Candida Krusei Research Articles

Effectiveness of ceiling-mounted ultraviolet-C lamps: An experimental study in a biocontainment unit of a tertiary care hospital

We aimed to evaluate the performance of ceiling-mounted UV-C lamps. This study was conducted in an empty room with UV-C lamps in the biocontainment unit of a tertiary care hospital in South Korea. Each pathogen (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida krusei, Bacillus cereus, and Mycobacterium peregrinum) was inoculated on blood agar plates and placed in 20 selected places from the UV-C lamp, and irradiation was applied for 15 min. As a control group, the bacterial solution was diluted 10,000 times and UV was not applied. A mean ± SD of 5.95 ± 0.91 log reduction was observed with UV irradiation compared with the control. The log reduction was greatest for S. aureus [median, 7.05 (IQR, 6.49-7.26)] and least for M. peregrinum [median, 4.88 (IQR, 4.58-5.24)]. The degree of log reduction was inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the UV-C lamp (R2 = -0.12, P<.001). In this study, ceiling-mounted UV-C demonstrated effective disinfection of at least 4-log reduction of the test organisms within a 4-m distance. Mounted UV-C lighting is a considerable option for improving surface disinfection.

Inhibition of the morphological transition of Candida spp. by riparins I-IV.

Candida spp. is an opportunistic pathogen capable of causing superficial to invasive infections. Morphological transition is one of the main virulence factors of this genus and, therefore, is an important variable to be considered in pharmacological interventions. Riparins I, II, III, and IV are alkamide-type alkaloids extracted from the unripe fruit of Aniba riparia, whose remarkable pharmacological properties were previously demonstrated. This work aimed to evaluate in silico and in vitro the inhibitory effects of Riparins on the morphological transition of Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei. Molecular docking was applied to analyze the inhibitory effects of riparins against proteins such as N-acetylglucosamine, CYP-51, and protein kinase A (PKA) using the Ramachandran plot. The ligands were prepared by MarvinSketch and Spartan software version 14.0, and MolDock Score and Rerank Score were used to analyze the affinity of the compounds. In vitro analyses were performed by culturing the strains in humid chambers in the presence of riparins or fluconazole (FCZ). The morphology was observed through optical microscopy, and the size of the hyphae was determined using the ToupView software. In silico analysis demonstrated that all riparins are likely to interact with the molecular targets: GlcNAc (>50%), PKA (>60%), and CYP-51 (>70%). Accordingly, in vitro analysis showed that these compounds significantly inhibited the morphological transition of all Candida strains. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that riparins inhibit Candida morphological transition and, therefore, can be used to overcome the pathogenicity of this genus.

Disclosing the Antifungal Mechanisms of the Cyclam Salt H4[H2(4-CF3PhCH2)2Cyclam]Cl4 against Candida albicans and Candida krusei.

Mycoses are one of the major causes of morbidity/mortality among immunocompromised individuals. Considering the importance of these infections, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined a priority list of fungi for health in 2022 that include Candida albicans as belonging to the critical priority group and Pichia kudriavzevii (Candida krusei) to the medium priority group. The existence of few available antifungal drugs, their high toxicity, the acquired fungal resistance, and the appearance of new species with a broader spectrum of resistance, points out the need for searching for new antifungals, preferably with new and multiple mechanisms of action. The cyclam salt H4[H2(4-CF3PhCH2)2Cyclam]Cl4 was previously tested against several fungi and revealed an interesting activity, with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 8 µg/mL for C. krusei and of 128 µg/mL for C. albicans. The main objective of the present work was to deeply understand the mechanisms involved in its antifungal activity. The effects of the cyclam salt on yeast metabolic viability (resazurin reduction assay), yeast mitochondrial function (JC-1 probe), production of reactive oxygen species (DCFH-DA probe) and on intracellular ATP levels (luciferin/luciferase assay) were evaluated. H4[H2(4-CF3PhCH2)2Cyclam]Cl4 induced a significant decrease in the metabolic activity of both C. albicans and C. krusei, an increase in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production, and an impaired mitochondrial function. The latter was observed by the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane and decrease in ATP intracellular levels, mechanisms that seems to be involved in the antifungal activity of H4[H2(4-CF3PhCH2)2Cyclam]Cl4. The interference of the cyclam salt with human cells revealed a CC50 value against HEK-293 embryonic kidney cells of 1.1 μg/mL and a HC10 value against human red blood cells of 0.8 μg/mL.

