فهرست مطالب ensieh zibafar

Organ transplant recipients are vulnerable to fungal infections. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of fungal colonization and infections among patients who underwent various transplantations and molecularly characterize the etiological agents.

This study was conducted on candidates for transplantation in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from April 2017 to April 2018. All patients were monitored for fungal colonization or infections before and after transplantation. Isolated fungi were identified using molecular methods.

A total of 125 patients, including 86 males and 39 females, with the mean age of 52.2 years participated in the study (age range: 15-75 years). Out of 125 patients, 84 (67.2%) cases had fungal colonization that appeared pre- and post-transplantation in 21 and 63 cases, respectively (alone or concurrent with another infection in 55 and 29 cases, respectively). In addition, a total of 39 episodes of fungal infections were diagnosed in 36 (28.8%) recipients (alone or concurrent with colonization in 7 and 29 cases, respectively). Out of the 39 fungal infections, 9 cases appeared pre-transplantation, while the other 30 cases occurred post-transplantation. However, no fungal colonization or infection was observed in 34 (27.2%) patients. Oral candidiasis (n=20) was the most common type of infection, followed by funguria (n=7), onychomycosis (n=5), candidemia (n=3), rhinocerebral mucormycosis (n=1), cutaneous mucormycosis (n=1), cutaneous aspergillosis (n=1), and peritonitis (n=1). Six yeast species were recovered from colonization cases with the dominance of Candida albicans both before and after transplantation. The observed fungal infections were caused by 11 distinct species, including the members of Candida (i.e., C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei), Aspergillus (i.e., A. oryzae and A. candidus), Rhizopus (i.e., R. oryzae and R. microsporus), Trichosporon asahii, and Trichophyton interdigitale. The results also indicated that the development of a fungal infection post-transplantation was associated with fungal colonization (r=0.0184; P=0.043).

Based on the results, fungal colonization was a common finding in transplant recipients at Imam Khomeini Hospital. However, the incidence of fungal infections was comparable with those of other centers. As the oral cavity was the most common site of colonization and infection, it might be beneficial to take further care about the oral health of patients using effective mouthwash.

Intertrigo is an erythematous inflammatory condition with multiple etiologies including fungi and bacteria. Intertrigo manifests in different clinical forms with various complaints. This study was conducted to evaluate the causative agents of intertriginous infections with emphasize on clinical presentations.
This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 2015-2016, on 188 patients with clinical suspicion of superficial and cutaneous intertriginous infections in Tehran, Iran. Demographic and additional related data were obtained by questionnaire from all participants. Specimens were collected by gentle scraping of the affected areas. Direct examination and culture were performed for all specimens and grown colonies were identified based on the macroscopic and microscopic features. Supplementary tests were done whenever needed. Data were analyzed in SPSS.
Overall, 80 (42.5%) cases with the mean age of 43.5 yr were confirmed for intertrigo. Dermatophytosis was the predominant cause in this study with 36 (45%) cases followed by erythrasma (28 cases, 35%), tinea versicolor (10 cases, 12.5%) and candidiasis (6 cases, 7.5%). Intertrigo lesions with dermatophytic agents significantly were observed in groin in comparison to different infections among body sites (P Different clinical manifestations may be observed in infectious intertrigo. Regarding the significant association observed in this study, some clinical features can be used for presumptive diagnosis of diseases but further studies are required to make it clear.

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a chronic dermatitis with 1-3% prevalence and even with 33-83% in immunocompromised patients. Often, because of some of predisposing factors, abnormal proliferation of Malassezia yeasts (as a normal flora) is seen in patients that lead to observation of clinical symptoms in their bodies. The aim of this study was to evaluate of Malassezia yeasts colonization rate in patients with seborrheic dermatitis that has key importance to appropriate treatment.
This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out during one-year period from January 2015 to February 2016 on 45 patients. According to the sample size formula, after visiting by a dermatologist and refer to the Medical Mycology Laboratory, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, patients were subjected to mycological examinations schedules. After recording the clinical symptoms and their specifications, sampling from all patients’ lesions was performed with sterile scalpel and a piece of scotch tape. Direct smears were prepared with 10% potassium hydroxide as a fungal clearing solution (KOH) and stained with methylene blue. The presence and rate of Malassezia yeast colonization was determined according to the standard procedures by direct microscopic examination.
From a total of 45 under studied patients, 66.7% had moderate to severe colonization of Malassezia yeast. In existence of sweating and stress factors, severe colonization with significant differences was seen (P In most of patients, yeast colonization rate was more than mild status, that emphasize on the etiological role of Malassezia yeasts at least as exacerbating factor in seborrheic dermatitis. On the other hand, the role of factors such as sweating and stress in inducing of severe colonization and invasive form of Malassezia yeasts in SD was confirmed, that should be considered to be treated as well as SD in therapeutic procedure.

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is a cariogenic microorganism. The restorative materials which harbor a biofilm with high levels of S. mutans can accelerate the occurrence of dental caries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of different restorative materials on S. mutans colonization in a simple in-vitro biofilm formation model.

Thirteen discs of each material (nanohybrid resin composite, microhybrid resin composite, and amalgam) were prepared, polished, and sterilized in a gamma radiation chamber. The saliva-free specimens were exposed to the S. mutans bacterial suspension (0.5 McFarland) and were incubated for 4 hours. Afterwards, the specimens were rinsed and sonicated in normal saline. 10µl of the obtained suspension was cultured in a sterile blood agar medium. After 24 hours, the number of colony forming units (CFU) of S. mutans was counted. A sterility test control was considered for each group of materials. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA at 5% significance level.

The means and standard deviations of the logarithmic values of the colonies on the surfaces of amalgam, microhybrid, and nanohybrid resin composites were equal to 3.76±0.64, 3.91±0.52 and 3.34±0.74, respectively.

There were no significant differences between the restorative materials in terms of S. mutans adhesion rate. The evaluated resin composites showed comparable numbers of CFUs, which could imply the importance of the polishing procedures.

Candida species are opportunistic yeasts that are capable of causing different infections and diseases among immunocompromised patients. Since Candida infections are major causes and frequent of septicemia in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), and they are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, so obtaining adequate treatment seems necessary. Low birth weight preterm infants are especially vulnerable to these devastating infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the drug susceptibility of Candida species colonized on the skin and mucous membrane of neonates to fluconazole, amphotericin B and caspofungin.

This study was carried out in the laboratory of medical mycology and serology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences for the period of 7 months from June 2016 to December 2016. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 23 isolates of Candida species including Candida parapsilosis, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida guilliermondii and Candida krusei were studied. These under study isolates were previously isolated from skin and mucous membranes of neonates in NICU of Imam Khomeini Hospital and Children's Medical Center were identified by PCR-RFLP (Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism). Evaluation of antifungal drug susceptibility including fluconazole, amphotericin B and caspofungin was carried out. Antifungal susceptibility test was done according to the standard protocol Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI M27-A3) that is specific to the yeast fungi. Statistical analysis was done by using T-test in SPSS version 22 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) and P

In this study, C. parapsilosis, C. albicans and C. tropicalis had the most sensitivity to fluconazole. Clinical Isolates of C. guilliermondii were also sensitive to fluconazole, but in C. krusei sensitivity was dose-dependent. All isolated species were sensitive to amphotericin B and caspofungin.

According to the results, all isolated Candida species were more sensitive to amphotericin B and caspofungin than other antifungal drugs. In final conclusion, Finally, it is emphasized that antifungal susceptibility testing is necessary to prevent treatment failure or recurrence of disease.

Spices (flavorings) are contaminated to microbial agents such as filamentous and yeast fungi during production processing. Almost these are grown and harvested in warm and humid areas of the world where the growth of a wide variety of organisms is readily supported. The aim of this study was to assess the fungal contaminations of three current spices including turmeric, black pepper and cinnamon from some supermarkets in Tehran and evaluating of their hygienic quality. In this cross- sectional study that was performed in laboratory of Medical Mycology, School of Public Health in Tehran University of Medical Sciences from December 2012 to September 2014, 165 packed spices including 55 samples from each 11 valid brands of cinnamon, turmeric and black pepper were selected from different regions of Tehran. Culture was performed on many different fungal media from 10-1 to 10-4 dilutions of their samples. The fungal colonies obtained from cultures were studied by traditional laboratory methods. On the other hand, the number of unknown possible colonies was identified by molecular methods and then all identified colonies were counted. Totally, from 165 packed spices, 4317 colonies include 29 different fungal species were isolated and identified from cinnamon (1520), turmeric (1373) and black pepper (1424). The etiologic agents were mainly including Aspergillus niger (7.3%), Penicillium spp. (4.1%), Paecilomyces spp. (2.8%) and Aspergillus flavus (2.3%), respectively. Non-parametric Kruskal-wallis test indicated that there was no significant difference statistically among brands at each level. Also the present study showed P = 0.0003 among under study spices. The most contaminated spices were cinnamon, while turmeric had the lowest contamination rate. The obtained results of this cross-sectional study and the available proofs in community indicate that, there are the high levels of fungal contaminations in current used spices. Therefore, it is necessary to control the production units.

Actinomycosis is an indolent, slowly progressive infection caused by anaerobic or microaerophilic bacteria, primarily of genus Actinomyces, which colonize the mouth, colon and vagina. Mucosal disruption may lead to infection virtually at any sites in the body. The aim of this study was to underline different features of actinomycosis and to represent total data about etiologic agents, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches these infections. From a total of 38 case reports or series, ninety one cases were obtained by using of relevant articles reported as recorded cases in Iran (1972 to 2012). Analyzed data represented 21 cases of oral-servicofacial (23.1%), 7 cases of thoracic (7.7%), 17 cases of abdominal (18.7%), 21 cases of dis­seminated forms (23.1%) and 25 cases of others (27.5%). Findings indicated more common of these infections in men (61.5%). Actinomyces naeslundii (21 cases) was found as the most common causative agents in comparison with A. Israeli (15 cases), A. viscosus (3 cases) and A. bovis (1 case). The most patients had been successfully treated with peni­cillin although some cases needed surgery along with antibiotic therapy. Since some clinical features of actino­mycosis are similar to malignancies, so the differential diagnosis of invasive forms must be considered. This report empha­sizes on the importance of differential diagnosis of actinomycosis from similar diseases by clinicians.

Malassezia Species are often commensal of the human skin and scalp that opportunistically in exist of particular predisposing factors، their proliferation increases; as، in dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis which both togather affect more than 50% of humans، the excess proliferation of yeast in scalp، leads to scalp-flaking and causes physical and mental disorder in peaple، spacially in youth that their health and hiar hygiene and beauty is more important for them. Thus، this survey has been done for rapid، easy and inexpensive method to diagnosis of abnormal proliferation and invasive condition of Malassezia yeast and can be more benefical for proper treatment. Sampling with scalpel scraping from scalp of volunteer persons that had not bathed at least two day ago were done and preparation of direct microscopic slides and staining with methylene blue were accomplished. Then، survey of morpholgic characte-ristics، yeast quantification and mycelium detection were done by direct microscopic examination. From 140 scalp samples of adult persons of both gender (male and female) with different age groups، observation of malassezia yeast in 93. 5% (131) were positive and 6. 5% (9) were negative in direct microscopic examination. Results of yeast quanti-fication in positive cases were: mild or normal flora 25. 2%، intermediate 24. 5%، severe 50. 3%. Detection of mycelium in positive cases were 22. 9% (30) (P=0. 007 df=2). Application of an accessible، easy and inexpensive method and a determi-nated pattern (yeast quantification with direct microscopic examination) to distinguish normal flora from abnormal condition (excess proliferation and mycelium production) in cases of Malassezia yeasts can be more useful to rapid diagnosis of abnormal pro-liferation and invasive condition in order to initiate a proper antifungal treatment.