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Mycopathologia Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Tinea; Diagnostic Errors; Eczema; Arthrodermataceae; Hair; Male; Female
PubMed: 38837056
DOI: 10.1007/s11046-024-00863-0 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024Dermatophytes show a wide geographic distribution and are the main causative agents of skin fungal infections in many regions of the world. Recently, their resistance to...
Dermatophytes show a wide geographic distribution and are the main causative agents of skin fungal infections in many regions of the world. Recently, their resistance to antifungal drugs has led to an obstacle to effective treatment. To address the lack of dermatophytosis data in Iraq, this study was designed to investigate the distribution and prevalence of dermatophytes in the human population and single point mutations in squalene epoxidase gene (SQLE) of terbinafine resistant isolates. The identification of 102 dermatophytes isolated from clinical human dermatophytosis was performed through morphological and microscopic characteristics followed by molecular analysis based on ITS and TEF-1α sequencing. Phylogeny was achieved through RAxML analysis. CLSI M38-A2 protocol was used to assess antifungal susceptibility of the isolates to four major antifungal drugs. Additionally, the presence of point mutations in SQLE gene, which are responsible for terbinafine resistance was investigated. Tinea corporis was the most prevalent clinical manifestation accounting for 37.24% of examined cases of dermatophytosis. Based on ITS, T. indotineae (50.98%), T. mentagrophytes (19.61%), and M. canis (29.41%) was identified as an etiologic species. T. indotineae and T. mentagrophytes strains were identified as T. interdigitale based on TEF-1α. Terbinafine showed the highest efficacy among the tested antifungal drugs. T. indotineae and T. mentagrophytes showed the highest resistance to antifungal drugs with MICs of 2-4 and 4 μg/mL, while M. canis was the most susceptible species. Three of T. indotineae isolates showed mutations in SQLE gene PheLeu substitution. A non-previously described point mutation, PheLeu was identified in T. indotineae and mutations LysAsn, PheLeu and LeuPhe were diagnosed in T. mentagrophytes XVII. The results of mutation analysis showed that PheLeu was a destabilizing mutation; protein stability has decreased with variations in pH, and point mutations affected the interatomic interaction, resulting in bond disruption. These results could help to control the progression of disease effectively and make decisions regarding the selection of appropriate drugs for dermatophyte infections.
Topics: Humans; Antifungal Agents; Iraq; Point Mutation; Tinea; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Male; Arthrodermataceae; Female; Squalene Monooxygenase; Adult; Phylogeny; Terbinafine; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Young Adult; Child; Fungal Proteins; Aged
PubMed: 38830918
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63425-w -
CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association... Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Male; Alopecia; Child; Tinea; Scalp; Antifungal Agents; Scalp Dermatoses
PubMed: 38830674
DOI: 10.1503/cmaj.231613-f -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2024Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis caused by fungi of the genus sp. Phenotypic and genotypic differences have been associated with their geographic distribution,... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis caused by fungi of the genus sp. Phenotypic and genotypic differences have been associated with their geographic distribution, virulence, or clinical manifestation of sporotrichosis. In the past decade, the interest in identifying species of the sp. has been increasing, due to its epidemiological importance and, in consequence, is important to know how to preserve them for future studies, in culture collection.
AIMS
The purposes of this study were to analyze the global distribution of environmental isolates and/or causal agents of sporotrichosis identified by polyphasic taxonomy, with mandatory use of molecular identification, and to evaluate the percentages and distribution of isolates stored in culture collections.
METHODS
A systematic review of articles on animal and human sporotrichosis and/or environmental isolation of the fungus, from 2007 to 2023, was done. Results: Our results demonstrated that, , , and were the most identified species. With respect to the deposit and maintenance of species, we observed that only 17% of the strains of sp. isolated in the world are preserved in a culture collection.
CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review confirmed a difficulty in obtaining the frequency of species stored in culture collection and insufficient data on the molecular identification mainly of animal sporotrichosis and isolation of sp. in environmental samples.
Topics: Sporothrix; Sporotrichosis; Animals; Humans; Environmental Microbiology; Preservation, Biological
PubMed: 38828263
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1382508 -
Journal of Radiology Case Reports May 2023The reported incidence of blastomycosis is increasing in certain regions of the United States. The diagnosis is primarily made via urine antigen testing, culture, or...
