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Gautier C, Maciel EI, Ene IV. Approaches for identifying and measuring heteroresistance in azole-susceptible Candida isolates. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0404123. [PMID: 38483474 PMCID: PMC10986555 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04041-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Heteroresistance to antifungal agents poses a significant challenge in the treatment of fungal infections. Currently, the absence of established methods for detecting and measuring heteroresistance impedes progress in understanding this phenomenon in fungal pathogens. In response to this gap, we present a comprehensive set of new and optimized methods designed to detect and quantify azole heteroresistance in Candida albicans. Here, we define two primary assays for measuring heteroresistance: population analysis profiling, based on growth on solid medium, and single-cell assays, based on growth in liquid culture. We observe good correlations between the measurements obtained with liquid and solid assays, validating their utility for studying azole heteroresistance. We also highlight that disk diffusion assays could serve as an additional tool for the rapid detection of heteroresistance. These methods collectively provide a versatile toolkit for researchers seeking to assess heteroresistance in C. albicans. They also serve as a critical step forward in the characterization of antifungal heteroresistance, providing a framework for investigating this phenomenon in diverse fungal species and in the context of other antifungal agents. Ultimately, these advancements will enhance our ability to effectively measure antifungal drug responses and combat fungal infections.IMPORTANCEHeteroresistance involves varying antimicrobial susceptibility within a clonal population. This phenomenon allows the survival of rare resistant subpopulations during drug treatment, significantly complicating the effective management of infections. However, the absence of established detection methods hampers progress in understanding this phenomenon in human fungal pathogens. We propose a comprehensive toolkit to address this gap in the yeast Candida albicans, encompassing population analysis profiling, single-cell assays, and disk diffusion assays. By providing robust and correlated measurements through both solid and liquid assays, this work will provide a framework for broader applications across clinically relevant Candida species. These methods will enhance our ability to understand this phenomenon and the failure of antifungal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Gautier
- Fungal Heterogeneity Group, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Eli I. Maciel
- Fungal Heterogeneity Group, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Iuliana V. Ene
- Fungal Heterogeneity Group, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
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Song D, Liu H, Huang Y, Dongari-Bagtzoglou A, Lei Y. High-Throughput Monitoring of Pathogenic Fungal Growth Using Whole Slide Imaging for Rapid Antifungal Susceptibility Assessment. ANAL LETT 2023; 57:2412-2425. [PMID: 39005971 PMCID: PMC11245173 DOI: 10.1080/00032719.2023.2297301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections are a major health threat with high morbidity and mortality, highlighting the urgent need for rapid diagnostic tools to detect antifungal resistance. Traditional culture-based antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) methods often fall short due to their lengthy process. In our previous research, we developed a whole-slide imaging (WSI) technique for the high-throughput assessment of bacterial antibiotic resistance. Building on this foundation, this study expands the application of WSI by adapting it for rapid AFST through high-throughput monitoring of the growth of hundreds of individual fungi. Due to the distinct "budding" growth patterns of fungi, we developed a unique approach that utilizes specific cell number change to determine fungi replication, instead of cell area change used for bacteria in our previous study, to accurately determine the growth rates of individual fungal cells. This method not only accelerates the determination of antifungal resistance by directly observing individual fungal cell growth, but also yields accurate results. Employing Candida albicans as a representative model organism, reliable minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of fluconazole inhibiting 100% cells of Candida albicans (denoted as MIC100) was obtained within 3h using the developed method, while the modified broth dilution method required 72h for the similar reliable result. In addition, our approach was effectively utilized to test blood culture samples directly, eliminating the need to separate the fungi from whole blood samples spiked with Candida albicans. These features indicate the developed method holds great potential serving as a general tool in rapid antifungal susceptibility testing and MIC determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghui Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Haomin Liu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yikun Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Anna Dongari-Bagtzoglou
- Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences, Health Center, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yu Lei
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
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Siswina T, Rustama MM, Sumiarsa D, Apriyanti E, Dohi H, Kurnia D. Antifungal Constituents of Piper crocatum and Their Activities as Ergosterol Biosynthesis Inhibitors Discovered via In Silico Study Using ADMET and Drug-Likeness Analysis. Molecules 2023; 28:7705. [PMID: 38067436 PMCID: PMC10708292 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Along with the increasing resistance of Candida spp. to some antibiotics, it is necessary to find new antifungal drugs, one of which is from the medicinal plant Red Betel (Piper crocatum). The purpose of this research is to isolate antifungal constituents from P. crocatum and evaluate their activities as ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors via an in silico study of ADMET and drug-likeness analysis. Two new active compounds 1 and 2 and a known compound 3 were isolated, and their structures were determined using spectroscopic methods, while their bioactivities were evaluated via in vitro and in silico studies, respectively. Antifungal compound 3 was the most active compared to 1 and 2 with zone inhibition values of 14.5, 11.9, and 13.0 mm, respectively, at a concentration of 10% w/v, together with MIC/MFC at 0.31/1.2% w/v. Further in silico study demonstrated that compound 3 had a stronger ΔG than the positive control and compounds 1 and 2 with -11.14, -12.78, -12.00, and -6.89 Kcal/mol against ERG1, ERG2, ERG11, and ERG24, respectively, and also that 3 had the best Ki with 6.8 × 10-3, 4 × 10-4, 1.6 × 10-3, and 8.88 μM. On the other hand, an ADMET analysis of 1-3 met five parameters, while 1 had one violation of Ro5. Based on the research data, the promising antifungal constituents of P. crocatum allow P. crocatum to be proposed as a new antifungal candidate to treat and cure infections due to C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Siswina
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang 45363, Indonesia; (T.S.); (D.S.); (E.A.)
- Department of Midwifery, Poltekkes Kemenkes Pontianak, Pontianak 78124, Indonesia
| | - Mia Miranti Rustama
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang 45363, Indonesia;
| | - Dadan Sumiarsa
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang 45363, Indonesia; (T.S.); (D.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Eti Apriyanti
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang 45363, Indonesia; (T.S.); (D.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Hirofumi Dohi
- Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University, 1-33 Yayoi, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8522, Japan;
| | - Dikdik Kurnia
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Sumedang 45363, Indonesia; (T.S.); (D.S.); (E.A.)
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Shin J, Bae S. In vitro effects of omeprazole in combination with antifungal compounds against Malassezia pachydermatis. Vet Med Sci 2023; 9:2594-2599. [PMID: 37872836 PMCID: PMC10650238 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fungal and yeast infections, including those caused by Malassezia spp., are becoming increasingly difficult to treat, likely due to the occurrence of drug resistance. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal effects of omeprazole (OME), a proton pump inhibitor, against antifungal-resistant Malassezia pachydermatis and to investigate the potential synergistic effects between OME and other antifungal compounds. METHODS In total, 15 samples of M. pachydermatis isolated from the skin of dogs were tested. The susceptibility of M. pachydermatis to itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, terbinafine and OME was assessed using a modified broth microdilution (BM) method. The in vitro efficacy of OME alone and in combination with other antifungal compounds was evaluated for all isolates using the BM chequerboard method. The data obtained were analysed using the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI). RESULTS The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of antifungal compounds and OME against quality control strain (M. pachydermatis CBS1879) were lower than the MIC90 values of same drugs against clinically collected strains. There was no significant difference in MIC values between drugs alone and combination. According to the analysis by the FICI method, no interaction was observed with OME and antifungal compounds. CONCLUSIONS Most M. pachydermatis strains were resistant to azole antifungal compounds. OME exerted antifungal effects against Malassezia spp. and even showed good effects on antifungal-resistant strains. No synergistic effects were observed between the antifungal compounds and OME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juyoung Shin
- Department of Veterinary Internal MedicineCollege of Veterinary MedicineKyungpook National UniversityDaeguRepublic of Korea
| | - Seulgi Bae
- Department of Veterinary Internal MedicineCollege of Veterinary MedicineKyungpook National UniversityDaeguRepublic of Korea
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de Lima Silva MG, de Lima LF, Alencar Fonseca VJ, Santos da Silva LY, Calixto Donelardy AC, de Almeida RS, de Morais Oliveira-Tintino CD, Pereira Bezerra Martins AOB, Ribeiro-Filho J, Bezerra Morais-Braga MF, Tintino SR, Alencar de Menezes IR. Enhancing the Antifungal Efficacy of Fluconazole with a Diterpene: Abietic Acid as a Promising Adjuvant to Combat Antifungal Resistance in Candida spp. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1565. [PMID: 37998767 PMCID: PMC10668680 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12111565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing antifungal resistance rates against conventional drugs reveal the urgent need to search for new therapeutic alternatives. In this context, natural bioactive compounds have a critical role in antifungal drug development. Since evidence demonstrates that abietic acid, a diterpene found in Pinus species, has significant antimicrobial properties, this study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of abietic acid against Candida spp and its ability to potentiate the activity of fluconazole. Abietic acid was tested both individually and in combination with fluconazole against Candida albicans (CA INCQS 40006), Candida krusei (CK INCQS 40095), and Candida tropicalis (CT INCQS 40042). The microdilution method was used to determine the IC50 and the cell viability curve. Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) was determined by subculture in a solid medium. The plasma membrane permeability was measured using a fluorescent SYTOX Green probe. While the IC50 of the drugs alone ranged between 1065 and 3255 μg/mL, the IC50 resulting from the combination of abietic acid and fluconazole ranged between 7563 and 160.1 μg/mL. Whether used in combination with fluconazole or isolated, abietic acid exhibited Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) values exceeding 1024 μg/mL against Candida albicans, Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis. However, it was observed that the antifungal effect of fluconazole was enhanced when used in combination with abietic acid against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. These findings suggest that while abietic acid alone has limited inherent antifungal activity, it can enhance the effectiveness of fluconazole, thereby reducing antifungal resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gabriely de Lima Silva
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Molecular Chemistry (LFQM), Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri (URCA), Crato 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil; (M.G.d.L.S.); (L.Y.S.d.S.); (A.C.C.D.); (A.O.B.P.B.M.)
| | - Luciene Ferreira de Lima
- Laboratory of Applied Mycology of Cariri (LMAC), Regional University of Cariri (URCA), Crato 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil; (L.F.d.L.); (V.J.A.F.); (M.F.B.M.-B.)
| | - Victor Juno Alencar Fonseca
- Laboratory of Applied Mycology of Cariri (LMAC), Regional University of Cariri (URCA), Crato 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil; (L.F.d.L.); (V.J.A.F.); (M.F.B.M.-B.)
