The Changing Face of Dermatophytic Infections Worldwide

Dermatophytes evolve along with the geography and socioeconomic conditions. Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum audouinii and Trichophyton schoenleinii acted as the major pathogens of superficial fungal diseases 100 years ago, but their frequency decreased dramatically since the middle of the twentieth century and they are limited to some less-developed countries nowadays; meanwhile, frequency of Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton interdigitale, Trichophyton tonsurans and Microsporum canis increased gradually, and these fungi have become the major species globally. Some other dermatophytes, i.e., Trichophyton violaceum, Trichophyton verrucosum and Microsporum ferrugineum, are mainly endemic in some parts of Africa, Asia and Europe. At present, T. rubrum is the leading pathogen for skin and nail fungal infections, whereas M. canis, T. tonsurans and T. violaceum present as the predominant dermatophytes involved in tinea capitis. Population mobility, changes in human lifestyle and advents of antifungal drugs will continually drive the dermatophyte evolution in the skin microenvironment. Comprehensive observation is needed to better understand this kind of organisms and prospect the trends of their changes in future.     

Nimesulide inhibits pathogenic fungi: PGE2-dependent mechanisms

Certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can inhibit fungal growth, fungal prostaglandin E2 production, and enzyme activation. This study aims to investigate the antifungal effect of nimesulide against pathogenic filamentous fungi and yeast. The experiments detailed below were also designed to investigate whether the action is dependent on E2 fungal prostaglandins. Our data showed that nimesulide exhibited potent antifungal activity, mainly against Trichophyton mentagrophytes (ATCC 9533) and Cryptococcus neoformans with MIC values of 2 and 62 μg/mL, respectively. This drug was also able to inhibit the growth of clinic isolates of filamentous fungi, such as Aspergillus fumigatus, and dermatophytes, such as T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, and M. gypseum, with MIC values ranging from 112 to 770 μg/mL. Our data also showed that the inhibition of fungal growth by nimesulide was mediated by a mechanism dependent on PGE2, which led to the inhibition of essential fungal enzymes. Thus, we concluded that nimesulide exerts a fungicidal effect against pathogenic filamentous fungi and yeast, involving the inhibition of fungal prostaglandins and fungal enzymes important to the fungal growth and colonization.     

Fungal Leukonychia and Melanonychia: a Review

Fungal leukonychia is a common condition in immunosuppressed patients; the most common clinical forms are white superficial and proximal white superficial onychomycosis. It is frequently associated with Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale and with Trichophyton rubrum. The diagnosis can be easily made by direct examination and culture. Fungal melanonychia is the nail plate pigmentation caused by fungal infections. The most frequently isolated fungi is T. rubrum and melanized molds like Neoscytalidium dimidiatum. The main differential diagnosis is malignant melanoma, although other causes include subungueal hematomas, exogenous pigmentation, and bacterial infection. If homogeneous pigmentation in lines or structureless discoloration, and the absence of melanin inclusions are seen by dermoscopy, diagnosis must be complemented with KOH preparations and cultures.     

Antifungal activity of 3-acetylbenzamide produced by actinomycete WA23-4-4 from the intestinal tract of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Periplaneta americana</Emphasis>

Actinomycetes are well-known for producing numerous bioactive secondary metabolites. In this study, primary screening by antifungal activity assay found one actinomycete strain WA23-4-4 isolated from the intestinal tract of Periplaneta americana that exhibited broad spectrum antifungal activity. 16S rDNA gene analysis of strain WA23-4-4 revealed close similarity to Streptomyces nogalater (AB045886) with 86.6% sequence similarity. Strain WA23-4-4 was considered as a novel Streptomyces and the 16s rDNA sequence has been submitted to GenBank (accession no. KX291006). The maximum antifungal activity of WA23-4-4 was achieved when culture conditions were optimized to pH 8.0, with 12% inoculum concentration and 210 ml ISP2 medium, which remained stable between the 5^th and the 9^th day. 3-Acetyl benzoyl amide was isolated by ethyl acetate extraction of WA23-4-4 fermentation broth, and its molecular formula was determined as C₉H₉NO₂ based on MS, IR, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR analyses. The compound showed significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (MIC: 31.25 μg/ml) and Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404 (MIC: 31.25 μg/ml). However, the compound had higher MIC values against Trichophyton rubrum ATCC 60836 (MIC: 500 μg/ml) and Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC 96918 (MIC: 1,000 μg/ml). SEM analysis showed damage to the cell membrane of Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and to the mycelium of Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404 after being treatment with 3-acetyl benzoyl amide. In conclusion, this is the first time that 3-acetyl benzoyl amide has been identified from an actinomycete and this compound exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404.     

