A gomesina é um peptídeo antimicrobiano catiônico, purificado dos hemócitos da aranha caranguejeira Acanthoscurria gomesiana. Possui amplo espectro de atividade contra bactérias, fungos, protozoários e células tumorais. Candida albicans é uma levedura comensal que faz parte da microbiota humana. O tratamento desta micose geralmente é feito com fluconazol, contudo casos de resistência vêm sendo reportados, com isso vários peptídeos antimicrobianos vêm sendo estudados a fim de se tornarem tratamentos alternativos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia do tratamento com a gomesina em um modelo de candidíase disseminada e vaginal. O tratamento de gomesina foi eficaz no controle do fungo. Verificou-se um efeito imunomodulatório, pois seu tratamento aumentou as concentrações de IL-6, TNF-<font face=\"symbol\">a e INF-<font face=\"symbol\">g dos rins dos animais com candidíase disseminada. A gomesina não apresentou nenhum efeito tóxico para os animais. Os dados apresentados neste estudo reforçam o potencial da gomesina para ser um agente. / The gomesin is a cationic antimicrobial peptide, purified from hemocytes of the spider Acanthoscurria gomesiana. It has a broad spectrum of activity against bacteria, fungi, protozoa and tumor cells. Candida albicans is commensal yeast that is part of the human microbiota. The treatment of this mycosis is usually done with fluconazole although cases of resistance have been reported. With the emergence of microorganisms resistance, several antimicrobial peptides have been studied in order to become alternative treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with gomesin in a model of disseminated and vaginal candidiasis. The treatment with gomesin showed to be effective in controlling the fungus. There was also found an immunomodulatory effect as its treatment increased concentrations of IL-6, TNF-<font face=\"symbol\">a and INF-<font face=\"symbol\">g in the kidneys of animals with disseminated candidiasis. The gomesin did not show any toxic effect to animals. The data presented in this study reinforce the potential of gomesin to be an antifungal agent.

A gomesina é um peptídeo antimicrobiano catiônico, purificado dos hemócitos da aranha caranguejeira Acanthoscurria gomesiana. Possui amplo espectro de atividade contra bactérias, fungos, protozoários e células tumorais. Candida albicans é uma levedura comensal que faz parte da microbiota humana. O tratamento desta micose geralmente é feito com fluconazol, contudo casos de resistência vêm sendo reportados, com isso vários peptídeos antimicrobianos vêm sendo estudados a fim de se tornarem tratamentos alternativos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a eficácia do tratamento com a gomesina em um modelo de candidíase disseminada e vaginal. O tratamento de gomesina foi eficaz no controle do fungo. Verificou-se um efeito imunomodulatório, pois seu tratamento aumentou as concentrações de IL-6, TNF-<font face=\"symbol\">a e INF-<font face=\"symbol\">g dos rins dos animais com candidíase disseminada. A gomesina não apresentou nenhum efeito tóxico para os animais. Os dados apresentados neste estudo reforçam o potencial da gomesina para ser um agente. / The gomesin is a cationic antimicrobial peptide, purified from hemocytes of the spider Acanthoscurria gomesiana. It has a broad spectrum of activity against bacteria, fungi, protozoa and tumor cells. Candida albicans is commensal yeast that is part of the human microbiota. The treatment of this mycosis is usually done with fluconazole although cases of resistance have been reported. With the emergence of microorganisms resistance, several antimicrobial peptides have been studied in order to become alternative treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with gomesin in a model of disseminated and vaginal candidiasis. The treatment with gomesin showed to be effective in controlling the fungus. There was also found an immunomodulatory effect as its treatment increased concentrations of IL-6, TNF-<font face=\"symbol\">a and INF-<font face=\"symbol\">g in the kidneys of animals with disseminated candidiasis. The gomesin did not show any toxic effect to animals. The data presented in this study reinforce the potential of gomesin to be an antifungal agent.