Evaluation of Malassezia pachydermatis antifungical susceptibility using two different methods

Malassezia pachydermatis is recognized as a normal inhabitant and an opportunistic pathogen of the external ear canal and skin of dogs and cats. In especial clinical conditions, and mainly in the cases of therapeutic failure related to external otitis and dermatitis complicated by this yeast, it is recommended test susceptibility to antifungal drugs. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the susceptibility of 44 isolates of M. pachydermatis from the external ear canal and skin of dogs and cats using two different in vitro antifungal susceptibility methods: the Etest® and the broth microdilution method. Thirty-five samples were tested using the Etest®, twenty-four samples were tested using the broth microdilution method and fifteen samples were tested using both tests. The antifungal agents used were ketoconazole (KTZ), fluconazole (FLZ) and itraconazole (ITZ). In the broth microdilution method the yeast was less susceptible to ITZ while KTZ had the strongest activity. On the other hand, the Etest® showed that M. pachydermatis was more susceptible to ITZ while the less active drug was FLZ. The simultaneous evaluation using both methods identified FLZ as the antifungal drug with the highest activity (64.3%), followed by KTZ (57.1%) and ITZ (28.6%). These results showed that there is an urgent need to standardize of the values considered as parameters for growth inhibition of this yeast so a simple and efficient method can be used routinely in the laboratory practice

Evaluation of Malassezia pachydermatis antifungical susceptibility using two different methods

Malassezia pachydermatis is recognized as a normal inhabitant and an opportunistic pathogen of the external ear canal and skin of dogs and cats. In especial clinical conditions, and mainly in the cases of therapeutic failure related to external otitis and dermatitis complicated by this yeast, it is recommended test susceptibility to antifungal drugs. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the susceptibility of 44 isolates of M. pachydermatis from the external ear canal and skin of dogs and cats using two different in vitro antifungal susceptibility methods: the Etest® and the broth microdilution method. Thirty-five samples were tested using the Etest®, twenty-four samples were tested using the broth microdilution method and fifteen samples were tested using both tests. The antifungal agents used were ketoconazole (KTZ), fluconazole (FLZ) and itraconazole (ITZ). In the broth microdilution method the yeast was less susceptible to ITZ while KTZ had the strongest activity. On the other hand, the Etest® showed that M. pachydermatis was more susceptible to ITZ while the less active drug was FLZ. The simultaneous evaluation using both methods identified FLZ as the antifungal drug with the highest activity (64.3%), followed by KTZ (57.1%) and ITZ (28.6%). These results showed that there is an urgent need to standardize of the values considered as parameters for growth inhibition of this yeast so a simple and efficient method can be used routinely in the laboratory practice

Evaluation of Malassezia pachydermatis antifungal susceptibility using two different methods Avaliação da sensibilidade da Malassezia pachydermatis frente a antifúngicos através de duas técnicas

Malassezia pachydermatis is recognized as a normal inhabitant and an opportunistic pathogen of the external ear canal and skin of dogs and cats. In especial clinical conditions, and mainly in the cases of therapeutic failure related to external otitis and dermatitis complicated by this yeast, it is recommended test susceptibility to antifungal drugs. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the susceptibility of 44 isolates of M. pachydermatis from the external ear canal and skin of dogs and cats using two different in vitro antifungal susceptibility methods: the Etest® and the broth microdilution method. Thirty-five samples were tested using the Etest®, twenty-four samples were tested using the broth microdilution method and fifteen samples were tested using both tests. The antifungal agents used were ketoconazole (KTZ), fluconazole (FLZ) and itraconazole (ITZ). In the broth microdilution method the yeast was less susceptible to ITZ while KTZ had the strongest activity. On the other hand, the Etest® showed that M. pachydermatis was more susceptible to ITZ while the less active drug was FLZ. The simultaneous evaluation using both methods identified FLZ as the antifungal drug with the highest activity (64.3%), followed by KTZ (57.1%) and ITZ (28.6%). These results showed that there is an urgent need to standardize of the values considered as parameters for growth inhibition of this yeast so a simple and efficient method can be used routinely in the laboratory practice.<br>Malassezia pachydermatis é considerada um habitante normal e patógeno oportunista do meato acústico externo e tegumento cutâneo de cães e gatos. Em condições clínicas especiais e nos casos de fracasso terapêutico, comum em casos de otite externa ou dermatite complicadas por esta levedura, é recomendado testar a sensibilidade aos antifúngicos. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a sensibilidade de 44 isolados de M. pachydermatis do meato acústico externo e do tegumento cutâneo de cães e gatos, através de duas técnicas de antifungigrama: ETEST e Microdiluição em Caldo (MC). Foram testadas 35 amostras pelo método ETEST (1994) e 24 pelo método de MC e 15 pelos dois testes. Os antifúngicos utilizados foram: cetoconazol (KTZ), fluconazol (FLZ) e itraconazol (ITZ). Através da MC, a levedura foi menos sensível ao ITZ, enquanto que o antifúngico com maior atividade foi o KTZ. M. pachydermatis foi mais sensível ao ITZ pelo ETEST, enquanto a droga menos ativa foi o FLZ. A avaliação simultanea através das duas técnicas aponta o FLZ como o antifúngico com maior concordância entre os resultados (64,3%), seguido pelo KTZ (57,1%) e ITZ (28,6%). Os resultados indicam que há uma necessidade urgente de padronização dos valores de inibição do crescimento desta levedura para que um método, simples e eficaz, possa ser amplamente utilizado na rotina laboratorial

