Abstract:The genus Cryptococcus is composed of encapsulated yeasts that have the ability to infect and cause disease in humans, as Cryptococcus gattii/Cryptococcus neoformans species complex. Facing the current research panel, few studies about cryptococcosis and epidemiological data have been carried out in the western region of Sao Paulo state. This study aimed to verify the occurrence of Cryptococcus spp. In public areas of the city of Presidente Prudente, using pigeon droppings and tree hollows as an environmental source. The samples were identified by conventional mycological methods. Were collected 54 samples from pigeon droppings and 62 samples from tree hollows of the genus Licania. And of these samples, 47 (87.0%) and 14 (22.5%) had positive growth of yeast from pigeon droppings and tree hollows, respectively. Cryptococcus was identified in 11 (20.4%) of the samples from pigeon droppings and 3 (21.4%) of those from tree hollows. The following species were identified: Cryptococcus neoformans (7.15%), Cryptococcus laurentti (14.28%), and Cryptococcus albidus (78.57%). Decreased susceptibility to fluconazole was observed for some isolates. Fluconazole exhibited a limited in vitro activity, particularly against Cryptococcus albidus and Cryptococcus laurentii. Identification and susceptibility testing of Cryptococcus spp. should be performed on a routine basis in view of their unpredictable susceptibility profiles.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar a prevalência de colonização e infecção por Candida spp. de mucosas e próteses de pacientes atendidos na clínica odontológica de uma universidade. Foram utilizados métodos morfológicos e bioquímicos para a identificação das espécies de Candida spp, tais como, CHROMagar Candida, o microcultivo em Cornmeal Agar e o auxonograma. A prevalência de colonização por Candida spp. em usuários de próteses foi de 70,6%. Foram isoladas 101 amostras de Candida de 68 pacientes, das quais 69,31% foram identificadas como C. albicans e 30,69% como Candida não-albicans. A avaliação da prevalência de colonização da cavidade oral foi realizada em função do método de higienização da prótese e apresentou menor prevalência em pacientes que utilizavam a associação da escovação e molho no hipoclorito. A prevalência de C. albicans foi maior que Candida não-albicans, e a higienização adequada da prótese reduziu a prevalência de colonização da cavidade oral. Palavras chave: prótese removível, Candida, estomatite protética, Candida albicans, prevalência.

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the genotypic profiles of C. albicans (Candida albicans) sequentially isolated throughout the course of HIV infections, and to determine its MIC (minimal inhibitory concentrations) to AMB (amphotericin B), FLC (fluconazole), KTC (ketoconazole), and ITC (itraconazole). Design: samples were collected from the oral cavity of HIV-positive individuals during 4 years, with a sterilized swab. MIC was performed by using the microdilution method AFST/EUCAST. The genetic similarities within and between sequential clones of C. albicans were assessed by DNA fingerprinting using the random amplification of polymorphic DNA technique. Results: A total of 142 oral samples were isolated from 59 HIV-infected individuals who attempted up to five visits each, with or without symptoms of oropharyngeal candidiasis. Profile analysis revealed that yeasts isolated over sequential visits from symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals showed 78% or 87% relatedness, respectively. The degree of similarity among C. albicans was higher for isolates from colonization than for those from infection. Genetically identical C. albicans samples also formed connected subclusters in sequential visits. In regard to susceptibility profile, all isolates were susceptible to AMB, FLC, KTC, and ITC and maintained this pattern all along, no differences in MICs of any given antifungal compound were observed for sequential C. albicans isolates. Conclusions: These data suggest that genotype and susceptibility to antifungal drugs were maintained over time in sequentially isolates of C. albicans colonization and a diverse evolutionary genetic trend in C. albicans sequentially isolated from the oral candidiasis of HIV infected individuals.

This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the dichloromethane/ethyl acetate fraction (named F4a), obtained from the culture of Pseudomonas aeruginosa LV strain in presence of copper chloride, against planktonic and sessile cells of Staphylococcus aureus, including those presenting multidrug resistance. First, the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of F4a for twenty-six clinical isolates were determined and the values ranged from 1.56 to 6.25 µg/mL. Minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 3.13 µg/mL was detected in 84.6% of the isolates. The time-kill curve analysis revealed a significant decreased in colony-forming unit counts after 4 h of treatment with the MIC/MBC of F4a. Moreover, the MIC/MBC of the fluopsin C, a copper-containing compound present in F4a, were 1.56/3.13 µg/mL, indicating that this compound seems to be one of the active components related to the antibacterial activity against S. aureus. Images of transmission electron microscopy showed significant ultrastructural alterations in planktonic cells treated with the MIC/MBC of F4a. A significant reduction in the metabolic activity of established biofilms of all S. aureus isolates was observed after treatment with F4a. No hemolytic activity to human erythrocytes was detected for F4a, and the cytotoxic concentration to LLC-MK2 cells was 3.44 µg/mL. In conclusion, F4a exhibited a bactericidal activity against planktonic cells and inhibited the metabolic activity of biofilms of S. aureus. F4a can be promising for the development of new strategies for the treatment of infections caused by S. aureus.