Efficacy of ultraviolet radiation on drug susceptibility of Candida Spp. to itraconazole, fluconazole and amphotericin B

Ultraviolet [UV] radiation is an important disinfectant. Fungal infections with resistant isolates in patients culminate in recurrence of disease even with worse condition. This study was done to evaluate the efficacy of ultraviolet radiation on drug susceptibility of Candida Spp. To itraconazole, fluconazole and amphotericin B. This laboratory study was done on 12 Candida spp. isolated from patients according to NCCLS M27- A method. Samples were suspended with sterile saline and optical density was read by spectrophotometer at the wavelength of 530 nm. Serial dilutions [0.0313-16 microg/ml] and [0.0313-128 microg/ml] were supplied for itraconazole, amphotericin and fluconazole, respectively. MICs were determined after 48h incubation at 35°C. Following UV radiation for 1, 2, 5, 10, 60, 90 and 120 seconds MICs were determined, subsequently. The highest MIC pre UV radiation was [>128 microg/ml] for fluconazole. After UV radiation, MICs were steadily decreased for all mentioned drugs while after 10 sec, MICs of itraconazole and amphotericin B were >0.0313 microg/ml. Secondary MICs significantly decreased with respect to MICs obtained in pre UV radiation [P<0.05]. UV radiation reduces MICs of Candida spp. to itraconazole, fluconazole, amphotericin B

Antifungal activity of commercial disinfectants: formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, microten, alcohol 70 and savlonalcohol on isolated saprophytic fungi from hospital environments

Nosocomial infections are one of main causative agents of mortality among hospital patients. This study was done for the determination of efficacy of commercial disinfectants such as: formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, microten, the alcohol 70 and savlonalcohol on isolated saprophytic fungi from hospital environments. This descriptive study was done on 33 isolated fungi from teaching hospitals of Tehran during 2009-10. The identified samples were randomly chosen. Stock fungal suspensions were supplied from each fungus with cells ranging 0.5-5_10[4] microg/cfu in 1ml with spectrophotometer at the wavelength of 530 nm. For evaluation of antifungal activity of commercial disinfectants formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, microten, alcohol 70 and savlon-alcohol disinfectants, 0.25cc stock solutions were mixed with 3.75 cc disinfectants solutions and the new diluted samples held at 25c for 15, 30 and 60 min. The culture medium was checked for growth of fungi until 8 weeks. Following specific period isolated fungi were including Aspergillus spp with 39.4%, Penicillium spp with 36.4%, Fusarium spp with 12.1%, Rhizopus with 6.1%, Alternaria and Circinella with 3%. Formaldehyde 8% and glutaraldehyde 8% with activity against 63.6% and 39.3% were effective disinfectants at 15 min. Formaldehyde 8% with activity against 74.8% of fungi, was effective disinfectant at 30 min. Glutaraldehyde 8% and formaldehyde 8% with 100% prevention of growth were effective disinfectants at 60 min. According to this study formaldehyde 8% and glutaraldehyde 8% showed to have the highest antifungal activities. Synergetic fungicidal activity of comenercial disinfectants, dependent on time and concentration

Evaluation of Juglans regia pericarp on antifungal susceptibility with broth dilution method

Antifungal property of Juglans regia has not been proved yet, therefore, the present study we designed to examine the effect of Juglans regia pericarp on the growth of different fungi, particularly dermatophytes. The extract has been prepared by methanol solution using percolation method according to NCCLS protocol. Then, the fractions have been examined on fungi inoculums. For MBC estimation, it has been cultured on PDA medium. Juglans regia extract completely prevented growth of Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes in fraction of 120 mg/ml, Microsporum canis in fraction of 450 mg/ml, and Candida albicans in fraction of 337 mg/ml, meanwhile, it reduced colony growth of Aspergillus niger compared with the control. We have demonstrated that the growth of three dermatophyes and Candida albicans was completely inhibited by Juglans regia pericarp extract

[ vitro evaluation of the susceptibility of dermatophytic and saprophytic fungi to Pistacia vera's pericarp extract]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Pistacia vera's pericarp extract on some common dermatophytic and saprophytic fungi of Iran and identifying its probable role to be used instead of chemical drugs. After collecting pericarp of Pistacia vera, drying and making it powder, extracts were obtained by using Percolation method with methanol and n-Hexan. To evaluate the anti-fungal activity of the extract, different dilutions of the extract [30-600 mg/ml] were prepared and tested against each fungus and Minimum Inhibition Concentration [MIC] was measured via disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. The tested fungi were three types of dermatophytes [Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, Epidermophyton floccosum] and two types of saprophytes [Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans]. The results showed that n-Hexan extract in disc diffusion method has no significant effect on the fungi, but it could inhibit Epidermophyton floccosum growth in 337mg/ml dilution and Microsporum canis growth in 450mg/ml dilution. For methanolic extract in broth dilution method, 60mg/ml was inhibitor for Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes and 240mg/ml dilution for Microsporum canis growth. In disc diffusion method we had 17 millimeter inhibitory zone around the pure extract in Trichophyton mentagrophytes. This extract had no anti-fungal effect against Aspergillus niger, but inhibited the growth of Candida albicans in 120mg/ml dilution and also calculated MBC for Candida albicans was 600mg/ml. Our research showed Pistacia vera's pericarp extract has different anti-fungal effects on experimented fungi