The fungicidal effectiveness of 2-Chloro-3-hydrazinylquinoxaline, a newly developed quinoxaline derivative, against Candida species.

Candida represents a prevalent fungal infection, notable for its substantial implications on morbidity and mortality rates. In the landscape of prospective treatments, quinoxaline derivatives emerge as a category of compact compounds exhibiting notable potential in addressing infections. These derivatives showcase promising antimicrobial efficacy coupled with favorable pharmacokinetic and safety characteristics. The central aim of this investigation was to examine the antifungal characteristics of 2-Chloro-3-hydrazinylquinoxaline against diverse strains of Candida and Aspergillus in vitro. Additionally, we endeavored to assess the in vivo efficacy of 2-Chloro-3-hydrazinylquinoxaline using a murine model for oral candidiasis induced by C. albicans cells ATCC 10231. 2-Chloro-3-hydrazinylquinoxaline demonstrated noteworthy effectiveness when tested against various reference strains of Candida species. It exhibited heightened efficacy, particularly against Candida krusei isolates. However, its performance against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida auris isolates exhibited variability. Notably, 2-Chloro-3-hydrazinylquinoxaline manifests variable efficacy against Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus and Aspergillus flavus and no effect against Aspergillus brasiliensis. In a murine model, 2-Chloro-3-hydrazinylquinoxaline exhibited significant efficacy in combating the C. albicans cells ATCC 10231 strain, underscoring its potential as a viable treatment option. 2-Chloro-3-hydrazinylquinoxaline has demonstrated substantial potential in effectively addressing various Candida and Aspergillus species, showcasing dual attributes of antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. However, to attain a more comprehensive understanding of its therapeutic capabilities, further investigations, incorporating additional tests and experiments, are imperative.

Prevalence of Uropathogens and Associated Risk Factors in Urinary Tract Infection in Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in a Teaching Hospital in Awka, Nigeria

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the very serious common problems encountered in pregnancy, and it is associated with severe maternal and fetal risks which include maternal chorioamnionitis, pyelonephritis, cystitis, preterm birth, low birth weight, and increased perinatal mortality if untreated. The prevalence of UTI varies worldwide. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of uropathogens and associated risk factors in UTI in pregnant women in Awka, Nigeria. This was a cross sectional study that involved 269 pregnant women. Clean-catch mid-stream morning urine specimens were collected and examined macroscopically, microscopically and bacteriologically. Information on Socio-demographic characteristics and some clinical factors were collected using pre-designed questionnaires. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22 and the p-value was set at P=0.05. A total of 118 isolates were obtained and the prevalence of UTI in the study population was 39.8%. The most predominant bacterium was Enterococcus faecalis 34(29%), followed by Escherichia coli 21(17.8%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 15(12.7%), Staphylococcus aureus 10(8.4%), Staphyloccocus saprophyticus 7(6.0%), Enterobacter cloacae 6(5.1%), and Staphyloccocus epidermidis 4(3.4%). Citrobacter freundii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis occurred at frequency of 3(2.5%) each while Pseudomonas oryzihabitans and Morganella morganii occurred at 2(1.7%) each. Candida species were also isolated, including Candida albicans 4(3.4%), Candida krusei 3(2.5%) and Candida guilliermondii 1(0.8%). None of the socio-demographic variables were statistically associated with UTI. Teachings on personal hygiene during every antenatal visit can help prevent UTI in pregnant women.