| | - Lucas Yure Santos da Silva
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Molecular Chemistry (LFQM), Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri (URCA), Crato 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil; (M.G.d.L.S.); (L.Y.S.d.S.); (A.C.C.D.); (A.O.B.P.B.M.)
| | - Ana Cecília Calixto Donelardy
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Molecular Chemistry (LFQM), Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri (URCA), Crato 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil; (M.G.d.L.S.); (L.Y.S.d.S.); (A.C.C.D.); (A.O.B.P.B.M.)
| | - Ray Silva de Almeida
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular Biology (LMBM), Regional University of Cariri (URCA), Crato 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil; (R.S.d.A.); (C.D.d.M.O.-T.)
| | | | - Anita Oliveira Brito Pereira Bezerra Martins
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Molecular Chemistry (LFQM), Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri (URCA), Crato 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil; (M.G.d.L.S.); (L.Y.S.d.S.); (A.C.C.D.); (A.O.B.P.B.M.)
| | - Jaime Ribeiro-Filho
- Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Fiocruz Ceará, Eusébio 61773-270, Ceará, Brazil;
| | - Maria Flaviana Bezerra Morais-Braga
- Laboratory of Applied Mycology of Cariri (LMAC), Regional University of Cariri (URCA), Crato 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil; (L.F.d.L.); (V.J.A.F.); (M.F.B.M.-B.)
| | - Saulo Relison Tintino
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular Biology (LMBM), Regional University of Cariri (URCA), Crato 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil; (R.S.d.A.); (C.D.d.M.O.-T.)
| | - Irwin Rose Alencar de Menezes
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Molecular Chemistry (LFQM), Department of Biological Chemistry, Regional University of Cariri (URCA), Crato 63105-000, Ceará, Brazil; (M.G.d.L.S.); (L.Y.S.d.S.); (A.C.C.D.); (A.O.B.P.B.M.)
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6
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Alabi PE, Gautier C, Murphy TP, Gu X, Lepas M, Aimanianda V, Sello JK, Ene IV. Small molecules restore azole activity against drug-tolerant and drug-resistant Candida isolates. mBio 2023; 14:e0047923. [PMID: 37326546 PMCID: PMC10470600 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00479-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Each year, fungi cause more than 1.5 billion infections worldwide and have a devastating impact on human health, particularly in immunocompromised individuals or patients in intensive care units. The limited antifungal arsenal and emerging multidrug-resistant species necessitate the development of new therapies. One strategy for combating drug-resistant pathogens is the administration of molecules that restore fungal susceptibility to approved drugs. Accordingly, we carried out a screen to identify small molecules that could restore the susceptibility of pathogenic Candida species to azole antifungals. This screening effort led to the discovery of novel 1,4-benzodiazepines that restore fluconazole susceptibility in resistant isolates of Candida albicans, as evidenced by 100-1,000-fold potentiation of fluconazole activity. This potentiation effect was also observed in azole-tolerant strains of C. albicans and in other pathogenic Candida species. The 1,4-benzodiazepines selectively potentiated different azoles, but not other approved antifungals. A remarkable feature of the potentiation was that the combination of the compounds with fluconazole was fungicidal, whereas fluconazole alone is fungistatic. Interestingly, the potentiators were not toxic to C. albicans in the absence of fluconazole, but inhibited virulence-associated filamentation of the fungus. We found that the combination of the potentiators and fluconazole significantly enhanced host survival in a Galleria mellonella model of systemic fungal infection. Taken together, these observations validate a strategy wherein small molecules can restore the activity of highly used anti-infectives that have lost potency. IMPORTANCE In the last decade, we have been witnessing a higher incidence of fungal infections, due to an expansion of the fungal species capable of causing disease (e.g., Candida auris), as well as increased antifungal drug resistance. Among human fungal pathogens, Candida species are a leading cause of invasive infections and are associated with high mortality rates. Infections by these pathogens are commonly treated with azole antifungals, yet the expansion of drug-resistant isolates has reduced their clinical utility. In this work, we describe the discovery and characterization of small molecules that potentiate fluconazole and restore the susceptibility of azole-resistant and azole-tolerant Candida isolates. Interestingly, the potentiating 1,4-benzodiazepines were not toxic to fungal cells but inhibited their virulence-associated filamentous growth. Furthermore, combinations of the potentiators and fluconazole decreased fungal burdens and enhanced host survival in a Galleria mellonella model of systemic fungal infections. Accordingly, we propose the use of novel antifungal potentiators as a powerful strategy for addressing the growing resistance of fungi to clinically approved drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip E. Alabi
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Cécile Gautier
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Fungal Heterogeneity Group, Paris, France
| | - Thomas P. Murphy
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Xilin Gu
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Mathieu Lepas
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR2000, Molecular Mycology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Vishukumar Aimanianda
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, CNRS UMR2000, Molecular Mycology Unit, Paris, France
| | - Jason K. Sello
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Iuliana V. Ene
- Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Fungal Heterogeneity Group, Paris, France
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Alsaiari M, Roghani K, Liaqat S, Alkorbi AS, Sharif F, Irfan M, Rizk MA, Uroos M, Ahmad N, Muhammad N. Effect of Ionic Liquids on Mechanical, Physical, and Antifungal Properties and Biocompatibility of a Soft Denture Lining Material. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:27300-27311. [PMID: 37546657 PMCID: PMC10399165 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c02677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the effect of ionic liquids and their structure on the mechanical (tensile bond strength (TBS) and Shore A hardness), mass change, and antifungal properties of soft denture lining material. Butyl pyridinium chloride (BPCL) and octyl pyridinium chloride (OPCL) were synthesized, characterized, and mixed in concentrations ranging from 0.65-10% w/w with a soft denture liner (Molloplast-B) and were divided into seven groups (C, BPCL1-3, and OPCL1-3). The TBS of bar-shaped specimens was calculated on a Universal Testing Machine. For Shore A hardness, disc-shaped specimens were analyzed using a durometer. The mass change (%) of specimens was calculated by the weight loss method. The antifungal potential of ionic liquids and test specimens was measured using agar well and disc diffusion methods (p ≤ 0.05). The alamarBlue assay was performed to assess the biocompatibility of the samples. The mean TBS values of Molloplast-B samples were significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) for all groups except for OPCL1. Compared with the control, the mean shore A hardness values were significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) for samples in groups BPCL 2 and 3. After 6 weeks, the OPCL samples showed a significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) mass change as compared to the control. Agar well diffusion methods demonstrated a maximum zone of inhibition for 2.5% OPCL (20.5 ± 0.05 mm) after 24 h. Disc diffusion methods showed no zones of inhibition. The biocompatibility of the ionic liquid-modified sample was comparable to that of the control. The addition of ionic liquids in Molloplast-B improved the liner's surface texture, increased its hardness, and decreased its % mass change and tensile strength. Ionic liquids exhibited potent antifungal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mabkhoot Alsaiari
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Arts at Sharurah, Najran University, Sharurah 68342, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khumara Roghani
- Department
of Dental Materials, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar 25100, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Saad Liaqat
- Department
of Dental Materials, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar 25100, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Ali S. Alkorbi
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Arts at Sharurah, Najran University, Sharurah 68342, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faiza Sharif
- Interdisciplinary
Research Center for Biomedical Materials, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Lahore 54590, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Irfan
- Electrical
Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Moustafa A. Rizk
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Arts at Sharurah, Najran University, Sharurah 68342, Saudi Arabia
- Department
of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal
University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Maliha Uroos
- Centre for
Research in Ionic Liquids, Institute of Chemistry, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Ahmad
- Department
of Chemical and Material Engineering, College of Engineering, Northern Border University, Arar 73213, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nawshad Muhammad
- Department
of Dental Materials, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar 25100, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
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8
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Alkhalifa W, Alhawaj H, Alamri A, Alturki F, Alshahrani M, Alnimr A. Clinical and Microbiological Characteristics of Candidemia Cases in Saudi Arabia. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:4489-4503. [PMID: 37457797 PMCID: PMC10348370 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s411865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Candidemia and antifungal resistance are major healthcare challenges. The aim of this study is to describe the frequency of candidemia cases, distribution of Candida spp., and the associated risk factors for mortality in an academic institution in Saudi Arabia over an 18-month period. We also evaluated the susceptibility patterns of Candida blood isolates. Methods Candidemia cases were collected from King Fahad Hospital of the University over the period between July 1st, 2020 through December 31st, 2021. They were prospectively reviewed for the preceding risk factors and antifungal (AF) susceptibility, testing results to fluconazole (FL), voriconazole (VO), itraconazole (IT), posaconazole (PO), caspofungin (CASP), anidulafungin (AND), micafungin (MYC), flucytosine (FLC) and amphotericin B (AMPB) using a broth microdilution kit (Sensititre™ YeastOne). Results A total of 48 candidemia isolates were included that were isolated from 43 patients. The median age of cases was 62 ± 23.3 years (60.4% males and 83% ICU patients). Independent risk factors for mortality at 30 days in candidemia patients were age, COVID-19 co-infection, and use of tocilizumab. The most commonly isolated species were C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis (22.9% each) followed by C. albicans (18.75%). AF resistance for ≥1 antifungal was detected in 39.3% of 33 cases tested, with no cross-resistance identified. Resistance rates for each AF were as follows: FL (18%), VO (6%), IT (6%), PO (9%) and AMPB (3%). No resistance was seen for echinocandins apart from one C. krusei strain showing an intermediate result for CASP. Conclusion The study showed an overall high rate of non-albicans Candida, with the predominance of C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata, representing a therapeutic challenge. AF resistance rate was high which emphasizes the importance of continuing surveillance and providing accurate and reliable tools in the laboratories for rapid speciation and susceptibility testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wala Alkhalifa
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan Alhawaj
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha Alamri
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fatimah Alturki
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alshahrani
- Emergency and Critical Care Department, King Fahad Hospital of the University - Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amani Alnimr
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
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Sadrati N, Zerroug A, Demirel R, Harzallah D. Anti-multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and anti-dermatophyte activities of secondary metabolites of the endophytic fungus Penicillium brevicompactum ANT13 associated with the Algerian endemic plant Abies numidica. Arch Microbiol 2023; 205:110. [PMID: 36884139 PMCID: PMC9994407 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03452-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to identify and assess the antimicrobial activity of endophytic fungi found in the endemic plant Abies numidica. Among all isolates, the ANT13 isolate demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity in the preliminary screening, particularly Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Candida albicans ATCC 1024, with inhibition zones of 22 and 21.5 mm, respectively. Based on its morphological and molecular features, this isolate was identified as Penicillium brevicompactum. The maximum activity was observed in the ethyl acetate extract, followed by the dichloromethane extract; however, the n-hexane extract exhibited no activity. The ethyl acetate extract demonstrated very significant activity against the five strains of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus used, with average zones of inhibition ranging from 21 to 26 mm, in contrast to more resistant Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 49452 and Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876. The ethyl acetate extract was also very active against dermatophytes, where the zones of inhibition for Candida albicans, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, and Epidermophyton floccosum were 23.5, 31, 43, 47, and 53.5 mm, respectively. The MIC values for dermatophytes ranged between 100 and 3200 µg/mL. The wild isolate of Penicillium brevicompactum ANT13 discovered as an endophyte in Abies numidica may be a distinctive source of novel compounds and drug discovery to trait dermatophytes and multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouari Sadrati
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University Ferhat Abbas Sétif 1, 19000, Sétif, Algeria.
