Abstract:

El parasitismo fúngico sobre los huevos de nematodes es un fenómeno natural quepuede ser usado en el control biológico de los mismos en el ambiente. El grado deantagonismo ejercido por los hongos sobre el desarrollo de los geohelmintos varíadependiendo de la especie fúngica. Un hongo saprófito puede presentar efectos ovicidas u ovistáticos, provocando daños en la cubierta del huevo y/ o en el desarrollo del embrión.El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo observar la acción de los hongos Chrysosporium indicum y Chrysosporium keratinophylum sobre huevos de T. canis in vitro mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido.

Author affiliation: Giusiano, Gustavo Emilio. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Bojanich, María Viviana Itatí. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina

Author affiliation: López, María de Los Angeles. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentina

Author affiliation: Basualdo Farjat, Juan Angel. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo de Métodos Analíticos; Argentina

Abstract:

We studied the in vitro activity of fluconazole (FCZ), ketoconazole (KTZ), miconazole (MCZ), voriconazole (VCZ), itraconazole (ITZ) and amphotericin B (AMB) against the three major pathogenic Malassezia species, M. globosa, M. sympodialis, andM. furfur. Antifungal susceptibilities were determined using the broth microdilution method in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute reference document M27-A3. To support lipid-dependent yeast development, glucose, peptone, ox bile,malt extract, glycerol, and Tween supplements were added to Roswell Park Memorial Institute RPMI 1640 medium. The supplemented medium allowed good growth of all three species studied. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were recorded after 72 h of incubation at 32oC. The three species showed different susceptibility profiles for the drugs tested. Malassezia sympodialis was the most susceptible and M. furfur the least susceptible species. KTZ, ITZ, and VCZ were the most active drugs, showing low variability among isolates of the same species. FCZ, MCZ, and AMB showed high MICs and wide MIC ranges. Differences observed emphasize the need to accurately identify and evaluate antifungal susceptibility of Malassezia species. Further investigations and collaborative studies are essential for correlating in vitro results with clinical outcomes since the existing limited data do not allow definitive conclusions.

Author affiliation: Rojas, Florencia Dinorah. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Sosa, Maria de Los Angeles. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina

Author affiliation: Fernández, Mariana Soledad. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Cattana, Maria Emilia. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Córdoba, Susana Beatríz. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud; Argentina

Author affiliation: Giusiano, Gustavo Emilio. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Abstract:

All Malassezia species are lipophilic; thus, modifications are required in susceptibility testing methods to ensure their growth. Antifungal susceptibility of Malassezia species using agar and broth dilution methods has been studied. Currently, few tests using disc diffusion methods are being performed. The aim was to evaluate the in vitro susceptibility of Malassezia yeast against antifungal agents using broth microdilution and disc diffusion methods, then to compare both methodologies. Fifty Malassezia isolates were studied. Microdilution method was performed as described in reference document and agar diffusion test was performed using antifungal tablets and discs. To support growth, culture media were supplemented. To correlate methods, linear regression analysis and categorical agreement was determined. The strongest linear association was observed for fluconazole and miconazole. The highest agreement between both methods was observed for itraconazole and voriconazole and the lowest for amphotericin B and fluconazole. Although modifications made to disc diffusion method allowed to obtain susceptibility data for Malassezia yeast,variables cannot be associated through a linear correlation model, indicating that inhibition zone values cannot predict MIC value. According to the results, disc diffusion assay may not represent an alternative to determine antifungal susceptibility of Malassezia yeast.

Author affiliation: Rojas, Florencia Dinorah. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina

Author affiliation: Córdoba, Susana Beatríz. Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud “Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán; Argentina

Author affiliation: Sosa, Maria de Los Angeles. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina

Author affiliation: Zalazar, Laura C.. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Humanidades; Argentina

Author affiliation: Fernández, Mariana Soledad. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina

Author affiliation: Cattana, Maria Emilia. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina

Author affiliation: Alegre, Lilian R.. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina

Author affiliation: Carrillo Muñoz, Alfonso J.. ACIAM. Departamento de Microbiología; España

Author affiliation: Giusiano, Gustavo Emilio. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina

Abstract:

