Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:30:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao CrystianeAraujo.pdf: 881195 bytes, checksum: da026b75ed78f3c38d78f44f6a15271e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-05-31 / Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi that colonize and invade the stratum corneum of the skin, hair and nails causing the dermatophytosis. An increasing number of antifungal agents has become available for the treatment of dermatophytosis, however not all species have the same susceptibility pattern and may occur relative or absolute resistance of some dermatophytes. The document M38-A developed by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) for determining the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of different antifungal agents against filamentous fungi, has not included the dermatophytes. The broth microdilution method has been evaluated by various researchers, and some parameters as inoculum size, temperature and duration of incubation and endpoint determination has been investigated. In this study, the in vitro activity of fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, griseofulvin and terbinafine against 60 dermatophyte isolates, belong to three species, using the broth microdilution technique, with modifications at temperature and incubation time was used. Additionally, the MIC values obtained by broth microdilution method were compared with those obtained by the agar dilution technique. The results obtained by broth microdilution method showed that all isolates produced clearly detectable growth at 28oC and the MIC values could be determined after 4 days of incubation for the isolates of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and 5 days for T. rubrum and Microsporum canis isolates. Itraconazole, ketoconazole and terbinafine had the lowest MIC values (0.03 μg/ml) for 33.3%, 31.6% and 15% of the isolates, respectively. A good concordance was observed between the agar dilution and broth microdilution methods. The levels of agreement were 91.6% with ketoconazole and griseofulvin, 83.3% with itraconazole, 81.6% with terbinafine and 73.3% with fluconazole for all the tested isolates. In summary, the results of this study suggest that an incubation time of 5 days and temperature at 28oC used in broth microdilution and agar dilution methods can contribute to define and to better interpret the MIC values. Beside, until a reference method for testing the susceptibilities of dermatophytes is standardized, the similar results with broth microdilution method become the agar dilution useful for testing the susceptibility of these fungi. / Os dermatófitos são fungos filamentosos queratinofílicos capazes de colonizar e invadir o extrato córneo da pele, pêlo e unhas produzindo as dermatofitoses. Há vários agentes antifúngicos disponíveis para o tratamento das dermatofitoses, entretanto as espécies de dermatófitos possuem perfis de suscetibilidade diferentes, podendo ocorrer resistência relativa ou absoluta. O documento M38-A desenvolvido pelo Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) para determinar a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) de diferentes agentes antifúngicos para fungos filamentosos, não inclui os dermatófitos. O método de microdiluição em caldo tem sido avaliado por vários pesquisadores, e alguns parâmetros como tamanho do inóculo, temperatura e tempo de incubação e determinação das leituras de CIM são investigados. Neste trabalho, foi avaliada a atividade in vitro de fluconazol, itraconazol, cetoconazol, griseofulvina e terbinafina para 60 isolados de dermatófitos, pertencentes a três espécies, através da técnica de microdiluição em caldo, com modificações na temperatura e tempo de incubação. Adicionalmente, os valores de CIM obtidos pelo método de microdiluição em caldo foram comparados com aqueles obtidos pela técnica de diluição em ágar. Os resultados encontrados através do método de microdiluição em caldo mostraram que todos os isolados produziram crescimento claramente detectável a temperatura de 28oC e os valores de CIMs foram determinados após 4 dias de incubação para os isolados de Trichophyton mentagrophytes e 5 dias para os isolados de T. rubrum e Microsporum canis. Itraconazol, cetoconazol e terbinafina mostraram os menores valores de CIM (0,03 μg/ml) para 33,3%, 31,6% e 15% dos isolados, respectivamente. Uma boa concordância foi observada entre os métodos de diluição em ágar e microdiluição em caldo. A concordância entre os dois métodos foi de 91,6% para cetoconazol e griseofulvina, 83,3% para itraconazol, 81,6% para terbinafina e 73,3% para fluconazol para todos os isolados analisados. Em conclusão, os resultados deste estudo sugerem que uma incubação de 5 dias e temperatura de 28oC, utilizados no método de microdiluição em caldo e diluição em ágar, podem contribuir para definir e melhor interpretar os valores de CIM. Além disso, até que um método de referência de teste de suscetibilidade para dermatófitos seja padronizado, os resultados similares entre os métodos de microdiluição em caldo e diluição em ágar tornam este último útil para testar a suscetibilidade in vitro destes fungos.

