Meldrum's acid derivates are MepA efflux pump inhibitors: In vitro and in silico essays.

Efflux pumps are proteins capable of expelling antibiotics from bacterial cells, have emerged as a major mechanism of bacterial resistance. In the ongoing pursuit to overcome and reduce bacterial resistance, novel substances are being explored as potential efflux pump inhibitors. Meldrum's acid, a synthetic molecule widely studied for its role in synthesizing bioactive compounds, holds promise in this regard. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the antibacterial activity of three derivatives of Meldrum's acid and assess their ability to inhibit efflux mechanisms, employing both in silico and in vitro approaches. The antibacterial activity of the derivatives was assessed using a broth microdilution testing method. Surprisingly, the derivatives did not exhibit direct antibacterial activity on their own. However, they displayed a significant effect in enhancing the efficacy of antibiotics, suggesting a potential role in potentiating their effects. Furthermore, fluorescence emission assays using ethidium bromide indicated that the derivatives could potentially block efflux pumps, as they exhibited fluorescence levels comparable to the positive control. To further investigate their inhibitory capacity, molecular docking studies were conducted in silico, revealing binding interactions similar to ciprofloxacin and carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone, known efflux pump inhibitors. These findings highlight the potential of Meldrum's acid derivatives as effective inhibitors of efflux pumps. By targeting these mechanisms, the derivatives offer a promising avenue to enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics and combat bacterial resistance. This study underscores the importance of exploring novel strategies in the fight against bacterial resistance and provides valuable insights into the potential of Meldrum's acid derivatives as efflux pump inhibitors. Further research and exploration in this field are warranted to fully exploit their therapeutic potential.

Evaluating the presence of pesticides in bananas: An integrative review.

INTRODUCTION: Pesticides are organic compounds widely used in modern agriculture, being relevant for helping plantations and increasing food production. The banana, a fruit with oriental origin, stands out for being widely produced in tropical and subtropical regions which, like other matrices, is susceptible to pest action. This review aims to evaluate the presence of pesticides in bananas according to Brazilian, European and Codex legislation. METHODS: Four databases, ScienceDirect, SciELO, PubMed and Springer, were used to find relevant articles in the literature addressing methods for the determination of pesticide residues in bananas using the terms "banana", "chromatography", "pesticides" and "determination". The search stages included reading abstracts and titles, reading the full text, extracting data and analyzing data from eligible articles. The search was restricted to original research articles published in English from 2008 to 2018. RESULTS: 404 articles were found from the initial research, with only 15 studies being considered eligible for this review. Mass spectrometry is the most widely used detection technique. 5 articles were seen to use a multiresidue method to analyze only bananas (pulp), and from these, only 2 studies used methods to analyze the pulp and peel. The articles analyzed 172 samples, with 59.3% of these being conducted in Europe, 32.5% being conducted in Asia and only 8.1% in South America. A total of 79.1%, 32.4% and 42.6% of samples were unsatisfactory according to the Brazilian, European and Codex legislation, respectively, with these samples being contaminated with pesticide residues. CONCLUSION: This review presents the scarcity of articles aimed at identifying pesticide residues in bananas and the urgency of checking the quality of the fruit that reaches the population. The MRLs allowed by different legislations have clear divergences that do not ensure the lowest concentration values that guarantee consumer safety.

A socio-environmental perspective on pesticide use and food production.

Pesticides are part of a large group of organic compounds with different physicochemical characteristics, designed to control and prevent pests in various crops and plantations, improving productivity. This works provides a perspective on pesticide use in current agriculture with the aim of identifying the influence of pesticides on food production and their impact on the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to highlight the importance of determining pesticide residues in food, aiming to ensure food safety, since these compounds can represent risks to human health and the environment. The effects of pesticides on humans range from headaches, nausea and skin and eye irritation to chronic problems such as cancer and neurological disorders, and extend to other non-target organisms such as birds, fish and bees, contaminating water, soil, and plants, as opposed to the benefits of increased production, consequently other measures for pesticide consumption need to be evaluate to ensure human health, food safety and environmental protection. It is important to note that chromatographic techniques and mass spectrometry assist in the determination of pesticide residues and evaluate the quality of the food that reaches the consumer, and together with the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), established by the legislation of each country, these instrumentation act to control the exposure of population to pesticides. Although the MRL is used as a parameter for food quality, the global differences in pesticide legislation do not guarantee the consumer safety. In this sense, a brief analysis of MRL inefficiency is also present in this paper.