The incidence of onychomycosis due to non-dermatophyte moulds (NDM) is increasing. Aspergillus terreus is relatively undocumented as an agent of this fungal infection. The aim of this work is to show the prevalence of onychomycosis caused by A. terreus and to describe its clinical features. Nail samples were collected for microscopic examination and culturing in selective media. All cases of onychomycosis due to NDM were confirmed by a second sample. Aspergillus terreus isolates were identi- fied through their morphological characteristics and using molecular methods. A total of 2485 samples were obtained. Positive cultures were obtained in 1639 samples. From 124 NDM confirmed cultures, 23 were identified as A. terreus (18.5%). Superficial white onychomycosis was the most frequent clinical pattern. A high percentage was found in fingernails. The prevalence of A. terreus in this study considerably exceeded the percentages reported by other authors. Onychomycosis due to A. terreus presents similar clinical patterns to those caused by dermatophytes, but is dif- ficult to eradicate and is associated with less predictable treatment outcomes. Better knowledge of the aetiology of A. terreus may be important for accomplishing more accurate and effective treatment.

Author affiliation: Fernández, Mariana Soledad. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Rojas, Florencia Dinorah. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Cattana, Maria Emilia. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Sosa, María de Los Ángeles . Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina

Author affiliation: Mangiaterra, Magdalena . Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina

Author affiliation: Giusiano, Gustavo Emilio. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Abstract:

La distribución de especies de Aspergillus en el suelo se ha estudiado ampliamente en todo el mundo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar fenotípica y genotípicamente las especies pertenecientes a la sección Fumigati presentes en los suelos de dos zonas semidesérticas de Argentina con diferentes geologías. En total, 23 Aspergillus de la sección Fumigati fueron aislados e identificados utilizando un enfoque polifásico incluyendo identificaciones fenotípicas y moleculares. Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto y Aspergillus fumigatiaffinis aparecieron con mayor frecuencia, mientras que los aislamientos relacionados a Aspergillus udagawae y a Aspergillus felis se observaron raramente. Este es el primer informe de A. fumigatiaffinis y de aislamientos estrechamente relacionados a A. udagawae en suelos argentinos; también el primero sobre la ocurrencia de especies pertenecientes al clado A. felis en Sudamérica. El emergente interés científico en la biodiversidad, así como la creciente importancia de Aspergillus como agentes causales de enfermedades humanas y animales, aumentan la necesidad de conocer la diversidad y la ocurrencia de estos hongos en la naturaleza.

The distribution of Aspergillus species in soil has been widely studied all over the world. The aim of this study was the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of species Aspergillus belonging to section Fumigati present in soils from two Argentinian semi-desert areas having different geological conditions. Altogether, 23 isolates belonging to Aspergillus section Fumigati were recovered and identified using a polyphasic approach including phenotypic and molecular identifications. Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto and Aspergillus fumigatiaffinis had the highest frequency, of occurrence while isolates closely related to Aspergillus udagawae and Aspergillus felis were rarely observed. A. fumigatiaffinis and isolates closer to A. udagawae were isolated for the first time from Argentinian soils and this is the first report on the occurrence of species belonging to the A. felis clade in South America. Recent scientific interests in biodiversity, as well as the increasing importance of aspergilli as causative agents of human and animal diseases increase the need to understand the diversity and occurrence of these fungi in nature.

Author affiliation: Giusiano, Gustavo Emilio. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina

Author affiliation: Piontelli, Eduardo. Universidad de Valparaiso. Escuela de Medicina; Chile

Author affiliation: Fernández, Mariana Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina

Author affiliation: Mangiaterra, Magdalena Leonilda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina

Author affiliation: Cattana, Maria Emilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina

Author affiliation: Kocsubé, Sándor. University of Szeged. Faculty of Science and Informatics; Hungría

Author affiliation: Varga, János. University of Szeged. Faculty of Science and Informatics; Hungría

Abstract:

