[Evaluation of anti-Candida properties of cationic peptides derived from Rana ridibunda skin]

Background: Antimicrobial peptides with relative length [2-100 amino acids] and positive charge [pure charge [+9]-[+2]] are amphiphilic that isolated from a wide range of animals. Recently, these peptides have been known as a part of innate immune response. Nowadays, more than 500 antimicrobial peptides from animals have been reported

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-Candida effects of cationic peptides derived from Rana ridibunda skin

Methods: In this study, using alcohol-acid technique, peptides of frog's skin were isolated and purified by Sep-Pack and Sephadex column. Then the anti-Candida activity [Fluconazole Resistance C. albicans, Fluconazole Sensitive C. albicans, and C. glabrata] of the peptides in different concentrations were evaluated

Results: Regarding to statistical analysis, peptides in concentration ranging from 25 to 100 micro g/ml had the most anti-Candida activities. In respect to different understudy Candida species, these agents had the less effect on the Fluconazole Resistance C. albicans [p<0.05]

Conclusions: The anti-Candida effects of cationic peptide obtained from frog skin are approved in this study

Fungal flora isolated from the skin of healthy dromedary camels [Camel us dromedarius]

Hair samples from 58 healthy camels were examined for the presence of saprophytic fungi. One -hundred and seventy-four samples were obtained from three different locations of dromedary camel's body. Several fungal specific media were used for isolating and identifying the saprophytes. Fungal isolates belonged to 15 genera. The most common in order of frequency were members of the genera Aspergillus [48% of the total examined camels], Penicillium [16.1%], Mucor [14.2%], Alternaria alternata [5.6%], Rhizopus [3.1%], Chrysosporium [2.7%], Acremonium [1.1%], Scoupolariopsis [1%], Cladosporium [0.8%], Fusarium, Psuedallescheria boydii and Stachybotrys atra [0.2%]. The highest frequently yeasts isolated were related to Candida species [6%], followed by Geotrichum candidum [0.6%] and Malassezia species [0.2%]. Skin infections caused by any of the contaminants were not encountered. The study demonstrates that Aspergillus, Penicillium and Mucor species were the common components of healthy camel skin mycoflora, and that camel hair analyzed in this study was free from true dermatophyte

comparative study of digestive tract mycoflora of broilers with layers

Fungal agents, especially yeasts, are resident in digestive system as microflora and they can invade the mucosal tract in animals with predisposing factors. The prevalence of the resident fungal flora in the digestive tract of healthy broilers and layers during April to September 2008 was investigated. The samples were taken from the preventriculus, jejunum and cecum contents of 120 birds and cultured on Sabouraud glucose agar. Both filamentous fungus and yeasts were isolated and a predominance of the Candida species was found, followed by Trichosporon beigelii, Geotrichum candidum, Rhodotorula rubra and Saccharomyces cerevisiae species, which were found in 84.6%, 5.5%, 4.6%, 3.3% and 0.5% of cultures, respectively. Among the yeast isolates, Candida albicans [45.8%] was the most prevalent fungal agent, representing a significant proportion when compared to the other fungal isolates [P<0.05]. The frequency of the yeast in the layers' digestive tract was significantly higher than that found in the broilers [P<0.05]. Mycological examination revealed the highest numbers of yeasts in the cecum and lower numbers in the jejunum and preventriculus in two breeds

Effects of Zataria multiflora and Geranium pelargonium essential oils on growth-inhibiting of some toxigenic fungi

The effects of two Iranian medicinal plants including Zataria multiflora and Geranium pelargonium were evaluated on growth-inhibiting of some toxigenic fungi such as Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus, A. ochraceus and Fusarium verticillioides. In this study, standard Z. multiflora and G. pelargonium essential oils [EOs] were diluted in 0.01% dimethyl sulfoxide. Different dilutions of Z. multiflora [500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 ppm] and G. pelargonium EOs [1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 ppm] along with 0.1 ml of each fungal suspension were inoculated onto sabouraud glucose agar and incubated at 25 [degree sign] C for 7 days. Zataria multiflora [>/= 2000 ppm] and G. pelargonium [>/= 8000 ppm] EOs completely inhibited all the tested fungi. Aspergillus species were more susceptible than F. verticillioides to two EOs. The EOs considerably exhibited inhibitory effects against these important toxigenic fungi and their different concentrations demonstrated various degrees of growth inhibition. This study showed inhibitory effects of Z. multiflora and G. pelargonium EOs against some toxigenic fungi including A. flavus, A. parasiticus, A. ochraceus and F. verticillioides

[Evaluation of epidemiological, clinical and laboratory findings of admitted patients with meningitis in infectious diseases ward of Razi hospital, Ahvaz]

