Antiretroviral drugs saquinavir and ritonavir reduce inhibitory concentration values of itraconazole against Histoplasma capsulatum strains in vitro

Recent studies have shown that some drugs that are not routinely used to treat fungal infections have antifungal activity, such as protease inhibitor antiretroviral drugs. This study investigated the in vitro susceptibility of Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum to saquinavir and ritonavir, and its combination with the antifungal itraconazole. The susceptibility assay was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. All strains were inhibited by the protease inhibitor antiretroviral drugs. Saquinavir showed minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.125 to 1 mu g mL(-1) for both phases, and ritonavir presented minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.0312 to 4 mu g mL(-1) and from 0.0625 to 1 mu g mL(-1) for filamentous and yeast phase, respectively. Concerning the anti fungal itraconazole, the minimum inhibitory concentration values ranged from 0.0019 to 0.125 mu g mL(-1) and from 0.0039 to 0.0312 mu g mL(-1) for the filamentous and yeast phase, respectively. The combination of saquinavir or ritonavir with itraconazole was synergistic against H. capsulatum, with a significant reduction in the minimum inhibitory concentrations of both drugs against the strains (p < 0.05). These data show an important in vitro synergy between protease inhibitors and itraconazole against the fungus H. capsulatum. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda.CNPqCAPESUniv Fed Ceara, Postgrad Program Med Microbiol, Specialized Med Mycol Ctr, Fortaleza, CE, BrazilUniv Fed Ceara, Postgrad Program Med Sci, Fortaleza, CE, BrazilUniv Estadual Ceara UECE, Postgrad Program Vet Sci, Fortaleza, CE, BrazilUniv Fed Ceara, Dept Stat & Appl Math, Fortaleza, CE, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilHosp Sao Jose, Fortaleza, CE, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilCNPq: 303396/2014-8CNPq: 552161/2011-0CAPES: AE1 - 0052-000630100/11Web of Scienc

Simvastatin inhibits planktonic cells and biofilms of Candida and Cryptococcus species

The antifungal activity of some statins against different fungal species has been reported. Thus, at the first moment, the in vitro antifungal activity of simvastatin, atorvastatin and pravastatin was tested against Candida spp. and Cryptococcus spp. Then, in a second approach, considering that the best results were obtained for simvastatin, this drug was evaluated in combination with antifungal drugs against planktonic growth and tested against biofilms of Candida spp. and Cryptococcus spp. Drug susceptibility testing was performed using the microdilution broth method, as described by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The interaction between simvastatin and antifungals against planktonic cells was analyzed by calculating the fractional inhibitory concentration index. Regarding biofilm susceptibility, simvastatin was tested against growing biofilm and mature biofilm of one strain of each tested yeast species. Simvastatin showed inhibitory effect against Candida spp. and Cryptococcus spp. with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 15.6 to 1000 mg L−1 and from 62.5 to 1000 mg L−1, respectively. The combination of simvastatin with itraconazole and fluconazole showed synergism against Candida spp. and Cryptococcus spp., while the combination of simvastatin with amphotericin B was synergistic only against Cryptococcus spp. Concerning the biofilm assays, simvastatin was able to inhibit both growing biofilm and mature biofilm of Candida spp. and Cryptococcus spp. The present study showed that simvastatin inhibits planktonic cells and biofilms of Candida and Cryptococcus species. Keywords: Candida, Cryptococcus, Simvastatin, Antifungal activity, Biofil

Easy Storage Strategies for Sporothrix spp. Strains

The present study evaluated the maintenance of Sporothrix spp. (6 Sporothrix brasiliensis; 6 S. schenckii; 5 S. mexicana, and 3 S. globosa) in saline at 4 degrees C, and in 10% glycerol plus either 10% lactose or 10% sucrose, at -20 degrees C and -80 degrees C. Viability was assessed after 3, 6, and 9 months of storage, through the recovery of strains on potato dextrose agar and analysis of macro- and micromorphological features. Conidium quantification was performed before and after storage, at 3, 6 and 9 months. 100% viability was observed, regardless of storage conditions or time period. Storage at 4 degrees C and at -20 degrees C did not alter the number of conidia, but lower conidium counts were observed at -80 degrees C. This study shows that the combination of glycerol with lactose or sucrose is effective to maintain Sporothrix spp. at freezing temperatures.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Univ Fed Ceara, Grad Program Med Microbiol, Specialized Med Mycol Ctr, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilUniv Fed Ceara, Sch Med, Christus Coll, UNICHRISTUS, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilUniv Fed Ceara, Dept Stat & Appl Math, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilUniv Fed Ceara, Grad Program Med Sci, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilUniv Estadual Ceara, Grad Program Vet Sci, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, São Paulo, BrazilCNPq: PROTAX 562296/2010-7CNPq: 304779/2011-3CNPq: 504189/2012-3Web of Scienc

Terpinen-4-ol, tyrosol, and beta-lapachone as potential antifungals against dimorphic fungi

This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of terpinen-4-ol, tyrosol, and beta-lapachone against strains of Coccidioides posadasii in filamentous phase (n=22) and Histoplasma capsulatum in both filamentous (n=40) and yeast phases (n=13), using the broth dilution methods as described by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of these compounds. The mechanisms of action of these compounds were also investigated by analyzing their effect on cell membrane permeability and ergosterol synthesis. The MIC and MFCf these compounds against C. posadasii, mycelial H. capsulatum, and yeast-like H. capsulatum, were in the following ranges: 350-5720 mu g/mL, 20-2860 mu g/mL, and 40-1420 mu g/mL, respectively for terpinen-4-ol250-4000 mu g/mL, 30-2000 mu g/mL, and 10-1000 mu g/mL, respectively, for tyrosoland 0.48-7.8 mu g/mL, 0.25-16 mu g/mL, and 0.125-4 mu g/mL, respectively for p-lapachone. These compounds showed a decrease in MIC when the samples were subjected to osmotic stress, suggesting that the compounds acted on the fungal membrane. All the compounds were able to reduce the ergosterol content of the fungal strains. Finally, tyrosol was able to cause a leakage of intracellular molecules. (C) 2016 Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Univ Fed Ceara, Postgrad Program Med Microbiol, Specialized Med Mycol Ctr, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilUniv Fed Ceara, Postgrad Program Med Sci, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, Cellular Biol Div, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Ceara, Dept Stat & Appl Math, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilChristus Coll Unichristus, Sch Med, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilUniv Estadual Ceara, Postgrad Program Vet Sci, Fortaleza, Ceara, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Cellular Biology Division, São Paulo, SP, BrazilCNPq: 303396/2014-8CNPq: 552161/2011-0CAPES: AE1-0052-000630100/11Web of Scienc

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data