Showing 8 results for Subject: Mycology
Fateme Golipour, Reza Habibipour, Leila Moradihaghgou,
Volume 13, Issue 6 (11-2019)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Candida albicans is one of the most common fungal pathogens that can form biofilm, particularly on surface of medical devices. In recent years, C. albicans has shown increased resistance to antifungal agents. In this experimental study, we aimed to study effects of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 nanoparticles or SPION) on biofilm formation by C. albicans.
Methods: First, the SPION were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation. The formation of nanoparticles was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of SPION were determined. Then, antibiofilm effects of the nanoparticles were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 at significance level of 0.05.
Results: According to the results of X-ray diffraction, the SPION had a mean diameter of about 70 nm. MIC and MFC values of SPION against C. albicans were 100 ppm and 200 ppm which reduced biofilm formation by 87.2% and 100%, respectively. SPION showed significant inhibitory effects on C. albicans growth and biofilm formation.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, SPION may be considered as a novel family of fungicidal compounds. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate the safety of these nanoparticles for treatment of fungal infections in humans.
Keywords: Candida albicans; Biofilms; SPION; Nanoparticles.
Mohadeseh Kamali, Ali Kamali, Mehdi Taheri Sarvtin,
Volume 14, Issue 3 (5-2020)
Abstract
Background and objective: Human breast milk is the primary food for newborns that possess all essential nutrients for their growth and health. However, breast milk can be contaminated with various toxins including aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), a hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B1 formed in the liver and excreted into the breast milk. This toxin can have immunosuppressive, mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic effects. The present study aimed to investigate the level of AFM1 in human breast milk samples from Jiroft (Kerman Province), Iran.
Methods: A total of 84 human breast milk samples were collected from lactating mothers who were referred to number one clinic in Jiroft from April 2016 to January 2017. The level of AFM1 was measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.
Results: Aflatoxin M1 was detected in all (100%) human breast milk samples within the interval values of 3.2 to 8.8 ng/L (mean, 4.1±0.7 ng/L). The level of AFM1 in all samples was lower than the maximum tolerable limit (25 ng/L) suggested by the EU and the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Conclusion: Although AFM1 is present in all human breast milk samples from the city of Jiroft, the level of this toxin is within the tolerable limit. Therefore, it seems that infants are not at risk.
Zahra Mirshekar, Nasser Behnampour, Abolfazl Amini, Ghazal Alizad, Ghorban Mohammad Kouchaki, Farhad Niknejad,
Volume 14, Issue 4 (7-2020)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Aspergillosis is a widely distributed infectious disease, which is difficult to manage. According to recent studies, the prevalence of resistant Aspergillus fumigatus has increased from 3.3% to 6.6%. Acquired triazole resistance in Aspergillus species is an evolving global health challenge, which has made the control of diseases caused by Aspergillus a concern. This study was performed to investigate prevalence of azole resistance in Aspergillus isolates from environmental samples.
Methods: In this study, 316 soil samples were collected from three hospitals and a university campus in Gorgan (Iran) from July to September 2017. Two grams of each sample were suspended in 5 ml of 0.2M NaCl with 1% Tween 20. Then, 100 µl of the suspension was plated on sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) supplemented with chloramphenicol, SDA supplemented with chloramphenicol and voriconazole (VOR, 1 mg/L) and SDA supplemented with chloramphenicol and itraconazole (ITC, 4 mg/L). The plates were incubated at 37 °C and examined for growth after 24, 48 and 72 hours.
Results: We detected Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus nidulans isolates in 187(59.2%), 84(26.6%), 147(46.5%) and 65(20.6%) samples, respectively. We found no VOR resistant isolate. However, 21 (25%) A. flavus and 16 (8.6%) A. fumigatus isolates were intermediate for VOR. In addition, seven (8.3%) A. flavus, 68 (36.4%) A. fumigatus, 41 (27.9%) A. niger and three (4.5%) A. nidulans isolates were resistant to ITC.
Conclusion: We were able to detect A.fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger from all four sampling sites in Gorgan, North of Iran. A. fumigatus is the most prevalent and most resistant isolate in the studied area. History of previous agriculture activity and use of pesticides in the proximity of sampling sites may have affected the rate of ITC resistance.
