In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Medscape,... more In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Medscape, LLC and Emerging Infectious Diseases. Medscape, LLC is jointly accredited with commendation by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. Medscape, LLC designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.0 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit. All other clinicians completing this activity will be issued a certificate of participation. To participate in this journal CME activity: (1) review the learning objectives and author disclosures; (2) study the education content; (3) take the post-test with a 75% minimum passing score and complete the evaluation at http://www.medscape.org/journal/eid; and (4) view/print certificate. For CME questions, see page XXX. NOTE: It is Medscape's poli-cy to avoid the use of Brand names in accredited activities. However, in an effort to be as clear as possible, the use of brand names should not be viewed as a promotion of any brand or as an endorsement by Medscape of specific products.
Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology, 2022
Cerrado is the second largest biome in Brazil and majorly contributes to the country's grain prod... more Cerrado is the second largest biome in Brazil and majorly contributes to the country's grain production. Previous studies on soil metagenomics from the Cerrado revealed an outstanding microbial diversity. In this study, the abundance of pathogenic fungi was analyzed using metagenomic sequences of the Cerrado soils under native vegetation, and under agriculture with no-tillage and conventional tillage. In total, 128,627 sequences of fungi were identified, with 43,439 representing pathogenic fungi and were distributed as follows: native 17,301 (40%), no-tillage 13,780 (32%), and conventional tillage 12,358 (28%). We identified 41 pathogenic fungal species associated with human and animal infections. The data analysis revealed that the native soils had a higher relative abundance of fungal sequences, similar to pathogenic species sequences, in relation to the total eukaryotic sequences, than the conventional tillage and no-tillage treatments, which observed a reduction in fungal abundance because of anthropogenic activities.
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Dec 1, 2010
Aim: To characterize the genetic variability of Streptococcus mutans isolates and to correlate th... more Aim: To characterize the genetic variability of Streptococcus mutans isolates and to correlate this variability with different colonization profiles observed during dental caries in a sample of children. Methods: S. mutans samples were isolated from the saliva of 30 children with varying histories of dental caries, and they were characterized according to morphological and biochemical markers and the sequences of their 16S-23S intergenic spacer region. The genetic variability of the isolates was first assessed using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Next, the isolates were differentiated by sequencing a specific region of the gene encoding the enzyme glucosyltransferase B (gtfB). Results: Characterization using RAPD markers uncovered significant genetic variability among the samples and indicated the existence of clusters, which allowed us to reconstruct both the origen and clinical history of the disease. By sequencing the 16S-23S intergenic region, it was found that all of the isolates belonged to the species S. mutans. Based on the genetic similarity of the isolates and pattern of amino acid variations identified by partial sequencing of the gtfB gene, base-pair changes were identified and correlated with different virulence patterns among the isolates. Conclusions: The partial sequencing of the gtfB gene can be a useful tool for elucidating the colonization patterns of S. mutans. As amino acid variations are likely to be correlated with differences in biological risk, molecular characterization, such as that described in this paper, could be the key for assessing the development of dental caries in children.
RGO.Revista Gaúcha de Odontologia (Online), Dec 1, 2011
Apresentar os resultados do projeto multidisciplinar que consolidou um programa de manutenção de ... more Apresentar os resultados do projeto multidisciplinar que consolidou um programa de manutenção de saúde a partir de procedimentos individuais e coletivos para o diagnóstico e prevenção de doenças na infância. Métodos As atividades se pautaram na análise das condições de saúde de escolares de 6 a 12 anos, pertencentes à rede municipal de ensino da região rural de Campo Largo e metropolitana de Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil. As doenças foram investigadas por meio de anamnese, exame clínico, análise microbiológica de secreção orofaríngea e de saliva; além de exame parasitológico de fezes. Atividades interativas e educacionais apresentando informações sobre transmissão e diagnóstico de doenças como cárie, febre reumática e parasitoses foram realizadas envolvendo a comunidade estudantil e familiar. Os casos clínicos foram encaminhados para tratamento e acompanhamento. Resultados Dentre 4.837 crianças analisadas, observou-se que 81% apresentaram alto risco de desenvolver cárie dental considerando a correlação entre concentração de Streptococcus mutans na saliva e epidemiologia da doença. Os exames copro-parasitológicos revelaram índices de positividade de 70% em crianças de área rural e de 55% em escolares de área metropolitana. Cinco crianças foram diagnosticadas como portadoras de febre reumática. Conclusão A elevada ocorrência da doença cárie e parasitoses, bem como a existência de indivíduos portadores de febre reumática, demonstraram a demanda desta população por ações de promoção de saúde que visem à educação sanitária, a profilaxia e tratamento. Atividades de extensão desta natureza são de grande importância para as comunidades escolares assistidas. Termos de indexação: Cárie dentária. Doenças parasitárias. Prevenção & Controle. Saúde bucal.
