Molecular Verification of Trichophyton in the Brazilian URM Culture Collection.

Trichophyton species cause dermatophytosis in humans, with a high, worldwide frequency of reports and important public health relevance. We evaluated 61 Trichophyton strains from different sources deposited in the University Recife Mycology (URM) culture collection of the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil. Strains were phenotypically identified and confirmed by sequencing Internal Transcribed Spacers rDNA and partial beta-tubulin 2-exon. Additionally, we evaluated their susceptibility to terbinafine and itraconazole. Physiological analyses included urease activity and growth in casein medium. Phenotypic methods allowed the reliable identification of T. rubrum only, whereas, for other species, molecular methods were mandatory. All Trichophyton species exhibited susceptibility profiles to itraconazole (0.04-5.33 µg/mL) and terbinafine (0.17-3.33 µg/mL). Our analyses revealed a heterogeneous distribution of T. mentagrophytes, which does not support the current distribution within the species complex of T. mentagrophytes and its genotypes.

High-Virulence Cat-Transmitted Ocular Sporotrichosis.

The article describes an atypical case of cat-transmitted ocular sporotrichosis due Sporothrix brasiliensis in a young patient. This report contributes significantly to knowledge of sporotrichosis as an important neglected tropical disease. In addition, this condition is an important public health problem in ascending incidence.

Elastin increases biofilm and extracellular matrix production of Aspergillus fumigatus

Abstract Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic saprobe fungus that accounts for 90% of cases of pulmonary aspergillosis in immunosuppressed patients and is known for its angiotropism. When it reaches the respiratory tract, A. fumigatus interacts with structural components and blood vessels of the lungs, such as elastin. To understand the effect of this structural component, we examined the effect of elastin on the production and development of the biofilm of A. fumigatus. In RPMI containing 10 mg/mL of elastin, a significant increase (absorbance p < 0.0001; dry weight p < 0.0001) in the production of biofilm was observed in comparison to when RPMI was used alone, reaching a maximum growth of 18.8 mg (dry weight) of biofilm in 72 h. In addition, elastin stimulates the production (p = 0.0042) of extracellular matrix (ECM) and decreases (p = 0.005) the hydrophobicity during the development of the biofilm. These results suggest that elastin plays an important role in the growth of A. fumigatus and that it participates in the formation of thick biofilm.

Etiologia das dermatofitoses diagnosticadas em pacientes atendidos no Laboratório de Micologia Médica no Centro de Biociências da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, entre 2014-2017 / Diagnosed dermatophytosis etiology in patients at the Laboratory of Medical Mycology at the Center of Biosciences of the Federal University of Pernambuco, in 2014-2017

Objetivo: As dermatofitoses afetam boa parte da população mundial, sendo possível observar diferentes padrões de distribuição regional em relação aos tipos e frequências de espécies isoladas. No Brasil, estas diferenças nos padrões são observadas em diversas regiões, entretanto poucos dados foram publicados na região Nordeste nos últimos anos, gerando uma lacuna de informação sobre o tema. Este trabalho teve como objetivo atualizar os dados sobre a incidência de dermatofitose na região. Métodos: Foram agrupadas as dermatofitoses confirmadas em pacientes atendidos no Laboratório de Micologia Médica da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, no período de janeiro de 2014 a junho de 2017, avaliando- se as possíveis mudanças nas espécies prevalentes. Resultados: Foram analisados 2.893 laudos, onde 268 foram positivos para dermatofitoses. O sítio de infecção variou significativamente conforme a faixa etária. Quanto à etiologia, o gênero Trichophyton foi isolado em um total de 252 amostras, o gênero Microsporum em 9 amostras e o gênero Epidermophyton em 7 amostras. Conclusão: Sobre a frequência das espécies, Trichophyton rubrum foi o agente etiológico predominante, semelhante ao já relatado em várias regiões do Brasil e do mundo, bem como em estudos anteriores da região. O dermatófito zoofílico mais comum foi Microsporum canis, corroborando com uma tendência já relatada por alguns autores. Trichophyton mentagrophytes foi isolado com maior frequência em pé e pele glabra, local em que se constitui um dos agentes etiológicos mais importantes. Contudo, foi observado um declínio significativo na sua detecção em todas as localizações, o que corrobora com estudos anteriores realizados na mesma região.

