Genotypic diversity is independent of pathogenicity in colombian strains of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii in Galleria mellonella

82Cryptococcosis is a potentially fatal opportunistic mycosis that affects the lungs and central nervous system. It has been suggested that certain strains of C. neoformans/C. gattii may have the potential to be more virulent according to the molecular type. This study aims to investigate the association between virulence in the G. mellonella model and genotypic diversity of Colombian clinical and environmental isolates of C. neoformans/C. gattii. A total of 33 clinical and 12 environmental isolates were selected according to their geographical origin and sequence types (STs). Pathogenicity was determined using the G. mellonella model, and the cell and capsular size before and after inoculation was determined. For C. neoformans, virulence in G. mellonella revealed that death occurred on average on day 6 (p < 0.05) and that ST5C, 6C, 25C and 71C were the most virulent. In C. gattii, death occurred at 7.3 days (p < 0.05), and ST47C, 58C, 75A and 106C were the most virulent. Capsular size increased for both species after passage in G. mellonella. In conclusion, the pathogenicity of Cryptococcus strains in the G. mellonella invertebrate model is independent of molecular type or pathogenicity factor, even within the same ST, but it is possible to find variable degrees of pathogenicity

MALDI-TOF MS for the identification of bacteria from Acropora cervicornis samples with White Band Disease

White Band Disease (WBD) is one of the most harmful coral syndromes in the Caribbean, deteriorating the structure of many corals during the eighties and nineties. Since its etiology is not entirely known, the use of techniques aimed a t identifying the associated agents could provide an approach to the composition of the populations involved in the deterioration of A. cervicornis. Therefore, this research's objective was to isolate and characterize bacteria associated with WBD in A. cervicornis from hanging nurseries of Rosario and San Bernardo Corals National Natural Park, Colombia, using MALDI-TO F MS and PCR. The results showed the presence of Bacillus cereus bacteria in individuals with bleaching signs from nurseries and transplant areas on Isla Tesoro and Isla Ceiner. One of these strains sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed was closely related t o Bacillus thuringiensis, with similarities of up to 99%. The presence of B. cereus could indicate a special relationship between this microorganism and WBD. However, it is imperative to carry out more studies on identifying the bacteria associated with this disease to support these findings. © 2022 Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions. All rights reserved

The Combination of Iron and Copper Increases Pathogenicity and Induces Proteins Related to the Main Virulence Factors in Clinical Isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii

In fungi, metals are associated with the expression of virulence factors. However, it is unclear whether the uptake of metals affects their pathogenicity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of iron/copper in modulating pathogenicity and proteomic response in two clinical isolates of C. neoformans with high and low pathogenicity. Methods: In both isolates, the effect of 50 µM iron and 500 µM copper on pathogenicity, capsule induction, and melanin production was evaluated. We then performed a quantitative proteomic analysis of cytoplasmic extracts exposed to that combination. Finally, the effect on pathogenicity by iron and copper was evaluated in eight additional isolates. Results: In both isolates, the combination of iron and copper increased pathogenicity, capsule size, and melanin production. Regarding proteomic data, proteins with increased levels after iron and copper exposure were related to biological processes such as cell stress, vesicular traffic (Ap1, Vps35), cell wall structure (Och1, Ccr4, Gsk3), melanin biosynthesis (Hem15, Mln2), DNA repair (Chk1), protein transport (Mms2), SUMOylation (Uba2), and mitochondrial transport (Atm1). Increased pathogenicity by exposure to metal combination was also confirmed in 90% of the eight isolates. Conclusions: The combination of these metals enhances pathogenicity and increases the abundance of proteins related to the main virulence factors

Amplification and cloning of guanosine 5&apos;-triphosphate, 3&apos;- diphosphate phosphohydrolase enzyme from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological agent of human tuberculosis (TB), is one of the most successful bacterial pathogens, remaining a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. One-third of the world&apos;s population is infected with M. tuberculosis in a condition known as latency (without clinical manifestations) which facilitates transmission and complicates treatment. Thus, there is a continuous necessity of studies on mycobacterial metabolism. Guanosine 5&apos;-triphosphate, 3&apos;-diphosphate phosphohydrolase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtGpp) is a conserved hypothetical protein similar to Gpp from Escherichia coli and is a potential target for rational drugs design, since it may participate in the guanosine 5&apos;-diphosphate, 3&apos;-diphosphate (ppGpp) biosynthesis, an important regulatory nucleotide for prokaryotic organisms. In this work, we report amplification, cloning, subcloning and overexpression for a Gpp from M. tuberculosis H37Rv. This proves the knowledge about enzymes involved in Mycobacterium metabolism to pave the way the design of new antituberculosis agents and vaccines development

