Bioactive glasses (BG) incorporating antimicrobial agents can be effectively used against microorganisms. In this work, the in vitro effectiveness of silver-doped 58S BG (BGAg) against Leishmania species was studied. BG, BGAg1, and BGAg2 belonging to the system 58SiO 2 •(36-x) CaOÁ6P 2 O 5 ÁxAg 2 O, where x=0, 1, and 2 mol.% Ag, were synthesized via sol-gel, and characterized by scanning electron (SEM) and atomic force (AFM) microscopy, thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and surfaceenhanced Raman (Raman-SERS) spectroscopy. Cytotoxicity was assessed in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania braziliensis cultures were exposed to all groups, and C57BL/6 macrophages were infected by over metacyclic form L. amazonensis under the exposure of BGAg particles. SEM and AFM images showed an irregular and network arranged surface. TGA, XRD, FTIR, and RAMAN-SERS analyses confirmed silver inclusion within BG. None of the BG and BGAg presented toxicity. BGAg2 was effective in controlling promastigote forms under 150 and 300 lg/mL concentrations of both evaluated species. On macrophage invasion assay, BGAg2 presented reduction in metacyclic forms. For 72 hours, BGAg1 (150 lg/mL), BGAg1 (300 lg/
The aim of this study was to develop polymeric nanofibers for controlled administration of Amphotericin B (AmpB), using the solution centrifugation technique, characterizing its microstructural and physical properties, release rate, and activity against Leishmania and Candida species. The core-shell nanofibers incorporated with AmpB were synthesized by Solution Blow Spinning (SBS) and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry, X-Ray diffraction, and drug release assay. In vitro leishmanicidal and antifungal activity were also evaluated. Fibrous membranes with uniform morphology and smooth surfaces were produced. The intensity of the diffraction peaks becomes slightly more pronounced, assuming the increased crystallization in PLA/PEG at high AmpB loadings. Drug release occurred and the solutions with nanofibers to encourage greater incorporation of AmpB showed a higher concentration. In the results of the experiment with promastigotes, the wells treated with nanofibers containing concentrations of AmpB at 0.25, 0.5, and 1%, did not have any viable cells, similar to the positive control. Various concentrations of AmpB improved the inhibition of fungal growth. The delivery system based on PLA/PEG nanofibers was properly developed for AmpB, presenting a controlled release and a successful encapsulation, as well as antifungal and antileishmanial activity.
Aim: To measure the agreement of methods for identification of Candida species in oral cavity samples, comparing the CHROMagar Candida, microculture, API 20C AUX and RAPD techniques. Methods: Ninety-one colonies of Candida were isolated and presumptively identified in CHROMagar Candida, submitted to microculture, API 20C AUX and RAPD techniques. After this, agreement among methods using Kappa test was performed. Results: Agreement rates between RAPD and CHROMagar Candida, showed significant accuracy for C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. dubliniensis and C. krusei (Kappa: 0.760, 0.640, 0.416 and 0.360, respectively, p<0.05). Comparing RAPD results with microculture, the highest agreement was for C. albicans (Kappa: 0.851 -p<0.05) but no significant agreement for C. lusitaniae, C. krusei and C. guilliermondii was obtained (p>0.05). The agreement was significant for all identified species when RAPD (OPE-18) and API 20C AUX (p<0.05) were used. Critical levels of agreement between RAPD and microculture were observed when C. lusitaniae, C. krusei and C. guilliermondii were identified. Conclusions: API 20C AUX presented the best agreement with molecular random identification and CHROMagar showed good agreement for C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. dubliniensis and C. krusei identification.
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