The protective effects of naringenin, a citrus flavonoid, non-complexed or complexed with hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin against multiorgan damage caused by neonatal endotoxemia.

BACKGROUND: Endotoxemia is a severe and dangerous clinical syndrome that results in elevated morbidity, especially in intensive care units. Neonates are particularly susceptible to endotoxemia due to their immature immune systems. There are few effective treatments for neonatal endotoxemia. One group of compounds with potential in the treatment of neonatal inflammatory diseases such as endotoxemia is the flavonoids, mainly due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Among these, naringenin (NGN) is a citrus flavonoid which has already been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-nociceptive and anti-cancer effects. Unfortunately, its clinical application is limited by its low solubility and bioavailability. However, cyclodextrins (CDs) have been widely used to improve the solubility of nonpolar drugs and enhance the bioavailability of these natural products. OBJECTIVE: We, therefore, aimed to investigate the effects of NGN non-complexed and complexed with hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HPßCD) on neonatal endotoxemia injuries in a rodent model and describe the probable molecular mechanisms involved in NGN activities. METHOD: We used exposure to a bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce neonatal endotoxemia in the mice. RESULTS: It was found that NGN (100 mg/kg i.p.) exposure during the neonatal period reduced leukocyte migration and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6) levels in the lungs, heart, kidneys or cerebral cortex. In addition, NGN upregulated IL-10 production in the lungs and kidneys of neonate mice. The administration of NGN also enhanced antioxidant enzyme catalase and SOD activity, reduced lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation and increased the reduced sulfhydryl groups in an organ-dependent manner, attenuating the oxidative damage caused by LPS exposure. NGN decreased ERK1/2, p38MAPK and COX-2 activation in the lungs of neonate mice. Moreover, NGN complexed with HPßCD was able to increase the animal survival rate. CONCLUSION: NGN attenuated inflammatory and oxidative damage in the lungs, heart and kidneys caused by neonatal endotoxemia through the MAPK signaling pathways regulation. Our results show that NGN has beneficial effects against neonatal endotoxemia and could be useful in the treatment of neonatal inflammatory injuries.

Ethnobotanical uses and phytochemical, biological, and toxicological profiles of Datura metel L.: A review.

Datura metel L., a recognized poisonous plant in the Solanaceae family, is widely distributed in the world. Traditionally, D. metel is used in many diseases, including neurological and heart diseases; fever; catarrh; pain; diarrhea; skin diseases; chronic bronchitis; asthma; digestive disorders; and so on. It possesses many important phytochemicals that can be used to treat various types of diseases. This review aims at summarizing the traditional uses, phytochemical, biological, and toxicological profiles of D. metel based on the database reports. For this, an up-to-date (till March 20, 2023) search was made in the databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, and MedLine, with relevant keywords for the published evidence. Findings suggest that the plant has many traditional uses, such as a cure for madness, epilepsy, psoriasis, heart diseases, diarrhea, mad dog bites, indigestion, etc. It possesses various important phytochemicals, including withanolides, daturaolone, datumetine, daturglycosides, ophiobolin A, baimantuoluoline A, and many others. D. metel has many important biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, insecticidal, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, analgesic, anti-pyretic, neurological, contraceptive, and wound healing capacity. In conclusion, the toxic plant, D. metel, can be considered a potential source of phyto-therapeutic lead compounds.

In vivo and in silico anti-inflammatory properties of the sesquiterpene valencene.

Valencene (VLN) is a sesquiterpene found in juices and essential oils of citrus species such as Cyperus rotundus. Considering the evidence that this species has anti-inflammatory effects, the present study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of VLN in vivo and in silico. Swiss mice (n = 6) were orally treated according to their treatment groups as follows: VLN (10, 100 or 300 mg/kg), negative control (0.9% saline), and positive controls (indomethacin 25 mg/kg or promethazine 6 mg/kg). The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in murine models of acute and chronic inflammation. The inhibition of acute inflammation was evaluated in models of paw edema induced by different inflammatory agents (carrageenan, dextran, histamine, and arachidonic acid (AA)) and carrageenan-induced pleurisy and peritonitis. The modulation of chronic inflammation was evaluated in a granuloma model induced cotton pellets implantation. The interaction with inflammatory targets was evaluated in silico using molecular docking analysis. The administration of VLN to challenged mice significantly inhibited paw edema formation with no significant difference between the administered doses. The compound also reduced albumin extravasation, leukocyte recruitment, and the production of myeloperoxidase (MPO), IL-1ß, and TNF-α in both pleural and peritoneal lavages. According to the mathematical-statistical model observed in silico analysis, this compound has favorable energy to interact with the cyclooxygenase enzyme (COX-2) and the histamine 1 (H1) receptor. Finally, animals treated with the sesquiterpene showed a reduction in both granuloma weight and concentration of total proteins in a chronic inflammation model. Given these findings, it is concluded that NLV presents promising pharmacological activity in murine models of acute and chronic inflammation.

