Case report of Curtobacterium isolated from a catheter tip sample misidentified as Cronobacter.

The Curtobacterium genus is a member of the family Microbacteriaceae, and Curtobacterium species are recognized as plant pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate a dubious result of species identification for an infection located on a catheter tip of a patient with Covid-19. A strain isolated from a catheter tip sample, identified by VITEK® 2 as Cronobacter spp., was submitted to polyphasic analysis: Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) using VITEK® MS, real-time polymerase chain reaction targeting dnaG gene, and 16S rRNA full gene Sanger sequencing analysis for confirmation. The strain presented negative result using qPCR and could not identified by MALDI-TOF MS. 16S rRNA full gene Sanger sequencing analysis identified the strain as Curtobacterium spp. The Gram-variable characteristic (Gram-negative instead of Gram-positive) of the isolated strain was the responsible for the misidentification by VITEK® 2 and VITEK® MS did not identify the strain. 16S rRNA full gene sequencing analysis identified the strain as Curtobacterium genus, but other complementary techniques are necessary to identify at species level.

BICUVOX.1-matrix composite electrolyte with yttria-stabilized zirconia as an inert phase: SEM evaluation of the chemical stability under hydrogen atmosphere.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of yttria-stabilized zirconia (3Y-TZP) as an inert phase to prevent the decomposition of Bi2 V0.9 Cu0.1 O5.5 -δ (BICUVOX.1) electrolyte under reducing atmosphere. A post-mortem scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study was performed after chemical stability tests under hydrogen-rich atmosphere using a Sieverts-type apparatus. SEM results showed that BICUVOX.1 decomposition starts under a hydrogen pressure of 19.7 atm at 300°C, even in the case of the composite containing 3Y-TZP. The microstructure of BICUVOX.1 after decomposition was observed to be composed of microspheres ranging from 10 to 100 µm formed primarily of metallic bismuth. In the composite, in addition to microspheres, the microstructure contained bismuth fibers growth from the grain area of the BICUVOX.1 matrix. Despite significant surface morphological modifications, the grain-boundary-arranged 3Y-TZP particles in a BICUVOX.1-matrix composite did not result in enhanced chemical stability.

Spectroscopic, luminescence and in vitro biological studies of solid ketoprofen of heavier trivalent lanthanides and yttrium(III).

Solid-state compounds of the general formulae [ML3] (M=Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y; L=ketoprofen) were synthesized and characterized using infrared, diffuse reflectance and luminescence spectroscopies. IR data suggested that the carboxylate group in ketoprofen is coordinated to the metals as a bidentate ligand. The triplet state energy level was determined using the Gd(3+) complex, which exhibited a ketoprofen blue luminescence when excited in the UV region. The compound containing Tb(3+) ion was sensitized by the ligand and emitted in the green region of the visible spectrum. On the other hand, for the analogous species containing the dysprosium ion, a competition for luminescence between the Dy(3+) and the ligand levels was observed. Finally, Tm(3+) complex exhibits only ligand luminescence. These optical behaviors are discussed based on rare earth energy diagrams. In addition, the compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities. All the compounds showed a higher production of H2O2 and IL-10 than the ketoprofen, suggesting that the compounds exhibited an immunomodulatory effect and this opens up new perspectives for immunotherapeutic approaches.

IFNG +874 T>A single nucleotide polymorphism is associated with leprosy among Brazilians.

