Molecular identification of Leishmania tropica infections in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis from an endemic central of Iran

The most common form of the disease is cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) which is a public health and social problem in many countries especially Iran. In endemic areas where other diseases with similar clinical symptoms occur, definitive diagnosis of CL is very important. The detection and identification of Leishmania in infected patients is crucial for achieving a correct treatment and prognosis. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study in terms of geographical distribution and molecular identification of Leishmania tropica isolates in central of Iran. This study was performed between 2010 and 2011, during which 218 CL suspected patients referred to Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd, Iran for confirmation were examined. After microscopic analysis, DNA extraction was performed for identification. The molecular target region was ITS1 gene. Results showed that out of 218 isolates, 102 (46.8%) samples were positive for Leishman body using molecular assay. After PCR-RFLP, analysis identified 50 (49.01%) samples as L. major and 52 (50.98%) as L. tropica. Two samples showed a different pattern that were reported as unknown. Among L. tropica, six different isolates were identified in this endemic area. Finally, this study showed heterozygosity among L. tropica isolates in this endemic area such as some other studies from the world. This heterozygosity among the strains may suggest a sexual recombination or genetic exchange between strains.

Vinegar as a removing agent of candida albicans from acrylic resin plates

Adherence of Candida species, mainly C. albicans to denture surfaces, forms a biofilm which causes denture stomatitis in denture users. Removal of Candida plaque on dentures is essential to control the colonization of this yeast and to prevent infections related to C. albicans. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of sodium hypochlorite with white vinegar for the disinfection of C. albicans from acrylic resin. 82, 10x10x1 mm acrylic resin plates were inoculated with 1x103 C. albicans suspension for 24 hours to prepare experimental Candida biofilm. The total number of Candida cells which adhered to 10 acryl resin plates was determined and the remaining 72 plates were randomly divided into four groups. The test plates were immersed in a solution of 1% sodium hypochlorite, 5% or 10%white vinegar for a period of 8 hours and distilled water was used as the negative control group. The Candida removing ability of the 3 disinfectants and the negative control group was assessed by comparing the number of colony forming units per 1 mL of the plates washing solution before and after the removing protocol. Data was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Sodium hypochlorite [1%] and white vinegar [10%] removed 100% of the C. albicans cells, followed by white vinegar [5%], which removed 99% of the adhered C. albicans from the acrylic resin plates. There wasn't any significant statistical difference found between the 5% and 10% white vinegar in removing Candida from the acryl resin plates [P = 0.161]. Overnight immersion of complete removable dentures in 10% or even a 5% white vinegar solution effectively removed C. albicans cells that had adhered to the denture surface and their removal properties the same as 1% sodium hypochlorite.

[Survey of bacterial and fungal contaminations in Iranian Alginate, foreign Alginate and Speedex used for impression in dentistry]

Since impression materials usually contact with saliva, blood, and oral soft tissues, their microbial contamination are harmful in immunocompromised patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the bacterial and fungal contamination in common impression materials. In current lab trial study, 5 different samples from each 4 impression materials were homogenized in 1 ml Tween 80 and then 100 micro l of each sample were cultured onto blood agar, EMB, or sabouraud dextrose agar. Bacterial and fungal cultures were incubated at 37°C and 30°C, respectively. The isolated bacterial and fungal colonies were enumerated and identified using specific diagnostic media and tests. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test. Totally 75% of samples had one or several bacterial contaminations. Iranian alginate and Speedex [putty] were the most contaminated samples. On the other hand, Speedex [light body] and foreign alginate showed lower contamination. Species of Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Bacilluses, Corynebacteria, gram negative Citrobacter, Actinomycetes and Neisseria were isolated from the analyzed impression materials. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Cladosporium and Sepdonium were the fungi isolated from impression materials. Statistical significant difference was shown between bacterial contamination of Iranian and foreign alginates [P=0.001]. There was no statistical significant differences between the bacterial and fungal isolated colonies [CFU/gr] of 4 tested impression materials [P=0.21]. Several opportunistic bacteria and fungi were isolated from impression materials especially from Iranian alginate and Speedex putty which indicated their contamination

[ survey of microbial contamination of new acrylic removable denture's made in Yazd [Iran] dental laboratories 2009]

