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Fitoterapia Dec 2023From the leaves and stem bark of the Kenyan medicinal plant Calpurnia aurea subsp. aurea, four previously undescribed quinolizidine alkaloids namely,...
From the leaves and stem bark of the Kenyan medicinal plant Calpurnia aurea subsp. aurea, four previously undescribed quinolizidine alkaloids namely, 2β-methoxy-13α-O-(2'-pyrrolylcarbonyl) virgiline, 2α-methoxy-13β-O-(2'-pyrrolylcarbonyl) virgiline, 3α-O-angelate-2β-hydroxy-13α-O-(2'-pyrrolylcarbonyl) virgiline, 2,3-dehydro-virgiline were isolated together with four known ones. Structural elucidation of the compounds was based on 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Their relative configurations were determined by NOESY correlations and literature. The quinolizidine alkaloids were tested against Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton interdigitale, Trichophyton benhamiae, Microsporum canis and Nannizzia gypsea, common causative agents of most of the tinea infections in human. All the isolated quinolizidine alkaloids exhibited antidermatophytic activity with MIC ranging from 37.5 μg/ml to 300 μg/ml.
Topics: Humans; Quinolizidine Alkaloids; Kenya; Molecular Structure; Arthrodermataceae; Fabaceae; Plants, Medicinal
PubMed: 37802229
DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105698 -
Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2023Exclusive physicochemical and biological properties of carbon allotrope graphene have attracted the peer attention of researchers for the synthesis and development of...
Exclusive physicochemical and biological properties of carbon allotrope graphene have attracted the peer attention of researchers for the synthesis and development of newer topical remedies including films, scaffolds, microspheres, and hydrogels. Here, graphene nanoplatelets (GN) were embedded into a different ratio of polymeric ERL100/ERS100 solution and fabricated in the form of a scaffold through the electrospinning process. FTIR spectra displayed characteristic similar peaks present both in GN and GN-loaded scaffold owing to the compatibility of GN and polymeric mixture. XRD curve revealed a distinct GN peak at nearly 26° whereas from DSC/TGA thermal stability was observed between polymers and graphene nanoplatelets. FESEM images showed ultrathin architecture of GN-loaded scaffold in a range of 280 ± 90 nm. The fabricated scaffold exhibited hydrophilicity (contact angle 48.8 ± 2.8°) and desirable swelling index (646% in skin pH media) which were desired criteria for the scaffold for topical application. In vitro, antifungal activity was conducted through the broth microdilution method against different virulent dermatophytes i.e., , , , and . For in vivo evaluation, inoculum was applied on the dorsal surface of each group of Swiss albino mice, and the degree and intensity of mycelial growth or erythema on skin surfaces was visually investigated. The study depicted complete signs of cure after 14 days of application of G3-loaded scaffold on the infected dorsal site. Hence graphene-loaded scaffold represented a possible alternative for the treatment of topical fungal infections caused by dermatophytes.
PubMed: 37630890
DOI: 10.3390/nano13162305 -
Veterinary World May 2023Fungal zoonoses are an economic and public health concern because they can cause various degrees of morbidity and mortality in animals and humans. To combat this issue,...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Fungal zoonoses are an economic and public health concern because they can cause various degrees of morbidity and mortality in animals and humans. To combat this issue, alternative natural antifungals, such as products derived from rice protein hydrolysates or rice antifungal protein/peptide are being considered because they are highly bioactive and exhibit various functional properties. Thailand is a leading rice producer and exporter. Among the various cultivated rice varieties, Sangyod rice ( L.) is exclusively indigenous to Thailand's Phatthalung province; it has a Thai geographical indication tag. Here, we investigated whether the Phatthalung Sangyod rice seeds have bioactive antifungal peptides.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Antifungal activity in four Sangyod rice seed extracts (SYPs) - namely, (1) the crude lysate, SYP1; (2) the heat-treated lysate, SYP2; (3) the heat- and pepsin digested lysate, SYP3; and (4) the heat- and proteinase K-digested lysate, SYP4 - was analyzed. Protein concentrations in these SYPs were determined using the Bradford assay. The total phenolic compound content was determined using the modified Folin-Ciocalteu method in a 96-well microplate. Then, the SYP protein pattern was determined using the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Subsequently, using the agar well diffusion method, the antifungal properties of these SYPs were tested against ten medically important pathogenic fungi. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration values were determined for the active SYPs - SYP2-4. Finally, the clinical safety of SYP4 was determined using a hemolytic assay (using canine red blood cells [RBCs]).
