First report of human infection caused by Colletotrichum chlorophyti occurring in a post-corneal transplant patient with endophthalmitis

An Overview of Corneal Transplantation in the Past Decade

The cornea is a transparent avascular structure located in the front of the eye that refracts light entering the eyes and also serves as a barrier between the outside world and the internal contents of the eye. Like every other body part, the cornea may suffer insult from trauma, infection, and inflammation. In the case of trauma, a prior infection that left a scar, or conditions such as keratoconus that warrant the removal of all or part of the cornea (keratoplasty), it is important to use healthy donor corneal tissues and cells that can replace the damaged cornea. The types of cornea transplant techniques employed currently include: penetrating keratoplasty, endothelial keratoplasty (EK), and artificial cornea transplant. Postoperative failure acutely or after years can result after a cornea transplant and may require a repeat transplant. This minireview briefly examines the various types of corneal transplant methodologies, indications, contraindications, presurgical protocols, sources of cornea transplant material, wound healing after surgery complications, co-morbidities, and the effect of COVID-19 in corneal transplant surgery.

Anthracnose Controlled by Essential Oils: Are Nanoemulsion-Based Films and Coatings a Viable and Efficient Technology for Tropical Fruit Preservation?

Post-harvest diseases can be a huge problem for the tropical fruit sector. These fruits are generally consumed in natura; thus, their integrity and appearance directly affect commercialization and consumer desire. Anthracnose is caused by fungi of the genus Colletotrichum and affects tropical fruits, resulting in lesions that impair their appearance and consumption. Antifungals generally used to treat anthracnose can be harmful to human health, as well as to the environment. Therefore, essential oils (EO) have been investigated as natural biofungicides, successfully controlling anthracnose symptoms. The hydrophobicity, high volatility, and oxidative instability of essential oils limit their direct application; hence, these oils must be stabilized before food application. Distinct delivery systems have already been proposed to protect/stabilize EOs, and nanotechnology has recently reshaped the food application limits of EOs. This review presents robust data regarding nanotechnology application and EO antifungal properties, providing new perspectives to further improve the results already achieved in the treatment of anthracnose. Additionally, it evaluates the current scenario involving the application of EO directly or incorporated in films and coatings for anthracnose treatment in tropical fruits, which is of great importance, especially for those fruits intended for exportation that may have a prolonged shelf life.

Thiopyridinium phthalocyanine for improved photodynamic efficiency against pathogenic fungi

The emergence of opportunistic pathogens and the selection of resistant strains have created a grim scenario for conventional antimicrobials. Consequently, there is an ongoing search for alternative techniques to control these microorganisms. One such technique is antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), which combines photosensitizers, light, and molecular oxygen to produce reactive oxygen species and kill the target pathogen. Here, the in vitro susceptibilities of three fungal pathogens, namely Candida albicans, Aspergillus nidulans, and Colletotrichum abscissum to aPDT with zinc(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc) derivative complexes were investigated. Three ZnPc bearing thiopyridinium substituents were synthesized and characterized by several spectroscopic techniques. The Q-band showed sensitivity to the substituent with high absorptivity coefficient in the 680-720 nm region. Derivatization and position of the rings with thiopyridinium units led to high antifungal efficiency of the cationic phthalocyanines, which could be correlated with singlet oxygen quantum yield, subcellular localization, and cellular uptake. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the investigated ZnPc-R complexes against the studied microorganisms were 2.5 μM (C. albicans) and 5 μM (A. nidulans and C. abscissum). One ZnPc derivative achieved complete photokilling of C. albicans and, furthermore, yielded low MIC values when used against the tolerant plant-pathogen C. abscissum. Our results show that chemical modification is an important step in producing better photosensitizers for aPDT against fungal pathogens.