In Vitro and In Silico Biological Evaluation of the Essential Oil from Syzigium cumini Leaves as a Source of Novel Antifungal and Trichomonacidal Agents

As microbes develop resistance to various drugs, the treatment of infections becomes increasingly challenging, leading to prolonged illness, heightened severity of infections, elevated mortality rates, and increased healthcare costs. Essential oils are lipophilic and volatile mixtures of compounds that have gained attention in research for novel antimicrobial agents. Therefore, the present study evaluated the essential oil of Syzygium cumini leaves (EOSC) in order to prospect its antifungal and trichomonacidal activities. The essential oil from the leaves was extracted by steam distillation and analyzed by GC-MS. Antifungal activity was evaluated using the serial microdilution method. Additionally, the potential of the EOSC as an enhancer of fluconazole (FCZ) action was tested at subinhibitory concentrations. To assess anti-Trichomonas vaginalis activity, concentrations ranging from 15.6 to 500 μg/mL of EOSC were tested. Finally, the SwissADME platform was employed to analyze the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characteristics of the major component of EOSC. The GC-MS analysis identified 94.24% of the components of EOSC, with α-pinene (51.11%) and nerol (8.25%) as major constituents. EOSC exhibited low antifungal activity against the evaluated Candida strains. However, the combination of EOSC and FCZ reduced the IC50 against Candida krusei from 45.29 to 0.30 μg/mL. EOSC also demonstrated significant activity against T. vaginalis (IC50 = 88.2 μg/mL). In silico prediction with α-pinene showed low toxic action and important physicochemical aspects for drug production. The essential oil of Syzygium cumini emerges as a promising candidate for the discovery of molecules with potential antifungal and anti-Trichomonas vaginalis applications.

Fluconazole-Loaded Ibuprofen In Situ Gel-Based Oral Spray for Oropharyngeal Candidiasis Treatment.

Oral candidiasis is a fungal infection affecting the oral mucous membrane, and this research specifically addresses on a localized treatment through fluconazole-loaded ibuprofen in situ gel-based oral spray. The low solubility of ibuprofen is advantageous for forming a gel when exposed to an aqueous phase. The 1% w/w fluconazole-loaded in situ gel oral sprays were developed utilizing various concentrations of ibuprofen in N-methyl pyrrolidone. The prepared solutions underwent evaluation for viscosity, surface tension, contact angle, water tolerance, gel formation, interface interaction, drug permeation, and antimicrobial studies. The higher amount of ibuprofen reduced the surface tension and retarded solvent exchange. The use of 50% ibuprofen as a gelling agent demonstrated prolonged drug permeation for up to 24h. The incorporation of Cremophor EL in the formulations resulted in increased drug permeation and exhibited effective inhibition against Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida lusitaniae, and Candida tropicalis. While the Cremophor EL-loaded formulation did not exhibit enhanced antifungal effects on agar media, its ability to facilitate the permeation of fluconazole and ibuprofen suggested potential efficacy in countering Candida invasion in the oral mucosa. Moreover, these formulations demonstrated significant thermal inhibition of protein denaturation in egg albumin, indicating anti-inflammatory properties. Consequently, the fluconazole-loaded ibuprofen in situ gel-based oral spray presents itself as a promising dosage form for oropharyngeal candidiasis treatment.

Distribution and Antifungal Resistance Profile of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Candida&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; spp. Isolated from Patients Living with HIV at the Yaoundé Central Hospital

Background and Purpose: Candidiasis are the most frequent fungal infection, especially in immunocompromised people such as patients living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV). Data on the fungal prevalence and antifungal resistance rate particularly in PLHIV in Cameroon are scarce. This study aimed to determine the distribution and the antifungal resistance profile of&amp;lt;i&amp;gt; Candida &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;spp. isolated from clinical samples of PLHIV visiting the laboratory service of the Yaoundé Central Hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on the PLHIV visiting the Central Hospital of Yaoundé laboratory service. Samples were collected according to the signs and symptoms recorded by the patient and inoculated onto Sabouraud + Chloramphenicol agar medium for 24 hours incubation at 35°C ± 2°C. Typical &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Candida&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; colonies were subjected to a germ tube test to identify &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Candida albicans&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; and the other species were identified biochemically using API Candida (BioMérieux). The antifungal susceptibility testing was carried out by the disk diffusion method and seven antifungal discs (Bioanalyse) were tested. Results: Overall, 106 unique samples were obtained from participants. The positivity rate of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Candida &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;spp. was 37.7%. &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Candida&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; isolates were mostly recovered from sputum (n=15/40) followed by the oral swabs (n=10/40) and the vaginal swabs (n=08/40). Out of the 40 isolates, &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Candida albicans&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; was the predominant species 57.5% followed by &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Candida krusei &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;15%, &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Candida glabrata &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Candida guilliermondii&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; 10% each and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Candida famata &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;7.5%. The antifungal drug resistance profile of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Candida&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; spp. revealed the highest resistance rates to Amphotericin B (95.0%), Fluconazole (57.5%) and Nystatin (42.5%). Conversely, Clotrimazole, Miconazole and Econazole were the most effective against &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Candida&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; spp. Conclusion: The high frequency of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Candida &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;spp. isolation, resistant to several commonly used antifungals among PLHIV in a hospital setting is a direct call for stakeholders, policymakers and clinicians about antifungal therapy awareness in this vulnerable population.

