The protease activity of different isolates of dermatophytes representing different ecological groups namely geophilic, zoopahilic and anthropophilic, in their vegetative and sporulation growth phases were compared. Unlike their geophilic and zoophilic counterparts, all the isolates of anthropophilic dermatophytes viz. Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, T. tonsurans, T. violaceum and Epidermophyton floccosum recorded reduced protease activity during artificially induced sporulation phase in comparison to their vegetative growth phase. Even among the anthropophilic group, a classical moderation of protease activity was recorded in Trichyphyton rubrum which also correlates to its clinical manifestation. This enzyme moderation could also be an evolutionary adaptation of the anthropization of these species.
Emergence of extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) has been reported by more than 55 countries. XDR-TB is considered as untreatable and highly fatal disease. In developing countries like India, number of cases of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and XDR-TB are increasing. Emergence of resistance to Isoniazid and Rifampicin, the two most effective and well tolerated agents, coupled with resistance to second line agents pose limited treatment options for XDR-TB. The present minireview provides information about the seriousness of XDR-TB and the drugs available for its treatment. Although considered a fatal disorder, judicious use of combination of drugs, retaining their antimycobacterial activity, can improve the clinical outcome of XDR-TB. Only such an approach can provide some hope for the patients of XDR-TB.