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The search for new compounds with activity against Paracoccidioides, etiologic agents of Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), is extremely necessary due to the current scenario of the available therapeutic arsenal. Treatment is restricted to three classes of antifungals with side effects. Curcumin is a polyphenol with antifungal effects that is extracted from Curcuma longa. The present work aimed to evaluate the activity of curcumin in different species of Paracoccidioides and to evaluate the potential molecular targets of curcumin using computational strategies. In addition, interactions with classic antifungals used in the treatment of PCM were evaluated. Curcumin inhibits the growth of Paracoccidioides spp. exerting a fungicidal effect. The combination of curcumin with amphotericin B, co-trimoxazole, and itraconazole showed a synergistic or additive interaction. Molecular targets as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and isocitrate lyase were proposed based on in silico approaches. Curcumin affects the fungal plasma membrane and increases the production of reactive oxygen species. Therefore, curcumin is a good alternative for the treatment of PCM., (© 2021. Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia.)

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a serious health problem affecting numerous women around the world. Its treatment is based on antifungals which may not provide an effective cure because of the resistance presented by its etiological pathogens Candida spp. Candida albicans is the most prevalent species related to vulvovaginal candidiasis. Here, we evaluated the in vivo antifungal potential of thiosemicarbazide and thiosemicarbazide encapsulated within chitosan nanoparticles in a murine model of vulvovaginal candidiasis. The results demonstrated the antifungal capacity of free or nanoencapsulated thiosemicarbazide within chitosan to reduce the fungal load in the vaginal tissue of infected mice. In addition, histological analyses indicated the absence or a mild to moderate infection in thiosemicarbazide-treated groups. Statistical tests confirmed the existence of significant differences between the treated and the control groups. Therefore, our results suggest a potential application of thiosemicarbazide and encapsulated thiosemicarbazide as an alternative vulvovaginal candidiasis therapy.

The objective of this study was to characterize the clonal profile, virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance, particularly oxacillin resistance, of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from sheep milk. Milk samples were collected from all teats for the California Mastitis Test (CMT), somatic cell count, identification of S. aureus, investigation in these strains of genes encoding toxins (sea, seb, sec, sed, tst), biofilm (icaA, icaC, icaD, bap), leukocidin (luk-PV) oxacillin resistance by mecA gene detection and susceptibility testing (12 antibiotics). Messenger RNA expression was evaluated by RT-PCR in isolates carrying toxin and biofilm genes. Biofilm formation was also evaluated phenotypically by adherence to polystyrene plates. The clonal profile of S. aureus was investigated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. A total of 473 milk samples were collected from 242 animals on three farms and 20 S. aureus strains were isolated and none carried the mecA gene. The two sec gene-positive isolates and the isolates carrying the tst and luk-PV genes were positive by RT-PCR. Staphylococcus aureus isolated from the three flocks studied showed high susceptibility to the drugs tested and none was biofilm producer, indicating that biofilm formation was not a virulence factor causing infection by these strains. The typing of 17 S. aureus isolates revealed the presence of a common clone on the three farms studied, and the presence and expression of the sec and tst genes in one strain of this clone suggest the possible acquisition of virulence genes by this clone, a fact that is important for animal health and food hygiene.

The goal of this study was to perform a seroepidemiological investigation and to identify risk factors associated with infection of Chlamydophila abortus of sheep herds in the Brazilian state of Alagoas. The study was conducted with samples of 274 ewes with ages equal to or higher than 24 months in 25 herds and in 23 towns located in three regions of the state (Sertão, Agreste and Eastern Alagoas). Anti-C. abortus antibodies were detected using the microcomplement fixation test. The risk factors, were determined based on questionnaires consisting of objective questions, about the farmer and general characteristics of the herd like size, sanitary situation and reproductive management. Among 274 sera samples analyzed for C. abortus, 59 (21.5%) were positive with titers ≥32, 187 (68.3%) negative and 28 (10.2%) suspect with titers ≥16. In the 23 towns studied, 20 had positive animals. Among herds 21 (77.7%) of had positive animals. The only variable which appeared to be significant in the multivariate analysis was the region, and Sertão was the most significant (p<0.001; OR=3.48; T.I. 1.79 - 6.76). Results indicate that infection by Chlamydophila abortus is widespread on sheep farms in the State of Alagoas. Others studies, however, have to be conducted to isolate the agent in order to confirm the role of the bacteria is reproductive disturbances in sheeps. In addition to that, control and prophylactic measures along with health promoting programs have to be encouraged on the studied farms so that infection reates are reduced.

The clinical, anatomical and histopatological findings of glanders diagnosis in donkeys in the state of Pernambuco-Brazil are reported. The animals were euthanized and necropsied, and evaluated for lesions in respiratory and lymphatic systems, confirming the disease by isolation of Burkholderia mallei and Strauss test.