduras no estaba asociada con el numero de CD4+ o la carga viral; sin embargo, el tratamiento anti-retroviral de alta actividad (HAART) reducia la prevalencia de candidiasis oral. La mayoria de los pacientes portadores de levaduras, estaban colonizados o infectados por cepas sensibles a fluconazol. Sin embargo, un 10,8% de las levaduras eran resistentes a uno o mas antifungicos azolicos y un 29% mostraban una sensibilidad intermedia. Por el contrario, la 5-fluorocitosina fue muy activa contra todos los aislamientos estudiados y la anfotericina B lo fue contra el 97,9% de estos.
82 citations
TL;DR: The potential of lichens as rapid bioindicators in the tropics can start to be realized even where the species described are not fully identified as they are perennial and separable by eye or hand lens, and a lack of training is identified as the main constraint.
Abstract: Lichens have value as bioindicators of environmental pollution, climate change, and ecological continuity. Extensive work has been undertaken in temperate areas, but in only few cases have the techniques been applied in the tropics. Most tropical studies to date are in relation to air pollution and forest disturbance, but these are scattered geographically and remain to be undertaken in most tropical regions. The potential of lichens as rapid bioindicators in the tropics can start to be realized even where the species described are not fully identified as they are perennial and separable by eye or hand lens, and a lack of training is identified as the main constraint. An extensive bibliography is included.
57 citations
TL;DR: A retrospective study was carried out to describe the clinical forms and assess the clinical significance of the laboratory diagnostic tests of patients with histoplasmosis during the period of July 1987 to December 2003 at Instituto de Pesquisa Clinica Evandro Chagas/ FIOCRUZ, RJ, Brazil.
Abstract: Histoplasmosis, caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, is endemic in many regions of the Americas, Asia and Africa. It has a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic infection to severe disseminated disease. A retrospective study was carried out to describe the clinical forms and assess the clinical significance of the laboratory diagnostic tests of patients with histoplasmosis during the period of July 1987 to December 2003 at Instituto de Pesquisa Clinica Evandro Chagas/ FIOCRUZ, RJ, Brazil. Seventy-four patients were included. Forty-nine percent of the cases (n = 36) occurred in HIV positive patients who presented with disseminated disease. The remaining 38 cases were classified in different clinical forms. Histoplasma capsulatum was isolated from 69.5% of the clinical specimens sent to culture. Immunodiffusion and immunoblot were positive in 72.6% and 100% of the performed tests, respectively. Histopathologic findings suggestive of H. capsulatum were found in 63.2% of the performed exams. Serology had a lower proportion of positivity amongst AIDS patients, when compared with HIV negative patients (X2 = 6.65; p lower than 0.008). Statistical differences between AIDS and non-AIDS patients were not observed with culture and histopathology. The specific role of each test varies according to the clinical form. Physicians need to know the value and limitations of the available diagnostic tests, but before that, they have to think about histoplasmosis and consider this clinical entity in their differential diagnosis.
57 citations
TL;DR: This review critically assesses the molecular target- based approach to antifungal discovery, outlines problems and pitfalls inherent in the genomics and target discovery strategies and describes the status of heavily investigated examples of target-based research.
Abstract: Comparative analyses of fungal genomes and molecular research on genes associated with fungal viability and virulence has led to the identification of many putative targets for novel antifungal agents. So far the rational approach to antifungal discovery, in which compounds are optimized against an individual target then progressed to efficacy against intact fungi and ultimately to infected humans has delivered no new agents. However, the approach continues to hold promise for the future. This review critically assesses the molecular target-based approach to antifungal discovery, outlines problems and pitfalls inherent in the genomics and target discovery strategies and describes the status of heavily investigated examples of target-based research.
52 citations
TL;DR: Some of the more salient features revealed by analysis of the genome are summarized, including the search for candidate pathogenicity genes and the switch to a pathogenic lifestyle, allergen proteins, DNA repair, secondary metabolite gene clusters that produce compounds both useful and toxic, and a theoretical capability of this asexual organism to reproduce sexually.
