Dermatophytoses in patients attended from a private clinical analysis laboratory in João Pessoa-PB, between 2015 to 2019

Introduction: dermatophytoses or “tineas” are characterized by being mycoses caused by fungi of the genera Epidermophyton, Trichophyton and Microsporum. These mycotic infections can present themselves as a form of lesions that affect the skin, hair and ails of individuals of both genders and all ages. Objective: to elucidate the epidemiological profile of dermatophytoses in patients examined by a private clinical analysis laboratory in João Pessoa-PB, between 2015 and 2019. Methodology: this is an epidemiological, analytical, retrospective and documentary study, in which data collection took place at the Clinical Pathology Laboratory – “HEMATO”, located in João Pessoa – PB. Results: the profile of those affected was predominantly female (58.5%), 18 to 59 years old (38.4%), white (53.6%) and with lesions, mainly in skin glabrous (38.5%), feet (33.3%) and nails (12.8%). When relating the age group to the injury site, it was noticed that injuries on glabrous skin, feet and nails, were more frequent in individuals aged 18 to 59 years, while injuries to the scalp were mostly found in individuals younger than 18 years old. The most prevalent species were M. canis (31.9%) and T.rubrum (31.9%). When correlating the fungal species with the lesion site, it was noted that M. canis was the main agent responsible for lesions in glabrous skin, scalp and hands, while T. rubrum was predominantly observed in nails and T. mentagrophytes in feet. Conclusion: it is concluded that the data present in this research can promote the development of indicators and public policies for the population most susceptible to dermatophytosis

Antimicrobial effect of the essential oil from Rosmarinus officinalis L. against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolated from dogs

This study evaluated the inhibitory effect of Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) essential oil (ROEO) against 18 isolates of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolated from dogs affected by pyoderma in Brazil, by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the effects on the bacterial cell viability over 16 h. MIC values of ROEO against the isolates were 2.5 µL/mL (3/18), 5 µL/mL (12/18) or 10 µL/mL (3/18). At all concentrations tested  (¼, ½, 1x, 2x and 4x MIC) the ROEO inhibited  bacterial cell viability after 30 min of exposure, and no recovery in viable cell counts was noted in the later intervals. The ROEO at ½, 1x, 2x and 4x MIC established its bactericidal effect within a maximum exposure time of 16 h. These findings reveal an interesting anti-S. pseudintermedius effect of ROEO, with a rapid and steady kill rate.(Efeito antimicrobiano do óleo essencial de Rosmarinus officinalis L. contra Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolados de cães). O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito inibitório do óleo essencial de Rosmarinus officinalis L. (alecrim) (OERO) frente a 18 linhagens Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isoladas de cães com piodermite no Brasil, determinando a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) e os efeitos da viabilidade da célula bacteriana, durante 16 horas. Os valores da CIM do OERO, frente aos isolados avaliados, foram 2,5 µL/mL (3/18), 5 µL/mL (12/18) ou 10 µL/mL (3/18). Em todas as concentrações testadas (¼, ½, 1x, 2x e 4x CIM), o OERO causou inibição da viabilidade celular já após 30 minutos de exposição e não foi constatado restabelecimento da viabilidade celular na contagem de células viáveis nos intervalos mais tardios avaliados. O OERO exerceu atividade bactericida a partir da concentração 1/2 CIM. Esses resultados revelam um interessante efeito anti-S. pseudointermedius do OERO com uma rápida e constante taxa bactericida

Profile of susceptibility in vitro of Trichosporon asahii and Trichosporon inkin strains against cyclic imides

In vitro susceptibility testing of Trichosporon asahii (13 strains) and T. inkin (13 strains) against cyclic imides (succinimides, naphtalimides and maleimides) in concentrations of 200 to 6,25 µg/mL was performed according to the diffusion agar method. By the results obtained, the antifungal activity of the cyclic imides: 3,4-dichloro-N-phenyl-maleimide; 3,4-dichloro-N-phenyl-ethyl-maleimide and 3,4-dichloro-N-phenyl-propyl-maleimide (50 µg/mL) over T. asahii and T. inkin was important and it may be helpful in showing perspectives in a search for new antimicotic products.O perfil de sensibilidade in vitro de Trichosporon asahii (13 cepas) e T. inkin (13 cepas) frente a imidas cíclicas (naftalimidas, succinimidas e maleimidas) nas concentrações de 6,25 a 200 µg/mL foi realizado pelo método de difusão em agar. Pelos resultados obtidos, a atividade antifúngica das imidas cíclicas: 3,4-dicloro-N-fenil-maleimida; 3,4-dicloro-N-fenil-etil-maleimida e 3,4-dicloro-N-fenil-propil-maleimida (50 µg/mL) sobre T. asahii e T. inkin foi importante e pode abrir perspectivas na busca de novos produtos antimicóticos

