Envelope Protein in Differential Serodiagnosis of Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya Viruses: A Systematic Review.

Objectives: This systematic review was conducted to evaluate the applicability of the envelope (E) protein in the diagnosis of arboviruses.

Methods: This review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Five databases were explored (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, and IEDB).

"Antibacterial effect and possible mechanism of action of 1,3,4-oxadiazole in Staphylococcus aureus".

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the main etiological agents causing foodborne diseases, and the development of new antibacterial agents is urgent. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity and the possible mechanism of action of the 1,3,4-oxadiazole LMM6 against S. aureus.

Photodynamic inactivation by hypericin-P123 on azole-resistant isolates of the Trichophyton rubrum complex as planktonic cells and biofilm.

Introduction: The Trichophyton rubrum complex comprises the majority of dermatophyte fungi (DM) responsible for chronic cases of onychomycosis, which is treated with oral or topical antifungals. However, owing to antifungal resistance, alternative therapies, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), are needed. This study investigated the frequency of the T.

Photoactivity of hypericin: from natural product to antifungal application.

Considering the multifaceted and increasing application of photodynamic therapy (PDT), in recent years the antimicrobial employment of this therapy has been highlighted, because of the antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic, and antifungal activities that have already been demonstrated. In this context, research focussed on antimycological action, especially for treatment of superficial infections, presents promising growth due to the characteristics of these infections that facilitate PDT application as new therapeutic options are needed in the field of medical mycology. Among the more than one hundred classes of photosensitizers the antifungal action of hypericin (Hyp) stands out due to its ability to permeate the lipid membrane and accumulate in different cytoplasmic organelles of eukaryotic cells.

New approach to the use of propolis against dermatomycosis.

In recent years, propolis extract (PE) has demonstrated antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of a bioadhesive thermoresponsive system containing 16% propolis (BTSP 16%) against , , and . We also evaluated PE alone against the same strains.

Efficacy of Ebselen Against Invasive Aspergillosis in a Murine Model.

Invasive aspergillosis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality among invasive fungal infections. The search for new antifungal drugs becomes imperative when existing drugs are not able to efficiently treat these infections. Ebselen, is an organoselenium compound, already successfully approved in clinical trials as a repositioned drug for the treatment of bipolar disorder and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss.

Fungicidal Activity of a Safe 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Derivative Against .

is the most common species isolated from nosocomial bloodstream infections. Due to limited therapeutic arsenal and increase of drug resistance, there is an urgent need for new antifungals. Therefore, the antifungal activity against and in vivo toxicity of a 1,3,4-oxadiazole compound (LMM6) was evaluated.

Different expression levels of and genes contribute to recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis by .

To study the behavior of in women with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), recurrent VVC (RVVC) and asymptomatic (AS), regarding adhesion on HeLa cells and their ability to express secreted aspartic proteinases () genes, agglutinin-like sequence () genes and . The adhesion of to HeLa cells was evaluated by colony-forming units, and the expressed genes were evaluated by qRT-PCR. AS and VVC isolates showed greater ability to adhere HeLa cells when compared with RVVC isolate.

Nanoencapsulated hypericin in P-123 associated with photodynamic therapy for the treatment of dermatophytosis.

The antifungal application of photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been widely explored. According to superficial nature of tinea capitis and the facility of application of light sources, the use of nanoencapsulated hypericin in P-123 associated with PDT (P123-Hy-PDT) has been a poweful tool to treat this pathology. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of P123-Hy-PDT against planktonic cells and in a murine model of dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis.

Development and in vitro evaluation of buccal mucoadhesive films for photodynamic inactivation of Candida albicans.

Candidiasis is one of the most common diseases that occur in the oral cavity, caused mainly by the species Candida albicans. Methylene blue (MB) has a potential for microbial photoinactivation and can cause the destruction of fungi when applied in Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). Mucoadhesive films are increasingly being studied as a platform for drug application due to their advantages when compared to other pharmaceutical forms.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis in a murine model of diabetes emphasizing the invasive ability of etiological agents.

To compare the pathogenesis of vulvovaginal candidiasis by three species in diabetic mice. Estrogenized and diabetic mice were challenged with , and . Diabetic animals infected with and maintained the highest fungal burden, despite of high levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α), respectively.

Two New 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles With Effective Antifungal Activity Against .

infections have become a serious public health problem with high mortality rates, especially in immunocompromised patients, since is the major opportunistic pathogen responsible for systemic or invasive candidiasis. Commercially available antifungal agents are restricted and fungal resistance to such drugs has increased; therefore, the development of a more specific antifungal agent is necessary. Using assays for antifungal activity, here we report that two new compounds of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles class (LMM5 and LMM11), which were discovered by methodologies as possible thioredoxin reductase inhibitors, were effective against .

Serial Systemic Infection Highlighted by Proteomics.

is the major pathogen isolated from nosocomial bloodstream infections, leading to higher mortality rates. Thus, due to its clinical relevance, studies aiming to understand host-pathogen interactions in infection are necessary. Therefore, we performed proteomic analysis using a murine model of serial systemic infection by to evaluate possible changes in the protein profile of the pathogen over time.

Repurposing approach identifies new treatment options for invasive fungal disease.

Drug repositioning is the process of discovery, validation and marketing of previously approved drugs for new indications. Our aim was drug repositioning, using ligand-based and structure-based computational methods, of compounds that are similar to two hit compounds previously selected by our group that show promising antifungal activity. Through the ligand-based method, 100 compounds from each of three databases (MDDR, DrugBank and TargetMol) were selected by the Tanimoto coefficient, as similar to LMM5 or LMM11.

