Evaluation of polymorphic isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii tolerant to amphotericin B in mouse models and alternative

• Grant number: 12/21563-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: February 01, 2013
• End date: April 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Marcia de Souza Carvalho Melhem
• Grantee: Dayane Cristina da Silva Santos
• Host Institution: Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL). Coordenadoria de Controle de Doenças (CCD). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 14/16459-5 - Host-response to Cryptococcus neoformans / C. gattii species complex using polymorphic and antifungal resistant isolates, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Cryptococcosis is a systemic mycosis severe and fatal, mainly caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii. Considering the high rates of mortality from cryptococcosis in AIDS patients and the difficulty in treating the disease, there is a clear need for studies of the characteristics of their etiological agents. The susceptibility to drugs of first choice, as amphotericin B, should be a factor in the prognosis of infection. The correlation in vivo-in vitro in cases of cryptococcosis treated with amphotericin B remains a challenge and there is no conclusive data regarding the impact of in vitro resistance in disease progression. The models of experimental infection in positions essential in the study of infectious diseases, as a result of the ethical problems of exposure of humans to potentially lethal agents. New perspectives are opened with the study in in vivo models, which can complement results from in vitro studies and test hypotheses about clinical failure in cryptococcosis. The project aims to study the characteristics of the agents of cryptococcosis, C. neoformans and C. gattii polymorphic and tolerant to amphotericin B in traditional and alternative animal model.