Abstract: Aspergillus fumigatus is a filamentous fungal saprophyte that is ubiquitous in the environment. It is also a human pathogen and induces allergenic response, negatively impacting health care and associated costs significantly around the world. Much of the basic biology of this organism is only poorly understood, but the recent completion and publication of its genome sequence provides an excellent tool for researchers to gain insight into these processes. In this review we will summarize some of the more salient features revealed by analysis of the genome, including the search for candidate pathogenicity genes and the switch to a pathogenic lifestyle, allergen proteins, DNA repair, secondary metabolite gene clusters that produce compounds both useful and toxic, a theoretical capability of this asexual organism to reproduce sexually, signalling, and transcription. A. fumigatus was compared with the food biotechnology fungus Aspergillus oryzae and sexual fungus Aspergillus nidulans, as well as other fungi, in an attempt to discern key differences between these organisms.
46 citations
TL;DR: The frequency of tinea pedis among soccer players was lower than the other groups in this study, possibly due to health education and professional feet care.
Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the occurrence of mycoses affecting the feet of soccer players and to compare this results with those in non-athlete individuals of the same age and sex. Initial evaluation consisted of a dermatological examination of the foot in 22 Chinese athletes, 83 Brazilian athletes and 24 Brazilian non-athletes. Scales of plantar skin, interdigital and subungual areas of the foot were collected for mycological examination (direct and culture). Nail clippings were obtained for histopathologic analysis. Tinea pedis was diagnosed more frequently among the non-athlete individuals. None of the Chinese athletes had tinea pedis alone. However, in this group onychomycosis was frequently higher when compared to the other groups. The fungal microbiota comprised Trichophyton rubrum (40%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (36.4%) and Candida spp (20%). Candida spp was isolated only from Brazilian athletes. Results obtained with KOH wet mounts agreed with the results obtained in culture and with histopathologic examinations (50.5% vs 40.9%). The frequency of tinea pedis among soccer players was lower than the other groups in this study, possibly due to health education and professional feet care.
41 citations
TL;DR: Nuestro estudio sugiere that voriconazol puede ser efectivo para el tratamiento de infecciones por levaduras resistentes al fluconazol e itraconazol.
Abstract: Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed on 197 yeast isolates from the BCCM/IHEM biomedical fungi and yeasts collection (Belgian Co-ordinated Collections of Micro-organisms / IPH-Mycology) to study the in vitro activity of voriconazole against fluconazole, itraconazole and amphotericin B. MICs of the four antifungal agents were determined by an adapted NCCLS M27-A microdilution reference method. MIC readings were visually and spectrophotometrically determined. Optical density data were used for calculation of the MIC endpoints. For amphotericin B, the MIC endpoint was defined as the minimal antifungal concentration that exerts 90% inhibition, compared to the control growth. The azoles endpoints were determined at 50% inhibition of growth. The MIC distribution of voriconazole susceptibilities showed that 193 isolates had a MIC < or = 2 microg/ml and 185 a MIC < or = 1 microg/ml. Cross-tabulation of voriconazole, fluconazole, and itraconazole MICs indicated that voriconazole MICs raised with fluconazole and itraconazole MICs. The in vitro data obtained in this study suggest that voriconazole may also be effective treating yeast infection in patients infected with fluconazole or itraconazole resistant isolates.
38 citations
TL;DR: Determinar si en Colombia existia relacion entre the distribucion ambiental de las diferentes variedades de C. neoformans y los pisos termicos en dos transectos ubicados en el departamento de Cundinamarca y el aislamiento e identificacion of the levadura se usaron metodos fenotipicos convencionales.
Abstract: Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that could cause infection in patients with immunodeficiency and healthy patients. The AIDS epidemic has shown the importance of studying the ecology and epidemiology of this fungus. The aim of this investigation was to determine if there was a relationship between the environmental distribution of the different varieties of C. neoformans and the climate zones in two transects located in department of Cundinamarca, in Colombia. For the isolation and identification of the yeast, conventional phenotypic methods were used and it was determined the population density (CFU/g of sample) and which was the variety of greater prevalence in each altitudinal rank. A total of 765 samples, from 26 municipalities were collected; of these 146 corresponded to pigeon droppings (Columba livia), 437 to Eucalyptus detritus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis and related species) and 182 to detritus of almond trees (Terminalia cattapa). C. neoformans was isolated from 46% of the studied municipalities, in both transects and the climate zones: warm, temperate and cold. The results indicated that the greater frequency of positive isolations came from the last climate zone (cold). The population density in pigeon excrements oscillated between 50 and 9.2 x 1,000,000, in eucalyptus between 500 and 10 x 1,000,000 and in almond trees was 50 CFU/g. Of 100,000 positive isolations 31% were serotype A, 59% serotype B and 10% serotype C; 96% of the isolates grew to 37 degrees C and all showed capsule. In conclusion, C. neoformans prevails in the three habitats studied but it showed a predilection for the cold thermal floor; the population densities did not allow defining a standard pattern of occurrence.