Effect of Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Brown Essential Oil on the Human Umbilical Artery.

Lippia alba is popularly known as lemon balm, with its essential oil (EO) cited for displaying antimicrobial, sedative, and vasorelaxant effects. Yet, its action on isolated human vessels has not been described in the literature. Thus, we evaluated the vasorelaxant effect of essential oil of L. alba (EOLa) on human umbilical arteries (HUA) isolated in organ baths. HUA rings were isolated, subjected to contractions induced by potassium chloride (KCl), serotonin (5-HT), or histamine (HIST) to record the isometric tension, and then treated with EOLa (30-1000 µg/mL). The EOLa showed a more prominent inhibitory effect on the pharmacomechanical coupling contraction via HIST with an EC50 value of 277.1 ± 8.5 µg/mL and maximum relaxant effect at 600 µg/mL. The addition of tetraethylammonium (TEA) or 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) in HUA preparations did not inhibit EOLa total relaxant effect at 1000 µg/mL. In the presence of gliblenclamide (GLI), the oil relaxed the HUA rings by 90.8% at maximum concentration. The EOLa was also investigated for its effects on voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCCs), where the HUA preincubation with this oil at 1000 µg/mL inhibited BaCl2 (0.1-30 mM)-induced contractions. This study demonstrates for the first time that EOla has a vasorelaxant effect on HUA and its particular blockade of VOCCs.

Fluorescent characteristics of bee honey constituents: A brief review.

The eligible articles were obtained from databases such as ScienceDirect, SciELO, PubMed and Springer. The searches were performed using the terms "honey", "vitamins", "fluorescence" and their combinations. The titles and abstracts of the articles found were read and revised to verify their relevance to the review. From the selected titles, it was possible to elaborate the systematic review, based on scientific studies and sources considered faithful and true. The systematic review presented confirms the necessity for studies to identify compounds using fluorescence techniques, using cheaper and more accessible techniques. Few studies are covered in this theme, when treated about Apis mellifera honey, and it has been observed that in the last 12 years, the few researches have only tried to show the viability of using the technique without quantifying the present compounds, while others demonstrate the fluorescent aspects, but performing through techniques considered more expensive.

Spectrofluorimetric analyzes of thiamine and riboflavin in monofloral honey varieties of africanized bees (Apis mellifera).

This research aimed to study the validation of a viable and low-cost spectrofluorimetric method, capable of detecting and quantifying B vitamins in floral varieties of bee honey. The analyzes were performed using chemical and operational methods of pre-defined solutions and standards, performed in triplicate and the results expressed as mean ± standard deviation. The data were recorded in a Microsoft Office Excel spreadsheet (version 2013) and studied using the statistical program Bioestatic version 3.0. The calibration curves of the vitamins showed the linearity and precision of the method. Subsequently, a descriptive analysis of the data was performed, being considered normal in the Lilliefors normality tests. Finally, the data were subjected to Pearson's correlation test, showing positive and strong correlations, with r (Pearson) ranging from 0.7619 to 1. Honey had positive results regarding the detection and quantification of vitamins B1 and B2 through the spectrofluorimetric method.

Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics of lead (II) adsorption in bioadsorvent composed by Caryocar coriaceum Wittm barks.

The improper disposal of waste containing toxic metals promotes serious environmental problems. Biosorption stands out as a powerful technique in removing toxic metals from aqueous solutions, making it an efficient and low-cost technique, since it makes use of abundant materials and of natural origins. This work aimed to study the application of the bark of Caryocar coriaceum Wittm, as a possible bioabsorbent for the removal of Lead (II) present in aqueous solutions, for this, residues of this material were collected in a public market, where they were washed and dried, then crushed, sieved (32mesh) and washed again, to then be used in the kinetic, isotherm and thermodynamic tests of lead (II) ions adsorption. After the experiments, it was found that the increase of the temperature disfavored the rate of lead (II) adsorption, ranging from 15.6 to 13.5 mg.L-1, for temperatures of 5 °C and 35 °C, respectively. The pseudo-second order kinetic model best characterizes the adsorption velocity obtaining a linear regression coefficient of 0.9997, while the pseudo-first order obtained a value of 0.7117. Adsorption occurred by chemisorption, with intra-film diffusion. The isothermal model that best represented the adsorption was Langmuir's (R2 0.99). It was concluded that the bark of Caryocar coriaceum Wittm is a good alternative to be used as a bioabsorbent for solutions containing dissolved lead (II).