- Laboratory of Characterization and Valorization of Natural Resources, Faculty of Nature and Life and Earth Sciences and the Universes, University Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi, 34000, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Algeria.
| | - Amina Zerroug
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University Ferhat Abbas Sétif 1, 19000, Sétif, Algeria
- Laboratory of Characterization and Valorization of Natural Resources, Faculty of Nature and Life and Earth Sciences and the Universes, University Mohamed El Bachir El Ibrahimi, 34000, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Algeria
| | - Rasime Demirel
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Eskişehir Technical University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Daoud Harzallah
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University Ferhat Abbas Sétif 1, 19000, Sétif, Algeria
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10
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Combination of response surface methodology and UPLC-QTOF-MSE for phenolic compounds analysis from Cinnamomum cassia bark as a novel antifungal agent. JOURNAL OF FOOD MEASUREMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s11694-023-01820-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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11
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Jagadeesan S, Karpagam S. Novel series of N-acyl substituted indole based piperazine, thiazole and tetrazoles as potential antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and cytotoxic agents, and their docking investigation as potential Mcl-1 inhibitors. J Mol Struct 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.134013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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12
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Yolanda H, Lohnoo T, Rujirawat T, Yingyong W, Kumsang Y, Sae-Chew P, Payattikul P, Krajaejun T. Selection of an Appropriate In Vitro Susceptibility Test for Assessing Anti- Pythium insidiosum Activity of Potassium Iodide, Triamcinolone Acetonide, Dimethyl Sulfoxide, and Ethanol. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:1116. [PMID: 36354883 PMCID: PMC9692648 DOI: 10.3390/jof8111116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The orphan but highly virulent pathogen Pythium insidiosum causes pythiosis in humans and animals. Surgery is a primary treatment aiming to cure but trading off losing affected organs. Antimicrobial drugs show limited efficacy in treating pythiosis. Alternative drugs effective against the pathogen are needed. In-house drug susceptibility tests (i.e., broth dilution, disc diffusion, and radial growth assays) have been established, some of which adapted the standard protocols (i.e., CLSI M38-A2 and CLSI M51) designed for fungi. Hyphal plug, hyphal suspension, and zoospore are inocula commonly used in the drug susceptibility assessment for P. insidiosum. A side-by-side comparison demonstrated that each method had advantages and limitations. Minimum inhibitory and cidal concentrations of a drug varied depending on the selected method. Material availability, user experience, and organism and drug quantities determined which susceptibility assay should be used. We employed the hyphal plug and a combination of broth dilution and radial growth methods to screen and validate the anti-P. insidiosum activities of several previously reported chemicals, including potassium iodide, triamcinolone acetonide, dimethyl sulfoxide, and ethanol, in which data on their anti-P. insidiosum efficacy are limited. We tested each chemical against 29 genetically diverse isolates of P. insidiosum. These chemicals possessed direct antimicrobial effects on the growth of the pathogen in a dose- and time-dependent manner, suggesting their potential application in pythiosis treatment. Future attempts should focus on standardizing these drug susceptibility methods, such as determining susceptibility/resistant breakpoints, so healthcare workers can confidently interpret a result and select an effective drug against P. insidiosum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Yolanda
- Program in Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jakarta 14440, Indonesia
| | - Tassanee Lohnoo
- Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Thidarat Rujirawat
- Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Wanta Yingyong
- Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Yothin Kumsang
- Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Pattarana Sae-Chew
- Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Penpan Payattikul
- Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Theerapong Krajaejun
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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13
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The Antifungal and Antibiofilm Activities of Caffeine against Candida albicans on Polymethyl Methacrylate Denture Base Material. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10092078. [PMID: 36140179 PMCID: PMC9495344 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10092078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In this study, the effect of pure caffeine was established against Candida albicans (C. albicans) using different microbiological techniques. Methods: Broth microdilution and colony forming units (CFUs) assays were used to detect the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). The Live/Dead fluorescent dyes were implemented to determine the yeast viability. Polymethyl methacrylate acrylic resin (PMMA) discs were prepared to evaluate caffeine’s effects against adherent C. albicans using microplate reader, CFUs, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results: caffeine’s MIC was detected around 30 mg/mL, while the MFC was considered at 60 mg/mL. In an agar-well diffusion test, the inhibition zones were wider in caffeine groups. The Live/Dead viability test verified caffeine’s antifungal effects. The optical density of the adherent C. albicans on PMMA discs were lower at 620 nm or 410 nm in caffeine groups. CFU count was also reduced by caffeine treatments. SEM revealed the lower adherent C. albicans count in caffeine groups. The effect of caffeine was dose-dependent at which the 60 mg/mL dose demonstrated the most prominent effect. Conclusion: The study reinforced caffeine’s antifungal and antibiofilm properties and suggested it as an additive, or even an alternative, disinfectant solution for fungal biofilms on denture surfaces.
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14
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Choi M, Cho HS, Ahn B, Prathap S, Nagasundarapandian S, Park C. Genomewide Analysis and Biological Characterization of Cathelicidins with Potent Antimicrobial Activity and Low Cytotoxicity from Three Bat Species. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:989. [PMID: 35892379 PMCID: PMC9330922 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11080989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cathelicidins are potent antimicrobial peptides with broad spectrum antimicrobial activity in many vertebrates and an important component of the innate immune system. However, our understanding of the genetic variations and biological characteristics of bat cathelicidins is limited. In this study, we performed genome-level analysis of the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidins from seven bat species in the six families, listed 19 cathelicidin-like sequences, and showed that the number of functional cathelicidin genes differed among bat species. Based on the identified biochemical characteristics of bat cathelicidins, three cathelicidins, HA-CATH (from Hipposideros armiger), ML-CATH (from Myotis lucifugus), and PD-CATH (from Phyllostomus discolor), with clear antimicrobial signatures were chemically synthesized and evaluated antimicrobial activity. HA-CATH showed narrow-spectrum antibacterial activity against a panel of 12 reference bacteria, comprising 6 Gram-negative and 6 Gram-positive strains. However, ML-CATH and PD-CATH showed potent antibacterial activity against a broad spectrum of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1 and 3 μg/mL, respectively, against Staphylococcus aureus. ML-CATH and PD-CATH also showed antifungal activities against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus cuniculi with MIC of 5 to 40 μg/mL, respectively, and 80% inhibition of the metabolism of Mucor hiemalis hyphae at 80 μg/mL, while displaying minimal cytotoxicity to HaCaT cells. Taken together, although the spectrum and efficacy of bat cathelicidins were species-dependent, the antimicrobial activity of ML-CATH and PD-CATH was comparable to that of other highly active cathelicidins in vertebrates while having negligible cytotoxicity to mammalian cells. ML-CATH and PD-CATH can be exploited as promising candidates for the development of antimicrobial therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Chankyu Park
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea; (M.C.); (H.-s.C.); (B.A.); (S.P.); (S.N.)
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15
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Hobi S, Cafarchia C, Romano V, Barrs VR. Malassezia: Zoonotic Implications, Parallels and Differences in Colonization and Disease in Humans and Animals. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8070708. [PMID: 35887463 PMCID: PMC9324274 DOI: 10.3390/jof8070708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Malassezia spp. are commensals of the skin, oral/sinonasal cavity, lower respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. Eighteen species have been recovered from humans, other mammals and birds. They can also be isolated from diverse environments, suggesting an evolutionary trajectory of adaption from an ecological niche in plants and soil to the mucocutaneous ecosystem of warm-blooded vertebrates. In humans, dogs and cats, Malassezia-associated dermatological conditions share some commonalities. Otomycosis is common in companion animals but is rare in humans. Systemic infections, which are increasingly reported in humans, have yet to be recognized in animals. Malassezia species have also been identified as pathogenetic contributors to some chronic human diseases. While Malassezia species are host-adapted, some species are zoophilic and can cause fungemia, with outbreaks in neonatal intensive care wards associated with temporary colonization of healthcare worker’s hands from contact with their pets. Although standardization is lacking, susceptibility testing is usually performed using a modified broth microdilution method. Antifungal susceptibility can vary depending on Malassezia species, body location, infection type, disease duration, presence of co-morbidities and immunosuppression. Antifungal resistance mechanisms include biofilm formation, mutations or overexpression of ERG11, overexpression of efflux pumps and gene rearrangements or overexpression in chromosome 4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Hobi
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence: (S.H.); (V.R.B.)
| | - Claudia Cafarchia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Str. prov. per Casamassima Km 3, Valenzano, (Bari), 70010, Italy; (C.C.); (V.R.)
| | - Valentina Romano
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Str. prov. per Casamassima Km 3, Valenzano, (Bari), 70010, Italy; (C.C.); (V.R.)
| | - Vanessa R. Barrs
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Centre for Animal Health and Welfare, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China
- Correspondence: (S.H.); (V.R.B.)