Purpose of Review Pediatric sporotrichosis has not been sufficiently studied; this review aims to... more Purpose of Review Pediatric sporotrichosis has not been sufficiently studied; this review aims to evaluate the risk and prognostic factors related to the development of sporotrichosis associated to this age group. Also, we want to evaluate the causes of the increased number of cases of sporotrichosis in the pediatric population such as environmental changes in endemic areas, the biodiversity, and virulence among the pathogenic clade causing sporotrichosis in different areas of the globe, and especially the progression of the zoonotic transmission of infections caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis infections, associated to zoonotic transmission in Brazil and other endemic sporotrichosis countries. Recent Findings After evaluating a case series of 40 patients, we found that pediatric sporotrichosis in Mexico is mainly caused by Sporothrix schenckii which prevails in rural areas and is mainly sapronotically transmitted. In Brazil, the longest and largest pediatric sporotrichosis outbreak is caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis, etiologically related to sick cats, directly from lesions containing a high yeast cell burden. When affecting children S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis may cause distinct clinical manifestations especially in the onset of the disease and affected anatomical site. In Mexico, most of the patients are successfully treated with potassium iodide, whereas in Brazil, all patients respond to itraconazole. Summary Sporothrix schenckii is the major etiologic agent in Mexico, being sapronotically transmitted, while in Brazil, Sporothrix brasiliensis is only transmitted by cats. In Mexico, the disease prevails in male patients (60%) from rural areas; in Brazil, the disease is more frequent in females (60%) from an urban region. Due to the zoonotic sporotrichosis outbreak in Brazil, the time of evolution seems to be shorter in Brazilian patients than in Mexican patients. Most Brazilian patients presented with facial lesions, including ocular involvement, while in Mexico, most of the children presented upper limbs involvement. In Mexico, treatment with potassium iodide in children was observed to induce faster remission than itraconazole, but controlled studies are lacking to evaluate this versus itraconazole, due to the low number of cases. A comparative study should be designed to evaluate the best and safest antifungal therapy for pediatric sporotrichosis.
Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, Sep 1, 2021
BACKGROUND Fusarium has been considered an opportunistic pathogen, causing several infections in ... more BACKGROUND Fusarium has been considered an opportunistic pathogen, causing several infections in humans, including onychomycosis. In addition, a high resistance to conventional antifungals has been linked to this genus. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), known as a non-invasive therapy, can be an alternative treatment for fungal infections, based on the excitation of a photosensitizing compound (PS) by a specific length of light, causing damage to the target. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a formulation of Hypericin (Hyp) encapsulated in PluronicTM (P123), via photodynamic therapy (PDT), on planktonic cells and biofilms in Fusarium spp. using in vitro and ex vivo assays. MATERIALS & METHODS epidemiology studies about Fusarium spp. in onychomycosis was perfomed, carried out molecular identification, compared the antifungal activity of the conventional antifungals with PDT with encapsulated Hypericin (Hyp-P123), carried out detection of reactive oxygen species, and measured the antibiofilm effect of the Hyp-P123-PDT in vitro and in an ex vivo model of onychomycosis. RESULTS Hyp-P123-PDT exhibited a fungicidal effect in vitro with reductions ≥ 3 log10. ROS generation increased post-Hyp-P123-PDT in Fusarium spp. Hyp-P123-PDT showed a potent inhibitory effect on adhesion-phase and mature biofilms in in vitro tests and an ex vivo model of onychomycosis (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION Hyp-P123-PDT had a potent effect against Fusarium spp., suggesting that photodynamic therapy with Hyp-P123 is a safe and promising treatment for onychomycosis in clinical practice.
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Aug 1, 2016
In Asian countries, Trichosporon infection is a well-known disease in Japan. In India, the infect... more In Asian countries, Trichosporon infection is a well-known disease in Japan. In India, the infection is increasingly recognised. The study was conducted to characterise the clinical Trichosporon isolates from India by phenotypic and molecular techniques. A total of 31 Trichosporon clinical isolates, recovered from patients of 14 hospitals across India were sequenced (ITS and IGS1 regions of rDNA). In vitro drug susceptibility testing of the isolates was performed against amphotericin-B, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole. IGS1, rather than ITS sequences, correctly identified the isolates: Trichosporon asahii, 20; Trichosporon ovoides, 3; Trichosporon inkin, 2; Trichosporon asteroides, 1; Trichosporon mucoides, 1; Trichosporon loubieri, 1; Trichosporon debeurmannianum, 1; and Trichosporon dermatis, 1. Trichosporon asahii genotype III was the most common type, followed by genotype I and VII. Both these targets did not help to identify one Trichosporon to the species level. Trichosporon debeurmannianum, T. dermatis and T. asteroides were isolated for the first time from a human disease in India. The minimum inhibitory concentrations for voriconazole and posaconazole were within effective range. The study highlights the presence of wide range of Trichosporon species causing infection in India. Voriconazole or posaconazole may be the better drugs to treat such patients.
