Clinical isolates of Trichophyton rubrum are completely inhibited by photochemical treatment with a γ-cyclodextrin formulation of curcuminoids.

INTRODUCTION: It was shown previously that dermatophytes can markedly be inhibited by a photochemical treatment with curcumin. This kind of photo-inactivation needs to be improved, however, because curcumin is poorly water-soluble. Therefore, a new water-soluble γ-cyclodextrin formulation of curcuminoids was tested for its photochemical inactivation of Trichophyton (T.) rubrum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Conidia were harvested from 6 typical strains of T rubrum and used to inoculate wells of microtiter plates. These wells were also filled with a γ-cyclodextrin curcuminoid formulation with 0.1% DMSO and Sabouraud broth. The assays were then irradiated with visible light (wavelength 420 nm, 45 J/cm2 ). After 24 hours, curcuminoid was added once more, and irradiation was repeated. Fungal growth was monitored photometrically for 8 days and compared with controls. RESULTS: Growth of all 6 T rubrum strains was completely inhibited by the photochemical treatment with the γ-cyclodextrin formulation of curcuminoids. The same curcuminoid formulation applied without irradiation had only a minor inhibitory effect. DISCUSSION: Photo-inactivation of dermatophytes with a γ-cyclodextrin formulation of curcuminoids plus visible light is a very promising procedure with potential for a new treatment of patients with superficial tinea.

The Oomycete Pythium oligandrum Can Suppress and Kill the Causative Agents of Dermatophytoses.

Pythium oligandrum (Oomycota) is known for its strong mycoparasitism against more than 50 fungal and oomycete species. However, the ability of this oomycete to suppress and kill the causal agents of dermatophytoses is yet to be studied. We provide a complex study of the interactions between P. oligandrum and dermatophytes representing all species dominating in the developed countries. We assessed its biocidal potential by performing growth tests, on both solid and liquid cultivation media and by conducting a pilot clinical study. In addition, we studied the molecular background of mycoparasitism using expression profiles of genes responsible for the attack on the side of P. oligandrum and the stress response on the side of Microsporum canis. We showed that dermatophytes are efficiently suppressed or killed by P. oligandrum in the artificial conditions of cultivations media between 48 and 72 h after first contact. Significant intra- and interspecies variability was noted. Of the 69 patients included in the acute regimen study, symptoms were completely eliminated in 79% of the patients suffering from foot odour, hyperhidrosis disappeared in 67% of cases, clinical signs of dermatomycoses could no longer be observed in 83% of patients, and 15% of persons were relieved of symptoms of onychomycosis. Our investigations provide clear evidence that the oomycete is able to recognize and kill dermatophytes using recognition mechanisms that resemble those described in oomycetes attacking fungi infecting plants, albeit with some notable differences.

Terapia fotodinámica antimicrobiana in vitro aplicada sobre Trichophyton mentagrophytes con nuevo azul de metileno como fotosensibilizador / In vitro antimicrobial photodynamic therapy against Trichophyton mentagrophytes using new methylene blue as the photosensitizer

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: La terapia fotodinámica antimicrobiana combina el uso de un fármaco fotosensibilizante, la luz y el oxígeno para erradicar microorganismos patógenos. Trichophyton mentagrophytes es un hongo dermatofito capaz de invadir la piel y tejidos queratinizados. El objetivo de este trabajo es aplicar la terapia fotodinámica antimicrobiana para la inactivación in vitro de T. mentagrophytes utilizando el nuevo azul de metileno como agente fotosensibilizador. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se aplica un diseño factorial completo para optimizar los parámetros que permiten la fotoinactivación del dermatofito. Se tiene en cuenta la concentración del nuevo azul de metileno, el tiempo de contacto entre el fotosensibilizador y el hongo antes del tratamiento con luz y la fluencia de luz roja aplicada entre 620 y 645 nm. RESULTADOS: La mínima concentración de nuevo azul de metileno que produce una mortalidad de todas las células de T. mentagrophytes de la suspensión inicial (concentración∼106 ufc/ml) es 50 M para una fluencia de 81 J/cm-2 y un tiempo previo de contacto hongo-fotosensibilizador de 10 min. Si se aumenta la concentración a 100 M la fluencia que se necesita disminuye a 9 J/cm-2. CONCLUSIONES: La comparación de nuestros datos con otros publicados muestra que la susceptibilidad de T. mentagrophytes a la terapia fotodinámica antimicrobiana con nuevo azul de metileno es cepa-dependiente. El nuevo azul de metileno es un fotosensibilizador a tener en cuenta para el tratamiento de las micosis cutáneas causadas por este dermatofito

