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Gourari-Bouzouina K, Boucherit-Otmani Z, Halla N, Seghir A, Baba Ahmed-Kazi Tani ZZ, Boucherit K. Exploring the dynamics of mixed-species biofilms involving Candida spp. and bacteria in cystic fibrosis. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:255. [PMID: 38734793 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03967-9] [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: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that results from mutations in the gene responsible for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). The airways become clogged with thick, viscous mucus that traps microbes in respiratory tracts, facilitating colonization, inflammation and infection. CF is recognized as a biofilm-associated disease, it is commonly polymicrobial and can develop in biofilms. This review discusses Candida spp. and both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial biofilms that affect the airways and cause pulmonary infections in the CF context, with a particular focus on mixed-species biofilms. In addition, the review explores the intricate interactions between fungal and bacterial species within these biofilms and elucidates the underlying molecular mechanisms that govern their dynamics. Moreover, the review addresses the multifaceted issue of antimicrobial resistance in the context of CF-associated biofilms. By synthesizing current knowledge and research findings, this review aims to provide insights into the pathogenesis of CF-related infections and identify potential therapeutic approaches to manage and combat these complex biofilm-mediated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima Gourari-Bouzouina
- Antibiotics Antifungal Laboratory, Physical Chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LapSab), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, 13000, Tlemcen, Algeria.
| | - Zahia Boucherit-Otmani
- Antibiotics Antifungal Laboratory, Physical Chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LapSab), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, 13000, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Noureddine Halla
- Laboratory of Biotoxicology, Pharmacognosy and Biological Recovery of Plants, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Moulay-Tahar, 20000, Saida, Algeria
| | - Abdelfettah Seghir
- Antibiotics Antifungal Laboratory, Physical Chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LapSab), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, 13000, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Zahira Zakia Baba Ahmed-Kazi Tani
- Antibiotics Antifungal Laboratory, Physical Chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LapSab), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, 13000, Tlemcen, Algeria
| | - Kebir Boucherit
- Antibiotics Antifungal Laboratory, Physical Chemistry, Synthesis and Biological Activity (LapSab), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, 13000, Tlemcen, Algeria
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Sandri A, Saitta GM, Veschetti L, Boschi F, Passarelli Mantovani R, Carelli M, Melotti P, Signoretto C, Boaretti M, Malerba G, Lleò MM. In Vivo Inflammation Caused by Achromobacter spp. Cystic Fibrosis Clinical Isolates Exhibiting Different Pathogenic Characteristics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087432. [PMID: 37108596 PMCID: PMC10139000 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Achromobacter spp. lung infection in cystic fibrosis has been associated with inflammation, increased frequency of exacerbations, and decline of respiratory function. We aimed to evaluate in vivo the inflammatory effects of clinical isolates exhibiting different pathogenic characteristics. Eight clinical isolates were selected based on different pathogenic characteristics previously assessed: virulence in Galleria mellonella larvae, cytotoxicity in human bronchial epithelial cells, and biofilm formation. Acute lung infection was established by intratracheal instillation with 10.5 × 108 bacterial cells in wild-type and CFTR-knockout (KO) mice expressing a luciferase gene under control of interleukin-8 promoter. Lung inflammation was monitored by in vivo bioluminescence imaging up to 48 h after infection, and mortality was recorded up to 96 h. Lung bacterial load was evaluated by CFU count. Virulent isolates caused higher lung inflammation and mice mortality, especially in KO animals. Isolates both virulent and cytotoxic showed higher persistence in mice lungs, while biofilm formation was not associated with lung inflammation, mice mortality, or bacterial persistence. A positive correlation between virulence and lung inflammation was observed. These results indicate that Achromobacter spp. pathogenic characteristics such as virulence and cytotoxicity may be associated with clinically relevant effects and highlight the importance of elucidating their mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Sandri
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Giulia Maria Saitta
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Laura Veschetti
- GMLab, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Federico Boschi
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Rebeca Passarelli Mantovani
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Maria Carelli
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Paola Melotti
- Cystic Fibrosis Center, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Verona, 37126 Verona, Italy
| | - Caterina Signoretto
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Marzia Boaretti
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Malerba
- GMLab, Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Maria M Lleò
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