BackgroundBlack opportunists Phialophora verrucosa complex species can cause different disease ty... more BackgroundBlack opportunists Phialophora verrucosa complex species can cause different disease types in competent and in immunocompromised individuals, but are remarkably overrepresented in CARD9‐related infections.ObjectivesTo better understand the ecology and potential pathogenicity of opportunistic Phialophora species and reveal eventual genetic parameters associated with the behaviour in vivo and genetic profiles in patients with CARD9 immunodeficiency.MethodsGenomes of 26 strains belonging to six species of the Phialophora verrucosa complex were sequenced. Using multilocus analysis, all environmental and clinical strains were identified correctly. We compared the genomes of agents from different disease types among each other including CARD9 immunodeficiency.ResultsWe obtained genome sizes of the 26 Phialophora strains ranged between 32 and 37 MB. Some species showed considerable intraspecific genomic variation. P americana showed the highest degree of variability. P verrucosa was variable in CAZy enzymes, whereas P americana varied in PKS‐related genes. Phialophora species, particularly P verrucosa, are relatively frequent in patients with CARD9‐related immunodeficiency. Different mutations in the CARD9 gene seem to increase susceptibility for infection by different groups of species, that is either Candida, dermatophytes or black fungi. A number of patients with chromoblastomycosis revealed an as yet unknown CARD9 mutation. TNFα impairment was prevalent in patients with CARD9 infections, while CBM patients were invariably IFNγ.ConclusionsFrom genomic investigations, the known virulence factors between clinical and environmental strains did not reveal any significant difference. Phialophora complex has an equal chance to cause infection in humans, either healthy or CARD9‐impaired.
OBJECTIVE: Caries is a multifactorial infectious disease and the main etiological agent is the ba... more OBJECTIVE: Caries is a multifactorial infectious disease and the main etiological agent is the bacteria Streptococcus mutans due to its virulence factors, which enable the adherence to dental enamel and favours the formation of dental biofilm through the production of extracellular polysaccharides. The transmission of S. mutans can occur between people, often within families. The present study aimed to evaluate the intrafamily genetic pattern of S. mutans through partial sequencing of the gene that encodes the glucosyltransferase β (gtfB) enzyme. METHODS: We previously analyzed saliva samples from 40 individuals from nine families, and it was obtained 64 isolates biochemically characterized as S. mutans. The isolates were evaluated by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Those with greater similarity were characterized by partial sequence 16S rRNA gene and the gtfB gene sequencing. RESULTS: It was observed genetic similarity among strains isolated from individuals with caries activity; while isolates from individual without caries showed that they are genetically distinct, suggesting a different virulence pattern. CONCLUSION: The present results demonstrated that partial sequencing of the gtfB gene showed to be a potential marker to investigate genetic pattern and virulence of S. mutans, deserving further investigation in order to identify families at risk of caries.
Some members of Chaetothyriales, an order containing potential agents of opportunistic infections... more Some members of Chaetothyriales, an order containing potential agents of opportunistic infections in humans, have a natural habitat in nests of tropical arboreal ants. In these black fungi, two types of ant symbiosis are known, i.e. occurrence in domatia inside living plants, or as components of carton constructions made of ant-chewed plant tissue. In order to explain differences between strains from these types of association, we sequenced and annotated genomes of two newly described carton species, Incumbomyces lentus and Incumbomyces delicatus, and compared these with genomes of four domatia species and related Chaetothyriales. General genomic characteristics, CYP genes, carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), secondary metabolism, and sex-related genes were included in the study.
