ABSTRACT
Dermatophytosis, paracoccidioidomycosis and sporotrichosis are mycoses caused by different fungal species with significant prevalence in Brazil and other countries. In some situations, they affect quality of life, especially in the most vulnerable populations. Antifungal drug therapy is the conventional treatment for these diseases, although some difficulties may occur. Adjunctive use of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) may reduce these challenges. Three patients were treated with aPDT and conventional antifungals. In all cases, the patients did not report pain, discomfort or side effects during or after the aPDT intervention. The adjunctive use of aPDT in the cases presented proved to be a safe, low-cost tool that may be promising for the treatment of different mycoses.
Some fungal diseases are very common in Brazil and other countries and, in some cases, treatment may be difficult. The combination of a type of laser may help the treatment of these diseases. Here, three cases of fungal diseases that were treated with laser, dye and conventional antifungals are presented.
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents , Mycoses , Photochemotherapy , Humans , Methylene Blue/therapeutic use , Photosensitizing Agents/therapeutic use , Quality of Life , Mycoses/drug therapy , Mycoses/microbiology , Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic useABSTRACT
The content of certain metals in 13 medicinal teas made from 16 plant species was measured by flame photometer and atomic absorption spectrometer with flame methods. The measurements were evaluated against metal intake levels recommended by health authorities. The results indicate that the medicinal teas tested, regularly consumed by inhabitants of the Urubueua de FaÌtima River Community, Abaetetuba-Para, Brazil, present no risk of poisoning people older than six months. However, decoctions of Mentha sp., Eleutherine bulbosa, Euterpe oleracea, Piper callosum and Hyptis mutabilis, mostly given to children, had Mn values potentially exceeding the recommended maximum intake for infants in the 0-6 months age group, in the quantities customarily administered. Consequently, studies are needed to assess bioavailability for safe human consumption. Results also showed the consumption of medicinal tea alone is not enough to supply an adult's daily metal requirements or treat deficiencies. Additionally, cures emphasized by interviewed Community members might be associated with the bioactivity of organic substances that the medicinal teas contain.
El contenido de algunos metales en 13 teÌs medicinales de las 16 especies consumidas por los habitantes de la comunidad del RiÌo Urubueua de FaÌtima, Abaetetuba-Para, Brasil, se evaluoÌ mediante un fotoÌmetro de llama y un espectroÌmetro de absorcioÌn atoÌmica con meÌtodos de llama, y se comparoÌ con los niveles recomendados por las agencias de la salud. Los teÌs medicinales evaluados no mostraron riesgo de intoxicacioÌn para las personas mayores de seis meses de edad, sino las decocciones de Mentha sp., Eleutherine bulbosa, Euterpe oleracea, Piper callosum y Hyptis mutabilis, en su mayoriÌa dirigidos a la ingesta de ninÌos, informaron valores de Mn superiores a la ingesta maÌxima recomendada para el grupo de infantes (0-6 meses), debido a que estos estudios son necesarios para evaluar la biodisponibilidad para un consumo humano seguro. Los resultados tambieÌn mostraron que solo el consumo de teÌ medicinal no es suficiente para satisfacer las necesidades diarias recomendadas de ingesta de minerales o para tratar las deficiencias. AdemaÌs, los informes de curacioÌn, enfatizados por los habitantes, indican que la bioactividad observada podriÌa estar asociada a sustancias orgaÌnicas presentes en el teÌ.
