Antimicrobial activity of the essential oils from the leaves and stems of Amomum rubidum Lamxay & N. S. Lý / Actividad antimicrobiana de los aceites esenciales de las hojas y tallos de Amomum rubidum Lamxay & N. S. Lý

This paper described the chemical compositions and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils from the leaves and stem of Amomum rubidumLamxay & N. S. Lý, collected from Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, Lam Dong, Vietnam. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodisitllation method while antimicrobial activity was evaluetd by microdilution broth susceptibility assay. The main constituents of the leaf essential oil were identified as 1,8-cineole (37.7%), δ-3-carene (19.5%) and limonene (16.3%) while δ-3-carene (21.9%), limonene (17.8%) and ß-phellandrene (14.6%) dominated in the stem essentialoil. The leaf and stem essential oils displayed stronger inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with MIC of 25 µg/mLand 50 µg/mL respectively. The stem essential oil was active against Candida albicans (MIC, 50 µg/mL) while both essential oils inhibited the growth of Fusarium oxysporum (MIC 50 µg/mL). This is the first report on chemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of the essential oils of A. rubidum.

Este artículo describe la composición química y la actividad antimicrobiana de aceites esenciales de las hojas y el tallo de Amomum rubidum Lamxay & N. S. Lý recolectados del Parque Nacional Bidoup Nui Ba, Lam Dong, Vietnam. Los aceites esenciales se obtuvieron mediante el método de hidrodisitilación, mientras que la actividad antimicrobiana se evaluó mediante un ensayo de susceptibilidad de caldo de microdilución. Los principales componentes del aceite esencial de la hoja se identificaron como 1,8-cineol (37,7%), δ-3-careno (19,5%) y limoneno (16,3%), mientras que δ-3-careno (21,9%), limoneno (17,8 %) y ß-felandreno (14,6%) dominaron en el aceite esencial del tallo. Los aceites esenciales de hoja y tallo mostraron una inhibición más fuerte de Pseudomonas aeruginosa con un MIC de 25 µg/mL y 50 µg/mL, respectivamente. El aceite esencial del tallo fue activo contra Candida albicans (MIC, 50 µg/mL) mientras que ambos aceites esenciales inhibieron el crecimiento de Fusarium oxysporum (MIC 50 µg/mL). Este es el primer informe sobre los componentes químicos y la actividad antimicrobiana de los aceites esenciales de A. rubidum.

Fusarium solani keratitis: role of antifungal susceptibility testing and identification to the species level for proper management

ABSTRACT We report a patient with fungal keratitis caused by a multiresistant Fusarium solani in a tertiary care hospital located in southern Brazil. A 55-year-old man with a history of ocular trauma presented with keratitis in left eye. The patient has a complicated clinical course and failed to respond to local and systemic antifungal treatment, and required eye enucleation. Despite multiple topical, intraocular and systemic antifungal treatments, hyphal infiltration persisted in the corneal transplant causing continuous recurrences. The cultures of corneal biopsy scrapings were positive for Fusarium spp. The organism was identified to species level by multi-locus sequencing for translation elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1α), and RNA polymerase II subunit (RPB2). In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing of the isolate by the broth microdilution method, according to CLSI M38-A2, disclosed susceptibility to natamycin and resistance to amphotericin B, voriconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole. Considering previous unsuccessful antifungal treatments due to multiple drug resistance, the eye was enucleated. Our case report illustrates that management of fungal keratitis remains a therapeutic challenge. Optimal treatment for F. solani infection has not yet been established and should include susceptibility testing for different antifungal agents.

Efeito combinado de carvacrol e tiabendazol contra Colletotrichum gloesporioides, Fusarium solani e Alternaria alternata / Combined effect of carvacrol and thiabendazole against Colletotrichum gloesporioides, Fusarium solani and Alternaria alternata

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a atividade antimicrobiana do carvacrol e sua combinação com tiabendazol no controle de fungos patogênicos deteriorantes de frutas (Colletotrichum gloesporioides, Fusarium solani e Alternaria alternata). O carvacrol apresentou uma concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) de 282 a 563 μg mL-1 para os fungos testados. Quando avaliado em conjunto com o tiabendazol apresentou efeito aditivo contra C. gloesporioides e F. solani (FICI 0,5 e 1,0, respectivamente) e sinérgico contra a A.alternata (FICI 0,1). Houve redução da CIM do carvacrol de 50 a 88%. Este estudo mostra o potencial do uso.

