Antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties of oleuropein against Escherichia coli and fluconazole-resistant isolates of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata.

BACKGROUND: Side effects associated with antimicrobial drugs, as well as their high cost, have prompted a search for low-cost herbal medicinal substances with fewer side effects. These substances can be used as supplements to medicine or to strengthen their effects. The current study investigated the effect of oleuropein on the inhibition of fungal and bacterial biofilm in-vitro and at the molecular level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, antimicrobial properties were evaluated using microbroth dilution method. The effect of oleuropein on the formation and eradication of biofilm was assessed on 96-well flat bottom microtiter plates and their effects were observed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Its effect on key genes (Hwp1, Als3, Epa1, Epa6, LuxS, Pfs) involved in biofilm formation was investigated using the quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method. RESULTS: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal/bactericidal concentration (MFC/MBC) for oleuropein were found to be 65 mg/ml and 130 mg/ml, respectively. Oleuropein significantly inhibited biofilm formation at MIC/2 (32.5 mg/ml), MIC/4 (16.25 mg/ml), MIC/8 (8.125 mg/ml) and MIC/16 (4.062 mg/ml) (p < 0.0001). The anti-biofilm effect of oleuropein was confirmed by SEM. RT-qPCR indicated significant down regulation of expression genes involved in biofilm formation in Candida albicans (Hwp1, Als3) and Candida glabrata (Epa1, Epa6) as well as Escherichia coli (LuxS, Pfs) genes after culture with a MIC/2 of oleuropein (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that oleuropein has antifungal and antibacterial properties that enable it to inhibit or destroy the formation of fungal and bacterial biofilm.

Extraction and purification of oleuropein from olive leaves.

In this study, effect of some solvents (ethanol, acetonitrile and water) for the extraction of phenolic compounds was investigated. Solvent volume, temperature and duration of the extraction process have a positive correlation with the amounts of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. The amounts of phenolic compounds, especially oleuropein in the leaf extract is higher than the fruit extract, and the concentration of oleuropein content in leaves and fruits extract was 4900 and 1800 mg/L, respectively. The oleuropein extracted from olive leaves was purified with liquid-liquid extraction to above 98%, and its concentration in leaves was 9.8 w/w/% in dried leaves.

Isolation and investigation of external reproduction tract mycoflora in healthy male cats.

BACKGROUND: Various infectious agents can infect the male reproductive system. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to provide current data on fungal and yeast flora of the external organs of reproductive system of male short hair cats including penis and prepuce. METHODS: In total 28 samples were taken from external genital system of male stray cats using sterilised cotton swabs. Samples were taken based on the absence of any reproductive complications using physical examinations. The samples were transferred to sterilised Stuart transport media and were then incubated in the Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol at 32°C for 48 h. The identification of fungi and yeasts was confirmed by germ tube formation test, CHROM agar, urease testing and Corn meal agar medium with Tween 80. RESULTS: Fungal agents were isolated from 7 (25%) out of 28 male stray cats. Fungal isolates were obtained from the penis and prepuce of 4 (36%) and 7 (100%) male cats, respectively. The most commonly recovered species samples were Candida krusei (3.75%) and Penicillum spp. (6.86%) from the penis and prepuce of the cats, respectively. The external organs of male reproduction of cats were infected with 2-4 different fungal agents. Only 5 (45%) cats were infected with one fungus; however, in 6 (55%) cats, mixed fungal infections were isolated. Cats 3-4 years old had the highest fungal contamination in the prepuce region (4/7), while the penis at this age had the least contamination (1/4). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the external reproduction organs of male cats could be infected by different fungal agents.

Antifungal susceptibility profile of yeasts isolated from the oral cavity of cats.

BACKGROUND: Microorganisms living in the oral cavity play an important role in health and disease of the host. Cats are susceptible to oral infections, and it is documented that fungi in the oral cavity could impact these infections. Antifungal resistance has been increasing in recent years. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to identify yeast isolates from the oral cavity of healthy cats and to evaluate their antifungal susceptibility pattern. METHODS: Oral specimens were collected from 60 cats and cultured at 37°C for 10 days. Yeasts were isolated and identified. Their antifungal susceptibility pattern was determined according to CLSI M44-A. RESULTS: Three yeast genera were isolated, including Candida spp (55.5%), Rhodotorula spp (33.3%) and Hanseniaspora spp (11.1%). Antifungal susceptibility profiling showed that, apart from a dose-dependent effect of itraconazole, Hanseniaspora spp was susceptible to all seven drugs studied. The Candida species were susceptible to all drugs except ketoconazole (sensitivity 80%) and caspofungin (sensitivity 40%). In R. glutinis and R. minuta, 100% sensitivity was observed for amphotericin B, posaconazole, ketoconazole and voriconazole. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that, in comparison with humans and other animals, cats have a different oral mycoflora in terms of species, number and diversity. However, these isolates have similar susceptibility patterns to those seen in isolates from other animals and humans. More studies should be done to further characterize the oral mycobiota of cats and its role in oral infections.