RESULTS
The crude lysate SYP1 did not show antifungal activity against any of the ten tested pathogenic fungi. Surprisingly, hydrolysates SYP2, SYP3, and SYP4 displayed antifungal properties against the ten tested pathogenic fungi. Thus, heat and enzymatic hydrolysis seem to transform the bioactivity of the crude protein extract - SYP1. Further, SYP4 shows the most effective antifungal activity. It completely inhibited s, yeast phase, s, and m. A partial inhibitory action on s and was possessed while showing the least activity to s. SYP4 was nontoxic to canine RBCs. Hemolysis of canine RBCs was undetectable at 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC concentrations; therefore, it can be safely used in further applications.
CONCLUSION
These results indicate that heat and proteinase K hydrolyzed SYP is a very potent antifungal preparation against animal and human fungal pathogens and it can be used in future pharmaceuticals and functional foods.
PubMed: 37576760
DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.1018-1028 -
Mycoses Oct 2023Dermatophytosis is one of the most common fungal infections worldwide. The distribution of dermatophytes varies across continents, but the genera Trichophyton and...
BACKGROUND
Dermatophytosis is one of the most common fungal infections worldwide. The distribution of dermatophytes varies across continents, but the genera Trichophyton and Microsporum have emerged as the main isolated agents in humans and animals.
OBJECTIVES
To validate Drosophila melanogaster flies as a fast and feasible model to study dermatophytic infections.
METHODS
Wild-type (WT) and Toll-deficient D. melanogaster flies were infected by Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis and Nannizzia gypsea by pricking with a needle previously dipped in inoculum concentrations ranging from 10 to 10 colony-forming units/mL. Establishment of infection was confirmed by survival curves, histopathological analysis and fungal burden. Thereafter, flies were treated with terbinafine, itraconazole and clioquinol.
RESULTS
WT flies were predominantly resistant to the infection, whereas Toll-deficient flies succumbed to the four dermatophyte genera tested. The antifungal drugs protected flies from the infection, except for N. gypsea whose survival curves did not differ from the untreated group.
CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study confirms that D. melanogaster is a suitable model to study the virulence and antifungal drug efficacy in dermatophyte species.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Antifungal Agents; Drosophila melanogaster; Pilot Projects; Arthrodermataceae; Itraconazole; Trichophyton; Tinea
PubMed: 37434424
DOI: 10.1111/myc.13630 -
Medical Mycology Jul 2023Human infections by Trichophyton mentagrophytes occur mainly due to contact with diseased animals. In Iran, T. mentagrophytes genotype V is the most prevalent variant of...
Human infections by Trichophyton mentagrophytes occur mainly due to contact with diseased animals. In Iran, T. mentagrophytes genotype V is the most prevalent variant of the fungus. We aimed to determine the animal reservoir of T. mentagrophytes genotype V infection. The study was done on a total of 577 dermatophyte strains obtained from animals with signs of dermatophytosis and human patients. The list of extensively sampled animals included sheep, cows, cats and dogs. For human cases, epidemiological data were collected. All dermatophyte isolates from animals along with 70 human isolates morphologically similar to T. verrucosum and T. mentagrophytes genotype V were identified by rDNA internal transcribed spacer region restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing. A total of 334 animal dermatophyte strains were identified as Microsporum canis, T. mentagrophytes genotype V, T. verrucosum, Nannizzia gypsea, T. mentagrophytes genotype II*, T. mentagrophytes genotype VII, T. quinckeanum, and N. fulva. All clinical isolates identified as T. mentagrophytes genotype V originated from skin and scalp infections. Almost all veterinary isolates of T. mentagrophytes genotype V were cultured from sheep, but epidemiological data on animal-to-human transmission of T. mentagrophytes genotype V infection were limited and we found evidence in favor of interhuman transmission. In Iran, sheep maintain T. mentagrophytes genotype V population and therefore serve as animal reservoir of respective infections. The role of sheep as the source of human dermatophytosis due to T. mentagrophytes genotype V isolates is yet to be proven.
