The first two cases of Cyclospora in dogs, São Paulo, Brazil.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a coccidium which has been identified in diarrheal feces or immunocompetent individuals or in AIDS patients. The main aspects related to its epidemiology and pathogeny have not been solved so far, as well as the possibility of human infection by this protozoan being a zoonosis. We describe in this work the first case identifying the Cyclospora in dogs. Our findings, notwithstanding their preliminary characteristics, could suggest that besides untreated water, other transmission means, along with contact with dogs, there could be important factors in the human diarrhea associated with Cyclospora.

Interactions between amphotericin B and nitroimidazoles against Candida albicans.

This work proved that nitroimidazole antiprotozoal agents, such as metronidazole, ornidazole, secnidazole and tinidazole, in concentrations of up to 64 micrograms ml-1 did not present any antifungal activity against 17 strains of Candida albicans. The combination of each drug with amphotericin B showed the occurrence of variable interactions according to the studied strain. Promising results were observed based on synergistic and additive interactions of the polyene with the metronidazole; the inhibitory and lethal activities of the drugs were potentiated against all strains in concentrations reachable in vivo.