Sheep serve as a reservoir of Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype V infection.

Human infections by Trichophyton mentagrophytes occur mainly due to contact with diseased animals. In Iran, T. mentagrophytes genotype V is the most prevalent variant of the fungus. We aimed to determine the animal reservoir of T. mentagrophytes genotype V infection. The study was done on a total of 577 dermatophyte strains obtained from animals with signs of dermatophytosis and human patients. The list of extensively sampled animals included sheep, cows, cats and dogs. For human cases, epidemiological data were collected. All dermatophyte isolates from animals along with 70 human isolates morphologically similar to T. verrucosum and T. mentagrophytes genotype V were identified by rDNA internal transcribed spacer region restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing. A total of 334 animal dermatophyte strains were identified as Microsporum canis, T. mentagrophytes genotype V, T. verrucosum, Nannizzia gypsea, T. mentagrophytes genotype II*, T. mentagrophytes genotype VII, T. quinckeanum, and N. fulva. All clinical isolates identified as T. mentagrophytes genotype V originated from skin and scalp infections. Almost all veterinary isolates of T. mentagrophytes genotype V were cultured from sheep, but epidemiological data on animal-to-human transmission of T. mentagrophytes genotype V infection were limited and we found evidence in favor of interhuman transmission. In Iran, sheep maintain T. mentagrophytes genotype V population and therefore serve as animal reservoir of respective infections. The role of sheep as the source of human dermatophytosis due to T. mentagrophytes genotype V isolates is yet to be proven.

In this study, we sampled a variety of animals to determine a reservoir of Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype V infection. With the use of molecular identification techniques, we show that this infection reservoir is represented by sheep.

Influence of menthol on biofilm formation, ergosterol content, and cell surface hydrophobicity of Candida glabrata.

Resistance to synthetic antifungals has become one of the leading public health challenges around the world. Accordingly, novel antifungal products like naturally occurring molecules can be one of the potential ways to reach efficient curative approaches to control candidiasis. This work evaluated the effect of menthol on cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), biofilm formation, growth, and ergosterol content of Candida glabrata, a yeast with a high resistance against antifungal agents. Disc diffusion method (susceptibility to synthetic antifungals), broth micro-dilution method (Susceptibility to menthol), 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide reduction assay (biofilm formation), High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique (ergosterol content), and adherence to n-hexadecane (CSH) were employed to determine the influence of menthol against C. glabrata isolates. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of menthol versus C. glabrata was 1250-5000 µg/mL (mean ± SD: 3375 ± 1375 µg/mL). The mean rate of C. glabrata biofilm formation was decreased up to 97.67%, 81.15%, 71.21%, 63.72%, 47.53%, 26.31%, and 0.051% at 625, 1250, 2500, 5000, 10 000, 20 000, and 40 000 µg/mL concentrations, respectively. The percentages of CSH were significant in groups treated with MIC/2 (17.51 ± 5.52%) and MIC/4 (26 ± 5.87%) concentrations of menthol. Also, the percentage changes in membrane ergosterol were 15.97%, 45.34%, and 73.40% at 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/mL concentrations of menthol, respectively, in comparison with untreated control. The results showed the menthol impact versus sessile and planktonic C. glabrata cells, and the interference with ergosterol content, CSH, and biofilm formation, which made it a potent natural antifungal.

Descriptive epidemiology of dermatophytosis in rodents.