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, a low virulence mycobacterium, and the outcome of disease is dependent on the host genetics for either susceptibility per se or severity. The IFNG gene codes for interferon-γ (IFN-γ), a cytokine that plays a key role in host defense against intracellular pathogens. Indeed, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IFNG have been evaluated in several genetic epidemiological studies, and the SNP +874T>A, the +874T allele, more specifically, has been associated with protection against infectious diseases, especially tuberculosis. Here, we evaluated the association of the IFNG locus with leprosy enrolling 2,125 Brazilian subjects. First, we conducted a case-control study with subjects recruited from the state of São Paulo, using the +874 T>A (rs2430561), +2109 A>G (rs1861494) and rs2069727 SNPs. Then, a second study including 1,370 individuals from Rio de Janeiro was conducted. Results of the case-control studies have shown a protective effect for +874T carriers (OR(adjusted) = 0.75; p = 0.005 for both studies combined), which was corroborated when these studies were compared with literature data. No association was found between the SNP +874T>A and the quantitative Mitsuda response. Nevertheless, the spontaneous IFN-γ release by peripheral blood mononuclear cells was higher among +874T carriers. The results shown here along with a previously reported meta-analysis of tuberculosis studies indicate that the SNP +874T>A plays a role in resistance to mycobacterial diseases.

IFNG +874 T>A single nucleotide polymorphism is associated with leprosy among Brazilians

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, a low virulence mycobacterium, and the outcome of disease is dependent on the host genetics for either susceptibility per se or severity. The IFNG gene codes for interferon-γ (IFN-γ), a cytokine that plays a key role in host defense against intracellular pathogens. Indeed, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IFNG have been evaluated in several genetic epidemiological studies, and the SNP +874T>A, the +874T allele, more specifically, has been associated with protection against infectious diseases, especially tuberculosis. Here, we evaluated the association of the IFNG locus with leprosy enrolling 2,125 Brazilian subjects. First, we conducted a case-control study with subjects recruited from the state of São Paulo, using the +874 T>A (rs2430561), +2109 A>G (rs1861494) and rs2069727 SNPs. Then, a second study including 1,370 individuals from Rio de Janeiro was conducted. Results of the case-control studies have shown a protective effect for +874T carriers (OR(adjusted) = 0.75; p = 0.005 for both studies combined), which was corroborated when these studies were compared with literature data. No association was found between the SNP +874T>A and the quantitative Mitsuda response. Nevertheless, the spontaneous IFN-γ release by peripheral blood mononuclear cells was higher among +874T carriers. The results shown here along with a previously reported meta-analysis of tuberculosis studies indicate that the SNP +874T>A plays a role in resistance to mycobacterial diseases(AU)

Influence of tumour condition on the macrophage activity in Candida albicans infection.

To better understand the interactions between opportunistic fungi and their hosts, we investigated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide and TNF-alpha production by peritoneal macrophages from Ehrlich tumour-bearing mice (TBM) during microbial infections. For this purpose, TBM at days 7, 14 and 21 of tumour progression were inoculated intraperitoneally with C. albicans and evaluated after 24 and 72 h. We observed that TBM showed significant increases in H2O2, TNF-alpha levels and fungal clearance at day 7 after C. albicans infection. However, as the tumour advanced, there was a progressive decline in the release of H2O2 and TNF-alpha that was paired with the dissemination of C. albicans. These results demonstrate that protective macrophage activities against Candida albicans are limited to the initial stages of tumour growth; continued solid tumour growth weakened the macrophage response and as a consequence, weakened the host's susceptibility to opportunistic infections.

Genetic, epidemiological and biological analysis of interleukin-10 promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms suggests a definitive role for -819C/T in leprosy susceptibility.

Leprosy is a complex infectious disease influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The genetic contributing factors are considered heterogeneous and several genes have been consistently associated with susceptibility like PARK2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), lymphotoxin-alpha (LTA) and vitamin-D receptor (VDR). Here, we combined a case-control study (374 patients and 380 controls), with meta-analysis (5 studies; 2702 individuals) and biological study to test the epidemiological and physiological relevance of the interleukin-10 (IL-10) genetic markers in leprosy. We observed that the -819T allele is associated with leprosy susceptibility either in the case-control or in the meta-analysis studies. Haplotypes combining promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms also implicated a haplotype carrying the -819T allele in leprosy susceptibility (odds ratio (OR)=1.40; P=0.01). Finally, we tested IL-10 production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with Mycobacterium leprae antigens and found that -819T carriers produced lower levels of IL-10 when compared with non-carriers. Taken together, these data suggest that low levels of IL-10 during the disease outcome can drive patients to a chronic and unprotective response that culminates with leprosy.

