In vitro evaluation of the cis-[Ru(phen)2(pPDIp)]2+⁎⁎ complex for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy against Sporothrix brasiliensis and Candida albicans.

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) activates a photosensitizer by visible light to generate cytotoxic oxygen species that lead to cell death. With proper illumination, PDT is often used in applications on superficial and sub-surface lesions. Sporotrichosis infection occurs by Sporothrix fungi which causes a skin wound, worsened by Candida albicans infections. This study investigated the photosensitizing efficiency of the Ru(phen)2(pPDIp)(PF6)2 complex, RupPDIp, against S. brasiliensis and C. albicans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: RupPDIp efficiency against these fungi was tested using 450 nm (blue light and 36 J/cm2) and 525 nm (green light, 25.2 J/cm2) at 0.05-20 µM concentrations. To ensure PDT effectiveness, control groups were tested in the absence and in the presence of RupPDIp under light irradiation and in the dark. RESULTS: RupPDIp eliminated both fungi at ≤5.0 µM. Green light showed the best results, eliminating S. brasiliensis and C. albicans colonies at RupPDIp 0.5 µM and 0.05 µM, respectively. CONCLUSION: RupPDIp is a promising photosensitizer in aPDT, eliminating 106 CFU/mL of both fungi at 450 nm and 525 nm, with lower light doses and concentrations when treated with the green light compared to the blue light.

Socio-epidemiological characterisation of blood donors with asymptomatic Leishmania infantum infection from three Brazilian endemic regions and analysis of the transfusional transmission risk of visceral leishmaniasis.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the prevalence of visceral leishmaniasis in blood donors from three endemic regions in Brazil and evaluated the risk of transmission by transfusion. BACKGROUND: Despite strong evidence of the transmission of visceral leishmaniasis through blood transfusion, the real risk, an essential condition for taking effective measures to control this serious disease, has not been determined. METHODS: A multicentre study was performed in highly endemic areas. Candidates eligible for their first blood donation underwent a socio-epidemiological interview, and blood samples were collected for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis, Western blot and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Patients transfused with red blood cells or random platelet concentrates collected from these donors were also studied. The results were analysed using descriptive statistics and prevalence estimates, with significance defined as p-values <0·05. RESULTS: Of the 608 eligible donors, 37 (6·1%) were positive for visceral leishmaniasis as per ELISA. The socio-epidemiological analysis showed a significantly higher prevalence in non-Caucasians (p = 0·008). Among 296 patients who received blood components from these donors, the pre-transfusion seropositivity was 7·7%, and 13 patients received blood positive for Leishmania infantum. Six patients were followed up for 90 days, of which two (33·3%) had serological conversion at 60 days. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm the high prevalence of L. infantum seropositivity among donors in the three regions; the seroconversion in a short period of time in two of six patients suggests the possibility of transmission of the infection by transfusion.

Ways of coping and the health of relatives facing drug and alcohol problems in Mexico and England.

AIMS: To compare two contrasting socio-cultural groups in terms of parameters relating to the stress - coping - health model of alcohol, drugs and the family, and to test hypotheses derived from the model in each of the two groups separately. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, comparative and correlational, using standard questionnaire data, supplemented by qualitative interview data to illuminate the findings. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred close relatives, mainly partners or parents, from separate families in Mexico City, and 100 from South West England. Data sources. Coping Questionnaire (CQ), Family Environment Scale (FES), Symptom Rating Test (SRT), Semi-structured interview. FINDINGS: Mean symptom scores were high in both groups, and not significantly different. The hypothesis that relatives in Mexico City, a more collectivist culture, would show more tolerant - inactive coping was not supported, but there was support for the prediction that relatives in South West England would show more withdrawal coping. This result may be as much due to differences in poverty and social conditions as to differences in individualism - collectivism. As predicted by the stress - coping - health model, tolerant - inactive coping was correlated with symptoms, in both groups, after controlling for family conflict, but there was only limited support for a moderating role of coping. Wives of men with alcohol problems in Mexico City, and wives of men with other drug problems in South West England, reported particularly high levels of both engaged and tolerant - inactive coping. CONCLUSIONS: Tolerant - inactive coping may be bad for relatives' health: causality may be inferred but is not yet proved. Certain groups are more at risk of coping in this way. Qualitative data help understand the nature of tolerant - inactive coping and why it occurs despite the view of relatives themselves that it is counter-productive.