Resistensbestämningar som genererar ett kvantitativt MIC-värde är värdefullt för att kunna välja adekvat antibiotikabehandling. Referensmetoden för MIC-bestämning är mikrobuljongspädning där kommersiella antibiotikapaneler underlättar handhavandet av metoden på kliniska laboratorier. Syftet med studien var att verifiera mikrobuljongspädning med Sensititre™-panelerna SEMSE7 och SEMST7 avsedda för grampositiva kocker, genom att jämföra erhållet resultat med tidigare uppmätta referensvärden av MIC samt SIR-kategorier. Mikrobuljongspädning utfördes med SEMSE7-panel och MH-buljong för Staphylococcus spp. (n=21) och Enterococcus spp. (n=13) samt med SEMST7-panel och MH-F buljong för Streptococcus pneumoniae (n=20). Avläsning av MIC utfördes samt tolkades enligt SIR-systemet. Resultaten jämfördes mot kända referensvärden tidigare uppmätta med mikrobuljongspädning. Isolat analyserade med SEMSE7-panel och SEMST7-panel erhöll en överensstämmelse av MIC på 88,2% respektive 96,7%. Motsvarande kategorisk överensstämmelse av SIR var 92,5% respektive 92,6%. Resultatet visar att Sensititre™-panelen SEMST7 är godkänd i verifieringen av mikrobuljongspädning med god överensstämmelse med referensvärden av MIC samt SIR-kategorier. Vidare bedöms att fortsatt verifiering krävs av SEMSE7-panelen eftersom ej tillfredställande överenstämmelse med referensvärden av MIC erhölls, trots god överenstämmelse av SIR-kategorier. Studien visar att SEMST7-panelen kan implementeras för Streptococcus pneumoniae i den kliniska verksamheten på mikrobiologilaboratoriet, Jönköping. / Antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods generating a quantitative MIC are valuable for choosing adequate antibiotic treatment. Broth microdilution is the reference method for MIC determination and commercial panels with antibiotics facilitate the procedure in clinical laboratories. The aim of the study was to verify broth microdilution with the Sensititre™ panels SEMSE7 and SEMST7 designed for gram-positive cocci, by comparing results with previously measured reference values of MIC and SIR. Broth microdilution was performed using the SEMSE7 panel with MH broth for Staphylococcus spp. (n=21) and Enterococcus spp. (n=13), and using the SEMST7 panel with MH-F broth for Streptococcus pneumoniae (n=20). Reading MIC endpoints was performed and interpreted according to SIR system. Isolates analysed with the SEMSE7 and SEMST7 panel obtained essential agreement of 88,2% and 96,7%, and categorical agreement of 92,5% and 92,6% respectively. In conclusion, the Sensititre™ panel SEMST7 is approved in the verification of broth microdilution with satisfactory essential agreement and categorical agreement. Furthermore, it is considered that further verification is required for the SEMSE7 panel as unsatisfactory essential agreement was obtained, despite satisfactory categorical agreement. The study shows that the SEMST7 panel can be implemented for Streptococcus pneumoniae in the clinical practice at the microbiology laboratory, Jönköping.

Charles University Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove Department of Biological and Medical Sciences Study program: Specialist on Laboratory Methods Author: Bc. Lenka Králíková Supervisor: PharmDr. Ondřej Janďourek, Ph.D. Title of diploma: Atypical mycobacteria as causative agents of human diseases The aim of this diploma thesis is to summarize the history of mycobacteria, their classification, epidemiology of nontuberculous infections, clinical significance, diagnosis, resistance, and treatment options. Within the epidemiology, the way of managing tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterioses is compared. Mycobacterioses are rare diseases, which incidence is gradually increasing with the increasing number of immunocompromised patients. Based on the spot of infection, we divide them into lymphadenitis, skin lesions, lung disease and disseminated infections. The most frequently isolated pathogens are Mycobacterium avium complex, Mycobacterium ulcerans, Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium marinum and Mycobacterium kansasii. The experimental part is devoted to the antimycobacterial activity of newly synthesized compounds, which could find application in the future in the treatment of tuberculosis and other mycobacterioses. Substance testing was performed on strains of the genus Mycobacterium...