Invasive fungal infection in patients with hematologic disorders in a Brazilian tertiary care hospital

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are an important complication in immunocompromised individuals, particularly neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies. In this study, we aimed to verify the epidemiology and diagnosis of IFIs in patients with hematologic problems at a tertiary hospital in Goiânia-GO, Brazil. METHODS: Data from 117 patients, involving 19 cases of IFIs, were collected. The collected data included diagnosis methods, demographics, clinical characteristics, and in vitro susceptibility to different antifungal agents. Among the 19 cases, 12 were classified as proven IFI and 7 as probable invasive aspergillosis with detection of galactomannan in blood and presence of lung infiltrates in radiographic images. Logistic regression analysis showed that the proven and probable IFIs were associated with increased risk of death. Statistical analysis demonstrated that age, sex, and underlying disease were not independently associated with risk of death in IFI patients. RESULTS: Most bloodstream isolates of Candida spp. exhibited low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to all antifungal agents tested. Voriconazole and amphotericin had the lowest MICs for Aspergillus spp. and Fusarium spp., but Fusarium spp. showed the least susceptibility to all antifungals tested. Amphotericin B, fluconazole, and itraconazole were found to be inactive in vitro against Acremonium kiliense; but this fungus was sensitive to voriconazole. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the high number of IFI cases, with crude mortality rate of 6%, we could conclude that IFIs remain a common infection in patients with hematological malignancies and underdiagnosed ante mortem. Thus, IFIs should be monitored closely.

La bacteria Arthrobacter agilis UMCV2 y diversas aminas inhiben el crecimiento in vitro de hongos destructores de madera / Bacterium Arthrobacter agilis UMCV2 and diverse amines inhibit in vitro growth of wood-decay fungi

El reino Fungi está representado por innumerable cantidad de organismos entre los cuales se encuentran hongos patógenos que deterioran los principales componentes estructurales de la madera, como celulosa, hemicelulosa y lignina. El objetivo de nuestro trabajo fue caracterizar la actividad antifúngica y la producción de diversas aminas de Arthrobacter agilis UMCV2 con acción antagónica sobre hongos xilófagos. Para ello, se aislaron 4 organismos fúngicos (designados en conjunto UMTM) a partir de madera en descomposición en un bosque de pino encino de la comunidad de Cuanajo, Michoacán, México. Dos de ellos presentaron una clara actividad enzimática de celulasas, xilanasas y enzimas accesorias óxido-reductoras, y fueron identificados como pertenecientes a 2 géneros agresivos para la madera: Hypocrea (aislado UMTM3) y Fusarium (aislado UMTM13). In vitro, las aminas evaluadas mostraron tener efecto inhibitorio sobre el crecimiento de los UMTM y la dimetilhexadecilamina; uno de estos compuestos mostró un fuerte potencial para ser utilizado como tratamiento preventivo contra el ataque de hongos destructores de madera.

The kingdom Fungi is represented by a large number of organisms, including pathogens that deteriorate the main structural components of wood, such as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The aim of our work was to characterize the antifungal activity in Arthrobacter agilis UMCV2 and diverse amines against wood-decaying fungi. Four fungal organisms (designated as UMTM) were isolated from decaying wood samples obtained from a forest in Cuanajo-Michoacán, México. Two of them showed a clear enzymatic activity of cellulases, xylanases and oxido-reducing enzymes and were identified as Hypocrea (UMTM3 isolate) and Fusarium (UMTM13 isolate). In vitro, the amines showed inhibitory effect against UMTM growth and one of the amines, dimethylhexadecylamine (DMA16), exhibited strong potential as wood preventive treatment, against the attack of decaying fungi.