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy combines the use of a photosensitizing drug with light and oxygen to eradicate pathogens. Trichophyton mentagrophytes is a dermatophytic fungus able to invade the skin and keratinized tissues. We have investigated the use of new methylene blue as the photosensitizing agent for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy to produce the in vitro inactivation of T mentagrophytes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A full factorial design was employed to optimize the parameters for photoinactivation of the dermatophyte. The parameters studied were new methylene blue concentration, contact time between the photosensitizing agent and the fungus prior to light treatment, and the fluence of red light (wavelength, 620---645 nm) applied. RESULTS: The minimum concentration of new methylene blue necessary to induce the death of all T. mentagrophytes cells in the initial suspension (approximate concentration, 106 colony forming units per milliliter) was 50 M for a fluence of 81 J/cm2 after a contact time of 10 minutes with the photosensitizing-agent. Increasing the concentration to 100 M allowed the fluence to be decreased to 9 J/cm2. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of our data with other published data shows that the susceptibility of T. mentagrophytes to antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with new methylene blue is straindependent. New methylene blue is a photosensitizing agent that should be considered for the treatment of fungal skin infections caused by this dermatophyte

Uso del Oleozon® en pacientes con giardiasis, impétigo contagioso y epidermofitosis de los pies / Use of Oleozon® in patients with giardiasis, contagious impetigo and epidermophytosis of feet

Se realizó una intervención terapéutica en 76 pacientes con giardiasis, impétigo contagioso y epidermofitosis de los pies, pertenecientes al consultorio No. 29 del Policlínico Docente 30 de Noviembre de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero del 2013 hasta igual periodo del 2014, a fin de evaluar el uso del Oleozon® oral o tópico en el tratamiento de los afectados. En la casuística predominaron el sexo masculino (51,3 por ciento), el grupo etario de 5-9 años (34,2 por ciento) y los afectados con giardiasis (43,4 por ciento). Se obtuvieron resultados favorables en 78,9 por ciento de los pacientes, entre los cuales sobresalieron los que tenían giardiasis e impétigo(AU)

A therapeutic intervention in 76 patients with giardiasis, contagious impetigo and epidermophytosis of feet, belonging to the doctor's office 29 of 30 de Noviembre Teaching Polyclinic in Santiago de Cuba was carried out from January, 2013 to the same period of 2014, in order to evaluate the use of oral or topic Oleozon® in the treatment of those affected. Male sex (51.3 percent), the age group 5-9 years (34.2 percent) and those affected with giardiasis (43.4 percent) prevailed in the case material. Favorable results were obtained in 78.9 percent of the patients, among which there were those who had giardiasis and impetigo, with 31.6 percent each(AU)

Tratamiento de la tiña corporis con tintura de Ajo al 20 por ciento. Hospital Celia Sánchez Manduley, 2009-2011 / Treatment of the Tinea Corporis with Garlic tint 20 percent. Hospital Celia Sanchez Manduley, 2009-2011

Introducción: Las enfermedades infecciosas originadas por hongos son, probablemente, las que más frecuentemente afectan al ser humano. La tiña del cuerpo incluye todas las infecciones por dermatófitos de la piel glabra, con exclusión de palmas, plantas e ingles. Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados del tratamiento con tintura de Ajo al 20 por ciento. Método Se realizó un estudio de evaluación o prueba en los pacientes con el diagnóstico de Tiña corporis que acudieron a la consulta de Dermatología del Hospital Universitario Celia Sánchez Manduley, en el período de agosto 2009 a mayo 2011, el universo de estudio estuvo constituido por cuarenta y nueve pacientes que acudieron a la consulta y la población objeto de estudio fueron cuarenta y dos que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. La información se obtuvo de las historias clínicas de cada paciente, estudiándose las variables: respuesta al tratamiento, edad, sexo, tiempo de aplicación y afectos adversos. Resultados: Obteniendo como resultado que un por ciento elevado de pacientes con Tiña corporis tratados con tintura de Ajo al 20 por ciento curaron, siendo la edad de 1-15 años y el sexo femenino los que respondieron mejor al tratamiento en un período entre 21 y 30 días sin efectos adversos. Conclusiones: Se demostró que un por ciento elevado de pacientes con Tiña corporis tratados con tintura de Ajo al 20 por ciento curaron, siendo la edad de1-15 años y el sexo femenino los que respondieron mejor al tratamiento en un período entre 21 y 30 días sin efectos adversos(AU)