Estratégias para a avaliação de extratos de polifenóis em modelos in vitro de câncer do sistema digestivo

Introduction: Polyphenols are compounds naturally found in foods such as fruits, vegetables, tea, wine and chocolates, and it was attributed with benefits to human health due to their antioxidant capacity. Cancer of the digestive tract is between the third and fifth cause of death for the population, increasing the interest in carrying out studies aimed at finding polyphenolic compounds that help in their prevention or treatment. Objective: Identify the available strategies for the evaluation of polyphenols in digestive tract cancer cells. Method: A literature search was performed in databases such Ovid, Pubmed, Science Direct and Elsevier Journal and selected articles reporting the biological effect of polyphenols on digestive tract cancer cell lines, published between 2012 and 2022. Results: Currently studies report the use of a good number of cell lines as in vitro models for polyphenol studies in cancer highlighting the AGS and HT-29 lines, in addition to techniques for the characterization of polyphenols such as the α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl DPPH assay, however, to evaluate the biological effect various tests are identified that should be analyzed before implementation. Conclusions: The literature identifies that there are many alternatives and strategies for the evaluation of plant extracts in in vitro cultures of digestive tract cancer, however, before moving on to the experimental design, a number of considerations should be taken into account to ensure the usability of the resultsIntroducción: Los polifenoles son compuestos que se encuentran naturalmente en alimentos como frutas, verduras, té, vino y chocolates, a los que se les atribuyen beneficios a la salud humana por su capacidad antioxidante. El cáncer de las vías digestivas se encuentra entre la tercera y quinta causas de muerte para la población, por lo que se ha incrementado el interés por realizar los estudios dirigidos a encontrar compuestos polifenólicos que ayuden en su prevención o tratamiento. Objetivo: Identificar las estrategias disponibles para la evaluación de polifenoles en células de cáncer de vías digestivas. Metodología: Búsqueda de literatura en bases de datos como Ovid, Pubmed, Science Direct y Elsevier Journal. Se seleccionaron artículos en los cuales se reporta el efecto biológico de los polifenoles sobre líneas celulares de cáncer de vías digestivas publicados entre 2012 y 2022. Resultados: Varios estudios han reportado el uso de un buen número de líneas celulares como modelos in vitro para estudios de polifenoles en cáncer y han resaltado las líneas AGS y HT-29, además de técnicas para la caracterización de los polifenoles, como el ensayo 2,2-Difenil-I-Picril Hidrazilo (DPPH). Sin embargo, para evaluar el efecto biológico se identifican diversas pruebas que deben analizarse antes de su implementación. Conclusiones: En la literatura se identifica que existen varias alternativas y estrategias para la evaluación de extractos vegetales en cultivos in vitro de cáncer de vías digestivas; no obstante, antes de pasar al diseño experimental, deben tenerse en cuenta una serie de consideraciones para garantizar la utilidad de los resultados.Introdução: Os polifenóis são compostos encontrados naturalmente em alimentos como frutas, legumes, chá, vinho e chocolates, aos quais são atribuídos benefícios para a saúde humana devido à sua capacidade antioxidante. O câncer do sistema digestivo está entre a terceira e a quinta principais causas de morte na população, o que levou a um interesse crescente em estudos destinados a encontrar compostos polifenólicos que ajudem a prevenir ou tratar esse tipo de câncer. Objetivo: Identificar as estratégias disponíveis para a avaliação dos polifenóis nas células cancerosas do sistema digestivo. Metodologia: Pesquisa bibliográfica em bases de dados como Ovid, Pubmed, Science Direct e Elsevier Journal. Foram selecionados artigos que relatam o efeito biológico dos polifenóis em linhas celulares de câncer do sistema digestivo, publicados entre 2012 e 2022. Resultados: Vários estudos relataram a utilização de várias linhas celulares como modelos in vitro para estudos de polifenóis no câncer destacando as linhas AGS e HT-29, bem como técnicas para a caracterização de polifenóis, como o ensaio 2,2-Difenil-I-Picril Hidrazil (DPPH). No entanto, para avaliar o efeito biológico, são identificados vários testes que devem ser analisados antes da sua aplicação. Conclusões: A literatura identifica que existem várias alternativas e estratégias para a avaliação de extratos de plantas em culturas in vitro de câncer do sistema digestivo; no entanto, antes de passar à concepção experimental, é necessário ter em conta uma série de considerações para garantir a utilidade dos resultados