Elastin increases biofilm and extracellular matrix production of Aspergillus fumigatus.

Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic saprobe fungus that accounts for 90% of cases of pulmonary aspergillosis in immunosuppressed patients and is known for its angiotropism. When it reaches the respiratory tract, A. fumigatus interacts with structural components and blood vessels of the lungs, such as elastin. To understand the effect of this structural component, we examined the effect of elastin on the production and development of the biofilm of A. fumigatus. In RPMI containing 10mg/mL of elastin, a significant increase (absorbance p<0.0001; dry weight p<0.0001) in the production of biofilm was observed in comparison to when RPMI was used alone, reaching a maximum growth of 18.8mg (dry weight) of biofilm in 72h. In addition, elastin stimulates the production (p=0.0042) of extracellular matrix (ECM) and decreases (p=0.005) the hydrophobicity during the development of the biofilm. These results suggest that elastin plays an important role in the growth of A. fumigatus and that it participates in the formation of thick biofilm.

Requalification of a Brazilian Trichoderma Collection and Screening of Its Capability to Decolourise Real Textile Effluent.

Water contamination with large amounts of industrial textile coloured effluents is an environmental concern. For the treatment of textile effluents, white-rot fungi have received extensive attention due to their powerful capability to produce oxidative (e.g., ligninolytic) enzymes. In addition, other groups of fungi, such as species of Aspergillus and Trichoderma, have also been used for textile effluents treatment. The main aim of the present study was to requalify a Brazilian Trichoderma culture collection of 51 Trichoderma strains, isolated from different sources in Brazil and preserved in the oldest Latin-American Fungal Service Culture Collection, The Micoteca URM WDCM 804 (Recife, Brazil). Fungal isolates were re-identified through a polyphasic approach including macro- and micro-morphology and molecular biology, and screened for their capability to decolourise real effluents collected directly from storage tanks of a textile manufacture. Trichoderma atroviride URM 4950 presented the best performance on the dye decolourisation in real textile effluent and can be considered in a scale-up process at industrial level. Overall, the potential of Trichoderma strains in decolourising real textile dye present in textile effluent and the production of the oxidative enzymes Lac, LiP and MnP was demonstrated. Fungal strains are available in the collection e-catalogue to be further explored from the biotechnological point of view.

[Clinical and mycological evaluation of onychomycosis among Brazilian HIV/AIDS patients]. / Avaliação clínica e micológica de onicomicose em pacientes brasileiros com HIV/AIDS.

INTRODUCTION: Onychomycosis is common in immunocompromised patients, but emerging species have been verified, thereby modifying the epidemiological profile of this mycosis. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and mycological profile of onychomycosis among HIV/AIDS patients. METHODS: Clinical samples were collected and processed for direct examination, and cultures were maintained at a temperature of 30 °C and 37 °C for 15 days. RESULTS: Out of 100 patients, 32 had onychomycosis. The etiological agents isolated were Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Fusarium solani, Scytalidium hialinum, S. japonicum, Aspergillus niger, Cylindrocarpon destructans and Phialophora reptans. CONCLUSIONS: Onychomycosis in HIV/AIDS patients presents various clinical manifestations and may be caused by emerging fungi. The peculiarities presented by different fungal agents justify the need for identification to species level, with the purpose of guiding better therapeutic approaches and minimizing these patients' exposure to conditions presenting a risk of disseminated infection.