34 citations
TL;DR: Los resultados obtenidos revelaron that el infiltrado inflamatorio estaba compuesto predominantemente por histiocitos y celulas gigantes multinucleadas, ademas of un gran numero of hongos.
Abstract: Few studies have been conducted to evaluate the cellular composition of the granulomatous lesions induced by Lacazia loboi. Thus, the objective of the present study was to characterize the mononuclear cell population present in cutaneous lesions obtained from 15 patients with Jorge Lobo's disease. Histological sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and methenamine silver and the following mononuclear cells were identified by immunohistochemistry: T lymphocytes (CD3+), helper T lymphocytes (CD4+), cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+), B lymphocytes (CD20+), plasma cells (CD79+), natural killer cells (CD57+) and histiocytes (CD68+). This study showed that the inflammatory infiltrate mainly consists of histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells, in addition to the presence of a large number of fungal cells. The identified inflammatory cells showed the following frequency: CD68+ histiocytes > CD3+ T lymphocytes > CD4+ T > CD8+ T lymphocytes > CD57+ natural killer cells > CD79+ plasma cells > CD20+ B lymphocytes. Based on the findings of a large number of fungal cells in the infected tissues and the disorganized cell arrangement in the granuloma, we hypothesize that patients with Jorge Lobo's disease present immunoregulatory disturbances, which are likely to be specific and perhaps responsible for the lack of containment of the pathogen.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated the possibility of autochthonous presence of histoplasmosis in Italy by reviewing the literature and providing their own personal data and found that four additional cases of H. capsulatum were observed during 1999-2003 in AIDS immigrant or in Italian citizens.
Abstract: In the past the Italian soil was considered as a low-endemic pabulum for H. capsulatum var. capsulatum and only few autochthonous cases of histoplasmosis were reported in Italy, especially in the Po valley. The aim of the paper was to evaluate this possibility by reviewing the literature and providing our own personal data. Four additional cases of histoplasmosis were observed during 1999-2003 in AIDS immigrant or in Italian citizens, and in travellers to endemic areas. One of the AIDS patients was an autochthonous case of histoplasmosis. The Italian literature was reviewed. Recent cases and literature data confirm the possible autochthonous presence of histoplasmosis in Italy, especially in the Northern regions.
TL;DR: El cambio en the metodologia para the obtencion of the muestra and the observacion total del campo de cada lamina aumento las posibilidades de encontrar CAS.
Abstract: Resumen Se estudiaron 80 pacientes que acudieron a consulta por cuadros clinicos de esporotricosis cutanea en el periodo de 1985 a 1996. El pus obtenido de las lesiones se examino al microscopio en estado fresco a la busqueda de cuerpos asteroides esporotricosicos (CAS). Se dividieron en dos grupos: 32 pacientes que consultaron en el periodo de enero de 1985 a diciembre de 1989 y 48 pacientes que acudieron de enero de 1990 a diciembre de 1996. En el primer grupo se realizo la toma de la muestra en la forma habitual, por compresion digital simple de las lesiones mas productivas. El examen por microscopia mostro CAS en 14 pacientes (43,75%). En el segundo grupo, se desecho el pus inicial y se obtuvo una muestra mas profunda de pus o exudados serosanguinolentos, con un maximo prefijado de cinco portaobjetos (laminas) por paciente, que se examinaron exhaustivamente por microscopia, observando CAS en 45 pacientes (93,75%). Los cultivos en medios solidos de las 80 muestras de las lesiones fueron positivos, aislandose Sporothrix schenckii. El cambio en la metodologia para la obtencion de la muestra y la observacion total del campo de cada lamina aumento las posibilidades de encontrar CAS. Es indudable el valor diagnostico de la visualizacion de los CAS en el momento de la toma, para iniciar el tratamiento precoz sin esperar el resultado del cultivo.
