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Different culture media containing methyldopa for melanin production by Cryptococcus species

Avaliação de diferentes meios de cultura contendo metildopa para a produção de melanina por espécies de Cryptococcus

Abstracts

INTRODUCTION: Melanin production by species of Cryptococcus is widely used to characterize C. neoformans complex in mycology laboratories. This study aims to test the efficacy of methyldopa from pharmaceutical tablet as a substrate for melanin production, to compare the production of melanin using different agar base added with methyldopa, and to compare the melanin produced in those media with that produced in Niger seed agar and sunflower seed agar by C. neoformans, C. laurentii, and C. albidus. Two isolates of each species, C. neoformans, C. laurentii, and C. albidus, and one of Candida albicans were used to experimentally detect conditions for melanin production. METHODS: The following media were tested: Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA), brain and heart infusion agar (BHIA), blood agar base (BAB), and minimal medium agar (MMA), all added with methyldopa, and the media Niger seed agar (NSA) and sunflower seed agar (SSA). RESULTS: All isolates grew in most of the culture media after 24h. Strains planted on media BAB and BHIA showed growth only after 48h. All isolates produced melanin in MMA, MHA, SSA, and NSA media. CONCLUSIONS: Methyldopa in the form pharmaceutical tablet can be used as a substrate for melanin production by Cryptococcus species; minimal medium plus methyldopa was more efficient than the BAB, MHA, and BHIA in the melanin production; and NSA and SSA, followed by MMA added with methyldopa, were more efficient than other media studied for melanin production by all strains studied.

Cryptococcus sp; Melanin; Culture media; Methyldopa


INTRODUÇÃO: A produção de melanina por espécies de Cryptococcus é uma característica amplamente utilizada em laboratórios de micologia para caracterização do complexoC. neoformans. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a eficácia da metildopa na forma farmacêutica de comprimido, como substrato para a produção de melanina por Cryptococcus, comparar diferentes bases de meios de cultura acrescidas de metildopa para produção de melanina e comparar o pigmento produzido nestes meios com o produzido em ágar Níger e ágar girassol por C. neoformans, C. laurentii e C. albidus. MÉTODOS: Foram testados dois isolados de cada uma das espécies, C. neoformans, C.laurentii e C.albidus, e um de C. albicans para avaliar a produção de melanina nos meios de cultura ágar Müeller-Hinton (MH), ágar brain heart infusion (BHI), ágar base sangue (BS), meio mínimo (MM), todos acrescidos de metildopa, e ainda ágar girassol e ágar Níger. RESULTADOS: Todos os isolados cresceram na maioria dos meios após 24h. O crescimento nos meios BS e BHI somente ocorreu após 48h. Todos os isolados produziram melanina nos meios MM, MH, girassol e Niger. CONCLUSÕES: A metildopa de origem farmacêutica pode ser utilizada como substrato para a produção de melanina por espécies de Cryptococcus; o MM acrescido de metildopa mostrou-se mais eficiente na produção de melanina do que os meios BS, MH e BHI; ágar girassol e ágar Níger seguidos de MM acrescido de metildopa foram os mais eficientes na produção de melanina pelos isolados estudados.

Cryptococcus sp; Melanina; Meios de cultura; Metildopa


ARTICLE ARTIGO

Different culture media containing methyldopa for melanin production by Cryptococcus species

Avaliação de diferentes meios de cultura contendo metildopa para a produção de melanina por espécies de Cryptococcus

Ralciane de Paula MenezesI; Mário Paulo Amante PenattiII; Reginaldo dos Santos PedrosoII

IInstituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG

IICurso Técnico em Análises Clínicas, Escola Técnica de Saúde, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG

Address to Address to: Dr. Reginaldo dos Santos Pedroso Curso Técnico em Análises Clínicas/ESTES/UFU Av. Amazonas s/n, Bloco 4K, sala 110 Umuarama, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brasil Phone: 55 34 3218-2218; Fax: 55 34 3218-2410 e-mail: rpedroso@estes.ufu.br

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Melanin production by species of Cryptococcus is widely used to characterize C. neoformans complex in mycology laboratories. This study aims to test the efficacy of methyldopa from pharmaceutical tablet as a substrate for melanin production, to compare the production of melanin using different agar base added with methyldopa, and to compare the melanin produced in those media with that produced in Niger seed agar and sunflower seed agar by C. neoformans, C. laurentii, and C. albidus. Two isolates of each species, C. neoformans, C. laurentii, and C. albidus, and one of Candida albicans were used to experimentally detect conditions for melanin production.