Topics: Female; Humans; Animals; Cats; Sheep; Cattle; Dogs; Trichophyton; Tinea; Genotype; DNA, Ribosomal
PubMed: 37429606
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad066 -
Medical Mycology May 2023Nannizzia gypsea is a geophylic agent of human and animal dermatophytosis. This study compares the metabolic and morphostructural plasticity of N. gypsea strains...
Nannizzia gypsea is a geophylic agent of human and animal dermatophytosis. This study compares the metabolic and morphostructural plasticity of N. gypsea strains isolated from moss, sand, and a dog. The in vitro metabolic plasticity included the detection of extracellular enzymes, thermotolerance, resistance to oxidative stress, and assessment of fungal growth. Structural plasticity studies included cell surface hydrophobicity, electronegativity, and size of macroconidia. Virulence was assessed on Tenebrio mollitor model. The strains showed low thermotolerance, susceptibility to oxidative stress, and were producers of keratinase, lipase and catalase. N. gypsea strains were unable to produce hemolysin, esterase, and phospholipase although they were able to grow with different carbon sources. The electronegative properties of the surface did not vary between the strains under study. The knowledge about N. gypsea metabolic and morphostructural plasticity could be crucial for the development of therapeutic strategies and control of dermatophytosis.
PubMed: 37170071
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad044 -
Journal de Mycologie Medicale Aug 2023Although the conventional therapy against dermatophytosis is based on antifungal drugs and environmental disinfection, the emergence of itraconazole(ITZ)-resistant...
Although the conventional therapy against dermatophytosis is based on antifungal drugs and environmental disinfection, the emergence of itraconazole(ITZ)-resistant dermatophytes has encouraged the search for active compounds, such as Origanum vulgare L. (oregano) essential oil (EO). However, little is known about its effect in polar extracts or the mechanism of action of these extracts and EO. We investigated the antifungal activity of four polar extracts and one EO from oregano against ITZ-susceptible and ITZ-resistant dermatophytes and their action mechanism. Polar extracts were prepared as infusions at 10 (INF10) and 60 (INF60) minutes, decoction (DEC) and hydroalcoholic extract (HAE); EO was purchased. All extracts and itraconazole were tested against Microsporum gypseum, M. canis, M. nanum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. verrucosum isolated from cats, dogs and cattle (n = 28), and humans (n = 2) (M38-A2, CLSI). Among polar extract, DEC stood out as antifungal, followed by INF10 and INF60; HAE was little active. For EO, all isolates were susceptible, including ITZ-resistant dermatophytes. EO was selected for action mechanism assays, and acted in cell wall and plasmatic membrane by complexing with fungal ergosterol. By chromatographic analysis, 4-hydroxibenzoic acid was the most prevalent compound in all polar extracts, followed by syringic acid and caffeic acid; luteolin was present only in HAE. For EO, carvacrol was the major compound (73.9%); followed by γ-terpinene (3.6%) and thymol (3.0%). These findings showed that the extract type of oregano has influenced the antifungal action on dermatophytes, highlight EO and DEC, that are promising as antifungal agent, including against ITZ-resistant dermatophytes.
Topics: Humans; Dogs; Animals; Cattle; Itraconazole; Antifungal Agents; Oils, Volatile; Origanum; Arthrodermataceae; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 37137171
DOI: 10.1016/j.mycmed.2023.101391 -
Medical Mycology Apr 2023The classical dermatophytes diagnosis is based on mycological culture and microscopy observation both human and animal hair, skin, and nail samples. The aim of this work...
The classical dermatophytes diagnosis is based on mycological culture and microscopy observation both human and animal hair, skin, and nail samples. The aim of this work was to develop the new in-house real-time PCR with pan-dematophyte reaction for detection and identification of the main dermatophytes directly from hair samples, providing a simple and rapid diagnosis of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats. An in-house SYBR-Green real-time PCR was designed and used for detecting a DNA fragment encoding chitin synthase 1 (CHS1). A total of 287 samples were processed by culture, microscopic examination with KOH 10%, and real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis. Melting curve analysis of the CHS1 fragment revealed to be reproducible, showing a single distinct peak for each species of dermatophyte, namely Trichophyton mentagrophytes, T. verrucosum, Microsporum canis, and Nannizzia gypsea (formerly M. gypseum). Then, out of the 287 clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis, 50% were positive for dermatophytes by qPCR, 44% by mycological culture, and 25% by microscopic examination. Microsporum canis was identified in 117 samples tested by culture and 134 samples tested by qPCR, followed by N. gypsea in 5 samples (either tested by culture or qPCR) and T. mentagrophytes detected in 4 and 5 samples when tested by culture or qPCR, respectively. Overall, qPCR allowed the diagnosis of dermatophytosis in clinical samples. The results suggest this newly proposed in-house real-time PCR assay can be used as alternative diagnosis and rapid identification of dermatophytes frequently associated to clinical hair samples of dogs and cats.
