Bacilli Rhizobacteria as Biostimulants of Growth and Production of Sesame Cultivars under Water Deficit.

A strategy using bacilli was adopted aiming to investigate the mitigation of the effects of water deficit in sesame. An experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with 2 sesame cultivars (BRS Seda and BRS Anahí) and 4 inoculants (pant001, ESA 13, ESA 402, and ESA 441). On the 30th day of the cycle, irrigation was suspended for eight days, and the plants were subjected to physiological analysis using an infrared gas analyzer (IRGA). On the 8th day of water suspension, leaves were collected for analysis: superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, proline, nitrogen, chlorophyll, and carotenoids. At the end of the crop cycle, data on biomass and vegetative growth characteristics were collected. Data were submitted for variance analysis and comparison of means by the Tukey and Shapiro-Wilk tests. A positive effect of inoculants was observed for all characteristics evaluated, contributing to improvements in plant physiology, induction of biochemical responses, vegetative development, and productivity. ESA 13 established better interaction with the BRS Anahí cultivar and ESA 402 with BRS Seda, with an increase of 49% and 34%, respectively, for the mass of one thousand seeds. Thus, biological indicators are identified regarding the potential of inoculants for application in sesame cultivation.

Molecular and biochemical responses of sesame (Sesame indicum L.) to rhizobacteria inoculation under water deficit.

Introduction: Water scarcity is a challenge for sesame cultivation under rainfed conditions. In this scenario, a potential strategy to alleviate the water deficit is the application of plant growth-promoting bacteria. The objective of this study was to analyze the interaction of rhizobacteria with sesame cultivation under water deficit conditions. Methods: An experiment was conducted in pots in a greenhouse using the BRS Morena sesame cultivar. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme: 2 (irrigation regimes - daily irrigation and water deficit by suspending irrigation until 90% stomatal closure) x 6 (treatments with nitrogen or inoculants), with 5 replications. The types of fertilization were characterized by the addition of nitrogen (ammonium sulfate; 21% N), inoculants based on Bacillus spp. (pant001, ESA 13, and ESA 402), Agrobacterium sp. (ESA 441), and without nitrogen (control). On the fifth day after the suspension of irrigation, plant material was collected for gene expression analysis (DREB1 and HDZ7), activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase), relative proline content, and photosynthetic pigments. At the end of the crop cycle (about 85 days), production characteristics (root dry matter, aboveground dry matter, number of capsules, and thousand seed weight), as well as leaf nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content, were evaluated. Results and Discussion: There was a positive effect on both production and biochemical characteristics (proline, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and photosynthetic pigments). Regarding gene expression, most of the inoculated treatments exhibited increased expression of the DREB1 and HDZ7 genes. These biological indicators demonstrate the potential of rhizobacteria for application in sesame cultivation, providing nutritional supply and reducing the effects of water deficit.

Bactérias resistentes isoladas de superfícies inanimadas em um hospital público / Bacterias resistentes aisladas de superficies inanimadas en un hospital público / Isolated resistant bacteria from inanimate surfaces in a public hospital

RESUMO Objetivo: descrever o perfil de resistência a antimicrobianos de microrganismos presentes em superfícies inanimadas. Método: estudo descritivo, realizado entre fevereiro e junho de 2018. Coletou-se 40 amostras microbiológicas de superfícies da Clínica Médica e Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Adulto em um hospital de Mato Grosso, Brasil. A identificação e sensibilidade microbiana foram realizadas através do VITEK-2. A análise dos resultados de resistência foi avaliada conforme as diretrizes do Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute. Resultados: foram isolados 32 microrganismos das 22 amostras contaminadas, dentre eles 14 (43,8%) Staphylococcus coagulase negativa, sete (21,9%) Acinetobacter baumanni complex, três (9,4%) Enterobacter aerogenes. Dentre os Staphylococcus coagulase negativa, 11 (78,6%) apresentaram multirresistência a antimicrobianos e três (42,9%) dos isolados de Acinetobacter baumanni complex foram extremamente resistentes. Conclusão: evidenciou-se a necessidade de educação com ênfase na desinfecção correta e frequente de superfícies e na higienização das mãos após tocar o paciente e as superfícies próximas a ele.