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16
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Pereira PFS, de Paula E Silva ACA, da Silva Pimentel BNA, Pinatti IM, Simões AZ, Vergani CE, Barreto-Vieira DF, da Silva MAN, Miranda MD, Monteiro MES, Tucci A, Doñate-Buendía C, Mínguez-Vega G, Andrés J, Longo E. Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by a chitosan/α-Ag 2WO 4 composite generated by femtosecond laser irradiation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8118. [PMID: 35581241 PMCID: PMC9114143 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11902-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In the current COVID-19 pandemic, the next generation of innovative materials with enhanced anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity is urgently needed to prevent the spread of this virus within the community. Herein, we report the synthesis of chitosan/α-Ag2WO4 composites synthetized by femtosecond laser irradiation. The antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Methicilin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), and Candida albicans was determined by estimating the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC). To assess the biocompatibility of chitosan/α-Ag2WO4 composites in a range involving MIC and MBC/MFC on keratinocytes cells (NOK-si), an alamarBlue™ assay and an MTT assay were carried out. The SARS-CoV-2 virucidal effects was analyzed in Vero E6 cells through viral titer quantified in cell culture supernatant by PFU/mL assay. Our results showed a very similar antimicrobial activity of chitosan/α-Ag2WO4 3.3 and 6.6, with the last one demonstrating a slightly better action against MSSA. The chitosan/α-Ag2WO4 9.9 showed a wide range of antimicrobial activity (0.49-31.25 µg/mL). The cytotoxicity outcomes by alamarBlue™ revealed that the concentrations of interest (MIC and MBC/MFC) were considered non-cytotoxic to all composites after 72 h of exposure. The Chitosan/α-Ag2WO4 (CS6.6/α-Ag2WO4) composite reduced the SARS-CoV-2 viral titer quantification up to 80% of the controls. Then, our results suggest that these composites are highly efficient materials to kill bacteria (Escherichia coli, Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, and the yeast strain Candida albicans), in addition to inactivating SARS-CoV-2 by contact, through ROS production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Fabiana Santos Pereira
- CDMF, LIEC, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), P.O. Box 676, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil.,Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University Jaume I (UJI), 12071, Castelló, Spain
| | - Ana Carolina Alves de Paula E Silva
- Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 1680 Humaitá Street, Araraquara, SP, 14801-903, Brazil
| | - Bruna Natália Alves da Silva Pimentel
- Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 1680 Humaitá Street, Araraquara, SP, 14801-903, Brazil
| | - Ivo Mateus Pinatti
- Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University Jaume I (UJI), 12071, Castelló, Spain.,Faculty of Engineering of Guaratinguetá, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Guaratinguetá, SP, 12516-410, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Zirpoli Simões
- Faculty of Engineering of Guaratinguetá, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Guaratinguetá, SP, 12516-410, Brazil
| | - Carlos Eduardo Vergani
- Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), 1680 Humaitá Street, Araraquara, SP, 14801-903, Brazil
| | - Débora Ferreira Barreto-Vieira
- Laboratory of Viral Morphology and Morphogenesis, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Avenida Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Milene Dias Miranda
- Laboratory of Respiratory Viruses and Measles, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Avenida Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Eduarda Santos Monteiro
- Laboratory of Respiratory Viruses and Measles, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Avenida Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Amanda Tucci
- Laboratory of Respiratory Viruses and Measles, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz, Avenida Brasil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carlos Doñate-Buendía
- GROC UJI, Institute of New Imaging Technologies, Universitat Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat sn, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain.,Materials Science and Additive Manufacturing, University of Wuppertal, Gaußstr. 20, 42119, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Gladys Mínguez-Vega
- GROC UJI, Institute of New Imaging Technologies, Universitat Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat sn, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Juan Andrés
- Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, University Jaume I (UJI), 12071, Castelló, Spain
| | - Elson Longo
- CDMF, LIEC, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), P.O. Box 676, São Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil.
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17
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Yin W, Liu L, Jiang H, Wu T, Cui H, Zhang Y, Gao Z, Sun Y, Qin Q, Zhao L, Su X, Zhao D, Cheng M. Design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel 3-thiophene derivatives as potent fungistatic and fungicidal reagents based on a conformational restriction strategy. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 233:114195. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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18
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SHIRAKATA C, SUGAWARA S, KANO R. Isolation of antifungal-resistant <i>Candida </i>from the blowholes of captive dolphins. J Vet Med Sci 2022; 84:942-945. [PMID: 35598982 PMCID: PMC9353083 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.22-0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we isolated eight strains of Candida albicans from the blowhole air cultures of eight dolphins (one Pacific white-sided dolphin and seven bottlenose
dolphins) housed at the Enoshima Aquarium. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of antifungals for these isolates were determined by conducting E-test and broth microdilution assays using
the CLSI M27-A3 protocol antifungal susceptibility testing method. Only one of the eight dolphins from which Candida had been isolated had been treated with amphotericin B
(AMB), and four had been treated with itraconazole (ITZ). All isolates were identified as Candida albicans, and all were resistant to both ITZ and voriconazole, though the
isolates exhibited susceptibility to AMB and micafungin. Based on our findings, we suspect that the frequency of occurrence of azole-resistant Candida species is increasing
in captive dolphins as well as in their aquarium environments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sakura SUGAWARA
- Department of Veterinary Dermatology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences
| | - Rui KANO
- Department of Veterinary Dermatology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences
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19
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Saika H, Murayama N, Kano R. Molecular typing and antifungal drug susceptivity profile of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa from canine skin and ear canal. J Vet Med Sci 2021; 83:1545-1548. [PMID: 34526416 PMCID: PMC8569882 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.21-0361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhodotorula mucilaginosa are saprophytic yeast, and opportunistic infections known as human rhodotorulosis are increasing in immunocompromised patients. In this study, we isolated R. mucilaginosa from pet dogs in Japan and determined the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antifungal drugs on these isolates to investigate the drug susceptibility pattern. All 10 isolates according to the broth microdilution (BM) assay of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M27-A2 were resistance to azoles and genetically close to fluconazole (FLZ)-resistant human isolates of R. mucilaginosa. Due to resistance, it is expected that treatment will be difficult if they infect humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honami Saika
- Veterinary Dermatology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, 1866 Kameino, Fusisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
| | - Nobuo Murayama
- Dermatology Services for Dogs and Cats, 1F Tandem Hirano Bldg. 2-11-14, Hirano, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0023, Japan
| | - Rui Kano
- Veterinary Dermatology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, 1866 Kameino, Fusisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
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20
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Olaifa K, Nikodinovic-Runic J, Glišić B, Boschetto F, Marin E, Segreto F, Marsili E. Electroanalysis of Candida albicans biofilms: A suitable real-time tool for antifungal testing. Electrochim Acta 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.138757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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21
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Watanabe R, Huruta H, Ueno Y, Nukada T, Niwa H, Shinyashiki N, Kano R. Antifungal susceptibility of dermatophytes from racehorses in Japan. Vet Dermatol 2021; 32:474-e129. [PMID: 34189781 DOI: 10.1111/vde.12993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Luliconazole (LCZ) is an imidazole antifungal medication that exhibits excellent activity against dermatophytes. As a topical cream and lotion (approved for human use), LCZ has demonstrated a broad spectrum of activity against human dermatophytoses. OBJECTIVES This is the first study to investigate the in vitro susceptibility of clinical isolates from horse dermatophytoses to LCZ. ANIMALS No animals were used in this study. METHODS AND MATERIALS In the present study, the in vitro susceptibilities of clinical isolates of dermatophytes to LCZ, clotrimazole (CTZ), miconazole (MCZ) and terbinafine (TRF) were investigated using the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute M38-A2 test. RESULTS The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for all 16 clinical isolates of Trichophyton equinum, Microsporum equinum/canis and M. gypseum for LCZ were <0.03 mg/L. The MICs of all isolates were <0.03-0.5 mg/L for CTZ, 0.03-16 mg/L for MCZ and <0.03-1 mg/L for TRF. CONCLUSIONS LCZ demonstrated a broad spectrum of activity against clinical isolates from horse dermatophytoses. We consider that LCZ will become the primary antifungal agent for treating horse dermatophytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryousuke Watanabe
- Department of Veterinary Dermatology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hikaru Huruta
- Department of Veterinary Dermatology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yuji Ueno
- Racehorse Hospital, Miho Training Center, Japan Racing Association, Inashiki, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Toshio Nukada
- Microbiology Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Niwa
- Microbiology Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Naoki Shinyashiki
- Racehorse Hospital, Miho Training Center, Japan Racing Association, Inashiki, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Rui Kano
- Department of Veterinary Dermatology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan
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22
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Miyake R, Ito T, Kamata H, Kano R. Isolation of antifungal-resistant yeasts from bulk milk in Japan. J Vet Med Sci 2021; 83:1090-1092. [PMID: 34108335 PMCID: PMC8349809 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.21-0023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We isolated ascomycetous yeasts including Candida species, that originally belonged to the genus Candida, from bulk milk in
the Aichi area of Japan, and determined the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antifungal drugs on these isolates by conducting E-tests. We isolated 7
human pathogenic species (14 isolates) from 14 bulk milk samples: 5 Candida species of yeasts, and 2 Candida-related species.