Cladosporium spp: Morfologia, infecções e espécies patogênicas

The genus Cladosporium spp comprises a large number of dematiaceous fungi with a world-wide distribution and are among the most common air-borne fungi. They are frequently isolated contaminants and some species are pathogenic and toxigenic to humans and are associated with superficial infections of the skin and soft tissues, including disseminated sepsis with high mortality. In addition, Cladoporium spp. are aero-allergens and cause serious allergic diseases of the respiratory tract, as well as intrabronchial lesions. Currently, the Cladosporium spp species of medical interest associated with human disease are C. cladosporioides, C. herbarum, C. oxysporum and C. sphaerospermum. In the case of Cladosporium spp infections, the therapy is prolonged and varies according to the clinical syndrome. Knowledge about this genre is essential for better diagnosis and appropriate treatment. This literature review to gather information about the general and morphological characteristics, pathologies, clinical aspects and main pathogenic species of the infections caused by this genus.O gênero Cladosporium spp compreende grande número de fungos dematiáceos com distribuição mundial e que estão entre os fungos de ambiente mais comuns. São frequentemente isolados como contaminantes, no entanto, algumas espécies são patogênicas e toxigênicas para os seres humanos, estando associados a infecções superficiais da pele e dos tecidos moles e incluem sepse disseminada com elevada mortalidade. Cladoporium spp são aero-alérgenos e causam graves doenças alérgicas do trato respiratório, bem como lesões intrabrônquicas. Atualmente, as espécies de Cladosporium spp de interesse médico associadas com doença humana são C. cladosporioides, C. herbarum, C. oxysporum e C. sphaerospermum. No caso de infecções por Cladosporium spp, a terapia é prolongada e varia de acordo com a síndrome clínica. Sendo essencial o conhecimento a cerca desse gênero, para melhor diagnóstico e tratamento adequado. Esta revisão de literatura teve como objetivo reunir informações sobre as características gerais e morfológicas, patologias, aspectos clínicos e principais espécies patogênicas das infecções causadas por esse gênero

In vitro screening by phototoxic properties of Eugenia uniflora L., Momordica charantia L., Mentha arvensis L. and Turnera ulmifolia L.

Ethanol extracts of Mentha arvensis L., Momordica charantia L., Turnera ulmifolia L. and Eugenia uniflora L. were screened for light – activated antibacterial activity against strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Triplicate assays were conducted with and without exposure to UV-A radiation to test for light-activated or light-enhanced activity. Only the ethanol extract of E. uniflora and M. charantia showed antibacterial activity against an E. coli strain when exposed to UV-A light. The results represent a first report of the light-mediated antimicrobial activity of E. uniflora and M. charantia and suggest that phytochemical investigations may be warranted.Extratos etanólicos de Mentha arvensis L., Momordica Charantia L., Turnera ulmifolia L. e Eugenia uniflora L. foram avaliados quanto a sua atividade antibacteriana ativada pela luz contra linhagens de Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli e Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Experimentos em triplicata foram conduzidos com e sem exposição à radiação UV-A para verificar a presença de atividade antibacteriana ativada ou aumentada pela luz. Apenas os extratos etanólicos de E. uniflora e M. charantia apresentaram atividade contra uma linhagem de E. coli quando exposta à luz UV-A . Os resultados representam o primeiro relato de atividade antimicrobiana mediada pela luz de E. uniflora e M. charantia.Palavras-chave

ACTIVITY ANTI-C. TROPICALIS AND EFFECTS OF THE COMBINATION OF (S)-(-)-CITRONELLAL WITH FOUR ANTIFUNGAL APPLIED IN VULVOVAGINAL CANDIDIASIS

Objective: Assess the antifungal potential of the enantiomer (S)-(-)-citronellal [(S)-(-)-CT] isolated and associated to amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole and miconazole against C. tropicalis from vulvovaginal secretions.Methods: The enantiomer was solubilized in Tween 80 and DMSO. Posteriorly diluted in sterile distilled water up to the concentration of 2048 µg/ml. The MIC of the product was determined by microdilution in RPMI-1640 obtaining dilutions of 1024-4 µg/ml. The MFC was determined by the SDA depletion technique from aliquots of 1 µl of the MIC, MIC × 2 and MIC × 4.Results: The antifungal susceptibility testing and the interfering effects of the association of the enantiomer with the standard drugs were determined by disk-diffusion in SDA. The MIC of (S)-(-)-CT was 64 µg/ml and the MFC 128 µg/ml. A high resistance of the strands C. tropicalis to amphotericin B, itraconazole and miconazole were observed. The combination test of the enantiomer with the amphotericin B, as well as with the itraconazole resulted in synergism 2 (66.6%) of the yeasts and in association with the fluconazole 1 (33.3%) and miconazole 3 (100%) of synergic effect.Conclusion: The (S)-(-)-CT alone is fungicide for the 3 fungal strains and in association with the four antifungals increased the inhibition zones, increasing the sensitivity