RESUMEN Objetivo: describir el perfil de resistencia de microrganismos presentes en superficies inanimadas a agentes antimicrobianos. Método: estudio descriptivo realizado entre febrero y junio de 2018. Se recolectaron 40 muestras microbiológicas de superficies de la Clínica Médica y de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos para Adultos de un hospital de Mato Grosso, Brasil. Los procesos de identificación y sensibilidad microbiana se realizaron a través del dispositivo VITEK 2. El análisis de los resultados de resistencia se evaluó conforme a las directrices del Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute. Resultados: se aislaron 32 microrganismos de las 22 muestras contaminadas; entre ellos, hubo 14 (43,8%) Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa, siete (21,9%) Acinetobacter baumanni complex y tres (9,4%) Enterobacter aerogenes. Entre los Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa, 11 (78,6%) presentaron multi-resistencia a agentes antimicrobianos y tres (42,9%) de los aislados bacterianos de Acinetobacter baumanni complex fueron extremamente resistentes. Conclusión: se hizo evidente la necesidad de instrucción con énfasis en la correcta y frecuente desinfección de superficies y en el lavado de manos después de entrar en contacto con el paciente y con las superficies próximas al paciente.

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe the antimicrobial resistance profile of microorganisms present on inanimate surfaces. Method: a descriptive study, conducted between February and June 2018. Forty microbiological samples were collected from surfaces of the Medical Clinic and Intensive Care Unit for Adults in a hospital located in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Microbial identification and sensitivity were performed by means of VITEK 2. The analysis of the resistance results was assessed according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Results: a total of 32 microorganisms were isolated from the 22 contaminated samples, the following among them: 14 (43.8%) Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus, seven (21.9%) Acinetobacter baumanni complex, and three (9.4%) Enterobacter aerogenes. Of the Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus, 11 (78.6%) presented multi-drug resistance to antimicrobial agents, and three (42.9%) of the Acinetobacter baumanni complex isolates were extremely resistant. Conclusion: this study evidenced the need for education with emphasis on proper and frequent disinfection of surfaces and on hand hygiene after touching patients and surfaces close to them.

Educational strategies for the prevention of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.

OBJECTIVE:: The main goal of this work was to produce a review of educational strategies to prevent diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. METHOD:: PubMed database was consulted using combined descriptors such as [Prevention], [Educational Activities], [Diabetes], [Hypertension], and [Obesity]. Data from randomized trials published between 2002 and 2014 were included in spreadsheets for analysis in duplicate by the reviewers. RESULTS:: A total of 8,908 articles were found, of which 1,539 were selected about diabetes mellitus (DM, n=369), arterial systemic hypertension (ASH, n=200), and obesity (OBES, n=970). The number of free full text articles available was 1,075 (DM = 276, ASH = 118 and OBES = 681). In most of these studies, demographic characteristics such as gender and age were randomized, and the population mainly composed by students, ethnic groups, family members, pregnant, health or education professionals, patients with chronic diseases (DM, ASH, OBES) or other comorbidities. Group dynamics, physical activity practices, nutritional education, questionnaires, interviews, employment of new technologies, people training and workshops were the main intervention strategies used. CONCLUSION:: The most efficient interventions occurred at community level, whenever the intervention was permanent or maintained for long periods, and relied on the continuous education of community health workers that had a constant interference inside the population covered. Many studies focused their actions in children and adolescents, especially on students, because they were more influenced by educational activities of prevention, and the knowledge acquired by them would spread more easily to their family and to society.

Educational strategies for the prevention of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity / Metodologias educativas para prevenção de diabetes, hipertensão e obesidade: revisão sistemática

Summary Objective: The main goal of this work was to produce a review of educational strategies to prevent diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Method: PubMed database was consulted using combined descriptors such as [Prevention], [Educational Activities], [Diabetes], [Hypertension], and [Obesity]. Data from randomized trials published between 2002 and 2014 were included in spreadsheets for analysis in duplicate by the reviewers. Results: A total of 8,908 articles were found, of which 1,539 were selected about diabetes mellitus (DM, n=369), arterial systemic hypertension (ASH, n=200), and obesity (OBES, n=970). The number of free full text articles available was 1,075 (DM = 276, ASH = 118 and OBES = 681). In most of these studies, demographic characteristics such as gender and age were randomized, and the population mainly composed by students, ethnic groups, family members, pregnant, health or education professionals, patients with chronic diseases (DM, ASH, OBES) or other comorbidities. Group dynamics, physical activity practices, nutritional education, questionnaires, interviews, employment of new technologies, people training and workshops were the main intervention strategies used. Conclusion: The most efficient interventions occurred at community level, whenever the intervention was permanent or maintained for long periods, and relied on the continuous education of community health workers that had a constant interference inside the population covered. Many studies focused their actions in children and adolescents, especially on students, because they were more influenced by educational activities of prevention, and the knowledge acquired by them would spread more easily to their family and to society.

