[Survey of airborne fungi spores in Qazvin [Mar-Jun 2007]]

Fungal air Spores can play a significant role in several allergic manifestations. Respiratory allergy to environmental molds is relatively common. Allergy to airborne fungi can cause rhinitis and severe asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate airborne fungal spores at Qazvin. This descriptive study was conducted by Petri-dish trapping technique. 25 different locations selected. The data were analyzed by the chi-square and t-tests. Totally, 2652 fungus colonies were counted from 150 Petri dish. The most common fungi were CLadosporium spp, Penicillium spp, Aspergillus spp. Alternaria spp. Our results seem to confirm that fungal air spores, because of its quantity and variety, can represent a serious problem for human health .Reducing these indoor fungi is necessary to improve the health of individuals with fungal-induced diseases like asthma

[Searching for Penicillium marneffei in the soil of Qazvin city]

Penicillium marneffei is a dimorphic fungus that produces disseminated infections in immune-deficient people and AIDS patients. This fungus is endemic to Southeastern Asia with its reservoir in Southeast Asian bamboo rats. Also, it has been isolated from rats of a region in India. This study was conducted to search for Penicillium marneffei fungus in the soil of Qazvin city from the spring of 2007 to spring of 2008. Samples were taken from different locations of the city and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar after preliminary processing in laboratory. A suspension from colonies suspected of penicillium marneffei species was prepared and injected into peritoneum of rats. Penicillium marneffei fungus was not found in soil of the city however, other fungi including Cladosporium spp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Rhizopus spp., Alternaria spp., Mucor spp., Chrysosporium spp., Acremonium spp., Fusarium spp., Ulocladium spp., Drechselera spp., Scopulariopsis spp., and yeasts were cultured from the soil specimens. No Penicillium marneffei positive cultures were obtained from lung cultures of rats inhabiting the city. Although Penicillium marneffei fungus was not isolated from the city soil yet further researches on other locations of Iran are required to determine the presence or absence of this fungus

[Agents associated with candida vulvovaginitis in women referred to health]

Genital tract infections are among the most common causes of patient referral to obstetric clinics and vulvovagianl candidiaisis is a common complication of women. Nearly 75% of adult women suffer genital yeast infection at least once in their lifetime. To determine the agents associated with candidal infection in patients referred to Qazvin public health centers in 2005. This was an experimental study in which a total of 128 patients with abnormal vaginal discharge, genitalia pruritus, and disparonia were examined using vaginal swab sampling and direct microscopy of smears for candida followed by culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar. The data such as age, method of contraception, erythema of vulva, itching, burning, and white vaginal discharge were collected using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed by means of Chi2 and Fisher exact test. Our results indicated that 39 [30.5%] patients suffered candidal infection by direct smear method, however, 59 [46%] were positive by culture results. Among the vaginal symptoms, erythema of vulva, itching, burning and white vaginal discharge were shown to be significantly associated with vaginal candidiasis [p<0.05]. Candida albicans was the leading [83%] agent among the yeast isolates followed by other species of Candida with lower frequency. Diagnostically, the culture technique is more sensitive than direct smear for detection of vulvovaginal candidiasis