Infections caused by Candida yeasts are common in elderly individuals. Seventy-five isolates of Candida spp. were obtained from saliva samples of 136 institutionalized elderly individuals resident in six retirement homes of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Forty-seven isolates (62.66%) were identified as Candida albicans, 15 (20%) as C. tropicalis, 7 (9.33%) as C. glabrata, 4 (5.33) as C. parapsilosis, and 2 (2.67%) as C. guilliermondii. Among the 136 elderly individuals studied, 49 (36%) were male and 87 (64%) were female. Ages ranged from 60 to 90 years old. Sixty-three (46.3%) of the institutionalized individuals were denture wearers and, among them, 53 (84.1%) carried Candida yeasts in the oral cavity. Forty-four subjects presented lesions in the oral mucosa and among these, 36 (82%), had positive culture for Candida spp. The samples were tested for the in vitro susceptibility to amphotericin B, itraconazole, fluconazole and 5-flucytosin, and great variations were observed in the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of these drugs according to the species.

BackgroundBecause of the inherent immunosuppression of cancer patients opportunistic infections by Candida spp, occur frequently. This study aimed to identify Candida species in the oral mucosa of 59 patients with orogastric cancer (OGC) and to analyze the immunological phenotype of these patients.MethodsThe yeasts were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS). For all isolates, we performed phospholipases and proteinases assays, in vitro adherence to buccal epithelial cells (BEC), minimum inhibitory concentration of antifungal drugs and determined the cytokine profile by Cytometric Bead Array flow citometry assay.ResultsC. albicans was the most prevalent species in OGC patients (51.6 %) and control group (66.7 %). Candida spp. strains isolated from OGC patients exhibited better adherence to BEC (p = 0.05) than did the control group. Phospholipases production by Candida strains from OGC patients was lower (51.6 %) than in the control group (61.9 %). Proteinases were detected in 41.9 % and 4.8 % of the yeasts from OGC patients and control group, respectively. Significant differences were found in the serum of OGC patients compared to the control group for IL-2, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-17.ConclusionsThe results of this work suggest increased virulence of yeasts isolated from OGC patients and, that this may interfere with the immune phenotype.

Denture-related stomatitis caused by Candida spp. affects elderly individuals using partial/total prosthesis, provoking several discomforts including burning sensation and altered taste. Herein, we have studied 52 denture-wearing individuals (>60 years-old), attended at the dentistry clinic of UNIVALE, aiming to isolate Candida spp. directly from the stomatitis lesions and to evaluate their potential to produce virulence attributes. A low prevalence of denture-related stomatitis was reported in these patients (4/52; 7.7%). Candida albicans was isolated in the 4 selected patients, with the ability to form biofilm over a polystyrene surface and to produce aspartic protease, esterase and hemolysin. However, neither phospholipase nor caseinase activities were detected. Planktonic-growing yeasts were susceptible to amphotericin B and caspofungin, while the susceptibility to azoles (fluconazol, itraconazole and voriconazole) varied depending on either the isolate or antifungal. Relevantly, biofilm-forming C. albicans cells exhibited resistance to all studied antifungals. So, new effective drugs against resistant C. albicans isolates causing denture-related stomatitis are urgently required.

Objetivo: El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la prevalencia de Staphylococcus aureos aislado de las manos de profesionales de la salud en el Hospital Municipal de Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais (Brasil). Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, cuantitativo en mayo de 2018. La muestra consistió en 103 (ciento tres) profesionales de la salud, incluidos médicos, enfermeras, técnicos de enfermería, técnicos de radiología y fisioterapeutas. La identificación de Staphylococcus aureus se llevó a cabo utilizando agar manitol para el aislamiento de las muestras y mediante las pruebas de catalasa, coagulasa y ADNsa para identificarlas. Resultados: De los 103 profesionales evaluados, 21 fueron colonizados, mostrando una prevalencia del 20,39%. Para determinar la sensibilidad de las muestras, se utilizó el método de difusión en disco en Ágar, donde el 100% de las cepas eran sensibles al linezolid, siendo la azitromicina el antimicrobiano con la mayor resistencia 83,33%. Conclusión: Fue posible demostrar que, la higiene de las manos promueve una reducción considerable de la presencia de Staphylococcus aureos. Por lo tanto, la formación de profesionales, en el cumplimiento de las prácticas de higiene, asociadas con el cuidado en la prescripción de antimicrobianos, contribuye a la prevención de la propagación de estos microorganismos.

Objetivo: Analisar a prevalência de cepas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa em dois laboratórios na cidade de Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais no ano de 2018. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo descritivo, retrospectivo, com abordagem quantitativa. Resultados: Tiveram 148 amostras positivas para P. aeruginosa. Em relação à faixa etária predominante para o Laboratório 1 foi a de 81–90anos (28%) e, para o Laboratório 2 a faixa etária que teve maior significância foi entre a compreendida entre 41–50 anos (29%). Quanto aos sítios, destacam-se três com maior prevalência de positividade: sangue (2,2%) e (71,5%) nos Laboratórios 1 e 2, respectivamente; secreções, no Laboratório 1(25,4%) e, no Laboratório 2(7,1%). Para a urina, no Laboratório 1 (42,5%) e, no Laboratório 2, (21,4%). Quanto ao fator de resistência, constatou-se que a P. aeruginosa apresentou resistência aos antimicrobianos Amicacina, somente no Laboratório 1 (17,4%); Cefeprime, Laboratórios 1(34,1%) e Laboratório 2(14,2%); Ciprofloxacino, Laboratório 1 (38,1%) e Laboratório 2(21,4%); Gentamicina, Laboratório 1(35,6%) e Laboratório 2 (21,4%); Meropenem, somente laboratório 1(27,7%) e, Piperacilina/ Tazobactam, somente Laboratório 2 (12,5%). Conclusão: Sugerem-se novos estudos comparativos utilizando-se de amostras laboratoriais com maior período para verificação da prevalência dessas amostras e do fluxo evolutivo das taxas de resistência.