Malassezia species are natural inhabitants of the healthy skin. However, under certain conditions, they may cause or exacerbate several skin diseases. The ability of this fungus to colonize or infect is determined by complex interactions between the fungal cell and its virulence factors. This study aims to evaluate “in vitro” the hydrophobicity levels, the adherence on a plastic surface and the biofilm formation of 16 clinical isolates of Malassezia furfur. Cellular surface hydrophobicity (CSH) levels were determined by two-phase system. The biofilm formation was determined by tetrazolium salt (XTT) reduction assay and by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results showed many isolates were hydrophobic, adherent, and producers of biofilm on abiotic surfaces with different capacity. SEM observations confirmed an abundant extracellular matrix after 48 h of biofilm formation. About 63% of strains with high production of biofilm showed medium to high percentage of hydrophobicity and/or adherence. In addition, it has been demonstrated a correlation between hydrophobicity, adherence, and biofilm formation in about 60% of strains examined. These important virulence factors could be responsible of this yeast changing from a commensal to a pathogenic status.

Author affiliation: Angiolella, Letizia. Instituto de Investigaciones Universitarias Roma la Sapienza; Italia

Author affiliation: Leone, Claudia. Instituto de Investigaciones Universitarias Roma la Sapienza; Italia

Author affiliation: Rojas, Florencia Dinorah. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Mussin, Javier Esteban. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Sosa, Maria de Los Angeles. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina

Author affiliation: Giusiano, Gustavo Emilio. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Abstract:

A case of cavitary pulmonary sporotrichosis without mucocutaneous involvement caused by Sporothrix schenckii is reported in a sexagenarian woman with a long smoking history. The patient was hospitalized for septic shock with multiorgan failure from a respiratory focus. The diagnosis was delayed due to the fungal etiological agent was not initially considered in the differential diagnosis. A good clinical and radiological evolution was obtained with the antifungal therapy. Occasional cases of primary pulmonary sporotrichosis have been reported in the literature. Due to its low incidence, this is a less-known and underestimated clinical form. Both clinical suspicion and microbiological studies are needed to reach pulmonary sporotrichosis diagnosis.

Author affiliation: Rojas, Florencia Dinorah. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina

Author affiliation: Fernández, Mariana Soledad. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; Argentina

Author affiliation: Lucchelli, Juan Manuel. Hospital de Rehabilitación Respiratoria "María Ferrer"; Argentina

Author affiliation: Lombardi, Dora. Hospital de Rehabilitación Respiratoria "María Ferrer"; Argentina

Author affiliation: Malet, José. Hospital de Rehabilitación Respiratoria "María Ferrer"; Argentina

Author affiliation: Vetrisano, María Eugenia. Hospital de Rehabilitación Respiratoria "María Ferrer"; Argentina

Author affiliation: Cattana, Maria Emilia. Hospital de Rehabilitación Respiratoria "María Ferrer"; Argentina

Author affiliation: Sosa, Maria de Los Angeles. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina

Author affiliation: Giusiano, Gustavo Emilio. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Abstract:

The composition of the essential oils (EOs) of O. vulgare L. EO and T. vulgaris EO, were analyzed by GC and GC–MS. Antifungal activities of the EOs and its main component, carvacrol, were evaluated against 27 clinical isolates of Malassezia furfur. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were measured according to the broth microdilution protocols by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) modified for Malassezia spp. EOs and carvacrol showed low MIC values ranged 450–900 μg/ml against M. furfur. No differences in EOs antifungal activity were observed in sensitive to resistant fluconazole isolates. The antifungal activity obtained showed O. vulgare EO, T. vulgaris EO and carvacrol, their compound, as potential antimicrobial agents against M. furfur, yeast associated with human mycoses.

Author affiliation: Vinciguerra, Vittorio. Università degli Studi della Tuscia; Italia

Author affiliation: Rojas, Florencia Dinorah. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Tedesco, Viviana. Università degli studi di Roma "La Sapienza"; Italia

Author affiliation: Giusiano, Gustavo Emilio. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Angiolella, Letizia. Università degli studi di Roma "La Sapienza"; Italia

Abstract:

La infección por citomegalovirus (CMV) es muy frecuente en el norte argentino y conlleva un alto riesgo para los neonatos, que pueden adquirirla durante el período fetal y desarrollar la enfermedad de inclusión citomegálica con una probabilidad variable de aparición de secuelas progresivas. Aunque la infección sintomática es diagnosticada en la mayoría de los casos, no ocurre lo mismo con los recién nacidos infectados pero asintomáticos. OBJETIVOS: Determinar la presencia del CMV en una población silente de neonatos, considerando el riesgo de desarrollo de secuelas debido a la falla diagnóstica y la ausencia de un tratamiento oportuno. MÉTODOS: Durante el período 2010-2012 se estudiaron 285 muestras correspondientes a recién nacidos asintomáticos del Servicio de Neonatología del Hospital Perrando de la ciudad de Resistencia. La detección del CMV se efectuó en muestras de sangre seca de tarjetas metabólicas, mediante PCR anidada. RESULTADOS: Se encontró ADN de CMV en 14 muestras, lo que representa el 5% del total analizado. CONCLUSIONES: La elevada seroprevalencia de CMV en la región y las condiciones socioeconómicas de los pacientes que asisten a este hospital público podrían explicar la frecuencia de infección congénita encontrada en el estudio. La técnica de PCR permite realizar un diagnóstico temprano en una población de recién nacidos con riesgo de desarrollar secuelas en un futuro cercano.

INTRODUCTION: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is very frequent in Northern Argentina. It involves a high risk for newborns, who may acquire the infection during the fetal period and then develop cytomegalic inclusion disease with a variable probability of progressive consequences. Although symptomatic infection is in most cases diagnosed, the situation is not the same with infected but asymptomatic newborns. OBJECTIVES: To determine the presence of CMV in a silent population of infants, considering the risk of developing sequelae due to diagnosis failure and absence of early treatment. METHODS: A total of 285 samples of asymptomatic newborns from the Neonatology Service of Perrando Hospital (Resistencia city) were studied during 2010-2012. CMV detection was performed in dry blood spot on cards by nested PCR. RESULTS: CMV DNA was detected in 14 samples, representing 5% of the total analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The high seroprevalence of CMV infection in this region and the low socioeconomic status of the patients attending this public hospital may explain the frequency of congenital infection found in the study. PCR technique allows early diagnosis of a population of newborns at risk to develop sequelae in the near future.

Author affiliation: Marín, Héctor . Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina

Author affiliation: Deluca, Gerardo. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina

Author affiliation: Urquijo, Maria. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina

Author affiliation: Giusiano, Gustavo Emilio. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Abstract:

The lack of an ideal antifungal drug or completely successful agent, suggests that combination therapy may be an appropriate option for the management of fungal infections. In this review, different antifungal combination therapy approaches will be discussed. In brief, the rationale for combination therapy is to maximize antifungal effects by attacking different fungal targets at the same time. However, the scientific basis for this approach requires evidence from prospective clinical trials of antifungal combinations. It is possible that real advantages will be seen for particular combinations only in particular mycoses and/or particular types of patient. Combination tends to reduce clinical failure when resistant strains could be recovered from patients, although drug interactions and cross-resistance may result. Synergy has been established between conventional antifungal agents and also between investigational molecules. Alternatively, combination of fluconazole and cyclosporine results fungicidal for fluconazole-susceptible strains of Candida albicans. An overall enhanced susceptibility is reached in intrinsically resistant Candida when combination of azole antifungal drugs or terbinafine with calcineurin inhibitors is used. Azoles, such as voriconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole are being tested in combination with other antifungal agents such as amphotericin B, caspofungin, or terbinafine and. In addition, amphotericin B is actually administered in combined therapy with caspofungin. The traditional combinations of amphotericin B plus 5-fluorocytosine or amphotericin B plus rifampicin have been replaced by these newer combinations. Other combinations such as caspofungin plus amphotericin B or voriconazole have also been synergic against clinical isolates of Aspergillus and Fusarium. This has been confirmed in animal models in the case of caspofungin plus itraconazole in the treatment of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and caspofungin plus liposomal amphotericin B in the management of invasive aspergillosis.

Author affiliation: Carrillo Muñoz, A. J.. Departamento de Micología; España

Author affiliation: Finquelievich, Jorge. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina

Author affiliation: Tur Tur, Cristina. Departamento de Micología; España

Author affiliation: Eraso, Elena. Universidad del Pais Vasco; España

Author affiliation: Jaureguizar, Nerea. Universidad del Pais Vasco; España

Author affiliation: Quindós, Guillermo. Universidad del Pais Vasco; España

Author affiliation: Giusiano, Gustavo Emilio. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina