Synergistic effect of ibuprofen with itraconazole and fluconazole against Cryptococcus neoformans

The present study investigated the association of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen with itraconazole, fluconazole and amphotericin B against Cryptococcus neoformans isolates. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was found according to M27-A3 protocol and in vitro interactions were evaluated using checkerboard microdilution method. Synergism was demonstrated between azoles and ibuprofen for most isolates. However, no synergistic effects were seen when amphotericin B was combined with ibuprofen. Therefore, our results suggest that ibuprofen presents clinical potential when combined with azole drugs in the treatment of cryptococcosis

Phylloplane yeasts as a source of industrially interesting enzymes

The objective of this study was to evaluate the phylloplane of tropical plants as a source of yeasts capable of producing industrially relevant enzymes. A total of 446 yeast and yeast-like strains were isolated from the phylloplanes of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Malvaceae), Coussapoa microcarpa (Urticaceae), and species of Ficus (Moraceae) and Bromeliaceae, which were collected in southern Brazil and tested for the production of extracellular enzymes. Esterase activity was predominant (202 strains), while 71 isolates had amylase activity, 170 were caseinolytic, and 72 degraded gelatin. Only three strains were capable of producing all enzymes. The phylloplane appears to be a good substrate to look for and isolate yeasts with enzyme production potential. There were differences in yeast enzyme profiles among the plants analyzed: gelatinase was more common among the isolates from H. rosa-sinensis (36.6%), while esterase was predominant among the isolates from C. microcarpa and the species of Ficus (71.3%). This study suggests the phylloplane as a new potential source of yeasts with industrially interesting properties.O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o filoplano de plantas de habitats tropicais como fonte de leveduras capazes de produzir enzimas de relevância industrial. Um total de 446 cepas de leveduras e fungos semelhantes a leveduras foram isoladas do filoplano de Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, bromélias e figueiras, coletadas no Sul do Brasil, e testadas para a produção de enzimas extracelulares. A atividade de esterase foi predominante (202 cepas), enquanto 71 isolados tiveram atividade amilolítica, 170 foram caseinolíticos e 72 degradaram gelatina. Apenas três cepas foram capazes de produzir todas as enzimas. O filoplano parece ser um bom substrato para o isolamento de leveduras com potencial de produção de enzimas. Existiram diferenças nos perfis enzimáticos das leveduras entre as plantas analisadas: gelatinase foi mais comum entre os isolados de H. rosa-sinensis (36,6%), enquanto esterase foi predominante entre os isolados de figueiras (71,3%). Esse estudo chama a atenção para o filoplano como uma nova fonte potencial de leveduras com propriedades de interesse industrial

Suscetibilidade Antifúngica in vitro de Agentes de Feohifomicoses Superficiais

The selection of fungal isolates resistant to available therapy associated with an increase in the number of immunosuppressed patients has contributed to the incidence of infections caused by dematiaceous fungi. Thus, this study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of the main antifungal agents currently used in clinical practice in relation to Curvularia spp. and Hortaea werneckii from cases of superficial phaeohyphomycosis from southern Brazil. The susceptibility profile of amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, terbinafine and voriconazole against dematiaceous fungi (Curvularia lunata, C. pallescens and H. werneckii) was evaluated by microdilution in broth. Terbinafine showed greater efficacy against C. lunata - gemometric mean (GM = 0.38 μg/mL), C. pallescens (MIC = 0.125 μg/mL) and H. werneckii (GM = 0.031 μg/mL) when compared to the other antifungals tested. Most of species showed sensitivity to itraconazole and voriconazole, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range from 1 - 8.0 μg/mL and 0.5 - 2.0 μg/mL, respectively. All isolates tested show low sensitivity to fluconazole (MIC range 4 - 16 μg/mL). Although itraconazole is considered gold standard, terbinafine has been showed to be a good alternative for the treatment of superficial phaeohyphomycosis. Lastly, antifungal susceptibility testing is essential to indicate the ideal therapy against these infections.A seleção de isolados fúngicos resistentes aos tratamentos disponíveis associada a um aumento no número de pacientes imunossuprimidos contribui para a incidência de infecções causadas por fungos demáceos. Assim, este estudo avaliou a eficácia terapêutica dos principais antifúngicos atualmente utilizados na prática clínica em relação à Curvularia spp. e Hortaea werneckii de casos de feohifomicose superficiais do sul do Brasil. O perfil de suscetibilidade para anfotericina B, fluconazol, itraconazol, terbinafina e voriconazol foi avaliado por microdiluição em caldo frente a fungos demáceos (Curvularia lunata, C. pallescens e H. werneckii). A terbinafina demonstrou maior eficácia contra C. lunata - média gemométrica (GM = 0,38 μg/mL), C. pallescens (MIC = 0,125 μg/mL) e H. werneckii (GM = 0,031 μg/mL) quando comparado aos demais antifúngicos testados. A maioria das espécies apresentou sensibilidade ao itraconazol e ao voriconazol, com uma concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) variando entre 1 - 8,0 μg/mL e 0,5 - 2,0 μg/mL, respectivamente. Todos os isolados testados apresentaram menor sensibilidade ao fluconazol (faixa de CIM 4 - 16 μg/mL). Embora o itraconazol seja considerado padrão ouro, a terbinafina demonstrou ser uma ótima alternativa para o tratamento das feohifomicose superficiais. O teste de suscetibilidade antifúngica é essencial para indicar a terapia ideal frente a essas infecções

