Impact of brief exposure to antifungal agents on the post-antifungal effect and hemolysin activity of oral Candida albicans

AbstractPost-antifungal effect (PAFE) of Candida and its production of hemolysin are determinants of candidal pathogenicity. Candida albicans is the foremost aetiological agent of oral candidosis, which can be treated with polyene, azole, and echinocandin antifungals. However, once administered, the intraoral concentrations of these drugs tend to be subtherapeutic and transient due to the diluent effect of saliva and cleansing effect of the oral musculature. Hence, intra-orally, Candidamay undergo a brief exposure to antifungal drugs.Objective Therefore, the PAFE and hemolysin production of oral C. albicans isolates following brief exposure to sublethal concentrations of the foregoing antifungals were evaluated.Material and Methods A total of 50 C. albicans oral isolates obtained from smokers, diabetics, asthmatics using steroid inhalers, partial denture wearers and healthy individuals were exposed to sublethal concentrations of nystatin, amphotericin B, caspofungin, ketoconazole and fluconazole for 60 min. Thereafter, the drugs were removed and the PAFE and hemolysin production were determined by previously described turbidometric and plate assays, respectively.Results Nystatin, amphotericin B, caspofungin and ketoconazole induced mean PAFE (hours) of 2.2, 2.18, 2.2 and 0.62, respectively. Fluconazole failed to produce a PAFE. Hemolysin production of these isolates was suppressed with a percentage reduction of 12.27, 13.47, 13.33, 8.53 and 4.93 following exposure to nystatin, amphotericin B, caspofungin, ketoconazole and fluconazole, respectively.Conclusions Brief exposure to sublethal concentrations of antifungal drugs appears to exert an antifungal effect by interfering with the growth as well as hemolysin production of C. albicans.

Antimicrobial property and phytochemical study of ginger found in local area of Punjab, Pakistan.

The aim of study is to identify the antimicrobial property of ginger. Phytochemical screening of chloroform plant extract showed presence of different chemicals. In this study we used Cultures of E. Coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis to identify the antimicrobial strength. Effectiveness of ginger against different conditions attributed to its different constitu-ents (volatile oils, shogaols, Gingerols and diarylheptanoids) that show their therapeutic efficacy by modulating the genetic or metabolic activities of our body. In this study, we performed phytochemical evaluation and antimicrobial assay of ginger root extract which were available in our local farms of Lahore. Ginger possesses a noticeable antimicrobial activity which was confirmed by checking the susceptibility of different strains of bacteria and fungus by measuring the zone of inhibition. In the light of several socioeconomic factors of Pakistan mainly poverty and poor hygienic condition, present study encourages the use of spices as alternative or supplementary medicine to reduce the burden of high cost, side effects and progressively increasing drug resistance of pathogens.

Antimicrobial property and phytochemical study of ginger found in local area of Punjab, Pakistan.

The aim of study is to identify the antimicrobial property of ginger. Phytochemical screening of chloroform plant extract showed presence of different chemicals. In this study we used Cultures of E. Coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis to identify the antimicrobial strength. Effectiveness of ginger against different conditions attributed to its different constitu-ents (volatile oils, shogaols, Gingerols and diarylheptanoids) that show their therapeutic efficacy by modulating the genetic or metabolic activities of our body. In this study, we performed phytochemical evaluation and antimicrobial assay of ginger root extract which were available in our local farms of Lahore. Ginger possesses a noticeable antimicrobial activity which was confirmed by checking the susceptibility of different strains of bacteria and fungus by measuring the zone of inhibition. In the light of several socioeconomic factors of Pakistan mainly poverty and poor hygienic condition, present study encourages the use of spices as alternative or supplementary medicine to reduce the burden of high cost, side effects and progressively increasing drug resistance of pathogens. Key Words: genus

Expression of Blood-Brain Barrier Antigens in Non-Brain Derived Endothelial Cells Despite Lack of Astrocyte Interactions.

Endothelial cells of different vascular beds display diverse functional and morphological characteristics. Specifically, brain-derived endothelial cells exhibit specialized properties that form the blood-brain barrier, an important structure that ensures homeostasis within the neural environment. Classic proteins associated with the blood-brain barrier include neurothelin (also known as CD147), neuroblast differentiation-associated protein, glucose transporter-1 and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase. Astrocytes are believed to be responsible for inducing the expression of blood-brain barrier proteins in brain endothelial cells. We evaluated the induction property of astrocytes in this study. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells, both non-brain derived, were grown as co-cultures with human astrocytes or as monocultures for various periods. Blood-brain barrier marker mRNA levels were quantified using realtime reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and protein localization was determined through immunofluorescence staining. Our results demonstrate expression of neurothelin, glucose transporter-1, and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase mRNA in endothelial cells even in the absence of astrocytes. Co-culturing endothelial cells with astrocytes induced the expression of glucose transporter-1 and gamma- glutamyltranspeptidase but not neurothelin. Immunofluorescence staining revealed expression and localization of neuroblast differentiation-associated protein at cell membranes of non-brain derived endothelial cells. Non-brain endothelial cells also showed glucose transporter-1, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and neurothelinimmunoreactivity in expected subcellular compartments. These findings indicate that endothelial cells in culture express markers of blood-brain barrier and that astrocytes have differential inductive capacity depending of the endothelial cell type.

Sequential Application of Plastic Media- Trickling Filter and Sand Filter for Domestic Wastewater Treatment at Low Temperature Condition.

Present research was aimed towards designing and construction of efficient plastic media-trickling filter (TF) for the treatment of domestic wastewater. The hydraulic flow rate through the TF was maintained at 80±2 ml/min at a temperature range of 5-15ºC by selecting treatment time of 12, 24, 36 and 48 hrs. Parameters like COD, BOD5, TSS, turbidity, NO3, NO2, SO4, PO4 and pathogenic indicator microbes were monitored after treatment of 12, 24, 36 and 48 hrs. The efficiency of the TF was improved with increase of time from 12 to 48 hrs. Maximum efficiency of TF was observed after 48 hrs treatment viz. 93.45, 93, 86.25, 57.8, 63.15, 25, 32.43, 99.95 and 86.3% reduction from the zero time value for BOD5, COD, TSS, PO4, SO4, NO3, NO2, turbidity and fecal coliforms respectively. Finally 48 hrs treated sample was passed through sand filter (SF) for further final polishing and approximately, 95.72, 95, 100, 73.5, 65.8, 58.3, 37.83, 100 and 91.5% reduction in BOD5, COD, TSS, PO4, SO4, NO3, NO2, turbidity and fecal coliforms was observed. This study showed that plastic media-trickling filter along with sand filter is a promising technology for wastewater treatment and can be scaled up for small communities in the developing countries.