Modulation of antibiotic resistance by the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum L. in association with light-emitting diodes (LED) lights.

This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiotic-enhancing effects of the essential oil obtained from Ocimum gratissimum L. (OEOg) alone or in association with light-emitting diodes (LED) lights. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and its chemical composition analysed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The antibacterial and antibiotic-enhancing activities against multiresistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were evaluated by the gaseous contact method. The analysis of the photoinductive effect on the antibacterial activity of the OEOg and antibiotics was assessed through exposure to different LED lights (red, blue and yellow). The phytochemical analysis identified five compounds, including eugenol, as the major constituent. The OEOg caused a significant inhibition of the halo, indicating a direct antibacterial effect. Exposure to the LED lights significantly enhanced the activity of the OEOg against E. coli. On the other hand, the action of the essential oil against S. aureus was enhanced by exposure to both blue and yellow lights. The effects of LED light exposure on the activity of conventional antibiotics varied significantly according to the drug and the bacterial strain. However, most combinations of LED lights and the OEOg presented synergistic effects against resistant bacterial strains, indicating enhanced antibacterial activity. Thus, these in vitro findings suggest that both OEOg and LED lights have promising antibacterial effects. Nevertheless, further research is required to evaluate in vivo the potential of these therapies for the treatment of infectious skin diseases.

Molecular ageing in progeroid syndromes: Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome as a model.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare premature aging disorder that belongs to a group of conditions called laminopathies which affect nuclear lamins. Mutations in two genes, LMNA and ZMPSTE24, have been found in patients with HGPS. The p.G608G LMNA mutation is the most commonly reported mutation. The aim of this work was to compile a comprehensive literature review of the clinical features and genetic mutations and mechanisms of this syndrome as a contribution to health care workers. This review shows the necessity of a more detailed clinical identification of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome and the need for more studies on the pharmacologic and pharmacogenomic approach to this syndrome.

Molecular mechanism underlying orofacial antinociceptive activity of Vanillosmopsis arborea Baker (Asteraceae) essential oil complexed with ß-cyclodextrin.

BACKGROUND: Vanillosmopsis arborea Baker has recognized economic value owing to the high content of (-)-α-bisabolol (BISA) in the essential oil of its stem (EOVA). The antinociceptive effect of EVOA has already been demonstrated, and ß-cyclodextrin (ßCD) is known to improve the analgesic effect of various substances. PURPOSE: Thus, we aimed to evaluate the orofacial antinociceptive effect of a complex containing EOVA-ßCD in rodents. METHODS: EOVA was obtained by simple hydrodistillation, and the essential oil was complexed with ßCD. The animals (n = 6/group) were treated orally with EOVA-ßCD (10 or 50 mg/kg), or vehicle (control), and subjected to cutaneous orofacial nociception (formalin, capsaicin, acidic saline or glutamate), corneal (hypertonic saline) or temporomandibular (formalin) tests. The expression of FOS protein was analyzed in the spinal cord. Molecular docking was performed using the 5-HT3 and M2 receptors and BISA. RESULTS: The oral administration of EOVA-ßCD reduced nociceptive behaviour. Moreover, EOVA-ßCD decreased FOS expression. The molecular docking study indicates that BISA interacts with 5-HT3 and M2 receptors, indicating the potential mechanism of action of the tested compound. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that EOVA-ßCD possesses orofacial antinociceptive effect, indicating that this complex can be used in analgesic drug development.

Effect of seasonality on chemical profile and antifungal activity of essential oil isolated from leaves Psidium salutare (Kunth) O. Berg.