The reported incidence of blastomycosis is increasing in certain regions of the United States. The diagnosis is primarily made via urine antigen testing, culture, or cytology smear. The differential diagnosis for blastomycosis includes pneumonia, tuberculosis, and non-infectious pulmonary disease. Clinical context and epidemiologic exposure play a crucial role in diagnosis. However, the differential can expand significantly if there is disseminated central nervous system involvement, especially if pulmonary manifestations are not seen. Imaging begins to play a vital role when differentiating disseminated blastomycosis from other etiologies such as malignancy. Herein we present a case of a 58-year-old male who presented with seizures and right sided gaze preference found to have disseminated central nervous system blastomycosis. In this article, we will discuss symptoms and imaging findings of disseminated blastomycosis to help guide diagnosis and management.
Topics: Humans; Male; Blastomycosis; Middle Aged; Diagnosis, Differential; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Antifungal Agents; Central Nervous System Fungal Infections
PubMed: 38828027
DOI: 10.3941/jrcr.v17i12.5167 -
Mycoses Jun 2024Kerion is a severe type of tinea capitis that is difficult to treat and remains a public health problem.
BACKGROUND
Kerion is a severe type of tinea capitis that is difficult to treat and remains a public health problem.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the epidemiologic features and efficacy of different treatment schemes from real-world experience.
METHODS
From 2019 to 2021, 316 patients diagnosed with kerion at 32 tertiary Chinese hospitals were enrolled. We analysed the data of each patient, including clinical characteristics, causative pathogens, treatments and outcomes.
RESULTS
Preschool children were predominantly affected and were more likely to have zoophilic infection. The most common pathogen in China was Microsporum canis. Atopic dermatitis (AD), animal contact, endothrix infection and geophilic pathogens were linked with kerion occurrence. In terms of treatment, itraconazole was the most applied antifungal agent and reduced the time to mycological cure. A total of 22.5% of patients received systemic glucocorticoids simultaneously, which reduced the time to complete symptom relief. Furthermore, glucocorticoids combined with itraconazole had better treatment efficacy, with a higher rate and shorter time to achieving mycological cure.
CONCLUSIONS
Kerion often affects preschoolers and leads to serious sequelae, with AD, animal contact, and endothrix infection as potential risk factors. Glucocorticoids, especially those combined with itraconazole, had better treatment efficacy.
Topics: Humans; Child, Preschool; Antifungal Agents; Male; Female; Tinea Capitis; Itraconazole; China; Microsporum; Child; Infant; Glucocorticoids; Treatment Outcome; Dermatitis, Atopic; Risk Factors; Adolescent; Adult; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38825584
DOI: 10.1111/myc.13751 -
Phytomedicine : International Journal... Jul 2024Malassezia globosa is a commensal basidiomycetous yeast occurring on the skin that causes pityriasis versicolor (PV) and seborrheic dermatitis, but that has also been...
BACKGROUND
Malassezia globosa is a commensal basidiomycetous yeast occurring on the skin that causes pityriasis versicolor (PV) and seborrheic dermatitis, but that has also been implicated in other dermatoses. Cinnamaldehyde (CM) has antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, but the effect of CM on M. globosa-infected PV has not been clarified.
PURPOSE
The study aimed to investigate the possible antifungal and antibiofilm activities of CM against M. globosa-infected PV in vivo and in vitro.
METHODS
The broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CM against M. globosa. The crystal violet staining assay and XTT assay were used to investigate the inhibition of CM on biofilm formation and the eradication of mature biofilms. The visualizations of the biofilm and cell distribution in the biofilm matrix were performed with a scanning electron microscope and confocal laser scanning microscope. The kits of antioxidant kinase were used to determine the activities of oxidative stress markers in M. globosa-stimulated HaCaT cells. Western blot assays were used to evaluate the role of TLR2/NF-κB in vitro. Furthermore, the protective effect of CM was assessed in M. globosa-associated PV mice. The expressions of inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis were screened using ELISA assays. The expressions of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured by an immunohistochemistry method in vivo.
RESULTS
Our results showed that the MIC of CM against planktonic cells of M. globosa was 4 µg/ml and treatment with 20 × MIC CM eradicated mature biofilms of M. globosa. In vitro, after CM treatment the levels of oxidative stress indicators (i.e., superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione) significantly increased, while the levels of malondialdehyde decreased. In addition, the expression of TLR2/NF-κB in HaCaT cells was significantly reduced after CM treatment. On the other hand, an in vivo therapeutic effect of CM was assessed against M. globosa-infected mice. The fungal load on the skin decreased after treatment with CM compared to the M. globosa-infected group. In addition, the uninfected animals showed a normal skin structure, whereas, the M. globosa-infected mice showed extensive infiltration of neutrophils in skin tissues that improved after treatment with CM. Meanwhile, the levels of inflammatory and apoptotic factors improved after CM treatment.