Case Reports: Prolonged Detection of Zika Virus RNA in Vaginal and Endocervical Samples from a Brazilian Woman, 2018.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is an emerging public health problem, associated with increased risk for Guillain-Barré syndrome and adverse fetal outcomes, including congenital microcephaly. Zika virus sexual transmission is known, but detection of the virus in different parts of the female reproductive tract is not well established. In this case report, we describe prolonged detection of ZIKV RNA in the vaginal secretion and endocervical mucosa from a Brazilian woman convalescent to ZIKV infection.

Promising New Antifungal Treatment Targeting Chorismate Synthase from .

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), caused by , is a systemic mycosis with granulomatous character and a restricted therapeutic arsenal. The aim of this work was to search for new alternatives to treat largely neglected tropical mycosis, such as PCM. In this context, the enzymes of the shikimate pathway constitute excellent drug targets for conferring selective toxicity because this pathway is absent in humans but essential for the fungus.

In vitro interaction of Candida tropicalis biofilm formed on catheter with human cells.

Candida tropicalis has emerged as one of the major Candida non-C. albicans species, in terms of epidemiology and virulence. Despite its virulence, C.

Thermal Magnetic Field Activated Propolis Release From Liquid Crystalline System Based on Magnetic Nanoparticles.

Intra-periodontal pocket drug delivery systems, such as liquid crystalline systems, are widely utilized improving the drug release control and the therapy. Propolis is used in the treatment of periodontal diseases, reducing the inflammatory and infectious conditions. Iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) can improve the treatment when an alternating external magnetic field (AEMF) is applied, increasing the local temperature.

Healthcare workers' hands as a vehicle for the transmission of virulent strains of Candida spp.: A virulence factor approach.

Background: Although the majority of Candida infections are thought to come from endogenous sources, the healthcare workers' (HCWs) hands are being increasingly reported as vehicles for the transmission of pathogens. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the susceptibility of yeast isolated from the HCWs' hands and ICU (Intensive Care Unit) surfaces to antifungal agents and to determine the virulence potential and the genetic similarity between the same.

Methods: The susceptibility of yeasts from the HCWs' hands (n = 57) and ICU surfaces (n = 98) to conventional antifungals (fluconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B and micafungin) was evaluated using the broth microdilution assay accordance with CLSI M27-A3.

Overview of β-Glucans from Laminaria spp.: Immunomodulation Properties and Applications on Biologic Models.

Glucans are a group of glucose polymers that are found in bacteria, algae, fungi, and plants. While their properties are well known, their biochemical and solubility characteristics vary considerably, and glucans obtained from different sources can have different applications. Research has described the bioactivity of β-glucans extracted from the algae of the genus, including in vivo and in vitro studies assessing pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, vaccine production, inhibition of cell proliferation, and anti- and pro-oxidant activity.

Virulence factors and genetic variability of vaginal Candida albicans isolates from HIV-infected women in the post-highly active antiretroviral era.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) in HIV-infected (HIV+) women is a serious public health problem. However, little is known about the virulence mechanisms of vaginal Candida albicans from HIV+ women in the post-highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era. Here, we report a comparative analysis of the expression of key virulence factors and genetic variability of 26 vaginal C.

Cell damage caused by vaginal Candida albicans isolates from women with different symptomatologies.

The present study aimed to characterize cell damage caused by vaginal Candida albicans isolates from women with different symptomatologies. It was evaluated 12 clinical isolates of C. albicans from vaginal samples: 4 from asymptomatic women (AS), 4 from women with a single episode of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and 4 from women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC).

Emergence of Candida glabrata in vulvovaginal candidiasis should be attributed to selective pressure or virulence ability?

Purpose: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is one of the most frequent female genital disorders and Candida glabrata is the second most common agent. Current study was aimed to study the susceptibility to antifungal agents of C. glabrata isolated from vaginal samples and some virulence attributes in order to better understand why this species is emerging as the main VVC agents.

Oxidative Stress Triggered by Apigenin Induces Apoptosis in a Comprehensive Panel of Human Cervical Cancer-Derived Cell Lines.

Recently, the cytotoxic effects of apigenin (4',5,7-trihydroxyflavone), particularly its marked inhibition of cancer cell viability both in vitro and in vivo, have attracted the attention of the anticancer drug discovery field. Despite this, there are few studies of apigenin in cervical cancer, and these studies have mostly been conducted using HeLa cells. To evaluate the possibility of apigenin as a new therapeutic candidate for cervical cancer, we evaluated its cytotoxic effects in a comprehensive panel of human cervical cancer-derived cell lines including HeLa (human papillomavirus/HPV 18-positive), SiHa (HPV 16-positive), CaSki (HPV 16 and HPV 18-positive), and C33A (HPV-negative) cells in comparison to a nontumorigenic spontaneously immortalized human epithelial cell line (HaCaT).

Highlights Regarding Host Predisposing Factors to Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: Chronic Stress and Reduced Antioxidant Capacity.

We studied host factors that could predispose women to develop recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC), including glycemia, insulin resistance, chronic stress, antioxidant capacity, overall immune status, local inflammation and vaginal microbiota. The presence of yeasts in vaginal culture was screened in 277 women, with or without signs and symptoms of VVC and RVVC. The presence of an inflammatory process and microbiota were analyzed through vaginal bacterioscopy and cervical-vaginal cytology, respectively.