Medicinal plants play a crucial role in the search for components that are capable of neutralizing the multiple mechanisms of fungal resistance. Psidium salutare (Kunth) O. Berg is a plant native to Brazil used as both food and traditional medicine to treat diseases and symptoms such as stomach ache and diarrhea, whose symptoms could be related to fungal infections from the genus Candida. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of seasonal variability on the chemical composition of the Psidium salutare essential oil, its antifungal potential and its effect on the Candida albicans morphogenesis. The essential oils were collected in three different seasonal collection periods and isolated by the hydrodistillation process in a modified Clevenger apparatus with identification of the chemical composition determined by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The antifungal assays were performed against Candida strains through the broth microdilution method to determine the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). Fungal growth was assessed by optical density reading and the Candida albicans dimorphic effect was evaluated by optical microscopy in microculture chambers. The chemical profile of the essential oils identified 40 substances in the different collection periods with γ-terpinene being the predominant constituent. The antifungal activity revealed an action against the C. albicans, C. krusei and C. tropicalis strains with an IC50 ranging from 345.5 to 2,754.2 µg/mL and a MFC higher than 1,024 µg/mL. When combined with essential oils at sub-inhibitory concentrations (MIC/16), fluconazole had its potentiated effect, i.e. a synergistic effect was observed in the combination of fluconazole with P.salutare oil against all Candida strains; however, for C. albicans, its effect was reinforced by the natural product in all the collection periods. The results show that the Psidium salutare oil affected the dimorphic transition capacity, significantly reducing the formation of hyphae and pseudohyphae in increasing concentrations. The results show that P. salutare oil exhibits a significant antifungal activity against three Candida species and that it can act in synergy with fluconazole. These results support the notion that this plant may have a potential use in pharmaceutical and preservative products.

Psidium guajava L., from ethnobiology to scientific evaluation: Elucidating bioactivity against pathogenic microorganisms.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The use of popular plants has guided pharmaceutical research aimed at combating pathogenic microorganisms. Psidium guajava L. is a plant of great versatility and it has been used both as food and as a therapeutic agent. Root, bark, leaves, fruits, flowers and seeds are used for medicinal purposes, especially in infusions and decoctions for oral and topical use. P. guajava is utilized in symptomatology treatment related to organ malfunction and of diseases caused by the action of pathogenic and/or opportunistic microorganisms. Many pharmacological studies have been conducted to scientifically assess its therapeutic potential. AIMS OF STUDY: The aim of the current study is to relate the popular use of this plant and its bioscientific assessment as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of diseases and symptoms caused by the action of protozoa, fungi, bacteria and viruses, and also evaluate the safety for the usage and the interaction with drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A bibliographic database the ethnobiology of Psidium guajava (2005-2015) and the pharmacological infections and parasitic diseases (2010-2015). Searches were done in scientific disclosure databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. RESULTS: P. guajava leaf extracts were scientifically investigated for the treatment of diseases caused by protozoa (leishmaniasis, malaria, giardiasis, amoebiasis and trichomoniasis), fungi (dermatosis, systemic and mucocutaneous diseases), bacteria (respiratory, mucocutaneous and gastrointestinal infections, cholera, gastritis and stomach ulcers, oral and periodontal infections, venereal diseases and urinary infections) and viruses (herpes, influenza, rotavirus disease and AIDS). The toxicity assays indicates the safet for usage. CONCLUSIONS: Highlight and elucidate the therapeutic potential and versatility of P. guajava. They also justify using ethnobiology efficiency to guide pharmacological studies. Some limitations can be observed in this kind of study, as the lack for ethnobiological informations and the absence of some controls in the assays.

Evaluation of the Interaction between the Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) LP Queiroz Extract and Antimicrobials Using Biological and Analytical Models.

Poincianella pyramidalis (Tul.) LP Queiroz (Fabaceae) is an endemic tree of northeastern Brazil, occurring mainly in the Caatinga. Its medicinal use is widespread and is an important therapeutic option against diarrhea, dysentery, and respiratory and urinary infections, among other diseases. In this study we determined the chemical marker and evaluated the interaction between P. pyramidalis extract and a commercial antimicrobial through the use of biological and analytical models. To obtain the extract, an ethanol-water mixture (50:50 v/v) was used as solvent. It was nebulized in a spray dryer using colloidal silicon dioxide as a drying adjuvant. The extract (ENPp) was subjected to HPLC analysis to verify the presence of certain secondary metabolites. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the extract against Gram-negative bacteria was determined by broth microdilution and the MIC of synthetic antimicrobial drugs in the presence and absence of the extract. The antioxidant activity of ENPp was evaluated by the DPPH method. The compatibility between the antimicrobial and the extract was evaluated by thermal analysis (TG/DTA). The acute toxicity of the extract was evaluated in vivo in rodents. The results indicate significant additive action of the extract on synthetic antibiotics, considerable antioxidant activity and absence of toxicity. This extract shows high potential for the development of formulations for antimicrobial therapy when used with a vegetable-active ingredient.

