Clonal outbreak of Candida vulturna in a paediatric oncology ward in Maranhão, Brazil.

Objective: To describe an outbreak due to Candida vulturna, a newly emerging Candida species belonging to the Candida haemulonii species complex in the Metschnikowiaceae family.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study we genotyped 14 C. vulturna bloodstream isolates, occurring in a 4-month-period in paediatric cancer patients in a Brazilian hospital.

Microbiological Analysis of Surgeons' Hands in a Public Hospital in São Luis, Maranhão State, Brazil: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Antisepsis of the hands of medical personnel is one of the most important steps in the process of patient care, since direct contact can cause the cross-transfer of potentially pathogenic microorganisms at surgical sites. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of microorganisms on the hands of 131 surgeons in a university hospital before the surgical procedure. Swabs were collected from each clinician's hands before and after handwashing.

Molecular Detection of Drug-Resistance Genes of and in Clinical Isolates of .

has caused high rates of mortality due to the appearance of strains with multidrug resistance (MDR) profiles. This study aimed to characterize the molecular profile of virulence and resistance genes in 99 isolates of recovered from different clinical specimens. The isolates were identified by the automated method Vitek2, and the antibiotic susceptibility profile was determined using different classes of antimicrobials.

Chromoblastomycosis in an Endemic Area of Brazil: A Clinical-Epidemiological Analysis and a Worldwide Haplotype Network.

Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a neglected implantation mycosis prevalent in tropical climate zones, considered an occupational disease that affects impoverished rural populations. This retrospective study described clinical aspects of CBM in a hyperendemic area in Brazil and constructed a worldwide haplotype network of spp. strains.

Phylogenetic and Molecular Profile of Isolated from Bloodstream Infections in Northeast Brazil.

is a notorious human pathogen associated with serious nosocomial and community-acquired infections, such as pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis, toxic shock syndrome, and sepsis, among others. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular profile, antimicrobial resistance, and clonal diversity of isolated from the bloodstream. The determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the antimicrobial was performed by an automated method.

New Molecular Markers Distinguishing Fonsecaea Agents of Chromoblastomycosis.

The species belonging to the genus Fonsecaea are the main causative agents of chromoblastomycosis. The invasive potential of Fonsecaea differs significantly among its various sibling species. Moreover, the lack of clarity on the virulence and availability of precise markers to distinguish and detect Fonsecaea species is attributed to the different ways of dissemination and pathogenicity.

Mixed secondary bacterial infection is associated with severe lesions of chromoblastomycosis in a neglected population from Brazil.

Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a chronic subcutaneous infection caused by melanotic fungi, affecting mainly rural workers in tropical and subtropical regions. Secondary bacterial infections (SBIs) in CBM lesions bring complications to the disease, but little is known about the agents involved. Fungal and bacterial identification and epidemiological profile of 50 patients with CBM were analyzed in this study.

Evaluation of the interaction between polymyxin B and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm and planktonic cells: reactive oxygen species induction and zeta potential.

Background: Although the most widely accepted mechanism of action for polymyxins is related to bacterial lysis via disruption, we hypothesized that this antimicrobial drug class could have other effects on Pseudomonas aeruginosa planktonic and sessile cells. Little is known regarding oxidative burst and zeta potential (ZP) data associated with the interaction between polymyxin B and P. aeruginosa cells.

Antifungal Drug Susceptibility of Species Isolated from HIV-Positive Patients Recruited at a Public Hospital in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.

Oropharyngeal candidiasis is the most common fungal infection in hospitalized patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Its progression results in invasive infections, which are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to quickly and accurately identify spp.

Phenotypic and molecular detection of the bla gene in clinical isolates from inpatients at hospitals in São Luis, MA, Brazil.

Background: Bacteria that produce Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPCs) are resistant to broad-spectrum β-lactam antibiotics. The objective of this study was to phenotypically and genotypically characterize the antibiotic susceptibility to carbapenems of 297 isolates recovered from clinical samples obtained from inpatients at 16 hospitals in São Luis (Maranhão, Brazil).

Methods: The study was conducted using phenotypic tests and molecular methods, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR.

Molecular Epidemiology of Agents of Human Chromoblastomycosis in Brazil with the Description of Two Novel Species.

The human mutilating disease chromoblastomycosis is caused by melanized members of the order Chaetothyriales. To assess population diversity among 123 clinical strains of agents of the disease in Brazil we applied sequencing of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region, and partial cell division cycle and β-tubulin genes. Strains studied were limited to three clusters divided over the single family Herpotrichiellaceae known to comprise agents of the disease.

