First occurrence of feline sporotrichosis in a metropolitan area of Central-West Brazil

Sporotrichosis is a neglected mycosis that affects human and animal hosts, including domestic cats. In Brazil, its most frequently diagnosed etiological agent is Sporothrix brasiliensis. Zoonotic transmission of S. brasiliensis occurs via direct contact between an infected cat and a susceptible human host. Notification of confirmed cases of feline sporotrichosis is not mandatory in Brazil. The metropolitan area of Goiania city can be considered a silent area for the occurrence of feline sporotrichosis. In this context, voluntary reporting of feline sporotrichosis cases is recommended for all healthcare professionals. This study aimed to report the first occurrence of S. brasiliensis in a cat from the metropolitan area of Goiania city. Cytopathology, mycology, thermal dimorphism and calmodulin gene amplification tests were performed. The mycological and molecular biological diagnoses corresponded to S. brasiliensis. The etiological agent of zoonotic sporotrichosis was detected in the metropolitan area of Goiania city, and therefore there is a risk of the emergence of new cases of cats infected with S. brasiliensis and the occurrence of zoonotic transmission of this fungus

Protocolo rápido y económico para la producción de Paracoccidioides spp. antígenos

Introduction: Existing methods for the production of Paracoccidioides spp. antigens are problematic considering standardization, specificity, stability, repeatability, and reproducibility. Objective: To optimize the methodology for producing Paracoccidioides spp. antigens and to evaluate its applicability in paracoccidioidomycosis immunodiagnosis.Materials and methods: The antigens were obtained from isolates of Paracoccidioides lutzii (01, 66 and 8334), Paracoccidioides brasiliensis sensu stricto (113) and Paracoccidioides restripiensis (B-339) grown at 36º±1ºC, on modified Fava-Netto agar, according Freitas et al. (2018). The P. lutzii antigens were obtained after 5, 10 and 20 days of culture and those of P. brasiliensis and P. restripiensis, after 10 days. The antigens were evaluated in natura, 10 and 20 times concentrated. The antigenic capacity was evaluated using the double immunodiffusion assay against serum samples from patients with paracoccidioidomycosis, histoplasmosis, aspergillosis and from random blood donors. Results: Cross-reactivity between Paracoccidioides spp. antigens was observed when P. brasiliensis and P. restrepiensis antigens were evaluated against polyclonal antibody anti-P. lutzii and when P. lutzii antigens were evaluated against polyclonal antibody anti-P. brasiliensis. There was no cross-reactivity against polyclonal antibodies anti-Histoplasma capsulatum and anti-Aspergillus fumigatus and random blood donors. The proposed protocol allowed the production of gender-specific, stable, repeatable and reproducible antigens, in a shorter cultivation time and at a lower cost.Conclusion: The proposed protocol allowed obtaining gender-specific antigens and can be developed and reproduced in all laboratories in Brazil and South America, where paracoccidioidomycosis is neglected, contributing to the early diagnosis, especially in endemic regions, regardless of the species.Introducción. Los métodos existentes para la producción de Paracoccidioides spp. los antígenos son problemáticos teniendo en cuenta la estandarización, la especificidad, la estabilidad, la repetibilidad y la reproducibilidad.Objetivo. Optimizar la metodología para producir Paracoccidioides spp. antígenos y evaluar su aplicabilidad en el inmunodiagnóstico de paracoccidioidomicosis.Materiales y métodos. Los antígenos se obtuvieron de aislados de Paracoccidioides lutzii (01, 66 y 8334), Paracoccidioides brasiliensis sensu stricto (113) y Paracoccidioides restripiensis (B-339) cultivados a 36º±1ºC, en agar Fava-Netto modificado, según Freitas et al. (2018). Los antígenos de P. lutzii se obtuvieron a los 5, 10 y 20 días de cultivo y los de P. brasiliensis y P. restripiensis, a los 10 días. Los antígenos se evaluaron in natura, concentrados 10 y 20 veces. La capacidad antigénica se evaluó mediante el ensayo de doble inmunodifusión frente a muestras de suero de pacientes con paracoccidioidomicosis, histoplasmosis, aspergilosis y de donantes de sangre aleatorios.Resultados. Se observó reactividad cruzada entre Paracoccidioides spp. cuando se evaluaron los antígenos de P. brasiliensis y P. restrepiensis contra el anticuerpo policlonal anti-P. lutzii y cuando se evaluaron los antígenos de P. lutzii contra el anticuerpo policlonal anti-P. brasiliensis. No hubo reactividad cruzada contra anticuerpos policlonales anti-H. capsulatum y anti-A. fumigatus y donantes de sangre aleatorios. El protocolo propuesto permitió la producción de antígenos específicos de género, estables, repetibles y reproducibles, en un menor tiempo de cultivo y a un menor costo.Conclusión. El protocolo propuesto permitió obtener antígenos específicos de género y puede ser desarrollado y reproducido en todos los laboratorios de Brasil y América del Sur, donde se descuide la paracoccidioidomicosis, contribuyendo para el diagnóstico precoz, especialmente en regiones endémicas, independientemente de la especie