Mojtaba Raeisi, Kamal Mirkarimi, Behrooz Jannat, Bahman Rahimi Esboei, Abdol Sattar Pagheh, Zahra Mehrbakhsh, Fatemeh Ghaffarifar, Oghlniaz Jorjani, Masoud Foroutan,
Volume 14, Issue 4 (7-2020)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Leishmaniasis is a tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites from the genus Leishmania. In this study, we aimed at investigating the in vitro anti-leishmanial effect of essential oils of Rosmarinus officinalis, Mentha pulegium, Foeniculum vulgare, Lippia citriodora and Pelargonium graveolens.
Methods: The essential oils were prepared from freshly dried and powdered plants with steam-distilled water. Iranian strain of Leishmania promastigotes was cultured in RPMI medium and the inhibitory effects of different concentrations (25, 32, 62.5, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 μg/ml) of the essential oils were investigated at 24, 48 and 72 hours. The number of live parasites before and after treatment with the essential oils was counted by trypan blue 10% staining and using neobar lam.
Results: The essential oils significantly decreased the number of promastigotes in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). However, the inhibitory effects of F. vulgare and R. officinalis essential oils were more profound compared to other essential oils. Moreover, concentrations of 500 and 1000 μg/ml of these two essential oils exerted equal and more anti-leishmanial potency compared to glucantime, the first-line drug used for treatment of leishmaniasis.
Conclusion: Based on the results, it is recommended to evaluate the in vivo anti-leishmanial effects of the tested essential oils, particularly F. vulgare and R. officinalis.
Maryam Moazeni, Mojtaba Nabili,
Volume 16, Issue 2 (3-2022)
Abstract
Background and objectives: The incidence of candiduria caused by Candida spp. has increased in recent years, particularly in hospitalized patients. Candiduria is most commonly caused by Candida albicans; however, an increase in the prevalence of non-albicans species has been observed during last decades. This study aimed at molecular identification of Candida species isolated from candiduria in hospitalized patients.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 530 hospitalized patients in two hospitals in the Mazandaran Province, Iran. Midstream urine specimens were collected and then cultured on CHROMagar Candida medium. Molecular identification of common Candida species was carried out using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method after enzymatic digestion with MspI. C. albicans and Candida parapsilosis species complexes were identified by amplification of the HWP1 and intein-containing vacuolar ATPase precursor genes, respectively.
Results: The frequency of candiduria was estimated at 14% among hospitalized patients. Of 74 samples positive for candiduria, 65 (87.8%) were isolated from females. The most common predisposing factor to candiduria was diabetes (n=36; 48.6%). The most frequent isolates were C. albicans complex (n=44; 59.4%), followed by Candida glabrata (n= 16; 21.6%), Candida tropicalis (n= 10; 13.5%), Candida Krusei (n= 3; 4%) and C. parapsilosis (n= 1; 1.3%).
Conclusion: Based on the results, the conventional and molecular methods produced similar results for identification of Candida species. However, accurate identification of Candida spp. requires the use of molecular techniques such as PCR-RFLP, HWP1, and intein-containing vacuolar ATPase precursor genes. Nevertheless, chromogenic methods such as CHROMagar Candida can be used for diagnosis of Candida spp. in laboratories with limited resources.
Mahmoud Karimizadeh Esfahani, Mohsen Najjari, Saeed Hosseini Teshnizi, Somayeh Dolatabadi, Mohammad Javad Najafzadeh,
Volume 16, Issue 5 (9-2022)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Mycotic keratitis is a fungal infection of the cornea that can cause blindness. Its incidence, risk factors, and the etiological agents vary worldwide and nationwide. Therefore, proper documentation of these data is essential for better disease management. In this review, we aimed to make a clear picture of this infection in the Middle East.
Methods: Data on fungal keratitis from 1986 to 2018 in the Middle East were systematically collected from five English databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) and four Persian databases (Magiran, Scientific Information Database, IranMedex, and Irandoc). A total of 35 studies were included in the review.
Result: The pooled prevalence of fungal keratitis in the Middle East was estimated at 26% (95% confidence interval: 19-32%; I2=98.88%, p<0.001) using random-effect model, with considerable variation among the countries. The prevalence of fungal keratitis was highest in Egypt (36%) and Iran (34%) and lowest in Oman (9%). Aspergillus and Fusarium spp. were the most common causative agents (28%) among filamentous fungi, and Candida (13%) was the predominant yeast species causing fungal keratitis. Based on the data, fungal keratitis was more prevalent in males (39%) than in females (23%).
Conclusion: Our study is the first systematic review on mycotic keratitis among the Middle Eastern countries. These epidemiological estimates can be used by policy makers to improve treatment strategies, especially in this part of the world.