Resumo Objetivo: o objetivo central foi produzir uma revisão sobre as principais metodologias educativas para prevenção de diabetes, hipertensão e obesidade. Método: a base de dados Pubmed foi consultada, sendo utilizados descritores combinados, como [Prevention], [Educational Activities], [Diabetes], [Hypertension] e [Obesity]. Dados de estudos randomizados publicados entre 2002 e 2014 foram incluídos em planilhas para análise em duplicata pelos revisores. Resultados: um total de 8,908 artigos foi encontrado, sendo selecionados 1,539 sobre diabetes mellitus (DM, n=369), hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS, n=200) e obesidade (OBES, n=970). A quantidade de artigos completos gratuitos disponíveis foi de 1,075 (DM = 276, HAS = 118 e OBES = 681). A maioria dos estudos que abordavam características demográficas, como sexo e idade, eram randomizados e compostos principalmente por escolares, familiares, grupos étnicos, gestantes, profissionais da saúde ou da educação, portadores da enfermidade ou de outras comorbidades. Dinâmicas de grupo, práticas de atividade física, educação nutricional, questionários, entrevistas, uso de tecnologias, capacitação de terceiros, palestras e oficinas educativas foram as principais estratégias de intervenção. Conclusão: as intervenções mais eficazes ocorreram em nível comunitário, quando apresentavam caráter permanente ou alta periodicidade, ou porque contavam com a formação continuada dos agentes de saúde e sua interferência constante na população de abrangência. Muitos estudos focavam as ações em crianças e adolescentes, especialmente em escolares, constatando serem mais influenciados pelas atividades educativas de prevenção e terem maior facilidade em difundir o aprendizado aos familiares e à sociedade.

Detecção de chlamydia trachomatis através de testes imunológicos em população feminina adolescente e adulta na grande Cuiabá, Mato Grosso / Detection of chlamydia trachomatis by immunological methods in adult and adolescent female population in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso

Mundialmente, a infecção por Chlamydia trachomatis continua sendo um importante problema de saúde pública, especialmente para adultos jovens sexualmente ativos. Objetivo: Investigar doença sexualmente transmissível por Chlamydia trachomatis em adolescentes e jovens do sexo feminino,na faixa etária de 15 a 25 anos de idade em Cuiabá e Várzea Grande, Mato Grosso, através dos métodos imunológicos de ELISA e imunofluorescência direta. Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal quantitativo de amostras endocervicais de 328 mulheres sexualmente ativas, não grávidas, que frequentaram as Unidades Básicas de Saúde. Amostras endocervicais foram coletadas, sendo a detecção dos antígenos de Chlamydia trachomatis realizada pelos métodos ELISA e imunofluorescência direta. Resultados: Foram obtidas 11 amostras positivas por meio do ELISA (3,4%) e 69 pela imunofluorescência direta(24,4%). Observou-se elevado número de casos entre 16 a 25 anos (24,39%). Conclusão: O índice de casos positivos observado foi representativo,assemelhando-se aos encontrados em outros estudos e denotando, portanto, uma circulação de cepas de clamídia na população estudada. A amplificação das medidas profiláticas, diagnósticas e terapêuticas nos serviços públicos de saúde será um passo importante para conter o avanço da doença sexualmente transmissível, inclusive a infecção genital por Chlamydia trachomatis na população feminina