Two isolates of C. albicans and C. inconspicua were resistant to fluconazole (MIC >32 mg/l). One isolate of C.
krusei was resistant to both azoles (fluconazole: >256 mg/ml and itraconazole: 4 mg/l). One isolate of C. catenulata might be
resistant to amphotericin B (>32 mg/l).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoka Miyake
- Veterinary Dermatology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, 1866 Kameino, Fusisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
| | - Takakaki Ito
- Veterinary Hospital Aichi P.F.A.M.A.A., 91-1 Oike, Hane-cho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-0816, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kamata
- Veterinary Pathobiology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, 1866 Kameino, Fusisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
| | - Rui Kano
- Veterinary Dermatology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, 1866 Kameino, Fusisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
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Nas F, Aissaoui N, Mahjoubi M, Mosbah A, Arab M, Abdelwahed S, Khrouf R, Masmoudi AS, Cherif A, Klouche-Khelil N. A comparative GC-MS analysis of bioactive secondary metabolites produced by halotolerant Bacillus spp. isolated from the Great Sebkha of Oran. Int Microbiol 2021; 24:455-470. [PMID: 34100180 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-021-00185-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The reemergence of infectious diseases and resistant pathogens represents a serious problem for human life. Hence, the screening for new or alternative antimicrobial compounds is still urgent. Unusual ecosystems such as saline habitats are considered promising environments for the purposes of isolating bacterial strains able to produce potent natural products. The aim of this study is the identification of bioactive compounds biosynthesized by three halotolerant strains isolated from the Sebkha of Oran (Algeria) using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Primary screening investigation of antimicrobial activities were performed against reference bacterial and fungal strains and revealed a broad-spectrum activity. Secondary metabolite extraction was carried out using ethyl acetate and chloroform. Crude extracts were tested for bioactivity using the disc diffusion method and subjected to GC-MS analysis. The extracts showed an important inhibitory effect against all tested strains. Fifty-six compounds were identified; they include tert-butyl phenol compounds, fatty acid methyl esters due to the methylation procedure, hydrocarbons, aldehydes, benzoquinones, pyrrols, and terpenes. Literature reports such compounds to have wide biological and pharmaceutical applications. The molecular identification of the three isolates was achieved using the 16S-23S rRNA gene intergenic spacer region (ITS) and 16S rRNA sequencing. Partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed very high similarity with many species of Bacillus. This study provided insights on the potential of halotolerant Bacillus as drug research target for bioactive metabolites. The findings suggest that the Great Sebkha of Oran is a valuable source of strains exhibiting variety of beneficial attributes that can be utilized in the development of biological antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Nas
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology in Food, Biomedical and Environment (LAMAABE), Faculty of Nature and Life, Earth and Universe Sciences, Department of Biology, Aboubekr Belkaïd University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Nadia Aissaoui
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology in Food, Biomedical and Environment (LAMAABE), Faculty of Nature and Life, Earth and Universe Sciences, Department of Biology, Aboubekr Belkaïd University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Mouna Mahjoubi
- Univ. Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole SidiThabe, 2020, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Amor Mosbah
- Univ. Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole SidiThabe, 2020, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Mounia Arab
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology in Food, Biomedical and Environment (LAMAABE), Faculty of Nature and Life, Earth and Universe Sciences, Department of Biology, Aboubekr Belkaïd University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Soukaina Abdelwahed
- Univ. Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole SidiThabe, 2020, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Rim Khrouf
- Univ. Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole SidiThabe, 2020, Ariana, Tunisia
| | | | - Ameur Cherif
- Univ. Manouba, ISBST, BVBGR-LR11ES31, Biotechpole SidiThabe, 2020, Ariana, Tunisia
| | - Nihel Klouche-Khelil
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology in Food, Biomedical and Environment (LAMAABE), Faculty of Nature and Life, Earth and Universe Sciences, Department of Biology, Aboubekr Belkaïd University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria. .,Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Medical Faculty, Dental Surgery Department, Aboubekr Belkaïd University of Tlemcen, Tlemcen, Algeria.
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Miura A, Kano R, Ito T, Suzuki K, Kamata H. In vitro algaecid effect of itraconazole and ravuconazole on Prototheca species. Med Mycol 2021; 58:845-847. [PMID: 31773164 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myz119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Protothecosis is a rare infection in humans, dogs, and cats, and its causative agent is Prototheca species, which consists of achlorophyllic algae that are ubiquitous in natural environments and hosts intestinal flora. Ravuconazole (RVZ) is a new available human azole drug in Japan since 2018 and broad-spectrum antifungal agent. In the present study, the in vitro susceptibility of clinical and environmental isolates of P. wickerhamii, P. zopfii, and P. blaschkeae to itraconazole (ITZ) voriconazole (VRZ), posaconazole (PCZ), and RVZ. RVZ was more potent than the other azoles against Protheca species and has considerable potential for use as a therapeutic agent for human and animal protothecosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Miura
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
| | - Rui Kano
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
| | - Takaaki Ito
- Veterinary Hospital Aichi P.F.A.M.A.A., 91-1 Oike, Hane-cho, Okazaki, Aichi 444-0816, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Suzuki
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, University, 582 Midorimati, Bunnkyoudai, Ebetsu, Hokkaido 069-8501, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kamata
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
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Dave VP, Sharma S, Dave PJ, Joseph J, Pappuru RR. CLINICAL PRESENTATIONS, DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMA, AND MANAGEMENT OUTCOMES OF CHRONIC POSTOPERATIVE ENDOPHTHALMITIS CAUSED BY STEPHANOASCUS CIFERRII. Retin Cases Brief Rep 2021; 15:269-274. [PMID: 30028787 DOI: 10.1097/icb.0000000000000782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To report the diagnosis and management of a series of chronic postoperative endophthalmitis caused by Stephanoascus ciferrii. METHODS This is a retrospective consecutive case series at a tertiary eye care institute. Case records of consecutive cases of chronic postoperative endophthalmitis caused by a novel fungus S. ciferrii were analyzed. The clinical presentations, microbiologic workup including microscopy, culture, antifungal susceptibility and polymerase chain reaction for fungal DNA of clinical samples, and the clinical management were noted. The cases underwent anterior chamber tap, vitreous biopsy, core vitrectomy, and intraocular lens explantation, and the management consisted of a combination of topical and systemic therapy and intravitreal injections of antimicrobial agents. RESULTS The report includes four eyes of four patients. All patients were diagnosed as chronic postcataract surgery endophthalmitis, and they showed variable levels of persistent low-grade intraocular inflammation till the intraocular lens was explanted. S. ciferrii (identified by the Vitek 2 compact system) was grown in culture from one or more of the clinical samples such as vitreous, anterior chamber fluid, capular bag, and intraocular lens. Fungal DNA was detected from vitreous in one case. One isolate tested for antifungal susceptibility was resistant to amphotericin B; however, the patient responded to treatment with the drug. Good clinical outcome was achieved in all patients. CONCLUSION We describe successful treatment of endophthalmitis caused by S. ciferrii. A good response is obtained after pars plana vitrectomy and intraocular lens explantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Pravin Dave
- Smt. Kanuri Santhamma Center for Vitreoretinal Diseases, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India ; and
| | - Savitri Sharma
- Jhaveri Microbiology Center, Brien Holden Eye Research Center, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Prachi Jhala Dave
- Smt. Kanuri Santhamma Center for Vitreoretinal Diseases, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India ; and
| | - Joveeta Joseph
- Jhaveri Microbiology Center, Brien Holden Eye Research Center, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India
| | - Rajeev Reddy Pappuru
- Smt. Kanuri Santhamma Center for Vitreoretinal Diseases, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India ; and
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26
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Chen H, Li H, Duan C, Song C, Peng Z, Li H, Shi W. Reversal of azole resistance in Candida albicans by oridonin. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2021; 24:296-302. [PMID: 33513441 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2020.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Candida albicans is a yeast that causes fungal infections with high mortality and is typically resistant to azole drugs. To overcome this resistance, we explored the combined use of oridonin (ORI) and three azole drugs, namely fluconazole (FLC), itraconazole (ITR) and voriconazole (VOR). Azole-resistant C. albicans strains were obtained from cancer patients and the reversal of drug resistance in these strains was investigated. METHODS The synergistic antifungal activity of ORI and azole drugs was measured by checkerboard microdilution and time-kill assays. The resistance reversal mechanisms, namely inhibition of drug efflux and induction of apoptosis, were investigated by flow cytometry. Expression levels of the efflux pump-related genesCDR1 and CDR2 were assessed by RT-qPCR. RESULTS The efflux pump inhibition assay with ORI showed that the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of FLC (128-fold), ITR (64-fold) and VOR (250-fold) decreased significantly. Upregulation of genes encodingCDR1 and CDR2 was confirmed in the resistant strain. The sensitising effect of ORI on FLC in the treatment of C. albicans also included the promotion of apoptosis. CONCLUSION We demonstrated that combining azoles with ORI exerted potent synergism and that ORI could promote sensitisation to azoles in azole-resistantC. albicans. The discovery that ORI can effectively inhibit drug efflux and promote apoptosis may provide new insights and therapeutic strategies to overcome increasing azole resistance in C. albicans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haisheng Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Cunxian Duan
- Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuanjie Song
- Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Zuoliang Peng
- Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenna Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, Shandong Province, People's Republic of China.
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Kano R, Sugita T, Kamata H. Antifungal Susceptibility of Clinical Isolates and Artificially Produced Multi-azole-resistant Strains of Cryptococcus neoformans (formerly: Cryptococcus grubii) to Ravuconazole. Med Mycol J 2020; 61:11-13. [PMID: 32115444 DOI: 10.3314/mmj.19-00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Ravuconazole (RVCZ) is a newly available human azole drug in Japan since 2018 and is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exhibits excellent activity against Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans (formerly: Cryptococcus grubii). The drug is also highly active against isolates that are resistant to fluconazole (FLCZ). In the present study, the in vitro susceptibility to ravuconazole (RVCZ) of Japanese clinical isolates and multi-azole-resistant strains of C. neoformans was investigated using the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M27-A3 test. The minimum inhibitory concentrations for the 14 clinical isolates and the multi-azole-resistant strains were 0.003125-0.125 mg/L and 0.25-0.5 mg/L for RVCZ, respectively. RVCZ is as effective as ITCZ and VRCZ for treating clinical isolates from cats and humans. Moreover, RVCZ is highly effective against multi-azole-resistant strains that encode a protein with a G344S substitution in ERG11. Consequently, RVCZ has considerable potential for use as a therapeutic agent for multi-azole resistant cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Kano
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Nihon University College of Bioresouce Sciences
| | - Takashi Sugita
- Department of Microbiology, Meiji Pharmaceutical University
| | - Hiroshi Kamata
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Nihon University College of Bioresouce Sciences
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28
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Vazquez-Munoz R, Lopez FD, Lopez-Ribot JL. Silver Nanoantibiotics Display Strong Antifungal Activity Against the Emergent Multidrug-Resistant Yeast Candida auris Under Both Planktonic and Biofilm Growing Conditions. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1673. [PMID: 32849347 PMCID: PMC7399222 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Candida auris is an emergent multidrug-resistant pathogenic yeast with an unprecedented ability for a fungal organism to easily spread between patients in clinical settings, leading to major outbreaks in healthcare facilities. The formation of biofilms by C. auris contributes to infection and its environmental persistence. Most antifungals and sanitizing procedures are not effective against C. auris, but antimicrobial nanomaterials could represent a viable alternative to combat the infections caused by this emerging pathogen. We have previously described an easy and inexpensive method to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in non-specialized laboratories. Here, we have assessed the antimicrobial activity of the resulting AgNPs on C. auris planktonic and biofilm growth phases. AgNPs displayed a strong antimicrobial activity against all the stages of all C. auris strains tested, representative of four different clades. Under planktonic conditions, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of AgNPs against the different strains were <0.5 μg ml−1; whereas calculated IC50 values for inhibition of biofilms formation were <2 μg ml−1 for all, but one of the C. auris strains tested. AgNPs were also active against preformed biofilms formed by all different C. auris strains, with IC50 values ranging from 1.2 to 6.2 μg ml−1. Overall, our results indicate potent activity of AgNPs against strains of C. auris, both under planktonic and biofilm growing conditions, and indicate that AgNPs may contribute to the control of infections caused by this emerging nosocomial threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Vazquez-Munoz
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Fernando D Lopez
- Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Jose L Lopez-Ribot
- South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
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29
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Antifungal Resistance Regarding Malassezia pachydermatis: Where Are We Now? J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6020093. [PMID: 32630397 PMCID: PMC7345795 DOI: 10.3390/jof6020093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Malassezia pachydermatis is a yeast inhabiting the skin and ear canals in healthy dogs. In the presence of various predisposing conditions it can cause otitis and dermatitis, which are treated with multiple antifungal agents, mainly azole derivatives. This manuscript aims to review the available evidence regarding the occurrence of resistance phenomena in this organism. Various findings support the capacity of M. pachydermatis for developing resistance. These include some reports of treatment failure in dogs, the reduced antifungal activity found against yeast isolates sampled from dogs with exposure to antifungal drugs and strains exposed to antifungal agents in vitro, and the description of resistance mechanisms. At the same time, the data reviewed may suggest that the development of resistance is a rare eventuality in canine practice. For example, only three publications describe confirmed cases of treatment failure due to antifungal resistance, and most claims of resistance made by past studies are based on interpretive breakpoints that lack sound support from the clinical perspective. However, it is possible that resistant cases are underreported in literature, perhaps due to the difficulty of obtaining a laboratory confirmation given that a standard procedure for susceptibility testing of M. pachydermatis is still unavailable. These considerations highlight the need for maintaining surveillance for the possible emergence of clinically relevant resistance, hopefully through a shared strategy put in place by the scientific community.
