RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Itraconazole is the first-choice option to treat human and animal sporotrichosis. However, the emergence of itraconazole-resistant strains has encouraged research on new active antifungals. Among them, the essential oil of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis Linn., Lamiaceae) has shown antifungal activity in vitro. OBJECTIVE: Assessing, for the first time, the effectiveness of rosemary essential oil in vivo in experimental cutaneous sporotrichosis, as well as its chemical composition and action mode. METHODS: Itraconazole-resistant Sporothrix brasiliensis was inoculated in the left foot pad of 30 Wistar rats, which were randomized (n=10) for treatment with saline solution (control, CONT), itraconazole (ITRA, 10 mg/kg) and rosemary oil (ROSM, 250 mg/kg) for 30 days at an oral dose of 1 mL, daily. Clinical evolution, histopathology and fungal burden were investigated. GC-MS was used for chemical analysis; sorbitol protection and ergosterol effect were used to evaluate the action mechanism of rosemary oil. RESULTS: ROSM was the only group evolving to skin lesion remission, lack of edema and exudate, and mild-to-absent yeast cells. Rosemary oil delayed fungal spreading and protected systemic organs, mainly liver and spleen. The ROSM group presented lower fungal load than that observed for the CONT and ITRA groups (p<0.05). Antifungal action took place at complexation level after ergosterol application. Most compounds were 1,8-cineole/eucalyptol (47.91%), camphor (17.92%), and α-pinene (11.52%). CONCLUSIONS: These findings have evidenced that rosemary oil is a promising antifungal to treat sporotrichosis, since it protects systemic organs from fungal spread.
Asunto(s)
Aceites Volátiles , Rosmarinus , Animales , Ratas , Antifúngicos/farmacología , Antifúngicos/uso terapéutico , Itraconazol/farmacología , Aceites Volátiles/farmacología , Ratas Wistar , SporothrixRESUMEN
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 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.