Hyporientalin A,an anti-<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida</Emphasis> peptaibol from a marine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma orientale</Emphasis>

A Trichoderma orientale strain LSBA1 was isolated from the Mediterranean marine sponge Cymbaxinella damicornis. The crude extract of T. orientale mycelium showed inhibitory activity against growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as clinical isolates of Candida albicans. Purification of the anti-Candida component was performed using a combination of open silica gel-60 column and reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The active compound called hyporientalin A has been identified as a peptaibol analogue of longibrachin-A-II using mass spectrometry. It exhibited fungicidal activity against clinical isolates of C. albicans with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 2.49 to 19.66 µM, comparable to that of the antifungal agent amphotericin B. Our data support the use of hyporientalin A as a promising new and efficient antifungal drug in the treatment of candidiasis while controlling toxicity.     

Antifungal Activity of Chitosan-Coated Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) Acid Nanoparticles Containing Amphotericin B

Amphotericin B (AmB) is one of the most used drugs for the treatment of systemic fungal infections; however, the treatment causes several toxic manifestations, including nephrotoxicity and hemolytic anemia. Chitosan-coated poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles containing AmB were developed with the aim to decrease AmB toxicity and propose the oral route for AmB delivery. In this work, the antifungal efficacy of chitosan-coated PLGA nanoparticles containing AmB was evaluated in 20 strains of fungus isolates from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis (01 Candida glabrata and 03 Candida albicans), bloodstream infections (04 C. albicans and 01 C. tropicalis) and patients with urinary tract infection (04 Candida albicans, 02 Trichosporon asahii, 01 C. guilhermondii, 03 C. glabrata) and 01 Candida albicans ATCC 90028. Moreover, the cytotoxicity over erythrocytes was evaluated. The single-emulsion solvent evaporation method was suitable for obtaining chitosan-coated PGLA nanoparticles containing AmB. Nanoparticles were spherical in shape, presented mean particle size about 460 nm, positive zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency of 42%. Moreover, nanoparticles prolonged the AmB release. All the strains were susceptible to plain AmB and nanostructured AmB, according to EUCAST breakpoint version 8.1 (resistant > 1 μg/mL), using broth microdilution method. In C. albicans (urine, blood, and vulvovaginal secretion isolates, and 1 ATCC), the MIC value of AmB-loaded nanoparticles varied from 0.25 to 0.5 μg/mL and EUCAST varied from 0.03 to 0.5 μg/mL. In urine and vulvovaginal secretion isolates of C. glabrata, the MIC value of AmB-loaded nanoparticles varied from 0.25 to 0.5 μg/mL and EUCAST varied from 0.03 to 0.015 μg/mL. In urine isolates of C. guilhermondii, the MIC value of AmB-loaded nanoparticles was 0.12 μg/mL and EUCAST was 0.06 μg/mL. In blood isolates of C. tropicalis, the MIC value of AmB-loaded nanoparticles was 0.5 μg/mL and EUCAST was 0.25 μg/mL. Finally, in urine isolates of T asahii, the MIC value of AmB-loaded nanoparticles was 1 μg/mL and EUCAST varied from 0.5 to 1 μg/mL. In the cytotoxicity assay, plain AmB was highly hemolytic (100% in 24 h) while AmB-loaded chitosan/PLGA nanoparticles presented negligible hemolysis.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichophyton rubrum</Emphasis> Infection Characterized by Majocchi’s Granuloma and Deeper Dermatophytosis: Case Report and Review of Published Literature

Infections caused by Trichophyton rubrum are very common in dermatological disease. It most often appears as superficial cutaneous mycosis, such as tinea manuum, tinea pedis, and tinea corporis. However, deep infection caused by T. rubrum was rarely reported. We describe a case of mixed type of deep infection caused by T. rubrum in a 45-year-old man with no significant immunodeficiency. This patient had a history of onychomycosis on the toenails without regular treatment for nearly 6 years. And, he had erythema, papule, and nodules on the submandibular area, neck, and chest for almost 1 year. After treated with intravenous infusion of cefotiam for 2 weeks, the lesion aggravated. The fungal direct microscopic examination of pyogenic fluid was positive, and the fungal cultures that produced reddish-brown and yellow pigment showed cottony, wooly, and white colony. After the DNA sequencing, it was identified as T. rubrum. We gave the patient oral terbinafine 250 mg per day and bifonazole cream for external use. Six months later, the patient’s skin lesion was disappeared, and healthy nail growth was seen in two-thirds of nail bed. The terbinafine is effective against deep infection caused by T. rubrum.     

