Cryptococcosis is a systemic mycosis that causes pneumonia and meningoencephalitis. Strongyloidiasis is a chronic gastrointestinal infection caused by parasites of the genus Strongyloides. Cryptococcosis and strongyloidiasis affect the lungs and are more prevalent in the same world regions, i.e., Africa and tropical countries such as Brazil. It is undeniable that those coincidences may lead to the occurrence of coinfections. However, there are no studies focused on the interaction between Cryptococcus spp. and Strongyloides spp. In this work, we aimed to investigate the interaction between Strongyloides venezuelensis (Sv) and Cryptococcus gattii (Cg) in a murine coinfection model. Murine macrophage exposure to Sv antigens reduced their ability to engulf Cg and produce reactive oxygen species, increasing the ability of fungal growth intracellularly. We then infected mice with both pathogens. Sv infection skewed the host’s response to fungal infection, increasing lethality in a murine coinfection model. In addition to increased NO levels and arginase activity, coinfected mice presented a classic Th2 anti-Sv response: eosinophilia, higher levels of alternate activated macrophages (M2), increased concentrations of CCL24 and IL-4, and lower levels of IL-1β. This milieu favored fungal growth in the lungs with prominent translocation to the brain, increasing the host’s tissue damage. In conclusion, our data shows that primary Sv infection promotes Th2 bias of the pulmonary response to Cg-infection and worsens its pathological outcomes.

Hydrogels containing essential oils are promising formulations for use with antimicrobial purposes. Therefore, this study was proposed to verify the anti-candida potential of hydrogels containing clove essential oil. For this purpose, clove oil and clove essential oil were used in the tests against the yeasts Candida parapsilosis, Candida albicans, and Candida krusei. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the microdilution method. Furthermore, the fungistatic activity was evaluated by the time-kill curve assay. The MIC assays indicated that clove essential oil presented a MIC of 32 µg/mL after 48 hours; this compound was observed to have greater efficacy than the crude oil. The kill curve assays indicate that clove essential oil was more effective, with a MIC of 64 µg/mL for all Candida strains tested after 24 and 48 hours. Hydrogel formulations were made with sodium alginate, clove oil, and clove essential oil. Physicochemical tests were then determined, and microbiological stability was determined for fungi and bacteria up to 60 days of maintenance of the hydrogel at a temperature of 30°C (±2), as recommended by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. The hydrogel formulations containing clove essential oil effectively controlled the Candida species' growth. The results suggest that clove essential oil is a promising antifungal agent against Candida spp—infections, especially in increasing resistance to conventional treatments.

Infecções fúngicas são muitas vezes negligenciados e podem apresentar uma variedade de manifestações clínicas. As micoses sistêmicas são consideradas um problema de saúde pública, a exemplo da paracoccidioidomicose, a criptococose, a coccidiodomicose e a histoplasmose que estão presentes no Maranhão. Este trabalho tem o objetivo avaliar casos de internações por micoses de crianças de 1 a 4 anos nos municípios do Maranhão nos anos de 2013 a 2023. A sua metodologia consiste em um estudo epidemiológico transversal com base em levantamento de dados pelo Departamento de Informática do Sistema de Saúde (DATASUS), em 65 cidades do Maranhão. Nos dez anos analisados, houve um total de 609 casos no Maranhão, sendo, das 65 cidades listadas, apenas 32 apresentam mais de um caso registrados enquanto as 33 restantes apresentam apenas um caso. Estudos epidemiológicos, como este, permitem uma dimensão maior de determinado grupo de doenças para o estabelecimento de estratégias de saúde.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), which can be exacerbated by fungal infections. This study evaluated the clinical characteristics and virulence of Candida spp. in patients with tuberculosis. Antifungal sensitivity, phospholipase and proteinase production, biofilm formation, phagocytic index, and reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) species were assessed. Candida spp. were isolated from 14 patients, 28.5% women and 71.4% men, mainly from sputum and tracheal secretions. Five (35.7%) patients were co-infected with Mycobacterium, Candida, and HIV. Candida albicans (78.6%) and Candida tropicalis (21.4%) were identified in all 14 patients. All isolates showed sensitivity to amphotericin B and dose-dependent responses to fluconazole (16 μg/mL). Phospholipase activity was detected in 35.7% of the isolates, whereas all isolates showed proteinase activity (100%). A significant difference in phospholipase activity, phagocytosis, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) was observed when Candida isolates from patients with TB, living with or without HIV, were compared to Candida isolates from healthy individuals. All isolates were biofilm producers. This study highlights the relevance of mycoses diagnosis in patients with TB, since Candida spp. may be more virulent and contribute to the deterioration of the clinical condition.