Mice Intragastric Infected with Insect and Blood Trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi IV: Differences and Similarities on the Evolution Profile and Response to Etiological Treatment.

Purpose: Our goal was to analyze the outcome of infection and response to benznidazole (BZ) treatment in mice intragastrically inoculated with trypomastigotes forms of Trypanosoma cruzi from different origins.

Methods: Twenty-four Swiss mice were divided in two groups and inoculated, by gavage, with 1 × 10 blood trypomastigotes (BT) or insect-derived metacyclic trypomastigotes (IT) of AM14 strain (T. cruzi IV).

Phenotypic characteristics and transcriptome profile of Cryptococcus gattii biofilm.

In this study, we characterized Cryptococcus gattii biofilm formation in vitro. There was an increase in the density of metabolically active sessile cells up to 72 h of biofilm formation on polystyrene and glass surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis revealed that in the early stage of biofilm formation, yeast cells adhered to the abiotic surface as a monolayer.

Draft Genome Sequence of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium UEL170 (Sequence Type 412), Isolated from a Patient with Urinary Tract Infection in a Tertiary Hospital in Southern Brazil.

Enterococcus faecium is a leading cause of health care-associated infections, with specific lineages circulating in hospital settings worldwide. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of the multidrug-resistant and biofilm-producing E. faecium UEL170, sequence type 412 (ST412), isolated from an inpatient with a urinary tract infection.

Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus velezensis LABIM40, an Effective Antagonist of Fungal Plant Pathogens.

strain LABIM40 holds high potential for biological control of plant pathogens. Its complete genome contains one chromosome of 3,972,310 bp with 3,777 DNA coding sequences and displays 33 gene clusters potentially involved in the suppression of fungal pathogens.

Development of a melting-curve based multiplex real-time PCR assay for simultaneous detection of Streptococcus agalactiae and genes encoding resistance to macrolides and lincosamides.

Background: Streptococcus agalactiae or Group B Streptococcus (GBS) remains the leading cause of infections in newborns worldwilde. Prenatal GBS screening of pregnant women for vaginal-rectal colonization is recommended in many countries to manage appropriate intrapartum antimicrobial prophylaxis for those identified as carriers. In this study, a novel melting-curve based multiplex real-time PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of GBS and macrolide and lincosamide resistance markers was developed.

Comparison of HRM analysis and three REP-PCR genomic fingerprint methods for rapid typing of MRSA at a Brazilian hospital.

Introduction: Infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria are increasingly common and represent a serious problem for public health. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the major agents of infections, and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has spread worldwide.

Antibacterial Combination of Oleoresin from Copaifera multijuga Hayne and Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles Towards Streptococcus agalactiae.

Background: Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus - GBS) remains a leading cause of neonatal infections and an important cause of invasive infections in adults with underlying conditions.

Methods: This study evaluated for the first time the effect of an oleoresin collected from Copaifera multijuga Hayne (copaiba oil) alone or in combination with silver nanoparticles produced by green synthesis using Fusarium oxysporum (AgNPbio) against planktonic and sessile cells of GBS isolated from colonized women.

Results: Copaiba oil showed a dose-dependent bactericidal activity against planktonic GBS strains, including those resistant to erythromycin and/or clindamycin.

Effect of a Metalloantibiotic Produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa on Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase (KPC)-producing K. pneumoniae.

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) are a great problem in hospitals, where thousands of people are infected daily, with the occurrence of high mortality rates, especially in infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-producing Kpn). The challenge is to find new compounds that can control KPC producing-Kpn infections.

Oral Candida colonization in HIV-infected patients in Londrina-PR, Brazil: antifungal susceptibility and virulence factors.

Introduction: Host colonization by Candida species is an important predisposing factor to candidiasis, which seems to be more frequent in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Knowledge about the distribution, antifungal susceptibility, and virulence of oral Candida isolates is important for effective management of candidiasis.

Methodology: Oral rinses were collected from 242 HIV-infected patients without clinical evidence of candidiasis seen at the AIDS referral center in Londrina, Brazil.

Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) as an alternative host to study fungal infections.

Models of host–pathogen interactions are crucial for the analysis of microbial pathogenesis. In this context, invertebrate hosts, including Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly), Caenorhabditis elegans (nematode) and Galleria mellonella (moth), have been used to study the pathogenesis of fungi and bacteria. Each of these organisms offers distinct benefits in elucidating host–pathogen interactions.

Molecular and phenotypic characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from hospitalized patients.

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the leading causes of infections acquired in both community and hospital settings. In this study, MRSA isolated from different sources of hospitalized patients was characterized by molecular and phenotypic methods.

Methodology: A total of 123 S.

Combination of fluconazole with silver nanoparticles produced by Fusarium oxysporum improves antifungal effect against planktonic cells and biofilm of drug-resistant Candida albicans.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been extensively studied because of their anti-microbial potential. Here, we evaluated the effect of biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPbio) alone and in combination with fluconazole (FLC) against planktonic cells and biofilms of FLC-resistant Candida albicans AgNPbio exhibited a fungicidal effect, with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and fungicidal concentration ranging from 2.17 to 4.

Nitric oxide and Brazilian propolis combined accelerates tissue repair by modulating cell migration, cytokine production and collagen deposition in experimental leishmaniasis.

The fact that drugs currently used in the treatment of Leishmania are highly toxic and associated with acquired resistance has promoted the search for new therapies for treating American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL). In this study, BALB/c mice were injected in the hind paw with Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and subsequently treated with a combination of nitric oxide (NO) donor (cis-[Ru(bpy) 2imN(NO)](PF6)3) (Ru-NO), given by intraperitoneal injection, and oral Brazilian propolis for 30 days. Ru-NO reached the center of the lesion and increased the NO level in the injured hind paw without lesion exacerbation.

Effect of Eugenol against Streptococcus agalactiae and Synergistic Interaction with Biologically Produced Silver Nanoparticles.

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci (GBS)) is an important infections agent in newborns associated with maternal vaginal colonization. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis in GBS-colonized pregnant women has led to a significant reduction in the incidence of early neonatal infection in various geographic regions. However, this strategy may lead to resistance selecting among GBS, indicating the need for new alternatives to prevent bacterial transmission and even to treat GBS infections.

Effect of Eugenol on Cell Surface Hydrophobicity, Adhesion, and Biofilm of Candida tropicalis and Candida dubliniensis Isolated from Oral Cavity of HIV-Infected Patients.

Most Candida spp. infections are associated with biofilm formation on host surfaces. Cells within these communities display a phenotype resistant to antimicrobials and host defenses, so biofilm-associated infections are difficult to treat, representing a source of reinfections.

Commensal Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from patients seen at University Hospital of Londrina, Paraná, Brazil: capsular types, genotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence determinants.

Background: Streptococcus agalactiae or Group B Streptococci (GBS) have the ability to access various host sites, which reflects its adaptability to different environments during the course of infection. This adaptation is due to the expression of virulence factors that are involved with survival, invasion and bacterial persistence in the host. This study aimed to characterize GBS isolates from women of reproductive age seen at University Hospital of Londrina, according to capsular typing, genetic relatedness, antimicrobial susceptibility profile and occurrence of virulence determinants.