Worldwide, Chlamydia trachomatis infection remains a major public health problem, especially for sexually active young adults.Objective: To investigate the sexually transmitted disease by Chlamydia trachomatis in adolescents and young women aged 15?25 years from Cuiabáand Várzea Grande, Mato Grosso, Brazil, through the ELISA and direct immunofluorescence methods. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study ofendocervical samples from 328 nonpregnant, sexually active women who received care in basic health units. Endocervical samples were collected andC. trachomatis antigens detected by ELISA and direct immunofluorescence methods. Results: A total of 11 positive samples were obtained with ELISA(3.4%) and 69 with direct immunofluorescence (24.4%). The largest number of cases occurred in the 16?25 years age group (24.39%). Conclusion: Therate of positive cases observed was representative, similarly to those found in other studies, and, therefore, indicating Chlamydia strains circulating inthe population studied. Amplification of prophylactic, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures in public health services will be an important step to counterthe spread of sexually transmitted diseases, including genital infection by C. trachomatis in the female population.

Prevalência e Riscos de Infecção GenitalFeminina por Chlamydia Trachomatis: Revisão Sistemática / Prevalence and Risk of Female Genital Infection by Chlamydia Trachomatis: A Systematic Review

Verificar os fatores de risco relacionados à prevalênciade Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) em mulheres sexualmenteativas. Material e Métodos: Foi realizada uma revisãosistemática por meio de busca eletrônica nas bases de dados:Cochrane Library, EMBASE, LILACS, PUBMED, Scielo atravésde descritores controlados e não controlados: Chlamydiatrachomatis, prevalência, fatores de risco, de acordo com asestratégias PICO e COCHRANE. Resultados: Foramselecionados artigos descritivos sobre comportamentos de riscoentre adolescentes e jovens, nos idiomas português/inglês/espanhol, dos quais 220 da PUBMED, 109 da MEDLINE, 138da LILACS e 68 da SciELO. Destes, 50 relataram a prevalência,sendo a menor 0,84% e a maior 45,2%. Entre os 15 artigosbrasileiros, a maior prevalência reportada foi de 33,3% e amenor 5%. Os fatores de risco/predisponentes de risco àinfecção por CT mais frequentes foram a idade entre 20-25anos, precocidade do início das relações sexuais, história deparceiros com DST, história de múltiplos parceiros sexuais,falta de adesão a métodos de proteção sexual (camisinha),nuliparidade e aspectos clínicos que não são observados pelosprofissionais da saúde durante os exames de rotina. Conclusão:Prevalências entre 4 a 20% foram verificadas na maior partedos artigos analisados e nas regiões brasileiras os índicesgeralmente foram superiores a 5%. Múltiplas condições podemestar envolvidas na infecção por CT, sendo necessária arealização de mais estudos em grupos populacionaisdiversificados para melhor caracterização dos fatores de risco...

To verify the risk factors related to the prevalence ofChlamydia trachomatis (CT) in sexually active women. Materialand Methods: A systematic review through electronic searcheswas performed in the databases: Cochrane Library, EMBASE,LILACS, PUBMED, and SciELO. Controlled and uncontrolleddescriptors were used, such as Chlamydia trachomatis,prevalence, risk factors, according to the PICO and COCHRANEstrategies. Results: We selected descriptive articles on riskbehaviors among adolescents and young people, inPortuguese, English and Spanish from PUBMED (n=220),MEDLINE (n=109), LILACS (n=138) and SciELO (n=68). Ofthese, 50 articles reported prevalence data ranging from 0.84%to 45.2%. Among the 15 Brazilian articles, the prevalenceranged from 5% to 33.3%. The most frequent risk factors/predisposing risk factors to infection by CT were: aged 20-25years, beginning of sexual intercourse, partner with STD history,history of multiple sexual partners, lack of adherence to sexualprotection methods (condom), nulliparity and clinical aspectsthat are not observed by health professionals during routineexaminations. Conclusion: Prevalence ranging between 4%and 20% was observed in most of the analyzed articles, and inBrazilian regions it was generally higher than 5%. Multipleconditions can be involved in the CT infection, requiring furtherstudies in different populations to better characterize the riskfactors...

Local phagocytic responses after murine infection with different forms of Fonsecaea pedrosoi and sclerotic bodies originating from an inoculum of conidiogenous cells.