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First reported case of Gilbertella persicaria in human stool: outcome of a community study from Segamat, Johor, Malaysia. Braz J Microbiol 2020; 51:2067-2075. [PMID: 32572838 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-020-00323-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Species of fungi belonging to the order Mucorales can be found everywhere in the environment. Gilbertella persicaria, which belongs to this order, have often been isolated from fruits and in water systems. However, there has been no report of isolation of this fungus from human samples. During a gut mycobiome study, from the Segamat community, Gilbertella persicaria was isolated from a human fecal sample and was characterized through a series of morphological assessment, biochemical tests, and molecular techniques. The isolate produced a white velvety surface that turned grayish after 24 h. Although no biofilm production was observed, the results indicated that the isolate could form calcium oxalate crystals, produced urease, and was resistant to low pH. The isolate was sensitive to amphotericin but resistant to voriconazole and itraconazole. The features of this fungus that could help in its survival in the human gut are also discussed.
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Aneke CI, Rhimi W, Otranto D, Cafarchia C. Comparative evaluation of E-test and CLSI methods for Itraconazole, Fluconazole and Ketoconazole susceptibilities of Microsporum canis strains. Mycopathologia 2020; 185:495-502. [PMID: 32468154 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-020-00453-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The incidence of resistance to antifungal agents for dermatophytes is increasing, but most of the methods currently available to test the antifungal susceptibility of Microsporum canis still require standardization. The aims of this study were: (i) to evaluate the antifungal susceptibility of M. canis strains recovered from animals to ketoconazole (KTZ), fluconazole (FLZ) and itraconazole (ITZ) using a modified CLSI broth microdilution (CLSI M38-A2-BMD) and the E-test® protocols and (ii) to estimate the agreement between the methods. Tentative azole epidemiological cutoff values (ECVs) were also proposed in order to interpret the results of in vitro susceptibility tests and to establish the agreement between the E-test and CLSI BMD methods. A total of forty clinical M. canis strains from animals with skin lesions were tested, and the essential (EA) and categorical agreement (CA) between the two methods were determined. KTZ displayed the lowest MIC values, while ITZ and FLZ the highest. The ECV for KTZ and ITZ were 4 μg/ml, while those of FLZ was 64 μg/ml. Based on ECVs, about 88% of M. canis strains were susceptible to all azoles being a cross-resistance with ITZ-FLZ registered for one strain. A total of five M. canis strains showed MIC > ECV for FLZ using CLSI, while one strain showed MIC > ECV for ITZ using both tests. KTZ, ITZ and FLZ showed EA ranging from 92.5 to 95%, for all azoles and CA > 97% except for FLZ (87.5%). The good CA between the E-test and the CLSI BMD provides evidence of the reliability of the former method to test the antifungal susceptibility of M. canis for ITZ and KTZ and not for FLZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chioma Inyang Aneke
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi "Aldo Moro", 70010, Valenzano (Bari), Italy
- Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001, Nigeria
| | - Wafa Rhimi
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi "Aldo Moro", 70010, Valenzano (Bari), Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi "Aldo Moro", 70010, Valenzano (Bari), Italy
| | - Claudia Cafarchia
- Dipartimento Di Medicina Veterinaria, Università Degli Studi "Aldo Moro", 70010, Valenzano (Bari), Italy.
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32
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Furusawa Y, Takahashi M, Iwanaga T, Yabuki A, Kano R, Hatai H, Sueno W, Endo Y, Momoi Y. Systemic Inonotus sp. Infection in a dog. J Vet Med Sci 2020; 82:779-783. [PMID: 32378518 PMCID: PMC7324816 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.19-0455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A 3-years-old male golden retriever was presented for decreased activity (lethargy), anorexia, and titubation. Superficial lymph nodes were enlarged, and arrhythmia and tachycardia were auscultated. Fungal hyphae-like structures were detected in the biopsy samples from an enlarged lymph node and spleen. Nucleotide sequence of the internal transcribed spacer region of the fungi amplified by PCR was highly homologous to that of Inonotus pachyphloeus. The dog was treated with antifungal agents such as itraconazole, fluconazole, and voriconazole. Clinical signs resolved for 325 days but the dog died suddenly, possibly because of arrhythmia. Postmortem examination revealed the presence of a disseminated fungal infection. This report describes the case of canine systemic Inonotus sp. infection treated by an antifungal agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Furusawa
- Kagoshima University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Masashi Takahashi
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Tomoko Iwanaga
- Kagoshima University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Akira Yabuki
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Rui Kano
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Hatai
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Wako Sueno
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Endo
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Momoi
- Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, 1-21-24 Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
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Yolanda H, Krajaejun T. Review of methods and antimicrobial agents for susceptibility testing against Pythium insidiosum. Heliyon 2020; 6:e03737. [PMID: 32322727 PMCID: PMC7160450 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pythiosis is a life-threatening infectious disease of humans and animals caused by the oomycete microorganism Pythium insidiosum. The disease has been increasingly diagnosed worldwide. P. insidiosum inhabits freshwater and presents in two forms: mycelium and zoospore. Clinical manifestations of pythiosis include an infection of the artery, eye, skin, or gastrointestinal tract. The management of pythiosis is problematic due to the lack of effective treatment. Many patients die from an uncontrolled infection. The drug susceptibility testing provides clinically-useful information that could lead to proper drug selection against P. insidiosum. Currently, no standard CLSI protocol for the drug susceptibility of P. insidiosum is available. This review aims at describing methods and antimicrobial agents for susceptibility testing against P. insidiosum. Several in-house in vitro susceptibility methods (i.e., broth microdilution method, radial growth method, and agar diffusion method) have been established for P. insidiosum. Either mycelium or zoospore can be an inoculum. Rabbit is the commonly-used model of pythiosis for in vivo drug susceptibility testing. Based on the susceptibility results (i.e., minimal inhibitory concentration and inhibition zone), several antibacterial and antifungal drugs, alone or combination, exhibited an in vitro or in vivo effect against P. insidiosum. Some distinct compounds, antiseptic agents, essential oils, and plant extracts, also show anti-P. insidiosum activities. Successfully medical treatment, guided by the drug susceptibility data, has been reported in some pythiosis patients. Future studies should emphasize finding a novel and effective anti-P. insidiosum drug, standardizing in vitro susceptibility method and correlating drug susceptibility data and clinical outcome of pythiosis patients for a better interpretation of the susceptibility results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Yolanda
- Section for Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Theerapong Krajaejun
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Kano R, Hiruma J, Yokota M, Noguchi H, Hase M, Kamata H, Harada K, Hiruma M. In Vitro Ravuconazole Susceptibility of Anthropophilic Dermatophyte Strains Isolated from Japanese Patients. Jpn J Infect Dis 2019; 73:250-252. [PMID: 31875604 DOI: 10.7883/yoken.jjid.2019.265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Ravuconazole (RVCZ) is a new human anti-fungal azole drug available in Japan since 2018 and is a broad-spectrum agent that exhibits excellent activity against dermatophytes. In the present study, the in vitro RVCZ susceptibility of clinical isolates of anthropophilic dermatophytes, including Trichophyton interdigitale strains with either low susceptibility to itraconazole (ITCZ) or resistance to terbinafine (TEBR), was investigated using the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute M38-A2 test. The MICs of RCVZ for 20 clinical isolates of T. interdigitale were < 0.03125-0.125 mg/L; for 4 clinical isolates of T. rubrum, < 0.03125-0.0625 mg/L; and for 20 clinical isolates of T. tonsurans, < 0.03125 mg/L. Similarly, the MICs of RCVZ for the T. interdigitale strains with either low susceptibility to ITCZ or resistance to TEBR were also < 0.03125 mg/L. To our knowledge, this is first study to investigate the in vitro RVCZ susceptibility of T. interdigitale strains with either low susceptibility to ITCZ or resistance to TEBR. Our results indicated that RVCZ was the most effective drug against these strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Kano
- Department of Veterinary Dermatology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences
| | | | - Maki Yokota
- Department of Veterinary Dermatology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences
| | - Hiromitsu Noguchi
- Noguchi Dermatology Clinic.,Ochanomizu Institute for Medical Mycology and Allergology
| | - Midori Hase
- Ochanomizu Institute for Medical Mycology and Allergology
| | - Hiroshi Kamata
- Department of Veterinary Dermatology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences
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Ohno Y, Akune Y, Inoshima Y, Kano R. First isolation of voriconazole-resistant Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, and Aspergillus niger from the blowholes of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). J Vet Med Sci 2019; 81:1628-1631. [PMID: 31611481 PMCID: PMC6895615 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.18-0749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary mycosis is a fungal disease that commonly affects bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and is generally treated by the oral administration of azoles, such as itraconazole (ITZ) and voriconazole (VRZ). However, antifungal susceptibility testing of clinical isolates has not been well performed as a routine clinical examination in aquaria. In this study, we collected fungal species from the blowholes of 14 bottlenose dolphins, of which 12 were treated with ITZ or VRZ. All dolphins were housed in the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium. The fungal species Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, Aspergillus fumigatus, and A. niger were isolated. E-tests were performed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ITZ and VRZ on these isolates. VRZ-resistant C. tropicalis (MIC: >32 µg/ml) and A. niger (MIC: >32 µg/ml) were isolated from three dolphins treated with ITZ or VRZ. Additionally, azole-resistant isolates of C. albicans and C. glabrata were collected from two dolphins that had never received azole therapy. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to report the isolation of VRZ-resistant C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and A. niger from the blowholes of bottlenose dolphins. Thus, antifungal susceptibility testing is a crucial strategy for selecting antifungal agents to treat respiratory fungal infections in bottlenose dolphins in aquaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshito Ohno
- Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, 1-3 Minato-machi, Minato-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 455-0033, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Akune
- Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, 1-3 Minato-machi, Minato-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 455-0033, Japan
| | - Yasuo Inoshima
- Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Rui Kano
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
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Design, synthesis and evaluation of biphenyl imidazole analogues as potent antifungal agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:2448-2451. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.07.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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37
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Aneke CI, Otranto D, Cafarchia C. Therapy and Antifungal Susceptibility Profile of Microsporum canis. J Fungi (Basel) 2018; 4:E107. [PMID: 30189676 PMCID: PMC6162526 DOI: 10.3390/jof4030107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Microsporum canis is a worldwide diffused zoophilic dermatophyte which causes clinical conditions often characterised by multifocal alopecia, scaling, and circular lesions in many animal species, including humans. A large variety of oral and topical antifungal protocols is available for treating M. canis infection. However, the efficacy of these drugs and treatment protocols is variable, with treatment failure up to 40% of patients possibly due to resistance phenomena. The lack of standardised reference methods for evaluating the antifungal susceptibility of M. canis represents a major hindrance in assessing microbiological resistance in unresponsive clinical cases. Therefore, data about conventional therapy against M. canis and the protocols employed to test the antifungal activity of the most commonly employed drugs (i.e., azoles, polyenes, allylamines, and griseofulvin) have been summarised herein. This article focuses on technical parameters used for antifungal susceptibility tests, their effects on the minimum inhibitory concentration value, as well as their clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chioma I Aneke
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi "Aldo Moro", 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
- Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 410001, Nigeria.
