Primary cutaneous aspergillosis and idiopathic bone marrow aplasia

Abstract: We describe the case of a 9-year-old boy with idiopathic bone marrow aplasia and severe neutropenia, who developed skin ulcers under cardiac monitoring electrodes. The diagnosis of primary cutaneous aspergillosis was made after the second biopsy and culture. Imaging investigation did not reveal internal fungal infection. The child was treated, but did not improve and died 3 months after admission. The report highlights and discusses the preventable risk of aspergillus skin infection in immunocompromised patients.

Ação do óleo essencial de Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry sobre as hifas de alguns fungos fitopatogênicos / Action of Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry essential oil on the hyphae of some phytopathogenic fungi

Atualmente o uso de métodos alternativos para o controle de doenças e pragas na agricultura, visando minimizar os danos ao meio ambiente e à saúde pública é uma prática reconhecida e necessária. Este trabalho objetivou investigar a ação do óleo essencial de Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry sobre o crescimento micelial in vitro dos fungos fitopatogênicos Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum e Macrophomina phaseolina. A análise por cromatografia gasosa acoplada com espectrometria de massa possibilitou a identificação de eugenol (83,6 por cento), acetato de eugenila (11,6 por cento) e cariofileno (4,2 por cento). A avaliação microscópica dos micélios dos fungos evidenciou diversas alterações morfológicas, como a presença de vacúolos, desorganização dos conteúdos celulares, diminuição na nitidez da parede celular, intensa fragmentação e menor turgência das hifas. O óleo essencial de cravo apresentou atividade fungicida na concentração de 0,15 por cento sobre o crescimento de R. solani, F. oxysporum e F. solani, entretanto não demonstrou essa atividade sobre M. phaseolina. Esses resultados indicam perspectivas favoráveis para posterior uso do óleo de cravo no controle desses fitopatógenos na agricultura.

Currently, the use of alternative methods to control diseases and pests in agriculture has been a recognized and necessary practice to minimize damages to the environment and public health. This study aimed to investigate the action of clove [Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry] essential oil on the in vitro mycelial growth of the phytopathogenic fungi Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum and Macrophomina phaseolina. Analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry allowed the identification of eugenol (83.6 percent), eugenyl acetate (11.6 percent) and caryophyllene (4.2 percent). Microscopic evaluation of mycelia showed several morphological changes such as presence of vacuoles, cell content disorganization, decreased cell wall clearness, intense fragmentation and lower turgescence of hyphae. Clove essential oil showed fungicidal activity at 0.15 percent on the growth of R. solani, F. oxysporum and F. solani, but not for M. phaseolina. These results indicate favorable perspectives for future use of clove essential oil to control these phytopathogens in agriculture.

Outbreaks of rhinofacial and rhinopharyngeal zygomycosis in sheep in Paraíba, northeastern Brazil

Two outbreaks of zigomycosis with rhinofacial and two other with rhinopharyngeal lesions involving fungi with filamentous coaenocytic hyphae characteristic of entomoph-thoramycetous fungi are reported in the state of Paraíba, northeastern Brazil. One outbreak of rhinofacial zygomycosis occurred during the rainy season affecting 5 sheep. Another outbreak of the clinical form affected one out of 40 sheep during the dry season. Common clinical signs of the rhinofacial infection were bilateral serosanguineous nasal discharge with swelling of nostrils, upper lip, and the skin of the face. At necropsy the nasal mucosa showed dark brownish ulcerated areas which extended from the mucocutaneous region to 10cm inside the nasal vestibule. The mucosa of the hard palate was also ulcerated. The cutting surface of nostrils and palate showed a brownish or red spongeous tissue of friable consistency. One outbreak of rhinopharyngitis took place on an irrigated coconut farm; 7 out of 60 adult sheep were affected. Another outbreak affected a sheep in a flock of 80 during the dry season. Clinical signs as noisy respiration and dyspnoea due to mechanical blockage of the nasal cavities, swelling of the nostrils, and serosanguineous nasal discharge were observed. Six out of 8 sheep in this group showed exophthalmia, keratitis and unilateral corneal ulceration of the eye. The sheep either died of their infection or were euthanized after a clinical course of 7-30 days. At necropsy there was a dense yellow exudate in the nasopharyngeal area affecting the ethmoidal region, turbinate bones, paranasal sinuses, hard and soft palates, orbital cavity, pharynges, regional muscles and lymph nodes. Histopathologically both forms of the disease showed multifocal granulomas with an eosinophilic necrotic reaction (Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon) containing ribbon-type coenocytic hyphae with 7-30mm in diameter similar to hyphae of zygomycetous fungi, possibly Conidiobolus spp. Outbrea...

