FishDNAIDs: DNA barcoding as a tool in the development and validation in silico and in vitro of detection systems to four species of Characiformes of commercial importance in the Brazilian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: The COI mitochondrial gene has been chosen as the "DNA barcode in animals" and the large quantity of genetic information in public databanks gives solid support for the use of DNA barcoding as a promising tool for the development of a specific molecular detection system. METHODS AND RESULTS: The present study aimed to develop a Specific Molecular Detection System (SMDS: FishDNAIDs) (primers and probe sets) for the following four target species: Prochilodus nigricans, Potamorhina altamazonica, Psectrogaster rutiloides and Triportheus angulatus, in qPCR assays. In silico and in vitro tests (using gDNA) were performed to test these sets. The database generated contained the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) nucleotide sequence for 183 specimens of Characiformes, distributed in 34 species representing eight families. In silico, primers designed for the target species amplified different species from the same genus, except for P. rutiloides, which amplified only the target species. In the in vitro test, using the SYBRGreentm and TaqMan® fluorescence systems, both sets detected the respective target species (P. nigricans, P. altamazonica, P. rutiloides and T. angulatus). In the qPCR assays using SYBRGreentm, species considered to be related were also detected, in addition to the target species, with the exception of P. amazonica and P. essequibensis (correlated to P. rutiloides). All target species were detected in the qPCR assays using the TaqMan® system; however, with the SMDS PALT, the target species P. altamazonica was detected with low CT values (22.21 ± 0.17) as well as the correlates of P. latior and P. pristigaster, though with high CT values (23.51 ± 0.19 and 30.21 ± 0.95). This assay uniquely identifies known adult tissue samples from all four species. CONCLUSIONS: The primers and probe sets developed can act as powerful tools for detecting the target Characiformes species.

Draft Whole-Genome Sequence of Bacillus paramycoides LB_RP2, a Putative Polyhydroxyalkanoate-Producing Bacterium Isolated from an Amazonian Blackwater River.

Bacteria of the genus Bacillus have been investigated due to the ability that many species have of accumulating polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) via a wide variety of raw materials as their carbon source. Herein, we report the draft whole-genome sequence of the putative PHA-accumulating strain Bacillus paramycoides LB_RP2, isolated from an Amazonian river.

Detection of Common Deletional of α-Thalassemia 3.7 Kb from Metropolitan Region of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Alpha Thalassemia (α-thal) is a heterogeneous group of hereditary alterations caused by deletions that affect alpha regulatory genes, and the 3.7Kb deletion is the most frequent worldwide. The prevalence ranges from 20% and 35% in Brazil, depending mainly on race, predominant in Afro-descendants. PURPOSE: The aim was to determine α-thal -α3.7Kb and -α4.2Kb deletions, estimating their frequency in individuals from six regions of Amazonas State. METHODS: Volunteers age between 18-59 years old of both genders participated in the study. Blood was collected from March 2014 to September 2017 at the health centers of each participant city. α-thal3.7Kb was performed by GAP-PCR, while α-thal4.2Kb by Multiplex-PCR. The total samples collected from each city were: Manaus (capital), 356 (19.7%); Iranduba 232 (12.8%); Manacapuru, 287 (15.9%); Presidente Figueiredo, 370 (20.5%); Itacoatiara, 301 (16.6%); and Coari, 263 (14.5%). RESULTS: The average age among males was 35.3±14.8, while for females, it was 36.7±14.9 years old. Microcytosis (MCV <80fL) was found in 158 individuals (8,46%) and α-thal diagnosed in 143 individuals (7.9%), and all of these individuals carried the 3.7Kb deletion 5.95% in heterozygous and 1.95% in homozygous. α-thal4.2kb was not found in any volunteer. The association analyses to the α-thal3.7kb genotypes were statistically significant for all hematological parameters (p<.001), except serum iron and serum ferritin analyses. CONCLUSION: This study highlights α-thal 3.7kb deletion as an important public health problem, especially in a population not yet characterized about this disease. Thus, epidemiological studies using molecular tools become relevant in regions where the disease is underestimated, contributing to a better understanding of thalassemia incidence and iron deficiency anemias incidence of the participating cities. We reinforce that future molecular studies in North Region from Brazil can be utilized to describe other genetic anemias as structural hemoglobinopathies that have already proven to be highly prevalent in Brazil.

Draft Genome Sequence of the Wild Edible Mushroom Pleurotus ostreatoroseus DPUA 1720.

The draft whole-genome sequence of the mushroom Pleurotus ostreatoroseus DPUA 1720 (38,588,587 bp) is presented here. This report contributes to the prospective research for bioactive compounds in the genus Pleurotus.

Culturable bacteria associated with Anopheles darlingi and their paratransgenesis potential.

BACKGROUND: Malaria remains a major public health problem in South America, mostly in the Amazon region. Among newly proposed ways of controlling malaria transmission to humans, paratransgenesis is a promising alternative. Paratransgenesis aims to inhibit the development of parasites within the vector through the action of genetically modified bacteria. The first step towards successful paratransgenesis in the Amazon is the identification of Anopheles darlingi symbiotic bacteria, which are transmitted vertically among mosquitoes, and are not pathogenic to humans. METHODS: Culturable bacteria associated with An. darlingi and their breeding sites were isolated by conventional microbiological techniques. Isolated strains were transformed with a GFP expressing plasmid, pSPT-1-GFP, and reintroduced in mosquitoes by feeding. Their survival and persistence in the next generation was assessed by the isolation of fluorescent bacteria from eggs, larvae, pupae and adult homogenates. RESULTS: A total of 179 bacterial strains were isolated from samples from two locations, Coari and Manaus. The predominant genera identified in this study were Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Serratia, Bacillus, Elizabethkingia, Stenotrophomonas and Pantoea. Two isolated strains, Serratia-Adu40 and Pantoea-Ovo3, were successfully transformed with the pSPT-1-GFP plasmid and expressed GFP. The fluorescent bacteria fed to adult females were transferred to their eggs, which persisted in larvae and throughout metamorphosis, and were detected in adult mosquitoes of the next generation. CONCLUSION: Serratia-Adu40 and Pantoea-Ovo3 are promising candidates for paratransgenesis in An. darlingi. Further research is needed to determine if these bacteria are vertically transferred in nature.

Analysis of the transcription of genes encoding heat shock proteins (hsp) in Aedes aegypti Linnaeus, 1762 (Diptera: Culicidae), maintained under climatic conditions provided by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change) for the year 2100.

Human actions intensify the greenhouse effect, aggravating climate changes in the Amazon and elsewhere in the world. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) foresees a global increase of up to 4.5 °C and 850 ppm CO2 (above current levels) by 2100. This will impact the biology of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, vector of Dengue, Zika, urban Yellow Fever and Chikungunya. Heat shock proteins are associated with adaptations to anthropic environments and the interaction of some viruses with the vector. The transcription of the hsp26, hsp83 and hsc70 genes of an A. aegypti population, maintained for more than forty-eight generations, in the Current, Intermediate and Extreme climatic scenario predicted by the IPCC was evaluated with qPCR. In females, highest levels of hsp26, hsp83 and hsc70 expression occurred in the Intermediate scenario, while in males, levels were high only for hsp26 gene in Current and Extreme scenarios. Expression of hsp83 and hsc70 genes in males was low under all climatic scenarios, while in the Extreme scenario females had lower expression than in the Current scenario. The data suggest compensatory or adaptive processes acting on heat shock proteins, which can lead to changes in the mosquito's biology, altering vectorial competence.

Oral prevalence and antifungal susceptibility of Candida species in cystic fibrosis patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at assessing the oral prevalence ofCandida species in cystic fibrosis patients and the antifungal susceptibility of the isolates. DESIGN: One hundred patients aged 3-20 years old were included in the study and were divided into three groups: G1 (low severity disease): 25 cystic fibrosis patients with Shwachman-Kulczycki score (SK) between 100 and 71; G2 (high severity disease): 25 cystic fibrosis patients with SK score under 40; and G3 (control): 50 healthy patients age- and gender-matched to cystic fibrosis patients. Stimulated saliva samples were collected and the oral fungal concentrations were assessed. Isolates were identified by phenotypic and genotypic tests. Antifungal susceptibilities to amphotericin B, flucytosine and fluconazole were determined by CLSI methodology. Fungal counts were compared by Kruskal Wallis and Dunn's test (5%). RESULTS: A total of 68 % of Group 1, 80 % of Group 2, and 44 % of controls yielded positive Candida cultures. Oral concentrations of fungi were significantly higher in cystic fibrosis patients in relation to the control group (p < 0.0005). No significant difference was observed between low and high severity cystic fibrosis groups (p > 0.05). C. albicans was most frequently isolated species in all groups. Higher variability of Candida species was observed in the control group. C. dubliniensis and C. tropicalis were only detected among cystic fibrosis groups. All the isolates were susceptible to flucytosine and fluconazole. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cystic fibrosis were more frequently colonized by Candida species and showed higher oral fungal burden. No antifungal resistant isolates were detected.

Deletional Alpha-Thalassemia Alleles in Amazon Blood Donors.

Alpha-thalassemia is highly prevalent in the plural society of Brazil and is a public health problem. There is limited knowledge on its accurate frequency and distribution in the Amazon region. Knowing the frequency of thalassemia and the prevalence of responsible mutations is, therefore, an important step in the understanding and control program. Hematological and molecular data, in addition to serum iron and serum ferritin, from 989 unrelated first-time blood donors from Amazonas Hemotherapy and Hematology Foundation (FHEMOAM) were collected. In this study, the subjects were screened for -α 3.7/4.2/20.5, -SEA, -FIL, and -MED deletions. Alpha-thalassemia screening was carried out between 2016 and 2017 among 714 (72.1%) male and 275 (27.9%) female donors. The aims of this analysis were to describe the distribution of various alpha-thalassemia alleles by gender, along with their genotypic interactions, and to illustrate the hematological changes associated with each phenotype. Amongst the patients, 5.35% (n = 53) were diagnosed with deletion -α -3.7 and only one donor with α -4.2 deletion. From the individuals with -α -3.7, 85.8% (n = 46) were heterozygous and 14.20% (n = 7) were homozygous. The frequency of the -α -3.7 deletion was higher in male (5.89%) than in female (4.0%). There is no significant difference in the distribution of -α -3.7 by gender (p = 0.217). The -α 20.5, -SEA, and -MED deletions were not found. All subjects were analyzed for serum iron and serum ferritin, with 1.04% being iron deficient (n = 5) and none with very high levels of stored iron (>220 µg/dL). Alpha-thalassemia-23.7kb deletion was the most common allele detected in Manaus blood donors, which is a consistent result, once it is the most common type of α-thalassemia found throughout the world. As expected, the mean of hematological data was significantly lower in alpha-thalassemia carriers (p < 0.001), mainly homozygous genotype. Leukocytes and platelet count did not differ significantly. Due to the small number of individuals with iron deficiency found among blood donors, the differential diagnosis between the two types of anemia was not possible, even because minor changes were found among hematological parameters with iron deficiency and α-thalassemia. Despite this, the study showed the values of hematological parameters, especially MCV and MCH, are lower in donors with iron deficiency, especially when associated with α-thalassemia, and therefore, it may be useful to discriminate different types of microcytic anaemia. In conclusion, we believed screening for thalassemia trait should be included as part of a standard blood testing before blood donation. It should be noted that this was the first study to perform the screening for alpha deletions in blood donors from the Manaus region, and further studies are required to look at the effects of donated thalassemic blood.

Potential of Bacterial Isolates from a Stream in Manaus-Amazon to Bioremediate Chromium-Contaminated Environments.

Igarapé do Quarenta (IgQ), a stream located in the Manaus-AM, BR, has directly experienced the impacts of urban expansion over the last five decades, which contributed for its contamination. As an affluent of Rio Negro, IgQ also affects the water quality of this important river that bathes Manaus. However, the stress caused by the prolonged exposition to chemical agents may have selected microorganisms that exhibit great bioremediation potential. In the present study, bacteria isolated from four distinct sites of the IgQ were identified, and their potential to degrade hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) was investigated using the s-diphenylcarbazide method. Among the investigated isolates, 14 exhibited resistance against Cr(VI) at a concentration of 300 mg/L and eight isolates reduced over 50% (53.5-97.4%) chromium ratios after 72 h of incubation. Those isolates were identified by gene sequencing and classified in 10 genera (Acidovorax sp., Acinetobacter sp., Alicycliphilus sp., Bacillus sp., Comamonas sp., Enterobacter sp., Micrococcus sp., Proteus sp., Serratia sp., and Vagococcus sp.). Under control conditions, the isolate of Vagococcus sp. genus, in only 24 h of incubation, reduced 96.8% of the rate of Cr(VI) added to the culture medium at the concentration of 10 mg/L. Obtained results indicate that the Vagococcus sp. exhibits a great potential to be used in the bioremediation of areas contaminated with chromium. The mechanisms of action of microorganisms should be investigated for more specific applications in the decontamination of effluents and direct use of its by-products to bioremediate polluted environments.

Tolerance to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) by filamentous fungi isolated from contaminated sediment in the Amazon region / Tolerância a Hidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromáticos (HPAs) por fungos filamentosos isolados de sedimentos contaminados da região Amazônica

Tolerance to Polycyclic Hydrocarbons Aromatic (PAHs) is considered an important characteristic when assessing the bioremediation potential of microorganisms. Given this, the objective of this research was to assay filamentous fungi from the Amazon region, isolated from sediments with differents levels of contamination by PAHs, for tolerance to phenanthrene and pyrene. To achieve this, fungal cultures plugs (5 mm), obtained after 7 days growth, were transferred to petri dishes containing 20% Sabouraud dextrose agar medium, after surface innoculation with phenanthrene and pyrene crystals, separately. Radial mycelial growth was evaluated after 10 days at five different concentration levels for each contaminant and control group, all in triplicate for each treatment. Fungal growth and growth inhibition rates were calculated. The average growth of the colonies in each treatment was compared with one-way ANOVA, followed by a Tukey Test (p < 0,05). All fungi showed tolerant to phenanthrene and pyrene. However, Hypoxylon sp. showed the lowest growth inhibition rate and average growth rates significantly different of the other six tested species. Hypoxylon sp. has been shown to be a promising genetic resource for use in new studies of PAHs degradation.

A tolerância a Hidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromática (HPAs) é considerada como uma característica importante na avaliação do potencial de micro-organismos para biorremediação. Diante disso, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar fungos filamentosos da região amazônica, isolados de sedimentos com diferentes níveis de contaminação por HPAs, quanto à tolerância ao fenantreno e pireno. Para tanto, discos das culturas fúngicas (5 mm), obtidas após 7 dias de crescimento, foram transferidas para placas de Petri contendo meio Agar Sabouraud Dextrose a 20%, após inoculação superficial com cristais de fenantreno e pireno, separadamente. O crescimento micelial radial foi avaliado após 10 dias em cinco concentrações diferentes para cada contaminante e grupo controle, ambos em triplicata para cada tratamento. As taxas de crescimento fúngico e de inibição de crescimento foram calculadas. O crescimento médio das colônias em cada tratamento foi comparado com ANOVA one way, seguido pelo teste de Tukey (p < 0,05). Todos os fungos mostraram tolerância ao fenantreno e ao pireno. No entanto, Hypoxylon sp. apresentou menor taxa de inibição de crescimento e taxas médias de crescimento significativamente diferentes das outras seis espécies testadas. Hypoxylon sp. tem se mostrado um recurso genético promissor para uso em novos estudos sobre degradação de HPAs.

Oral microbial colonization in children with sickle cell anaemia under long-term prophylaxis with penicillin.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is the most frequent haematological hereditary disease. Children with SCA are submitted to long-term prophylactic therapy with penicillin, but little is known about its impact on oral microflora. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral microbial colonization of paediatric patients with SCA. DESIGN: Forty children (4-11yrs old) with SCA (genotype SS) under long-term prophylactic treatment with penicillin were included in the study. Age/gender-matched control group of healthy children was also included. Scores of dmft/DMFT (number of decayed (D), missing (M), or filled (F) teeth; dmft, for primary dentition; DMFT, for permanent dentition) were obtained and stimulated saliva was sampled. Salivary flow rate and buffering capacity were evaluated. Counts of microorganisms (mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and yeasts) were determined by plating method. Yeasts were identified by API 20C AUX and PCR. RESULTS: Mean dmft/DMFT values were similar in the studied groups (SCA 2.13/1.60 and control 2.38/1.3). Although no significant differences between cariogenic microorganism counts were observed, significantly higher yeasts oral levels were observed in SCA group. Controls showed lower salivary buffering capacity. Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species in both groups. Candida famata, Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis were also isolated from controls. Candida dubliniensis, Candida rugosa and Candida sphaerica were found only in SCA group. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, it could be concluded that paediatric patients with SCA showed significantly higher oral level of yeasts. Uncommon fungal species were found in SCA group. Similar caries prevalence and counts of lactobacilli and streptococci in relation to controls were observed.

Isolation of Microsporum gypseum in soil samples from different geographical regions of Brazil, evaluation of the extracellular proteolytic enzymes activities (keratinase and elastase) and molecular sequencing of selected strains

A survey of Microsporum gypseum was conducted in soil samples in different geographical regions of Brazil. The isolation of dermatophyte from soil samples was performed by hair baiting technique and the species were identified by morphology studies. We analyzed 692 soil samples and the recuperating rate was 19.2%. The activities of keratinase and elastase were quantitatively performed in 138 samples. The sequencing of the ITS region of rDNA was performed in representatives samples. M. gypseum isolates showed significant quantitative differences in the expression of both keratinase and elastase, but no significant correlation was observed between these enzymes. The sequencing of the representative samples revealed the presence of two teleomorphic species of M. gypseum (Arthroderma gypseum and A. incurvatum). The enzymatic activities may play an important role in the pathogenicity and a probable adaptation of this fungus to the animal parasitism. Using the phenotypical and molecular analysis, the Microsporum identification and their teleomorphic states will provide a useful and reliable identification system.

Effects of eating disorders on oral fungal diversity.

BACKGROUND: The eating disorders anorexia and bulimia nervosa can cause several systemic and oral alterations related to poor nutrition and induced vomiting; however, the oral microflora of these patients is poorly studied. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate fungal microflora in the oral cavity of these patients by culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. STUDY DESIGN: Oral rinse samples were cultured to assess the prevalence of Candida species, and the isolates were identified by API system. Microorganism counts were compared by the Mann-Whitney test (5%). Ribotyping, a type of molecular analysis, was performed by sequencing the D1/D2 regions of 28S rRNA. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that the eating disorder group showed higher oral Candida spp. prevalence with culture-dependent methods and higher species diversity with culture-independent methods. CONCLUSIONS: Eating disorders can lead to an increased oral Candida carriage. Culture-independent identification found greater fungal diversity than culture-dependent methods.

Molecular identification of Pichia guilliermondii, Debaryomyces hansenii and Candida palmioleophila.

Traditional phenotypic methods and commercial kits based on carbohydrate assimilation patterns are unable to consistently distinguish among isolates of Pichia guilliermondii, Debaryomyces hansenii and Candida palmioleophila. As result, these species are often misidentified. In this work, we established a reliable method for the identification/differentiation of these species. Our assay was validated by DNA sequencing of the polymorphic region used in a real-time PCR assay driven by species-specific probes targeted to the fungal ITS 1 region. This assay provides a new tool for pathogen identification and for epidemiological, drug resistance and virulence studies of these organisms.

Isolation of Microsporum gypseum in soil samples from different geographical regions of brazil, evaluation of the extracellular proteolytic enzymes activities (keratinase and elastase) and molecular sequencing of selected strains.