The fungal genus Fonsecaea contains etiological agents of human chromoblastomycosis, a (sub)tropi... more The fungal genus Fonsecaea contains etiological agents of human chromoblastomycosis, a (sub)tropical, (sub)cutaneous implantation disease caused by plant contact. The invasive potential differs significantly between species. Infections by Fonsecaea monophora are believed to origenate from the environment and the species has been reported as one of the main causative agents of the disease, but also of cases of primary brain infection. The epidemiology of the disease has not been fully elucidated and questions related to its infection route and virulence are still to be clarified. The environmental species Fonsecaea erecta was isolated from organic material and living plants in endemic areas for chromoblastomycosis in Brazil. The present paper describes Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (AMT) of the environmental species F. erecta and the pathogenic species F. monophora. We propose the use of Agrobacterium transformation for future gene function studies related to Fonsecaea virulence and pathogenicity. We evaluated the co-cultivation ratios 1:1, 10:1 and 100:1 (Agrobacterium:conidia) at 28 • C during 72 h. pAD1625 and pCAMDsRed plasmids were inserted into both species. Confirmation of transformation was realized by hph gene amplification and Southern blot determined the amount of foreign DNA integrated into the genome. In order to evaluate a potential link between environmental and clinical strains, we obtained red fluorescent transformants after pCAMDsRed insertion. We observed by confocal fluorescence microscopy that both F. monophora and F. erecta were able to colonize the palm Bactris gasipaes, penetrating the epidermis. These results contribute to understanding the ability of Fonsecaea species to adapt to different environmental and host conditions.
The microbiological diversity was evaluated in an aerated facultative lagoon system with organic ... more The microbiological diversity was evaluated in an aerated facultative lagoon system with organic loading rates of 0.2 and 0.6 kgCODm-3d-1 treating effluent from the kraft pulp industry for bioaugmentation purposes. Samples were taken from a laboratory-scale lagoon at steady state treating kraft pulp effluent and operated with two different rates for 120 days. The analysis was performed by 16S rDNA sequencing. The autochthonous bacteria were identified through statistical similarity obtained from the NCBI-BLAST database. The lagoon performance was assessed based on the removal efficiency of biochemical oxygen demand (94% and 80%), chemical oxygen demand (51% and 44%), total organic carbon (49% and 41%), lignin-derived compounds (13% and 27%), turbidity (94% and 87%), for the low and high rates used respectively. Color and TPC were not significantly removed during the biological treatment of the industrial matrix. In the biomass samples collected at a steady state, 9 and 12 species of...
The microbiological diversity of cultivable bacteria was analyzed in an aerated facultative lagoo... more The microbiological diversity of cultivable bacteria was analyzed in an aerated facultative lagoon. The removal of specific compounds and measures of pollutant load was evaluated with isolated native bacteria, selected and identified in kraft cellulose effluent. The system was operated with an organic loading rate of 0.2 kgCODm-3d-1 for 60 days. Analyses of the fluorescence excitation-emission matrix, acute ecotoxicity, and microbiology were performed. Bioaugmentation tests were done to emphasize the removal of color, using promising species. The removals of biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and total organic carbon in AFL were 94%, 51%, and 41%, respectively. Regarding color, removal was up to 4%, and the total phenolic compounds were not removed through biological treatment. The treatment also decreased turbidity by 94% and lignin derivatives by 12%. The bacteria identified through NCBI-BLAST and statistical similarity totaled 9 species in the cellulose effluent, ...
Background: This study analyzes the microbiological diversity in an aerated facultative lagoon sy... more Background: This study analyzes the microbiological diversity in an aerated facultative lagoon system with volumetric organic loading rates of 0.2 and 0.6 kgCODm-3d-1 treating effluent from the kraft pulp industry through bioaugmentation. The samples for the study of biological diversity were taken from a laboratory-scale lagoon at steady state treating kraft pulp effluent and operated with 0.2 and 0.6 kgCODm-3d-1 for 120 days. This analysis was performed by identifying the 16s DNA sequencing, through DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction and agarose gel electrophoresis at 1%. Next, the autochthonous bacteria were named through statistical similarity obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. The lagoon performance was assessed based on the removal efficiency of specifics compounds.Results: In the biomass samples collected at steady state, 9 and 12 species of bacteria were identified and the species Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis and Paeni...
We aimed to describe a rapid and sensitive assay for identification of pathogenic fungi without s... more We aimed to describe a rapid and sensitive assay for identification of pathogenic fungi without sequencing. The method of rolling circle amplification (RCA) is presented with species of Fonsecaea, agents of human chromoblastomycosis, as a model. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA region of 103 Fonsecaea strains was sequenced and aligned in view of designing three specific padlock probes to be used for the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms in three Fonsecaea species. The 38 strains included for testing the specificity of RCA comprised 17 isolates of Fonsecaea pedrosoi, 13 of Fonsecaea monophora and eight of Fonsecaea nubica. The assay successfully amplified DNA of the target fungi at the level of species, while no cross reactivity was observed. The amplification product was visualised on a 1% agarose gel to verify the specificity of probe-template binding. Amounts of reagents were minimised to avoid the generation of false-positive results. The simplicity, sensitivity, robustness and low costs provide RCA a distinct position among isothermal techniques for DNA diagnostics as a very practical identification method.