Introduction: The infectious diseases originated by funguses are, probably, those that more frequently affect the human being. The tinea corporis includes all the infections by dermatophyts of the glabrous skin, with exclusion of palms, plants and groin.Objective: to evaluate the results of the treatment with Garlic tincture to 20 percent. Method: it was performed a study of evaluation or test in the patients that were assisted in the Dermatology Consultation at Celia Sánchez Manduley University Hospital with the diagnostic of tinea corporis, in the period of August 2009 to May 2011, the universe of study was constituted by forty-nine patients that came to the consult and the population object of study were forty-two patients that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The information was obtained through the clinical records of each patient, studying the variables: answer to the treatment, age, sex, time of application and adverse affections. Results: an elevated percent of patients with tinea corporis treated with Garlic tincture to 20 percent healed, being the age of 1-15 years and the feminine sex those that answered better to the treatment in a period of 21 to 30 days without adverse reactions. Conclusions: it was evidenced that a high percent of patients with Tinea corporis treated with Garlic tincture to 20 percent healed, being the age of1-15 years and the feminine sex those that answered better to the treatment in a period between 21 and 30 days without adverse effects(EU)

Uso de Oleozón® en epidermofitosis en el Hospital General Docente de Guantánamo / Use of Oleozon in tinea at the General Teaching Hospital, Guantánamo

Se realiza un estudio sobre el uso de Oleozón® en epidermofitosis en 341 pacientes de la consulta de Dermatología del Hospital General Docente Dr Agostinho Neto de Guantánamo, en el período marzo 2009 febrero 2011, para determinar evolución clínica y aparición de reacciones adversas. Se analizaron variables como: grupo edad, sexo, formas clínicas, evolución clínica, reacciones adversas. Se utilizaron dos grupos de pacientes, a los que se le realizó consulta a la cuarta y final de la sexta semana de tratamiento. El mayor porcentaje de los pacientes perteneció al sexo masculino y al grupo de edades entre 15-32 años. La variedad clínica predominante fue la escamosa, con mejor respuesta al tratamiento. La mayoría de los pacientes mostraron curación clínica, no hubo diferencias en la evolución clínica entre ambos grupos, no se identificaron reacciones adversas (AU)

A study on the use of Oleozon in tinea is done in 341 patients from the Dermatology Department at the General Teaching Hospital Dr Agostinho Neto Guantanamo, from March 2009 to February 2011, to determine clinical evolution and adverse reactions. Age group, sex, clinical symptoms, clinical course, adverse reactions were analyzed as variables. Two groups of patients were used, which were treated by consulting the fourth and final of the sixth week of treatment. The highest percentages of patients were males and belonged to the age group between 15-32 years. The predominant clinical form was scaly, with better response to treatment. Most patients showed clinical cure, and there was no difference in clinical evolution between the two groups, no adverse reactions too

Efectividad de peloidoterapia en tiña pedis / Peloide therapy effectiviness in tineapedis

Se realiza estudio descriptivo prospectivo, para caracterizar el uso de la peloidoterapia en pacientes con tiña pedis asistidos en el Hospital Dr Agosthino Neto de Guantánamo desde enero 2006–febrero 2007. Se comprueba insuficiente conocimiento sobre peloides como modalidad de Medicina Natural y Tradicional (MNT) en tratamiento de tiña pedis. El universo está constituido por 120 pacientes hombres con diagnóstico clínico y micológico de tiña pedis, se les ofrece tratamiento diario con peloides. La tiña pedis escamosa resulta ser la forma clínica más común, el mayor porcentaje está en pacientes de 25-34 años y entre 15 y 29 días de evolución de la enfermedad, antes de iniciar el tratamiento con peloides. El Trichophyton Rubrum es el agente causal más común del estudio micológico. La mayor proporción de pacientes mejoran con peloidoterapia, particularmente aquellos con forma escamosa de tiña pedis. Se expresan resultados en cuadros y gráficos, se arriba a conclusiones(AU)

Combined effect of heat, essential oils and salt on fungicidal activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes in a foot bath.