Topics: Cats; Animals; Dogs; Humans; Arthrodermataceae; Dermatomycoses; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Cat Diseases; Dog Diseases; Microsporum; Hair; Chitin Synthase; Tinea; Trichophyton
PubMed: 37120732
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myad047 -
Mycopathologia Jun 2023The scrotum is considered as an uncommon site for tinea, hence there is a lack of knowledge about the clinical characteristics, pathogenic agents and the skin microbiome... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
The scrotum is considered as an uncommon site for tinea, hence there is a lack of knowledge about the clinical characteristics, pathogenic agents and the skin microbiome changes of tinea scrotum.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to analyze the clinical features, pathogenic agents and skin microbiome of tinea scrotum.
METHODS
A two-center prospective observational study was carried out in outpatient dermatology clinics in Zhejiang, China, from September 2017 to September 2019. The diagnosis of tinea scrotum was confirmed by direct microscopy. Clinical and mycological data were collected. The composition of microbial communities of patients with tinea scrotum was analyzed and compared with healthy controls.
RESULTS
A total of 113 patients with tinea scrotum were included. Tinea scrotum was either presented with isolated lesions (9/113, 8.0%) or accompanied by tinea of other sites (104/113, 92.0%). Tinea cruris was detected in 101 cases (89.38%). Fungal culture was positive in 63 cases, among which Trichophyton rubrum was grown in 60 cases (95.2%) and Nannizzia gypsea was cultured in 3 cases (4.8%). The skin microbiome in scrotum lesions from 18 patients showed increased abundance of Trichophyton compared with 18 healthy individuals, while Malassezia was decreased. No significant difference in bacterial diversity was found.
CONCLUSIONS
Tinea scrotum was often companied by superficial fungal infections of other skin sites, with tinea cruris being the most common condition. Instead of N. gypsea, T. rubrum was the most frequently identified pathogen for tinea scrotum. In general, tinea scrotum exhibited changes in the fungal communities of the skin with increased Trichophyton and decreased Malassezia abundance.
Topics: Male; Humans; Tinea cruris; Scrotum; Tinea; Skin; Trichophyton; Microbiota
PubMed: 37072674
DOI: 10.1007/s11046-023-00712-6 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science May 2023Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) as the recognition of pathogenic fungal structures induce the secretion of cytokines by immune systems. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2...
BACKGROUND
Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) as the recognition of pathogenic fungal structures induce the secretion of cytokines by immune systems. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2 and 4 are the main PRRs that recognize fungal components.
AIM
The present study aimed to assess the presence of dermatophyte species in symptomatic cats in a region of Iran and to investigate the expression of TLR-2 and 4 in cat lesions with dermatophytosis.
METHODS
A total of 105 cats suspected of dermatophytosis with skin lesions were examined. Samples were analysed by direct microscopy using potassium hydroxide (20%) and culture on Mycobiotic agar. Dermatophytes strains were confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and then sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer rDNA region. Also, for pathology and real-time PCR studies, skin biopsies were taken by sterile single-use biopsy punch from active ringworm lesions.
RESULTS
Dermatophytes were found in 41 felines. Based on the sequencing of all strains, Microsporum canis (80.48%, p < 0.05), Microsporum gypseum (17.07%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (2.43%) were the dermatophytes isolated from cultures. Cats under 1 year (78.04%) revealed a statistically significantly higher prevalence of infection (p < 0.05). Gene expression by real-time PCR revealed the increased TLR-2 and 4 mRNA levels in skin biopsies of cats with dermatophytosis.
CONCLUSIONS
M. canis is the most prevalent dermatophyte species isolated from feline dermatophytosis lesions. Increased expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4 mRNAs in cat skin biopsies suggests that these receptors are involved in the immune response by recognizing dermatophytosis.
Topics: Animals; Cats; Toll-Like Receptor 2; Tinea; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; DNA, Ribosomal; Gene Expression; Cat Diseases
PubMed: 36913145
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1120