Microbiota fúngica de passeriformes de cativeiros da Região Noroeste do Estado de São Paulo

Birds are hosts for a rich fungal microbiota which can act as potent pathogens for humans and other species of animals, causing thereby serious public health problems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the participation of birds kept in containers in the epidemiology of infectious diseases such as cryptococcosis and aspergillosis, thus verifying the maintenance and spread of pathogens in the environment. 36 samples of excretas of passeriformes were collected and were cultivated in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar 4% at room temperature and 37°C. The isolated fungal colonies were classified according to their morphological and staining characteristics. Subsequently, those in yeast form were peaked in Niger Agar, incubated at 30°C. In one sample showed growth of more than one type of colony and there was verified the presence of 25.0% of Penicillium spp., 19.4% of Trichosporon spp., 13.9% of C. gattii, 11.1% of C. neoformans, 11.1% of Candida spp., 8.3% of Rhizomucor spp., 8.3% of Aspergillus spp., 2.8% of Nigrospora spp. and 2,8% of Geotrichum spp. It can be conluded by the expost that birds shed continuously pathogenic microorganisms in their feces acting in definitive form in the infectious diseases ecoepidemiology.

Chitosan/Carbomer-based tablets containing Metronidazole for potential treatment of periodontal diseases

Mucoadhesive tablets with different mixtures of chitosan and carbomer homopolymer type B were prepared in order to obtain new formulations containing metronidazole for periodontal disease treatment. All tablets were characterized by swelling and erosion studies, ex vivo mucoadhesion force and in vitro drug release. The drug released mechanism was described by Korsmeyer-Peppas and Weibull models. Tablets containing increased amounts of chitosan presented higher swelling ability and the drug release was prolonged in the simulated saliva fluid. The mechanisms for the drug release from tablets were complex, including diffusion, swelling and erosion simultaneously. This kind of delivery system is suitable for formulating metronidazole mucoadhesive systems, representing a good alternative for the local treatment of periodontal diseases.

Fisiologia térmica e balanço hídrico em anfíbios anuros

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

Preliminary diagnosis of ophtalmological diseases through machine learning techniques

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

Novas alternativas terapêuticas para o tratamento da Criptococose: análogos de Resveratrol e microRNAs

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Primary cutaneous histoplasmosis developed in the penis of an immunocompetent patient

A 70-year-old male presenting a 3-month history of genital painless erythematous nodules in the balanopreputial sulcus was referred to our service. Histopathological exam presented a chronic dermatitis with epithelioid granulomas and Grocott staining revealed numerous fungal structures with a suggestive morphology of Histoplasma sp. Cultures evidenced Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum. Treatment with oral itraconazole led to complete remission of lesions.

Lignases Production and Partial Purification of Mnp from Brazilian Fungal Isolate in Submerged Fermentation

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Endophytic microorganisms isolated from coffee leaves, roots and branches as plant growth promoters and biocontrol agents of coffee leaf rust

Suppression of plant diseases and growth promotion due to the action of endophytic microorganisms has been demonstrated in several pathosystems. Experiments under controlled conditions involving 234 endophytic bacteria and fungi isolated from coffee leaves, roots and branches were conducted with the objective of evaluating the germination inhibition of Hemileia vastatrix urediniospores, the control of coffee leaf rust development in tests with leaf discs and on plastic bags seedling, and to promote growth of coffee seedlings. None of the fungal isolates induced plant growth or reduced disease severity. The bacterial isolates (identified by the fatty acids profile analysis) 85G (Escherichia fergusonii), 161G, 163G, 160G, 150G (Acinetobacter calcoaceticus) and 109G (Salmonella enterica) increased plant growth, the maximum being induced by 85G. This isolate produced in vitro phosphatase and indol acetic acid. In assay to control rust on coffee leaf disc, nine bacterial isolates, 64R, 137G, 3F (Brevibacillus choshinensis), 14F (Salmonella enterica), 36F (Pectobacterium carotovorum), 109G (Bacillus megaterium), 115G (Microbacterium testaceum), 116G and 119G (Cedecea davisae) significantly reduced disease severity, when applied 72 or 24h before challenging with the pathogen. In seedling tests most disease severity reduction was achieved by the isolates 109G and 119G. There was no correspondence between the organisms that promoted seedling growth and those that reduced rust severity on seedlings or leaf discs.