INTRODUCTION: Dermatophytosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a group of keratinophilic fungi called dermatophytes. OBJECTIVES: Since the epidemiology of diseases revolves over time, this research studies the incidence of dermatophytosis among rodents referred to mycology laboratory during 2019-2021. METHODS: A total of 163 rodents including rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters suspecting having dermatophytosis were sampled by scraping lesions. Direct microscopic examination, culture, and polymerase chain reaction were done for diagnosis of dermatophytosis and identification of the etiologic agent. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that 37.4% of rodents were involved with dermatophytosis, among which 41.13% of rabbits, 25% of guinea pigs, and 26.3% of hamsters were included. Microsporum canis (52.7%) was the most isolated agent. Incidence of dermatophytosis was higher in female in rabbits while in hamsters and guinea pigs male were mostly infected. Rodents less than 6 months were more susceptible for dermatophytosis except for hamsters in which 6-12 months animals had a higher prevalence. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, it is significant to update our knowledge about the epidemiology of dermatophytosis in rodents and other animals every few years to define valid preventive strategies. Moreover, since dermatophytes are contagious and zoonotic, it is also a priority to apply preventing methods for dermatophytosis and treat infected rodents with appropriate antifungal agents to decrease the risk of infection.

Efficacy of Syzygium aromaticum essential oil on the growth and enzymatic activity of pathogenic Candida albicans strains.

Background and Purpose: Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the most common human pathogen owing to the most virulence factors. It seems that extracellular hydrolytic enzymes play a key role in C. albicans pathogenicity. The present study aimed to assess the susceptibility and enzymatic activity of pathogenic C. albicans isolates exposed to the Syzygium aromaticum (S. aromaticum) essential oil. Materials and Methods: S. aromaticum oil was characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The broth microdilution technique (CLSI, M27-A3) was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of test compounds. Furthermore, before and after treatment with S. aromaticum essential oil, the yeasts were analyzed regarding the proteinase (Prz), hemolysin (Hz), and phospholipase (Phz) production/activity. Results: ß-caryophyllene (12.76%) was found to be the major constituent in the essential oil after eugenol (84.64%). Only one isolate of C. albicans showed the antifungal resistance to fluconazole. All isolates were susceptible to S. aromaticum essential oil with MIC of 625-1250 µg/ml. S. aromaticum oil represented the best antifungal effect against C. albicans at MIC 1000 µg/ml. The mean±SD enzyme activity of C. albicans not exposed to S. aromaticum essential oil was obtained at 0.55±0.03, 0.73±0.04, and 0.61±0.05 for proteinase, hemolysin, and phospholipase, respectively. The activities of these enzymes were reduced significantly (P<0.05) to 0.33±0.06, 0.40±0.04, and 0.16±0.03 for phospholipase, proteinase, and hemolysin, respectively, after the yeasts were subjected to S. aromaticum essential oil. Conclusion: The present study aimed to determine the ability of S. aromaticum essential oil to prevent the growth of C. albicans and decrease their enzymatic activity. As a natural antifungal agent, S. aromaticum can be utilized in pharmaceutical systems.

In vitro activity of encapsulated lactic acid bacteria on aflatoxin production and growth of Aspergillus Spp.

This study aimed to investigate the potential ability of simultaneously used L. acidophilus(LA-5), L.rhamnosus(LGG), and L.casei(LC-01) in encapsulated (E) and nonencapsulated (NE) forms in mycelial growth of Aspergillus spp and aflatoxin production by A. flavus. In order to assess the zone of fungal growth inhibition by E and NE lactic acid bacteria, the agar well diffusion method was applied. Quantification of aflatoxin was performed using a high-performance liquid chromatography technique. Lactic acid bacteria exhibited high antifungal activity and significantly reduced AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2 production in both E and NE forms compared to the control group. The percentage of reduction in total AFs production in treated samples with E and NE lactic acid bacteria was 94.1% and 95.5%, respectively. These results suggested that simultaneously used lactic acid bacteria in E and NE forms can prevent growth and decrease aflatoxin production of toxigenic aspergilla.

Effects of Bunium persicum essential oil on the reduction of spore germination, growth, and expression of FUM1 and FUM14 genes in Fusarium verticillioides isolates.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Black Cumin of Kerman (Bunium persicum) is an Iranian plant that is commonly used as an antispasmodic, carminative, and antimicrobial substance. The present study aimed to assess different components of the essence of B. persicum and its effect on antifungal activity, spore germination inhibition, and expressions of FUM1 and FUM14 genes in Fusarium verticillioides strains. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The essence was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed through gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. A broth microdilution method was used for the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). In addition, the expression of FUM1 and FUM14 genes of toxigenic F. verticillioides was assessed by using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. RESULTS: Based on the findings, most of the essence consisted of γ-terpinene (15.56%), propanal, and 2-methyl-3-phenyl (14.18%). The oil showed a good antifungal activity (mean MIC value: 2556.8 µg/ml) as well as the inhibition of spore germination and mycelial growth (P<0.05). The RT-PCR demonstrated that the expression levels of FUM1 and FUM14 of B. persicum-treated F. verticillioides were 0.43 and 0.53 folds lower than the control samples, respectively. CONCLUSION: These findings revealed that the essential oil of B. persicum has different components responsible for the inhibition of mycelial growth and spore germination of F. verticillioides as well as reduction of expressions of FUM1 and FUM14 genes involving fumonisin production.

