It is important to realize that guidelines cannot always account for individual variation among patients. They are not intended to supplant physician judgment with respect to particular patients or special clinical situations. Infectious Diseases Society of America considers adherence to these guidelines to be voluntary, with the ultimate determination regarding their application to be made by the physician in the light of each patient's individual circumstances. Coccidioidomycosis, also known as San Joaquin Valley fever, is a systemic infection endemic to parts of the southwestern United States and elsewhere in the Western Hemisphere. Residence in and recent travel to these areas are critical elements for the accurate recognition of patients who develop this infection. In this practice guideline, we have organized our recommendations to address actionable questions concerning the entire spectrum of clinical syndromes. These can range from initial pulmonary infection, which eventually resolves whether or not antifungal therapy is administered, to a variety of pulmonary and extrapulmonary complications. Additional recommendations address management of coccidioidomycosis occurring for special at-risk populations. Finally, preemptive management strategies are outlined in certain at-risk populations and after unintentional laboratory exposure.

It is important to realize that guidelines cannot always account for individual variation among patients. They are not intended to supplant physician judgment with respect to particular patients or special clinical situations. Infectious Diseases Society of America considers adherence to these guidelines to be voluntary, with the ultimate determination regarding their application to be made by the physician in the light of each patient's individual circumstances. Coccidioidomycosis, also known as San Joaquin Valley fever, is a systemic infection endemic to parts of the southwestern United States and elsewhere in the Western Hemisphere. Residence in and recent travel to these areas are critical elements for the accurate recognition of patients who develop this infection. In this practice guideline, we have organized our recommendations to address actionable questions concerning the entire spectrum of clinical syndromes. These can range from initial pulmonary infection, which eventually resolves whether or not antifungal therapy is administered, to a variety of pulmonary and extrapulmonary complications. Additional recommendations address management of coccidioidomycosis occurring for special at-risk populations. Finally, preemptive management strategies are outlined in certain at-risk populations and after unintentional laboratory exposure.

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Os animais de estimação podem ser fonte de infecções, principalmente para seres humanos imunocomprometidos, em especial, pacientes portadores do vírus HIV. Considerando que o contato com animais pode prover benefícios emocionais, profissionais da área da saúde, em particular médicos e médicos veterinários, devem estar conscientes do papel potencial destes animais na transmissão de doenças de forma a preconizar medidas profiláticas para que esta transmissão não ocorra. As circunstâncias que favorecem a transmissão de doenças a partir dos animais de estimação ainda não são totalmente conhecidas, principalmente na realidade brasileira. Faltam estudos com o objetivo de investigar o risco de doenças de origem zoonótica decorrentes do contato com estes animais, hoje também chamados de animais pet. Ademais, ressente-se da falta de um instrumento devidamente elaborado e validado com a finalidade de captar as informações necessárias para a realização de estudos deste tipo ou mesmo para servir como ferramenta de rastreio de situações de vulnerabilidade de pacientes imunodeprimidos com vistas ao aconselhamento sobre medidas de prevenção. Desta maneira, o objetivo deste estudo é elaborar um instrumento para averiguar a vulnerabilidade de pacientes imunodeprimidos a infecções zoonóticas a partir de animais de estimação. Inicialmente, foram mapeados os animais de estimação mais encontrados no ambiente doméstico e as principais infecções que podem ser transmitidas a partir deles. Selecionaram-se, então, os possíveis mecanismos de transmissão a serem abordados. Dentre as espécies de animais de estimação elencadas, os cães, gatos, aves, répteis e os pequenos roedores foram os selecionados para a confecção deste instrumento. As infecções selecionadas foram: Salmonelose; Criptosporidíase; Giardíase; Dermatofitoses, Esporotricose, Bartonelose; Ancilostomíase; Toxocaríase; Psitacose; Toxoplasmose; Escabiose; Campilobacteriose; Criptococose e Histoplasmose. Considerando as diferentes formas de transmissão de cada infecção foram identificados os possíveis atos e comportamentos no contato com animais de estimação, bem como características destes animais, que poderiam aumentar a probabilidade de transmissão. O instrumento desenvolvido foi composto de uma primeira parte abarcando os critérios de