TL;DR: Voriconazole showed an excellent activity against most species of dermatophytes, higher than itraconazole and fluconazole, however, S. brevicaulis isolates were highly resistant to all azoles used in this study.
Abstract: We have studied the in vitro antifungal activity of voriconazole, fluconazole and itraconazole against 252 clinical isolates of dermatophytes and Scopulariopsis brevicaulis by a standardized agar diffusion method (NeoSensitabs). Several important factors such as temperature (28 degrees C vs. 35 degrees C) and incubation time (2-10 days vs. 18-74 h) were adapted to dermatophytes and Scopulariopsis requirements. Voriconazole showed an excellent activity against most species of dermatophytes, higher than itraconazole and fluconazole. However, S. brevicaulis isolates were highly resistant to all azoles used in this study. Voriconazole might be an interesting antifungal alternative to refractory superficial mycoses.
TL;DR: The results show that there is an increase in the frequency and prevalence of onychomycoses and non-mycotic onYchodystrophies predominantly in patients over forty years of age.
Abstract: Onychomycoses represent a group of nail affections caused by one or more fungi. Whether aging represents a risk factor for developing onychomycosis, remains a question. In the present work, we studied the variations in frequency and prevalence of onychomycoses and non-mycotic onychodystrophies according to age. Our results show that there is an increase in the frequency and prevalence of onychomycoses and non-mycotic onychodystrophies predominantly in patients over forty years of age.
TL;DR: ELISA could be a valuable tool for the diagnosis and evolution of the therapeutic efficacy in patients with chromomycosis (C. carrionii), and the use of an ELISA test is therefore highly recommended to establish remission criteria in chromoblastomycotic patients from the endemic area.
Abstract: The purpose of this research was to evaluate an ELISA indirect method in patients with chromoblastomycosis caused by Cladophialophora carrionii. Samples collected before, during and postreatment with ajoene or itraconazole, and those from apparently healthy people from the endemic area were evaluated with the ELISA test. 94 individuals were studied, 10 with chromoblastomycosis, and 84 apparently healthy subjects. All of them were evaluated by clinical-dermatological examinations. On those with lesions suggestive of chromoblastomycosis, mycological studies were carried out to confirm the disease. This approach was repeated during and at the end of therapy. Five patients with lesions 5 cms, received itraconazole. Mycological cure (60%) was similar in both groups of patients and persisted three months after therapy. One hundred and fourteen sera were analyzed by ELISA, 30 from 10 patients with chromoblastomycosis, before, during and postreatment and 84 from apparently healthy people, using a somatic antigen of C. carrionii (AgSPP). All patients with chromoblastomycosis were positive before-treatment, two became negative on day 45 of treatment and a total of six patients were negative three months post-treatment. All sera from apparently healthy individuals were negative. The sensitivity and specificity was 100% and 98.9%, respectively. The relationship between clinical-mycological studies and the ELISA assay was 100% before and after treatment. In summary, ELISA could be a valuable tool for the diagnosis and evolution of the therapeutic efficacy in patients with chromomycosis (C. carrionii). The use of an ELISA test is therefore highly recommended to establish remission criteria in chromoblastomycosis caused by C. carrionii.
TL;DR: Las especies del genero Mucor forman un grupo de microorganismos importantes por su potencial biotecnologico, siendo responsables of the produccion de enzimas industriales.
Abstract: Resumen Los hongos se caracterizan por su capacidad de produccion y secrecion de enzimas al medio externo. Las especies del genero Mucor forman un grupo de microorganismos importantes por su potencial biotecnologico, siendo responsables de la produccion de enzimas industriales. Este trabajo investigo la produccion de enzimas en 12 especies del genero Mucor. Los experimentos fueron realizados durante 120 h de fermentacion a 28 °C, en un incubador orbital a 120 rpm. La actividad proteasica fue detectada en todas las especies, aunque la mayor actividad fue observada en Mucor racemosus Fres. f. chibinensis (Neophytova) Schipper.