Avaliação clínica e micológica de onicomicose em pacientes brasileiros com HIV/AIDS / Clinical and mycological evaluation of onychomycosis among Brazilian HIV/AIDS patients

INTRODUÇÃO: Onicomicoses são comuns em pacientes imunocomprometidos embora espécies emergentes tenham sido verificadas, modificado o perfil epidemiológico desta micose. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa é avaliar o perfil clínico e micológico da onicomicose em pacientes com infecção pelo HIV/AIDS. MÉTODOS: Amostras clínicas foram coletadas, processados para exame direto e a cultura mantida a temperatura de 30°C e 37ºC durante 15 dias. RESULTADOS: Dos 100 pacientes, 32 apresentavam onicomicose. Os agentes isolados foram Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Fusarium solani, Scytalidium hialinum, S. japonicum, Aspergillus niger, Cylindrocarpon destructans e Phialophora reptans. CONCLUSÕES: Onicomicoses em HIV/AIDS apresentam variadas manifestações clínicas e podem ser causadas por fungos emergentes. As peculiaridades apresentadas pelos diferentes agentes de origem fúngica justificam a necessidade de identificação ao nível da espécie, com a finalidade de orientar uma melhor abordagem terapêutica e minimizar a exposição desses pacientes a condições de risco de uma infecção disseminada.

INTRODUCTION: Onychomycosis is common in immunocompromised patients, but emerging species have been verified, thereby modifying the epidemiological profile of this mycosis. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and mycological profile of onychomycosis among HIV/AIDS patients. METHODS: Clinical samples were collected and processed for direct examination, and cultures were maintained at a temperature of 30°C and 37°C for 15 days. RESULTS: Out of 100 patients, 32 had onychomycosis. The etiological agents isolated were Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Fusarium solani, Scytalidium hialinum, S. japonicum, Aspergillus niger, Cylindrocarpon destructans and Phialophora reptans. CONCLUSIONS: Onychomycosis in HIV/AIDS patients presents various clinical manifestations and may be caused by emerging fungi. The peculiarities presented by different fungal agents justify the need for identification to species level, with the purpose of guiding better therapeutic approaches and minimizing these patients' exposure to conditions presenting a risk of disseminated infection.

Ocorrência de fungos filamentosos de importância médica em água de bebedouros / Filamentous fungi of medical importance in drinking water

No presente trabalho foi investigada a ocorrência de fungos de importância médica na água, torneira e pia dos bebedouros do Centro de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, Brasil. De cada bebedouro foram coletados 100 mL de água, e das superfícies da torneira e pia as amostras foram obtidas com swab. As amostras foram semeadas em meio ágar Sabouraud adicionado de 50mg/L de cloranfenicol, em placas de Petri. Das amostras de água, 10 culturas de fungos filamentosos foram isoladas e estas foram identificadas como Aspergillus flavus (5), A. niger (3) e Cladosporium cladosporioides (2). Das torneiras foram obtidos 21 isolados de fungos filamentosos e 164 das amostras das pias. O número de unidades formadoras de colônias (UFCs) (48h) variou de 12 a 56 em amostras de água, de 115 a 228 em amostras coletadas das torneiras e de 204 a 690 das pias. A presença de fungos com capacidade de produzir micotoxinas foi detectada nas amostras de água, bem como das torneiras. Com a finalidade de preservar a saúde dos consumidores, o monitoramento e a manutenção de equipamentos de purificação da água são práticas essenciais para garantir a qualidade microbiana e química da água.

This study aimed to assess the occurrence of fungi in water sample, tap and sink from drinking fountains atthe university center, Recife-PE, Brazil. From each fountain, 100mL of water were collected, and the samplesfrom the tap and sink surfaces were obtained by using swabs. The samples were cultivated on Sabouraud agarmedium containing 50mg/L of chloramphenicol in Petri dishes. Of water samples, 10 isolates of filamentousfungi were found and identified as Aspergillus flavus (5), A. niger (3) and Cladosporium cladosporioides (2).Twenty-one strains of filamentous fungi were isolated from tap samples and 164 from sink samples. Thenumber of colony forming units (CFU) (48h) ranged from 12 to 56 in water samples, from 115 to 228 insamples collected from taps, and 204 to 690 in sink samples. Fungi capable of producing mycotoxins weredetected in both water and taps samples. Monitoring the microbial and chemical quality of water and themaintenance of water purification equipment are crucial to guarantee the consumers safety.Key-words. filamentous fungi, water, drinking fountain, microbial water quality, mycotoxins.

