Effect of types of solid lipids on the physicochemical properties and self-aggregation of amphotericin B loaded nanostructured lipid carriers(NLCs)

Amphotericin B (Am B), a polyene antibiotic, is one of the gold standards for the treatment of systemic fungal infections and leishmaniasis. Nowadays, only intravenous administration of Am B has been available;because Am B is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract due to its low aqueous solubility. Currently, 2 forms of Am B are available.

Larvicidal activity of endocarp and seed crude extracts of Dracaena loureiri Gagnep against Aedes aegypti(L.) mosquito

Objective: To evaluate the larvicidal activity of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the endocarp and seeds of Dracaena loureiri(D. loureiri) against the dengue mosquito vector, Aedes aegypti.Methods: Bioassays were performed by exposing late third-stage to early fourth-stage larvae of Aedes aegypti to various concentrations of the extracts from D. loureiri. The larval mortality was observed after 24-and 48-h exposure.Results: The larvicidal bioassay in this study demonstrated that the ethanolic endocarp extract was the most effective with the LC50 value of 84.00 mg/L after 24 h exposure and< 50 mg/L after 48 h exposure. Extracts from the other parts of the plant were significantly less effective as a larvicide.Conclusions: The ethanolic endocarp extract of D. loureiri demonstrated effective larvicidal activity. It is an alternative source for developing a novel larvicide for controlling this mosquito species.

Prevalence and virulence factors of Candida spp. associated with blow flies

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of Candida spp.and the virulence factors of Candida albicans(C.albicans) isolated from external surfaces of blow flies collected from Mae Sot,Tak Province,Thailand.Methods:The blow flies were collected by sterile sweep nets from three areas in Mae Sot.Yeast isolation was first performed on Sabouraud dextrose agar(SDA) supplemented with chloramphenicol and cycloheximide.The yeast isolates were then identified by using chromogenic agar,a yeast identification test kit,a germ tube formation test and a carbohydrate utilization test.The β-hemolysis was determined on 7% sheep blood agar,while phospholipase activity was measured on SDA agar supplemented with 10% egg yolk suspension.Antifungal susceptibility testing was determined by broth micro-dilution testing against ketoconazole and amphotericin B.Results:The prevalence rate of Candida spp.on the external surfaces of the blow flies was 78.1%.All C.albicans isolated from the blow fly demonstrated b-hemolysin and potent phospholipase activities and 47.1% of C.albicans were resistant to ketoconazole with MIC values 128 mg/m L.Conclusions:The results indicate that blow flies could play an essential role in the transmission of potentially pathogenic and antifungal resistant C.albicans into the environment.Further investigation on other virulence factors and genetic relatedness among isolates from the blow flies,the environment and clinical specimens is required to confirm this role.