Comparison of Killing Activity of Micafungin Against Six <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida</Emphasis> Species Isolated from Peritoneal and Pleural Cavities in RPMI-1640, 10 and 30% Serum

Currently echinocandins are recommended in Candida peritonitis and pleuritis. We determined micafungin killing rates (k values) at therapeutic concentrations (0.25–2 mg/L) in RPMI-1640 with and without 10 and 30% serum mimicking in vivo conditions against six Candida species isolated from peritoneal and pleural fluid. In RPMI-1640, micafungin was fungicidal against C. glabrata, C. krusei and C. kefyr within 2.27?±?10.68, 2.69?±?10.29 and 3.10?±?4.41 h, respectively, while was fungistatic against C. albicans, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis. In 10% serum, ≥?0.25, ≥?0.5, ≥?0.5 and ≥?1 mg/L micafungin produced positive k values (killing) for all C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. kefyr and C. krusei, respectively. In 30% serum, 2 mg/L micafungin produced killing against all C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. kefyr isolates, but was ineffective against C. krusei, C. parapsilosis and 2 of 3 C. tropicalis. Micafungin exposure should be increased against non-albicans species to eradicate fungi from peritoneal and pleural cavities.     

Deep Dermatophytosis Caused by Zoophilic Strain of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichophyton interdigitale</Emphasis> with Successful Treatment of Itraconazole

We report a 66-year-old female patient with deep dermatophytosis caused by zoophilic strain of Trichophyton interdigitale, a rare granulomatous presentation of Trichophyton species infection in patients with underlying systemic diseases, and she was successfully cured by itraconazole. Since the identification of Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex had been misused for years, a brief discussion of molecular diagnosis and taxonomy of T. mentagrophytes complex is given. The pathogenesis and comparison with cases reported in the literature are also discussed.     

Acaricidal active fractions from acetone extract of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aloe vera</Emphasis> L. against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetranychus cinnabarinus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panonychus citri</Emphasis>

This study aimed to isolate acaricidal active fractions from acetone extract of Aloe vera L. and investigate the toxicity of these fractions against Tetranychus cinnabarinus (T. cinnabarinus) and Panonychus citri (P. citri). Acetone extract of A. vera L. was isolated by immersing in acetone for 72 h, and diverse fractions were fractionated by column chromatography. The acaricidal activity of each fractions was evaluated by corrected mortality of T. cinnabarinus through slide-dip bioassay. The 8th and 13th fractions of acetone extract with good acaricidal activity were indentified by LC/MS, and the toxicity of these two fractions to T. cinnabarinus and P. citri was identified by regression analysis. Acetone extract of A. vera L. exhibited obvious acaricidal activity, from which a total of 18 fractions were isolated. The 8th and 13th fractions with strong acaricidal activity against T. cinnabarinus were identified to be 3-O-alpha-d-mannopyranosyl-d-mannopyranose (OAMM) and aloe emodin. When compared with spirodiclofen, both OAMM and aloe emodin exhibited higher toxicity to T. cinnabarinus, while only OAMM exhibited a higher toxicity to P. citri (P < 0.05). OAMM and aloe emodin isolated from acetone extract of A. vera L. exhibited obvious acaricidal activities against T. cinnabarinus and P. citri.     

The Mycotoxin Zearalenone Hinders <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida albicans</Emphasis> Biofilm Formation and Hyphal Morphogenesis

Yeast–mold mycobiota inhabit several natural ecosystems, in which symbiotic relationships drive strategic pathoadaptation. Mycotoxins are metabolites produced by diverse mycotoxigenic fungi as a defense against yeasts, though at times yeasts secrete enzymes that degrade, detoxify, or bio-transform mycotoxins. The present study is focused on the in vitro inhibitory effects of zearalenone (ZEN), a F2 mycotoxin produced by several Fusarium and Gibberella species, on different microbial strains. ZEN exhibited no effect on the planktonic growth or biofilms of several Gram positive and negative bacteria at the tested concentrations. Remarkably, Candida albicans biofilm formation and hyphal morphogenesis were significantly inhibited when treated with 100 µg/mL of ZEN. Likewise, ZEN proficiently disrupted pre-formed C. albicans biofilms without disturbing planktonic cells. Furthermore, these inhibitions were confirmed by crystal violet staining and XTT reduction assays and by confocal and scanning electron microscopy. In an in vivo model, ZEN significantly suppressed C. albicans infection in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The study reports the in vitro antibiofilm efficacy of ZEN against C. albicans strains, and suggests mycotoxigenic fungi participate in asymmetric competitive interactions, such as, amensalism or antibiosis, rather than commensal interactions with C. albicans, whereby mycotoxins secreted by fungi destroy C. albicans biofilms.     

