Novos Isolados De Trichoderma Antagônicos A Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum

Forty-nine isolates of Trichoderma from the Brazilian Midwest were evaluated for their antagonistic activity in vitro against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (causal agent of white mold), which were then identified based on their nuclear ribosomal ITS sequences. Paired culture tests showed that all isolates exhibited some antagonism, with a maximum of 77% mycelial inhibition and complete inhibition of sclerotia production. Two isolates were found to be the most promising biocontrol agents, considering both antagonistic parameters (CEN1253 - T. koningiopsis and CEN1265 - T. brevicompactum). Five different species were identified: T. harzianum (23), T. spirale (9), T. koningiopsis (8), T. brevicompactum (7) and T. asperellum (2). These isolates are stored in the Embrapa Fungi Collection for Biological Control and the information obtained in the experiments will be incorporated into the database of biological assets within the genetic resources information system (Allele) and be made available for further studies. © 2016, Universidade Estadual de Campinas UNICAMP. All rights reserved.16

IFN-<FONT FACE=Symbol>g</font> in human Chagas' disease: protection or pathology?

An apparently paradoxical role for IFN-<FONT FACE="Symbol">g</font> in human Chagas' disease was observed when studying the pattern of cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from two groups of chagasic patients after specific stimulation with Trypanosoma cruzi-derived antigens. The groups studied were 1) patients treated with benznidazole during the acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and 2) chronically infected untreated patients. In the treated group, higher levels of IFN-<FONT FACE="Symbol">g</font> were produced by PBMC from individuals cured after treatment when compared to non-cured patients. In contrast, in the chronically infected group (not treated) higher levels of IFN-<FONT FACE="Symbol">g</font> were produced by PBMC from cardiac patients in comparison with asymptomatic (indeterminate) patients. This apparently paradoxical role for IFN-<FONT FACE="Symbol">g</font> in human Chagas' disease is discussed in terms of the possibility of a temporal difference in IFN-<FONT FACE="Symbol">g</font> production during the initial stages of the infection (acute phase) in the presence or absence of chemotherapy. The maintenance of an immune response with high levels of IFN-<FONT FACE="Symbol">g</font> production during the chronic phase of the infection may favor cure or influence the development of the cardiac form of the diseas