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study at the Brooklyn Chest Hospital (BCH) was to assess the change in the oral carriage of Candida species in twenty-nine patients co-infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Tuberculosis (TB), before and after anti-fungal treatment. Each patient accepted onto the study underwent a comprehensive oral and peri-oral examination where the presence, site and clinical features of all oral and peri-oral lesions were recorded. The purpose of the examination was to provide a clinical diagnosis of oral candidasis. Each patient was also asked to provide a sample of oral fluid for laboratory analysis. This was collected using an oral rinse. The results of a variety of laboratory investigations were used to identify the species of Candida obtained from the oral rinse. Both the oral and peri-oral examination and the oral rinse procedure were repeated after one month and at three months. A sample from each oral rinse was inoculated on CHROMagar Candida chromogenic medium (CHROMagar Candida, France, Paris). CHROMagar is used for the isolation and presumptive identification of Candida sp. from other yeasts on the basis of strongly contrasted colony colours, which are produced by the reactions of species-specific enzymes with a proprietary chromogenic substrate. After forty-eight hours the CHROMagar plate was examined for growth, when a record of colony morphology and colour was made. A single sample from each different colour-coded colony was taken and streaked onto a Sabouraud plate (Oxoid, Basingstake, England) and then incubated for forty eight hours at thirty-seven degrees centigrade. A variety of laboratory investigations were subsequently carried out on a single colony taken from the Sabouraud agar plate (Oxoid). The results of these tests were used to identify the individual species of Candida isolated from each oral rinse. Oral candidasis was the most prevalent oral lesion observed on admission and at three months. Six different species of Candida were identified during this study, namely Candida albicans, Candida dubliniensis, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida tropicalis. C.albicans was the most commonly identified species in study population. Candida dubliniensis was isolated and identified for the first time in a South African HIV population. Each specimen of Candida sp. identified by laboratory analysis was tested for sensitivity to Nystatin, Amphotericin B and Fluconazole anti-fungal agents. An additional sensitivity test was performed using Ajoene and Allicin (extracts of garlic) to assess the comparative antifungal properties of these compounds. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doelwit van hierdie studie by die Brooklyn Borshospitaal (BCH) was om die verandering in orale draerstatus van die Kandida spesies in nege-en-twintig HIVfTB koïnfekteerde pasiënte vas te stel, voor- en na antifungale behandeling. Elke pasiënt in die studie het 'n volledige intra- en ekstra-orale ondersoek ondergaan. Die teenwoordigheid, area en kliniese voorkoms van alle letsels is noteer. Die doel van die ondersoek was om 'n kliniese diagnose van orale kandidiase te verkry. 'n Monster orale vloeistof is geneem van elke pasiënt vir laboratorium analise. Die monster is in die vorm van 'n mondspoel geneem. Verskeie toetse is gedoen om die verskillende Kandida spesies in elke monster te identifiseer. Die orale- en ekstra-orale ondersoek sowel as die mondspoelmonster is na 1 en 3 maande herhaal. Elke mondspoelmonster is op CHROMagar Kandida chromogene medium (CHROMagar Candida, France) inokuleer. CHROMagar word gebruik vir die vermoedelike identifikasie en isolasie van Kandida spesies teenoor ander swamme. Dit word gedoen op die basis van kontrasterende koloniekleure, wat teweeggebring word deur spesie-spesifieke ensiemreaksies op 'n chromogene substraat. Die CHROMagar plate is na 48 uur ondersoek vir groei en die kolonie-morfologie en - kleur is noteer. 'n Enkel monster. is geneem van elke verskillende kolonie (geskei op kleur) en is uitgestreep op 'n Saboraud plaat (Oxoid, Basingstoke, England). Dit is dan vir 48 uur inkubeer teen 37°C. Verskeie laboratorium ondersoeke is daarna uitgevoer op 'n enkel kolonie geneem vanaf die Saboraud agar plaat (oxoid). Die resultate van die ondersoeke is gebruik om individuele spesies van Kandida te identifiseer. Orale Kandidiase was die mees algemene orale letsel geïdentifiseer by toelating en 3 maande ondersoeke. Ses verskillende spesies Kandida is identifiseer tydens die studie, naamlik: Kandida albicans, K.dubliniensis, K.Krusei, K.glabrata, K.parapsilosis en K.tropicalis. K.albicans was die mees algemeen identifiseerde spesie in die studiepopulasie. K.dubliniensis is vir die eerste keer in Suid-Afrika in 'n HIV<+lpopulasie isoleer en geïdentifiseer. Elke monster van identifiseerde Kandida spesies is getoets vir sensitiwiteit teenoor Nistatien, Amfotensien B en Flukonasool. Addisioneel is ook getoets vir sensitiwiteit teenoor Ajoene en Allicin (knoffelekstrakte).