Prospecção de leveduras em secreção vaginal e correlação com hemograma e dosagem de glicose / Prospection of yeasts in vaginal secretion and correlation with hemograma and dosage of glucose

No período compreendido entre outubro de 2003 e agosto de 2004 foram realizadas coletas de secreção vaginal para exame micológico em 146 mulheres: 12 grávidas, 11 com sintomas e 1 sem sintomas; 134 não grávidas, 117 com sintomas e 17 sem sintomas de levedurose vaginal, atendidas no laboratório de ginecologia do Centro de Saúde Manuel Caldas de Araújo, Cidade do PAulista - PE. Em 60% das amostras de secreção vaginal foram detectadas leveduras ao exame direto e foi obtida cultura. Em 27% não foram observadas estruturas fúngicas ao exame direto e cultura não foi obtida. Em 13% foram observadas estruturas fúngicas ao exame direto e cultura não foi obtida. Foram isoladas leveduras pertencentes aos gêneros Candida (82%), Trichosporon (9%), Rhodotorula (8%) e Kloeckera (1%). Através da análise estatística o número de hemácias foi a única variável no hemograma que demonstrou correlação com a presença de leveduras na secreção vaginal.

[Epidemiological correlation between keratinophilic fungi isolated from soil and dermatomycosis agents]. / Correlação epidemiológica entre fungos queratinofílicos isolados do solo e agentes de dermatomicoses.

This study had the aim of isolating and identifying keratinophilic fungi from soil and correlating them with dermatomycosis agents. According to our results, the predominance of Trichophyton tonsurans as a dermatomycosis agent among children in the city of Recife, PE, is probably due to children's greater contact with soil.

Correlação epidemiológica entre fungos queratinofílicos isolados do solo e agentes de dermatomicoses / Epidemiological correlation between keratinophilic fungi isolated from soil and dermatomycosis agents

Este trabalho teve como objetivo isolar e identificar os fungos queratinofílicos do solo e correlacioná-los com os agentes de dermatomicose. De acordo com nossos resultados, o predomínio de Trichophyton tonsurans como agente de dermatomicose em crianças na cidade do Recife, PE deve-se provavelmente ao maior contato destas com o solo.

This study had the aim of isolating and identifying keratinophilic fungi from soil and correlating them with dermatomycosis agents. According to our results, the predominance of Trichophyton tonsurans as a dermatomycosis agent among children in the city of Recife, PE, is probably due to children's greater contact with soil.

[Viability, taxonomic confirmation and enzymatic detection of Acremonium species preserved under mineral oil in the URM Culture Collection]. / Viabilidade, confirmação taxonômica e detecção enzimática de espécies de Acremonium preservadas sob óleo mineral na Coleção de Culturas University Recife Mycology.

Hydrolytic enzymes secreted by fungi play an important role in the pathogenesis of infection. With the aim of evaluating the enzymatic activity, 31 isolates of Acremonium stored in the University of Recife Mycology (URM) Culture Collection were tested. Culture fragments were transferred to glycoside broth for reactivation and further growth in potato dextrose agar medium in order to investigate viability and purity and to confirm the taxonomy through observing the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. To detect enzymes, milk casein and gelatin were used as substrates for proteinase, starch for amylase and soy lecithin for phospholipase. Among the 31 cultures, 26 (83.9%) remained viable and 24 (92.3%) were confirmed taxonomically. Out of these 24 cultures, 12 (50%) presented proteinase activity, of which two (16.7%) were on milk casein, one (8.3%) on gelatin and nine (75%) on both substrates; 16 (66.7%) degraded starch. None of the cultures presented phospholipase activity. It was concluded that Acremonium species are able to produce enzymes that are involved in the pathogenicity of fungal infections.