elegibilidade, e de outra envolvendo o escopo principal do instrumento. Como as características de contato e as infecções variam de acordo com a espécie de animal, o instrumento abordou cada um dos cinco grupos de animais separadamente. O instrumento aqui proposto concerne à etapa inicial de um processo de desenvolvimento formal para utilização em futuras pesquisas sobre o papel dos animais de estimação na transmissão de infecções para pacientes imunodeprimidos. Estudos que explorem a confiabilidade e validade do instrumento proposto, assim como sua aceitabilidade, são necessários antes que seu uso seja recomendado. / Pets are potential sources of infections for humans, especially for immunocompromised, in particular HIV patients. Considering the emotional benefits that contact with animals can provide, health professionals, particularly physicians and veterinarians, should be aware of the potential role of these animals in disease transmission in order to recommend prophylactic measures. The conditions surrounding the transmission of an infectious disease from pets to humans are not well known, in particular in the Brazilian context. There is an absence of studies with the purpose of investigating the risk of pet-associated zoonotic infections. Furthermore, the existing studies suffer from the lack of a properly elaborated and validated instrument in order to capture the necessary information to accomplish this task or even to serve as a screening tool for vulnerable situations of immunocompromised patients in order to advise on preventive measures. The aim of this study is the development of a questionnaire to assess vulnerability to pet-associated zoonotic infections in immunocompromised patients. Initially, the most commonly pets found in the domestic environment, and the most important infections that they might transmit, were mapped. A set of possible transmission mechanisms was selected to be addressed. Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and rodents were the selected species to be included in the questionnaire. The selected infections were: Salmonellosis; Criptosporidiosis; Giardiasis; Dermatophytosis (ringworm); Sporotrichosis; Bartonellosis (cat scratch disease); Cutaneous larva migrans; Roundworm infection; Psittacosis; Toxoplasmosis; Scabies; Campylobacter enteritis; Cryptococcosis and Histoplasmosis. Considering the different forms of transmission for each disease, the possible actions and behaviors with pets were identified, as well as characteristics of the animals that could increase the probability of transmission. The instrument developed was composed of a first part covering the eligibility criteria, and another involving the main scope of the instrument. Since the characteristics of contact and infection vary according to the animals species, the instrument addressed each of the five groups of animals separately. The instrument proposed in this study concerns the initial stage of a formal development process for its use in future research about the role of pets in transmission of zoonoses to immunocompromised patients. Studies exploring the reliability and validity of the proposed instrument, as well as its acceptability, are needed before its use is recommended.

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Os animais de estimação podem ser fonte de infecções, principalmente para seres humanos imunocomprometidos, em especial, pacientes portadores do vírus HIV. Considerando que o contato com animais pode prover benefícios emocionais, profissionais da área da saúde, em particular médicos e médicos veterinários, devem estar conscientes do papel potencial destes animais na transmissão de doenças de forma a preconizar medidas profiláticas para que esta transmissão não ocorra. As circunstâncias que favorecem a transmissão de doenças a partir dos animais de estimação ainda não são totalmente conhecidas, principalmente na realidade brasileira. Faltam estudos com o objetivo de investigar o risco de doenças de origem zoonótica decorrentes do contato com estes animais, hoje também chamados de animais pet. Ademais, ressente-se da falta de um instrumento devidamente elaborado e validado com a finalidade de captar as informações necessárias para a realização de estudos deste tipo ou mesmo para servir como ferramenta de rastreio de situações de vulnerabilidade de pacientes imunodeprimidos com vistas ao aconselhamento sobre medidas de prevenção. Desta maneira, o objetivo deste estudo é elaborar um instrumento para averiguar a vulnerabilidade de pacientes imunodeprimidos a infecções zoonóticas a partir de animais de estimação. Inicialmente, foram mapeados os animais de estimação mais encontrados no ambiente doméstico e as principais infecções que podem ser transmitidas a partir deles. Selecionaram-se, então, os possíveis mecanismos de transmissão a serem abordados. Dentre as espécies de animais de estimação elencadas, os cães, gatos, aves, répteis e os pequenos roedores foram os selecionados para a confecção deste instrumento. As infecções selecionadas foram: Salmonelose; Criptosporidíase; Giardíase; Dermatofitoses, Esporotricose, Bartonelose; Ancilostomíase; Toxocaríase; Psitacose; Toxoplasmose; Escabiose; Campilobacteriose; Criptococose e Histoplasmose. Considerando as diferentes formas de transmissão de cada infecção foram identificados os possíveis atos e comportamentos no contato com animais de estimação, bem como características destes animais, que poderiam aumentar a probabilidade de transmissão. O instrumento desenvolvido foi composto de uma primeira parte abarcando os critérios de elegibilidade, e de outra envolvendo o escopo principal do instrumento. Como as características de contato e as infecções variam de acordo com a espécie de animal, o instrumento abordou cada um dos cinco grupos de animais separadamente. O instrumento aqui proposto concerne à etapa inicial de um processo de desenvolvimento formal para utilização em futuras pesquisas sobre o papel dos animais de estimação na transmissão de infecções para pacientes imunodeprimidos. Estudos que explorem a confiabilidade e validade do instrumento proposto, assim como sua aceitabilidade, são necessários antes que seu uso seja recomendado. / Pets are potential sources of infections for humans, especially for immunocompromised, in particular HIV patients. Considering the emotional benefits that contact with animals can provide, health professionals, particularly physicians and veterinarians, should be aware of the potential role of these animals in disease transmission in order to recommend prophylactic measures. The conditions surrounding the transmission of an infectious disease from pets to humans are not well known, in particular in the Brazilian context. There is an absence of studies with the purpose of investigating the risk of pet-associated zoonotic infections. Furthermore, the existing studies suffer from the lack of a properly elaborated and validated instrument in order to capture the necessary information to accomplish this task or even to serve as a screening tool for vulnerable situations of immunocompromised patients in order to advise on preventive measures. The aim of this study is the development of a questionnaire to assess vulnerability to pet-associated zoonotic infections in immunocompromised patients. Initially, the most commonly pets found in the domestic environment, and the most important infections that they might transmit, were mapped. A set of possible transmission mechanisms was selected to be addressed. Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and rodents were the selected species to be included in the questionnaire. The selected infections were: Salmonellosis; Criptosporidiosis; Giardiasis; Dermatophytosis (ringworm); Sporotrichosis; Bartonellosis (cat scratch disease); Cutaneous larva migrans; Roundworm infection; Psittacosis; Toxoplasmosis; Scabies; Campylobacter enteritis; Cryptococcosis and Histoplasmosis. Considering the different forms of transmission for each disease, the possible actions and behaviors with pets were identified, as well as characteristics of the animals that could increase the probability of transmission. The instrument developed was composed of a first part covering the eligibility criteria, and another involving the main scope of the instrument. Since the characteristics of contact and infection vary according to the animals species, the instrument addressed each of the five groups of animals separately. The instrument proposed in this study concerns the initial stage of a formal development process for its use in future research about the role of pets in transmission of zoonoses to immunocompromised patients. Studies exploring the reliability and validity of the proposed instrument, as well as its acceptability, are needed before its use is recommended.

Parvovirus B19 is a common human pathogen that typically infects erythroid progenitors and causes hematological problems such as anemia and aplastic crises. The clinical presentation depends mainly on the immunological status of the patient. PVB19 can cause serious clinical disorders in immunocompromised patients after transplantation. More than 1500 samples from 90 patients who passed the HSCT in 2015 were tested for the presence of PVB19 in this work. This work describes the incidence of the virus and two typical periods of onset of infection in patients after the transplantation. Although several sources report the negative effect of PVB19 infection on the survival of allogeneic graft patients, this work did not confirm this assertion. Also, the results of this work suggest that allogenic grafts are not the main source for transmission, but that it is likely to be reactivated after long-term persistent or latent PVB19 infections. PVB19 is divided into 3 genotypes. Genotype 1 is the most widespread, genotype 2 is very rare in Europe for the last 10 years, and genotype 3 occurs mainly in tropical localities. This work as the first describes the distribution of genotypes in the Czech Republic. More than 130 samples from 125 PVB19 positive patients, stored in the Motol University Hospital from 2004...