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi "Aldo Moro", 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
| | - Claudia Cafarchia
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi "Aldo Moro", 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
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Silva FA, Conde-Felipe M, Rosario I, Ferrer O, Real F, Déniz S, Acosta F, Padilla D, Acosta-Hernández B. Susceptibility ofMalassezia pachydermatisto aminoglycosides. Mycoses 2017; 60:796-799. [DOI: 10.1111/myc.12665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2017] [Revised: 06/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Freddy Alejandro Silva
- Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal y Seguridad Alimentaria (IUSA); Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; Arucas Las Palmas Spain
| | - Magnolia Conde-Felipe
- Departamento de Patología Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria; Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; Arucas Las Palmas Spain
| | - Inmaculada Rosario
- Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal y Seguridad Alimentaria (IUSA); Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; Arucas Las Palmas Spain
| | - Otilia Ferrer
- Departamento de Patología Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria; Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; Arucas Las Palmas Spain
| | - Fernando Real
- Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal y Seguridad Alimentaria (IUSA); Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; Arucas Las Palmas Spain
| | - Soraya Déniz
- Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal y Seguridad Alimentaria (IUSA); Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; Arucas Las Palmas Spain
| | - Félix Acosta
- Parque Científico Tecnológico Marino; Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - Ctra.; Las Palmas Spain
| | - Daniel Padilla
- Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal y Seguridad Alimentaria (IUSA); Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; Arucas Las Palmas Spain
| | - Begoña Acosta-Hernández
- Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal y Seguridad Alimentaria (IUSA); Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; Arucas Las Palmas Spain
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Selective phenylalanine to proline substitution for improved antimicrobial and anticancer activities of peptides designed on phenylalanine heptad repeat. Acta Biomater 2017; 57:170-186. [PMID: 28483698 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2017.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Introducing cell-selectivity in antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) without compromising the antimicrobial and anti-endotoxin properties is a crucial step towards the development of new antimicrobial agents. A peptide designed on phenylalanine heptad repeat possesses significant cytotoxicity along with desired antimicrobial and anti-endotoxin properties. Amino acid substitutions at 'a' and/or 'd' positions of heptad repeats of AMPs could alter their helical structure in mammalian membrane-mimetic environments and cytotoxicity towards mammalian cells. Since proline is a helix breaker, effects of selective proline substitution(s) at 'a' and/or 'd' positions of a 15-residue peptide designed on phenylalanine heptad repeat (FR-15) were investigated. Proline-substituted FR-15 variants were highly selective toward bacteria and fungi over hRBCs and murine 3T3 cells and also retained their antibacterial activities at high salt, serum and elevated temperatures. These non-cytotoxic variants also inhibited LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines in human monocytes, THP-1, RAW 264.7 and in BALB/c mice. The two non-cytotoxic variants (FR8P and FR11P) showed potent anti-cancer activity against highly metastatic human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 with IC50 values less than 10μM. At sub-IC50 concentrations, FR8P and FR11P also showed anti-migratory and anti-invasive effects against MDA-MB-231 cells. FR8P and FR11P induced cellular apoptosis by triggering intrinsic apoptotic pathway through depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential and activation of caspases. Overall the results demonstrated the utilization of selective phenylalanine to proline substitution in a heptad repeat of phenylalanine residues for the design of cell-selective, broad-spectrum AMPs with significant anti-cancer properties. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE We have demonstrated a methodology to design cell-selective potent antimicrobial and anti-endotoxin peptides by utilizing phenylalanine zipper as a template and replacement of phenylalanine residue(s) from "a" and/or "d" position(s) with proline residue(s) produced non-cytotoxic AMPs with improved antibacterial properties against the drug-resistant strains of bacteria. The work showed that the 'a' and 'd' positions of the phenylalanine heptad repeat could be replaced by an appropriate amino acid to control cytotoxicity of the peptide without compromising its potency in antimicrobial and anti-endotoxin properties. The direct bacterial membrane targeting mechanism of proline substituted analogs of parent peptide makes difficult for bacteria to grow resistance against them. The peptides designed could be lead molecules in the area of sepsis as they possess significant anti-LPS activities for in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly since cancer cells and bacterial cell membranes possess the structural resemblances, the cancer cells are also targets for these peptides making them lead molecules in this field. However, unlike in bacteria where the peptides showed membrane permeabilization property to lyse them, the peptides induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells to inhibit their proliferation and growth. The results are significant because it reveals that "a" and "d" positions of a phenylalanine zipper can be utilized as switches to design cell-selective, antimicrobial, anti-endotoxin and anticancer peptides.
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Methodological Issues in Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Malassezia pachydermatis. J Fungi (Basel) 2017; 3:jof3030037. [PMID: 29371554 PMCID: PMC5715951 DOI: 10.3390/jof3030037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2017] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Reference methods for antifungal susceptibility testing of yeasts have been developed by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and the European Committee on Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). These methods are intended to test the main pathogenic yeasts that cause invasive infections, namely Candida spp. and Cryptococcusneoformans, while testing other yeast species introduces several additional problems in standardization not addressed by these reference procedures. As a consequence, a number of procedures have been employed in the literature to test the antifungal susceptibility of Malassezia pachydermatis. This has resulted in conflicting results. The aim of the present study is to review the procedures and the technical parameters (growth media, inoculum preparation, temperature and length of incubation, method of reading) employed for susceptibility testing of M. pachydermatis, and when possible, to propose recommendations for or against their use. Such information may be useful for the future development of a reference assay.
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Identification of GXXXXG motif in Chrysophsin-1 and its implication in the design of analogs with cell-selective antimicrobial and anti-endotoxin activities. Sci Rep 2017; 7:3384. [PMID: 28611397 PMCID: PMC5469811 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-03576-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine fish antimicrobial peptide, chrysophsin-1 possesses versatile biological activities but its non-selective nature restricts its therapeutic possibilities. Often small alterations in structural motifs result in significant changes in the properties of concerned proteins/peptides. We have identified GXXXXG motif in chrysophsin-1. Glycine residue(s) of this motif in Chrysophsin-1 was/were replaced with alanine, valine and proline residue(s). Of these, proline-substituted Chrysophsin-1 analogs exhibited significantly reduced cytotoxicity towards mammalian cells. Further, these analogs showed broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains and fungi and also retained antibacterial activity in presence of physiological salts, serum and at elevated temperatures indicative of their therapeutic potential. These Chrysophsin-1 analogs also inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced pro-inflammatory responses in THP-1 cells and in murine primary macrophages. One of these single proline-substituted Chrysophsin-1 analogs inhibited LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokine production in BALB/c mice and elicited appreciable survival of mice administered with a lethal dose of LPS in a model of severe sepsis. The data for the first time showed the implication of GXXXXG motifs in functional and biological properties of an antimicrobial peptide and could be useful to design novel anti-microbial and anti-endotoxin peptides by employing this motif.