Effect of fungicide on Fusarium verticillioides mycelial morphology and fumonisin B1 production

The effect of fludioxonil + metalaxyl-M on the mycelial morphology, sporulation and fumonisin B1 production by Fusarium verticillioides 103 F was evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the fungicide caused inhibition of hyphal growth and defects on hyphae morphology such as cell wall disruption, withered hyphae, and excessive septation. In addition, extracellular material around the hyphae was rarely observed in the presence of fludioxonil + metalaxyl-M. While promoting the reduction of mycelial growth, the fungicide increased sporulation of F. verticillioides compared to the control, and the highest production occurred on the 14th day in the treatments and on the 10th day in the control cultures. Fumonisin B1 production in the culture media containing the fungicide (treatment) was detected from the 7th day incubation, whereas in cultures without fungicide (control) it was detected on the 10th day. The highest fumonisin B1 production occurred on the 14th day, both for the control and for the treatment. Fludioxonil + metalaxyl - M can interfere in F. verticillioides mycelial morphology and sporulation and increase fumonisin B1 levels. These data indicate the importance of understanding the effects of fungicide to minimize the occurrence of toxigenic fungi and fumonisins.

Efecto antifúngico de extractos fenólicos y de carotenoides de chiltepín (Capsicum annum var. glabriusculum) en Alternaria alternata y Fusarium oxysporum / Antifungal effect of phenolic and carotenoids extracts from chiltepin (Capsicum annum var. glabriusculum) on Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum

En el presente estudio se evaluó el efecto de extractos fenólicos y de carotenoides procedentes de frutos de chiltepín sobre el crecimiento micelial y la germinación de conidios de Alternaria alternata y Fusarium oxysporum, 2 importantes hongos causantes de podredumbres en frutas y hortalizas. Los extractos fenólicos presentaron una inhibición en el crecimiento micelial de A. alternata del 38,46 %, y redujeron significativamente la germinación de conidios al quinto día después del tratamiento al 92 % en relación al control. No se observaron cambios significativos en el crecimiento micelial de F. oxysporum, pero sí se redujo significativamente al 85 % en relación al control, el número de conidios germinados a los 5 días de tratamiento. Los extractos de carotenoides mostraron una inhibición del 38,5 % en el crecimiento micelial y del 85,3 % en la germinación de conidios de A. alternata, 5 días después del tratamiento. Frente a F. oxysporum, dichos extractos presentaron menor inhibición del crecimiento micelial (20,3 %), mientras que hubo una mayor inhibición en la germinación de conidios (96 %). Los extractos fenólicos y de carotenoides de chiltepín pueden ser una alternativa promisoria de importancia agrícola como fungicidas naturales.

The effect of phenolic and carotenoid extracts from chiltepin fruits on mycelial growth and the inhibition of conidial germination of Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum were investigated in the present work. Phenolic extracts inhibited mycelial growth of A. alternata by 38.46%, and significantly reduced conidial germination on the fifth day after treatment to 92% in relation to control. No significant changes were observed in the inhibition of mycelial growth in Fusarium oxysporum; however, the number of germinated conidia was reduced, showing 85% inhibition five days after treatment in relation to control. Moreover, carotenoid extracts showed 38.5% inhibition of mycelial growth and 85.3% inhibition of conidial germination of A. alternata, five days after treatment. Carotenoid extracts showed less inhibition of mycelial growth (20.3%) in F. oxysporum, with respect to A. alternata; while there was greater inhibition of conidial germination (96%) on the fifth day after treatment. Phenolic and carotenoid extracts from chiltepin may be a promising alternative as a natural fungicide against fungi of agricultural importance.