Fonsecaea pedrosoi is an important causative agent of chromoblastomycosis (CBM) especially in humid areas of the world; however, little is known about the infective forms of this agent that cause CBM. The aim of this study was to investigate the murine tissue response to inoculation with different forms of F. pedrosoi and the morphological changes of the fungal cells in vivo. BALB/c mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with hyphae, conidia or conidiogenous cells and conidia (CCC) at a single site. In addition, the abdomen and footpads were infected subcutaneously with CCC. Fungal forms were inoculated at a final concentration of 1 × 10(6) cells. Hyphae and ungerminated conidia inocula could not be transformed into parasitic forms. In tissue, a great number of conidiogenous cells underwent transformation into sclerotic bodies, which were more resistant to phagocytes in vivo than conidia and hyphae. Clinical and mycological cure of animals infected with CCC was observed from the fourth to the sixth week of infection, while conidia and hyphae infections were faster and generally lasted 2 to 3 weeks. A high number of destructed conidia was observed intracellularly in macrophages. The migration of neutrophils to the inflammatory site seems important for microbicidal activity, particularly against hyphae. Our observations suggest that inocula with conidiogenous cells are associated with in vivo transformation into sclerotic bodies and that local immune response involved with host resistance to experimental F. pedrosoi-infection is primarily mediated by neutrophils as observed in histological sections.

Prolonged infection by Fonsecaea pedrosoi after antigenic co-stimulation at different sites in experimental murine chromoblastomycosis.

In the present study, we examined prolonged infection after antigenic co-stimulation by inoculation of the fungus Fonsecaea pedrosoi at two different sites in three mouse strains (BALB/c, Swiss, and C57BL/6). Using this murine model of infection, we showed that antigen induction of infection at more than one site led to a local suppression of active lesions, which increased the time course of experimental chromoblastomycosis (CBM). Footpad infection with a simultaneous infection of the peritoneum or a mucosal site appeared to cause prolonged infection and frequent fungal disseminations. Using knockout (KO) mice, we observed that antigenic co-stimulation caused progressive illness in CD8-KO animals and an effective immune response in the absence of IL-10. In Xid mice, co-stimulation provoked chronic infection (not prolonged), suggesting that B1 B cells play an important role in the control of fungal infection. The tissue response to infection was similar in all co-stimulated mouse groups, as anatomopathologic sections revealed multifocal lesions (granuloma-like). In general, these mice had acute responses at primary antigenic sites with an intense migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), whereas the distant infection sites (footpad) showed signs of chronic infection. The migration of PMNs to the secondary site (footpad) increased in the later periods of infection, especially after the disappearance of the primary antigenic focus. PMN migration was associated with lesion-dormancy breakage and fungal elimination. Our findings suggest that the host inflammatory/suppression mechanisms induced by antigenic co-stimulation to systemically fight the same pathogen act coordinately through responses that differ at the sites of infection between acute and chronic integrated healing processes that are more prolonged than an acute infection at a single site. However, the long persistence of fungal cells in the host may be linked to microbial adaptation to a parasitic infection as observed in co-stimulated Xid mice.

Antibiosis and dark-pigments secretion by the phytopathogenic and environmental fungal species after interaction in vitro with a Bacillus subtilis isolate

In this work, different reactions in vitro between an environmental bacterial isolate and fungal species were related. The Gram-positive bacteria had terminal and subterminal endospores, presented metabolic characteristics of mesophilic and acidophilic growth, halotolerance, positive to nitrate reduction and enzyme production, as caseinase and catalase. The analysis of partial sequences containing 400 to 700 bases of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene showed identity with the genus Bacillus. However, its identity as B. subtilis was confirmed after analyses of the rpoB, gyrA, and 16S rRNA near-full-length sequences. Strong inhibitory activity of environmental microorganisms, such as Penicillium sp, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, and phytopathogens, such as Colletotrichum sp, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum f.sp vasinfectum, was shown on co-cultures with B. subtilis strain, particularly on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and DNase media. Red and red-ochre color pigments, probably phaeomelanins, were secreted by A. alternata and A. niger respectively after seven days of co-culture.