Background and objectives: Mycotic keratitis is a fungal infection of the cornea that can cause blindness. Its incidence, risk factors, and the etiological agents vary worldwide and nationwide. Therefore, proper documentation of these data is essential for better disease management. In this review, we aimed to make a clear picture of this infection in the Middle East.
Methods: Data on fungal keratitis from 1986 to 2018 in the Middle East were systematically collected from five English databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) and four Persian databases (Magiran, Scientific Information Database, IranMedex, and Irandoc). A total of 35 studies were included in the review.
Result: The pooled prevalence of fungal keratitis in the Middle East was estimated at 26% (95% confidence interval: 19-32%; I2=98.88%, p<0.001) using random-effect model, with considerable variation among the countries. The prevalence of fungal keratitis was highest in Egypt (36%) and Iran (34%) and lowest in Oman (9%). Aspergillus and Fusarium spp. were the most common causative agents (28%) among filamentous fungi, and Candida (13%) was the predominant yeast species causing fungal keratitis. Based on the data, fungal keratitis was more prevalent in males (39%) than in females (23%).
Conclusion: Our study is the first systematic review on mycotic keratitis among the Middle Eastern countries. These epidemiological estimates can be used by policy makers to improve treatment strategies, especially in this part of the world.
Usha Patel, Nanda Jagrit, Toral Bhavsar, Shubham Panchal, Krutina Parikh, Himanshu Nayak,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (5-2023)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Mucormycosis is a complication in post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in India. This study was done to evaluate the prognostic value of clinical, histopathologic findings, microbiological features, and biochemical parameters such as D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase, and serum ferritin in post- COVID-19-patients with rhino-orbital mucormycosis.
Methods: This retrospective observational study was carried out on biopsies taken from 50 post-COVID-19 patients suspected of mucormycosis. The biopsy specimens were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid–schiff, and Wright-Giemsa. In addition, 10–20% potassium hydroxide wet mount and culture on sabouraud dextrose agar were performed to detect Mucor. The biochemical parameters were measured using ARCHITECT ci8200 chemistry analyzer.
Results: Overall, 30 cases (60%) were positive for fungal elements, and growth of Mucor spp. was found in 28 cases (56%). In histopathology, 70% of cases (n=35) showed broad, aseptate, ribbon-like hyphae with wide-angled branching diagnostic of mucormycosis. There seemed to be a site-wise overlap between the nasal/maxillary sinus and rhino-orbital/rhino-cerebral variety. There was no difference between the patients in terms of gender. The most common risk factor was diabetes mellitus (observed in 80% of cases). In patients with invasive mucormycosis, inflammatory biomarkers such as serum ferritin, serum lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, and D-dimer were greater than the normal range, whereas procalcitonin was within the reference range.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that raised metabolic markers, direct 10% KOH examination and histological features including angioinvasion as well as rhino-orbital and cerebral extension might assist doctors in diagnosis, progression, and survival rate.
Raheleh Alhashem, Seyededeh Sedigheh Hosseini,
Volume 18, Issue 1 (1-2024)
Abstract
Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) remains one of the most common infections of the female genital tract. This local study was conducted to identify the spectrum of Candida species associated with VVC and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) using different phenotypic and genotypic methods and assess their fluconazole susceptibility.
Methods: High vaginal swabs were collected from 576 patients with VVC. Swabs were subjected to KOH 10% and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar. The species identification of Candida isolates was made using phenotypic methods, including the germ tube test, corn meal agar (CMA), CHROMagar Candida, and PCR-RFLP as the best genotypic methods for confirmation of Candida species in vulvovaginal candidiasis. Fluconazole susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method.
Results: The data were analyzed using the chi-square test. The prevalence of candidiasis was 61%. The socio-demographic profile corresponded to a woman aged 29.14 ± 4.8 years on average, pregnant (77%), diabetic (19%), with hypertension (10%), recurrent (9%), a history of fluconazole use (4%), and under 30 years of age (73%).
Vaginal swab cultures yielded Candida growth in 352 cases (61%). Candida albicans was the predominant isolated species (78%), while the most common non-albicans species were C. glabrata (14.7%), C. parapsilosis (4.2%), C. tropicalis (2.8%), and C. krusei (0.56%). Isolates of C. glabrata and C. krusei exhibited the highest rate of DDS resistance among all isolates tested.
Conclusion: C. albicans was the most common species. Careful periodical surveillance is needed to identify any changes in the susceptibility patterns to fluconazole with the increased use of this antifungal agent in Sayad Shirazi tertiary care hospital, Iran.
