ABSTRACTCryptococcus gattiiis the main pathogen of cryptococcosis in healthy patients and is treated mainly with fluconazole and amphotericin B. The combination of these drugs has been questioned because the mechanisms of action could lead to a theoretical antagonistic interaction. We evaluated distinct parameters involved in thein vitrocombination of fluconazole and amphotericin B againstCryptococcus gattii. Fourteen strains ofC. gattiiwere used for the determination of MIC, fractional inhibitory concentration, time-kill curve, and postantifungal effect (PAFE). Ergosterol quantification was performed to evaluate the influence of ergosterol content on the interaction between these antifungals. Interaction between the drugs varied from synergistic to antagonistic depending on the strain and concentration tested. Increasing fluconazole levels were correlated with an antagonistic interaction. A total of 48 h was necessary for reducing the fungal viability in the presence of fluconazole, while 12 h were required for amphotericin B. When these antifungals were tested in combination, fluconazole impaired the amphotericin B activity. The ergosterol content decreased with the increase of fluconazole levels and it was correlated with the lower activity of amphotericin B. The PAFE found varied from 1 to 4 h for fluconazole and from 1 to 3 h for amphotericin B. The interaction of fluconazole and amphotericin B was concentration-dependent and special attention should be directed when these drugs are used in combination againstC. gattii.

Caves are stable environments with characteristics favoring the development of microorganisms. The allocthonous input of organic matter and microbes into the warm Neotropical caves may favor the development of filamentous fungi, including pathogenic species. Histoplasma capsulatum is a pathogenic species commonly found in caves and associated with bat and bird guano. Many Brazilian caves have been historically visited due to scenic and religious tourism. The objective of this study was to perform a microbiology study for a management plan of a show cave in Brazil, focusing on the presence and distribution of pathogenic and opportunistic fungi in the cave. Statistic analysis was used to verify the influence of touristic activity on airborne fungi spore load. Fungi were isolated from air and guano in Lapa Nova Cave. Samples were obtained through serial dilution, direct and settle plate techniques. For H. capsulatum, samples were incubated in specific media and conditions. Airborne fungal spore load was compared prior and during visitation and statistically analyzed. A total of 2,575 isolates from the genera Aspergillus, Calcarisporium, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Emericella, Eurotium, Fusarium, Geotrichum, Gliocladium, Mucor, Purpureocillium, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Rhizopus and Trichoderma were identified. Histoplasma capsulatum was not isolated from the cave. Eleven opportunistic species were identified. Significant (p<0.05) variations on fungal richness in the air occurred due to cave visitation. Areas of potential microbiologic risks were indicated and management actions suggested. The results suggest a diverse community inhabiting the cave. Possible opportunistic species should be monitored in show caves and microbiota should always be included in the elaboration of cave management plans. This is the first detailed microbiologic study for a management plan of a show cave in the country. It provides relevant information for future management plans

A total of 233 specimens obtained from suspected cases of dermatomycosis from 189 patients were examined for causative fungi from December 2009 to May 2010 in a tertiary care hospital in the city of Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Yeast and fungal isolates obtained from specimens were regarded as conclusive diagnosis of mycoses in 82 cases (35.19 %), with the exception of two patients with pityriasis versicolor (2.4 %), in which the diagnosis was made only by direct examination plus clinical diagnostics of individuals. Forty-four subjects (23.28 %) were infected in more than one anatomical site. There was a higher occurrence on female patients (146, 77.2 %) than male (43, 22.8 %). Most of the infected patients were aged between 41 and 70 years (68.29 %). There were no statistically significant differences between occurrence of fungal infection and gender, presence of secondary disease and contact with animals. The largest number of examined material occurred in samples from toenails, which resulted in 50 % of positive cultures. Candida species were the most frequent group causing dermatomycosis in many anatomical sites, mainly in toenails and fingernails. Candida parapsilosis was the most representative (40.24 %) among all agents causing dermatomycosis of toenails and fingernails, followed by Candida tropicalis (20.73 %) and Trichophyton rubrum (10.98 %). Among the dermatophytes, Trichophyton genus represented over 80 % of the isolates, with T. rubrum representing 64.29 %, T. interdigitale (T. mentagrophytes) (21.43 %) and Microsporum gypseum (14.29 %).

Caves are stable environments with characteristics favoring the development of fungi. The fungal community present in a cave also includes pathogenic and opportunistic species out of which some are also served as energy sources in such energy stared ecosystems. Studies on microbial diversity and their role on such energy starved ecosystem are scarce. The present study was aimed to identify the cultivable f ilamentous fungi present in the various sediment of an iron ore cave and to recognize them as pathogenic and/or opportunistic species. Further the impact of cave entrance on the spore depositions on AbstractStudy Area: Nova Lima, Minas Gerais, Brazil Coordinates: 20 04 39 44 00 64 0 ' "S, ' " W 0 Mycopathologia, Clin. Infect. Dis Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., O Carste, Med. Mycol., J Cave Karst Stud., J Cave Karst Stud., Microbiology, Iran. J Microbiol., Blood Mycopathologia, Inoculum Aspergillus candidus . (2009): Entomopathogenic fungi carried by the cave orb weaver spider, Meta ovalis (Araneae, Tetragnathidae), with implications for mycoflora transer to cave crickets.. 71 (2): 116-120.