Characterization of the oral microbiota and the relationship of the oral microbiota with the dental and periodontal status in children and adolescents with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate. Systematic literature review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo identify the characteristics of the oral microbiota and the relationship of the dental caries and periodontal status in patients aged 0 to 18 years with non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (CLP).Materials and methodsA systematic review of the literature was carried out. Five databases were consulted, including publications in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The evaluations of the quality of the observational studies and the experimental studies were carried out with the Newcastle–Ottawa scale and CONSORT guidelines, respectively. The risk of bias of the studies was determined using Rev Manager 5.4, and 5 publications were meta-analyzed.ResultsThe cariogenic microbiota of children and adolescents with cleft lip and palate was similar to that of children without clefts, although with higher counts of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. The periodontopathogenic microbiota was related to the presence of Campylobacter spp, Fusobacterium spp, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia/nigrescens, Parvimonas micra and Porphyromonas gingivalis, considered microorganisms with high pathogenic capacity. Heterogeneity was shown in relation to the microbiota and the type of fissure, presenting numerous microorganisms associated with the pre- and post-surgical condition (cheilorrhaphy and palatorrhaphy) such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus beta hemolyticus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca, Moraxella catarrhalis, Candida spp, Candida albicans, Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis. The meta-analysis revealed that patients with cleft lip and palate were 2.03 times more likely to have caries than the control group (p<0.005).ConclusionIn the microbiota, there was a great diversity of microorganisms that can vary according to the type of fissure and surgical interventions predisposing patients to a greater probability of dental caries, it is important to take into account the technique used to describe the oral microbiota in order to be able to compare the different studies.Clinical relevanceStudying the microbiota and the relationship of dental caries and periodontal status in children and adolescents with cleft lip and palate can facilitate the comprehensive care of patients with these conditions.

Yarrowia lipolytica CMGB32 Biosurfactants Produced Using n-Hexadecane: Developing Strategies for Environmental Remediation

The yeast Yarrowia lipolytica degrades petroleum compounds, including alkanes, via the monoterminal oxidation pathway, the hydrophobic carbon substrate assimilation is mediated by biosurfactants, and extracellular amphiphilic molecules are produced by the yeast cell. This study focuses on the ability of the strain Y. lipolytica CMGB32 to degrade n-hexadecane by producing biosurfactants with high potential for bioremediation. The hydrocarbon-degrading potential of the yeast strain was observed via a 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCPIP) test in Bushnell–Hass medium with 1% n-hexadecane, and cell hydrophobicity was expressed as microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons (MATH). Biosurfactant production on yeast peptone (YP) with 1% n-hexadecane was estimated after 72 h using the emulsification index (E24%) against toluene. Crude biosurfactant (cell-free broth) stability tests were performed at different temperatures (4 °C, 70 °C) and NaCl concentrations (2–10%). The effects of a biosurfactant on synthetic wastewater remediation comprised the growth curves (OD measurements) of natural heavy metal degrader Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, determination of nutrients (spectrophotometrically), physico-chemical parameters, and removal capacity of lead and cadmium ions (via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry—ICP-MS). The antimicrobial and anti-adherence activities of 20 mg/mL and 40 mg/mL of the biosurfactant against pathogenic Candida krusei strains involved growth observations and the crystal violet microtiter method. The DCPIP decolorization occurred after six days, corresponding to the maximum growth phase of the Y. lipolytica culture. After 72 h, the cells presented high hydrophobicity (82.61% MATH) and stable biosurfactant production (E24% 47%). The crude biosurfactant (5%) increased the growth of R. mucilaginosa strains cultivated on synthetic wastewater cultures contaminated with Pb2+ and Cd2+, increased the conductivity and COD (86%) of the samples, and determined Pb2+ (66%) and Cd2+ (42%) ions reduction. The concentrated biosurfactant inhibited C. krusei growth (70%) and biofilm adherence. In conclusion, Y. lipolytica CMGB32 shows important potential for development of biosurfactant-based technologies for the remediation of heavy-metal- and emerging pathogen-contaminated wastewaters.