Isolation and identification of Candida species in patients with orogastric cancer: susceptibility to antifungal drugs, attributes of virulence in vitro and immune response phenotype.

Background: Because of the inherent immunosuppression of cancer patients opportunistic infections by Candida spp, occur frequently. This study aimed to identify Candida species in the oral mucosa of 59 patients with orogastric cancer (OGC) and to analyze the immunological phenotype of these patients.

Methods: The yeasts were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS).

Clinical significance of the isolation of Candida species from hospitalized patients.

In this study, we isolated and phenotypically identified 108 yeast strains from various clinical specimens collected from 100 hospitalized patients at three tertiary hospitals in São Luís-Maranhão, Brazil, from July to December 2010. The isolates were analyzed for their susceptibility to four of the most widely used antifungal agents in the surveyed hospitals, amphotericin B, fluconazole, 5-flucytosine and voriconazole. The species identified were Candida albicans (41.

Fonsecaea pugnacius, a Novel Agent of Disseminated Chromoblastomycosis.

We report a fatal case of a chromoblastomycosis-like infection caused by a novel species of Fonsecaea in a 52-year-old immunocompetent Caucasian male from an area of chromoblastomycosis endemicity in Brazil. The patient had a 30-year history of slowly evolving, verrucous lesions on the right upper arm which gradually affected the entire arm, the left hemifacial area, and the nose. Subsequent dissemination to the brain was observed, which led to death of the patient.

Squamous cell carcinoma derived from chronic chromoblastomycosis in Brazil.

Background: Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a chronic fungal infection caused mainly by the melanized fungi Fonsecaea species. The chronic lesions may be predisposed to develop into cancer, the most serious complication of the disease.

Methods: In this report, 7 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) resulting from chronic CBM in patients from Maranhão in the Brazilian Amazon are described.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing enterobacteriaceae in community-acquired urinary tract infections in São Luís, Brazil.

The number of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in community-acquired urinary tract infections worldwide is probably underestimated because of the technical difficulties encountered with their detection. In this study, out of 5,672 urine samples analyzed, 916 were positive for uropathogens, 472 of them being enterobacteria of which 7.6% produced β-lactamases.

Ants in a hospital environment and their potential as mechanical bacterial vectors.

Introduction: We studied the richness and abundance of ant species, their bacteria and the bacteria isolated from patient clinical samples.

Methods: Ants were collected with baited traps at 64 sites in a public hospital in São Luis, State of Maranhão, Brazil.

Results: In total, 1,659 ants from 14 species were captured.

Phenotypic detection of metallo-β-lactamases in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from hospitalized patients in São Luis, State of Maranhão, Brazil.

Introduction: Acquired metallo-β-lactamases (MβL) are emerging determinants of resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. The objectives of this study were to phenotypically detect MβL in imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa and A.

Nosocomial infection and characterization of extended-spectrum β-lactamases-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Northeast Brazil.

Introduction: Extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) are enzymes that degrade β-lactam antibiotics and have been reported to be an important cause of nosocomial infection in worldwide.

Methods: During 2009, 659 enterobacteria strains were isolated from different clinical specimens and tested for ESBL production. The disk approximation test, combined disk method and addition of clavulanic acid were used for phenotypic detection of the ESBL-producing strains and PCR for detection of the bla(TEM) and bla(CTX-M) genes.

Fonsecaea pedrosoi infection induces differential modulation of costimulatory molecules and cytokines in monocytes from patients with severe and mild forms of chromoblastomycosis.

The host defense mechanism in chromoblastomycosis has not been thoroughly investigated. It has been suggested that cell-mediated immunity in patients with long-standing chromoblastomycosis is somehow impaired. As a result, these individuals became unable to develop an efficient immune reaction.

Isolation of Fonsecaea pedrosoi from the shell of the babassu coconut (Orbignya phalerata Martius) in the Amazon region of Maranhão Brazil.

Fonsecaea pedrosoi, a dematiaceous fungus and the main causative agent of chromoblastomycosis, has been isolated in worldwide from different natural sources in regions where the disease is endemic. In the Amazon region of Maranhão, Brazil, where the disease is prevalent, the breaking of the babassu coconut (Orbignya phalerata Martius) represents an important agricultural activity. In order to determine the presence of this fungus on this plant and on other natural substrates, material was collected in the Fortaleza Village Municipality of Pinheiro, Maranhão, in April and September 2002.