Comparative analysis of diagnostic methods for the detection of Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis.

BackgroundCryptococcosis is a devastating opportunistic infection in immunocompromised individuals, primarily in people living with HIV/AIDS. This study evaluated a protocol for the early diagnosis of meningitis due to C. neoformans, utilizing established molecular techniques from serum and CSF samples.MethodsThe 18S and 5.8S (rDNA-ITS) sequence-specific nested PCR assays were compared with direct India ink staining and the latex agglutination test for detection of C. neoformans in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 49 Brazilian suspected meningitis patients. Results were validated with samples obtained from 10 patients negative for cryptococcosis and HIV, and by analysis of standard C. neoformans strains.Principal findingsThe 5.8S DNA-ITS PCR was more sensitive (89-100%) and specific (100%) than the 18S rDNA PCR and conventional tests (India ink staining and latex agglutination) for identification of C. neoformans. While the 18S PCR exhibited a sensitivity (72%) similar to that of the latex agglutination assay in serum samples, it was superior to the latex agglutination assay when testing CSF, with a sensitivity of 84%. However, the latex agglutination was superior to the 18SrDNA PCR in specificity in CSF (92%). The 5.8S DNA-ITS PCR yielded the highest levels of accuracy (96-100%) of any test for detection (serological and mycological) of C. neoformans in both serum and CSF.ConclusionUse of the nested 5.8S PCR was superior to other techniques for the diagnosis of cryptococcosis. The possibility of using serum, a non-invasively collected material, in a targeted 5.8S PCR analysis to identify Cryptococcus spp. is recommended, especially in immunosuppressed patients. Our results indicate that nested 5.8S PCR can increase the diagnostic capability of cryptococcosis, and we suggest its use to monitor patients in the future

Growing knowledge: an overview of Seed Plant diversity in Brazil

Abstract An updated inventory of Brazilian seed plants is presented and offers important insights into the country's biodiversity. This work started in 2010, with the publication of the Plants and Fungi Catalogue, and has been updated since by more than 430 specialists working online. Brazil is home to 32,086 native Angiosperms and 23 native Gymnosperms, showing an increase of 3% in its species richness in relation to 2010. The Amazon Rainforest is the richest Brazilian biome for Gymnosperms, while the Atlantic Rainforest is the richest one for Angiosperms. There was a considerable increment in the number of species and endemism rates for biomes, except for the Amazon that showed a decrease of 2.5% of recorded endemics. However, well over half of Brazillian seed plant species (57.4%) is endemic to this territory. The proportion of life-forms varies among different biomes: trees are more expressive in the Amazon and Atlantic Rainforest biomes while herbs predominate in the Pampa, and lianas are more expressive in the Amazon, Atlantic Rainforest, and Pantanal. This compilation serves not only to quantify Brazilian biodiversity, but also to highlight areas where there information is lacking and to provide a framework for the challenge faced in conserving Brazil's unique and diverse flora