Investigation of the mutagenic, cytotoxic and antimicrobial effect of bikaverin mycotoxin

Bikaverin is a reddish pigment produced by different fungi species (Mycogone jaapii, Verticillium agaricinum, Beauveria bassiana, Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, Polyporus sulphureus), mainly of the Fusarium genus. Due to its pigment feature, bikaverin can be used as a dye in various fields in the industry. However, it is extremely important to study the mutagenic/genotoxic effects, cytotoxic effects and antimicrobial properties of bikaverin for application of industrial areas. In the study, the mutagenic, cytotoxic and antimicrobial effects of bikaverin were investigated. The mutagenic effect of bikaverin was studied with the Ames test. Salmonella typhimurium TA97a, TA98, TA100, TA102 and TA1535 strains were used in the test. Five different doses of bikaverin (0.075, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5 μg/plate) were tested against strains. It was determined that there was no mutagenic effect of bikaverin. The cytotoxicity of bikaverin was evaluated by MTT test on L929 fibroblast cell line. Bikaverin demonstrated no cytotoxic effect on L929 fibroblast cell line, according to cell viability calculations that showed &gt;73% for all concentrations (1, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, 0.075, 0.05, 0.025, 0.01, 0.005 and 0.001 μg/mL) examined. Bikaverin's IC50 value was determined to be 1.79±0.51 g/mL. The antimicrobial activity of the bikaverin was evaluated by using the microdilution method. Bikaverin was found to have antimicrobial effects on Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans and Candida krusei, as MIC values ranged from 1.25 -5 µg/ mL.

Prevalence of Candida species and their antifungal susceptibility patterns among patients in tertiary care setting Butwal, Nepal: A cross-sectional study

Background: Candida species, commonly present in the human body, can result in severe infections. Non-albicans Candida (NAC) species, with increasing antifungal resistance, pose a growing concern. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to evaluate candidiasis prevalence and antifungal susceptibility in isolated Candida species among suspected patients at tertiary care hospitals in Butwal, emphasizing early identification and appropriate treatment to avoid unnecessary use of toxic antifungal drugs. Materials and Methods: In a descriptive study on 303 patients with clinical symptoms of Candida infections, specimens underwent direct microscopic examination and culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Species identification involved phenotypic methods such as chromogenic character on CHROMagar Candida media, germ tube examination, and microscopic characteristics. Subsequently, isolated species were tested for antifungal susceptibility using the disc diffusion method. Results: Among the 303 samples tested, 80 (26.4%) were positive for candidal infection. NAC species were the most commonly isolated, with Candida albicans and Candida krusei being the most virulent. The isolates exhibited the highest sensitivity to fluconazole (77.5%) followed by itraconazole (75%), whereas amphotericin B showed the lowest effectiveness with 63.75% resistance. Conclusion: The rising prevalence of NAC species, particularly their growing resistance to Amphotericin B, has become a significant concern, as these species are frequently detected in various clinical samples. These findings underscore the importance of diligent monitoring and judicious selection of antifungal agents to ensure effective treatment strategies.