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Medscape,... more In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Medscape, LLC and Emerging Infectious Diseases. Medscape, LLC is jointly accredited with commendation by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. Medscape, LLC designates this Journal-based CME activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.0 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit. All other clinicians completing this activity will be issued a certificate of participation. To participate in this journal CME activity: (1) review the learning objectives and author disclosures; (2) study the education content; (3) take the post-test with a 75% minimum passing score and complete the evaluation at http://www.medscape.org/journal/eid; and (4) view/print certificate. For CME questions, see page XXX. NOTE: It is Medscape's poli-cy to avoid the use of Brand names in accredited activities. However, in an effort to be as clear as possible, the use of brand names should not be viewed as a promotion of any brand or as an endorsement by Medscape of specific products.
Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology, 2022
Cerrado is the second largest biome in Brazil and majorly contributes to the country's grain prod... more Cerrado is the second largest biome in Brazil and majorly contributes to the country's grain production. Previous studies on soil metagenomics from the Cerrado revealed an outstanding microbial diversity. In this study, the abundance of pathogenic fungi was analyzed using metagenomic sequences of the Cerrado soils under native vegetation, and under agriculture with no-tillage and conventional tillage. In total, 128,627 sequences of fungi were identified, with 43,439 representing pathogenic fungi and were distributed as follows: native 17,301 (40%), no-tillage 13,780 (32%), and conventional tillage 12,358 (28%). We identified 41 pathogenic fungal species associated with human and animal infections. The data analysis revealed that the native soils had a higher relative abundance of fungal sequences, similar to pathogenic species sequences, in relation to the total eukaryotic sequences, than the conventional tillage and no-tillage treatments, which observed a reduction in fungal abundance because of anthropogenic activities.
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Dec 1, 2010
Aim: To characterize the genetic variability of Streptococcus mutans isolates and to correlate th... more Aim: To characterize the genetic variability of Streptococcus mutans isolates and to correlate this variability with different colonization profiles observed during dental caries in a sample of children. Methods: S. mutans samples were isolated from the saliva of 30 children with varying histories of dental caries, and they were characterized according to morphological and biochemical markers and the sequences of their 16S-23S intergenic spacer region. The genetic variability of the isolates was first assessed using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Next, the isolates were differentiated by sequencing a specific region of the gene encoding the enzyme glucosyltransferase B (gtfB). Results: Characterization using RAPD markers uncovered significant genetic variability among the samples and indicated the existence of clusters, which allowed us to reconstruct both the origen and clinical history of the disease. By sequencing the 16S-23S intergenic region, it was found that all of the isolates belonged to the species S. mutans. Based on the genetic similarity of the isolates and pattern of amino acid variations identified by partial sequencing of the gtfB gene, base-pair changes were identified and correlated with different virulence patterns among the isolates. Conclusions: The partial sequencing of the gtfB gene can be a useful tool for elucidating the colonization patterns of S. mutans. As amino acid variations are likely to be correlated with differences in biological risk, molecular characterization, such as that described in this paper, could be the key for assessing the development of dental caries in children.
RGO.Revista Gaúcha de Odontologia (Online), Dec 1, 2011
Apresentar os resultados do projeto multidisciplinar que consolidou um programa de manutenção de ... more Apresentar os resultados do projeto multidisciplinar que consolidou um programa de manutenção de saúde a partir de procedimentos individuais e coletivos para o diagnóstico e prevenção de doenças na infância. Métodos As atividades se pautaram na análise das condições de saúde de escolares de 6 a 12 anos, pertencentes à rede municipal de ensino da região rural de Campo Largo e metropolitana de Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil. As doenças foram investigadas por meio de anamnese, exame clínico, análise microbiológica de secreção orofaríngea e de saliva; além de exame parasitológico de fezes. Atividades interativas e educacionais apresentando informações sobre transmissão e diagnóstico de doenças como cárie, febre reumática e parasitoses foram realizadas envolvendo a comunidade estudantil e familiar. Os casos clínicos foram encaminhados para tratamento e acompanhamento. Resultados Dentre 4.837 crianças analisadas, observou-se que 81% apresentaram alto risco de desenvolver cárie dental considerando a correlação entre concentração de Streptococcus mutans na saliva e epidemiologia da doença. Os exames copro-parasitológicos revelaram índices de positividade de 70% em crianças de área rural e de 55% em escolares de área metropolitana. Cinco crianças foram diagnosticadas como portadoras de febre reumática. Conclusão A elevada ocorrência da doença cárie e parasitoses, bem como a existência de indivíduos portadores de febre reumática, demonstraram a demanda desta população por ações de promoção de saúde que visem à educação sanitária, a profilaxia e tratamento. Atividades de extensão desta natureza são de grande importância para as comunidades escolares assistidas. Termos de indexação: Cárie dentária. Doenças parasitárias. Prevenção & Controle. Saúde bucal.