The Phenolic Contents and Antimicrobial Activities of Some Marine Algae from the Mediterranean Sea (Algeria)

In this study, three marine algae collected from western coast of algerian mediteranean sea (Ulva lactuca, Dictyota dichotoma, and Corallina elongata) were tested using the agar-well diffusion method for their production of antibacterial and antifungal agents on various organisms that cause diseases of humans and plants (Eschirichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Salmonella sp, Candida albicans, and Penicillium sp.). The total phenol content and antimicrobial activity were determined using different crude seaweeds extracts (methanol, diethylether, and chloroform). The results show that the chloroform extracts of (Ulva lactuca and Corallina elongata) had the highest activity against E. coli and Salmonella sp. The methanol extract obtained from (Ulva lactuca, Dictyota dichotoma, and Corallina elongata) showed antifungal activity for Candida albicans. The results of the study revealed that the seaweeds from Algeria appear to have immense potential as a source of antibacterial and antifungal compounds; they can be used in treating diseases caused by these organisms.     

Fungal endophytes of turmeric (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Curcuma longa</Emphasis> L.) and their biocontrol potential against pathogens <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pythium aphanidermatum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia solani</Emphasis>

Endophytic fungi have been isolated from the healthy turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) rhizomes from South India. Thirty-one endophytes were identified based on morphological and ITS–rDNA sequence analysis. The isolated endophytes were screened for antagonistic activity against Pythium aphanidermatum (Edson) Fitzp., and Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn., causing rhizome rot and leaf blight diseases in turmeric respectively. Results revealed that only six endophytes showed >?70% suppression of test pathogens in antagonistic dual culture assays. The endophyte T. harzianum TharDOB-31 showed significant in vitro mycelial growth inhibition of P. aphanidermatum (76.0%) and R. solani (76.9%) when tested by dual culture method. The SEM studies of interaction zone showed morphological abnormalities like parasitism, shriveling, breakage and lysis of hyphae of the pathogens by endophyte TharDOB-31. Selected endophytic isolates recorded multiple plant growth promoting traits in in vitro studies. The rhizome bacterization followed by soil application of endophyte TharDOB-31 showed lowest Percent Disease Incidence of rhizome rot and leaf blight, 13.8 and 11.6% respectively. The treatment of TharDOB-31 exhibited significant increase in plant height (85 cm) and fresh rhizome yield/plant (425 g) in comparison with untreated control under greenhouse condition. The confocal microscopy validates the colonization of the TharDOB-31 in turmeric rhizomes. The secondary metabolites in ethyl acetate extract of TharDOB-31 were found to contain higher number of antifungal compounds by high resolution liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer analysis. Thereby, endophyte T. harzianum isolate can be exploited as a potential biocontrol agent for suppressing rhizome rot and leaf blight diseases in turmeric.     

Relationship Between Phenotypic and Genotypic Characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichophyton mentagrophytes</Emphasis> Strains Isolated from Patients with Dermatophytosis

According to epidemiological, clinical and mycological criteria, it has long been admitted that the Trichophyton mentagrophytes species includes two varieties: a zoophilic variety (var. mentagrophytes) and an anthropophilic variety (var. interdigitale) that involve the upper and the lower part of the body, respectively. The further application of molecular techniques to the characterization of dermatophyte strains showed that this classification is unreliable. The aim of our study was to assess the usefulness of PCR–RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) and sequencing in the characterization of T. mentagrophytes strains taken from Tunisian patients. The study was carried out in 2008 in the laboratory of Parasitology–Mycology of Farhat Hached University Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia. A total of 133 strains were isolated from 133 patients addressed to the laboratory for dermatological lesions very evocative of dermatomycosis. Eighty strains were isolated from lesions located on the lower part of the body (onychomycosis, tinea pedis) and 53 strains from the upper part of the body (tinea capitis, tinea corporis). All strains were submitted to mycological examination (direct microscopic examination and culture on Sabouraud medium) and further investigated by using RFLP analysis of the PCR-amplified ITS1-5.8 s-ITS2 region of the ribosomal DNA and the MvaI restriction enzyme. In addition, 62 strains were further submitted to a sequencing of the ITS1-5.8 s-ITS2 region. On the basis of mycological criteria, all strains were diagnosed as T. mentagrophytes. All strains produced the same RFLP pattern and were identified as T. mentagrophytes interdigitale regardless of the location of lesions. Out of the 62 sequenced strains, 16 were found anthropophilic and 46 were zoophilic. In conclusion, all strains provisionally diagnosed as T. mentagrophytes on the basis of mycological criteria were shown to belong to T. interdigitale by using PCR–RFLP and sequencing irrespective of the site of lesions. The predominance of zoophilic strains needs further investigation.     