Na presente investigação, nosso objetivo principal foi relatar diferentes interações in vitro de um isolado bacteriano ambiental com espécies fúngicas. Através da identificação clássica, nós verificamos que o bacilo ambiental apresentava endósporos terminais e subterminais, características metabólicas de mesofilia, acidofilia, halotolerância, redução de nitrato e produção de enzimas, como caseinase e catalase. Análise de seqüências parciais do gene 16S RNAr contendo de 400 a 700 bases revelou identidade com gênero Bacillus. No entanto, a espécie Bacillus subtilis foi confirmada somente depois da análise de seqüências dos genes rpoB, gyrA, and 16S RNAr. Intensa atividade inibitória aos fungos ambientais, como Penicillium sp, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, e fitopatogênicos, como Colletotrichum sp, Alternaria alternata, Fusarium solani e F. oxysporum f.sp vasinfectum, foi observada em coculturas com a cepa bacteriana (B. subtilis), particularmente em ágar Sabouraud dextrose e ágar DNase. Pigmentos de cor avermelhada e vermelho-amarronzado, provavelmente feomelaninas, foram secretados respectivamente por colônias de A. alternata e A. niger depois de sete dias de co-cultivo.

Correlação entre os resultados laboratoriais e os sinais e sintomas clínicos das pacientes com candidíase vulvovaginal e relevância dos parceiros sexuais na manutenção da infecção em São Paulo, Brasil / Relationship of laboratory results with clinical signs and symptoms of patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis and the significance of the sexual partners for the maintenance of the infection

OBJETIVO: relacionar as leveduras identificadas aos sinais e sintomas clínicos das pacientes com candidíase vulvovaginal e investigar a importância dos parceiros sexuais na reincidência da infecção. MÉTODOS: foi desenvolvido estudo prospectivo de julho de 2001 a julho de 2003 com uma amostra de mulheres residentes na Grande São Paulo. Foram avaliadas 179 pacientes com suspeita clínica de vaginite fúngica, com idade entre 18 e 65 anos. Os critérios para exclusão foram: gravidez, comprometimento imunológico intrínseco e extrínseco, incluindo AIDS, diabetes, imunossupressão, pacientes em terapia com corticosteróides, antibióticos ou hormônios, em pós-menopausa, em uso de dispositivo intra-uterino e duchas vaginais ou espermicidas. Amostras de secreções vaginais ou da glande dos parceiros sexuais de pacientes com vaginite de repetição foram coletadas para microscopia e cultura de fungos. Colônias fúngicas isoladas em CHROMagar Candida foram identificadas por provas clássicas. O teste exato de Fisher foi usado para correlacionar o quadro clínico com as leveduras isoladas das pacientes. RESULTADOS: os sinais e sintomas clínicos mais relevantes na candidíase vulvovaginal foram prurido e corrimento, seguidos por eritema e edema, estatisticamente independente do agente etiológico. Leveduras foram diagnosticadas por microscopia direta em 77 pacientes com vulvovaginites, sendo obtidos 40 cultivos de Candida spp. Candida albicans (70 por cento), C. glabrata (20 por cento), C. tropicalis (7,5 por cento) e C. guilliermondii (2,5 por cento) foram identificadas. As leveduras prevalentes nos parceiros foram C. albicans e C. glabrata. As mesmas espécies foram detectadas nas companheiras e parceiros em 87 por cento dos casos. CONCLUSÕES: as vulvovaginites fúngicas foram mais freqüentes em mulheres entre 18 e 34 anos de idade. Não foi observada correlação entre as espécies de leveduras detectadas e a sintomatologia clínica. Os parceiros sexuais podem ser...

PURPOSE: to relate yeasts identified by laboratory tests to clinical signs and symptoms in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis, and to investigate the importance of the sexual partners in the recurrence of the infection. METHODS: from July 2001 to July 2003, a sample of 179 patients aged from 18 to 65 years old, with clinical suspicion of fungal vaginitis were analyzed in a prospective study in Great São Paulo. Exclusion criteria included: pregnancy, impaired intrinsic or extrinsic immune response (including Aids), diabetes or immunosuppression; patients undergoing corticosteroid, antibiotic or hormone therapy, in post menopause, with intrauterine device (IUD) or making use of vaginal douches or spemicides. Samples of vaginal and penis secretions from partners of patients with relapse of vaginitis episodes were collected for microscopy and fungal culture. Fungal colonies isolated in CHROMagar Candida were identified by classical methods. Fisher's exact t-test was used to correlate the clinical picture with the yeasts isolated from patients. RESULTS: the most relevant clinical signs and symptoms were pruritus and vaginal discharge followed by erythema and edema, statistically independent from the etiological agent. Direct microscopy revealed yeasts in 77 patients with vulvovaginitis, and 40 Candida spp cultures were obtained. Candida albicans (70 percent), C. glabrata (20 percent), C. tropicalis (7,5 percent) and C. guilliermondii (2,5 percent) were identified. The yeasts prevalent in partners were C. albicans and C. glabrata. The same species were detected in female and male sex partners in 87 percent of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: fungal vulvovaginitis was more frequent in women between 18 and 34 years old. No correlation was observed between the species of yeast detected and clinical symptomatology. Sexual partners are important Candida spp reservoirs and may be related to the maintenance of the vulvovaginal candidiasis.