TL;DR: Comparison of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome with other Hemiascomycetes genomes confirms that a whole-genome duplication occurred before the diversification between Candida glabrata and the SacCharomyces sensu stricto species and after separation from the branch leading to the other HemIAScomyCetes.
Abstract: The increasing number of fungal genomes whose sequence has been completed permits their comparison both at the nucleotide and protein levels. The information thus obtained improves our knowledge on evolutionary relationships between fungi. Comparison of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome with other Hemiascomycetes genomes confirms that a whole-genome duplication occurred before the diversification between Candida glabrata and the Saccharomyces sensu stricto species and after separation from the branch leading to the other Hemiascomycetes. Duplication was followed by individual gene losses and rearrangements affecting extensive DNA regions. Although S. cerevisiae and C. glabrata are two closely related yeast species at an evolutionary scale, their different habitats and life styles correlate with specific gene differences and with more extensive gene loses having occurred in the parasitic C. glabrata. At a closer evolutive scale, diversification among the sensu stricto species began with nucleotide changes at the intergenic regions affecting sequences that are not relevant for gene regulation, together with more extensive genome rearrangements involving transposons and telomeric regions. One important characteristic of fungal genomes that is shared with other eukaryotes is the fusion of gene sequences coding for separate protein modules into a single open reading frame. This allows diversification of protein functions while saving gene information.
TL;DR: Se propone that dicho hongo puede considerarse un hongo oportunista tanto para el hombre como para M. indica, en la plantacion atendida por un paciente diabetico con micetoma podal de granos blancos por ese hongo el cual fue aislado en nuestro laboratorio.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to confirm the presence of Scytalidium dimidiatum on Mangifera indica (mango) trees, in a plantation managed by a diabetic patient with a white grain mycetoma of the foot caused by the same fungus. Samples from necrotic apices, roots, burned leaves and rotten stems from eight trees were processed by the Smith and Furcolow's mineral oil technique (modified). Several isolates from the apex material and clinical samples from the diabetic patient isolated in pure culture a fungus with the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of that in S. dimidiatum. This fungus should be considered as an opportunistic microorganism for both humans and M. indica.
TL;DR: Las actividades fosfolipasa, proteasa y de otros enzimas extracelulares pueden facilitar the invasion of C. neoformans en el tejido del huesped.
Abstract: Resumen Se estudiaron las actividades fosfolipasa, proteasa y otras actividades enzimaticas extracelulares de 151 cepas de Cryptococcus neoformans aisladas de pacientes con sida y mantenidas en el Instituto Adolfo Lutz (Sao Paulo, Brasil). La actividad enzimatica extracelular se determino por medio del test API-ZYM, que evalua 19 enzimas extracelulares, y el serotipo mediante aglutinacion celular (Crypto-check, Patron, Japon). De las 151 cepas de C. neoformans ensayadas por aglutinacion 147 resultaron identificadas como serotipo A y solamente cuatro como serotipo AD. La produccion de fosfolipasa y proteasa resulto muy abundante, sobre todo en los primeros dias de incubacion. Es importante anadir que todas las cepas presentaron actividades fosfolipasa y proteasa. Por medio del test API-ZYM mas del 90% de las cepas de C. neoformans resultaron positivas para los siguientes enzimas: esterasa C4, esterasa-lipasa C8, leucina-arilamidasa, fosfatasa acida, naftol-AS-BI-fosfohidrolasa, α-glucosidasa y s-glucosidasa. Se han observado diferencias entre las actividades enzimaticas de las cepas brasilenas y las aisladas en otras naciones. Las actividades fosfolipasa, proteasa y de otros enzimas extracelulares pueden facilitar la invasion de C. neoformans en el tejido del huesped.
TL;DR: La viabilidad de las cepas, velocidad de crecimiento, caracteristicas morfologicas, fisiologicas y the sensibilidad in vitro frente a yoduro, itraconazol, terbinafina y posaconzol, y un 100% en todos los aislamientos.