On t.p.: Degree MSc Dental Science (Community Dentistry) / Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this review was to investigate the management of oral candidiasis in HIV/AIDS patients and to evaluate the different guidelines that are available for its management. To achieve this aim, three objectives were identified: (i) to identify and report on the different interventions used to manage oral candidiasis, in patients with HIV/AIDS, (ii) to determine the efficacy of these interventions, and (iii) to provide guidelines for management. A thorough systematic search of the literature was carried out and all relevant papers were graded into three levels of evidence (A, B, and C) and scored for quality according to set criteria. A number of topical and systemic antifungal medications are used to treat oral candidiasis in HIV-positive patients. These include the poleyne antibiotics, nystatin and amphotericin B. Milder episodes of oral candidiasis respond to topical therapy with nystatin, clotrimazole troches or oral ketoconazole. Fluconazole has been extensively evaluated as a treatment for candidiasis. With HIV-infection, a cure rate of 82% has been achieved with a daily oral dose of 50 mg. Fluconazole was found to be a better choice of treatment for relapsing oropharyngeal candidiasis, resulting in either better cure rates or better prevention of relapse. Intravenous amphotericin B has been found to be effective therapy in azole refractory candidiasis where it was shown to be safe and well tolerated. Topical therapies were found to be effective treatment for uncomplicated oropharyngeal candidiasis, however patients relapsed more quickly than those treated with oral systemic antifungal therapy. Overall, nystatin appears less effective than clotrimazole and the azoles in the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis. With regard to the resolution of clinical symptoms, clotrimazole was found to be just as effective as the azoles, except when patient compliance was poor. Fluconazole-treated patients were more likely to remain disease-free during the fluconazole follow-up period than with those treated with other interventions. Relatively few studies were qualified to address the provision of guidelines for the management of oral candidiasis in primary health care settings. Most of the studies found were of moderate and low quality level of evidence. These studies included the assessment of different guidelines for identification, treatment and dental needs. They stressed that patients with HN need dentists who will act as primary health care providers, together with other providers to ensure adequate overall care. Given the level of interest and importance of candidiasis associated with treatment of HN -positive patients, it is surprising to find that little high quality research has been undertaken. As such, it is hoped that this review would provide researchers, oral health care workers and other health care providers with an overview of the management of oral candidiasis associated with HN/AIDS. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doelstelling van die oorsig was om ondersoek in te stel na die hantering van orale kandidiase in HIV/AIDS pasiënte asook om die verskillende beskikbare riglyne vir die behandeling daarvan te evalueer. Ter verwesenliking van hierdie doelstelling is drie doelwitte geïdentifiseer: (i) om die intervensies wat gebruik word in die hantering van orale kandidiase behandeling te identifiseer, (ii) om die effektiwiteit van hierdie intervensies te identifiseer en (iii) om op grond hiervan riglyne vir die hantering voor te stel. 'n Sistematiese literatuursoektog is uitgevoer en alle relevante artikels is in drie groepe geklassifiseer (A, B en C) op grond van die data kwaliteit. 'n Verskeidenheid topikale en sistemiese antifungale middels word gebruik om orale kandidiase in HIV-positiewe pasiënte te behandel. 'n Sukseskoers van 82% is met die gebruik van 'n daaglikse dosis van 50 mg medikament gerapporteer. Fluconazole was die beter keuse van middel vir die behandeling van terugkerende orofaringeale kandidiase. Topikale behandeling was effektief in die behandeling van ongekompliseerde orofaringeale kandidiase, hoewel die kans op terugkeer van die toestand groter was as met die sistemiese middels. Pasiënte wat met flukonasool behandel is, het 'n groter kans gehad om siektevry te bly vergeleke met pasiënte op die ander intervensies. Meeste van die studies was van middelmatige tot lae kwaliteit en gevolglik was dit moeilik om behandelingsriglyne te stel. Wat egter wel duidelik is, is dat HIV pasiënte primêre mondsorg benodig wat saam met ander versorging omvattende sorg sal verseker.