Yeast fungi in the etiology of animal mycoses

760 samples of biological material from various regions of the Russian Federation were studied, 320 isolates of yeast fungi were isolated, which amounted to 42.10% of the total number of samples. Of the 760 samples, 29.0% belonged to cattle, 11.8% to small cattle, 13.0% to horses, 1.6% to camels, 7.2% to cats and 17.5% to dogs, 1.8% to raw milk and 0.8% to environmental objects (OVS). Most of the isolated isolates (240) of yeast fungi belonged to fungi of the genus Candida, which amounted to 75%. The species diversity of fungi of the genus Candida is represented by 15 species. The largest number of isolates belong to the species Candida albicans, Candida catenulata, Candida kefyr Candida krusei, Candida membranifaciens, Candida pararugosa and Candida tropicals. These species of fungi of the genus Candida are known as pathogens of fungal infections in humans and animals. The species diversity of species not belonging to the genus Candida is limited to 7 species in 5 genera – Geotrichum, Malassezia, Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces and Trichosporon. The fact of the development of resistance of some yeast species to the most commonly used antifungal drugs (fluconazole and voriconazole) has been established. It was revealed that 30% of the studied isolates of the genus Candida are resistant to fluconazole, 32% are dose–dependent, 38% are sensitive, 28% are resistant to voriconazole, 30% are dose–dependent, 42% are sensitive. Isolates not belonging to the genus Candida showed resistance to fluconazole 19%, 38% - dose–dependent, 43% - sensitive, voriconazole – 23% – resistant, 18% – dose–dependent and 59% - sensitive. The proportion of isolates of yeast fungi resistant to fluconazole and voriconazole isolated from animals is quite large, in some cases it is up to 50% (C. tropicalis). A high level of resistance was found in isolates of Candida albicans, Candida catenulata, Candida rugosa and Candida pararugosa, which can significantly complicate the treatment of infections caused by them and contribute to the worldwide problem of antibiotic resistance.

Emerging and reemerging human fungal pathogens that affect people with weakened immune systems: a systematic review

BACKGROUNDEmerging and reemerging human fungal pathogens are becoming more closely associated with morbidity and mortality, with 13 million infections and 1.5 million deaths per year. They are most often associated with critically ill and immunosuppressed patients. Therefore, this systematic review focused on emerging and reemerging human fungal pathogens that affect immunosuppressed individuals. METHODS A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and other sources (Google engine and manual search using a reference list). The data were extracted in a structured format prepared using Microsoft Excel. RESULTSCryptococcus neoformans, Candida auris, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Nakaseomyces glabrata (Candida glabrata), Histoplasma spp., Mucorales (Rhizopus spp., Mucor spp., Lichtheimia spp., and others), Fusarium spp., Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Pichia kudriavzevii (Candida krusei), Talaromyces marneffei and Pneumocystis jirovecii were emerging and reemerging fungal pathogens reported among critically ill and immunocompromised patients including but not limited to HIV patients and patients with infectious diseases such as influenza, COVID-19, and tuberculosis as well as chronic conditions or co-morbidities such as asthma, hepatic cirrhosis, cancer, diabetes, cystic fibrosis (CF), transplant recipients, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Climate change, agricultural activities, occupational hazards, deforestation, migratory trends of people, soil dispersion, decreased immunity of patients, biofilm development, medication tolerance, and resistance to antifungal therapies are all factors that contribute to the emergence of fungal diseases. CONCLUSIONThis review makes recommendations for policymakers, public health experts, and other stakeholders to improve the response to these fungal infections, including laboratory capacity and surveillance, fostering sustainable research and innovation, implementing public health initiatives, and limiting the development of antifungal drug resistance.

Antifungal Activity of Trichoderma orientale FMR 12486 Crude Extract against Some Human Pathogenic Fungi

