ABSTRACT
One of the most prominent concerns for the water consumers is pathogenic microorganism contamination. Wells and underground water resources are the main resources of drinking water in Sari city, Iran. The main objectives of the research project were to explore the distribution and frequency of mycoflora in wells and underground water resources of the city and their contamination effects on humans. Three reservoirs and 18 wells or underground water resources were analyzed. Water samples were then filtered and analyzed according to the World Health Organization guidelines. Each filter and 0.2 ml of suspension inoculated on SDA+CG media. For fungal growth, plates were incubated at 27'C for 7-10 days. The fungi were identified by standard mycological techniques. Fungal colonies were isolated from all samples. From total of 160 fungal colonies isolated from wells water, 14 species of fungi were distinguished. Rhodotorula [54.4%], Monilinia [13.7%], Alternaria [6.9%] were the most commonly isolated. Drechslera, Rhizopus, and Exserohilum [0.6%] had the lowest frequency. There was no significant difference between fungal elements isolated from three major reservoirs [P>0.05]. This study revealed that resources of drinking water from an area have to monitored and if its fungal CFU be greater than a certain value, medical and health preventive measures should be taken before the water is used by human. In this context, public and private awareness should also be provided through the media, broadcasting, teachers and scholars. [Yousefi Z. Aghili S.R., Ebrahimzadeh R. Salmanian B. Investigation of Fungi in drinking water resources, as a source of contamination tap water in Sari, Iran, IJHS 2013; 1[1]: 84-91] http:/jhs.mazums.ac.ir
ABSTRACT
Onychomycosis is a nail fungal infection caused by various species of dermatophytes, yeasts and non-dermatophytic molds and represents about 30% of cutaneous mycotic infections. The goal of this study was to investigate the frequency of onychomycosis and its associated factors in patients referred to Boali Sina Hospital and Toba dermatology outpatient clinics, Sari. In this cross-sectional study, nail specimens were collected from 101 patients suspected of onychomycosis during a 14 month period. Nail specimens were examined by direct microscopy, using potassium hydroxide [KOH] 20%, KOH + CFW, KONCPA [KOH treated nail clipping+PAS] and also culturing on sabouraud's dextrose agar, containing chloramphenicol [SC], and sabouraud's dextrose agar containing cyclohexamide and chloramphenicol [SCC] mediums. In this study, 79 [78%] of patients were female and 22 [22%] were male. Yeasts were isolated in 30% cases of onychomycosis, mainly from fingernails. Candida albicans, and C.krusei was the most prevalent species. Non-dermatophytic filamentous fungi were yielded at 24%, especially from toenails, with Aspergillus terreus being the most prevalent species. Dermatophytes were found in 7% of the samples, especially from toenails. Trichophyton mentagrophytes was the predominant species. Unknown filamentous fungi were identified in 19% of samples, while mixed infections were identified in 20% of samples. The highest prevalence rate of onychomycosis was identified in the patients within the 30 to 49 years of age group. Distal and lateral subfungual onychomycosis [DLSO] was the most prevalent clinical types with [88%], followed by WSO [5%], PSO [5%], TDO [1%] and DLSO + PSO [1%]. The results of our study showed that onychomycosis is one of the most prevalent infections in patients who are suffering from nail disorders. Yeast and yeast like organisms cause these infections more than other fungus in this region. Women are more infected, as they are in daily contact with detergents and moisture