Impact of water potential on growth and germination of Fusarium solani soilborne pathogen of peanut

Studies were conducted to determine the effect of osmotic and matric stress on germination and growth of two Fusarium solani strains, the etiological agent responsible of peanut brown root rot. Both strains had similar osmotic and matric potential ranges that allowed growth, being the latter one narrower. F. solani showed the ability to grow down to -14 MPa at 25 °C in non-ionic modified osmotic medium, while under matric stress this was limited to -8.4 MPa at 25 °C. However, both strains were seen to respond differently to decreasing osmotic and matric potentials, during early stages of germination. One strain (RC 338) showed to be more sensitive to matric than osmotic (non ionic) and the other one (RC 386) showed to be more sensitive to osmotic than matric imposed water stress. After 24 h of incubation, both isolates behaved similarly. The minimum water potential for germination was -8.4 MPa on glycerol amended media and -5.6 MPa for NaCl and PEG amended media, respectively. The knowledge of the water potential range which allow mycelia growth and spore germination of F. solani provides an inside to the likely behaviour of this devastating soilborne plant pathogen in nature and has important practical implications.

[ in vitro antifungal effects of Aran extract [Hypericum Perforatum]

The aim of present study was to investigate the antifungal activity of Hypericum perforatum extract in vitro. Three extraction techniques were used [chloroform, acetone and methanol solvents] and the extracts were tested against Fusarium chlamydosporum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatm, Aspergillus flavus. Acetone extract of H. perforatum was the most active against the growth of F. chlamydosporum, A. niger, it caused 55% and 40% inhibition of fungus growth, respectively, when used in a concentration of 7.5 mg/ml from growth media. The fungus A. flavus was more sensitive to the chloroform extract of H. perforatum and the inhibition percentage was 53.84% at the extract concentration of 7.5 mg/ml from growth media. The concentration 7.5 mg/ml of culture media for all extracts was more effective than the concentration 2.5 mg/ml from growth media. It was concluded that the acetone extract of H. perforatum showed a broad spectrum and greatest activity against the fungi among extracts tested

Biological screening of euphorbia helioscopial

The present research is preliminary biological screening of Euphorbia helioscopia L. [Euphorbiaceae]. Dichloromethane and methanol extracts of the aerial parts of the plant were investigated for their antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and phytotoxic activities. Dichloromethane extract exhibited significant activity against Fusarium solani with 90% Inhibition, where as the same extract also showed non-significant activity against Salmonella typhi and Bacillus subtilis. Methanolic extract has promising radical-scavenging activity in this assay. Both the extracts have non-significant phytotoxicity against lemna minor

Growth of in vitro Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum in chemically defined media amended with gallic acid

Gallic acid was artificially added to the media to grow Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.niveum to investigate its effect on the pathogenic fungus. Results indicate that gallic acid inhibited the growth of F. oxysporum f.sp.niveum. The colony diameter, the conidia germinating rate and the conidia yield were reduced by 5.7-22.9 percent percent, 35.8-55.6 percent and 38.9-62.2 percent respectively. However, the virulence factors by the fungus were stimulated. The activity of pectinase, proteinase and cellulase increased by 12.3-627.8 percent, 11.8-41.2 percent and 0.5-325.0 percent respectively, while the activity of amylase increased slightly. The results suggest that gallic acid repressed growth but facilitated the relative pathogenicity of invading pathogens.

Thymoqunone, an active principle of Nigella sativa, ihibited Fusarium solani

The response of infections with Fusarium species to treatment with antifungal drugs is generally poor and unpredictable. In the present study the anti-fungal activity of thymoquinone, an active principal of Nigella sativa, was investigated against fresh cultures of Fusarium solani [F. solani] isolated from the toe nail of a patient. F. solani was cultured on dermasel agar containing 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/ml of thymoquinone and on dermasel agar alone as a control. After 10 days of incubation at 30 C, in the presence of these concentrations of thymoquinone, there were 10.5, 32.2, 54.7 and 100% inhibition of the growth of F. solani, respectively. Thus the minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC] was 1mg/ml. The results of this preliminary study showed that thymoquinone exhibited antifungal activity against F. solani

Effect of sugars on the association between cowpea vicilin (7S storage proteins) and fungal cells

