title: The Effect of the acetone extract of Arctotis arctotoides (Asteraceae) on the growth and ultrastructure of some opportunistic fungi associated with HIV/AIDS.
abstract: In this study, the effect of the acetone extract of Arctotis arctotoides (L.f.) O. Hoffm. (Asteraceae) on the growth and ultrastructure of some opportunistic fungi associated with HIV/AIDS was analyzed by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM). Remarkable morphological alterations in the fungal mycelia which were attributed to the loss of cell wall strength ranged from loss of turgidity and uniformity, collapse of entire hyphae to evident destruction of the hyphae. The elements responsible for giving the fungi their characteristic virulence were detected and quantified by energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis techniques. X-ray microanalysis showed the specific spectra of sodium, potassium and sulfur as the principal intersection of the four pathogenic fungi studied. Since these ions have the potential of fostering fungal invasion by altering the permeability of hosts' membranes, their presence was considered inherent to the pathogenicity of the opportunistic fungi. Hence, these findings indicate the potential of the crude extract of A. arctotoides in preventing fungal invasion and subsequent infection of host's membranes.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, P/Bag X1314, Alice 5700, South Africa. wilfredotang4@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Wilfred M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Otang
authors.forename: Donald S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Grierson
authors.forename: Roland N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Ndip
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D000096:Acetone / Q000737:chemistry; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000382:microbiology; D025282:Mycelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000096:Acetone