Importance of adhesins in virulence of Paracoccidioides spp.

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Use of anatomical, chemical, and molecular genetic characteristics in the quality control of medicinal species: a case study of sarsaparilla (Smilax spp.)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Systematics and distribution of freshwater Audouinella (Arochaetiaceae, Rhodophyta) in Brazil

Forty-five Brazilian populations of freshwater Audouinella were analysed using multivariate morphometrics. These populations were statistically related to seven type specimens. Five species are recognised on the basis of qualitative (plant colour and size, basal system type and branch angle) and quantitative (length and diameter of vegetative cells and monosporangia) characters. A. hermannii (syn. A. violacea) is characterised by a reddish colour, an irregular prostrate basal system, open branch angles (greater than or equal to 25 degrees) and small monosporangia (less than or equal to 15 mu m in diameter). A. macrospora (syn. A. chalybea var. brasiliensis) is distinguished from the other Brazilian species by having a bluish colour, a basal system composed of well-developed rhizoids, narrow branch angles (< 25 degrees) and large monosporangia (greater than or equal to 15 mu m in diameter). A. meiospora is microscopic and has a reddish colour, a basal system composed of creeping filaments, narrow branch angles and small monosporangia. A. pysmaea (syn. A. leibleinii) is characterised by being bluish, having an irregular prostrate basal system, narrow branch angles and small monosporangia. A, tenella is distinct from the other species by having a reddish colour, an irregular prostrate basal system, open branch angles, small monosporangia and small vegetative cells (less than or equal to 6 mu m in diameter). An identification key and revised descriptions and synonyms are presented for the five species. A. meiospora and A. tenella are reported for the first time for Brazil. A. macrospora and A. pygmaea were the most widespread species and occurred in tropical and subtropical regions. A. meiospora was found at two sites in a tropical rainforest region, whereas A. hermannii and A. tenella were found at only one site. Selected physical and chemical environmental data (temperature, specific conductance, current velocity, turbidity, pH and dissolved oxygen) are presented for most species.

Studies of natural killer cells in patients with paracoccidioidomycosis

The number and activity of natural killer (NK) cells were studied in 34 untreated patients with paracoccidioidomycosis, 20 with the chronic form of the disease and 14 with the acute form. NK cells were detected with monoclonal antibody Leu-11c and the cytotoxic activity was measured using a single cell assay against K562 target cells. Both groups of patients had an increased number of circulating NK cells, their cytotoxic activity being significantly lower than in the healthy controls. These findings may be of importance in the immunological disturbances associated with paracoccidioidomycosis since NK cells exert important immune effector functions and may play a role in resistance against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

Advances and challenges in paracoccidioidomycosis serology caused by Paracoccidioides species complex: an update

Understanding the possible methodologies for the rapid and inexpensive identification of fungal infections is essential for disease diagnosis, but there are some limitations. To help with this problem, serological methods that detect antigens or antibodies are widely used and are useful for the diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) through the detection of gp43, which is the main antigen employed for the immunodiagnosis of this disease caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. However, the use of gp43 has become restricted because it was recently found that this marker is not identified in the infections caused by Paracoccidioides lutzii. Therefore, it is necessary to identify new antigens in both species or antigens specific for P. lutzii to decrease the morbidity and/or mortality associated with PCM. This review provides a discussion of new diagnostic challenges after the recent discoveries regarding the taxonomy of the Paracoccidioides genus.

Neutrophil extracellular traps identification in tegumentary lesions of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis and different patterns of NETs generation in vitro

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Molecular identification of food sources in triatomines in the Brazilian northeast: roles of goats and rodents in Chagas disease epidemiology

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Chromosome aberrations in lymphocyte cultures from paracoccidioidomycosis patients

Blood cell lymphocyte chromosomes from untreated (UT) and clinically-cured (CC) patients with paracoccidioidomycosis and from healthy (control) people (CO) were studied. The frequency of aneuploid cells in the UT patients was higher than in the CC and CO individuals. The frequency of metaphase cells with premature centromere division was significantly higher in the UT than in the CC and CO group. No structural aberration and no statistically significant difference in the frequency of polyploidy was observed in the three groups studied. Our findings are indicative of an aneugenic (aneuploidy-inducing) action of infection by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

Manifestación bucal de paracoccidiodomicosis asociada a aspergilosis: presentación de caso

Paracoccidioidomycosis and aspergillosis are, respectively, mycosis caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Aspergillus fumigatus fungi, which, most frequently, attack the lungs and later spread to other body regions. The association between both mycosis is rare in patients that do not present immunosuppression. A 49-year-old man presented with oral lesion, besides lesions on palatum, retromolar and oropharyngeal regions. Histopathological and microbiological exams confirmed the diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis associated to aspergillosis. Historically, fungi have been considered as the cause of relatively important infections, but, in the last years, a significant increase of diseases caused by fungi is evidenced. The recognition of the etiological agent in culture is important for the suitable treatment, once these fungi can cause irreversible damages or even death. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate, through the case of a patient who presented both mycosis associated, the need of complementary exams for the diagnosis of oral diseases, when routine laboratorial exams indicate the presence of another disease associated.

Interferência das plantas daninhas na produtividade e na qualidade tecnológica da cana-de-açúcar no manejo cana-crua e queimada

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Produção Vegetal) - FCAV

Estudos helmintológicos em quirópteros no bioma Amazônia

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)