Antifungal Activity of Lavandula angustifolia Essential Oil against Candida albicans: Time-Kill Study on Pediatric Sputum Isolates

The aim of our study was to determine the susceptibility of 15 Candida albicans sputum isolates on fluconazole and caspofungin, as well as the antifungal potential of Lavandula angustifolia essential oil (LAEO). The commercial LAEO was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antifungal activity was evaluated using EUCAST protocol. A killing assay was performed to evaluate kinetics of 2% LAEO within 30 min treatment. LAEO with major constituents’ linalool (33.4%) and linalyl acetate (30.5%) effective inhibited grows of C. albicans in concentration range 0.5–2%. Fluconazole activity was noted in 67% of the isolates with MICs in range 0.06–1 µg/mL. Surprisingly, 40% of isolates were non-wild-type (non-WT), while MICs for WT ranged between 0.125–0.25 µg/mL. There were no significant differences in the LAEO MICs among fluconazole-resistant and fluconazole-susceptible sputum strains (p = 0.31) and neither among caspofungin non-WT and WT isolates (p = 0.79). The 2% LAEO rapidly achieved 50% growth reduction in all tested strains between 0.2 and 3.5 min. Within 30 min, the same LAEO concentration exhibited a 99.9% reduction in 27% isolates. This study demonstrated that 2% solution of LAEO showed a significant antifungal activity which is equally effective against fluconazole and caspofungin susceptible and less-susceptible strains

Structural Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii Brain Cysts in a Model of Reactivated Toxoplasmosis Using Computational Image Analysis

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite existing in three infectious life stages—tachyzoites, bradyzoites, and sporozoites. Rupture of tissue cysts and re-conversion of bradyzoites to tachyzoites leads to reactivated toxoplasmosis (RT) in an immunocompromised host. The aim of this study was to apply ImageJ software for analysis of T. gondii brain cysts obtained from a newly established in vivo model of RT. Mice chronically infected with T. gondii (BGD1 and BGD26 strains) were treated with cyclophosphamide and hydrocortisone (experimental group—EG) or left untreated as infection controls (ICs). RT in mice was confirmed by qPCR (PCR+); mice remaining chronically infected were PCR−. A total of 90 images of cysts were analyzed for fractal dimension (FD), lacunarity (L), diameter (D), circularity (C), and packing density (PD). Circularity was significantly higher in PCR+ compared to IC mice (p < 0.05 for BGD1, p < 0.001 for the BGD26 strain). A significant negative correlation between D and PD was observed only in IC for the BGD1 strain (ρ = −0.384, p = 0.048), while fractal parameters were stable. Significantly higher D, C, and PD and lower lacunarity, L, were noticed in the BGD1 compared to the more aggressive BGD26 strain. In conclusion, these results demonstrate the complexity of structural alterations of T. gondii cysts in an immunocompromised host and emphasize the application potential of ImageJ in the experimental models of toxoplasmosis

Fifth European Dirofilaria and Angiostrongylus Days (FiEDAD) 2016

Peer reviewe

Onychomycosis: Sampling, diagnosing as efficiant part of hospital pharmacology

Introduction Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of one or more nails. Causes of onychomycosis are dermatophytes, yeasts and non-dermatophyte molds, but the most common cause is Trichophytonrubrum (T. Rubrum) from the group of dermatophyte fungi. The aims Using sampling determination of the most common clinical type of onychomycosis, lokalization and involvement of the nail plate, and monitoring the efficacy of methods/tests in the diagnosis of nail onychomycosis. Material and methods This paper is a part of academic IV phase study. The study included 30 patients with onychomycosis. Each sample was seeded on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and Diluted SDA (D-SDA) at 28°C and 37°C, as well as the Dermatophyte Test Medium (DTM) at 28°C. Identification of isolated fungi to the level of genus/species has been based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics by KOH and Blancophor fluorescent dye. PCR were performed to detect T. Rubrum-specific and pan-dermatophyte multiplex PCR product. Informed consent was obtained from all patients. Results The most common clinical form was subungual lateral distal onychomycosis (DLSO)of the hands and feet pollex fingernails, while the size of the involvement of the nail plate was 1/2 - 1/3 in the majority of patients. Cultivation gave a positive result in 50% of cases and the most commonly isolated microorganism was the T. Rubrum. For negative cultures (50%) the PCR was carried out which demonstrated high sensitivity and T. Rubrum remained the most frequently detected. Conclusions Using the methods of cultivation and PCR, onychomycosis was confirmed in 28 (93.3%) patients. Cultivation gave a negative result in 50% of cases, while the PCR was positive in 86.6%. Our research shows the highest incidence of T. Rubrum (60%). In continuation of this study will be analyzed the choice and effectiveness of therapy