'Synthetic lipase' production from a newly isolated Sporidiobolus pararoseus strain by submerged fermentation

The lipase produced by a newly isolate Sporidiobolus pararoseus strain has potential catalysis ability for esterification reactions. In order to improve its synthetic activity, this work aimed at optimizing 'synthetic lipase' production by submerged fermentation of a conventional media based on peptone, yeast extract, NaCl and olive oil using experimental design technique. According to the results obtained in the first experimental design (2(4-1)), yeast extract and NaCl concentrations were tested to further optimization by response surface methodology. The maximum 'synthetic lipase' activity obtained was 26.9 U/mL in the optimized media (5.0, 6.8, 7.0 and 1.0% (wt/v) of peptone, yeast extract, NaCl and olive oil, respectively), representing a 6.36-fold increase compared to the initial medium. The time course of 'synthetic lipase' production in the optimized condition was evaluated in terms of synthetic activity, protease activity, biomass and total carbon and the maximum synthetic activity was observed during the stationary phase of growth.

Pulmonary blastomycosis diagnosed in Hawai'i.

Blastomycosis, a fungal infection caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis, was once thought to be endemic only to the Central and Great Lakes regions of the United States of America. We present the first reported case series of patients documenting the diagnosis of blastomycosis in the Pacific region. In both cases, exposure to endemic areas was retrospectively identified.

Inoculation of Lacazia loboi into the subcutaneous tissue of the hamster cheek pouch

The subcutaneous tissue of the hamster cheek pouch, a site of immunologic privilege, has been used to investigate the potential infectivity of different types of parasites. It has been demonstrated that the implantation of fragments of lesions induced by the fungus Lacazia loboi, the etiologic agent of Jorge Lobo's disease, into the subcutaneous tissue of the hamster cheek pouch resulted in parasite multiplication and dissemination to satellite lymph nodes16. Here we describe the evolution of lesions induced by the inoculation of the isolated fungus into this immunologically privileged site. The morphology of the inflammatory response and fungal viability and proliferation were evaluated. Inoculation of the fungus into the cheek pouch induced histiocytic granulomas with rare lymphocytes. Although fungal cells were detected for a period of up to 180 days in these lesions, the fungi lost viability after the first day of inoculation. In contrast, when the parasite was inoculated into the footpad, non-organized histiocytic lesions were observed. Langhan's giant cells, lymphocytes and fungal particles were observed in these lesions. Fungal viability was observed up to 60 days after inoculation and non-viable parasites were present in the persistent lesions up to 180 days post-inoculation. These data indicate that the subcutaneous tissue of the hamster cheek pouch is not a suitable site for the proliferation of Lacazia loboi when the fungus isolated from human tissues is tested.

Blastomyces dermatitidis: lesiones pulmonares y manifestaciones sistémicas: avances y perspectivas de investigación / Blastomyces dermatitidis: pulmonary lesions and systemic symptoms

La blastomicosis es una infección fúngica rara, pero importante, ocurre principalmente en América, Africa y la India. Las epidemias por exposición a una fuente común, incluyeron pacientes de ambos sexos y de todas las edades, sin embargo, los casos de blastomicosis endémica se registraron principalmente entre los adultos jóvenes o ya maduros, y fueron más frecuentes en los hombres que en las mujeres. La neumonía es la manifestación más común de la blastomicosis, y los pulmones son casi siempre la pùerta de entrada de la primoinfección. la piel, los huesos, la próstata y el sistema nervioso central son también atacados, en ese orden descendente de frecuencia. La anfotericina B es curativa, pero debido a los efectos colaterales tóxicos, se ha investigado el uso de otros medicamantos orales para la terapia. El itraconazol ha venido reemplazando a la anfotericina B, en el tratamiento de la enfermedad. No se ha demostrado la eficacia terapéutica del fluconazol. En los pacientes con blastomicosis del sistema nervioso central, la anfotericina B, en el tratamiemto de la enfermedad. No se ha demostrado la eficacia terapéutica del fluconazol. En los pacientes con blastomicosis del sistema nervioso central, la anfotericina B es el tratamiento de elección