Candida parapsilosis: Heterogeneous and strain-specific expression of secreted aspartic proteases (Sapp1 and Sapp2).

The increasing prevalence of Candida parapsilosis as a causative agent of fungal infections underscores the need to comprehensively understand its virulence factors. Secreted aspartic proteases (Saps) play a significant role in adhesion events, promoting biofilm formation, causing tissue damage and evading the host's immune response. In C.

Repositioning Lopinavir, an HIV Protease Inhibitor, as a Promising Antifungal Drug: Lessons Learned from -In Silico, In Vitro and In Vivo Approaches.

The repurposing strategy was applied herein to evaluate the effects of lopinavir, an aspartic protease inhibitor currently used in the treatment of HIV-infected individuals, on the globally widespread opportunistic human fungal pathogen by using in silico, in vitro and in vivo approaches in order to decipher its targets on fungal cells and its antifungal mechanisms of action. Secreted aspartic proteases (Saps) are the obviously main target of lopinavir. To confirm this hypothesis, molecular docking assays revealed that lopinavir bound to the Sap2 catalytic site of as well as inhibited the Sap hydrolytic activity in a typically dose-dependent manner.

Coinfection of domestic felines by distinct Sporothrix brasiliensis in the Brazilian sporotrichosis hyperendemic area.

Microbial interactions may impact patient's diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Sporotrichosis is a hyperendemic neglected zoonosis in Brazil, caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis. Four pairs of clinical isolates of Sporothrix were recovered from four diseased cats (CIM01-CIM04, two isolates per animal) raising the possibility of coinfection in a sporotrichosis hyperendemic area, Brazil.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of a phenanthroline-isoniazid hybrid ligand and its Ag and Mn complexes.

Hydrazide ligand, (Z)-N'-(6-oxo-1,10-phenanthrolin-5(6H)-ylidene)isonicotinohydrazide, 1 forms from a 1:1 Schiff base condensation reaction between isoniazid (INH) and 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phendione). Ag and Mn complexes with 1:2 metal:ligand stoichiometry are prepared: [Ag(1)]NO, [Ag(1)]BF and [Mn(1)](NO). Polymeric {[Ag(1)(NO)]} has 1:1 stoichiometry and forms upon infusion of CHCl into a DMSO solution of [Ag(1)]NO.

Candida parapsilosis (sensu lato) isolated from hospitals located in the Southeast of Brazil: Species distribution, antifungal susceptibility and virulence attributes.

Candida parapsilosis (sensu lato), which represents a fungal complex composed of three genetically related species - Candida parapsilosis sensu stricto, Candida orthopsilosis and Candida metapsilosis, has emerged as an important yeast causing fungemia worldwide. The goal of the present work was to assess the prevalence, antifungal susceptibility and production of virulence traits in 53 clinical isolates previously identified as C. parapsilosis (sensu lato) obtained from hospitals located in the Southeast of Brazil.

Phenotypical properties associated with virulence from clinical isolates belonging to the Candida parapsilosis complex.

The production of virulence attributes in three reference strains and 11 clinical isolates primarily identified as Candida parapsilosis was evaluated. Morphological and phenotypical tests were not able to discriminate among the three species of the C. parapsilosis complex; consequently, molecular methods were applied to solve this task.

Surface phosphatase in Rhinocladiella aquaspersa: biochemical properties and its involvement with adhesion.

Rhinocladiella aquaspersa is an etiologic agent of chromoblastomycosis, a subcutaneous chronic infectious disease. In the present work, we found that the three morphological forms of this fungus (conidia, mycelia and sclerotic bodies) expressed different levels of ecto-phosphatase activity. Our results demonstrated that surface conidial enzyme is an acid phosphatase, inhibited by sodium salts of molybdate, orthovanadate and fluoride and that the inhibition caused by orthovanadate and molybdate was irreversible.

The FML-vaccine (Leishmune) against canine visceral leishmaniasis: a transmission blocking vaccine.

Transmission blocking vaccines are one of the control strategies for vector-transmitted protozoan diseases. Antibodies raised in the vaccinated host prevent the development of the parasite in the insect vector, interrupting the epidemiological cycle. The FML antigen of Leishmania donovani in combination with saponin (FML-vaccine and Leishmune) induced 92-97% of protections against zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis.