• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.540-551
• /
• 2020

Sporotrichosis is a chronic and subacute mycosis causing epidemiological outbreaks involving sick cats and humans in southeastern Brazil. The systemic disease prevails in cats and in humans, with the symptoms restricted to the skin of immunocompetent individuals. Under these conditions, the prolonged treatment of animals and cases of recurrence justify the discovery of new treatments for sporotrichosis. This work addresses the antifungal activity of silver salts of Keggin-type heteropolyacid salts (Ag-HPA salts) such as Ag₃[PW₁₂O₄₀], Ag₆[SiW₁₀V₂O₄₀], Ag₄[SiW₁₂O₄₀] and Ag₃[PMo₁₂O₄₀] and interactions with the antifungal drugs itraconazole (ITC), terbinafine (TBF) and amphotericin B (AMB) on the yeast and mycelia forms of Sporothrix spp. Sporothrix spp. yeast cells were susceptible to Ag-HPA salts at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 8 to 128 ㎍/ml. Interactions between Ag₃[PW₁₂O₄₀] and Ag₃[PMo₁₂O₄₀] with itraconazole and amphotericin B resulted in higher antifungal activity with a reduction in growth and melanization. Treated cells showed changes in cell membrane integrity, vacuolization, cytoplasm disorder, and membrane detachment. Promising antifungal activity for treating sporotrichosis was observed for the Ag-HPA salts Ag₃[PMo₁₂O₄₀] and Ag₃[PW₁₂O₄₀], which have a low cost, high yield and activity at low concentrations. However, further evaluation of in vivo tests is still required.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.1-19
• /
• 2000

The purpose of this study was to define the content of the requisite knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs needed for clinical knowledge for nursing practice. Contents of knowlege on pathological physiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs were constructed from syllabus of basic nursing subjects in 4 colleges of nursing, and textbooks. The degree of need of 72 items was measured with a 4 point scale. The subjects of this study were college-graduated 136 nurses from seven university hospital in Seoul and three in Chonnam Province, Kyungbook Province, and Inchon. They have been working at internal medicine ward, surgical ward, intensive care unit, obstetrics and gynecology ward, pediatrics ward, opthalmology ward, ear, nose, and throat ward, emergency room, rehabilitation ward, cancer ward, and hospice ward. The results were as follows : 1. The highest scored items of the knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs necessary for nursing practice were side effects of drugs, anticoagulants, mechanisms of drugs, antihypertensive drugs, tolerance and addiction of drugs, interactions among drugs, hospital infection in the order of importance. The lowest scored item was structure of microorganisms. 2. The highest order of need according to unit was repair in tissue injury unit, definition etiology classification of inflammation in inflammation unit, transplantation and immunologic response in alterations in immunity unit, thrombus and thrombosis in disorders of cardiovascular function unit, gene disorders in genetic disorders unit, hospital infection in infection unit, virus in microorganisms unit, side reactions of drugs in introduction unit, anticonvulsants in drugs for central nervous system unit, local anesthesia in anesthesia unit, anticoagulants in drugs for cardiovascular system unit, anti-inflammatory drugs in antibiotics unit, anti-ulcer drugs in drugs for digestive system unit, and bronchodilators in drugs for respiratory system unit. 3. The common content of the knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs needed for all clinical areas in nursing were side effects of drugs, anticoagulants, interactions among drugs, and hospital infection. However, the degree of need of each pathological physiology, clinical microbiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs was different depending on clinical areas. 4. Significant differences in the knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs necessary for nursing practice such as tissue changes due to injurious stimuli, degenerative changes of tissue, alterations in metabolism of carbohydrates, ischemia, hyperemia and congestion, hospital infection, structure of microorganism, classification of microorganism, bacteria, virus, antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, antiemetic drugs, antiparkinsonism drugs, antianxiety drugs, antibiotics, tuberculostatics, antiviral drugs, antifungal drugs, parasiticides, antiulcer drugs, antidiarrheais, and anti constipation drugs were shown according to the work area. 5. Significant differences in the knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs necessary for nursing practice such as transplantation and immunologic response, alterations in the metabolism of uric acid, structure of microorganism, classification of microorganism, immunosuppressants, drugs for congestive heart failure were demonstrated according to the duration of work. Based on these findings, all the 72 items constructed by Korean Academic Society of Basic Nursing science should be included as contents of the knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical microbiology, and mechanisms and effects of drugs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.394-398
• /
• 2000

A methanol extract of the root of Peucedanum japonicum, used as a medicinal herb, showed an inhibitory effect on mammalian topoisomerase I activity. The methanol extract was suspended in ethyl acetate, and a topoisomerase I inhibitor in the organic soluble fraction was then isolated by silica gel and thin layer chromatography. The topoisomerase I inhibitory compound was indentified as falcarindiol based on the analysis of EI-MS, $^1$H and \ulcornerC NMR spectroscopy. This inhibitory showed cytotoxicity against human leukemia Jurkat T and HL60 cells with an IC\ulcorner value of 7 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml. These results suggest the possibility of falcarindiol as a new anticancer agent which can be expected to have a synergistic effect on other anticancer drugs. In addition, the present data show that falcarindiol has antifungal, yet not antibacterial, activity.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.651-661
• /
• 2019

Targeting the pathogen viability using drugs is associated with development of drug resistance due to selective pressure. Hence, there is an increased interest in developing agents that target bacterial virulence. In this study, the inhibitory effect of ciclopirox, an antifungal agent with iron chelation potential, on the microbial virulence factors was evaluated in 26 clinical MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates collected from Alexandria Main University Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Egypt. Treatment with 9 ㎍/ml ciclopirox inhibited the hemolytic activity in 70% isolates, reduced pyocyanin production, decreased protease secretion in 46% isolates, lowered twitching and swarming motility, and decreased biofilm formation by 1.5- to 4.5-fold. The quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that treatment with ciclopirox downregulated the expression levels of alkaline protease (aprA) and pyocyanin (phzA1). Ciclopirox is used to treat hematological malignancies and the systemic administration of ciclopirox is reported to have adequate oral absorption with a satisfactory drug safety profile. It is important to calculate the appropriate clinical dose and therapeutic index to reposition ciclopirox from a topical antifungal agent to a promising virulence-modifying agent agent against P. aeruginosa, a problematic Gram-negative pathogen.

• Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.43 no.spc1
• /
• pp.65-84
• /
• 2005

Invasive candidiasis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Clinical diagnosis is complicated by a lack of specific clinical signs and symptoms of disease. Laboratory diagnosis is also complex because circulating antibodies to Candida species may occur in normal individuals as the result of commensal colonization of mucosal surfaces thereby reducing the usefulness of antibody detection for the diagnosis of this disease. In addition, Candida species antigens are often rapidly cleared from the circulation so that antigen detection tests often lack the desired level of sensitivity. Microbiological confirmation is difficult because blood cultures can be negative in up to 50% of autopsy-proven cases of deep-seated candidiasis or may only become positive late in the infection. Positive cultures from urine or mucosal surfaces do not necessarily indicate invasive disease although can occur during systemic infection. Furthermore, differences in the virulence and in the susceptibility of the various Candida species to antifungal drugs make identification to the species level important for clinical management. Newer molecular biological tests have generated interest but are not yet standardized or readily available in most clinical laboratory settings nor have they been validated in large clinical trials. Laboratory surveillance of at-risk patients could result in earlier initiation of antifungal therapy if sensitive and specific diagnostic tests, which are also cost effective, become available. This review will compare diagnostic tests currently in use as well as those under development by describing their assets and limitations for the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.360-367
• /
• 2014

Candida albicans is an opportunistic and the most prevalent fungal pathogen that can cause superficial and systemic infections in immunocompromised patients. C. albicans can promote the transition from budding yeast to filamentous form, generating biofilms. Infections associated with C. albicans biofilms are frequently resistant to conventional antifungal therapy. Therefore, the development of more effective antifungal drugs related with biofilm formation is required urgently. The roots of Rheum undulatum have been used for medicinal purposes in Korea and China traditionally. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of R. undulatum extract upon preformed biofilms of 12 clinical C. albicans isolates and the antifungal activities. Its effect on preformed biofilms was evaluated using XTT reduction assay, and metabolic activity of all tested strains was reduced significantly ($49.4{\pm}6.0%$) at 0.098 mg/ml R. undulatum. The R. undulatum extract blocked the adhesion of C. albicans biofilms to polystyrene surfaces, and damaged the cell membrane integrity of C. albicans which was analyzed by CFDA, AM, and propidium iodide double staining. It caused cell lysis which was observed by Confocal laser scanning and phase contrast microscope after propidium iodide and neutral red staining, respectively. Membrane permeability was changed as evidenced by crystal violet uptake. The data suggest that R. undulatum inhibits biofilm formation by C. albicans, which can be associated with the damage of the cell membrane integrity, the changes in the membrane permeability and the cell lysis of C. albicans.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 1973