In vitro synergy of eugenol on the antifungal effects of voriconazole against Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei strains isolated from the genital tract of mares.

BACKGROUND: Due to the limited range of antifungals available to treat genital Candida infections and the emergence of resistant isolates, attention has focused on the antifungal potency of natural compounds with promising biological properties. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether eugenol synergises the in vitro efficacy of voriconazole against Candida strains isolated from the genital tract of mares. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro experiment. METHODS: The antifungal activity of eugenol and voriconazole was evaluated using the broth microdilution assay (CLSI- M27-A3). Synergism of eugenol and voriconazole against genital Candida isolates was evaluated by the microdilution checkerboard method. RESULTS: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for eugenol and voriconazole ranged from 400 to 800 µg/mL and 1 to 8 µg/mL, respectively, for C. tropicalis isolates, and from 200 to 400 µg/mL for eugenol and 2 to 16 µg/mL for voriconazole against C. krusei isolates. Eugenol decreased the arithmetic mean MIC for voriconazole against C. tropicalis and C. krusei isolates from 2.66 to 0.46 µg/mL and 7.77 to 0.41 µg/mL respectively. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values for the eugenol-voriconazole combination ranged from 0.25 to 0.88 and 0.19 to 0.63 for C. tropicalis and C. krusei isolates respectively. A synergistic effect of eugenol in combination with voriconazole was observed for 83.3% of C. tropicalis and 77.7% of C. krusei isolates. Antagonistic activity was not seen in any of the isolates tested. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Since in vitro antifungal susceptibility tests are not systematic analyses, any selection bias could influence the results. In addition, in vitro susceptibility does not uniformly predict clinical success in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Eugenol showed fungistatic and fungicidal effects against genital Candida isolates and, in combination, synergised the antifungal effects of voriconazole. The eugenol-voriconazole combination can lay the foundation for a therapeutic approach against isolates in which azole resistance has increased over time.

Concurrent production of sodium lignosulfonate and ethanol from bagasse spent liquor.

This study was done with the aim of lignosulfonate and ethanol production from different spent liquors of bagasse pulping process. For this purpose, alkali lignin from bagasse alkali liquor was separated and was sulfomethylated to produce soda lignosulfonate (SLig). Furthermore, raw bagasse was directly treated with sodium sulfite in acidic and neutral conditions to produce BLig and NLig bagasse lignosulfonate, respectively. In addition, the pentoses and hexoses impurities in lignosulfonates were fermented to ethanol using Candida guilliermondii. Results showed that the molecular weight of NLig lignosulfonate was considerably high comparing to the SLig and BLig lignosulfonates. A high level of thermal resistance was found in case of SLig regarding to the other samples at 500 °C. Fermentation of the spent liquors with Candida guilliermondii led to a maximum ethanol yield of 7.0, 1.0 and 5.1 g L-1 in NLig, SLig and BLig, respectively.

Synergistic anticandidal activity of menthol in combination with itraconazole and nystatin against clinical Candida glabrata and Candida krusei isolates.

BACKGROUND: Candida glabrata (C. glabrata) and C. krusei are now emerging as serious hospital acquired infections in immunocompromised patients. Menthol, a terpenic compound, has been reported to have antifungal activity. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of menthol in combination with itraconazole or nystatin against C. glabrata and C. krusei isolates. METHODS: The effects of menthol along with itraconazole and nystatin, were evaluated by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M44-A and CLSI M27-A3 methods. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was determined for menthol plus itraconazole and nystatin combinations using the checkerboard method. RESULTS: The mean of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of menthol, nystatin and itraconazole were 53.2, 2.30 and 1.50 µg/ml for C. glabrata isolates and 121, 1.08 and 0.38 µg/ml for C. krusei isolates, respectively. Menthol in combination with itraconazole or nystatin exhibited the synergistic effects against all species of Candida tested. FICI values for menthol plus itraconazole and nystatin combinations ranged from 0.250 to 0.561 and 0.139 to 0.623 for C. glabrata isolates, and 0.182 to 0.750 and 0.188 to 0.760 for C. krusei, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the potential use of menthol as an anticandidal agent, and it can be used complementarily with other conventional antifungal agents.