Abstract: Resumen Se compararon dos metodos de preservacion de hongos, el de Castellani y el de resiembra en medio Sabouraud-agar en cinco aislamientos de Sporothrix schenckii preservados durante 18 anos a temperatura ambiente por ambos procesos. Se evaluo la viabilidad de las cepas, velocidad de crecimiento, caracteristicas morfologicas, fisiologicas y la sensibilidad in vitro frente a yoduro, itraconazol, terbinafina y posaconazol. Pudimos apreciar un 100% de viabilidad en todos los aislamientos, con una disminucion en la velocidad de crecimiento en los preservados en agua en comparacion con los de cultivos periodicos. Por ambos metodos, los cultivos conservaron los caracteres morfologicas tipicos del hongo. Sin embargo, en cuanto a la actividad enzimatica se observo en ambos grupos actividades ureasa y s glucosidasa, encontrandose solo en los aislamientos que venian preservados en agua, completa inhibicion de la capacidad de hidrolisis del almidon. Este grupo tambien mostro ser mas sensible al yoduro de potasio a la concentracion de 10 μM en los ensayos de sensibilidad in vitro.
TL;DR: Approaches include comparative genomics to identify sequences that contribute to infection and disease and functional genomics and proteomics to analyze global patterns of gene and protein expression involved in fungal pathogenesis.
Abstract: One of the most exciting advances in Mycology is the application of genomic approaches. The advent of genomics, together with post-genomic studies, promises to revolutionize the studies on the pathogenesis of fungal infections. Approaches include comparative genomics to identify sequences that contribute to infection and disease and functional genomics and proteomics to analyze global patterns of gene and protein expression involved in fungal pathogenesis.
TL;DR: La incidencia of candidemia en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales (UCIN) ha aumentado considerablemente en la última década, debido al aumento en la supervivencia de los recién nacidos de bajo peso y a los cambios en los procedimientos diagnósticos y terapéuticos.
Abstract: La incidencia de candidemia en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales (UCIN) ha aumentado considerablemente en la última década, debido al aumento en la supervivencia de los recién nacidos de bajo peso y a los cambios en los procedimientos diagnósticos y terapéuticos. En los recién nacidos el grado de inmunodeficiencia está inversamente relacionado con la edad gestacional y el peso al nacer, siendo los grandes prematuros y los recién nacidos de bajo peso los que tienen mayor riesgo de infección [1]. Con el objeto de estudiar las características de los episodios de candidemia en recién nacidos se han analizado los datos clínicos y microbiológicos de los últimos doce años (1992-2003). Se documentan 22 casos de candidemia correspondientes a 22 pacientes. La incidencia de candidemia fue de 3,4/1000 recién nacidos ingresados. La edad de comienzo de las manifestaciones clínicas fue superior a siete días. De los 22 recién nacidos, 20 eran pretérmino con edad gestacional entre 25 y 36 semanas (media 29,4 semanas) y peso al nacimiento entre 600 y 2160 g (media 1264 g). Entre los años 1992-1997 los recién nacidos ingresados de bajo peso (<2500 g) representaron el 16,6% respecto al 24,6% del periodo 1998-2003. En la primera etapa se obtiene el 18,2% de los aislamientos respecto al 81,8% de la segunda. Candida parapsilosis fue la especie predominante aislándose en el 77,3% de los pacientes, seguida por Candida albicans (13,6%), Candida glabrata (4,5%) y Candida lusitaniae (4,5%). En las candidosis sistémicas, el patógeno dominante es C. albicans que puede ser adquirido por transmisión vertical de madre a hijo [7] u horizontalmente por las manos del personal sanitario [3]. En nuestro estudio C. parapsilosis fue el primer agente causal de candidemia coincidiendo con otras publicaciones [4,5]. Esta especie puede producir una película en las soluciones que contienen glucosa permitiéndole la adhesión a los catéteres de nutrición parenteral [2]. Entre los factores de riesgo para la infección por C. parapsilosis en recién nacidos destacan: la prematuridad, la presencia de catéteres endovenosos, la administración de nutrición parenteral y la antibioterapia previa [5]. En todos nuestros pacientes incidían al menos la presencia de catéter endovenoso central, la nutrición parenteral total y la antibioterapia prolongada, en concordancia con lo descrito en la literatura [2,5]. C. parapsilosis forma parte de la flora endógena y es comensal habitual de la piel penetrando en el torrente circulatorio por la ruptura de la barrera cutánea. En los últimos años se han aportado datos para considerar que en muchas ocasiones la candidemia ocurre como fuente de infección exógena a partir de las manos del personal sanitario, ocasionando brotes de infección nosocomial [6]. Ello hace necesario la implantación de técnicas de tipificación molecular que permitan averiguar la fuente de infección y la diseminación clonal o no de la misma y es donde debe dirigirse la investigación para conocer la epidemiología de la colonización e infección por Candida, incluyendo los pacientes colonizados, las manos del personal sanitario y los fómites.