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M. Tech. (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology / The present study includes the use of a green synthetic method to prepare copper and silver nanoparticles using chitosan, aqueous extracts of Camellia sinensis, Combretum molle and Melia azedarach linn leaves. This study aims to investigate the influence of capping and precursor concentration on the properties of silver nanoparticles with emphasis on the medicinal plants chosen. The effect of capping agent on the properties of copper nanoparticles is also investigated. The phytochemical properties of plant extracts and the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized particles were also studied; this was achieved by using microdilution bioassay. Decoction method was used to extract secondary metabolites from plant leaves. Preliminary phytochemical screening carried out on the aqueous extracts of the plant leaves showed the presence of tannins, proteins, flavonoids, phenols, and carbohydrates. The total phenolic and flavonoids content of the aqueous extract was determined using spectroscopic methods. The highest phenolic content was found in the aqueous extract of Combretum molle (135 mg/g), and the highest flavonoid content was found in the aqueous extract of Camellia sinensis (0.4 mg/g). Characterization was done by a combination of spectroscopic, microscopy and XRD techniques. Both the size and shape of the synthesized silver nanoparticles were dependent on the identity of the capping molecule, precursor and capping agent concentration as depicted from their TEM and XRD results. Silver nanoparticles were found to be predominantly spherical. The capping agent concentration was also found to influence the degree of agglomeration, with an increase in capping agent concentration giving lesser agglomeration. FTIR spectral analysis showed that silver nanoparticles interact with bioactive compounds found in the plants through the hydroxyl functional group. Other shapes including diamond were observed for the effect of precursor concentration. The XRD micrographs revealed a face-centered cubic geometry and the phase remained the same with an increase in precursor concentration. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were all blue shifted compared to the bulk material. The TEM results revealed that copper nanoparticles with different sizes and shapes were successfully synthesized. All the prepared copper and silver nanoparticles showed satisfactory antifungal and antibacterial activity against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The capping molecules used in this study also showed some antibacterial and antifungal activity against the selected strains. However nanoparticles performed better than these capping molecules. Both silver and copper nanoparticles were found to be more active against gram-negative bacteria compared to gram-positive bacteria. Amongst all the prepared silver nanoparticles Combretum molle capped nanoparticles were found to be the most active nanoparticles. Also with copper nanoparticles, it was found that Combretum molle capped nanoparticles were the most active nanoparticles. Between the two metal nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles showed high antibacterial and antifungal activity compared to copper nanoparticles. The antioxidant activity of silver nanoparticles was assessed using 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. Silver nanoparticles were found to have some antioxidant activity. However, the capping molecules were found to be more active than the synthesized nanoparticles. This observation is attributed to the presence of some bioactive compounds in the plant extracts.

Background Broth microdilution (BMD) is a gold-standard reference method to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibiotics. For this, a standardized concentration of bacterial inoculum (2e5–8e5 colony-forming units, CFU/ml) is added to progressively higher concentrations of antibiotics. Bacteria stop growing at a particular antibiotic concentration termed MIC. Like other assays, various biological and/or technical factors can affect BMD results.   Aims To investigate the effects of inoculum concentration (5e4–5e6 CFU/ml), growth-medium concentration (cation-adjusted Mueller-Hinton Broth (CAMHB)), ranging 0.5x to 2x (1x as standard)) and age (<6-months or >1-year old) of fastidious medium on MIC results. And to compare BMD results using 5 different brands of CAMHBs and 1 cation-non-adjusted MH-broth (non-CAMHB).   Methods 12 isolates of bacteria (gram-positive (n=3), gram-negative(n=5), fastidious isolates (n=7)) and custom-made antibiotics-containing plates for gram-positive (11 antibiotics) or gram-negative bacteria (10 antibiotics) were used. Overnight-grown colonies were used to prepare BMD solutions (MH-broth + inoculum +/- fastidious) which were plated on antibiotic-plates as well as diluted prior to plating on agar-plates. Antibiotic- and agar-plates were incubated (18–20hr, 35°C) and used to determine MICs (following European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing instructions) and actual number of viable bacteria in BMD solutions, respectively.   Results Increasing inoculum concentration increased MICs of all antibiotics except cefoxitin. Piperacillin–tazobactam, levofloxacin, benzylpenicillin and ampicillin were especially sensitive to increase in inoculum and showed a 4-fold increase in >50% isolates. MICs for tobramycin, tigecycline and gentamicin increased by 2-fold in >50% isolates every time MH-broth concentration increased. Age of fastidious medium had no decipherable pattern of effects on MIC. All MH-broths gave similar results except when testing daptomycin which gave higher MICs with non-CAMHB compared to CAMHB.    Conclusion This research reveals some technical factors affecting MIC results. These results could help define parameters for automated BMD-performing-systems. However, this research shows only trends as more replicates are needed to determine statistically significant results.