BackgroundBiofilm production is an important mechanism for bacterial survival and its association with antimicrobial resistance represents a challenge for the patient treatment. In this study we evaluated the in vitro action of macrolides in combination with anti-pseudomonal agents on biofilm-grown Pseudomonas aeruginosa recovered from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients.ResultsA total of 64 isolates were analysed. The biofilm inhibitory concentration (BIC) results were consistently higher than those obtained by the conventional method, minimal inhibitory concentration, (MIC) for most anti-pseudomonal agents tested (ceftazidime: P = 0.001, tobramycin: P = 0.001, imipenem: P < 0.001, meropenem: P = 0.005). When macrolides were associated with the anti-pseudomonal agents, the BIC values were reduced significantly for ceftazidime (P < 0.001) and tobramycin (P < 0.001), regardless the concentration of macrolides. Strong inhibitory quotient was observed when azithromycin at 8 mg/L was associated with all anti-pseudomonal agents tested in biofilm conditions.ConclusionsP. aeruginosa from CF patients within biofilms are highly resistant to antibiotics but macrolides proved to augment the in vitro activity of anti-pseudomonal agents.

Dermatomycoses are among the most widespread and common superficial and cutaneous fungal infections in humans. There is an urgent need to develop efficient and non-toxic antimycotic agents with a specific spectrum of activity. Triterpenes have been demonstrated to exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including antifungal activities. In this study, through hemisynthesis, we aimed to obtain triterpene-isosteric molecules from betulinic and ursolic acids to improve the antifungal activity and spectrum of action of these compounds. Six compounds were resynthesized and tested against eleven mucocutaneous and cutaneous mycotic agents. The results of the susceptibility assays were expressed as the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). The MIC values of the piperazinyl derivatives of ursolic and betulinic acids that were active against pathogenic yeasts were in the range of 16-32 μg/mL and 4-16 μg/mL, respectively, whereas fungicidal effects were observed at concentrations ranging from 16 to 128 μg/mL and 8 to 128 μg/mL, respectively. The piperazinyl derivative of betulinic acid exhibited an antifungal profile similar to that of terbinafine and was the most effective derivative against dermatophytes. This strategy led to a promising candidate for the development of a new antifungal agent.

Minimally processed vegetables go through various steps during their preparation, with many modifications to their natural structure. However, they must maintain the same quality as the fresh produce. The aim of the present study was to quantify mesophilic and psychrotrophic microorganisms and total and faecal coliforms, and to assess the presence of Escherichia coli, parasites, and dirt material in ready-to-eat minimally processed vegetables. Fifty-six samples of minimally processed vegetables were analysed for the presence of mesophilic and psychrotrophic microorganisms by the plate-count method. Monthly means ranged from 4.7x10 5 to 1.6x10 8 CFU/g and from 7.9x10 6 to 2.7x10 8 CFU/g, respectively for mesophilic and psychrotrophic microorganisms. Coliforms were analysed by the multiple-tube method; total coliforms ranged from <3 to ≥ 2.4x10 4 MPN/g and faecal coliforms from <3 to 1.1x10 4 MPN/g. Escherichia coli was detected in eight samples. Out of 52 samples, eight (15.3%) contained oocysts of Eimeria spp.. Dirt matter, such as insect body parts and young mites, was also found. Contamination of faecal origin was observed in these samples, suggesting that either the sanitisation of the product was unsuccessful, or soil or irrigation water could be the source of these microorganisms.

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Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common vaginal infectious disease. The constant increase in the incidence of the disease may be associated with factors such as age, HIV infection, diabetes, use of hormonal contraceptive methods and cytopathological alterations. The aim of the study was to survey the prevalence of Candida sp. in cytopathology reports in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, in the period of 2005-2010. In this observational and retrospective study a total of 121,328 cytopathology reports (CR) of cytopathology were assessed in a period of 6 years. The mean age of patients was 35 years old. Of this total, 8,582 CR (7.1%) were positive for Candida sp. More than half of patients (53%) were using oral contraceptive. Alterations in the cervix were present in 49% of the cases. The continuity of epidemiological research is needed to monitor trends over the years to better understand the factors that predispose to VVC in Brazil.