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:25:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CarolinaRodriguesCosta-2009.pdf: 705821 bytes, checksum: 53ed28c3e9fdc5770d04b7c412384968 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-06-02 / Adhesion to host tissues, production of hydrolytic enzymes, the resistance to antifungals and ability to production hyphal interfere in the infectious process caused by Candida. Resistance to azole antifungal agents, used to treatment of candidiasis, has been observed to immunocompromised patients. Molecular typing based on RAPD-PCR has been used to discriminate between susceptible and resistant isolates to antifungal agents. In this work, were evaluated the virulence factors and molecular characteristics of Candida isolates obtained of samples from blood, catheter of nosocomial patients and from oral cavity of HIV positive patients. The isolates were identified as: Candida albicans (59) Candida parapsilosis (22), Candida tropicalis (14) Candida guilliermondii (07), Candida. famata (05), Candida krusei (03), Candid. lusitaniae (01) and Candida kefyr (01). The proteinase and phospholipase production and the adherence ability were determined for these yeasts. The effect of fluconazole and itraconazole antifungal agents on hyphal formation were studied to 5 isolates previously classified as either susceptible or resistant. The characterization genotypic of resistant and susceptible isolates to fluconazole was carried out for 13 isolates of C. albicans by RAPD-PCR method. The results showed that proteinase activity was detected in 88.1% of C. albicans isolates and in 69.8% of non C. albicans, while phospholipase was produced in 55.9% of C. albicans isolates and in 37.7% of non C. albicans. Isolates of blood were more proteolitic than catheter and oral cavity, while for phospholipase, there was more production of this enzyme in the oral cavity. The ability of adherence to buccal epithelial cell was higher in C. albicans than non C. albicans, however there was not behavior difference between the isolates from different sources studied. The hyphal formation was higher in resistant isolates than susceptible isolates when used the both drugs. In RAPD-PCR method the formation of two different groups was verified for susceptible and resistant isolates being that only one resistant isolate was clustered in the susceptible group. Thus, in this work, it was verified that the exoenzymes activity and adherence ability depend not only of the specie of Candida, but too of the source from host; the resistant isolates produced more hyphal than susceptible isolates under the antifungal action and the molecular characteristics of the resistant isolates did not suggest unique DNA fingerprints did not predicting their susceptibility to fluconazole / A capacidade de aderência ao tecido do hospedeiro, a produção de exoenzimas, a resistência aos antifúngicos e a formação de hifas são fatores que podem interferir no processo infeccioso causado por Candida. Resistência aos derivados azólicos utilizados no tratamento de candidíase, tem sido observada em pacientes imunocomprometidos. Tipagem molecular como o RAPD-PCR tem sido utilizada para discriminação entre isolados de Candida spp suscetíveis e resistentes aos antifúngicos. Neste trabalho foram avaliados fatores de virulência e características moleculares de leveduras do gênero Candida isoladas de amostras do sangue, de cateter de pacientes nosocomiais e da cavidade bucal de pacientes HIV positivos. Os isolados utilizados foram identificados como: Candida albicans (59) Candida parapsilosis (22), Candida tropicalis (14) Candida guilliermondii (07), Candida famata (05), Candida krusei (03), Candida lusitaniae (01) e Candida kefyr (01). Estas leveduras foram avaliadas quanto à atividade de proteinase, fosfolipase e à sua capacidade de aderência. A ação do fluconazol e itraconazol sobre a formação hifal, foi avaliada em 5 isolados previamente classificados como suscetíveis e resistentes ao fluconazol e ao itraconazol. A caracterização genotípica de 13 isolados de C albicans resistentes e suscetíveis ao fluconazol foi realizada por meio de RAPD-PCR. Os resultados mostraram que a atividade de proteinase foi detectada em 88,1% de isolados de C. albicans e em 69,8% de Candida não albicans, enquanto que a fosfolipase foi detectada em 55,9% de isolados de C. albicans e em 37,7% de Candida não albicans. Isolados do sangue foram mais proteolíticos do que os do cateter e os da cavidade bucal, enquanto para a fosfolipase foi observado maior produção desta enzima em isolados da cavidade bucal. A capacidade de aderência à célula epitelial foi maior em C. albicans que Candida não albicans, no entanto não houve diferença de comportamento entre isolados obtidos dos diferentes locais estudados. A formação de hifas foi maior nos isolados resistentes do que nos isolados suscetíveis quando sob a ação de qualquer um dos dois fármacos. Na análise do RAPD-PCR foi verificada a formação de dois grupos distintos para os isolados suscetíveis e resistentes ao fluconazol, sendo que apenas um isolado resistente foi agrupado com os suscetíveis. Neste trabalho, foi verificado que a atividade de exoenzimas e a habilidade de aderência dependem além da espécie de Candida como também do local onde foi isolada no hospedeiro, que isolados resistentes formaram mais hifas do que os suscetíveis sob a ação de antifúngico e que as características moleculares dos isolados resistentes em mais de um padrão fingerprinting não permitiram predizer a sua suscetibilidade ao fluconazol

Submitted by Liliane Ferreira (ljuvencia30@gmail.com) on 2018-09-25T12:22:10Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Brunno Câmara Lopes Costa - 2018.pdf: 3761382 bytes, checksum: 9df697870cea1a53a75ea6dad69c9e91 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2018-09-26T11:34:19Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Brunno Câmara Lopes Costa - 2018.pdf: 3761382 bytes, checksum: 9df697870cea1a53a75ea6dad69c9e91 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-26T11:34:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Brunno Câmara Lopes Costa - 2018.pdf: 3761382 bytes, checksum: 9df697870cea1a53a75ea6dad69c9e91 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-08-17 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG / Human Bocavirus (HBoVs) are classified in the Parvoviridae family and are associated with respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Viral infections are an important cause of morbimortality in immunocompromised patients such as allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) recipients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the positivity rate and loads of HBoVs in clinical samples (feces and sera) of patients who were subjected to allo-HSCT at a reference center for bone marrow transplantation in Goiânia, Goiás. A total of 105 fecal samples and 145 sera samples were collected from 21 consecutive patients, during October 2012 to October 2014. Samples were screened by qPCR TaqMan assay, with specific probe and primers targeting all HBoVs genotypes (HBoV-1 to -4), and viral loads were determined using serial dilutions of a recombinant plasmid, targeting the NP1 gene. The results showed that 53.4% (11/21) of the patients were male, aged between four and 61 years-old (mean 35 years). The most observed hematologic malignancy was myeloid leukemia (acute or chronic), accounting for 57.1% (12/21) of the cases. The HBoVs were detected in 42.9% (9/21) of the patients and 77.7% (7/9) were positive in both fecal and serum samples. The viral load in fecal samples were higher than in the sera samples and a prolonged fecal shedding were observed, with two patterns: one intermittent and another continuous. Of all HBoV positive patients, six (66.6%) had the first positive sample before the transplantation, and a rise of the viral loads after the allo-HSCT occurred when comparing to the loads before the allo-HSCT. Furthermore, on most cases the highest viral loads were detected during the first 100 days after the allo-HSCT. Considering the symptoms presented by the patients, 66.6% (6/9) had diarrhea at the same period of the viral genome detection in feces, but no statistical significance was observed. Three fecal samples were characterized as being HBoV-1, with more than 99% of nucleotide identity among them. The present data shows a high occurrence and loads of HBoVs in allo-HSCT recipients, with first positivity in fecal samples and later viral detection in sera. These results suggest that fecal samples could be the sample of choice in HBoV monitoring of these patients both before and after the transplant. / Os Bocavírus humanos (HBoVs) pertencem à família Parvoviridae e têm sido associados a sintomas respiratórios e gastroentéricos. As infecções virais são uma importante causa de morbimortalidade em pacientes imunocomprometidos, como os pacientes submetidos a transplante alogênico de células progenitoras hematopoiéticas (TACPH). Dados sobre a ocorrência de HBoV nesses pacientes ainda são escassos. Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar a frequência e a carga de HBoVs em amostras clínicas (fezes e soro) de pacientes submetidos a TACPH e avaliar as características gerais e sintomas apresentados, e caracterizar as amostras positivas. Foram incluídos no estudo 21 pacientes consecutivos, dos quais foram coletadas 105 amostras fecais e 145 amostras de soro, em um centro de transplante de medula óssea em Goiânia, Goiás, durante o período de outubro de 2012 a outubro de 2014. As amostras foram testadas por qPCR TaqMan®, com sonda e iniciadores específicos para todos os genótipos de HBoVs (HBoV-1 a -4), e a carga viral nas amostras foi determinada pela construção de uma curva padrão de diluições seriadas de um plasmídeo recombinante, contendo como inserto a região NP1. Os resultados mostraram que 53,4% (11/21) dos pacientes eram do sexo masculino, com idade entre quatro e 61 anos de idade (mediana 35 anos). A neoplasia hematológica mais observada foi a leucemia mieloide (aguda e crônica), totalizando 57,1% (12/21) dos casos. Os HBoVs foram detectados em 42,9% (9/21) dos pacientes, sendo que em 77,7% (7/9) desses houve positividade em ambas amostras de soro e fezes. A carga de HBoV nas amostras fecais foi significativamente maior do que nas amostras séricas, sendo observado dois padrões principais de excreção nas fezes, um intermitente e outro contínuo. Dos nove pacientes, seis (66,6%) tiveram a primeira amostra positiva antes de serem submetidos ao transplante, sendo observado aumento nas cargas de HBoV pós-TACPH em comparação às cargas pré-TACPH e, na maioria dos casos, os picos da carga viral foram detectados durante os 100 primeiros dias após o TACPH. Considerando os sintomas apresentados pelos pacientes, 66,6% (6/9) desses apresentavam diarreia no mesmo período da detecção de HBoV nas amostras fecais, porém não houve significância estatística entre a positividade e os sintomas gastroentéricos. Três amostras fecais foram caracterizadas como sendo o genótipo HBoV-1, com mais de 99% de identidade nucleotídica entre elas. Os dados apresentados mostram uma alta ocorrência e elevada carga de HBoVs nos pacientes submetidos ao TACPH, além de detecção inicial nas fezes com posterior positividade no soro. Esses resultados sugerem que as fezes poderiam ser a amostra clínica de escolha para o monitoramento desses pacientes, tanto antes quanto após o transplante.

The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize antifungal compounds from the most active medicinal plant species that could be used to address secondary infection problems in immunocompromised patients. An ethnobotanical study was conducted and 45 medicinal plant species used traditionally to treat candidiasis and related infections in HIV/AIDS patients were identified and documented. The most popular plant species used included Acacia caffra, Clerodendrum glabrum, Croton gratissimus, Elaeodendron transvaalense, Faurea saligna, Hippocratea longipetiolata, Osyris lanceolata, Richardia brasiliensis, Schkuhria pinnata, Schotia brachypetala, Spilanthes acmella, Strychnos potatorum, Vangueria infausta subsp. infausta and Withania somnifera. The plant parts used in the therapeutic preparations were roots (26.7%), bark (22.2%), and a combination of roots and bark (17.7%). Decoctions (44.4%), infusions (20%) and macerations (17.7%) were used. Most of the herbal remedies were administered orally. Chemical profiles of the plant species were established by using thin layer chromatography. Leaf extracts of these plant species were tested for antimicrobial activity against two common pathogenic fungal species in humans (Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans) and four nosocomial bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) using a two-fold serial microdilution method and bioautography. All plant species investigated had some degree of antimicrobial activity against the test microorganisms. The hexane and the acetone extracts of Clerodendrum glabrum, Hippocratea longipetiolata, Schkuhria pinnata and Withania somnifera were the most active with MIC values ranging from 0.06 to 0.08 mg/ml. The most susceptible pathogen to the test samples was C. neoformans while C. albicans was resistant to most of the plant extracts. The water extracts of Withania somnifera and Hippocratea longipetiolata (14%) had MIC < 1 mg/ml against C. albicans. C. neoformans was susceptible to nine water plant extracts (64%) with MIC < 1 mg/ml and the promising activity was observed in Hippocratea longipetiolata and Faurea saligna extracts with MIC values of 0.16 and 0.31 mg/ml respectively. The hexane extract