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Polymyxin Resistance and Heteroresistance Are Common in Clinical Isolates of Achromobacter Species and Correlate with Modifications of the Lipid A Moiety of Lipopolysaccharide. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0372922. [PMID: 36519943 PMCID: PMC9927164 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03729-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Achromobacter genus includes opportunistic pathogens that can cause chronic infections in immunocompromised patients, especially in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Treatment of Achromobacter infections is complicated by antimicrobial resistance. In this study, a collection of Achromobacter clinical isolates, from CF and non-CF sources, was investigated for polymyxin B (PmB) resistance. Additionally, the effect of PmB challenge in a subset of isolates was examined and the presence of PmB-resistant subpopulations within the isolates was described. Further, chemical and mass spectrometry analyses of the lipid A of Achromobacter clinical isolates enabled the determination of the most common structures and showed that PmB challenge was associated with lipid A modifications that included the addition of glucosamine and palmitoylation and the concomitant loss of the free phosphate at the C-1 position. This study demonstrates that lipid A modifications associated with PmB resistance are prevalent in Achromobacter and that subresistant populations displaying the addition of positively charged residues and additional acyl chains to lipid A can be selected for and isolated from PmB-sensitive Achromobacter clinical isolates. IMPORTANCE Achromobacter species can cause chronic and potentially severe infections in immunocompromised patients, especially in those with cystic fibrosis. Bacteria cannot be eradicated due to Achromobacter's intrinsic multidrug resistance. We report that intrinsic resistance to polymyxin B (PmB), a last-resort antimicrobial peptide used to treat infections by multiresistant bacteria, is prevalent in Achromobacter clinical isolates; many isolates also display increased resistance upon PmB challenge. Analysis of the lipopolysaccharide lipid A moiety of several Achromobacter species reveals a penta-acylated lipid A, which in the PmB-resistant isolates was modified by the incorporation of glucosamine residues, an additional acyl chain, loss of phosphates, and hydroxylation of acyl chains, all of which can enhance PmB resistance in other bacteria. We conclude that PmB resistance, particularly in Achromobacter isolates from chronic respiratory infections, is a common phenomenon, and that Achromobacter lipid A displays modifications that may confer increased resistance to polymyxins and potentially other antimicrobial peptides.
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Achromobacter spp. prevalence and adaptation in cystic fibrosis lung infection. Microbiol Res 2022; 263:127140. [DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2022.127140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Pickrum AM, Riegert MO, Wells C, Brockman K, Frank DW. The In Vitro Replication Cycle of Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Identification of Virulence Genes Associated with Cytotoxicity in Macrophages. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0208322. [PMID: 35856670 PMCID: PMC9430717 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02083-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Achromobacter xylosoxidans is an opportunistic pathogen implicated in a wide variety of human infections including the ability to colonize the lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The role of A. xylosoxidans in human pathology remains controversial due to the lack of optimized in vitro and in vivo model systems to identify and test bacterial gene products that promote a pathological response. We have previously identified macrophages as a target host cell for A. xylosoxidans-induced cytotoxicity. By optimizing our macrophage infection model, we determined that A. xylosoxidans enters macrophages and can reside within a membrane bound vacuole for extended periods of time. Intracellular replication appears limited with cellular lysis preceding an enhanced, mainly extracellular replication cycle. Using our optimized in vitro model system along with transposon mutagenesis, we identified 163 genes that contribute to macrophage cytotoxicity. From this list, we characterized a giant RTX adhesin encoded downstream of a type one secretion system (T1SS) that mediates bacterial binding and entry into host macrophages, an important first step toward cellular toxicity and inflammation. The RTX adhesin is encoded by other human isolates and is recognized by antibodies present in serum isolated from CF patients colonized by A. xylosoxidans, indicating this virulence factor is produced and deployed in vivo. This study represents the first characterization of A. xylosoxidans replication during infection and identifies a variety of genes that may be linked to virulence and human pathology. IMPORTANCE Patients affected by CF develop chronic bacterial infections characterized by inflammatory exacerbations and tissue damage. Advancements in sequencing technologies have broadened the list of opportunistic pathogens colonizing the CF lung. A. xylosoxidans is increasingly recognized as an opportunistic pathogen in CF, yet our understanding of the bacterium as a contributor to human disease is limited. Genomic studies have identified potential virulence determinants in A. xylosoxidans isolates, but few have been mechanistically studied. Using our optimized in vitro cell model, we identified and characterized a bacterial adhesin that mediates binding and uptake by host macrophages leading to cytotoxicity. A subset of serum samples from CF patients contains antibodies that recognize the RTX adhesion, suggesting, for the first time, that this virulence determinant is produced in vivo. This work furthers our understanding of A. xylosoxidans virulence factors at a mechanistic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam M. Pickrum
