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Jan 2019 DOI 10.14302/issn.2643-0282.imsj-18-2448
Santiago Freitas e Silva KleberCorresponding author
Biological Sciences Institute, Federal University of Goiás, Brazil
Fungal infections increased substantially in the last years, becoming a relevant public health problem. Many of these infections account for high rates of morbidity and mortality. The emergence of resistant fungal clinical isolates have also motivate studies to find new antifungal therapies. Candida albicans is an oportunistic pathogen and affects a great number of immunocompromised patients worldwide. The marine ecosystem has been considered a rich source of bioactive metabolites due to the complexity and originality of its structures. Proteins and peptides from marine organisms have been shown to have antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, anticancer, antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Arenicins are antimicrobial peptides isolated from the marine lugworm Arenicola marina with 21 amino acid residues in a β-hairpin structure. Dihydrofolate reductase, exo-b-(1,3)-glucanase and sterol 14α-demethylase are essential C. albincas enzymes that take part in DNA, cell wall and membrane metabolism, respectively. The present study evaluates the interaction of arenicin with important enzymes of C. albicans related to cell wall, ergosterol and DNA metabolism in order to elucidate possible molecular targets. We showed through an in silico approach, that a single compound from a marine worm (A. marina), can bind to three C. albicans essential proteins. The interaction occurs in regions inside the active site or at least near, with amino acid residues evaluated as hot spots. Arenicin is a new promising antifugal drug. The next step is to investigate protein-protein interactions performed by DHFR, EBG and CYP51 and assess whether arenicin is able to disrupt essential interaction or not.
Sep 2024 DOI 10.14302/issn.2690-4721.ijcm-24-5126
D. N Girah.Corresponding author
The development of medical therapy and patients profile has led to a rise in the incidence of nosocomial fungal infection. The frequency of candidiasis has surged worldwide, and the prevalent of healthcare diseases are now Candida species. Candida species causes a range of human infections known as Candidiasis. The non-albicans Candida (NAC) species have recently superseded Candida albicans as significant opportunistic pathogens. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antifungal susceptibility of Candida species isolated from various Clinical samples in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A total of 206 clinical specimens from male and female patients of all ages were sampled in the Department of Microbiology, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, to investigate suspected Candida infections. The isolation and identification of Candida species was done by culture on SDA, Gram stain, sugar fermentation and phylogenetic profiling. Antifungal susceptibility pattern was done by Disc Diffusion method using Fluconazole, Ketoconazole, Miconazole, Nystatin and Itraconazole. The results showed that out of 206 specimens, 44 isolates (21.4%) were identified, with the majority (56.82%) from high vaginal swabs (HVS), followed by urine (31.82%) and oral swabs (11.36%). The age of patients ranged from four months to 73 years giving a Mean Age 1.86+ 0.344, with females (85.4%) outnumbering males (13.6%). Prevalence of Candida spp revealed Candida albicans (50%), Candida krusei (18.2%), Candida parapsilosis(11.4%), Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis (9.1%) respectively and Candida pelliculosa (2.2%), with C. albicans being the most prevalent. The antifungal susceptibility testing among the azoles showed that Fluconazole (79.5%) and Ketoconazole (77.3%) were most sensitive agents against isolates from HVS, urine and oral swabs respectively and Itraconazole (34.1%) was most resistant especially to those from oral swabs. This study highlights the increasing prevalence of NAC species over Candida albicans and the growing resistance of Candida isolates to commonly used antifungal drugs. Diagnosis of these species of Candida and sensitivity to antifungal agents are critical components to treatment, particularly for patients with severe underlying illnesses who are hospitalized.
Feb 2023 DOI 10.14302/issn.2576-6694.jbbs-22-4418
Mostafa M. Sabra SherifaCorresponding author
Saudi Arabia is rich in Juniperusprocera Hochst. ex Endl (Cupressaceae) as a medicinal plant. Its known as Arar, its present southwards, KSA. It's used as traditional medicine in the southwestern, KSA. The aim was according to "Saudi Arabian Customs" in using wild-plant extract for treatment and prevention of infectious-pathogens. That was to use Juniperusprocerafrom Ranyah, KSA to eliminate infectious-pathogens that were isolated from patients in the same area. This was the use may reduce the use of chemicals, as well it may be an alternative to chemotherapy. Practice included preparation of wild-plant extract, preparation of infectious-pathogens, interaction to wild-plant extract, and direct total cell count by "Bread Test". Juniperusprocera one crude concentration killed all infectious-pathogens during one day. Lower Juniperusprocera crude extract concentrations eliminated infectious-pathogens within more than one day. The mean number of dead sells / mL of Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp, and Streptococcus pyogenes were (84.9 / mL, 87.0 / mL, and 77.8 / mL). The mean percent of dead cells were (80.0%, 82.0%, and 73.4%). The meannumber of dead sells / mL of Salmonella sp., Shigella sp, and Escherichia coli were (72.6 / mL, 76.1 / mL, and 79.0 / mL). The mean percent of dead cells were (68.5%, 71.8%, and 74.5%). The mean number of Candida albicans dead sells / mL was 69.3 / mL, the mean percent of dead cells was 65.4%. It was concluded that found from the results, the Juniperusprocera extract was preferred "Saudi Arabian Customs" to be used in three quarter and one crude concentration, as the infectious-pathogens eliminating within one day. It was recommended that the Juniperusprocera extract will be used for herbal treatment according to "Saudi Arabian Customs". That will be remark and follow-up through the "Official Herbal Treatment Dept.". That will appropriate the doses will estimate for each patient to eliminate and protect against the infectious-pathogens.
Jun 2021 DOI 10.14302/issn.2474-3585.jpmc-21-3851
A. Njukeng PatrickCorresponding author
Global Health Systems Solutions, Douala, Cameroon
Background The rapid and ongoing spread of antimicrobial-resistant organisms threatens the ability to successfully prevent, control, or treat a growing number of infectious diseases in developed and developing countries. This study was designed to convey more insight on the profile of antimicrobial resistance and the capacity of laboratories conducting antimicrobial susceptibility testing in Cameroon. Methods A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2019 to March 2020 in the Deido Health District. Laboratories that carry out culture and sensitivity testing within the Deido Health District were identified and assessed to determine their capacity as well as the quality of results from microbiological investigations. Information on antimicrobial susceptibility of various isolates was collected using tablet phones in which the study questionnaires had been incorporated. Results Gaps identified in antimicrobial susceptibility testing that cut across laboratories included; insufficient standard operating procedures, inadequate records on personnel training and competency assessment, lack of safety equipment such as biosafety cabinet, stock out and non-participation in external quality assurance program. The turnaround time for antimicrobial susceptibility testing ranged from 3 – 7 days. Out of the 1797 samples cultured, 437(24.3%) had at least one isolate. A total of 15 different isolates were identified with Candida albicans being the most frequent 178 (40.7%), followed by Escherichia coli 80(18.3%). Among the 15 classes of antimicrobial drugs used in this study, the overall resistance of the isolates showed that five classes had class median resistance above 40% (Cephalosporins, Penicillins, Beta-lactam, Macrolides, and Polyenes). Conclusion This study has shown the need to develop a coordinated national approach to fight antimicrobial resistance. Scaling-up of antimicrobial susceptibility testing will, therefore, require strengthening the microbiology units of laboratory systems as well as ensuring the use of laboratory data for decision making.