In vitro evaluation of antifungal susceptibility and keratinase, elastase, lipase and DNase activities of different dermatophyte species isolated from clinical specimens in Iran.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the enzymatic activity of various dermatophyte species and their antifungal susceptibility profiles. A total of 60 dermatophyte isolates, including Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum canis and Microsporum gypseum, were examined. Fungal isolates were analysed for the production of keratinase, lipase, elastase and deoxyribonuclease (DNase). A broth microdilution method was performed on the basis of M38-A2 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. T. mentagrophytes, M. canis and M. gypseum isolates were capable of producing keratinase, lipase, elastase and DNase, while T. rubrum isolates were elastase negative. The highest mean diameter of the clear zone around the colonies (PZ) was associated with keratinase (PZ: 4.56 ± 1.29 mm), followed by lipase (PZ: 1.53 ± 0.90 mm), DNase (PZ: 0.65 ± 0.54 mm) and elastase (PZ: 0.22 ± 0.27 mm) (P < 0.05). The mean minimum inhibitory concentration 90 (MIC90 ) of all strains were as follows: itraconazole (MIC90 : 0.28 ± 0.31 µg ml-1 ), ketoconazole (MIC90 : 0.48 ± 0.51 µg ml-1 ), griseofulvin (MIC90 : 0.86 ± 1.00 µg ml-1 ) and fluconazole (MIC90 : 18.57 ± 20.10 µg ml-1 ). Dermatophyte isolates had higher keratinolytic activity than other enzymes. Itraconazole was the most effective antifungal drug and fluconazole had the poorest activity.

Antifungal activity of essential oils from Iranian plants against fluconazole-resistant and fluconazole-susceptible Candida albicans.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assay the antifungal activity of selected essential oils obtained from plants against both fluconazole (FLU)-resistant and FLU-susceptible C. albicans strains isolated from HIV positive patients with oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation method from Myrtus communis (My. communis), Zingiber officinale roscoe (Z. officinale roscoe), Matricaria chamomilla (Ma. chamomilla), Trachyspermum ammi (T. ammi) and Origanum vulgare (O. vulgare). The susceptibility test was based on the M27-A2 methodology. The chemical compositions of the essential oils were obtained by gas chromatography- mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). RESULTS: In GC-MS analysis, thymol (63.40%), linalool (42%), α-pinene (27.87%), α-pinene (22.10%), and zingiberene (31.79%) were found to be the major components of T. ammi, O. vulgare, My. communis, Ma. chamomilla and Z. officinale roscoe, respectively. The results showed that essential oils have different levels of antifungal activity. O. vulgare and T. ammi essential oils were found to be the most efficient (P<0.05). The main finding was that the susceptibilities of FLU-resistant C. albicans to essential oils were higher than those of the FLU-susceptible yeasts. CONCLUSION: Results of this study indicated that the oils from medicinal plants could be used as potential anti FLU-resistant C. albicans agents.

Chemical composition and antifungal activity of Satureja hortensis L. essentiall oil against planktonic and biofilm growth of Candida albicans isolates from buccal lesions of HIV(+) individuals.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Oral candidiasis is an opportunistic infection of the oral cavity which usually occurs in the immunocompromised individuals. Candida albicans (C. albicans) is the most common species of yeast responsible for oral candidiasis. This study investigated the effects of Satureja hortensis L. essentiall oil (EO) on the planktonic, biofilm formation and mature biofilms of C. albicans isolates from buccal lesions of HIV(+) individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MTT reduction assay, broth micro-dilution method and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to determine the effect of mentioned EO on the C. albicans planktonic and biofilm forms. GC-GC/MS was used to detect the major active compounds of EO. RESULTS: Thymol (45.9%), gamma-terpinen (16.71%), carvacrol (12.81%) and p-cymene (9.61%) were found as the most abundant constituents. MIC values ranged from 250 to 400 µg/ml and MFC values ranged from 350 to 500 µg/ml. All C. albicans isolates formed biofilm on polystyrene plats but the quantity of biofilm mass (optical density) was different for the isolates ranging from 0.850 to 0.559 nm. The mean of biofilm formation by C. albicans isolates was reduced by 87.1 ± 3.7%, 73.6 ± 5.1%, 69.4 ± 5.3% and 67 ± 4.2% at 4800, 3200, 2400 and 1600 µg/ml, respectively. In sub-MIC concentration, SEM analysis revealed loosening of cells, deformity of three dimensional structures of biofilms and shrinkage in cell membranes of sessile cells. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the substantial anti-fungal activity showed by S. hortensis L. EO suggests exploitation of this oil as potential natural anti-biofilm product to deal with the problem of buccal cavity lesion associated with C. albicans.

