Characterization and identification of candiduria due to Candida species in diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The presence of Candida yeasts in urine, known as candiduria, is an indicator of infection or colonization of the urinary tract by Candida species. This condition in diabetic patients can be hazardous due to diminished immune system response. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of candiduria in diabetic patients and to identify its causative agents. Furthermore, the demographic and laboratory (HbA1c, urine glucose and pH, urine culture colony count, and fasting blood sugar) data and their possible associations with candiduria were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was performed on 305 diabetic patients referred to the diabetes research center, Hamedan, Iran, during April 2015 to September 2015. Urine and blood specimens were collected and urine analysis, urine culture, FBS, and HbA1c tests were performed. Positive cases were subjected to colony count and the causative agents were subsequently identified through the routine identification tests, as well as colony color in CHROMagar Candida medium, and the assimilation patterns in API 20 C auxanographic method. RESULTS: Among the 305 cases, 38 (%12.5) were positive for candiduria. Causative agents were identified as Candidaglabrata (n=19, 50%), C. albicans (n=12, 31.6%), C. krusei (n=4, 10.5%), C. tropicalis (n=2, 5.3%), andC. kefyr (n=1, 2.6%). According to the results of the statistical analyses, there were significant association between candiduria and female gender, high FBS and urine glucose, uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c ≥8), and acidic urine pH (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Considering the high incidence rate of candiduria in diabetic patients, control of diabetes, predisposing factors, and causal relationships between diabetes and candiduria should be highlighted.

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii Isolates from Soil Samples in Tehran, Iran.

BACKGROUND: The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii can infect any warm blooded nucleated cells. One of the ways for human infection is ingestion of oocysts directly from soil or via infected fruits or vegetables. To survey the potential role of T. gondii oocyst in soil samples, the present study was conducted in Tehran City, Iran. METHODS: A total of 150 soil samples were collected around rubbish dumps, children's play ground, parks and public places. Oocysts recovery was performed by sodium nitrate flotation method on soil samples. For molecular detection, PCR reaction targeting B1 gene was performed and then, the positive results were confirmed using repetitive 529 bp DNA fragment in other PCR reaction. Finally, the positive samples were genotyped at the SAG2 locus. RESULTS: Toxoplasma DNA was found in 13 soil samples. After genotyping and RFLP analysis in SAG2 locus, nine positive samples were revealed type III, one positive sample was type I whereas three samples revealed mixed infection (type, I & III). CONCLUSION: The predominant genotype in Tehran soil samples is type III.

Genotyping of Echinococcus granulosus from domestic animals and humans from Ardabil Province, northwest Iran.

Cystic echinococcosis is endemic in Iran, particularly in Ardabil Province, where it causes health and economic problems. The genetic pattern of Echinococcus granulosus has been determined in most parts of Iran, except in this area. In the present investigation, 55 larval isolates were collected from humans (11), sheep (19), goats (4) and cattle (21). For analysis of the genetic characteristics of E. granulosus isolates, DNA sequencing of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) genes was applied. Fifty isolates were successfully analysed, with 92% (46) and 8% (4) identified as G1 and G3 genotypes, respectively. The sequence analyses of the isolates displayed nine characteristic profiles in cox1 sequences and eight characteristic profiles in nad1 sequences. Based on these results, the sheep strain (G1 genotype) was the most prevalent in humans, sheep, goats and cattle. The buffalo strain (G3 genotype) was not only demonstrated in sheep (1 isolate) and cattle (1 isolate), but also for the first time in two human isolates. These findings will provide information for local control of echinococcosis.

Mini-exon genotyping of leishmania species in khuzestan province, southwest iran.

BACKGROUND: Leishmaniasis is a protozoan disease cause by Leishmania genus. Anthroponotic and zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis are endemic in Iran. The aim of this study was to identify the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis by mini-exon gene in five regions of Khuzestan Province, southwest of Iran. METHODS: From 2007 to 2008 in this cross-sectional study, cutaneous samples were collected from patients referred to Health Centers and Hospitals of the Khuzestan Province for cutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosis and cultured in Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle (NNN) and RPMI 1640. The propagated promastigotes were harvested and Leishmania species of cutaneous leishmaniasis were identified by RFLP and DNA sequencing of the PCR generated fragments. RESULTS: L. major and L. tropica were the causative agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis by predominantly of L. major species. The alignment of the mini-exon sequencing isolates with reported sequencing of L. major and L. tropica revealed 92%-99% identity. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that mini-exon PCR-RFLP was useful method to identify the causative species of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Characteristics of dermatophytoses among children in an area south of Tehran, Iran.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and etiological agents of dermatophytoses, and also their distribution according to age, gender, and body site among children in an area south of Tehran. A total of 382 children aged

Burn wound infections and antimicrobial resistance in tehran, iran: an increasing problem.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus remain the most important pathogens and are frequently the cause of burn wound infections in our centre. This is a particular problem in high-risk and long-stay patients and can lead to epidemics of infection in hospital settings. This study analysed P. aeruginosa and S. aureus infections in Tohid Burn Centre, Iran, in order to estimate their frequency and antibiotic susceptibilities. Out of 6704 strains examined, 4904 and 688 were found respectively to be P. aeruginosa and S. aureus in the period March 1995-September 1999, in burn patients hospitalized in this burn centre. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion method outlined by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. The overall frequencies of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were respectively 73.1% and 10.3%; the remaining 16.6% consisted of other organisms. The frequency of P. aeruginosa resistance to cipro?oxacin, amikacin, and gentamicin was over 85%. The rate of S. aureus resistance to cloxacillin and cephalexin was 90%. P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were thus the commonest organisms in this centre. High frequency rates of resistance to these micro-organisms were found in this study. It is necessary to limit the use of antimicrobial agents in our epidemiological setting. In 2000 the Burn Centre was closed.