This work aimed to investigate the prevalence of pathogenic fungi and evaluate the antifungal activity of Trichoderma orientale FMR12486 crude extract against pathogenic fungi isolated from patients attending the National Center for Thoracic and Respiratory Diseases (having a history of tuberculosis) and consultant of Dermatology of Baghdad hospital, Iraq. A total of 80 clinical specimens were collected: 20 skin scrapings specimens and 60 sputum specimens. The results of direct examination by KOH 10% and culture showed that 11 (55%) cases from 20 skin specimens were positive for fungal infections, while in the sputum specimens, 28 (47%) cases from 60 were positive. Candida albicans represented the most common fungal infection isolated from sputum specimens which represented 18 cases at a rate of 64.2%, followed by Candida tropicalis 5 (17.9%), Aspergillus fumigates 2 (7.1%), Aspergillus flavus 1 (3.6%), Candida glabrata 1 (3.6%) and Candida krusei 1 (3.6%). While in the skin scrapes, Candida parapsilosis was the common which represented 3 cases at a rate of 27.3%, followed by Trichophyton mentagrophyte 2 (18.2%), Microsporium canis 2 (18.2%), C. albicans 2 (18.2%), Trichophyton rubrum 1 (9.1%), C. tropicalis 1 (9.1%). T. orientale isolates were collected from the gardens soil of the University of Baghdad and were then identified depending on the morphological feature of the colony and microscopic characteristics. To confirm identification, PCR technique was used in which DNA of T. orientale was extracted at a concentration of 54 - 294 μg/2 g wet mycelium with a purity of 1.6 - 1.8. DNA samples were amplified with primers ITS-1and ITS-4, And the results confirmed that the isolate was T. orientale strain FMR12486. This isolate was processed with ethyl acetate using a standard extraction method and the final amount of crude extract being 6 grams. Different concentrations of crude extract 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/ml were prepared and used against fungal pathogens isolated using the agar-well diffusion method. The results showed high antifungal activity against pathogenic isolates, significantly recording maximum inhibition zones of 20 and 22 mm against C. parapsilosis at concentrations of 0.5 and 1 mg/ml, respectively. It was followed by T. mentagrophyte and C. glabrata. 16, 20, and 16, 20 mm that were recorded at concentrations of 2 and 4mg/ml, a significant maximum inhibition zone was recorded 26 mm against C. glabrata, followed by C. parapsilosis, M. canis and T. mentagrophyte (24, 26; 16, 24 and 20, 24mm respectively). Just Trichophyton rubrum fungus in this study showed resistance to all concentrations of the crude extract where the inhibition zone was zero. The results of the current study showed that T. orientale strain FMR12486 crude extract can be used to make an effective drug to treat human fungal infections.

Antimicrobial and antibiofilm studies on three endemic species of Verbascum L. (Scrophulariaceae) in Türkiye

The consumption of traditional medicinal herbs has gained popularity as a viable alternative approach for addressing microbial infections or infectious structures. In this study, Verbascum detersile, Verbascum eskisehirensis, and Verbascum gypsicola endemic species belonging to the Scrophulariaceae family, spreading in Eskişehir and its surroundings, were collected from natural habitats and evaluated in terms of antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities. In biological activity studies, different concentrations of three plant extracts showed various antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities on selected standard microorganism cultures (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 14990, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Candida albicans ATCC 90028, and Candida krusei ATCC 6258). It was observed that the selected three endemic Verbascum extracts had a minimum inhibitory and minimum biofilm eradication concentration value of 1250 μg/mL.

Antifungal susceptibility profile of Candida species isolated from women with vulvovaginal candidiasis

Objectives: The objective of this study was to study the occurrence of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) among women with vaginitis and to determine the antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) pattern of Candida spp. isolated. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care setting. The two high vaginal swabs were collected and subjected to Gram’s stain, wet mount examination, and cultured on blood agar and sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol. The cultures were incubated at 37°C for 18–24 h. The Candida spp. was identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), and AFST was performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines M27-A3. Statistical Analysis: The data was collected in excel sheet. The qualitative variables are presented as frequencies and percentages. The quantitative variables are presented as mean with SD and median. p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Analysis will be done by using Epi InfoTM statistical software. Results: A total of 961 women with symptoms of vaginitis were screened. Candida spp. was isolated in 108 (11.2%) patients. The median age of affected women was 29 years, and the majority belonged to 20–30 years (60.2%). Age &lt;40 years was the significant risk factor (P = 0.016). Vaginal discharge was the most common complaint (82.4%),followed by itching (55.6%), vulvar edema, dyspareunia, and dysuria. Candida albicans was the predominant species (46.3%),followed by Candida glabrata (36.1%), Candida krusei (6.5%), and Candida tropicalis (6.5%). Ninety-six percentages of C. albicans were sensitive to fluconazole, while only 22.4% of non-albicans Candida spp (NAC) were susceptible. C. albicans showed 8% resistance to itraconazole and 8% intermediate resistance to caspofungin, whereas C. glabrata showed resistance to fluconazole, itraconazole, and caspofungin. Conclusions: The study showed a higher incidence of NAC and higher antifungal resistance leading to treatment failure. It is, hence, crucial to send fungal cultures, speciate, and perform AFST for all symptomatic patients of vulvo-vaginal candidiasis (VVC).

