Fungi of the Aspergillus genus are widespread and contaminate the environment. Thousands of conidia are released from each phialide and dispersed in the air every day. These fungi are considered important mycose-causing agents in hospitals. Due to this, research to determine prevalent fungi from the Aspergillus genus in hospital environments, and an adequate disinfection program in these areas is are needed. This study evaluated the susceptibility of Aspergillus spp. isolated from a veterinary environment against four disinfectants. Successive dilutions of disinfectants (log2) were used according to CLSI M38-A2 microdilution technique adapted to chemical agents against 18 isolates of this genus. After 72 hours of incubation, the Minimum Inhibiting Concentration and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration capable of inhibiting 50% and 90% of the isolates were determined. Chlorexidine-cetrimine, benzalconium chloride and a chlorophenol derivative proved to be effective against all isolates with a lower MIC than that suggested by the manufacturer, except for the A. flavus strain. Sodium hypochlorite was ineffective against three A. fumigatus, three A. flavus and one A. niger isolate. These results demonstrated that all studied disinfectants were effective against environmental isolates, with the exception of sodium hypochlorite, which showed lower effectiveness.

Avaliou-se a ação in loco da clorexidina-cetrimida no controle de Aspergillus spp., considerando-se a influência de fatores climáticos e populacionais, em um centro de recuperação de animais marinhos. Durante dois anos, realizaram-se colheitas de amostras de ar por meio da técnica de sedimentação, com implantação no segundo ano de um programa de desinfecção com clorexidina-cetrimida. Os resultados do isolamento fúngico nos dois anos foram comparados estatisticamente pelo programa Epinfo 8.0. Demonstrou-se que o isolamento de Aspergillus spp. não apresentou relação significativa com fatores climáticos e populacionais e que a diminuição da concentração de conídios de Aspergillus spp. do ambiente ocorreu devido ao programa eficaz de desinfecção com a clorexidina-cetrimida.

The study evaluated the in loco activity of chlorexidine-cetrimide for environmental control of Aspergillus spp. considering the climatic influence and population variations, in a recuperation center of marine animals. Samples of air were collected throughout two years by the sediment method, and the disinfection program was established in the second year. Data collected during the two years were statistically compared by Epinfo 8.0. program. It was demonstrated that both population and climate had no influence on the fungal isolation, and the disinfection program with chlorexidine-cetrimide was considered effective in the reduction of conidia Aspergillus concentration indoor.

In vitro activity of the essential oil Origanum vulgare against Sporothrix schenckii was determined by the MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration). For this, seven samples of S. schenckii were studied, two isolated from two cases of human sporotrichosis and five isolated from cats. Analysis of the essential oil was carried out in a gas chromatograph (GC/FID) for the identification and quantification of thymol and carvacrol (antifungal agents). MIC was obtained based on the microdilution method according to the adapted document NCCLS-M 27A2 for fitopharmacy. All the isolates presented sensibility to the essential oil. S. schenckii was inhibited in a concentration of 0.25% (250m l/ml). Chromatographic analysis showed that thymol concentration was bigger than carvacrol. The antifungal activity demonstrated by the essential oil of O. vulgare against S. Schenckii stimulates the accomplishment of more studies, including in vivo studies.

RESUMO A esporotricose é uma micose causada pelo fungo geofílico Sporothrix schenckii que pode infectar diferentes espécies de animais, inclusive o homem. A micose tem distribuição mundial, principalmente nas regiões tropicais e subtropicais. A infecção está, normalmente, associada com a inoculação traumática de solo, vegetais ou materiais orgânicos contaminados pelo fungo, sendo, portanto, considerada uma micose ocupacional, afetando, principalmente trabalhadores rurais. O potencial zoonótico do felino doméstico tem sido reconhecido desde a década de 80, possivelmente devido ao grande número do organismo presente nessa espécie animal. Em vista do importante papel epidemiológico do felino doméstico, este estudo descreve um caso de esporotricose cutânea com linfangite ascedente em um trabalhador rural contaminado por um felino assintomático. Um humano, com 40 anos, do sexo masculino, apresentou lesões nodulares 15 dias após ter sido arranhado por um gato hígido. Foram coletadas amostras de exsudato das lesões para análise micológica, a qual resultou no isolamento do S. schenckii. Após a confirmação do diagnóstico de esporotricose, foi iniciado o tratamento com o cetoconazol que resultou na regressão das lesões. O estudo ressalta a importância do felino doméstico como importante carreador do agente da esporotricose para o homem.

ABSTRACT Sporotrichosis is a mycosis caused by the geophilic fungus Sporothrixschenckii that can infect different species of animals, including humans. The mycosis has a worldwide distribution, mainly in the tropical and subtropical regions. The infection is usually associated with the traumatic inoculation of soil, vegetables or organic materials contaminated by the fungus, being, therefore, considered an occupational mycosis, affecting mainly rural workers. The zoonotic potential of the domestic feline has been recognized since the 1980s, due to the presence of a great number of microorganisms present in this animal species. Concerning the important epidemiological role of the domestic feline, this study describes a case of cutaneous sporotrichosis with ascendant lymphangitis in a rural worker contaminated by an asymptomatic feline. One 40-year-old human male presented nodular injuries 15 days after being scratched by a cat. Samples of lesion exudates were collected for mycological analysis, which resulted in the isolation of the S. schenckii. After the diagnostic confirmation of sporotrichosis, treatment with cetoconazol was started, which resulted in the regression of the lesions. This study emphasizes the importance of the domestic feline as an important carrier of the sporotrichosis agent for humans.