Viabilidade, confirmação taxonômica e detecção enzimática de espécies de Acremonium preservadas sob óleo mineral na Coleção de Culturas University Recife Mycology / Viability, taxonomic confirmation and enzymatic detection of Acremonium species preserved under mineral oil in the URM Culture Collection

Enzimas hidrolíticas secretadas por fungos têm um papel importante na patogenicidade das infecções. Objetivando avaliar a atividade enzimática foram testados 31 isolados de Acremonium mantidos na Coleção de Culturas University Recife Mycology. Fragmentos das culturas foram transferidos para caldo glicosado para reativação e posterior crescimento em meio ágar batata dextrose, para verificar viabilidade, pureza e confirmação taxonômica pela observação das características macroscópicas e microscópicas. Para detecção enzimática foram utilizados substratos de caseína do leite e gelatina para protease, amido para amilase e lecitina de soja para fosfolipase. Das 31 culturas, 26 (83,9 por cento) mantiveram-se viáveis e 24 (92,3 por cento) foram confirmadas taxonomicamente. Das 24 culturas, 12 (50 por cento) apresentaram atividade proteásica, duas (16,7 por cento) em caseína do leite, uma (8,3 por cento) em gelatina e nove (75 por cento) em ambos os substratos; 16 (66,7 por cento) degradaram amido. Nenhuma cultura apresentou atividade fosfolipásica. Conclui-se que espécies de Acremonium são capazes de produzir enzimas envolvidas na patogenicidade das infecções fúngicas.

Hydrolytic enzymes secreted by fungi play an important role in the pathogenesis of infection. With the aim of evaluating the enzymatic activity, 31 isolates of Acremonium stored in the University of Recife Mycology (URM) Culture Collection were tested. Culture fragments were transferred to glycoside broth for reactivation and further growth in potato dextrose agar medium in order to investigate viability and purity and to confirm the taxonomy through observing the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. To detect enzymes, milk casein and gelatin were used as substrates for proteinase, starch for amylase and soy lecithin for phospholipase. Among the 31 cultures, 26 (83.9 percent) remained viable and 24 (92.3 percent) were confirmed taxonomically. Out of these 24 cultures, 12 (50 percent) presented proteinase activity, of which two (16.7 percent) were on milk casein, one (8.3 percent) on gelatin and nine (75 percent) on both substrates; 16 (66.7 percent) degraded starch. None of the cultures presented phospholipase activity. It was concluded that Acremonium species are able to produce enzymes that are involved in the pathogenicity of fungal infections.

Fungos associados a tumores de cabeça e pescoço / Fungal association with head and neck tumors

Introdução: Fungos podem infectar secundariamente carcinoma de cabeça e pescoço, diante da imunossupressão local e de tratamentos invasivos. Objetivo: Detectar fungos em tumor de cabeça e pescoço. Métodos: Foram submetidos à biópsia 81 pacientes, atendidos no ambulatório de cirurgia de cabeça e pescoço do Hospital do Câncer de Pernambuco, obtendo-se 83 amostras teciduais, segmentadas para exame histopatológico e micológico. Foram preparados exames diretos com KOH a 20% e cultura em ágar infusão de cérebro e coração e ágar Sabouraud, adicionados de cloranfenicol mantidos em duplicata a 30°C e 37°C, respectivamente. Resultados: Foram detectadas leveduras e/ou pseudomicélio com isolamento de Candida albicans (três), C. tropicalis (uma), C. parapsilosis (quatro), C. guillermondii (duas) acometendo áreas de cavidade bucal, lábio e pele na região da cabeça e pescoço. No diagnóstico histológico, foi confirmado que 60% dos pacientes apresentavam carcinoma de células escamosas. Os tumores malignos ocorreram no estádio I em 50%, seguido de estádio II e IV. Em apenas um caso foi verificado tumor de língua benígno. Conclusão: Fungos ocorrem em tumores de cabeça e pescoço e, devido à gravidade de seus danos, torna-se indispensável o diagnóstico preciso e precoce.