Dois surtos de lesões rinofaciais e dois de lesões rinofaríngeas causadas por fungos com hifas filamentosas, raramente septadas, semelhantes às dos fungos entomophthorales, são descritos no Estado da Paraíba. Um surto da forma rinofacial afetou 5 ovinos durante a estação chuvosa. Outro surto desta forma clínica afetou um ovino de um grupo de 40, durante a época seca. Os sinais clínicos da forma rinofacial foram de corrimento serosanguinolento bilateral, com aumento de volume das narinas, lábio superior, e pele da face. Na necropsia, a mucosa nasal apresentava áreas ulceradas de cor marrom escuro, que se estendiam desde a região muco-cutánea até 10cm dentro do vestíbulo nasal. A mucosa do palato duro estava, também, ulcerada. A superfície de corte das narinas e palato apresentava-se marrom ou avermelhada de aspecto esponjoso e friável. Um surto de rinofaringite micótica ocorreu em uma plantação de coco irrigado, afetando 7 ovinos de um rebanho de 60 ovinos adultos. Outro surto desta forma da enfermidade afetou um único animal de um rebanho de 80, durante a época seca. Os animais apresentavam dispnéia, com respiração ruidosa devida ao bloqueio parcial das narinas, e corrimento nasal serosanguinolento. Seis dos oito animais afetados por esta forma da enfermidade apresentaram, em um olho, exoftalmia, ceratite e ulceração da córnea. Todos os ovinos morreram ou foram sacrificados após um curso clínico de 7-30 dias. Na necropsia exsudato amarelo consistente foi observado na região etmoidal, ossos turbinados, seios paranasais, palatos duro e mole, órbita, faringe, e músculos e linfonodos regionais. No estudo histológico, ambas as formas da doença mostraram granulomas multifocais com áreas necróticas eosinofílicas (material de Splendore-Hoeppli) contendo hifas com 7-30mm de diâmetro, raramente septadas, semelhantes às dos fungos entomophthorales, possivelmente Conidiobolus spp. Surtos de ambas as formas de rinite micótica são freqüentes na região ...

HIV-1 anti-retroviral drug effect on the C. albicans hyphal growth rate by a Bio-Cell Tracer system

Declining incidence of oropharyngeal candidosis and opportunistic infections over recent years can be attributed to the use of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). Infection with C. albicans generally involves adherence and colonization of superficial tissues. During this process, budding yeasts are able to transform to hyphae and penetrate into the deep tissue. Using the biocell tracer system, C. albicans hyphal growth was dynamically observed at the cellular level. Ritonavir was effective in the inhibition of hyphal growth with growth rate of 0.8 mum/min. This study showed the in vitro effect of HIV anti-retroviral drug on the growth rate of the C. albicans hyphae.

O declínio na incidência de candidose orofaríngea e infecções oportunistas associadas a infecção pelo HIV tem sido atribuído a introdução da terapia antiretroviral combinada (HAART). Infecção por C. albicans envolve aderência e colonização da mucosa superficial. Durante este processo leveduras são capazes de transformar-se na forma de hifas e penetrar nos tecidos mais profundos. Usando o sistema "Bio-Cell Tracer", o crescimento de hifas de C. albicans foi observado dinamicamente a nível celular. Ritonavir, inibidor de protease do HIV, foi efetivo na inibição do crescimento de hifas com media de 0.8 mim/min.O presente estudo demonstrou o efeito in vitro de um agente anti-retroviral HIV sobre o crescimento de hifas de C. albicans.

Aspergilosis broncopulmonar alérgica en niños con enfermedad pulmonar crónica y fibrosis quística / Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in children with chronic lung disease and cystic fibrosis

Introducción: La aspergilosis broncopulmonar alérgica (ABPA) es infrecuente en pediatría, sin embargo, es necesario tener presente el diagnóstico e instaurar un tratamiento precoz, con la finalidad de evitar mayor deterioro de la función pulmonar. Objetivo: presentar nuestra experiencia en el diagnóstico y manejo de la ABPA en niños portadores de enfermedad pulmonar crónica (EPC) postviral y fibrosis quística (FQ). Pacientes y Método: 6 pacientes con ABPA diagnosticados entre los años 2000-2003, de 9 a 17 años de edad (promedio 13 años), 4 de sexo masculino y 2 femenino. El estudio se realizó en pacientes con EPC postviral o FQ que presentaban un cuadro clínico sugerente y se confirmó con dos o más cultivos positivos para Aspergillus sp, con la presencia de hifas y al menos un criterio primario. Resultados: La totalidad de los pacientes presentaron IgG específica elevada, 5 con test cutáneo positivo y eosinofilia. Los 6 niños mostraron nuevos infiltrados pulmonares y en 2 bronquiectasias centrales. Fueron tratados con prednisona 2 mg/kg/d durante un mes, luego igual dosis en días alternos por 4 meses e itraconazol 2-5 mg/kg/d durante 5 meses. Evolucionaron con mejoría clínica, de la saturometría y flujometría, y en 4 pacientes la espirometría. Todos disminuyeron los infiltrados pulmonares, negativizaron los cultivos y la IgG específica. No observamos efectos adversos con el tratamiento empleado. Conclusión: En pediatría la ABPA es poco frecuente, sin embargo, empeora la función pulmonar, por lo que debe ser considerada en niños portadores de asma bronquial, EPC o FQ. Nuestros pacientes se beneficiaron con el tratamiento utilizado.

Evaluation of the mycelial network formed by arbuscular mycorrhizal hyphae in the rhizosphere of papaya and other plants under intercropping system

An experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions to observe the distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) hyphae in the rhizosphere of papaya and other plants under intercropping system. Special acrylic root boxes with three compartments, separated by nylon mesh screens, were constructed. One outer compartment contained seedlings of papaya (Carica papaya L.) and other contained seedlings of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) or millet (Pennisetum glaucum L. R. Br.). The central compartment was inoculated with an AM fungus (Gigaspora margarita). In another experiment, the outer compartments were treated with 25 percent MeOH eluates of bahiagrass (BRE) and millet (MRE) root extracts. A control box, containning only papaya seedlings was also prepared. Hyphal density, root infection levels and spore numbers were higher in the bahiagrass and millet compartments than in the papaya compartment. Similar results were found for the percentage of AM infection and the number of AM spores. In the compartments treated with BRE and MRE the density of AM hyphae was around 20 percent, and a few spores were found in those compartments. Few AM hyphae and spores were observed in the control compartment.