CONCLUSION
Our results showed that CM inhibits the biofilm formation of M. globosa and eradicates mature biofilms of M. globosa. Treatment with CM significantly decreased oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammatory markers in the skin tissue and HaCaT cells. Hence, this study suggests that CM is a good candidate therapeutic agent against M. globosa-induced PV infections because of its antifungal, antibiofilm, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Topics: Biofilms; Acrolein; Animals; Malassezia; Humans; Toll-Like Receptor 2; Tinea Versicolor; Antifungal Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mice; Oxidative Stress; HaCaT Cells; NF-kappa B; Interleukin-6; Antioxidants; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Skin
PubMed: 38823343
DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155542 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health Jul 2024Interdigital tinea pedis is the most common type of foot infection, which is often treated by topical or systemic antifungals. Due to the increase in antifungal...
BACKGROUND
Interdigital tinea pedis is the most common type of foot infection, which is often treated by topical or systemic antifungals. Due to the increase in antifungal resistance, antifungal socks are becoming potential alternatives for the daily management of tinea pedis.
METHODS
In this study, antifungal fibres were adopted to produce interdigital hygiene socks to split the third and fourth toe seams of the feet. In vitro antifungal activity was first examined to verify the effectiveness of the socks. Preventive efficacy against tinea pedis was then evaluated among healthy participants, followed by therapeutic effect detection in patients diagnosed with tinea pedis by analysing the improvement in total symptom scores (TTS).
RESULTS
The interdigital-type hygiene socks exhibited apparent antifungal activities in vitro. An in vivo study demonstrated significant preventive effects against tinea pedis for interdigital socks compared to plain socks (P = 0.011) and a lower TTS than noninterdigital (P = 0.04) or plain socks (P < 0.0001). Moreover, interdigital socks showed a total effectiveness rate of 72.9% in patients with tinea pedis, with most of the symptoms alleviated.
CONCLUSION
Interdigital-type hygiene socks not only exhibited in vitro antifungal activities but also showed significant prophylactic and therapeutic effects against interdigital tinea pedis in vivo.
Topics: Tinea Pedis; Humans; Male; Female; Antifungal Agents; Adult; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Treatment Outcome; Adolescent; Toes
PubMed: 38820891
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.05.043 -
Cutis Apr 2024
Topics: Humans; Sporotrichosis; Male; Antifungal Agents
PubMed: 38820099
DOI: 10.12788/cutis.0996 -
International Microbiology : the... May 2024The scarce antifungal arsenal, changes in the susceptibility profile of fungal agents, and lack of adherence to treatment have contributed to the increase of cases of...
The scarce antifungal arsenal, changes in the susceptibility profile of fungal agents, and lack of adherence to treatment have contributed to the increase of cases of dermatomycoses. In this context, new antimicrobial substances have gained importance. Chalcones are precursors of the flavonoid family that have multiple biological activities, have high tolerability by humans, and easy synthesis. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro antifungal activity, alone and in combination with conventional antifungal drugs, of the VS02-4'ethyl chalcone-derived compound against dermatophytes and Candida spp. Susceptibility testing was carried out by broth microdilution. Experiments for determination of the target of the compound on the fungal cell, time-kill kinetics, and toxicity tests in Galleria mellonella model were also performed. Combinatory effects were evaluated by the checkerboard method. Results showed high activity of the compound VS02-4'ethyl against dermatophytes (MIC of 7.81-31.25 μg/ml). The compound targeted the cell membrane, and the time-kill test showed the compound continues to exert gradual activity after 5 days on dermatophytes, but no significant activity on Candida. Low toxicity was observed at 250 mg/kg. Excellent results were observed in the combinatory test, where VS02-4'ethyl showed synergistic interactions with itraconazole, fluconazole, terbinafine, and griseofulvin, against all isolates tested. Although further investigation is needed, these results revealed the great potential of chalcone-derived compounds against fungal infections for which treatments are long and laborious.
PubMed: 38819732
DOI: 10.1007/s10123-024-00541-7