Efeito imunomodulatório e controle da infecção fúngica do extrato de alho (Allium sativum L.) em modelo murino de esporotricose

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeitos do extrato de Agave sisalana Perrine sobre a toxicidade ovariana e uterina, fertilidade e parâmetros fetais de ratas

Pós-graduação em Biociências - FCLAS

Emergence of Diseases From Wildlife Reservoirs

Interest in the epidemiology of emerging diseases of humans and livestock as they relate to wildlife has increased greatly over the past several decades. Many factors, most anthropogenic, have facilitated the emergence of diseases from wildlife. Some livestock diseases have ‘‘spilled over’’ to wildlife and then ‘‘spilled back’’ to livestock. When a population is exposed to an infectious agent, depending on an interaction of factors involving the host, agent, and environment, the population may be resistant to infection or may become a dead-end host, a spillover host, or a maintenance host. Each exposure is unique; the same species of host and agent may respond differently in different situations. Management actions that affect the environment and behavior of a potential host animal may allow the emergence of a new or as yet undetected disease. There are many barriers in preventing, detecting, monitoring and managing wildlife diseases. These may include political and legal hurdles, lack of knowledge about many diseases of wildlife, the absence of basic data on wildlife populations, difficulties with surveillance, and logistical constraints. Increasing interaction between wildlife and humans or domestic animals may lead to disease emergence and require innovative methods and strategies for disease surveillance and management in wildlife.

Report of the Poplar Working Group

Poplars consist of all species of the genus Populus, including cottonwoods, aspens, and the many interspecies hybrids in common use (Dickmann and Stuart 1983). Our working group focused on the fungal pathogens, arthropod herbivores, and weed competitors of Populus in the United States. However, bacterial and viral diseases of Populus are significant in Europe, and genetic engineering approaches toward their control or management are being studied. The key aspects of poplar biology important to understanding the use of pest resistance genes are described below.

Zoonotic Diseases in the Changing Arctic

Compatible with the biotic uniformity of northern regions, the occurrence of certain organisms which cause zoonotic diseases is general throughout the Arctic. In the past, most frequently affected by such diseases have been aboriginal peoples whose way of life involved encroachment upon naturally occurring parasite-host assemblages. Now, as changes take place in socioeconomic conditions in the Arctic, the importance of zoonotic diseases as a cause of morbidity may lessen among such peoples, but on the other hand, more nonaborigines may be affected. Although my remarks relate mainly to Alaska, again the biotic uniformity of the North seems to have its effect even with regard to man's activity, for similar changes are occurring throughout the arctic zone. Thus far, the natural environment has not been extensively disrupted at higher latitudes, and the arctic regions remain important for basic research in the natural history of zoonotic diseases. Because of the biotic peculiarities of these regions, conditions there especially favor the investigation of parasite-host relationships and the transmission of disease among the inhabitants. Significant benefit to the human population, in the temperate zone as well, can be expected to accrue from future studies in an undisturbed arctic wilderness.

Parasites and Diseases of Mullets (Mugilidae)

The following treatment of parasites, diseases and conditions affecting mullet hopefully serves several functions. It acquaints someone involved in rearing mullets with problems he can face and topics he should investigate. We cannot go into extensive illustrative detail on every species or group, but do provide a listing of most parasites reported or known from mullet and some pertinent general information on them. Because of these enumerations, the paper should also act as a review for anyone interested in mullet parasites or the use of such parasites as indicators about a mullet's diet and migratory behavior. Unfortunately, limited space prohibits us from presenting all the references used. The paper also deals with the public health aspects of eating or selling mullet, whether the product is to be raw, cooked, salted or smoked.

Emerging Marine Diseases: Climate Links and Anthropogenic Factors

Mass mortalities due to disease outbreaks have recently affected major taxa in the oceans. For closely monitored groups like corals and marine mammals, reports of the frequency of epidemics and the number of new diseases have increased recently. A dramatic global increase in the severity of coral bleaching in 1997-98 is coincident with high El Niño temperatures. Such climate-mediated, physiological stresses may compromise host resistance and increase frequency of opportunistic diseases. Where documented, new diseases typically have emerged through host or range shifts of known pathogens. Both climate and human activities may have also accelerated global transport of species, bringing together pathogens and previously unexposed host populations.