Characterization of chickpea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cicer arietinum</Emphasis> L.) lectin for biological activity

Lectins are proteins that are subject of intense investigations. Information on lectin from chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) with respect to its biological activities are very limited. In this study, we purified lectin from the seeds of chickpea employing DEAE-cellulose and SP-Sephadex ion exchange chromatography and identified its molecular subunit mass as 35 kDa. The free radical scavenging activity of lectin measured by the DPPH assay has IC₅₀ of 0.88 µg/mL. Lectin exerted antifungal activity against Candida krusei, Fusarium oxysporium oxysporium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans, while antibacterial activity against E. coli, B. subtilis, S. marcescens and P. aeruginosa. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were 200, 240, 160 and 140 µg for C. krusei, F. oxysporium, S. cerevisiae and C. albicans respectively. Lectin was further examined for its antiproliferative potential against cancerous cell line. The cell viability assay indicated a high inhibition activity on Ishikawa, HepG2, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 with IC₅₀ value of 46.67, 44.20, 53.58 and 37.46?µg/mL respectively. These results can provide a background for future research into the benefits of chickpea lectin to pharmacological perspective.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis> efficacy of fluconazole in combination with farnesol against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida albicans</Emphasis> isolates using a murine vulvovaginitis model

Farnesol is a quorum-sensing molecule that inhibits biofilm formation in Candida albicans. Previous in vitro data suggest that, in combination with certain antifungals, farnesol may have an adjuvant anti-biofilm agent. However, the in vivo efficacy of farnesol is very questionable. Therefore, the in vitro and in vivo activity of fluconazole combined with farnesol was evaluated against C. albicans biofilms using fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) determination, time-kill experiments and a murine vulvovaginitis model. The median biofilm MICs of fluconazole-sensitive C. albicans isolates ranged between 4 -> 512 mg/L and 150–300 μM for fluconazole and farnesol, respectively. These values were 512 -> 512 mg/L and > 300 μM for fluconazole-resistant clinical isolates. Farnesol decreased the median MICs of fluconazole by 2-64-fold for biofilms. Based on FICI, synergistic interaction was observed only in the case of the sessile SC5314 reference strain (FICIs: 0.16–0.27). In time-kill studies, only the 512 mg/L fluconazole and 512 mg/L fluconazole + 75 μM farnesol reduced biofilm mass significantly at each time point in the case of all isolates. The combination reduced the metabolic activity of biofilms for all isolates in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Our findings revealed that farnesol alone was not protective in a murine vulvovaginitis model. Farnesol was not beneficial in combination with fluconazole for fluconazole-susceptible isolates, but partially increased fluconazole activity against one fluconazole-resistant isolate, but not the other one.     

Onychomycosis in Children with Down Syndrome

Purpose of Review

Fungal infection of the nail, known as onychomycosis, occurs more frequently in older age, showing a higher prevalence in pediatric age in recent years. A high rate of dermatological infections befalls in patients with Down syndrome, including onychomycosis, due to a decrease in T and B lymphocytes in number and function, resulting in a disarrangement of cellular and humoral immunity. This has led to several investigations on onychomycosis in children with Down syndrome, so the purpose of this review is to show the available evidence.

Recent Findings

The etiological agents of onychomycosis can be dermatophytes, non-dermatophyte molds, and yeasts. Most cases are related with dermatophytes; Trichophyton rubrum being the most common cause. In children with Down syndrome, T. rubrum has been reported as the main cause, followed by T. mentagrophytes. Distal lateral subungual onychomycosis is the most common variety of onychomycosis in children. The importance of identifying the fungus lies in selecting the appropriate treatment, since not all antifungals have the same spectrum of action against molds and Candida. Terbinafine has showed to be safe and effective for the treatment of onychomycosis in patients from special populations, including children with Down syndrome. In patients with Down syndrome, treatment for onychomycosis has not been completely studied; so far, terbinafine has shown the best results.