Vicilins (7S storage proteins) found in various legume seeds have been previously shown to interfere with the germination of spores or conidia of phytopathogenic fungi and inhibit yeast growth and glucose stimulated acidification of the medium by yeast cells. In the present work vicilins from cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds were added to the growth medium of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells and Fusarium oxysporum conidia. Helix pomatia lectin, wheat germ agglutinin and Ulex europaeus lectin were used to identify differences in the binding of the vicilins to the surface of cells of S. cerevisiae and F. oxysporum treated with this protein. After the growth period, the material in suspension (yeast cells) was centrifuged and the final pellet was also treated with different sugar (glucose, sucrose, glucosamine, N-acetyl-glucosamine) concentrations and 0.1 M HCl for extraction of vicilins associated to chitinous structures present in yeast cells. Our results showed that vicilin sub-units were present in the different sugar extracts of yeast cells pretreated with the vicilins and these proteins were eluted by 0.5 M solutions of sugars in the following order of efficiency of elution: N-acetyl-glucosamine, sucrose/glucose and glucosamine.

Efficacy of ammonia in detoxification of fumonisin contaminated corn.

Fumonisin B1 level in culture material and in naturally contaminated corn by F. moniliforme was reduced by 30 and about 40%, respectively, by ammonia treatment. Atmospheric ammoniation of corn did not appear to be an effective method for detoxification of F. moniliforme contaminated corn.

Eficácia do fluconazol subconjuntival na ceratite experimental por Fusarium solani em modelo animal / Efficacy of subconjunctivally injected fluconazole in experimental Fusarium solani Keratitis in animal model

Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia do uso do fluconazol subconjuntival em ceratite fúngica por Fusarium solani experimentalmente induzida em modelo animal. Métodos: Após imunossupressäo prévia com corticosteróide subconjuntival, o inóculo padräo, preparado com auxílio do método de espectrofotometria, foi injetado no estroma corneano. Depois de três dias, iniciou-se a aplicaçäo de 300µl de fluconazol subconjuntival (Grupo 1) ou placebo (Grupo 2), por quatro dias consecutivos. Cinco dias após a primeira dose subconjuntival de fluconazol ou placebo, procedeu-se ao sacrifício dos animais e à trepanaçäo das córneas e imersäo destas em meio de enriquecimento líquido. Alíqüotas de 100, 10 e 1µl deste meio foram semeadas, após 3 dias, em placas com Sabouraud-dextrose e outras colônias crescidas, contadas em cinco dias. Resultados: A análise estatística considerou o número de colônias crescidas nas diferentes diluiçöes, para cada grupo. Näo houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre o grupo tratado com fluconazol subconjuntival e o grupo controle. Conclusäo: A utilizaçäo de fluconazol subconjuntival, durante 4 dias, näo foi eficaz na reduçäo do número de colônias crescidas em placas, quando comparado com o grupo tratado apenas com placebo, em ceratite fúngica por Fusarium solani experimentalmente induzida em coelhos.

Tratamientos de las onicomicosis debidas a hongos miceliales / Onychomycosis due to mycelial fungi: a private clinic experience in Argentina

