Objectives In the state of Amazonas, northern Brazil, cryptococcosis is endemic, with a predominance of Cryptococcus neoformans in individuals with HIV/AIDS, and Cryptococcus gattii VGII in non‐HIV individuals. This study analysed the clinical isolates and clinical–epidemiological characteristics of HIV/AIDS patients diagnosed with cryptococcosis in a tertiary healthcare facility in Manaus, Amazonas and investigated the presence of agents of cryptococcosis in environmental samples. Methods A survey was made of data from HIV/AIDS patients diagnosed with cryptococcosis between January 2017 and December 2019, and environmental samples were collected at the patients’ and their neighbours’ homes. The isolates were submitted to morphophysiological analysis and PCR‐RFLP typing to determine the molecular types. Results Clinical–epidemiological characteristics of 55 patients and 75 clinical isolates were analysed. Neurocriptococcosis was the clinical form observed in 98.2% (n = 54/55) of patients. A total of 38.1% (n = 21/55) of patients died within 100 weeks, of which 21.8% (n = 12/55) died less than a month after the diagnosis of cryptococcosis. C. neoformans VNI (n = 68/75), C. neoformans VNII (n = 1/75), C. gattii VGI (n = 3/75) and C. gattii VGII (n = 3/75) were identified. Mixed infection was observed in two patients, one by C. neoformans VNI and VNII and the other by C. neoformans VNI and C. gattii VGI. Cryptococcus VNI was detected in three (n = 3/51) households, one of a patient (n = 1/17) and two households that neighbour patients’ houses (n = 2/34). Conclusions This study demonstrated the prevalence of C. neoformans VNI, which is a cause of cryptococcosis in patients with HIV/AIDS in the state of Amazonas, and revealed a greater diversity of molecular types affecting these patients in the region than in previous studies. In the studied group, a high mortality rate was observed, which reflects the importance of early diagnosis, and evidences cryptococcosis as an AIDS‐defining disease and an important public health problem in the region. The home environment proved to be a potential source of infection/reinfection by C. neoformans VNI.
Considerando-se o desenvolvimento de produtos utilizando matéria-prima regional, foram extraídos e caracterizados os amidos de Dioscorea alata L. e D. altissima Lam. Os parâmetros analisados foram rendimento, composição, morfologia e tamanho dos grânulos, composição físico-química, propriedades tecnológicas, toxicidade in vitro e análise microbiológica. Rendimento significativo (8,57%) foi observado em D. altissima. Amido disponível (75,02%), total (84,63%) e amilose (19,15%) foram maiores em D. alata. Amido resistente (10,10%) e amilopectina (82,09%) foram superiores em D. altissima. O pH e a acidez não variaram entre as amostras. A atividade de água foi menor em D. alata. Baixos teores de umidade, cinzas, lipídios, proteínas, fibras e alto conteúdo de carboidratos foram determinados. Os amidos não apresentaram citotoxicidade e nem contaminação microbiana. Os grânulos do amido de D. altissima são esféricos e significativamente maiores. Nos amidos de D. alata e de D. altissima, predominam, respectivamente, macro e microminerais. Absorção de água (85,73 g 100g-1), óleo (67,13 g 100g-1), estabilidade da espuma (100%) e claridade da pasta (2,87%) foram maiores em D. alata. A capacidade de inchamento (4,07 g g-1) e a densidade aparente (0,87g mL-1) foram superiores em D. altissima. Os amidos estudados possuem propriedades tecnológicas com potencial para a indústria de alimentos e para a produção de embalagens.
Com os objetivos de verificar a influência do método de preservação na atividade de metabólitos secundários e de selecionar espécies de Aspergillus como fontes de compostos com atividade antimicrobiana, foi feito um estudo com Aspergillus da coleção de culturas do Departamento de Parasitologia da Universidade Federal do Amazonas (DPUA/UFAM). As linhagens foram reativadas e a sua viabilidade foi confirmada com base nas características morfológicas e nas estruturas de reprodução. A produção dos biocompostos foi feita em ágar extrato de levedura sacarose (yeast extrat sucrose – YES). Os extratos orgânicos etanólico, acetato de etila e hexânico foram testados pelo método de difusão em ágar por poço contra Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli e Candida albicans. Os extratos que apresentaram antibiose neste teste foram analisados por bioautografia de imersão, sendo determinadas as concentrações mínimas inibitórias pelo método de microdiluição em caldo. O método de preservação em água destilada promoveu maiores estabilidade e pureza das culturas dos Aspergillus, independentemente do tempo de armazenamento, em comparação ao método de conservação em óleo mineral, sobretudo em relação ao fenômeno do pleomorfismo. Os dados aqui apresentados mostraram que, em condições in vitro, espécies de Aspergillus sintetizam compostos com atividade antibacteriana e antifúngica para inibir o crescimento de S. aureus, E. coli e C. albicans, preservados em água destilada, mesmo que por diferentes períodos.
Films and coatings based on natural polymers are used to conserve nutritional quality of fruits, vegetables and also delay their ripening. The purpose of this study was to develop films with starch extracted from Dioscorea altissima Lam. (dunguey) incorporated with silver nanoparticles for coating and preserving fruits. The films obtained by cast were characterized visually, by Scanning Electron Microscope, by Atomic Force Microscopy, by X-Ray Diffraction and by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Antimicrobial activity and technological properties were also evaluated. The coating of camu-camu fruits [Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh] was carried out by immersing them in the filmogenic solution, followed by their physicochemical and microbiological analysis. The films with silver nanoparticles showed transparency, flexibility, spherical clusters and a higher average roughness. A reduction in thickness, solubility and water vapor permeability was also observed. Antimicrobial action against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was proved as well. The fruits coated with films exhibited delay in ripening, with maintenance of quality and longevity. Uncoated fruits showed greater wilting and wrinkling. The starch film incorporated with silver nanoparticles was effective for preserving camu-camu fruit.
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