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Molly O. Riegert
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Clive Wells
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Kenneth Brockman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Dara W. Frank
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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Achromobacter spp. Adaptation in Cystic Fibrosis Infection and Candidate Biomarkers of Antimicrobial Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169265. [PMID: 36012535 PMCID: PMC9409262 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Achromobacter spp. can establish occasional or chronic lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Chronic colonization has been associated with worse prognosis highlighting the need to identify markers of bacterial persistence. To this purpose, we analyzed phenotypic features of 95 Achromobacter spp. isolates from 38 patients presenting chronic or occasional infection. Virulence was tested in Galleria mellonella larvae, cytotoxicity was tested in human bronchial epithelial cells, biofilm production in static conditions was measured by crystal violet staining and susceptibility to selected antibiotics was tested by the disk diffusion method. The presence of genetic loci associated to the analyzed phenotypic features was evaluated by a genome-wide association study. Isolates from occasional infection induced significantly higher mortality of G. mellonella larvae and showed a trend for lower cytotoxicity than chronic infection isolates. No significant difference was observed in biofilm production among the two groups. Additionally, antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that isolates from chronically-infected patients were significantly more resistant to sulfonamides and meropenem than occasional isolates. Candidate genetic biomarkers associated with antibiotic resistance or sensitivity were identified. Achromobacter spp. strains isolated from people with chronic and occasional lung infection exhibit different virulence and antibiotic susceptibility features, which could be linked to persistence in CF lungs. This underlines the possibility of identifying predictive biomarkers of persistence that could be useful for clinical purposes.
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Le Goff M, Vastel M, Lebrun R, Mansuelle P, Diarra A, Grandjean T, Triponney P, Imbert G, Gosset P, Dessein R, Garnier F, Durand E. Characterization of the Achromobacter xylosoxidans Type VI Secretion System and Its Implication in Cystic Fibrosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:859181. [PMID: 35782124 PMCID: PMC9245596 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.859181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria of the genus Achromobacter are environmental germs, with an unknown reservoir. It can become opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised patients, causing bacteremia, meningitis, pneumonia, or peritonitis. In recent years, Achromobacter xylosoxidans has emerged with increasing incidence in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Recent studies showed that A. xylosoxidans is involved in the degradation of the respiratory function of patients with CF. The respiratory ecosystem of patients with CF is colonized by bacterial species that constantly fight for space and access to nutrients. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) empowers this constant bacterial antagonism, and it is used as a virulence factor in several pathogenic bacteria. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of the T6SS genes in A. xylosoxidans isolated in patients with CF. We also evaluated clinical and molecular characteristics of T6SS-positive A. xylosoxidans strains. We showed that A. xylosoxidans possesses a T6SS gene cluster and that some environmental and clinical isolates assemble a functional T6SS nanomachine. A. xylosoxidans T6SS is used to target competing bacteria, including other CF-specific pathogens. Finally, we demonstrated the importance of the T6SS in the internalization of A. xylosoxidans in lung epithelial cells and that the T6SS protein Hcp is detected in the sputum of patients with CF. Altogether, these results suggest for the first time a role of T6SS in CF-lung colonization by A. xylosoxidans and opens promising perspective to target this virulence determinant as innovative theranostic options for CF management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Le Goff
- Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie (IM2B), Aix-Marseille Université - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 7255, Marseille, France
| | - Manon Vastel
- Université de Limoges, INSERM, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Limoges, Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 1092, Limoges, France
| | - Régine Lebrun
- Plateforme Protéomique de l’Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Marseille Protéomique, Aix Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) FR 3479, Marseille, France
| | - Pascal Mansuelle
- Plateforme Protéomique de l’Institut de Microbiologie de la Méditerranée, Marseille Protéomique, Aix Marseille Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) FR 3479, Marseille, France
| | - Ava Diarra
- Université de Lille, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), INSERM, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9017-CIIL-Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Teddy Grandjean
- Université de Lille, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), INSERM, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9017-CIIL-Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Pauline Triponney
- Centre National de Référence de la Résistance aux Antibiotiques , Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Besançon, Besançon, France