of C. glabrum was the most active against C. albicans with an MIC value of 0.06 mg/ml and total activity of 550 ml/g. In the bioautography, most plant extracts tested had few active compounds, others had no active components at all and this may be attributed to the disruption of synergism by the thin layer chromatography. C. glabrum had eight active antifungal compounds on bioautograms and most of these components were observed in the EMW solvent system. Based on this and its wide distribution in rural areas, C. glabrum was chosen for further study. The antioxidant activity and possible immune boosting potential of the species were determined using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH), 2, 2’ azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. In the DPPH qualitative assay, the aqueous plant extracts had several prominent antioxidant components than the organic plant extracts. The aqueous plant extracts which had the most prominent antioxidant activity were F. saligna with 8 compounds, followed by E. transvaalense, H. longipetiolata O. lanceolata, R. brasiliensis and S.brachypetala, with five compounds each and their Rf values ranged from 0;06 to 0.94. This appears to validate the ethnomedicinal use of the plant species to some extent because decoction is the most common method used in the preparation of the remedy by the traditional healers. With regard to the organic plant extracts, only one plant extract, F. saligna had two prominent antioxidant components at Rf values 0.81 and 0.88. A third of the plant species had a high level of free radical scavenging activities in the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays. However, all plant extracts had lower antioxidant activity than the positive control (Trolox) used. The selected plant species were also evaluated for their in vitro toxicity against the Vero monkey kidney cell line using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The acetone plant extracts of O. lanceolata, S. acmella, S. pinnata and S. brachypetala had high cytotoxic activity against Vero cells with IC50 values of 13.7±0, 19.9±0.001, 21.6±0.001 and 28.34±0.001 μg/ml respectively. However, their IC50 values were higher than that of the positive control, doxorubicin (IC50 = 9.9±0 μg/ml). The rest of the acetone plant extracts (64%) had moderate cytotoxic activity (30 < IC50<100 μg/ml). The aqueous plant extracts were relatively non-toxic to the Vero cells with IC50 values ranging from 137 to > 500 µg/ml. This supports the use of aqueous extracts in the traditional medicine. However, their low selectivity index values ranging from 0.26 to 1.68 suggest that the plant extracts are probably suitable for external use only. Fractionation of the hexane extract of the leaves of C. glabrum by chromatographic techniques yielded six fractions of which fractions C and D had significant antifungal activity (average MIC value = 0.1 mg/ml) against C. albicans and C. neoformans. From these fractions, one new triterpenoid, 3-(1-oxobutyl)-11α-hydroxytaraxast-20(30)-ene-24,28-dioic acid (clerodendrumic acid) (1) was isolated along with known heptadecanoic acid (2). C. albicans was relatively insensitive to clerodendrumic acid (1) (MIC value = 125 µg/mL) and was resistant to heptadecanoic acid (2) (MIC value = 188 µg/ml). Compounds 1 and 2 were non-toxic against monkey kidney Vero cells in vitro with IC50 values of 202.6 and 108.4 µg/ml respectively. Due to its low antifungal activity, the novel compound clerodendrumic acid (1) is not a viable candidate for drug development which could be used to combat candidiasis and related fungal infections. However, due to its relative safety, it may possibly be used as a lead compound to produce new chemically modified active derivatives or could be used together with known antibiotics to mitigate their undesirable side effects. To the best of our knowledge, the isolation of a novel, clerodendrumic acid (1) and a known heptadecanoic acid (2) compounds from leaf extracts of C. glabrum is reported herein for the first time. The results obtained from this study generally substantiate the rationale behind the use of the selected plant species in the traditional medicine to treat candidiasis and related infections to some extent. This study showed the potential of studying traditional medicine in the search for effective plant extracts or new lead compounds that could be developed into drugs for combating microbial infections among the rural poor people. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2013 / Paraclinical Sciences / Unrestricted