Introduction: Fungi can secondarily infect head and neck carcinoma, due to the local immunosuppression and invasive treatments. Objective: To detect fungi in head and neck tumor. Methods: 81 patients had been submitted to biopsy, attended the clinic of surgery of head and neck of the Cancer Hospital of Pernambuco getting 83 clinical specimens, which had been fragmented, for histopathologic and mycological examination. They were prepared for direct examination with potassium hydroxide solution 20% and culture in agar brain heart infusion and Sabouraud agar added with cloranphenicol, kept at 30°C and 37°C. Results: Yeasts were detected and/or pseudomicelium with isolation of Candida albicans (3), C. tropicalis (1), C. parapsilosis (4), C. guillermondii (2) affecting areas of the oral cavity, lip and skin in the head and neck region. On histological diagnosis it was confirmed that 60% of the patients presented squamous cells carcinoma. The malignant tumors occurred in stadium I in 50%, followed by stadium II and IV. Only one case of tongue benign tumor was verified. Conclusion: Fungi occur in head and neck tumors and, due to the severity of his injury, it is essential to the accurate early diagnosis.

[Epidemiology, etiology and clinical presentation of dermatophytosis in Pernambuco, 1995-2005]. / Epidemiologia, etiologia e formas clínicas das dermatofitoses em Pernambuco, 1995-2005.

Out of a total of 1,238 cases of dermatophytosis in the city of Recife (Pernambuco), lesions of the scalp (33.7%) and Trichophyton tonsurans (25.5%) predominated between 1995 and 2000, while lesions of the hairless skin (35.5%) and Trichophyton rubrum (34%) were the most frequent between 2000 and 2005. A significant reduction in Trichophyton mentagrophytes was detected in the second of these periods.

Epidemiologia, etiologia e formas clínicas das dermatofitoses em Pernambuco, 1995-2005 / Epidemiology, etiology and clinical presentation of dermatophytosis in Pernambuco, 1995-2005

Num total de 1.238 casos de dermatofitoses, ocorridas na Cidade de Recife /PE, observou-se predomínio das tinhas de couro cabeludo (33,7 por cento) e Trichophyton tonsurans (25,5 por cento), entre 1995 e 1999, enquanto as tinhas de pele glabra (35,5 por cento) e Trichophyton rubrum (34 por cento) foram mais freqüentes entre 2000 e 2005. Detectou-se importante redução do Trichophyton mentagrophytes, no último período.

Out of a total of 1,238 cases of dermatophytosis in the city of Recife (Pernambuco), lesions of the scalp (33.7 percent) and Trichophyton tonsurans (25.5 percent) predominated between 1995 and 2000, while lesions of the hairless skin (35.5 percent) and Trichophyton rubrum (34 percent) were the most frequent between 2000 and 2005. A significant reduction in Trichophyton mentagrophytes was detected in the second of these periods.

Fusarium lateritium (NEES) as an agent of fungemia in a patient infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Emerging fungal pathogens are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the immunocompromised host. The association of fungi from the Fusarium genus with human infection in uncommon. The objective of this paper is to report the first case of fungaemia caused by Fusarium lateritium in a 42-year-old HIV-infected patient.

Patógenos fúngicos emergentes estão associados com morbidade e mortalidade no hospedeiro imunocomprometido. O gênero Fusarium raramente está associado com infecção humana. O objetivo deste estudo é relatar o primeiro caso de fungemia causada por Fusarium lateritium em um paciente infectado pelo HIV com 42 anos de idade.