Summary

The clinical presentations of children with Down syndrome and the rest of the general pediatric population are similar. However, there are few studies about onychomycosis in children with Down syndrome. It is necessary to perform new onychomycosis research in this study population, in order to establish recommendations.

     

Onychomycoses in a Military Population in Brazil

Purpose of Review

This study aimed to isolate and characterize filamentous fungi onychomycosis agents in a military population assisted at a hospital outpatient clinic.

Recent Findings

In onychomycosis, the fungi colonize the subungual region causing thickening, discoloration, or cracking of the nail bed. Samples were collected from patients with clinical sights of onychomycosis.

Summary

Among 80 samples collected, 50 (62.5%) had positive culture. Isolated dermatophytes (86%) were Trichophyton rubrum (21; 42%), T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale (19; 38%), and Microsporum gypseum (3; 6%) and non-dermatophyte molds were Fusarium spp. (1; 2%), Scytalidium spp. (1; 2%), and Chaetomium globosum (5; 10%). Minimal inhibitory concentrations (mg/L) of terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole necessary to inhibit 50/90% of the isolates were respectively 0.015/0.06, 0.06/0.12, and 32/32. Etiological agents of onychomycosis in a military hospital are similar as reported in studies for the general population. High prevalence of non-dermatophytic agents was observed, especially for Chaetomium globosum.

     

The effects of polymorphisms in <Emphasis Type="Italic">growth hormone</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">growth hormone receptor</Emphasis> genes on production and reproduction traits in Aberdeen-Angus cattle (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bos taurus</Emphasis> L., 1758)

The study was aimed to analyze the relation between individual genotypes and allelic variants of SNPs g.2141C>G of growth hormone gene, g.914T>A and g.257A>G of growth hormone receptor gene with growth and reproduction traits and to evaluate the populationgenetic structure in Aberdeen-Angus cattle (Bos taurus L., 1758) sample of Eastern Ukraine according SNPs studied. Allele C of SNP g.2141C>G has a positive correlation with birth weight, body stature, bigger rump, udder and total exterior evaluation score, shorter calving interval and better calve birth weight and negative correlation with calve average daily gain. Allele T of SNP g.914T>A has positive correlation with the muscle and udder size; live weight in each age, average daily gain, weight and average daily gain of calves born conform to the principle AA>TT≥TA. SNP g.257A>G showed a positive correlation for G allele with muscle size. The population is in equilibrium for SNPs g.2141C>G and g.257A>G, and in disequilibrium for SNP g.914T>A. The analysis showed no linkage disequilibrium between SNPs g.914T>A and g.257A>G. Inbreeding coefficient F_ST in Aberdeen-Angus group studied was 16.1%.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida krusei</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida glabrata</Emphasis> reduce the filamentation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida albicans</Emphasis> by downregulating expression of <Emphasis Type="Italic">HWP1</Emphasis> gene

Pathogenicity of Candida albicans is associated with its capacity switch from yeast-like to hyphal growth. The hyphal form is capable to penetrate the epithelial surfaces and to damage the host tissues. Therefore, many investigations have focused on mechanisms that control the morphological transitions of C. albicans. Recently, certain studies have showed that non-albicans Candida species can reduce the capacity of C. albicans to form biofilms and to develop candidiasis in animal models. Then, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Candida krusei and Candida glabrata on the morphogenesis of C. albicans. Firstly, the capacity of reference and clinical strains of C. albicans in forming hyphae was tested in vitro. After that, the expression of HWP1 (hyphal wall protein 1) gene was determined by quantitative real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) assay. For both reference and clinical strains, a significant inhibition of the hyphae formation was observed when C. albicans was incubated in the presence of C. krusei or C. glabrata compared to the control group composed only by C. albicans. In addition, the culture mixed of C. albicans-C. krusei or C. albicans-C. glabrata reduced significantly the expression of HWP1 gene of C. albicans in relation to single cultures of this specie. In both filamentation and gene expression assays, C. krusei showed the higher inhibitory activity on the morphogenesis of C. albicans compared to C. glabrata. C. krusei and C. glabrata are capable to reduce the filamentation of C. albicans and consequently decrease the expression of the HWP1 gene.