Synergistic activity of gold nanoparticles with amphotericin B on persister cells of Candida tropicalis biofilms.

Aim: The antifungal activity was studied on sessile and persister cells (PCs) of Candida tropicalis biofilms of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) stabilized with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB-AuNPs) and those conjugated with cysteine, in combination with Amphotericin B (AmB).

Materials/methods: The PC model was used and synergistic activity was tested by the checkerboard assay. Biofilms were studied by crystal violet and scanning electron microscopy.

Detection and characterization of spp. by semi-nested multiplex PCR both in mosquito vectors and in humans residing in historically endemic areas of Paraguay.

In Paraguay, no cases of Malaria have been recorded since 2011. Microscopy and the SnM-PCR technique were implemented to detect and characterize spp. both in mosquitoes and in humans residing in historically endemic areas of Paraguay, to evaluate the possibility of finding asymptomatic cases and/or Plasmodium parasites circulating in anophelines.

Upper respiratory infections in children: response to endonasal administration of IGA.

Children, 36, predisposed to frequent upper respiratory infections were treated with endonasal administration of an IgA enriched preparation or placebo in a randomized double blind trial. We found a reduction in the number of infectious episodes and in the number of enlarged regional lymph nodes. Also, an increase of IgA levels in saliva in the treated group was observed, probably not only due to the effect of IgA supplementation, but also to an immunoregulatory effect on the mucosa caused by the preparation administered.