Influence of tumour condition on the Macrophage Activity in Candida albicans infection

To better understand the interactions between opportunistic fungi and their hosts, we investigated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide and TNF-alpha production by peritoneal macrophages from Ehrlich tumour-bearing mice (TBM) during microbial infections. For this purpose, TBM at days 7, 14 and 21 of tumour progression were inoculated intraperitoneally with C. albicans and evaluated after 24 and 72 h. We observed that TBM showed significant increases in H2O2, TNF-alpha levels and fungal clearance at day 7 after C. albicans infection. However, as the tumour advanced, there was a progressive decline in the release of H2O2 and TNF-alpha that was paired with the dissemination of C. albicans. These results demonstrate that protective macrophage activities against Candida albicans are limited to the initial stages of tumour growth; continued solid tumour growth weakened the macrophage response and as a consequence, weakened the host's susceptibility to opportunistic infections

Production of Trichophyton mentagrophytes antigens and their characterization in mice

The participation of dermatophytic antigens in the host-parasite balance is still poorly understood. One of the difficulties encountered by researchers is the lack of dominant and specific antigens that can be used in such studies. In order to contribute to a better understanding of this aspect of infection, the present study identifies antigen fractions obtained from exoantigen and cytoplasmic extracts of Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed the presence of 13 proteins in the exoantigen extract, whose molecular weight ranged from 12.5 to 90 kDa. The cytoplasmic extract contained 18 protein fractions ranging from 11 to 110 kDa. Immunoblotting showed the presence of immunodominant antigens against IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies. This affinity was observed in three proteins of the exoantigen extract and in three proteins of the cytoplasmic extract, with respective molecular weights of 33, 39 and 59, and 40, 55 and 82 kDa. These results are promising, especially when considering that these extracts contain antigenically distinct protein fractions which, once determined, may contribute to a better understanding of dermatophytoses, and may thus help in the development of alternative strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Genetic, epidemiological and biological analysis of interleukin-10 promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms suggests a definitive role for -819C/T in leprosy susceptibility

Leprosy is a complex infectious disease influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The genetic contributing factors are considered heterogeneous and several genes have been consistently associated with susceptibility like PARK2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), lymphotoxin-α (LTA) and vitamin-D receptor (VDR). Here, we combined a case–control study (374 patients and 380 controls), with meta-analysis (5 studies; 2702 individuals) and biological study to test the epidemiological and physiological relevance of the interleukin-10 (IL-10) genetic markers in leprosy. We observed that the −819T allele is associated with leprosy susceptibility either in the case–control or in the meta-analysis studies. Haplotypes combining promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms also implicated a haplotype carrying the −819T allele in leprosy susceptibility (odds ratio (OR)=1.40; P=0.01). Finally, we tested IL-10 production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with Mycobacterium leprae antigens and found that −819T carriers produced lower levels of IL-10 when compared with non-carriers. Taken together, these data suggest that low levels of IL-10 during the disease outcome can drive patients to a chronic and unprotective response that culminates with leprosy

Frequency of restriction site polymorphisms in the region surrounding VNTR loci.

Variations in allele size in loci containing tandem repeats result from changes in the number of these repeats. However, digestion of the same DNA samples with two restriction enzymes (i.e. PstI and HaeIII), that have recognition sites predominantly in the DNA region flanking the VNTR, has identified the presence of numerous site polymorphisms. Three loci (D2S44, D4S163, D17S79) were examined for the presence of restriction site polymorphisms in both North American Black and Caucasian populations. At all loci there were alleles with site polymorphisms. This type of variations were more common in the North American Black than in the Caucasian populations.