Iron and glucose-regulated protein 78: fundamental components in the coinfection of Rhizopus oryzae and SARS-CoV-2

The viral outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 emerged in China by the end of 2019 and was declared a global pandemic in early 2020. Along with the growing number of fatalities and lack of specific treatment at the time, the increasing incidence of mucormycosis worried World health agencies, as it ran the risk of more threatening outcomes for COVID-19 patients. In this context, this review aims to assemble case reports of COVID-19 associated mucormycosis and discuss virulence and host factors involved in the progress of these infections – key aspects that might unveil biological targets and pharmacological approaches to treat these infections. Recently, elevated serum iron levels during SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported in the literature. Besides being a clinical characteristic of diabetic patients, iron overload is described as a risk factor for Rhizopus oryzae infection. Furthermore, the increased expression of human heat-shock protein GRP78 during iron overload and coronavirus infection displays a crucial role as a mediator in Mucorales invasion. These remarkable mechanisms might explain the high incidence of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients with diabetes and, therefore, suggest regulation of GRP78 expression, management of glycemia and glucocorticoid treatment as potential therapeutic targets of this severe coinfection

Iron and glucose-regulated protein 78: fundamental components in the coinfection of Rhizopus oryzae and SARS-CoV-2

The viral outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 emerged in China by the end of 2019 and was declared a global pandemic in early 2020. Along with the growing number of fatalities and lack of specific treatment at the time, the increasing incidence of mucormycosis worried World health agencies, as it ran the risk of more threatening outcomes for COVID-19 patients. In this context, this review aims to assemble case reports of COVID-19 associated mucormycosis and discuss virulence and host factors involved in the progress of these infections – key aspects that might unveil biological targets and pharmacological approaches to treat these infections. Recently, elevated serum iron levels during SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported in the literature. Besides being a clinical characteristic of diabetic patients, iron overload is described as a risk factor for Rhizopus oryzae infection. Furthermore, the increased expression of human heat-shock protein GRP78 during iron overload and coronavirus infection displays a crucial role as a mediator in Mucorales invasion. These remarkable mechanisms might explain the high incidence of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients with diabetes and, therefore, suggest regulation of GRP78 expression, management of glycemia and glucocorticoid treatment as potential therapeutic targets of this severe coinfection

Occurrence and pathogenicity of Candida spp. in unpasteurized cheese

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and pathogenicity of the most common species of the genus Candida isolated from artisanal cheese produced in a city, in in Santa Catarina countryside. A total of 251 strains of Candida were isolated, with growth capacity at 37 °C, from the analysis of 45 artisanal cheese samples. Of these, 2.4% were identified as C. albicans and 97.6% as Candida non-albicans, which were distributed in 79.3% of C. krusei, 12.3% of C. glabrata and 6.0% C. tropicalis. Regarding to the activity of the proteinase enzyme, the production was observed in 0.8% of the samples. About 0.4% of yeast isolates showed strong production of biofilm on polystyrene screening test. According to this data, it was found a large prevalence of non-albicans Candida isolated in artisanal cheese with potential capacity for development and colonization due to the human body temperature.Key words: cheese, Candida, Candida non-albicans, prevalence, biofilm.(Ocorrência e patogenicidade de Candida spp. em queijos não pasteurizados). O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência e patogenicidade das espécies mais comuns do gênero Candida provenientes de queijos coloniais produzidos em um município do interior de Santa Catarina. Um total de 251 isolados de Candida, com capacidade de crescimento a 37 °C, foram obtidos a partir de 45 amostras de queijos coloniais analisados. Destes, 4,4% foram identificados como C. albicans e 97,6% como Candida não-albicans, distribuídos em 79,3% de C. krusei, 13,3% de C. glabrata e 6% de C. tropicalis. Em relação à atividade da enzima proteinase, a produção foi observada em 0,8% das amostras. Cerca de 0,4% das leveduras isoladas apresentaram forte produção de biofilme no teste de triagem sobre poliestireno para adesão microbiana. De acordo com os dados deste estudo, foi observada uma prevalência de Candida não-albicans em queijos coloniais com potencial capacidade de desenvolvimento e colonização na temperatura corporal humana