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Dermatophytes constitute a complex group of fungi, comprised of by the genera Trichophyton, Epidermophyton and Microsporum. They have the ability to degrade keratin and cause human and animal infections. Molecular techniques have made their identification faster and more accurate, and allowed important advances in phylogenetic studies. We aim to identify molecularly and to determine the phylogenetic relationships in dermatophyte fungi from Brazil and other Latin American countries, using DNA sequencing of the nuclear ribosome regions ITS1-5.8S- ITS2 and D1/D2. DNA of 45 dermatophytes was extracted and amplified by PCR for identification at the species level by sequencing of those ribosomal regions. The software mega 6.0 was used to establish the phylogenetic relationships via the Maximum Likelihood method. Out of 45 strains, 43 were identified by ITS (95.5%) and 100% by D1/D2 sequencing. Two strains could not be identified by ITS. Phylogenetic analyses separated the genera Trichophyton and Microsporum, which presented an uncertain relationship with Epidermophyton floccosum, depending on the ribosomal marker. Both regions can provide efficient identification of dermatophytes, whereas phylogenetic analysis revealed complex relations among dermatophyte fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the incidence of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) in Latin America. Topics discussed include the phylogeny of paracoccidioides genus, ecology of paracoccidioides brasiliensis and paracoccidioides lutzii, sexual reproduction of the paracoccidioides species complex, virulence factors associated with dimorphism and host adaptation, and impact of paracoccidioides species complex on clinical and serological aspects of PCM.

Background: Species identification and antifungal susceptibility tests were carried out on 212 Candida isolates obtained from bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections and dialysis-associated peritonitis, from cases attended at a Brazilian public tertiary hospital from January 1998 to January 2005. Findings: Candida albicans represented 33% of the isolates, Candida parapsilosis 31.1%, Candida tropicalis 17.9%, Candida glabrata 11.8%, and others species 6.2%. In blood culture, C. parapsilosis was the most frequently encountered species (48%). The resistance levels to the antifungal azoles were relatively low for the several species, except for C. tropicalis and C. glabrata. Amphotericin B resistance was observed in 1 isolate of C. parapsilosis. Conclusions: The species distribution and antifungal susceptibility herein observed presented several epidemiological features common to other tertiary hospitals in Latin American countries. It also exhibited some peculiarity, such as a very high frequency of C. parapsilosis both in bloodstream infections and dialysis-associated peritonitis. C. albicans also occurred in an important number of case infections, in all evaluated clinical sources. C. glabrata presented a high proportion of resistant isolates. The data emphasize the necessity to carry out the correct species identification accompanied by the susceptibility tests in all tertiary hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is Latin America's most prevalent systemic mycosis, carrying an important social burden. Its agent, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, has rarely been identified in nature. Studies characterizing acute/subacute PCM incidence and their relationship with climate variables are not available. This work analysed a series of acute/subacute cases that occurred in the Botucatu area, São Paulo State, Brazil, from 1969 to 1999, as an outcome of weather variability. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is endemic in Latin America and in countries like Brazil it carries a high mortality rate. The fungus' habitat has not been precisely determined. The present study aims to identify ecologic correlates based on PCM distribution in a hyper-endemic area in southeastern Brazil. The Geographic Information System (GIS) and spatial statistics were used to associate environmental attributes, human population density and. PCM distribution, By means of the Pearson r correlation coefficient, the highest statistically significant associations with prevalence density were the percent area (by county) of: basaltic rocks (r = 0.63; P < 0.0001). Podzolic soils (r= - 0.48: P < 0.001), Latosol soils (r = 0.40; P < 0.01), mean annual precipitation between 1500 and 1600 mm (r = 0.46; P < 0.001) and mean precipitation during the wet season between 940 and 1040 mm (r = - 0.44; P < 0.01). Soil texture and precipitation analyzed together reached r = 0.61 (P < 0.000002) for fine-textured soils with annual precipitation above 1400 mm. Environmental correlates indicate that moisture availability plays an important role in PCM distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic disease endemic to most of Latin America, with greatest impact in rural areas. The taxonomic status of one of the best studied Paracoccidioides isolates (Pb01) as P. brasiliensis remains unresolved due to its genomic differences from the other three previously described phylogenetic species (S1, PS2 and PS3; Carrero et al., 2008. Fungal Genet. Biol. 45, 605). Using the genealogic concordance method of phylogenetic species recognition (GCPSR) via maximum parsimony and Bayesian analysis, we identified a clade of 17 genotypically similar isolates, including Pb01, which are distinct from the S1/PS2/P3 clade. Consistent with GCPSR, this “Pb01-like” group can be considered a new phylogenetic species, since it is strongly supported by all independent and concatenated genealogies. “Pb01-like” species exhibit great sequence and morphological divergence from the S1/PS2/PS3 species clade, and we estimate that these groups last shared a common ancestor approximately 32 million years ago. In addition, recombination analysis revealed independent events inside both main groups suggesting reproductive isolation. Consequently, we recommend the formal description of the “Pb01-like” cluster as the new species Paracoccidioides lutzii, a tribute to Adolpho Lutz, discoverer of P. brasiliensis in 1908. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic fungal disease occurring in Latin America that is associated with rural environments and agricultural activities. However, the incidence and prevalence of paracoccidiodomycosis is underestimated because of the lack of compulsory notification. If paracoccidiodomycosis is not diagnosed and treated early and adequately, the endemic fungal infection could result in serious sequelae. While the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis ( P. brasiliensis ) complex has been known to be the causal agent of paracoccidiodomycosis, a new species, Paracoccidioides lutzii ( P. lutzii ), has been reported in Rondônia, where the disease has reached epidemic levels, and in the Central West and Pará. Accurate diagnoses and availability of antigens that are reactive with the patients' sera remain significant challenges. Therefore, the present guidelines aims to update the first Brazilian consensus on paracoccidioidomycosis by providing evidence-based recommendations for bedside patient management. This consensus summarizes etiological, ecoepidemiological, molecular epidemiological, and immunopathological data, with emphasis on clinical, microbiological, and serological diagnosis and management of clinical forms and sequelae, as well as in patients with comorbidities and immunosuppression. The consensus also includes discussion of outpatient treatments, severe disease forms, disease prevalence among special populations and resource-poor settings, a brief review of prevention and control measures, current challenges and recommendations.