This work was originally undertaken to determine the effective conditions of essential oils against Trichophyton mentagrophytes in vitro for the treatment of tinea pedis in a foot bath. Agar blocks implanted with T. mentagrophytes were immersed in 0.1% aqueous agar containing two-fold dilutions of essential oils with or without sodium chloride at 27 degrees C, 37 degrees C and 42 degrees C for 10 and 20 min. The number of surviving mycelia on the agar blocks was determined from the standard curves of the colony diameter and original inocula of the conidia. At the same time, the thermal effect on the cellular morphology was examined using SEM. Most fungal mycelia (99.7%) were killed after treatment at 42 degrees C for 20 min without essential oil. The fungicidal activity of essential oils was markedly enhanced by treating at 42 degrees C for 20 min as compared with that at 27 degrees C, showing 1/4 - 1/32-fold reduction of minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC to kill 99.99%). The order of the fungicidal activity of 11 essential oils was oregano, thyme thymol, cinnamon bark > lemongrass > clove, palmarose, peppermint, lavender > geranium Bourbon, tea tree > thyme geraniol oils. MFCs were further reduced to 1/2 - 1/8 by the addition of 10% sodium chloride. The salt effect was explained, at least partly, by an increase in mycelial adsorption of antifungal constituents in the presence of sodium chloride. Considerable hyphal damage was done at 27 degrees C by the essential oils, but no further alteration in morphology of the hyphae treated at 42 degrees C with or without oil was observed by SEM. The inhibitory effect of heat and oils was also observed against mycelia of T. rubrum and conidia of T. mentagrophytes. Thermotherapy combined with essential oils and salt would be promising to treat tinea pedis in a foot bath.

An alternative treatment for pityriasis versicolor, tinea cruris, tinea corporis and tinea faciei with topical application of honey, olive oil and beeswax mixture: an open pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possible role of honey, olive oil and beeswax in the treatment of skin fungal infections. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with pityriasis versicolor, tinea cruris, tinea corporis and tinea faciei were studied. After clinical evaluation of redness, scaling, pruritus and burning/pain sensation and mycological assessment, honey mixture containing honey, olive oil and beeswax (1:1:1) was applied to the lesions three times daily for a maximum of 4 weeks. RESULTS: Clinical response was obtained in 86% of patients with pityriasis versicolor, 78% of patients with tinea cruris and in 75% of patients with tinea corporis. Mycological cure was obtained in 75, 71 and 62% of patients with PV, tinea cruris and tinea corporis, respectively. The patient with tinea faciei showed clinical and mycological cure 3 weeks after commencement of therapy. CONCLUSION: Honey mixture may have place in the management of these skin conditions and rigorous, controlled trials are justified.

An inactivated vaccine against ringworm.

A new vaccine against ringworm, containing the inactivated Trichophyton verrucosum strain, was assessed on guinea pigs and calves under experimental conditions and on three herds of cattle under natural conditions. The vaccine elicited a distinct immune response of the cellular type. This type of immunity assessed by the migration inhibition test of leukocytes corresponded to the immunity evaluated by the challenge. In herds in which there were from 30 to 67% of naturally infected animals with T. verrucosum, two doses of the vaccine resulted in after 4 weeks a decrease of the number of animals with clinical changes from 40.5 to 100% depending on the group of animals under study.

[Effect of 8-methoxypsoralen and blacklight on microorganisms in vitro and in experimental trichophytosis in guinea pigs]. / Zur Wirkung von 8-Methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) und Blacklight auf Mikroorganismen in vitro und den Ablauf der experimentellen Meerschweinchen-Trichophytie

The lack of experimental test models causes problems in comparative evaluation of photodynamic effects of 8-MOP and its possible derivatives after irradiation with blacklight or other irradiation sources. In our experiments in vitro, tests with various microorganisms and the in vivo model of experimental dermatophytosis in guinea pigs by Trichophyton mentagrophytes appeared to be suitable. In vivo, 8-MOP was applicated orally and topically in two formulations.