Pulmonary bacterial pathogens in cystic fibrosis patients and antibiotic therapy: a tool for the health workers.

Cystic fibrosis is the most common and best known genetic disease involving a defect in transepithelial Cl- transport by mutations in the CF gene on chromosome 7, which codes for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein (CFTR). The most serious symptoms are observed in the lungs, augmenting the risk of bacterial infection. The objective of this review was to describe the bacterial pathogens colonizing patients with cystic fibrosis. A systematic search was conducted using the international bibliographic databanks SCIELO, HIGHWIRE, PUBMED, SCIRUS and LILACS to provide a useful and practical review for healthcare workers to make them aware of these microorganisms. Today, B. cepacia, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus are the most important infectious agents in cystic fibrosis patients. However, healthcare professionals must pay attention to emerging infectious agents in these patients, because they represent a potentially serious future problem. Therefore, these pathogens should be pointed out as a risk to these patients, and hospitals all over the world must be prepared to detect and combat these bacteria.

Característica gerais da ação, do tratamento e da resistência fúngica ao flucanozol / General traits of action, treatment and fungal resistance to fluconazol

O objetivo deste trabalho foi destacar o modo e espectro de ação, as características do tratamento e os mecanismos pelos quais os fungos podem apresentar resistência ao fluconazol, de modo a fornecer aos profissionais de saúde um material útil para a prevenção da disseminação desta resistência. Foi realizada uma revisão na literatura especializada dos bancos de dados internacionais SCIELO, LILACS E HIGHWIRE. O fluconazol é um composto bitriazólico sintético, usado em larga escala de forma isolada ou em combinação com outras drogas no tratamento de doenças causadas por fungos. Tem amplo espectro de ação, incluindo espécies de Candida, Cryptococcus, Histoplasma a Paracoccidioides. O uso indiscriminado desta droga, principalmente em pacientes imunocomprometidos, vem apresentando sinais negativos no tratamento das doenças fúngicas, pois vem cada vez mais difícil o combate destas novas gerações de fungos, necessitando no futuro de antifúngico mais potente.

Análise de pontos críticos de hospitais públicos da região do Cariri - CE - Brasil / Analysis of the critical points of the public hospitals of Cariri - CE - Brazil

Introdução: O meio ambiente hospitalar guarda uma íntima relação com as infecções hospitalares, podendo proporcionar focos de transmissão e de contato. Dentre os meios de transmissão, a água utilizada para o consumo humano. Objetivo: Desta forma, realizou-se esta pesquisa para avaliar as condições microbiológicas dos leitos hospitalares e bebedouros de hospitais públicos da Região do Cariri - CE. Métodos: Durante dois meses foram realizadas coletas em leitos e de amostras de água provenientes de diversos bebedouros de três hospitais públicos da região do Cariri, Ceará - Brasil por meio de swab. No laboratório, a avaliação bacteriológica procedeu-se com semeadura por spread plate das amostras em placas de Petri estéries contento meio Ágar-BHI e Sabouraud com incubação a 37ºC. As placas foram analisadas quanto ao crescimento de bactérias e fungos, sua morfologia e tipos. Resultados: Das 34 amostras, 79,4 por cento resultaram em bactérias Gram-positivas. Observou-se uma maior incidência de aspergillus niger em 29,41 por cento das amostras. Dentre 16 amostras provenientes de bebedouros, os resultados revelaram o comprometimento da qualidade da água dos distritos estudados, uma vez que mais de 70 por cento apresentaram positivação nos exames bacteriológicos, evidenciando os efeitos indesejáveis do saneamento diferenciado. Conclusões: A partir desses dados, conclui-se a necessidade de medidas de controle de infecção hospitalar de forma sistemática, a fim de promover assistência adequada aos pacientes hospitalizados

Epidemiologia molecular do gênero arcobacter / Molecular epidemiology of genus arcobacter

Pertencente à família Campylobacteriaceae, os bacilos gram-negativos curvos Arcobacter apresentam quatro subtipos: A. cryaerophylos, A. butzleri, A. nitrofrigilis e A. skirrowii. Estudos de DNA e rRNA foram usados para evidenciar as diferenças genotípicas entre estas e as dos gêneros Campylobacter e Helicobacter. Tais bactérias foram encontradas em carcaças de suínos, bovinos e aves, bem como em esgotos, sedimentos de pântanos salgados e humanos com enterites, o que sugere que possam ser patógenos humanos transmitidos principalmente através de água não tratada e carnes pouco cozidas