Chemical composition and antifungal activity of the essential oil from Piper amalago L.

The essential oil obtained from the leaves of Piper amalago L. by hydrodistillation was analyzed by CG-MS. The yield essential oil from fresh plant material was 0.1%. The main compounds found were β-copaen-4-α-ol (26 %), 7-epi-α-eudesmol (21.84 %), epi-α-cadinol (12.70 %), and n-hexyl-benzoate (12.29 %). The essential oil demonstrated antifungal activity against nine Candida strains, as shown using the agar-diffusion method.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Effect of the Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Eugenia uniflora on Proteins Global Expression during Morphogenesis in Candida albicans

Candida albicans is able to switch from yeast to hyphal growth and this is an essential step for tissue invasion and establishment of infection. Due to the limited drug arsenal used to treat fungal infections and the constant emergence of resistant strains, it is important to search for new therapeutic candidates. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate by proteomic analysis the role of a natural product (Eugenia uniflora) in impairing hypha formation in C. albicans. We also tested the potential action of E. uniflora to prevent and treat oral candidiasis induced in a murine model of oral infection and the ability of polymorphonuclear neutrophils to phagocytize C. albicans cells treated with the ethyl acetate fraction of the extract. We found that this fraction greatly reduced hypha formation after morphogenesis induction in the presence of serum. Besides, several proteins were differentially expressed in cells treated with the fraction. Surprisingly, the ethyl acetate fraction significantly reduced phagocytosis in C. albicans (Mean 120.36 ± 36.71 yeasts/100 PMNs vs. 44.68 ± 19.84 yeasts/100 PMNs). Oral candidiasis was attenuated when C. albicans cells were either pre-incubated in the presence of E. uniflora or when the fraction was applied to the surface of the oral cavity after infection. These results were consistent with the reduction in CFU counts (2.36 vs. 1.85 Log10 CFU/ml) and attenuation of tissue damage observed with histopathological analysis of animals belonging to treated group. We also observed shorter true hyphae by direct examination and histopathological analysis, when cells were treated with the referred natural product. The E. uniflora ethyl acetate fraction was non-toxic to human cells. E. uniflora may act on essential proteins mainly related to cellular structure, reducing the capacity of filamentation and attenuating infection in a murine model, without causing any toxic effect on human cells, suggesting that it may be a future therapeutic alternative for the treatment of Candida infections

Examination of potential virulence factors of Candida tropicalis clinical isolates from hospitalized patients

Candida tropicalis has been reported to be one of the Candida species which is most likely to cause bloodstream and urinary tract infections in hospitalized patients. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to characterize the virulence of C. tropicalis by assessing antifungal susceptibility and comparing the expression of several virulence factors. This study was conducted with seven isolates of C. tropicalis from urine and blood cultures and from central venous catheter. C. tropicalis ATCC 750 was used as reference strain. Yeasts adhered (2 h) to epithelial cells and silicone and 24 h biofilm biomass were determined by crystal violet staining. Pseudohyphae formation ability was determined after growth in fetal bovine serum. Enzymes production (hemolysins, proteases, phospholipases) was assessed by halo formation on agar plates. Susceptibility to antifungal agents was determined by E-test. Regarding adhesion, it can be highlighted that C. tropicalis strains adhered significantly more to epithelium than to silicone. Furthermore, all C. tropicalis strains were able to form biofilms and to express total hemolytic activity. However, protease was only produced by two isolates from urine and by the isolates from catheter and blood. Moreover, only one C. tropicalis (from catheter) was phospholipase positive. All isolates were susceptible to voriconazole, fluconazole and amphotericin B. Four strains were susceptible-dose dependent to itraconazole and one clinical isolate was found to be resistant

Dermatomycosis: frequency, laboratorial diagnostic and adhesion of patients to treatment in a public health system in Maringá -PR, Brazil

As dermatomicoses são infecções comuns que acometem a pele, pêlos e unhas e são consideradas de difícil tratamento. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a freqüência de dermatomicoses, seus agentes etiológicos e da adesão ao tratamento prescrito em pacientes atendidos em um sistema público de saúde, Maringá-PR, Brasil. Foram analisadas amostras de 197 pacientes, portadores de lesões compatíveis com dermatomicoses. O diagnóstico micológico identificou a presença de fungos em 65,99% dos pacientes (n = 130), que foram incluídos no programa de orientação farmacêutica. A faixa etária mais acometida foi a de 46-60 anos. Houve predomínio de onicomicoses, sendo as leveduras os agentes mais freqüentes, seguidas pelos fungos dermatófitos. O tratamento instituído foi eficiente, apesar de simples e de baixo custo, a orientação farmacêutica garantiu a adesão de 85,38% dos pacientes.Dermatomycosis are common infections that affects the skin, hair and nails and are considered of complicated treatment. The objective of this work was to check the frequency of the dermatomycosis, their etiologic agents and adhesion to treatment prescribed in patients taken care in a public health system, in Maringá-PR, Brazil. Samples of 197 patients with compatible dermatomycosis lesions were analyzed. The mycologic diagnostic identified the presence of fungi in 65.99% of the patients (n = 130), who were included in the pharmaceutical orientation program. The group of ages which was more affected was 46-60 years. Onycomycosis were predominant, being the leavenings the greatest number of agents, followed by the dermatophytes. The instituted treatment was efficient, although simple and of low cost, and the pharmaceutical orientation guaranteed the adhesion of 85.38% of the patients.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire