Search

Background: Candida albicans is the most important species, cause candida infections. The common forms of candidiasis are cutaneous and mucosal candidiasis, include oral (thrush), Vaginal candidiasis and onychomycosis. Different studies showed the drug resistance between candida albicans isolates, so it seems necessary to find replacement treatment for prevention of this resistance, side effects and avoidance of recurrent infection. Objective: Aim of this study is to determine of MICs of three essences against candida albicans isolates. Also, we compared the effects of essences between azole resistance and azole susceptible isolates. Method: In this study, 30 candida albicans isolates (16 azole resistance and 14 azole susceptible isolates) obtained from oral, vaginal and nails of patients with candidiasis were evaluated. In order to determine of susceptibility of Zataria multiflora, Geranium herbarum and Artemisia sieberi essences against candida albicans, Macrodilution broth Serial dilution of essences was prepared in sabouraud glucose broth tubes. Essences were solved in DMSO (0.12) as solvent. The same solvent at an appropriate concentration was used as a control (with and without organisms). After inoculation, incubation and subculture, MICs, compared to control tubes were determined. Results: The obtained results of MICs for Zataria multiflora, Geranium herbarum and Artemisia sieberi were between 0.11-0.25 µl/ml (mean: 0.18µl/ml), 0.4-1.25µl/ml (mean: 0.83µl/ml) and 0.62-1.25 µl/ml (mean: 1.4µl/ml), respectively. Also, there are not significant differences in MICs of these essences against azole resistance and azole susceptible isolates. Conclusion: We conclude that anti-candida activity of three herbal essences under study, against azole resistance and azole susceptible isolates were similar. With attention to resistance of different candida albicans to synthetic and chemical antifungals, these herbal essences are safe replacement treatments for cutaneous and mucosal candidia infections.

Background: The frequency of invasive opportunistic mycoses has increased significantly over the past decades especially in immunocompromised patients. Invasive aspergillosis (IA) has become a major cause of morbidity and mortality among these patients. As bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid samples are generally useful specimens in the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), this study was designed to evaluate the incidence of fungal elements in at-risk patients by direct microscopy and culture of BAL samples. Methods: In a 16-month period, 400 BAL samples were obtained from several groups of different patients with pulmonary and respiratory disorders and examined by using both direct microscopy and culture. Results: Of the 400 samples, 16 (4%) were positive direct examination with branching septate hyphae and 46 (11.5%) were positive culture: 25 (54%) Aspergillus flavus, 6 (13%) A. fumigatus, 5 (10.9%) A. niger, 1 (2.2%) A. terreus, 3 (6.5%) Penicillium spp. and 6 (13%) mixed A. flavus/A. niger. A. flavus was the most common cause of Aspergillus infection or colonization. Bone marrow transplant (BMT) recipients were the most susceptible group to fungal infection and/or colonization. Conclusion: Among Aspergillus species, A. flavus was the most common isolate in both infections and colonization in Iran. More studies are needed to clarify the epidemiological aspect of aspergillosis in Iran.

Background: Nocardiosis is a rare and potentially life-threatening infection caused by several species of the Nocardia genus. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a rapid and new method to clinically identify relevant Nocardia species. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of Nocardia species is essential for the treatment of severe infections and prevention of cerebral abscess. Methods: One hundred and eighty patients, 103 (57.22%) male and 77 (42.78%) female, with severe symptomatic pulmonary infection were studied in the course of a 12-month period in Dr. Shariati Teaching Hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2010. The specimens were cultured and identified using microbiological and biochemical tests. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to directly identify the organism in the broncoalveolar lavage samples collected from the patients. NG1 and NG2 primers were used to amplify a Nocardia genus-specific 598-bp fragment of 16S rRNA.Results: Nineteen samples (10.56%) were positive with PCR and 5 samples (2.78%) with conventional methods. All samples with positive cultures were also positive by PCR.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that PCR has a high sensitivity and accuracy for the detection of Nocardia compared with culture and biochemical tests. Considering the rapidity, precision, high sensitivity and specificity of molecular techniques, use of these techniques is suggested in conjunction with conventional methods for the detection of Nocardia phenotypes in clinical laboratories and research centers.

Background: Pneumocystis jirovecii causes Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in immunocompromised patients with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Colonization with this fungus may stimulate pulmonary inflammation or lead to PCP in susceptible patients. The epidemiology of this infection and routs of its transmission has poorly studied in Iran. We examined Pneumosystis colonization in patients with various lung underlying diseases. Methods: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids of 458 patients with different underlying diseases or pulmonary signs were collected between August 2010 and January 2012. Patients were divided into four groups: transplant recipients, malignant patients, immunosuppressive drug recipients and patients with other different lung diseases. A sensitive nested-PCR method targeted 18S ribosomal RNA gene was used for investigating P. jirovecii in the specimens. Results: P. jirovecii DNA was detected in 57 out of 458 (12.5%) BAL samples by nested-PCR. Colonization rate in malignant patients, transplant recipients, immunosuppressive therapy recipients and patients with other various lung diseases was 21.7%, 20.3%, 12.7% and 7.3%, respectively. The enzyme BanI cuts all PCR products producing fragments with the size of 228 and 104 base pair. This finding as well as sequencing of four random positive samples validated and reconfirmed the PCR results. P. jirovecii cysts were found in 5 out of 57 PCR positive samples. Conclusion: A significant number of patients with pulmonary diseases were colonized by P. jirovecii that can develop to PCP in these patients or they may transmit the fungus to other susceptible patients.