ABSTRACT
Background and Aims: aspergillus fumigatus is a sporadic fungus that causes different infections and allergies in immunocompromised patients. The allergic disease caused by this fungus is called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis [ABPA]. ABPA is considered important in atopic and immunocompromised individuals, which can result in inflammation and epithelial damage. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the T helper [Th] 2 responses in a ABPA murine model by measuring the main cytokines involved in Th2
Materials and Methods: twenty male BALB/c mice were divided into two groups of 10 mice each: control and ABPA group. ABPA was induced by inhalation of A. fumigatus conidia intranasally. Total and specific IgE were measured in the mice sera. Levels of cytokines in broncho alveolar lavage [BAL] of under studied groups were measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay three weeks after the treatment
Results: the obtained results indicated that total and specific IgE increased in the ABPA group [p<0.05]. The levels of Interleukin [IL]-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in brocho alveolar lavage of ABPA group was significantly higher than the control group [p<0.05], whereas interferon-gamma levels did not reveal any significant differences between the studied groups
Conclusions: the findings of the present study confirmed the role of Th2 cytokines in the ABPA reactions. However, more comprehensive studies are necessitated to determine the exact mechanisms of immune responses to ABPA as well as the role of Th1/Th2 responses in control of ABPA reactions. Regulation of Th2 responses could nbe regarded as a potential therapy for ABPA as well
ABSTRACT
Poultry are more susceptible to receiving and spreading of fungal infections in exact conditions. The goal of this study was to identify the normal fungal flora and dermatophytes agent of the combs and wattles of adult native chickens in Tehran, Iran. A total of 150 combs and wattles samples were collected by skin scraping or brushing of the margin of the suspected lesion and skin of organ. The mycological analyses were performed by direct microscopy and culture media. One hundred and ninety fungi were isolated from the combs of 150 native chickens' samples that including non-dermatophytes isolates 165 [86.8%], dermatophytes 6 [3.2%] and yeast 19 [10%]. Among different fungal isolates, Aspergillus was the predominant species. Our results showed that human in contact with poultry, both at the household and the industrial level, have a clear risk factor for exposure to fungal pathogens, especially dermatophytes