First isolation of cryptococcus neoformans genotype VNI MAT-alpha from wood hollow trunks of hymenaea courbaril

Cryptococcal infection is transmitted by the inhalation of Cryptococcus spp. propagules. Information about the Cryptococcus species inhabiting plants might be clinically relevant due to the epidemiological role of these habitats as possible sources of human infection. The aim of this study was to increase the knowledge about the environmental occurrence of cryptococcosis agents. Hollow tree vegetal debris of nine plant species was sampled quarterly over a 12-month period. Melanized colonies were screened for Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii by biochemical tests, followed by URA5-RFLP molecular analysis, M13 fingerprinting assays, and mating-typing with the specific a and α primers. The susceptibility to fluconazole of all of the confirmed species colonies was determined using the AFST-EUCAST broth dilution method. We found that the typical Brazilian flora tree Hymenaea courbaril yielded a high cryptococcal burden (median, 10(2) CFU/g) during the summer, autumn and winter seasons. C. neoformans VNI molecular type MAT alpha was identified in all of the samples. The fingerprinting analyses showed great molecular variability with no correlation with the susceptibility profile to fluconazole (MIC range 4 to ≥64 mg/l). To our knowledge, this study is the first describing the association between C. neoformans and Hymenaea courbaril. These observations extend the known geographic distribution of and substantiate a new urban environmental niche for C. neoformans and also emphasize the genetic diversity of the environmental C. neoformans VNI molecular type isolates.

Efeito antimicrobiano e modulador do óleo essencial extraído da casca de frutos da Hymenaea courbaril L / Antimicrobial effect and modulator of essential oil extracted from the fruits peel of Hymenaea courbaril L

O Jatobá (Hymenaea courbaril L.) possui um amplo histórico de utilização, seus frutos são compostos por óleos essenciais, taninos, substâncias amargas, matérias resinosas e pécticas, amido e açúcares, O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana e moduladora do óleo essencial extraído da casca de frutos da Hymenaea courbaril L, (OEHc) sobre cepas de S, aureus oxacilina sensíveis (OSSA) de referência, Para a avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana foram determinadas as Concentrações Inibitória (CIM) e Letal Mínimas (CLM) do OEHc e o efeito do tempo de exposição a concentrações do OEHc, o efeito modulador do OEHc sobre antibióticos de uso clínico foi avaliado pelo teste de difusão em ágar modificado, OEHc inibiu o crescimento das cepas de S, aureus ATCC 6538P (CIM = CLM = 0,28% v/v) e S, aureus ATCC 14458 (CIM = 0,28% v/v, CLM = 0,56% v/v), A CLM do OEHc foi capaz de inviabilizar as cepas OSSA testadas em 8 horas (S, aureus ATCC 6538P) e 24 horas (S, aureus ATCC 14458) e a CIM inibiu o crescimento de S, aureus ATCC 14458 até 48h de exposição, A ação moduladora do OEHc na atividade de antibióticos de uso clínico variou com o ATM e com a cepa testada, Os resultados encontrados mostram que o OEHc possui uma boa atividade antimicrobiana sobre a espécie Gram-positivo S, aureus, revelando seu efeito modulador sinérgico quando associado a antibióticos de uso clínico, demonstrando ser o OEHc um forte candidato para o desenvolvimento de fármacos com atividade antimicrobiana...

Jatobá (Hymenaea courbaril L.) has an extensive history of use, its fruits are composed of essential oils, tannins, bitter substances, resinous and pectic materials, starch and sugars. The objective of this study was to evaluate antimicrobial activity and effect of essential oil extracted from the rind of fruits of Hymenaea courbaril l. (OEHc) about reference strains of S. aureus oxacillin susceptible (OSSA). For the evaluation of antimicrobial activity were determined Inhibitory (MIC) and Lethal (CLM) Minimum Concentrations from OEHc and the effect of time of exposure to concentrations of OEHc, OEHc modulator effect on antibiotics of clinical use was assessed by modified agar diffusion test. OEHc inhibited the growth of S. aureus strains ATCC 6538P (CIM = CLM = 0,28% v/v) and S. aureus ATCC 14458 (CIM = 0,28% v/v; CLM = 0,56% v/v). The CLM from OEHc was able to derail the OSSA strains tested in 8 hours (S. aureus ATCC 6538P) and 24 hours (S. aureus ATCC 14458) and the CIM inhibited the growth of S. aureus ATCC 14458 until 48 hours of exposure. The modulatory action of the antibiotic activity of OEHc clinical use ranged with the ATM and with the strain tested. The results show that the OEHc has a good antimicrobial activity on the species Gram-positive S. aureus, revealing its synergistic modulator effect when associated with antibiotics of clinical use, demonstrating the OEHc a strong candidate for the development of drugs with antimicrobial activity...