El propósito de este estudio es presentar la experiencia en onicomicosis debida a hongos miceliales, incluyendo dermatofitos y mohos, obtenida en un consultorio privado de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. En total fueron incluidos 265 pacientes que sufrían este tipo de afección ungueal. El promedio de edad fue de 46,9 años (10-87), 142 fueron varones y 123 mujeres. Doscientos treinta y nueve casos presentaron la forma distal subungueal dre onicomicosis, 14 la forma blanco superficial, 5 la asociación de ambos, 4 onicolisis, 2 proximal subungueal y 1 enfermo exhibió onicolisis y onicomadesis. El 44,9 por ciento de los casos presentó una o dos uñas comprometidas, los restantes exhibieron más de 3 uñas atacads incluyendo un 4,9 por ciento de ellos que tuvieron más de 10 uñas con lesiones. En relación a la gravedad de la invasión ungueal, el 86,9 por ciento de los enfermos exhibió más del 50 por ciento de la superficie ungueal afectada. Fueron aislados los siguientes agentes causales de onicomicosis: T. rubrum 223 casos; T. mentagrophytes 13; T. tonsurans 1; en 20 pacientes se detectaron dermatofitos en el examen microscópico directo, pero no se obtuvieron cultivos positivos; se aislaron hongos miceliales no dermatofitos en 8 pacientes (Fusarium spp. 6 y Aspergillus terreus 2). La mayoría de los enfermos se incluyeron en 2 esquemas terapéuticos principales: itraconazol (1) por vía oral en la dosis diaria de 400 mg durante una semana de cada mes, estos ciclos se repitieron 3 a 4 veces (117 casos) o terbinafina (T) por vía oral a razón de 250 mg diarios durante 3 ó 4 meses (111 casos). Sólo 23 pacientes fueron seleccionados para ser tratados con fluconazol (F) de acuerdo con dos esquemas: 150 mg por semana ó 200 mg dos veces por semana durante 6 a 9 meses. Nueve casos recibieron sólo tratamiento local como primera medicación. Se observaron respuestas clínicas favorables (cura clínica y micológica o mejorías notables con reducción de > 75 por ciento de las lesiones) en el 71 por ciento de los pacientes inicialmente tratados con I y en el 53,1 por ciento de aquellos que recibieron T. El 56 por ciento de los casos que no mejoraron clínica y micológicamente con I mostraron buenas respuestas clínicas con T en un segundo tratamiento y la situación inversa fue comprobada en el 50 por ciento de los enfermos que no habían respondido favorablemente a T cuando se les administró I como segundo tratamiento...

Sensitivity of fusarium moniliforme, F. oxysporum and F. salani to superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide in vitro

The sensitivity of three Fusarium species [i.eFusarium moniliforme Sheldon, F. oxysporum Schlecht. and FSolani [Mort.] Sacc.] to a superoxide anion [O2-] producing system and to hydrogen peroxide [H2Op] differed with species and stage of growth Conidial germination, sporulation and mycelial growth were more sensitive to the O2-producing system or H202, respectively, in FOxysporum, F moniliforme and FSolaniThe least sensitive to O2-or H2O2 were conidial germination in F. moniliforme, sporulation in FSolani and mycelial growth in F Oxysporum The inhibitory effects of O2-increased with increasing riboflavin concentration and H202 increased with increasing H2O2 concentrationAlso, the viability of conidiospores, particularly F. moniliforme and F. oxysporum from 7-day old illuminated cultures, was decreased by O2-treatment However, possible application of O2-producing system[s] or H2O2 as antifungal for use in soil-borne plant diseases control was discussed

Colonización de lesión ulcerocostrosa en miembro inferior por Fusarium sp / Colonization of ulcerated and crusted lower limb lesions with Fusarium sp

Fusarium es un hongo de hifas hialinas, cosmopolita, que vive saprofíticamente en la naturaleza y como fitopatógeno en vegetales de cultivo y ornamentación. Fusarium puede ser causa o factor agravante de infecciones en el hombre tales como: intertrigo interdigital, colonización de úlcera de pierna, onicomicosis, osteomielitis, queratomicosis, etc. , especialmente en pacientes inmunosuprimidos. Este trabajo presenta una paciente de 71 años de edad, de sexo femenino, quién sufrió un traumatismo con un alambre en la pantorrilla izquierda causando una lesión vegetante, exudativa, con múltiples bocas, de la cual se aisló el hongo Fusarium sp. Se instituyó como tratamiento itraconazol 200 mg diarios durante 5 meses con completa resolución del proceso

Crop improvement and disease suppression by a Bacillus spp. SR2 from pea nut rhizosphere.

An antibiotic producing Bacillus strain SR2, isolated from pea nut rhizosphere, showed in vitro antibiosis against many known plant pathogens. Seed bacterization with this strain showed an enhancement in seed germination, shoot height, root length, fresh and dry weights in four crop plants. A multiple drug resistant strain, SR2+, used to monitor root colonization confirmed the root colonization by the organism. Seed bacterization, reduced the number of chick pea wilted plants in wilt-sick soil, making the organism a potential bio-control agent against chick pea wilt.