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42
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Silva FA, Ferrer O, Déniz S, Rosario I, Conde-Felipe M, Díaz EL, Acosta-Hernández B. In vitro
susceptibility testing of Malassezia pachydermatis
to gentamicin. Vet Dermatol 2017; 28:348-e76. [DOI: 10.1111/vde.12427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Freddy A. Silva
- Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal y Seguridad Alimentaria (IUSA); Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; 35413 Arucas Las Palmas Spain
| | - Otilia Ferrer
- Departamento de Patología Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria; Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; 35413 Arucas Las Palmas Spain
| | - Soraya Déniz
- Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal y Seguridad Alimentaria (IUSA); Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; 35413 Arucas Las Palmas Spain
| | - Inmaculada Rosario
- Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal y Seguridad Alimentaria (IUSA); Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; 35413 Arucas Las Palmas Spain
| | - Magnolia Conde-Felipe
- Departamento de Patología Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria; Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; 35413 Arucas Las Palmas Spain
| | - Esther L. Díaz
- Departamento de Patología Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria; Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; 35413 Arucas Las Palmas Spain
| | - Begoña Acosta-Hernández
- Instituto Universitario de Sanidad Animal y Seguridad Alimentaria (IUSA); Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; 35413 Arucas Las Palmas Spain
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43
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Manns DC, Churey JJ, Worobo RW. Nutrient-Dependent Efficacy of the Antifungal Protein YvgO Correlates to Cellular Proliferation Rate in Candida albicans 3153A and Byssochlamys fulva H25. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2016; 6:198-207. [PMID: 25217289 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-014-9167-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
YvgO is a recently characterized antifungal protein isolated from Bacillus thuringiensis SF361 that exhibits a broad spectrum of activity and pH stability. Customized colorimetric metabolic assays based on standard broth microdilution techniques were used to determine the variable tolerance of Byssochlamys fulva H25 and Candida albicans 3153A to YvgO exposure under select matrix conditions impacting cellular proliferation. Normalization of the solution pH after antifungal challenge expanded the available pH range under consideration allowing for a comprehensive in vitro assessment of YvgO efficacy. Indicator susceptibility was examined across an array of elementary growth-modifying conditions, including media pH, incubation temperature, ionic strength, and carbohydrate supplementation. Under suboptimal temperature and pH conditions, the indicator growth rate reduced, and YvgO-mediated susceptibility was attenuated. While YvgO association but not efficacy was somewhat influenced by solution ionic strength, carbohydrate supplementation was shown to be the most influential susceptibility factor, particularly for C. albicans. Although the specific choice of carbohydrate/nutrient supplement dictated the extent of enhanced YvgO efficacy, D-glucose additionally improved the association between antifungal and target. Indeed, when exposed to YvgO under conditions that lead to increased cellular proliferation, both indicators displayed a stronger association and susceptibility to YvgO when compared to carbohydrate-deprived media or suboptimal incubation environments. With further study, YvgO may have the capacity to function as a prophylaxis for food safety and preservation, as well as a pharmaceutical agent against opportunistic fungal pathogens either independently or in combination with other established treatments applied to both livestock and human health concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Manns
- Department of Food Science, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, 630 West North Street, Geneva, NY, 14456, USA,
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44
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Spitzer M, Robbins N, Wright GD. Combinatorial strategies for combating invasive fungal infections. Virulence 2016; 8:169-185. [PMID: 27268286 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2016.1196300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive fungal infections are an important cause of human mortality and morbidity, particularly for immunocompromised populations. However, there remains a paucity of antifungal drug treatments available to combat these fungal pathogens. Further, antifungal compounds are plagued with problems such as host toxicity, fungistatic activity, and the emergence of drug resistance in pathogen populations. A promising therapeutic strategy to increase drug effectiveness and mitigate the emergence of drug resistance is through the use of combination drug therapy. In this review we describe the current arsenal of antifungals in medicine and elaborate on the benefits of combination therapy to expand our current antifungal drug repertoire. We examine those antifungal combinations that have shown potential against fungal pathogens and discuss strategies being employed to discover novel combination therapeutics, in particular combining antifungal agents with non-antifungal bioactive compounds. The findings summarized in this review highlight the promise of combinatorial strategies in combatting invasive mycoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Spitzer
- a Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research and the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences , McMaster University , Hamilton , ON , Canada
| | - Nicole Robbins
- a Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research and the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences , McMaster University , Hamilton , ON , Canada
| | - Gerard D Wright
- a Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research and the Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences , McMaster University , Hamilton , ON , Canada
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45
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Fan Z, Yu H, Guo Q, He D, Xue B, Xie X, Yokoyama K, Wang L. Identification and characterization of an anti-oxidative stress-associated mutant of Aspergillus fumigatus transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Mol Med Rep 2016; 13:2367-76. [PMID: 26847000 PMCID: PMC4768994 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.4839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the most common opportunistic pathogenic fungi, surviving in various environmental conditions. Maintenance of the redox homeostasis of the fungus relies upon the well‑organized regulation between reactive oxygen species generated by immune cells or its own organelles, and the activated anti‑oxidative stress mechanism. To investigate such a mechanism, the present study obtained a number of randomly‑inserted mutants of A. fumigatus, mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. In addition, a high throughput hydrogen peroxide screening system was established to examine ~1,000 mutants. A total of 100 mutants exhibited changes in hydrogen peroxide sensitivity, among which a significant increase in sensitivity was observed in the AFM2658 mutant. Further investigations of the mutant were also performed, in which the sequence of this mutant was characterized using thermal asymmetric interlaced‑polymerase chain reaction. This revealed that the insertion site was located on chromosome 2 afu1_92, and the 96 bp sequence was knocked out, which partially comprised a sequence localized between the integral membrane protein coding region and the helix‑loop‑helix transcription factor coding region. A decrease in the levels of anti‑oxidative stress‑associated mRNAs were observed, and an increase in reactive oxygen species were detected using fluorescence. The results of the present study demonstrated that this sequence may have a protective role in A. fumigatus in the presence of oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongqi Fan
- Department of Pathogenobiology, Jilin University Mycology Research Center, Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Huimei Yu
- Department of Pathogenobiology, Jilin University Mycology Research Center, Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Qi Guo
- Department of Pathogenobiology, Jilin University Mycology Research Center, Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Dan He
- Department of Pathogenobiology, Jilin University Mycology Research Center, Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Baiji Xue
- Department of Pathogenobiology, Jilin University Mycology Research Center, Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Xiangli Xie
- Department of Pathogenobiology, Jilin University Mycology Research Center, Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Koji Yokoyama
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba 260‑8673, Japan
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Pathogenobiology, Jilin University Mycology Research Center, Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
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46
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Nachimuthu N, Ostrosky-Zeichner L. Antifungal Susceptibility Testing: Evolution, Indications, and Role in Clinical Practice. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s40506-015-0056-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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47
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Agar Diffusion Procedures for Susceptibility Testing of Malassezia pachydermatis: Evaluation of Mueller-Hinton Agar Plus 2 % Glucose and 0.5 µg/ml Methylene Blue as the Test Medium. Mycopathologia 2015; 180:153-8. [PMID: 26138434 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-015-9913-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Aim of this study was to verify whether Mueller-Hinton agar supplemented with 2 % glucose and methylene blue (MH-GM), which is used for disk diffusion susceptibility testing of Candida species by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, is suitable for testing Malassezia pachydermatis. A variant of the disk diffusion procedure utilizing a 9-mm tablet was used to test 31 isolates against clotrimazole and miconazole using MH-GM as test medium. The MH-GM agar optimally supported the growth of all M. pachydermatis isolates, provided that the yeast inoculum was prepared with a lipid source (Tween 40 and 80). Zone edges were frequently definite and clear, facilitating the measurement of zone size and minimizing subjectivity. The inhibition zones correlated with MIC values obtained in a broth dilution assay. The agar diffusion method with MH-GM as the test medium appears as a suitable procedure for testing the susceptibility of M. pachydermatis to CTZ and MCZ in clinical laboratories. This test format may allow processing a large number of isolates in epidemiological studies. This may in turn facilitate clarifying to what extent the problem "drug resistance" accounts for cases of treatment failure in dogs with Malassezia otitis and dermatitis.
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48
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Kano R, Takahashi T, Hayakawa T, Yamaya Y, Hasegawa A, Kamata H. The first case of feline sinonasal aspergillosis due to Aspergillus fischeri in Japan. J Vet Med Sci 2015; 77:1183-5. [PMID: 25947561 PMCID: PMC4591165 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.14-0454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Feline upper respiratory tract infection due to Aspergillus spp. is considered an emerging disease, with the number of reported cases continuing to rise. In this study, we report the first case of feline sinonasal aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus fischeri in Japan. The patient presented after 2 months of progressive facial deformity around the nose and nasal discharge. The isolate from this case was susceptible to itraconazole (ITZ), voriconazole and micafungin, but was resistant to amphotericine B. However, the infected cat died approximately 1 month after referral, despite treatment for 12 days ITZ administered orally at 10 mg/kg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Kano
- Veterinary Pathobiology, Nihon University College of Bioresource Sciences, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan
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49
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Paulussen C, Boulet G, Bosschaerts T, Cos P, Fortin A, Maes L. Efficacy of oleylphosphocholine (OlPC)in vitroand in a mouse model of invasive aspergillosis. Mycoses 2015; 58:127-32. [DOI: 10.1111/myc.12286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Revised: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Paulussen
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH); Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences; University of Antwerp; Antwerp Belgium
| | - Gaëlle Boulet
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH); Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences; University of Antwerp; Antwerp Belgium
| | | | - Paul Cos
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH); Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences; University of Antwerp; Antwerp Belgium
| | - Anny Fortin
- Dafra Pharma Research & Development; Turnhout Belgium
| | - Louis Maes
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Parasitology and Hygiene (LMPH); Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences; University of Antwerp; Antwerp Belgium
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A flow cytometry method for testing the susceptibility of Cryptococcus spp. to amphotericin B. Rev Iberoam Micol 2014; 32:159-63. [PMID: 25639695 DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2014.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Revised: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human fungal infections have increased at an alarming rate in recent years, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Cryptococcosis is the second most prevalent systemic fungal infection worldwide, and the most prevalent systemic infection in immunocompromised individuals, representing more than 70% of cases. The incidence of cryptococcosis is high in people with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), with recent estimates indicating that there are one million cases of cryptococcal meningitis globally per year in AIDS patients. AIMS The aim of this research was to develop a rapid flow cytometric antifungal susceptibility test and to compare the results with the standard methods. METHODS A reference strain and clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii were tested for susceptibility to amphotericin B by flow cytometry using propidium iodide as indicator of viability. Flow cytometry (FC) results were compared with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values determined by microdilution. RESULTS The antifungal activity of amphotericin B ranged from MICs of 0.06 to 2μg/ml for the 11 isolates studied. The same results were found by FC. CONCLUSIONS The FC method allows same-day results, assisting in the selection of appropriate antifungal therapies. These results demonstrate an excellent correlation between FC and the classic methods of testing for susceptibility to antifungal agents. This rapid diagnosis method makes it possible to quickly administer effective therapeutic interventions, often saving lives.
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