Identificación de Criptococcus neoformans como primer reporte de aislamientos ambientales en la ciudad de Tunja – Boyacá

Spa: La criptococosis es una micosis oportunista que afectatanto a pacientes inmunodeprimidos como inmunocompetentes, se adquiere por inhalación de los propágulos fúngicos [1]. En la actualidad, el agente etiológico se agrupa en lo que se ha denominado como complejo Cryptococcus, donde se reconocen las especies Cryptococcus neoformans, con dos variedades;C. neoformans var. grubii, serotipo A y C. neoformansvar. neoformans, serotipo D, y C. gattii, con los serotipos B y C y los híbridos AD, BD, AA, y AB [2]

First report of environmental isolation of Cryptococcus and Cryptococcus-like yeasts from Boyacá, Colombia

Abstract The Cryptococcus genus comprises more than 100 species, of which C. neoformans and C. gattii are the leading cause of cryptococcosis. The distribution of C. gattii and C. neoformans species complexes has been extensively studied and widely reported globally. Other species such as Naganishia albida, Papiliotrema laurentii, and Papiliotrema flavescens have been reported as pathogenic yeasts. Since there are no reports of environmental isolation in the Boyacá region (Colombia), this study aimed to isolate and characterize Cryptococcus and Cryptococcus-like yeasts from pigeon feces, Eucalyptus, and olive trees distributed in the municipalities of Tunja and Ricaute Alto. The environmental data was recovered, and the isolations obtained were identified by microscopy, biochemical test, MALDI-TOF MS, URA5-RFLP, and sequencing of the ITS and LSU loci. For the 93 pigeon dropping samples collected in Tunja, 23 yielded to C. neoformans, 3 to N. globosa, 2 N. albida and 1 to P. laurentii. Of the 1188 samples collected from olive trees, 17 (1.43%) positive samples were identified as C. gattii species complex (4), C. neoformans species complex (2), P. laurentii (3), N. albida (2), N. globosa (5) and P. flavescens (1). Likewise, specimens of C. neoformans presented molecular type VNI and molecular type VNII; for C. gattii the molecular types found were VGIII and one VGIV by URA5-RFLP but VGIII by MALDI-TOF and sequencing of the ITS and LSU. Therefore, it can be concluded that the species of Cryptococcus, Naganishia and Papiliotrema genera, are present in the environment of Boyacá, and show a predilection for climate conditions that are typical of this region

Characterisation of iunH gene knockout strain from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused mainly by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The better understanding of important metabolic pathways from M. tuberculosis can contribute to the development of novel therapeutic and prophylactic strategies to combat TB. Nucleoside hydrolase (MtIAGU-NH), encoded by iunH gene (Rv3393), is an enzyme from purine salvage pathway in M. tuberculosis. MtIAGU-NH accepts inosine, adenosine, guanosine, and uridine as substrates, which may point to a pivotal metabolic role. OBJECTIVES Our aim was to construct a M. tuberculosis knockout strain for iunH gene, to evaluate in vitro growth and the effect of iunH deletion in M. tuberculosis in non-activated and activated macrophages models of infection. METHODS A M. tuberculosis knockout strain for iunH gene was obtained by allelic replacement, using pPR27xylE plasmid. The complemented strain was constructed by the transformation of the knockout strain with pNIP40::iunH. MtIAGU-NH expression was analysed by Western blot and LC-MS/MS. In vitro growth was evaluated in Sauton’s medium. Bacterial load of non-activated and interferon-γ activated RAW 264.7 cells infected with knockout strain was compared with wild-type and complemented strains. FINDINGS Western blot and LC-MS/MS validated iunH deletion at protein level. The iunH knockout led to a delay in M. tuberculosis growth kinetics in Sauton’s medium during log phase, but did not affect bases and nucleosides pool in vitro. No significant difference in bacterial load of knockout strain was observed when compared with both wild-type and complemented strains after infection of non-activated and interferon-γ activated RAW 264.7 cells. MAIN CONCLUSION The disruption of iunH gene does not influence M. tuberculosis growth in both non-activated and activated RAW 264.7 cells, which show that iunH gene is not important for macrophage invasion and virulence. Our results indicated that MtIAGU-NH is not a target for drug development