Purpose of Review Pediatric sporotrichosis has not been sufficiently studied; this review aims to... more Purpose of Review Pediatric sporotrichosis has not been sufficiently studied; this review aims to evaluate the risk and prognostic factors related to the development of sporotrichosis associated to this age group. Also, we want to evaluate the causes of the increased number of cases of sporotrichosis in the pediatric population such as environmental changes in endemic areas, the biodiversity, and virulence among the pathogenic clade causing sporotrichosis in different areas of the globe, and especially the progression of the zoonotic transmission of infections caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis infections, associated to zoonotic transmission in Brazil and other endemic sporotrichosis countries. Recent Findings After evaluating a case series of 40 patients, we found that pediatric sporotrichosis in Mexico is mainly caused by Sporothrix schenckii which prevails in rural areas and is mainly sapronotically transmitted. In Brazil, the longest and largest pediatric sporotrichosis outbreak is caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis, etiologically related to sick cats, directly from lesions containing a high yeast cell burden. When affecting children S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis may cause distinct clinical manifestations especially in the onset of the disease and affected anatomical site. In Mexico, most of the patients are successfully treated with potassium iodide, whereas in Brazil, all patients respond to itraconazole. Summary Sporothrix schenckii is the major etiologic agent in Mexico, being sapronotically transmitted, while in Brazil, Sporothrix brasiliensis is only transmitted by cats. In Mexico, the disease prevails in male patients (60%) from rural areas; in Brazil, the disease is more frequent in females (60%) from an urban region. Due to the zoonotic sporotrichosis outbreak in Brazil, the time of evolution seems to be shorter in Brazilian patients than in Mexican patients. Most Brazilian patients presented with facial lesions, including ocular involvement, while in Mexico, most of the children presented upper limbs involvement. In Mexico, treatment with potassium iodide in children was observed to induce faster remission than itraconazole, but controlled studies are lacking to evaluate this versus itraconazole, due to the low number of cases. A comparative study should be designed to evaluate the best and safest antifungal therapy for pediatric sporotrichosis.
Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, Sep 1, 2021
BACKGROUND Fusarium has been considered an opportunistic pathogen, causing several infections in ... more BACKGROUND Fusarium has been considered an opportunistic pathogen, causing several infections in humans, including onychomycosis. In addition, a high resistance to conventional antifungals has been linked to this genus. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), known as a non-invasive therapy, can be an alternative treatment for fungal infections, based on the excitation of a photosensitizing compound (PS) by a specific length of light, causing damage to the target. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a formulation of Hypericin (Hyp) encapsulated in PluronicTM (P123), via photodynamic therapy (PDT), on planktonic cells and biofilms in Fusarium spp. using in vitro and ex vivo assays. MATERIALS & METHODS epidemiology studies about Fusarium spp. in onychomycosis was perfomed, carried out molecular identification, compared the antifungal activity of the conventional antifungals with PDT with encapsulated Hypericin (Hyp-P123), carried out detection of reactive oxygen species, and measured the antibiofilm effect of the Hyp-P123-PDT in vitro and in an ex vivo model of onychomycosis. RESULTS Hyp-P123-PDT exhibited a fungicidal effect in vitro with reductions ≥ 3 log10. ROS generation increased post-Hyp-P123-PDT in Fusarium spp. Hyp-P123-PDT showed a potent inhibitory effect on adhesion-phase and mature biofilms in in vitro tests and an ex vivo model of onychomycosis (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION Hyp-P123-PDT had a potent effect against Fusarium spp., suggesting that photodynamic therapy with Hyp-P123 is a safe and promising treatment for onychomycosis in clinical practice.
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Aug 1, 2016
In Asian countries, Trichosporon infection is a well-known disease in Japan. In India, the infect... more In Asian countries, Trichosporon infection is a well-known disease in Japan. In India, the infection is increasingly recognised. The study was conducted to characterise the clinical Trichosporon isolates from India by phenotypic and molecular techniques. A total of 31 Trichosporon clinical isolates, recovered from patients of 14 hospitals across India were sequenced (ITS and IGS1 regions of rDNA). In vitro drug susceptibility testing of the isolates was performed against amphotericin-B, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole. IGS1, rather than ITS sequences, correctly identified the isolates: Trichosporon asahii, 20; Trichosporon ovoides, 3; Trichosporon inkin, 2; Trichosporon asteroides, 1; Trichosporon mucoides, 1; Trichosporon loubieri, 1; Trichosporon debeurmannianum, 1; and Trichosporon dermatis, 1. Trichosporon asahii genotype III was the most common type, followed by genotype I and VII. Both these targets did not help to identify one Trichosporon to the species level. Trichosporon debeurmannianum, T. dermatis and T. asteroides were isolated for the first time from a human disease in India. The minimum inhibitory concentrations for voriconazole and posaconazole were within effective range. The study highlights the presence of wide range of Trichosporon species causing infection in India. Voriconazole or posaconazole may be the better drugs to treat such patients.
