Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a fungal infection with high mortality and morbidity rates. This disease is caused by several Aspergillus species and affects patients with an underlying respiratory condition. This pilot study aims to recognize CPA among patients with different respiratory diseases. Twenty-one out of 47 patients were classified as CPA based on the examination of clinical signs and symptoms, radiological findings, mycological culture of respiratory samples and analysis of Aspergillus IgG antibodies. There was a close association between high levels of Aspergillus IgG antibodies and the presence of cavities. Although Aspergillus flavus was the predominant species among clinical isolates, the number of isolates was small to reach conclusions on the prevalence of this species as main cause of CPA in Cuba. From the eleven evaluable patients for the treatment with itraconazole (Lozartil®), nine improved their health status while two did not show any recovery. This drug is included in the therapy schemes for aspergillosis in Cuba.
Background: The global burden of infections due to Candida and the emerging resistance to antifungals has led to the search for new therapeutic alternatives. The aim of the present work it was to evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of crude hydro-alcoholic extract of Petiveria alliacea L (HAEPAL) versus fluconazole against Candida isolates. Methods: In vitro antifungal activity was evaluated by broth microdilution method in front of 125 Candida isolates (60 C. albicans). Inoculum of 1.5×106 CFU/mL in sterile saline solution were incubated with five dilutions of the extract (128, 64, 32, 16 and 8 μg/mL). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was defined as the lowest concentration of HAEPAL showing ≤ 50% growth compared with the extract-free growth control estimated by counting the CFU/mL. Fluconazole susceptibility was assessed by ATB TM Fungus 3 and E-test according to manufacturer's instructions. Results: HAEPAL showed higher antifungal activity compared to fluconazole. Only four isolates (one C. albicans, one C. glabrata and two C. krusei) exhibited high MICs (≥ 64 μg/mL) compared to 34 (19 C. albicans and 15 Candida non-albicans) which showed resistance to fluconazole. Conclusion: These results show the antifungal potentiality of HAEPAL, which could become a potential alternative for Candida treatment.
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