A survey of Microsporum gypseum was conducted in soil samples in different geographical regions of Brazil. The isolation of dermatophyte from soil samples was performed by hair baiting technique and the species were identified by morphology studies. We analyzed 692 soil samples and the recuperating rate was 19.2%. The activities of keratinase and elastase were quantitatively performed in 138 samples. The sequencing of the ITS region of rDNA was performed in representatives samples. M. gypseum isolates showed significant quantitative differences in the expression of both keratinase and elastase, but no significant correlation was observed between these enzymes. The sequencing of the representative samples revealed the presence of two teleomorphic species of M. gypseum (Arthroderma gypseum and A. incurvatum). The enzymatic activities may play an important role in the pathogenicity and a probable adaptation of this fungus to the animal parasitism. Using the phenotypical and molecular analysis, the Microsporum identification and their teleomorphic states will provide a useful and reliable identification system.

Molecular identification of Pichia guilliermondii, Debaryomyces hansenii and Candida palmioleophila

Traditional phenotypic methods and commercial kits based on carbohydrate assimilation patterns are unable to consistently distinguish among isolates of Pichia guilliermondii, Debaryomyces hansenii and Candida palmioleophila. As result, these species are often misidentified. In this work, we established a reliable method for the identification/differentiation of these species. Our assay was validated by DNA sequencing of the polymorphic region used in a real-time PCR assay driven by species-specific probes targeted to the fungal ITS 1 region. This assay provides a new tool for pathogen identification and for epidemiological, drug resistance and virulence studies of these organisms.

Research on Candida dubliniensis in a Brazilian yeast collection obtained from cardiac transplant, tuberculosis, and HIV-positive patients, and evaluation of phenotypic tests using agar screening methods.

The aim of this study was to research Candida dubliniensis among isolates present in a Brazilian yeast collection and to evaluate the main phenotypic methods for discrimination between C. albicans and C. dubliniensis from oral cavity. A total of 200 isolates, presumptively identified as C. albicans or C. dubliniensis obtained from heart transplant patients under immunosuppressive therapy, tuberculosis patients under antibiotic therapy, HIV-positive patients under antiretroviral therapy, and healthy subjects, were analyzed using the following phenotypic tests: formation and structural arrangement of chlamydospores on corn meal agar, casein agar, tobacco agar, and sunflower seed agar; growth at 45 °C; and germ tube formation. All strains were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In a preliminary screen for C. dubliniensis, 48 of the 200 isolates on corn meal agar, 30 of the 200 on casein agar, 16 of the 200 on tobacco agar, and 15 of the 200 on sunflower seed agar produced chlamydoconidia; 27 of the 200 isolates showed no or poor growth at 45 °C. All isolates were positive for germ tube formation. These isolates were considered suggestive of C. dubliniensis. All of them were subjected to PCR analysis using C. dubliniensis-specific primers. C. dubliniensis isolates were not found. C. dubliniensis isolates were not recovered in this study done with immunocompromised patients. Sunflower seed agar was the medium with the smallest number of isolates of C. albicans suggestive of C. dubliniensis. None of the phenotypic methods was 100% effective for discrimination between C. albicans and C. dubliniensis.

Oral distribution of Candida species and presence of oral lesions in Brazilian leprosy patients under multidrug therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Candida spp. and presence of oral lesions in Brazilian leprosy patients under multidrug therapy (MDT). METHODS: Thirty-eight individuals (18 males and 20 females, median age 53 years) clinically and microbiologically diagnosed as leprosy (lepromatous variant), and under MDT for at least 45 days were studied. The control group constituted by 38 healthy individuals (median age 53.5), matched to the test group in relation to age, gender and oral conditions. Oral rinses were collected and the Candida identification was performed by phenotypic tests. The existence of Candida dubliniensis among the isolates was analyzed using a validated multiplex PCR assay. Twenty-nine leprosy patients were examined intra-orally for the presence of lesions. Data were analyzed by z- and Mann-Whitney tests (alpha = 5%). RESULTS: Yeast carriage rate between leprosy patients (65.8%) and controls (47.4%) was similar (P = 0.099), and no significant difference between yeast counts was observed (P = 0.1004). Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species in both groups. In the leprosy group, Candida tropicalis and Candida parapsilosis were also identified. In the control group, we additionally identified Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata and Candida kefyr. Candida dubliniensis was not detected. No leprosy-related oral lesion was registered. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of the study, we concluded that Brazilian leprosy patients under MDT showed similar levels of carriage and Candida species distribution in relation to the controls.