METHODS: The following media were tested: Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA), brain and heart infusion agar (BHIA), blood agar base (BAB), and minimal medium agar (MMA), all added with methyldopa, and the media Niger seed agar (NSA) and sunflower seed agar (SSA).

RESULTS: All isolates grew in most of the culture media after 24h. Strains planted on media BAB and BHIA showed growth only after 48h. All isolates produced melanin in MMA, MHA, SSA, and NSA media.

CONCLUSIONS: Methyldopa in the form pharmaceutical tablet can be used as a substrate for melanin production by Cryptococcus species; minimal medium plus methyldopa was more efficient than the BAB, MHA, and BHIA in the melanin production; and NSA and SSA, followed by MMA added with methyldopa, were more efficient than other media studied for melanin production by all strains studied.

Keywords:Cryptococcus sp. Melanin. Culture media. Methyldopa.

RESUMO

INTRODUÇÃO: A produção de melanina por espécies de Cryptococcus é uma característica amplamente utilizada em laboratórios de micologia para caracterização do complexoC. neoformans. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a eficácia da metildopa na forma farmacêutica de comprimido, como substrato para a produção de melanina por Cryptococcus, comparar diferentes bases de meios de cultura acrescidas de metildopa para produção de melanina e comparar o pigmento produzido nestes meios com o produzido em ágar Níger e ágar girassol por C. neoformans, C. laurentii e C. albidus.

MÉTODOS: Foram testados dois isolados de cada uma das espécies, C. neoformans, C.laurentii e C.albidus, e um de C. albicans para avaliar a produção de melanina nos meios de cultura ágar Müeller-Hinton (MH), ágar brain heart infusion (BHI), ágar base sangue (BS), meio mínimo (MM), todos acrescidos de metildopa, e ainda ágar girassol e ágar Níger.

RESULTADOS: Todos os isolados cresceram na maioria dos meios após 24h. O crescimento nos meios BS e BHI somente ocorreu após 48h. Todos os isolados produziram melanina nos meios MM, MH, girassol e Niger.

CONCLUSÕES: A metildopa de origem farmacêutica pode ser utilizada como substrato para a produção de melanina por espécies de Cryptococcus; o MM acrescido de metildopa mostrou-se mais eficiente na produção de melanina do que os meios BS, MH e BHI; ágar girassol e ágar Níger seguidos de MM acrescido de metildopa foram os mais eficientes na produção de melanina pelos isolados estudados.

Palavras-chaves:Cryptococcus sp. Melanina. Meios de cultura. Metildopa.

INTRODUCTION

Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii are the main species of the Cryptococcus genera involved in clinical cases of cryptococcosis. Other species are less common, but two of these, C. albidus and C. laurentii, represent about 80% of clinical isolates excluding neoformans and gattii species1.

Infections caused by C. neoformans occur more frequently in immunocompromized individuals, while C. gattii is often found infecting immunocompetent ones2. Other species of the genus have been isolated mostly in individuals with some type of immunodeficiency1.

The laboratory identification of medical important Cryptococcus species takes into account the particular characteristics of this genus. The majority are yeasts that produce capsules, are able to grow at 37°C, and produce enzymes urease and laccase. When cultured in media containing phenolic or polyphenolic substrates, they form a pigment called melanin3. Enzyme laccase present in yeast acts on these phenolic substrates generating quinones, which undergo a process of autopolimerization and turn into melanin. The dark pigment retained in the cell wall of the fungus is responsible for the color shown by the colonies4,5. Other species of Cryptococcus may also produce melanin in the media, but not so intensely as C. neoformans and C. gattii6, 7.

Colonies of melanin-producing Cryptococcus species show a display of colors varying from brown to black when grown in agar media such as sunflower seed agar (Helianthus annus), Niger seed agar (Phalaris canariensis), birdseed agar (Guizotia abyssinica), potato-carrot agar, and other chemically defined media as L-dopa and caffeic acid agar7. Some recent studies have shown the production of pigment in mustard seed and chilli pepper agar, Pinus halepensis seed and blackberry agar, and in media containing substrates methyldopa, epinephrine, and norepinephrine8-12.