Evaluation of virulence factors and antifungal susceptibility patterns of different Candida species isolated from the female camel (Camelus dromedarius) genital tract.

The purposes of this study were to investigate the enzymatic activity of different Candida species and their antifungal susceptibility patterns. The study involved a total of 83 isolates of Candida from the genital tract of the female Camelus dromedarius. After species identification, the isolates were analysed for the production/activity of phospholipase, proteinase and haemolysin. In addition, the agar disc diffusion method was performed on the basis of CLSI guidelines M44-A2 protocol for antifungal susceptibility testing. All the isolates were able to produce phospholipase, proteinase and haemolysin. A total of 35.48%, 87.09% and 64.51% of C. albicans isolates exhibited very high phospholipase, proteinase and haemolytic activities, respectively, whereas very high phospholipase, proteinase and haemolytic activities were determined in 5.76%, 23.07% and 45.16% of non-C. albicans isolates respectively. Overall, 61 (73.5%) of Candida isolates were susceptible to fluconazole, 70 (84.3%) susceptible to clotrimazole, 82 (98.8%) susceptible to voriconazole, 76 (91.6%) susceptible to itraconazole, 75 (90.4%) susceptible to ketoconazole, 83 (100%) susceptible to amphotericin B, 81 (97.6%) susceptible to nystatin and 36 (43.4%) susceptible to flucytosine. Candida isolates showed higher haemolytic activity than that of other secreted hydrolases among vaginal Candida species. In addition, amphotericin B was the most in vitro effective antifungal drug and flucytosine had the poorest activity under such conditions.

Repetitive sequences based on genotyping of Candida albicans isolates obtained from Iranian patients with human immunodeficiency virus.

OBJECTIVES: Candidiasis infection caused by Candida albicans has been known as a major problem in patients with immune disorders. The objective of this study was to genotype the C. albicans isolates obtained from oral cavity of patients with positive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV(+)) with or/and without oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 C. albicans isolates from Iranian HIV(+)patients were genotyped using specific PCR primers of the 25S rDNA and RPS genes. RESULTS: The frequencies of genotypes A, B and C which were achieved using 25S rDNA , were 66, 24 and 10 percent, respectively. In addition, genotypes D and E were not found in this study. Each C. albicans genotype was further classified into four subtypes (types 2, 3, 2/3 and 3/4) by PCR amplification targeting RPS sequence. CONCLUSION: In general, genotype A3 constituted the majority of understudy clinical isolates obtained from oral cavity of Iranian HIV(+) patients.

Isolation and identification of yeast flora from genital tract in healthy female camels (Camelus dromedarius).

Yeasts are commensal organisms found in the skin, genital and gastrointestinal tracts, and other mucosal sites in mammalians. The purposes of this study were to identify yeast flora and to determine the number of colony forming units (CFUs) in genital tract of healthy female dromedary camels, establishing their connection in both mated and unmated conditions. The samples were taken from different parts of genital tract including vestibule, vagina, cervix, uterine body, and uterine horns of 50 camels using sterilized cotton swabs. They were cultured onto Sabouraud glucose agar containing chloramphenicol and incubated at 30 degrees C for 7-10 days. A total of 454 yeast colonies were obtained from genital tract. Yeast isolates belonged to 8 genera: Candida (73.1%), Trichosporon (10.1%), Geotrichum (7.5%), Kluyveromyces (3.5%), Rhodotorula (2.4%), Aureobasidium (1.4%), Cryptococcus (1.1%) and Prototheca (0.8%). Among different Candida species, C. zeylanoides was the most common isolated species, representing significant difference with other Candida species (P<0.05). The mean number of yeasts found in the vestibule (46%) was significantly higher than the results obtained from other parts (P<0.05). In addition, the mean value of CFUs from unmated females (71.1%) was significantly higher than mated females (P<0.05). The results showed that C. zeylanoides was a common component of healthy camel females' genital mycoflora and the number of yeasts varied between mated and unmated females.