TL;DR: A genomic perspective for both pathogens is discussed and the benefit that such information could generate to understand more about these two uncultivated pathogens.
Abstract: In the past five years, with the use of molecular strategies the phylogenetic affinities of the two more resilient pathogens studied in medical mycology, Lacazia loboi and Rhinosporidium seeberi were finally deciphered. These studies found that L. loboi was the sister taxon to Paraccidioides brasiliensis, and R. seeberi was closely related to protistan spherical aquatic fish pathogens, located at the point were animals diverged from the fungi, in the class Mesomycetozoea. These initial studies indicated that a molecular strategy was the ideal approach to further understand these anomalous pathogens. However, the limited amount of information gathered so far from few DNA sequences, although crucial to place these organisms in the tree of life and to take a glance to their ecological preferences, did not provide answers to other important traits. In the following pages we discuss a genomic perspective for both pathogens and the benefit that such information could generate to understand more about these two uncultivated pathogens.
TL;DR: Dado que los hongos endofitos son reconocidos por su capacidad de producir metabolitos with actividad biologica se plantea la posibilidad oficial de that los microorganismos encontrados en this estudio posean cierto potencial como antagonistas de patogenos that atacan a las rosas.
Abstract: Resumen Se determino la existencia de la micobiota endofitica asociada a plantas de rosa ( Rosa hybrida ). Los hongos endofitos se aislaron en agar MPY a partir de hojas sanas de diez plantas de rosas ornamentales de jardines de casas particulares. De esta seleccion se sembraron un total de 560 fragmentos de hojas, 56 por muestra. El 16,4% de los fragmentos presentaron colonizacion por hongos endofitos. Se encontraron 41 aislamientos que fueron descritos como micelio esteril, ya que no presentaron estructuras de reproduccion que permitieran su identificacion; de un total de 92 aislamientos, 31 se identificaron hasta genero o especie y 20 no pudieron ser identificados. Los hongos endofitos mas aislados fueron Nigrospora oryzae , Xylaria spp, Aureobasidium spp y Acremonium . Los hongos Nodulisporium sp, Gliocladium virens , Cladosporium sp, Alternaria sp, Phoma sp y Chaetomium globosum se aislaron una unica vez cada uno. Dado que los hongos endofitos son reconocidos por su capacidad de producir metabolitos con actividad biologica se plantea la posibilidad de que los microorganismos encontrados en este estudio posean cierto potencial como antagonistas de patogenos que atacan a las rosas.
TL;DR: A 34 year-old woman with HIV infection is presented with a necrotic primary mucormycosis of the skin associated to a venous catheter and treated with amphotericin B and surgical debridement.
Abstract: Primary cutaneous mucormycosis is an unusual mycotic infection associated to immunosupression. We present a 34 year-old woman with HIV infection with a necrotic primary mucormycosis of the skin associated to a venous catheter. She was treated with amphotericin B and surgical debridement.
TL;DR: The technique used to convert DNA sequences into musical sequences is presented and the musical equivalent of the sequence of a number of genes, either of fungal origin, such as Candida albicans or Sacharomyces cerevisiae, or belonging to the human genome has been obtained.
