Sporothrix schenckii COMPLEX:SUSCEPTIBILITIES TO COMBINED ANTIFUNGAL AGENTS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ENZYMATIC PROFILES.

Sporothrix schenckii was reclassified as a complex encompassing six cryptic species, which calls for the reassessment of clinical and epidemiological data of these new species. We evaluated the susceptibility of Sporothrix albicans(n = 1) , S. brasiliensis(n = 6) , S. globosa(n = 1), S. mexicana(n = 1) and S. schenckii(n = 36) to terbinafine (TRB) alone and in combination with itraconazole (ITZ), ketoconazole (KTZ), and voriconazole (VRZ) by a checkerboard microdilution method and determined the enzymatic profile of these species with the API-ZYM kit. Most interactions were additive (27.5%, 32.5% and 5%) or indifferent (70%, 50% and 52.5%) for TRB+KTZ, TRB+ITZ and TRB+VRZ, respectively. Antagonisms were observed in 42.5% of isolates for the TRB+VRZ combination. Based on enzymatic profiling, the Sporothrix schenckii strains were categorized into 14 biotypes. Leucine arylamidase (LA) activity was observed only for S. albicans and S. mexicana. The species S. globosa and S. Mexicana were the only species without ß-glucosidase (GS) activity. Our results may contribute to a better understanding of virulence and resistance among species of the genus Sporothrix in further studies.

Sporothrix schenckii complex: susceptibilities to combined antifungal agents and characterization of enzymatic profiles / Complexo Sporothrix schenckii: susceptibilidade à combinação de antifúngicos e caracterização dos perfis enzimáticos

SUMMARYSporothrix schenckiiwas reclassified as a complex encompassing six cryptic species, which calls for the reassessment of clinical and epidemiological data of these new species. We evaluated the susceptibility of Sporothrix albicans(n = 1) , S. brasiliensis(n = 6) , S. globosa(n = 1), S. mexicana(n = 1) and S. schenckii(n = 36) to terbinafine (TRB) alone and in combination with itraconazole (ITZ), ketoconazole (KTZ), and voriconazole (VRZ) by a checkerboard microdilution method and determined the enzymatic profile of these species with the API-ZYM kit. Most interactions were additive (27.5%, 32.5% and 5%) or indifferent (70%, 50% and 52.5%) for TRB+KTZ, TRB+ITZ and TRB+VRZ, respectively. Antagonisms were observed in 42.5% of isolates for the TRB+VRZ combination. Based on enzymatic profiling, the Sporothrix schenckiistrains were categorized into 14 biotypes. Leucine arylamidase (LA) activity was observed only for S. albicansand S. mexicana. The species S. globosaand S. mexicanawere the only species without β-glucosidase (GS) activity. Our results may contribute to a better understanding of virulence and resistance among species of the genus Sporothrixin further studies.

RESUMOAvaliou-se a susceptibilidade de Sporothrix albicans(n = 1), S. brasiliensis(n = 1), S. globosa(n = 1), S. mexicana(n = 1) e S. schenckii(n = 36) frente à terbinafina (TRB) e a TRB em combinação com itraconazol (ITZ), cetoconazol (KTZ) e voriconazol (VRZ) pelo método de microdiluição ( checkerboard); o perfil enzimático destas espécies foi também avaliado, com base no kit API-ZYM. A maioria das interações foram aditivas (27,5%, 32,5% e 5%) ou indiferentes (70%, 50% e 52,5%) para TRB+KTZ, TRB+ITZ e TRB+VRZ, respectivamente. Antagonismo foi observado em 42,5% dos isolados para a combinação TRB+VRZ. Com base nos perfis enzimáticos, as cepas de Sporothrix schenckiievidenciaram 14 biotipos distintos. A atividade da leucina arilamidase (LA) só foi observada em S. albicanse S. mexicana.As espécies S. globosae S. mexicanaforam as únicas que não evidenciaram atividade da enzima β-glucosidase (GS). Estes resultados poderão contribuir para um melhor entendimento da virulência e resistência entre as espécies do gênero Sporothrixem futuros estudos.

Antifungal susceptibilities of Sporothrix albicans, S. brasiliensis, and S. luriei of the S. schenckii complex identified in Brazil.

We studied 40 strains of the species complex formerly classified as the single species Sporothrix schenckii to identify new species within this complex and evaluate their antifungal susceptibility profiles. Based on phenotypic tests (ability to grow at 37°C, colony diameters, and pigmentation of the colonies, as well as assimilation of sucrose and raffinose) and molecular assays (amplification of a fragment of the calmodulin gene), here we report the identification of S. albicans, S. brasiliensis, S. luriei, and S. schenckii; two isolates of these species were detected as itraconazole-resistant strains.