Microbial contamination of removable denture and their contact with saliva and oral tissues can cause microbial cross-contamination among dental clinic personnel, dental laboratories and patients. These microorganisms can cause unpredictable infections especially systemic, pneumonia and even cardiac infections in elderly and immunosupressed patients. The aim of this study was to identify the microorganisms on the surface of removable prostheses ready for delivery [new dentures] in Yazd dental laboratories Fifty five new removable complete dentures were randomly selected from 5 Yazd dental laboratories. All dentures were washed by 100ml of sterile normal saline, centrifuged and precipitants were used for culture on the specific microbial media. Finally, the isolated aerobic, anaerobic microbial colonies and isolated fungi were identified according to diagnostic tests. Bacterial contaminations were seen in all prostheses whereas 58.2% showed fungal contaminations. Staphylococcus, nonpathogenic Neisseria spp, Corynebacteria, Acenitobacteria, E. coli, and Entrobacter spp were the common isolated bacteria in the current study. Saprophyte fungi such as Aspergillus, penicillium, mucor and yeasts especially Candida species were the most isolated fungi from dental prostheses in the present study. Results of the present study showed bacterial and fungal contamination even on newly made prostheses. It seems that control and prevention of cross-contamination should be taken more seriously in dental practices and laboratories

survey of otomycosis in eastern azarbaidjan [Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences]

Otomycosis [Otitis externa] is a fungal infection of the external ear canal with only a few studies about its real frequency in Iran. To evaluate Otomycosis frequency and characteristics in patients with clinical suspicion of external otitis the present study was carried out in eastern Azarbaidjan [North - West of Iran] during 2006-2008. A total of 53 patients were assigned to mycological diagnosis [direct microscopic examination and culture]. Clinical samples of suspected patients were studied for laboratory identification in direct microscopy and cultured in specific mediums for the determination of their causative fungi. Over all 43 fungal isolates [14 male [33%] and 29 female [67%]] were taken from 53 patients suspected of Otomycosis. The mycose was more prevalent in 20-40 years age group in both sexes. The most common pathogen was Aspergillus niger [40 cases], followed by Afumigatus [3 cases] and Candida albicans [2 cases]. In clinical samples of some cases two different fungi were isolated at the same time. Saprophytic molds were the main etiologic agents of Otomycosis, and A. niger was the prime causal agent. Infection in 20-40 age groups had the most prevalence and Otomycosis among females was determined more than males. This study provided useful information on the prevalence, causative agents and health implications of Otomycosis, as an infection grossly eglected in studied environment

comparison of the efficacy of nystatin and fluconazole incorporated into tissue conditioner on the in vitro attachment and colonization of candida albicans

Denture stomatitis is a common oral lesion following the use of ill-fitting dentures. A layer of tissue conditioner is usually used to improve adaptation of the denture. These liners can support the in vivo adhesion and colonization of the oral Candida. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the two common antifungal agents mixed with tissue conditioner against Candida al bicans. Tissue conditioner disks [Acrosoft] with 5mm diameter and 1mm thickness containing different concentrations of nystatin and fluconazole [1%, 3%, 5%, 10% wt/wt] as well as disks with no antifungal agents [8 disks for each group] were prepared for experimental biofilm formation by inoculation with Candida albicans cell suspensions. The specimens were incubated in cell culture microtiter plate wells containing Sabouraud's broth in a rotator shaker at 30°C for 48 hours. Then, the specimens were rinsed and sonicated in sterile water to remove surface organisms. The attached yeasts were enumerated by inoculation of the yeast suspension on Sabouraud's agar. The data was compared using Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests using prism software. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. The 1% to 10% mixture of nystatin and tissue conditioner completely inhibited the attachment and colonization of Candida albicans, although for fluconazole only a 10% concentration caused complete inhibition. Nystatin showed a potentially higher effect in inhibition of Candida attachment and colonization [P = 0.0001] compared to that of fluconazole and a statistically significant difference was seen between 5% and 1% fluconazole [P = 0.0001]. Tissue conditioner with 1% to 10% nystatin or 10% fluconazole can completely inhibit the adhesion and colonization of Candida albicans

Candida species colonization level in elderly angular cheilitis patients before and after denture replacement

A decrease in the vertical dimension of occlusion in elderly patients using very old dentures promotes colonization of oral Candida, resulting in angular cheilitis. Correction of the vertical dimension of occlusion by replacement of the dentures can reduce colonization of Candida and improve angular cheilitis lesions. The aim of this study was to compare the colonization of Candida in the angular cheilitis lesions of elderly before and after denture replacement to demonstrate the role of modification in vertical dimensions of occlusion on oral hygiene in the elderly. Twenty-four patients with complete dentures and angular cheilitis, who presented for denture replacement, participated in this study. Samples were taken from their lips and cultured before and 3 months after replacing their denture. The mean density of isolated colonies before and 3 months after denture replacement were compared using the Wilcoxon rank test. All samples were heavily colonized before denture replacement, though 3 months after using new dentures only few cultures were found to be positive. A statistical significant difference was obtained [Wileoxon rank test] between colonization of Candida species before and 3 months after denture replacement [P = 0.0001]. Results revealed that using dentures for long period of time may cause a decrease in vertical height This phenomenon caused a wide range in colonization of oral Candida species, which directly resulted in angular cheilitis, This could be prevented by using new dentures to improve oral health