[Microbiological evaluation of gastroscope decontamination by electrolysed acid water (Clentop WM-1)]. / Análise microbiológica de gastroscópios descontaminados em aparelho Cleantop WM-1 por uso de água eletrolítica ácida.

BACKGROUND: The manual disinfection of endoscopes with glutharaldeyde is widely employed. The great routine in gastroenteroscopy services, low number of equipment and the lack of technical knowledge about the decontamination processes are factors that stimulate the inadequate endoscope disinfection, intensifying the risk of transmission of microorganisms. The electrolysed acid water has been effective in the inactivation and destruction of microorganisms. AIM: The purpose of this investigation was to verify the microbicidal efficiency of electrolyzed acid water (Cleantop WM-1) to decontaminate gastroscopes after their using in patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Samples from biopsy channel of flexible endoscopes collected after patient use (n = 20) and after disinfection (n = 20) were cultivated in tryptic soy agar, MacConkey agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar. RESULTS: Seventeen of the 20 samples collected after patients examination yielded gram-negative bacilli, gram-positive coccus and yeast cells in contamination of 3 to 5 log10 ufc/mL. Microbial growth was not verified in samples collected after the decontamination process. Conclusion - In this preliminary study, the mechanical disinfection carried through the Cleantop device with electrolyzed acid water showed satisfactory results for the elimination of microorganisms and time optimization in the reprocessing of gastroscopes.

Análise microbiológica de gastroscópios descontaminados em aparelho Cleantop WM-1 por uso de água eletrolítica ácida / Microbiological evaluation of gastroscope decontamination by electrolysed acid water (Clentop WM-1)

RACIONAL: O método com utilização manual de glutaraldeído é amplamente empregado para desinfecção de endoscópios. A elevada rotina nos serviços de gastroscopia, pequena quantidade de equipamentos e a falta de conhecimento técnico sobre os processos de descontaminação contribuem para desinfecção inadequada dos endoscópios, intensificando o risco de transmissão de microrganismos. A água eletrolítica ácida tem apresentado eficácia na inativação e destruição de microrganismos e vem sendo usada na descontaminação de endoscópios. OBJETIVO: Verificar a eficiência microbicida da água eletrolítica ácida, produzida pelo aparelho Cleantop WM-1, em 20 gastroscópios contaminados após uso em pacientes. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Amostras coletadas do canal de biopsia dos endoscópios, após uso em pacientes (n = 20) e depois da desinfecção (n = 20), foram cultivadas em ágar tripticaseína de soja, MacConkey e Sabouraud dextrose. RESULTADOS: Dezessete das 20 amostras coletadas após o uso do aparelho em pacientes revelaram a presença de bacilos gram-negativos, cocos gram-positivos e leveduras em taxas de 103 a 105 ufc/mL. Nenhuma amostra, das 20 coletadas após a descontaminação, apresentou contaminação microbiana. CONCLUSÃO: Nesse estudo preliminar, a desinfecção mecânica realizada pelo aparelho Cleantop com água eletrolítica ácida revelou resultados satisfatórios pela eliminação de microrganismos e otimização no tempo de processamento dos gastroscópios.

Dermatophytosis on the eyelid caused by Microsporum gypseum.

We report a case of tinea on the eyelid in a woman with psoriasis. Due to the history of psoriasis and clinical aspect of the lesion the diagnosis of psoriasis was suggested in the first place; however, laboratory examination revealed Microsporum gypseum. The patient was treated with oral itraconazole resulting in clinical and mycological cure. We emphasize the uncommon location of tinea caused by M. gypseum and the importance of searching for fungal infection on scaly lesions.