| | | | - Philippe Gosset
- Université de Lille, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), INSERM, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9017-CIIL-Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Rodrigue Dessein
- Université de Lille, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), INSERM, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019-Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 9017-CIIL-Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Fabien Garnier
- Université de Limoges, INSERM, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Limoges, Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 1092, Limoges, France
- *Correspondence: Eric Durand, ; ; Fabien Garnier,
| | - Eric Durand
- Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie (IM2B), Aix-Marseille Université - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 7255, Marseille, France
- Laboratoire d’Ingénierie des Systèmes Macromoléculaires (LISM), Institut de Microbiologie, Bioénergies et Biotechnologie (IM2B), Aix-Marseille Université - Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 7255, INSERM, Marseille, France
- *Correspondence: Eric Durand, ; ; Fabien Garnier,
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Juliana Martins F, Savacini Sagrillo F, Josiane Vinturelle Medeiros R, Gonçalves de Souza A, Rodrigues Pinto Costa A, Silva Novais J, Alves Miceli L, R Campos V, Marie Sá Figueiredo A, Claudia Cunha A, Lidmar von Ranke N, Lamim Bello M, de A Abrahim-Vieira B, M T De Souza A, A Ratcliffe N, da Costa Santos Boechat F, Cecília Bastos Vieira de Souza M, Rangel Rodrigues C, Carla Castro H. Evaluation of biological activities of quinone-4-oxoquinoline derivatives against pathogens of clinical importance. Curr Top Med Chem 2022; 22:973-991. [PMID: 35524665 DOI: 10.2174/1568026622666220504124710] [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: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microbial resistance has become a worldwide public health problem, and may lead to morbidity and mortality in affected patients. OBJECTIVE Therefore, this work aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of quinone-4-oxoquinoline derivatives. METHOD These derivatives were evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by their antibacterial activity, anti-biofilm, and hemolytic activities and by in silico assays. RESULTS The quinone-4-oxoquinoline derivatives presented broad-spectrum antibacterial activities, and in some cases were more active than commercially available reference drugs. These compounds also inhibited bacterial adhesion and the assays revealed seven non-hemolytic derivatives. The derivatives seem to cause damage to the bacterial cell membrane and those containing the carboxyl group at the C-3 position of the 4-quinolonic nucleus were more active than those containing a carboxyethyl group. CONCLUSION The isoquinoline-5,8-dione nucleus also favored antimicrobial activity. The study showed that the target of the derivatives must be a non-conventional hydrophobic allosteric binding pocket on the DNA gyrase enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francislene Juliana Martins
- Federal Fluminense University, Biology Institute, Postgraduate Program in Science and Biotechnology, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Savacini Sagrillo
- Federal Fluminense University, Chemistry Institute, Department of Organic Chemistry, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Alan Gonçalves de Souza
- Federal Fluminense University, Chemistry Institute, Department of Organic Chemistry, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Amanda Rodrigues Pinto Costa
- Federal Fluminense University, Chemistry Institute, Department of Organic Chemistry, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Juliana Silva Novais
- Federal Fluminense University, Medical School, Postgraduate in Pathology, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Universidade Estácio de Sá (UNESA), Faculdade de Farmácia, São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Alves Miceli
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Fármacos e Medicamentos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vinícius R Campos
- Federal Fluminense University, Chemistry Institute, Department of Organic Chemistry, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Agnes Marie Sá Figueiredo
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Microbiology Institute Professor Paulo Goes, Department of Medical Microbiology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Anna Claudia Cunha
- Federal Fluminense University, Chemistry Institute, Department of Organic Chemistry, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Natalia Lidmar von Ranke
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Fármacos e Medicamentos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Murilo Lamim Bello
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Fármacos e Medicamentos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bárbara de A Abrahim-Vieira
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Fármacos e Medicamentos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alessandra M T De Souza
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Fármacos e Medicamentos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Norman A Ratcliffe
- Department of Biosciences, College of Science Swansea University, SA2 8PP. UK
| | | | | | - Carlos Rangel Rodrigues
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Faculdade de Farmácia, Departamento de Fármacos e Medicamentos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Helena Carla Castro
- Federal Fluminense University, Biology Institute, Postgraduate Program in Science and Biotechnology, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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