PCR-REA as an important tool for the identification of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii from human and veterinary sources

The antifungal activity of some statins against different fungal species has been reported. Thus, at the first moment, the in vitro antifungal activity of simvastatin, atorvastatin and pravastatin was tested against Candida spp. and Cryptococcus spp. Then, in a second approach, considering that the best results were obtained for simvastatin, this drug was evaluated in combination with antifungal drugs against planktonic growth and tested against biofilms of Candida spp. and Cryptococcus spp. Drug susceptibility testing was performed using the microdilution broth method, as described by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The interaction between simvastatin and antifungals against planktonic cells was analyzed by calculating the fractional inhibitory concentration index. Regarding biofilm susceptibility, simvastatin was tested against growing biofilm and mature biofilm of one strain of each tested yeast species. Simvastatin showed inhibitory effect against Candida spp. and Cryptococcus spp. with minimum inhibitory concentration values ranging from 15.6 to 1000 mg L(-1) and from 62.5 to 1000 mg L(-1), respectively. The combination of simvastatin with itraconazole and fluconazole showed synergism against Candida spp. and Cryptococcus spp., while the combination of simvastatin with amphotericin B was synergistic only against Cryptococcus spp. Concerning the biofilm assays, simvastatin was able to inhibit both growing biofilm and mature biofilm of Candida spp. and Cryptococcus spp. The present study showed that simvastatin inhibits planktonic cells and biofilms of Candida and Cryptococcus species.

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“…strains, capsule formation, melanin production, and biochemical testing were evaluated and the serotype of each strain was assessed by PCR. 21 …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simvastatin inhibits planktonic cells and biofilms of Candida and Cryptococcus species

Brilhante

Caetano

Oliveira

et al. 2015

The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases

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“…Temporary induction of CHOP has no deleterious effects and assists in cellular recovery, but if stress continues CHOP expression, it is dangerous and results in apoptosis. UPR activation also seems to be important to survival of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in macrophages 14,15 . The eIF4F complex and its regulators also control innate immunity through multiple independent signalling pathways that act synergistically, regulating different components of the innate response of host cells.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Translational regulation triggered by fungal pathogens: still a mystery

Alves¹

2013

OA Molecular and Cell Biology

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IntroductionOrganisms are able to generate organised responses to environmental changes by controlling the level of messenger RNA translation. The ability to respond rapidly allows the mobilization of the host's defences and coordination of innate response to different infections. A large number of microbial pathogens inhibit the translation of host cells. Bacterial and virus infections interfere with protein synthesis of the host and activating or suppressing the innate responses, thus manipulating the translational machinery. Mortality, morbidity and economic adverse effects associated with fungal infections along with the emergence of resistance to antifungal agents make it necessary to gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis and discovery of new agents for treatment of those infections. There is little knowledge regarding the role of translational regulation in fungus-host relationship. The present review aims to show how translation regulation occurs in bacteria and virus infections and shows a mysterious role of translational regulation in the context of fungal infections. ConclusionIn the last few years, incidence of fungal diseases has dramatically

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“…In addition, Candida parapsilosis ATCC 22019 was included as internal quality control for the susceptibility tests (CLSI, 2008). All isolates were stored on 2% potato dextrose agar supplemented with glycerol, at À20 8C, and were recovered through growth on 2% potato dextrose agar at 35 8C, for 2 days (Cordeiro et al, 2011).…”

Section: Fungal Strainsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Farnesol inhibits in vitro growth of the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex with no significant changes in virulence-related exoenzymes

Cordeiro

Nogueira

Brilhante

et al. 2012

Veterinary Microbiology

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Farnesol is a sesquiterpene alcohol that modulates cell-to-cell communication in Candida albicans. In recent years, several studies have shown that this molecule presents inhibitory effects against non-albicans Candida species, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and bacteria. The present study aimed at determining the effect of farnesol on the growth of strains of the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex, through microdilution assays. In addition, the effect of farnesol on the synthesis of phospholipase and protease - important virulence-associated enzymes - by C. neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii was also investigated. A total of 36 strains were studied, out of which 20 were from veterinary sources, 8 were from human cases and 8 were from a reference collection. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined in accordance with the M27-A3 protocol as described by the CLSI and farnesol was tested at a concentration range of 0.29-150 μM. Phospholipase and protease activities were evaluated through growth on egg yolk agar and spectrophotometry, respectively, after pre-incubating the strains at different farnesol concentrations (MIC/4, MIC/2 and MIC). It was observed that farnesol presents an inhibitory activity against C. neoformans and C. gattii (MIC range: 0.29-75.0 μM). Although farnesol did not significantly alter phospholipase activity, a tendency to decrease this activity was observed. Concerning protease, no statistically significant differences were observed when comparing the production before and after pre-incubation at different farnesol concentrations. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that farnesol has in vitro inhibitory activity against C. neoformans and C. gattii, but has little impact on the production of the analyzed virulence factors.

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PCR-REA as an important tool for the identification of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii from human and veterinary sources

Cited by 7 publications

References 30 publications

Simvastatin inhibits planktonic cells and biofilms of Candida and Cryptococcus species

Simvastatin inhibits planktonic cells and biofilms of Candida and Cryptococcus species

Translational regulation triggered by fungal pathogens: still a mystery

Farnesol inhibits in vitro growth of the Cryptococcus neoformans species complex with no significant changes in virulence-related exoenzymes

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