Although numerous drugs are available for the treatment of superficial fungi infections of skin, the clinical effects of the majority of such drugs are not satisfactory. In the hope of searching the effective drugs for superficial fungi infections, authors studied whether Veratrum rhizoma extracts had any effect on fungi, with water extract (VRWE), ethanol extract (VREE) and methanol extract (VRME) from Veratrum album L. var. grandiflorum Max. In in vitro studies, the spores of fungi were inoculated on Sabouraud's glucose agar media which contained three extracts of Veratrun rhizoma in each concentration of $500\;{\mu}g/ml$, $1,000\;{\mu}g/ml$ and $5,000\;{\mu}g/ml$ respectively, and the growth of the fungi were observed for 3 weeks. The species of the fungi used in these experiments were Epidermophyton floccosum, Microsporum canis, Microsporum nanum, Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum cookei, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton tonsurans and Trichophyton verrucosum. The results of the studies were as follows: 1. The growth of M. canis, M. nanum, T mentagrophytes and T. tonsurans were slightly inhibited by VRWE $1,000\;{\mu}g/ml$, and with VRWE $5,000\;{\mu}g/ml$, the growth of E. floccosum, M. gypseum and T. rubrum were slightly inhibited, moderate inhibition on the growth of M. canis, M. nanum, M. cookei, T. mentagrophytes and T. tonsurans were showed by VRWE $5,000\;{\mu}g/ml$. 2. With $500\;{\mu}g/ml$ of VREE, the inhibition on growth of E. floccosum, M. nanum and M. gypseum were slight, however significant inhibition on the growth of M. canis, M. cookei, T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum and T. tonsurans were observed. The growth of M. nanum and M. gypseum were moderately inhibited, and significant inhibition on the growth of E. floccosum, M. canis, M. cookei, T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum and T. tonsurans were observed by VREE $1,000\;{\mu}g/ml$. By VREE $5,000\;{\mu}g/ml$, the growth of all tested fungi were significantly inhibited except T. verrucosuia being showed slight inhibition. 3. Significant inhibition on the growth of M. canis, T, mentagrophytes, T. rubrum and T. tonsurans were noted, and moderate inhibition of M. nanum, slight inhibition of E. floccosum and M. gypseum in growth were observed by VRME $500\;{\mu}g/ml$. The growth of E. floccosum, M. canis, M. nanum, M. cookei, T. mentsgrophytes, T. rubrum and T. tonsurans were significantly inhibited by VRME $1,000\;{\mu}g/ml$, and that of M. gypseum was moderate. With $5,000\;{\mu}g/ml$ of VRME, significant inhibition on the growth of E. floccosum, M. canis, M. nanum, M. gypseum, M. cookei, T mentagrophytes, T. rubrum and T. tonsurans were observed, and T. verrucosum was showed only slight inhibition. From the above results, it was found that the extracts of organic solvents from Veratrum rhizoma (VREE & VRME) exerted significant antifungal activity, and their effects were probably derived from the pharmacological action of steroidal alkaloids.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.57-61
• /
• 2005

Ethanol and aqueous extracts of Cassia auriculata were tested in vitro against fungi (Candida albicans and Microsporum canis) and bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteriditis, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis). M. canis showed dose-dependent susceptibility only towards ethanol leaf and bark extracts. C. albicans, were resistant to all types of plant extracts. Results were statistically smaller to antifungal drug ketoconazole and miconazole at equivalent concentration. Both ethanol and aqueous extracts of Cassia auriculata leaves and barks exhibit antibacterial activity against S. aureus and only the ethanol extracts of leaf and bark were detected against Bacillus subtilis. The results were compared to antibacterial drugs chloramphenicol, ampicillin, penicillin G, and enrofloxacin. The antibacterial activity was statistically similar to penicillin G. Based on the current findings, it can be concluded that this plant has antimicrobial activity, which is as potent as standard antimicrobial drugs.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.239-243
• /
• 2010

Candidiasis is one of the most common causes of late-onset infection among very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBW) in most neonatal intensive care units and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Standard therapy consists of the administration of amphotericin B, amphotericin B complex, and fluconazole. In many cases, candidiasis is not easily eradicated, despite the administration of these drugs. We report our experience of the addition of high-dose caspofungin to the conventional antifungal drugs in a VLBW infant with refractory candidemia.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.140-146
• /
• 2005

Candida albicans, a polymorphic fungus, causes systemic and local infections. Recent reports show that the fungus is a main etiological agent for the arthritis. For trea tment, antifungal drugs and/or rheumatoid drugs are used, but resistance and side effects limit application of the drugs. In search of new sources for treatment of the fungal arthritis, we choose Egb 761 (extract of Ginkgo leaves 761), one of the most popular over-the-counter herbal medicines. The Egb 761 contains two major ingredients such as terpene and flavonoid. In the present study, we examined if the terpene portion of Egb 761 had anti-inflammatory activity against C.albicans-caused arthritis. The terpene was extracted with combination of methanol and water from the Egb 761, followed by gel-permeation chromatography. Presence of terpene was determined by the Salkowski colorimetric method and HPLC analysis. For an animal model of inflammation induction, mice were given an emulsion form of C.albicans cell wall mixed with Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) by footpad-injection. Results showed that intraperitoneal administration of the water-soluble portion that contained terpene and flavonoid reduced the inflammation. Whereas the terpene had anti-inflammatory activity, flavonoid portion had no such activity, For determination of possible mechanism of the activity, the terpene seemed to be suppression of nitric oxide (NO) production from LPS-treated macrophages. Taken together the Ginkgo terpene may have anti-inflammatory effect against C.albicans-caused arthritis, possibly by blocking NO production.