Dermatophytoses affect about 25% of the world population, and the filamentous fungus Trichophyton rubrum is the main causative agent of this group of diseases. Dermatomycoses are caused by pathogenic fungi that generally trigger superficial infections and that feed on keratinized substrates such as skin, hair, and nails. However, there are an increasing number of reports describing dermatophytes that invade deep layers such as the dermis and hypodermis and that can cause deep infections in diabetic and immunocompromised patients, as well as in individuals with immunodeficiency. Despite the high incidence and importance of dermatophytes in clinical mycology, the diagnosis of this type of infection is not always accurate. The conventional methods most commonly used for mycological diagnosis are based on the identification of microbiological and biochemical features. However, in view of the limitations of these conventional methods, molecular diagnostic techniques are increasingly being used because of their higher sensitivity, specificity and rapidity and have become more accessible. The most widely used molecular techniques are conventional PCR, quantitative PCR, multiplex PCR, nested, PCR, PCR-RFLP, and PCR-ELISA. Another promising technique for the identification of microorganisms is the analysis of protein profiles by MALDI-TOF MS. Molecular techniques are promising but it is necessary to improve the quality and availability of the information in genomic and proteomic databases in order to streamline the use of bioinformatics in the identification of dermatophytes of clinical interest.

Trichophyton rubrum is causing an increasing number of invasive infections, especially in immunocompromised and diabetic patients. The fungal invasive infectious process is complex and has not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms during the interaction of macrophages and T. rubrum. For this purpose, we used a co-culture of previously germinated and heat-inactivated T. rubrum conidia placed in contact with human macrophages cell line THP-1 for 24 h. This interaction led to a higher level of release of interleukins IL-6, IL-2, nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) and an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, demonstrating the cellular defense by macrophages against dead fungal elements. Cell viability assays showed that 70% of macrophages remained viable during co-culture. Human microRNA expression is involved in fungal infection and may modulate the immune response. Thus, the macrophage expression profile of microRNAs during co-culture revealed the modulation of 83 microRNAs, with repression of 33 microRNAs and induction of 50 microRNAs. These data were analyzed using bioinformatics analysis programs and the modulation of the expression of some microRNAs was validated by qRT-PCR. In silico analysis showed that the target genes of these microRNAs are related to the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, apoptosis, drug resistance, and cell proliferation.

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Introdução: Agentes quimioterápicos frequentemente induzem a um balanço nitrogenado negativo e perda de peso, contribuindo para desenvolvimento e progressão da caquexia. Objetivo: Avaliar a perda de peso em pacientes oncológicos tratados com diferentes protocolos quimioterápicos. Metodologia: Selecionamos 16 pacientes (parecer comitê de ética 4.192.874), ambos os sexos (n=11 masculino e n= 5 feminino), idades entre 50 a 80 anos, diagnosticados com diferentes tipos de tumores atendidos pelo Sistema Único de Saúde no Instituto Ribeirãopretano de Combate ao Câncer, com perda de peso maior que 5% após diagnóstico e início do tratamento quimioterápico. Resultados: 16 pacientes oncológicos realizavam diferentes protocolos quimioterápicos e apresentavam perda de peso (media) em um período de tempo médio de: n=5 tratamento com Mflox (Oxaliplatina,5-Fluorouracil, Leucovorin) contra câncer reto e cólon, 8,8 kg em 5 meses, n=4 Esquema CT (Docetaxel e a Ciclofosfamida) contra câncer de reto, pele e útero, 6,3 kg em 3 meses, n=1 Folfox (Oxaliplatina, 5-Fluorouracil, 5-Fluorouracil, Leucovorin) contra câncer de reto, 7 kg em 6 meses, n=1 Carboplatina e Etoposídio contra câncer de pulmão), 4 kg em 3 meses, n=2 CHOP (Ciclofosfamida, Doxorrubicina, Vincristina e Prednisona) contra câncer de mama, 7,8 kg em 7 meses, n=1 (5-Fluorouracil) contra câncer gástrico, 5 kg em 5 meses, n=1 Cisplatina contra câncer espinocelular, 4 kg em 3 meses e n=1 Docetaxel contra câncer de próstata, 6 kg em 4 meses. Pacientes que realizam o protocolo Mflox, n=3 possuem Adenocarcinoma do reto, 3,5 kg em 4 meses e n=2 Adenocarcinoma de cólon, média perda de peso de 15,7 kg em 5 meses.  Conclusão: Pacientes que tinham adenocarcinoma de cólon e realizaram o protocolo quimioterápico Mflox apresentaram uma maior perda de peso comparado com os demais protocolos e tipos de câncer.

The molecular and analytical methods reveal aflatoxin B1-producing Aspergillus flavus isolated from ready-to-eat peanut samples are resistant to the antifungal agent methylthiophanate(2019) Journal of Food Science & Technology 5(1) p:1-7