While the proposed natural resources are easily found and inexpensive, they undergo a complex preparation. So we proposed this study with the following objectives: I) to test the efficacy of methyldopa from a pharmaceutical tablet as a substrate for melanin production; II) to compare the production of melanin using different agar base added with methyldopa; and III) to compare the melanin produced in those media with that produced in Niger seed agar and sunflower seed agar by C. neoformans, C. laurentii, and C. albidus.

METHODS

Culture media

The following media were experimentally tested: Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA) (Isofar; Duque de Caxias, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), brain and heart infusion agar (BHIA) (Biobrás, Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil), blood agar base (BAB) (Biobrás, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil), Niger seed agar (NSA), and sunflower seed agar (SSA). The minimal medium (MMA) composition per liter was: 20g of bacteriological agar (BIOBRÁS; Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil), 5g of ammonium sulfate (Vetec; Duque de Caxias, RJ, Brazil), 2g of glucose (Isofar; Duque de Caxias, RJ, Brazil), 1g of yeast extract (Vetec; Duque de Caxias, RJ, Brazil), and 0.2g/L of methyldopa. Methyldopa (MD) (Medley; Campinas, State of São Paulo, Brazil) was acquired in the form of pharmaceutical tablets, weighed, and pulverized with the aid of mortar and pestle. The MMA was prepared by weighing the reagents described plus methyldopa, the pH adjusted between 5 and 6, and then sterilized and distributed in plates. MHA (composition: meat infusion - 5g/L; hydrolyzed casein - 17.5g/L; cornflour - 1.5g/L; agar-agar - 15g/L), BHIA (composition: gelatin peptone - 10.5g/L; infuse of brain and heart - 6g/L; meat peptone - 11g/L; dextrose - 20g/L; sodium chloride - 5.0g/L; sodium phosphate biphasic - 2.5g/L), and BAB (composition: casein peptone - 17.5g/L; yeast extract - 4.12g/L; cornflour - 1.5g/L; bacteriological agar - 15g/L; sodium chloride - 5.0g/L) were prepared according to manufacturer's instructions. After the addition of methyldopa, the pH was adjusted between 5 and 6, and the complete medium was sterilized by autoclaving at 121ºC for 15 min and distributed in polystyrene, 90x15mm Petri dishes. The NSA and SSA were prepared by boiling 70 g of the respective seeds in 500 mL of distilled water for 30 min followed by processing in a blender and filtration through gauze. Twenty grams of bacteriological agar (BIOBRÁS, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil) were added to the filtrate, the volume adjusted to 1,000mL, sterilized by autoclaving at 121ºC for 15 min, and distributed in Petri dishes.

Microorganisms

The microorganisms used in the tests were two strains of C. neoformans (ATCC 90112, var. grubii and ATCC 28957, var. neoformans), two strains of C. laurentii (CRL05 and CRL12), two strains of C. albidus (CRA01 and CRA04), and one strain of Candida albicans (ATCC 64548), as a negative control for melanin production (previously tested and non-melanin producer). The microorganisms were kept at 4ºC in tubes containing Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), and subcultured every month.

According to the experimental design, portions of each microorganism colony (previously incubated at 30°C for 72h on SDA) were collected with a sterile disposable loop 1µL, and planted on the surface of the media under study. Four or five colony samples were planted on each plate. The tests were performed in duplicate and in two independent experiments. The plates were incubated at 30°C and observed at 24, 48, 72, and 96h and on the 8th day to check the variation of colony pigmentation.

The expression of results was performed by grouping the isolates with the same intensity of pigmentation and classifying them by the score: 0 (zero) for colonies with absence of pigments, 1 for a light brown, 2 for brown, and 3 for black colonies.

RESULTS

All isolates grew on most of the culture media studied after 24h of incubation. Isolates of C. neoformans, C laurentii, and C. albidus showed growth in BAB and BHIA only after 48h of incubation.

Table 1 shows the scores for melanin production by different isolates in the different media, according to incubation time.

The color of the colonies was stable from 4 to 8 days of incubation, for all isolates and on all media studied. Colonies of C. albicans showed no melanoid pigmentation, remaining colorless during all periods of incubation in all media. Figures 1 and 2 show the melanin production in different media by the Cryptococcus strains and C. albicans.