RESUMO A aspergilose é causada por fungos ubíquos e oportunistas do gênero Aspergillus, que liberam milhares de conídios no ar, contaminando o ambiente, sendo de extrema importância a utilização de filtros de ar e programas corretos de anti-sepsia e desinfecção para prevenção da enfermidade. Este estudo avaliou a eficácia “in vitro” dos agentes químicos, iodóforo, amônia quaternária e clorexidina, frente a isolados de Aspergillus fumigatus (8), Aspergillus niger (8), Aspergillus flavus (6) e Aspergillus terreus (1). Para o teste foram preparadas diluições sucessivas dos desinfetantes/antisépticos (log2) em caldo RPMI, e os inóculos foram ajustados até uma concentração final de 5 x 104 UFC/mL. Foi realizada a técnica de microdiluição em caldo de acordo com NCCLS M-38, adaptada para agentes químicos, com incubação das microplacas a 35° C em agitação constante. A leitura visual dos resultados foi realizada após 96 horas, e os isolados de Aspergillus spp. utilizados foram resistentes ao iodóforo nas concentrações testadas. A amônia quaternária e a clorexidina mostraram-se eficazes contra os isolados de Aspergillus spp., com exceção de um A. fumigatus e um A. terreus. Com estes resultados indica-se a utilização da amônia quaternária e da clorexidina na prevenção da aspergilose, questionando-se o uso de iodóforos para este fim.

ABSTRACT Aspergillosis is caused by ubiquitous and opportunist moulds of the genus Aspergillus, which contaminate the atmosphere by liberating thousands of conidia in the air, making it extremely important to use air filters and to implement proper programs of antisepsis and disinfection for the prevention of this disease. This study evaluated the in-vitro effectiveness of the chemical agents iodophor, quaternary ammonia and chlorexidine against A. fumigatus (8), A. niger (8), A. flavus (6) and A. terreus (1). Successive dilutions of disinfectants/antiseptics (log2) were prepared in RPMI for the test, and the suspension was adjusted until a final concentration of 5 x 104 UFC/mL. The microdilution test was done in agreement with NCCLS M-38 adapted for chemical agents, with microplates incubation at 35° C in constant agitation. The visual results were evaluated after 96 hours, and all Aspergillus spp. isolates used were resistant to iodophor at all concentrations tested. Quaternary ammonia and chlorexidine showed effectiveness against Aspergillus spp. isolates, except for one A. fumigatus and one A. terreus. According to these results the use of quaternary ammonia and chlorexidine is indicated for the prevention of aspergillosis, while the use of iodophor is questionable.

RESUMO Para pesquisa de possíveis vetores envolvidos na transmissão da erliquiose monocítica eqüina (EME) no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, caramujos dulciaquícolas dos gêneros Drepanotrema, Physa, Pomacea, Biomphalaria e Heleobia foram coletados em propriedades com histórico de ocorrência de EME localizadas nos Municípios de Rio Grande, Arroio Grande e Santa Vitória do Palmar, extremo sul do Estado. A Neorickettsia (Ehrlichia) risticii foi detectada através de PCR em uma freqüência de 13,33%, em caramujos do gênero Heleobia (H. piscium, H. parchappei e H. davisi). Nesses caramujos, estágios de cercárias e rédias de um trematódeo não identificado foram encontrados. Cercárias emergidas de H. piscium foram classificadas como Parapleurolophocercous cercariae. Esses trematódeos testados por PCR foram positivos para N. risticii em 20% das amostras. Com esses resultados pode-se afirmar que a N. risticii está no ambiente veiculada por caramujos do gênero Heleobia presentes em canais de irrigação e rios da região costeira da Lagoa Mirim, e em trematódeos portados por eles.

ABSTRACT In order to study possible vectors involved in the transmission of Equine monocytic Ehrlichiosis (EME) in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, fresh water snails were collected from establishments with a history of EME occurrence. The snails were collected from the area of Rio Grande, Santa Vitoria and Arroio Grande counties. Snails belonging to the genera Drepanotrema, Physa, Pomacea, Biomphalaria, and Heleobia were found. Neorickettsia (Ehrlichia) risticii were detected in 13.33% of the snails of the genus (Heleobia H. piscium, H. parchappei, H. davisi) using the PCR method, but not in the other genera. In these snails we found cercariae that were classified as Parapleurolophocercous cercariae. It was observed that 20% of the P. cercariae were positive for N. risticii by PCR. Based in our observations we concluded that N. risticii is present in this area of Brazil. Also, we can suggest that its transmission is mediated by the snail of genus Heleobia since this snail harbors the trematode and is present in irrigation channels, rivers and in the coastal area of Mirim Lake.