Abstract: Both genetic and musical sequences are ordered structures composed of combinations of a small number of elements, of nucleotides and musical notes. In the case of the genome, the emergence of cellular functions makes the order meaningful; in the case of musical sequences, the consequence of order is the production of mysterious esthetical effects in the human mind. Can any musical significance be found in DNA sequence? In this work, we present the technique used to convert DNA sequences into musical sequences. The musical equivalent of the sequence of a number of genes, either of fungal origin, such as Candida albicans or Sacharomyces cerevisiae (SLT2), or belonging to the human genome (genes involved in Alzheimer syndrome, blindness, and deafness such as Connexine 26 gene) has been obtained. Non-coding sequences are also important in life and music. The non-coding alphoid sequence has also been translated into a musical sequence, in this case using Fibonacci golden number basic series as structural helper. The elementary musical sequence derived from DNA sequence has served as an imposing frame in which rhythms, sounds, and melodies have been harmonically inserted. The Genoma Music Project is essentially a creative metaphor of the basic unity between the human mind and the natural ordered structure of life.
TL;DR: The release of the diploid genomic sequence of Candida albicans and its recent community-based annotation have permitted a number of studies which have significantly advanced the understanding of the biology of this important human pathogen.
Abstract: The release of the diploid genomic sequence of Candida albicans and its recent community-based annotation have permitted a number of studies which have significantly advanced our understanding of the biology of this important human pathogen. These advances range from analysis of genomic changes to differential gene expression under a variety of conditions. A few general conclusions can be drawn from the data presently in hand; one can expect more and more new insights as the number and kind of experiments grows.
TL;DR: La disponibilidad de una formulacion intravenosa de itraconazol ha incrementado el interes por conocer la actividad in vitro de this antifungico en relacion al voriconazol, y existen diferencias entre los aislamientos of una misma especie.
Abstract: Resumen La disponibilidad de una formulacion intravenosa de itraconazol ha incrementado el interes por conocer la actividad in vitro de este antifungico en relacion al voriconazol. Por esta razon se ha determinado la concentracion minima inhibitoria (CMI) de 62 aislamientos clinicos de cinco especies de hongos miceliares y de 100 aislamientos del genero Candida y Cryptococcus neoformans. El metodo utilizado ha sido el de microdilucion en placa siguiendo los documentos M38-A y M27-A2 del National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. La CMI90 de itraconazol y voriconazol para Aspergillus fumigatus fue de 0,125 μg/ml. Destaca la elevada sensibilidad de la fase miceliar de Sporothrix schenckii al itraconazol (p = 0,001). Voriconazol resulto mas activo sobre Scedosporium apiospermium mientras que Scedosporium prolificans fue resistente a los dos antifungicos. Algunos aislamientos de Rhizopus stolonifer fueron sensibles al itraconazol y resistentes al voriconazol sin significacion estadistica. La sensibilidad in vitro de las nueve especies de Candida fue similar para itraconazol y voriconazol, excepto en el caso de Candida glabrata para quien voriconazol presento CMI mas bajas. Algunos aislamientos de Candida albicans resistentes a fluconazol fueron sensibles a itraconazol y/o voriconazol. Las CMI de itraconazol contra C. neoformans fueron menores que las de voriconazol. In vitro itraconazol y voriconazol presentan una actividad antifungica similar excepto sobre S. shenckii. No obstante, existen diferencias entre los aislamientos de una misma especie.
TL;DR: Computer analysis using the tools of bioinformatics revealed several aspects from the transcriptome of this pathogen such as: general and differential metabolism in mycelium and yeast cells; cell cycle, DNA replication, repair and recombination; RNA biogenesis apparatus; translation and protein fate machineries.
Abstract: Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a dimorphic and thermo-regulated fungus which is the causative agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, an endemic disease widespread in Latin America that affects 10 million individuals. Pathogenicity is assumed to be a consequence of the dimorphic transition from mycelium to yeast cells during human infection. This review shows the results of the P. brasiliensis transcriptome project which generated 6,022 assembled groups from mycelium and yeast phases. Computer analysis using the tools of bioinformatics revealed several aspects from the transcriptome of this pathogen such as: general and differential metabolism in mycelium and yeast cells; cell cycle, DNA replication, repair and recombination; RNA biogenesis apparatus; translation and protein fate machineries; cell wall; hydrolytic enzymes; proteases; GPI-anchored proteins; molecular chaperones; insights into drug resistance and transporters; oxidative stress response and virulence. The present analysis has provided a more comprehensive view of some specific features considered relevant for the understanding of basic and applied knowledge of P. brasiliensis.