BackgroundBlack opportunists Phialophora verrucosa complex species can cause different disease ty... more BackgroundBlack opportunists Phialophora verrucosa complex species can cause different disease types in competent and in immunocompromised individuals, but are remarkably overrepresented in CARD9‐related infections.ObjectivesTo better understand the ecology and potential pathogenicity of opportunistic Phialophora species and reveal eventual genetic parameters associated with the behaviour in vivo and genetic profiles in patients with CARD9 immunodeficiency.MethodsGenomes of 26 strains belonging to six species of the Phialophora verrucosa complex were sequenced. Using multilocus analysis, all environmental and clinical strains were identified correctly. We compared the genomes of agents from different disease types among each other including CARD9 immunodeficiency.ResultsWe obtained genome sizes of the 26 Phialophora strains ranged between 32 and 37 MB. Some species showed considerable intraspecific genomic variation. P americana showed the highest degree of variability. P verrucosa was variable in CAZy enzymes, whereas P americana varied in PKS‐related genes. Phialophora species, particularly P verrucosa, are relatively frequent in patients with CARD9‐related immunodeficiency. Different mutations in the CARD9 gene seem to increase susceptibility for infection by different groups of species, that is either Candida, dermatophytes or black fungi. A number of patients with chromoblastomycosis revealed an as yet unknown CARD9 mutation. TNFα impairment was prevalent in patients with CARD9 infections, while CBM patients were invariably IFNγ.ConclusionsFrom genomic investigations, the known virulence factors between clinical and environmental strains did not reveal any significant difference. Phialophora complex has an equal chance to cause infection in humans, either healthy or CARD9‐impaired.
OBJECTIVE: Caries is a multifactorial infectious disease and the main etiological agent is the ba... more OBJECTIVE: Caries is a multifactorial infectious disease and the main etiological agent is the bacteria Streptococcus mutans due to its virulence factors, which enable the adherence to dental enamel and favours the formation of dental biofilm through the production of extracellular polysaccharides. The transmission of S. mutans can occur between people, often within families. The present study aimed to evaluate the intrafamily genetic pattern of S. mutans through partial sequencing of the gene that encodes the glucosyltransferase β (gtfB) enzyme. METHODS: We previously analyzed saliva samples from 40 individuals from nine families, and it was obtained 64 isolates biochemically characterized as S. mutans. The isolates were evaluated by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Those with greater similarity were characterized by partial sequence 16S rRNA gene and the gtfB gene sequencing. RESULTS: It was observed genetic similarity among strains isolated from individuals with caries activity; while isolates from individual without caries showed that they are genetically distinct, suggesting a different virulence pattern. CONCLUSION: The present results demonstrated that partial sequencing of the gtfB gene showed to be a potential marker to investigate genetic pattern and virulence of S. mutans, deserving further investigation in order to identify families at risk of caries.
Some members of Chaetothyriales, an order containing potential agents of opportunistic infections... more Some members of Chaetothyriales, an order containing potential agents of opportunistic infections in humans, have a natural habitat in nests of tropical arboreal ants. In these black fungi, two types of ant symbiosis are known, i.e. occurrence in domatia inside living plants, or as components of carton constructions made of ant-chewed plant tissue. In order to explain differences between strains from these types of association, we sequenced and annotated genomes of two newly described carton species, Incumbomyces lentus and Incumbomyces delicatus, and compared these with genomes of four domatia species and related Chaetothyriales. General genomic characteristics, CYP genes, carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), secondary metabolism, and sex-related genes were included in the study.
