Host-response to Cryptococcus neoformans / c. gattii species complex using polymorphic and antifungal resistant isolates

• Grant number: 14/16459-5
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): September 10, 2014
• Effective date (End): December 09, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology
• Principal researcher: Marcia de Souza Carvalho Melhem
• Grantee: Dayane Cristina da Silva Santos
• Supervisor abroad: Salman Tahir Qureshi
• Home Institution: Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL). Coordenadoria de Controle de Doenças (CCD). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Research place: McGill University, Montreal, Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 12/21563-0 - Evaluation of polymorphic isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii tolerant to amphotericin B in mouse models and alternative, BP.DR

Abstract

Cryptococcosis presents three forms-cutaneous, pulmonary, and meningococcal-and is a life-threatening fungal disease that infects around one million people each year. Establishment and progression of disease involves a complex interplay between the fungus and a diverse range of host cell types. Susceptibility to progression cryptococcal infection is regulated by host genetic factors that are poorly understood.The project aims to evaluate cellular and molecular host-response to isolates showing distinct characteristics of polymorphism, tolerance to amphotericin B and high heteroresistance to fluconazole. (AU)