Inhibitory effect of some phytochemicals in the growth of yeasts potentially causing opportunistic infections

Opportunistic infections caused by yeasts have been characterized as emerging diseases all over the world and this has caused the search for new products capable of inhibiting the survival of their etiological agents. In this study the sensitivity of some yeast potentially causing infections to alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, citral and eugenol was evaluated. All phytochemicals showed inhibitory action on the assayed yeast strains: Candida. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, C. stellatoidea, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis and Cryptococcus neoformans, presenting their MIC values in the range of 1 and 4%. The phytochemicals presented effectiveness to provide high fungicide effect in a short time. These data support the possible use of some phytochemicals as useful tools to control the occurrence of opportunistic infections caused by yeasts.Infecções oportunistas causadas por leveduras têm sido caracterizadas como doenças emergentes em todo o mundo e este fenômeno tem levado ao desenvolvimento de novos produtos capazes de inibir a sobrevivência de seus agentes etiológicos. Este estudo avaliou o perfil de sensibilidade de leveduras potencialmente causadoras de infecções oportunistas frente aos fitoconstituintes alfa-pineno, beta-pineno, citral e eugenol. Todos os fitoconstituintes mostraram ação inibitória sobre as leveduras ensaiadas, as quais foram Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, C. stellatoidea, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis e Cryptococcus neoformans, tendo valores de CIM oscilando entre 1 e 4%. Os fitoconstituintes mostraram eficácia para provocar um alto efeito fungicida em curto tempo de ação. Estes dados subsidiam o possível uso de alguns fitoconstituintes como ferramentas úteis para controlar a ocorrência de infecções oportunistas causadas por leveduras

Effects of Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt ex Bor essential oil on the growth and morphogenesis of Trichophyton mentagrophytes

Trichophyton mentagrophytes is a fungus causative agent of dermatophytosis, affecting humans worldwide. This has driven the search for products for the treatment of these infections. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the antifungal activity of the Cymbopogon winterianus essential oil against T. mentagrophytes. The antifungal tests consisted of antifungal screening, determination of MIC and MFC, analysis of the essential oil's effects on mycelial growth, germination of fungal spores, fungal viability, morphogenesis, cell wall (test with sorbitol) and cell membrane (cell leakage test) of T. mentagrophytes. Upon screening, the oil inhibited all strains, with zones of growth inhibition of 24-28 mm in diameter. The MIC was 312 μg/mL and CFM was 2500 μg/mL for almost all the strains tested. There were morphological changes in the conidia group, form and pigmentation of hyphae. The antifungal action of the product does not involve the cell wall and its action may involve the fungal plasma membrane. It is concluded that C. winterianus essential oil constitutes a potential antifungal product, especially for the treatment of dermatophytosis.Trichophyton mentagrophytes é um fungo causador de dermatofitoses, afetando humanos em todo o mundo. Isto direciona a busca de produtos para o tratamento destas infecções. Assim, este estudo teve por objetivo investigar a atividade antifúngica do óleo essencial de Cymbopogon winterianus contra T. mentagrophytes. Os ensaios antifúngicos foram constituídos do screening antifúngico, da determinação CIM e CFM, da análise dos efeitos do óleo essencial no crescimento micelial, na germinação dos esporos, na viabilidade fúngica, na morfogênese, na parede celular (ensaio com sorbitol) e na membrana celular (ensaio de lise celular) de T. mentagrophytes. No screening, o óleo inibiu todas as cepas, com zonas de inibição de crescimento de 24-28 mm de diâmetro. A CIM foi de 312 μg/mL e a CFM foi de 2500 μg/mL para quase todas as cepas testadas. O óleo essencial inibiu o desenvolvimento micelial, a germinação dos esporos e a viabilidade fúngica. Houve alterações morfológicas no agrupamento dos conídios, na forma e pigmentação das hifas. A ação antifúngica do produto não envolve a parede celular e parece estar envolvida com a membrana celular fúngica. Pode-se concluir que o óleo essencial de C. winterianus se apresenta como um potencial produto antifúngico, especialmente para o tratamento das dermatofitoses

Antimicrobial Activity of Indigofera suffruticosa

Various organic and aqueous extracts of leaves of Indigofera suffruticosa Mill (Fabaceae) obtained by infusion and maceration were screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The extracts were tested against 5 different species of human pathogenic bacteria and 17 fungal strains by the agar-solid diffusion method. Most of the extracts were devoid of antifungal and antibacterial activities, except the aqueous extract of leaves of I. suffruticosa obtained by infusion, which showed strong inhibitory activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 5000 µg ml(−1). The MIC values to dermatophyte strains were 2500 µg ml(−1) against Trichophyton rubrum (LM-09, LM-13) and Microsporum canis. This study suggests that aqueous extracts of leaves of I. suffruticosa obtained by infusion can be used in the treatment of skin diseases caused by dermatophytes