Tolerance of hyperosmolar Candida krusei

The utilization of industrial microorganisms for the conversion of lignocellulose into high value-added chemicals is an essential pathway towards achieving carbon neutrality and promoting sustainable bioeconomy. However, the pretreated lignocellulase hydrolysate often contains various sugars, salts, phenols/aldehydes and other substances, which requires microorganisms to possess strong tolerance for direct fermentation. This study aims to investigate the tolerance of Candida krusei to substrate, salt, and high temperature shock, in order to validate its potential for utilizing the enzymatic hydrolysate of Pennisetum giganteum in seawater for fermentation. The experimental results showed that the adaptively domesticated C. krusei exhibited tolerance to glucose at a concentration of 200 g/L and became a hypertonic strain. When seawater was used instead of freshwater without sterilization, the yield of glycerol in fermentation was 109% higher than that in freshwater with sterilization. Moreover, the combined thermal shock at 32 hours of fermentation and addition of 10 Na2SO3 at 48 hours resulted in a yield of glycerol to glucose 0.37 g/g, which was 225% higher than the control group. By fermenting the enzymatic hydrolysate of P. giganteum pretreated in seawater, the total conversion rate of glucose into glycerol and ethanol reached 0.45 g/g. This study indicates that hypertonic C. krusei exhibits remarkable adaptability to substrate, salt, and temperature. It not only can directly utilize complex lignocellulosic hydrolysates, but also exhibits strong tolerance to them. Therefore, it provides a potential candidate strain for the production of bio-based chemicals using lignocellulosic processes.

Pulmonary surfactant impacts in vitro activity of selected antifungal drugs against Candida krusei and Candida albicans

PurposeThis study investigates how surfactants affect the in-vitro anti-infective efficacy of micafungin, caspofungin, anidulafungin, and amphotericin B in treating pulmonary mycoses.MethodsMIC values for antifungal agents were determined against Candida krusei (now Pichia kudriavzevii) ATCC 6258, Candida albicans ATCC 90028, and 18 clinical isolates using the broth microdilution method in RPMI medium, following EUCAST recommendations. MIC assays included testing with and without Curosurf® surfactant at 1 mg/mL for C. krusei ATCC 6258 and all C. krusei isolates. Subsequent Time-kill studies in Sabouraud broth involved testing both C. albicans ATCC 90028 and C. krusei ATCC 6258 strains at concentrations equal their respective MIC values, with and without surfactant, using all four antifungals. CFU/mL were assessed at multiple time points up to 24 h. TKCs with different surfactant concentrations for C. krusei ATCC 6258 and mini-TKCs at various concentrations relative to the MIC of C. krusei isolates and the reference strain were conducted with micafungin, anidulafungin, and caspofungin.ResultsMIC results showed that 1 µg/mL surfactant reduced killing of micafungin and anidulafungin against C. krusei, while caspofungin was unaffected. Amphotericin B's MIC decreased by half. TKCs demonstrated significant effects of surfactant on micafungin and anidulafungin against C. krusei, with complete abolition of anidulafungin's activity against C. albicans.ConclusionThis in-vitro study highlights the concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of surfactant on antifungal activity against C. krusei and, to some extent, C. albicans, necessitating further clinical validation for invasive lung mycoses treatment.

A Cyclam Salt as an Antifungal Agent: Interference with Candida spp. and Cryptococcus neoformans Mechanisms of Virulence.

The importance of fungal infections, particularly those caused by yeasts, is increasing among the medical community. Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans are amongst the high-priority fungal species identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) and are considered in the critical group, while Candida krusei is included in the medium-priority group. The cyclam salt H4[H2(4-CF3PhCH2)2Cyclam]Cl4 proved to be active against the growth of these three yeasts, and the aim of this work was to verify its interference with their virulence mechanisms, whether shared or unique. H4[H2(4-CF3PhCH2)2Cyclam]Cl4 significantly inhibited biofilm production and catalase activity, being able to interfere with C. albicans dimorphic transition and C. neoformans melanin production. At the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values, H4[H2(4-CF3PhCH2)2Cyclam]Cl4 had no antioxidant effect, as determined by the DPPH method. When using the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line, H4[H2(4-CF3PhCH2)2Cyclam]Cl4 reduced nitric oxide (NO) detection (the Griess reaction), but this effect was associated with a significant toxic effect on the cells.