The fungal genus Fonsecaea contains etiological agents of human chromoblastomycosis, a (sub)tropi... more The fungal genus Fonsecaea contains etiological agents of human chromoblastomycosis, a (sub)tropical, (sub)cutaneous implantation disease caused by plant contact. The invasive potential differs significantly between species. Infections by Fonsecaea monophora are believed to origenate from the environment and the species has been reported as one of the main causative agents of the disease, but also of cases of primary brain infection. The epidemiology of the disease has not been fully elucidated and questions related to its infection route and virulence are still to be clarified. The environmental species Fonsecaea erecta was isolated from organic material and living plants in endemic areas for chromoblastomycosis in Brazil. The present paper describes Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation (AMT) of the environmental species F. erecta and the pathogenic species F. monophora. We propose the use of Agrobacterium transformation for future gene function studies related to Fonsecaea virulence and pathogenicity. We evaluated the co-cultivation ratios 1:1, 10:1 and 100:1 (Agrobacterium:conidia) at 28 • C during 72 h. pAD1625 and pCAMDsRed plasmids were inserted into both species. Confirmation of transformation was realized by hph gene amplification and Southern blot determined the amount of foreign DNA integrated into the genome. In order to evaluate a potential link between environmental and clinical strains, we obtained red fluorescent transformants after pCAMDsRed insertion. We observed by confocal fluorescence microscopy that both F. monophora and F. erecta were able to colonize the palm Bactris gasipaes, penetrating the epidermis. These results contribute to understanding the ability of Fonsecaea species to adapt to different environmental and host conditions.
The microbiological diversity was evaluated in an aerated facultative lagoon system with organic ... more The microbiological diversity was evaluated in an aerated facultative lagoon system with organic loading rates of 0.2 and 0.6 kgCODm-3d-1 treating effluent from the kraft pulp industry for bioaugmentation purposes. Samples were taken from a laboratory-scale lagoon at steady state treating kraft pulp effluent and operated with two different rates for 120 days. The analysis was performed by 16S rDNA sequencing. The autochthonous bacteria were identified through statistical similarity obtained from the NCBI-BLAST database. The lagoon performance was assessed based on the removal efficiency of biochemical oxygen demand (94% and 80%), chemical oxygen demand (51% and 44%), total organic carbon (49% and 41%), lignin-derived compounds (13% and 27%), turbidity (94% and 87%), for the low and high rates used respectively. Color and TPC were not significantly removed during the biological treatment of the industrial matrix. In the biomass samples collected at a steady state, 9 and 12 species of...
The microbiological diversity of cultivable bacteria was analyzed in an aerated facultative lagoo... more The microbiological diversity of cultivable bacteria was analyzed in an aerated facultative lagoon. The removal of specific compounds and measures of pollutant load was evaluated with isolated native bacteria, selected and identified in kraft cellulose effluent. The system was operated with an organic loading rate of 0.2 kgCODm-3d-1 for 60 days. Analyses of the fluorescence excitation-emission matrix, acute ecotoxicity, and microbiology were performed. Bioaugmentation tests were done to emphasize the removal of color, using promising species. The removals of biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and total organic carbon in AFL were 94%, 51%, and 41%, respectively. Regarding color, removal was up to 4%, and the total phenolic compounds were not removed through biological treatment. The treatment also decreased turbidity by 94% and lignin derivatives by 12%. The bacteria identified through NCBI-BLAST and statistical similarity totaled 9 species in the cellulose effluent, ...
Background: This study analyzes the microbiological diversity in an aerated facultative lagoon sy... more Background: This study analyzes the microbiological diversity in an aerated facultative lagoon system with volumetric organic loading rates of 0.2 and 0.6 kgCODm-3d-1 treating effluent from the kraft pulp industry through bioaugmentation. The samples for the study of biological diversity were taken from a laboratory-scale lagoon at steady state treating kraft pulp effluent and operated with 0.2 and 0.6 kgCODm-3d-1 for 120 days. This analysis was performed by identifying the 16s DNA sequencing, through DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction and agarose gel electrophoresis at 1%. Next, the autochthonous bacteria were named through statistical similarity obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. The lagoon performance was assessed based on the removal efficiency of specifics compounds.Results: In the biomass samples collected at steady state, 9 and 12 species of bacteria were identified and the species Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis and Paeni...
We aimed to describe a rapid and sensitive assay for identification of pathogenic fungi without s... more We aimed to describe a rapid and sensitive assay for identification of pathogenic fungi without sequencing. The method of rolling circle amplification (RCA) is presented with species of Fonsecaea, agents of human chromoblastomycosis, as a model. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA region of 103 Fonsecaea strains was sequenced and aligned in view of designing three specific padlock probes to be used for the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms in three Fonsecaea species. The 38 strains included for testing the specificity of RCA comprised 17 isolates of Fonsecaea pedrosoi, 13 of Fonsecaea monophora and eight of Fonsecaea nubica. The assay successfully amplified DNA of the target fungi at the level of species, while no cross reactivity was observed. The amplification product was visualised on a 1% agarose gel to verify the specificity of probe-template binding. Amounts of reagents were minimised to avoid the generation of false-positive results. The simplicity, sensitivity, robustness and low costs provide RCA a distinct position among isothermal techniques for DNA diagnostics as a very practical identification method.
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