Antes de existir o Brasil: os portugueses na Índia entre estratégias da Coroa e táticas individuais Before Brazil existed: the Portuguese in India from the Crown's strategies to individual tactics

Este artigo propõe-se a discutir os fatores que contribuíram para a conformação das possessões portuguesas às margens do Oceano Índico, nomeadamente a construção de fortalezas ao longo da costa. Essa conformação representou uma estratégia oficial de fixação no território e de controle das rotas comerciais. Simultaneamente, no entanto, os indivíduos buscaram outras formas de enriquecimento, muitas vezes contrárias aos interesses da Coroa portuguesa. Para a análise desses dois movimentos, apoia-se na definição de estratégias e táticas proposta por Michel de Certeau.<br>This article proposes a discussion of the factors that contributed to the settling within the Portuguese possessions along the shores of the Indian Ocean, namely the construction of fortresses along this coastline. These settlements represented an official strategy of establishment within the territory and of control of the commercial routes. Simultaneously, however, private individuals sought other forms of becoming wealthy which were very often contrary to the Portuguese crown's interests. The analysis of these two lines of action is based on the definition of strategies and tactics proposed by Michel de Certeau

O nascimento da América portuguesa no contexto imperial lusitano: considerações teóricas a partir das diferenças entre a historiografia recente e o ensino de História The birth of Portuguese America in the context of imperial lusitania: theoretical considerations regarding differences between recent historiography and History teaching

O artigo estrutura-se sobre a comparação entre o que é trazido pela produção historiográfica recente e o que os livros didáticos e o ensino de História do Brasil oferecem acerca do início de nosso período colonial. Os temas aqui tratados são a formação da monarquia e do Estado em Portugal, os antecedentes e as causas da expansão marítima, o significado da viagem de Cabral e, por fim, a dinâmica imperial lusitana até a metade do século XVI. Os fenômenos e processos históricos discutidos servem como indício de uma concepção histórica que está como pano de fundo na maneira de tratar a história do Brasil e de estruturar os livros didáticos.<br>This article deals with the comparison between what is discussed by recent historiographical production and what History textbooks offer concerning Brazil's Colonial Period. The themes include the formation of the Monarchy and the State in Portugal, the antecedents and causes of overseas expansion, the significance of Cabral's travels and, lastly, the Portuguese Imperial dynamics up to the mid-16th century. The historical phenomena and processes brought up here can be considered as pointing toward a historical conception which works as a backdrop to the way in which the history of Brazil is dealt with and how textbooks are organized

Relíquias sagradas e a construção do território cristão na Idade Moderna

O texto investiga um elemento estratégico para promovera cristianização do território da América Portuguesa nos dois primeiros séculos de ocupação: as relíquias sagradas, restos físicos dos santos, principalmente seus ossos, mas também outros artefatos com os quais os santos tiveram contato. Os atributos simultâneos de sacralidade e mobilidade da maior parte das relíquias, sua condição de repositório portátil da história e da memória católicas, deram a esses artefatos uma posição altamente privilegiada como agentes da duplicação do território cristão na América. Utilizando fontes documentais dos dois lados do Atlântico Ibérico, o texto investiga processos de descobertas, traslado e produção de relíquias sagradas, revelando sua função primordial de estruturação do espaço cristão. Além disso, mostra que as relíquias sagradas constituíram objetos em torno dos quais missionários e índios estabeleceram um campo de traduções e interlocuções, levando adiante, nas vertentes católica e ameríndia, o difícil trabalho de reconhecimento e apropriação do outro