DISCUSSION

The concept of formulating differential and efficient culture media for the isolation and identification of pathogenic fungi, such as the genus Cryptococcus, is not new. Specific, differential, and selective media are often sought for certain groups, genera, or species of microorganisms. Thus, an ideal medium would facilitate the work of the mycologist, reducing the processing time of culture and identification of the fungus, besides the low cost and easy-to-prepare, -to-standardize, and -to-interpret results. However, many problems, such as a dubious and time-consuming interpretation of results, have hampered the achievement of this goal. In this way, many studies have been performed to formulate a culture medium that is effective for the presumptive identification and differentiation of isolates of the C. neoformans complex.

This study analyzed a culture medium composed by a few components, which were of low cost, easy to prepare, and able to show production of melanin by the species C. neoformans, C. albidus, and C. laurentii. The medium was prepared using methyldopa of pharmaceutical origin as a substrate for the melanin production; methyldopa was used because of its low cost and being available at the pharmacies in Brazil.

In laboratory practice, chemically defined media have been employed, with the advantage of known constituents, but media prepared with natural resources, such as Niger seed agar, are widely used by some authors13. In the present study, low concentrations of glucose and yeast extract were added to the culture media to provide the elements necessary to accelerate growth and melanin expression. However, this procedure was positive only for growth, as melanin production was not affected. The early oxidation of agar was inhibited and extended from as early as 24h to after 72h of incubation by the adjustment of pH between 5 and 6 that allowed better interpretation of the results.

Niger seed agar, sunflower seed agar and minimal medium agar showed growth and pigmentation of the isolates under study in a shorter period of time (24-72h). BHIA, BAB, and MHA media plus methyldopa showed slight change in color of the colonies of C. neoformans after 48 h of incubation. The C. albicans strain did not produce dark-pigmented melanin during the study. This is important to be mentioned because C. albicans is able to produce melanin under certain laboratory conditions14. Similar results to those presented with SSA, NSA, and MMA were observed by Mseddi et al.12 in both the Pinus halepensis agar and the blackberry agar, and by Pedroso et al.7 in the L-dopa agar. Hernández et al.9 also evaluated the production of melanin in sunflower seed agar by C. neoformans isolates and found that most isolates produced an intense pigmentation.

The culture media used in this study appear to give faster results in the expression of melanin than the Mucuna pruriens agar15. In this medium, the authors showed that colonies of C. neoformans changed colors only between the third and fifth days of incubation. In another recent study12 using seeds of Pinus halepensis and blackberry in the production of a new culture media for isolation of Cryptococcus species, the results obtained were satisfactory, and the medium was simple to prepare and enabled a rapid and presumptive identification of C. neoformans.

Comparison of melanin production among isolates of Cryptococcus species revealed that C. neoformans isolates formed colonies with stronger color in a shorter time than the isolates of C. laurentii and C. albidus, in all media. According to Ikeda et al.,6 this occurs because the enzyme activity of phenoloxidase in all strains of the genus Cryptococcus other than the C. neoformans complex is lower, including in several clinically emerging species that express melanin. Regarding the identification of C. neoformans, the melanin pigment in Niger seed agar, sunflower seed agar, and minimal medium agar supplemented with methyldopa, was a good indicator of presumptive identification in 24-72h of incubation.

We concluded that: I) methyldopa in the form pharmaceutical tablet can be used as a substrate for melanin production by Cryptococcus species; II) minimal medium plus methyldopa was more efficient than the BAB, MHA, and BHIA in the melanin production by strains studied; and III) NSA and SSA, followed by MMA, added with methyldopa were more efficient than the other media studied in providing evidence of melanin production by C. neoformans, C. laurentii, and C. albidus strains studied.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful to the technical assistance of Larice Faria da Cunha, Lara de Andrade Marques, Gabriel de Oliveira Faria, and Adriano Gonçalves Martins, for their help in carrying out some experiments.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

R. P. Menezes has a PIBIC/CNPq/UFU scholarship.

Received in 07/03/2011

Accepted in 19/05/2011

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  • Address to:

    Dr. Reginaldo dos Santos Pedroso
    Curso Técnico em Análises Clínicas/ESTES/UFU
    Av. Amazonas s/n, Bloco 4K, sala 110
    Umuarama, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brasil
    Phone: 55 34 3218-2218; Fax: 55 34 3218-2410
    e-mail:
  • Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      25 Oct 2011
    • Date of issue
      Oct 2011

    History

    • Received
      07 Mar 2011
    • Accepted
      19 May 2011
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