Familiarity with the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory features of bacterial meningitis [BM] is important for rapid diagnosis and initiation of antibacterial therapy. This study aimed at evaluating these patients based on their epidemiological, clinical and laboratory findings and comparing these variables with patients with aseptic meningitis [ASM]. Admitted patients aged 18 years or more who were hospitalized because of meningitis, were studied between 2003 and 2007. Cases were grouped as BM and ASM and compared for their epidemiological, clinical and cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] laboratory aspects. Among 312 patients with meningitis, 215 [68.9%] had BM [42 definite, 156 probable and 17 partially treated] and 97 [31.1.%] had ASM. The mean age of patients with BM was 44.7 +/- 26.7 years and for ASM was 37.3 +/- 15.5 years [P>0.05]. Twelve percent of cases had triad of fever, neck stiffness and low level of consciousness. The means for CSF-WBC, CSF- glucose and CSF-protein in BM compared with ASM patients were 4021.6 +/- 1035.2 and 163.2 +/- 116.4 cell/microl of CSF; 27.5 +/- 17.3 and 68.7 +/- 16.lmg/dl and 689.8 +/- 476.8 and 132.6 +/- 107.7mg/dl, respectively [P<0.05]. The prevalence of BM was higher than that of ASM. Tuberculous meningitis had a considerable frequency among ASM patients. Confirmed BM based on CSF culture was lower than other studies. The number of performed LP procedures was not in accordance with the total meningitis cases. Similarly, WBC and glucose in CSF were helpful in differential diagnosis of BM vs. ASM

Common environmental allergenic fungi causing respiratory allergy in North of Iran

The aim of this study was to isolate and identify airborne fungi from locations in Babol city, Babolkenar forest and a beach on the Caspian Sea [all in North part of Iran] in spring and summer. Of 126 samples collected, the most clinically important isolated fungi were Mucor spp. [18.6%] in the forest, Alternaria spp. [13.4%] at the beach; and Cladophialophora spp. [15.8%], Mucor spp. [11.7%] and Alternaria spp. [10.6%] in the urban areas. Non-sporulating fungal isolates were grouped in Mycelia sterilia. The concentration of air spora in the forest location was significantly greater than the other locations [p<0.05]. In this study, the highest quantities of isolated fungi were found in the summer. The results showed that Alternaria spp., Clodophialophora spp. and Mucor spp. were the most predominant fungi isolated in the different locations. Since some allergenic fungi have been shown to play a role in the appearance of clinical signs in allergic conditions, the results of this study can be used by physicians and veterinarians for the diagnosis and treatment of allergies

Mycological and histopathological findings of experimental disseminated candidiasis in dogs

Disseminated candidiasis is an opportunistic infection in immunosuppressed animals by Candida species. The purposes of this study were to determine the predominant candidal forms in different tissues and tissue reactions. Sixteen dogs were selected in this study. The treatment dogs were immunosuppressed by intravenous administration of cyclophosphamide and after 5 days, they were challenged with 1 _ 10[5] blastospores of C. albicans by intravenous injection. Both mycological and histopathological examinations were performed for detection of Candida in various tissues. The results showed that the highest counts of C. albicans were recovered from the lungs, followed by the kidneys, heart and liver on day 2 after challenge. The presence of yeast mixed with hyphal forms of C. albicans was confirmed in all tissues. In most tissues, the yeast cells of Candida were predominant, whereas hyphal forms, particularly true hyphae, were mostly found in the brain and eyes

[ comparative study of mycoflora of Iranian and imported soybeans]

The natural occurrence of fungal contamination was evaluated in stored soybeans in different agro-ecological zones. Of 30 samples examined, fungal contaminations were positive in 25.9 percent and 74.1 percent of Iranian and imported soybeans [p<0.05]. The total fungal CFU/g counts were calculated 6.3 * 10[2] in Iranian and 18 * 10[2] in imported samples. The most frequent isolated fungi from soybeans originated from Iran and imported were Aspergillus spp. [59.7, 58.6 percent], Penicillium spp. [26.8, 27.3 percent], and Fusarium spp. [13.5, 14 percent], respectively. Soybeans with a high incidence of diverse species of fungi to need for proper surveillance and monitoring for the prevention of fungal and mycotoxin contaminations

Presentation of dermatophyte lesions on different sites of adult cattle

Seventy cattle suspected to dermatophytosis were examined between March and April 2003. The samples were taken from different lesions by scraping method. Direct microscopic examination and culture were carried out. The mean of infection duration was 2 weeks. Forty-three cases were appeared with positive clinical signs of dermatophytosis and 27 cases were asymptomatic. The etiologic agent of the infection was only Trichophyton verrucosum. A significant relation was observed between the frequency of head and neck lesions and other sites. There was a significant difference between the frequency of head lesions and other sites. Since human dermatophyte infections due to Trichophyton verrucosum have been reported repeatedly in Iran, it is necessary to design a preventive program such as developing an effective vaccine against dermatophytosis into the future

unusual case of nasal mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus oryzae in a German shepherd dog

This study represents an unusual case of mucormycosis localized in nasal cavity of a German shepherd dog. The patient was a 1-year-old male guard dog with unilateral nasal epistaxis, mucopurulent nasal discharge, sneezing and nose pawing. The dog had a history of head trauma about 2 months before admission, which was associated with mild self-limited epistaxis. Initial nasal rhinoscopy showed severe turbinate destruction. The samples of nasal discharge were collected by nasal flush technique and submitted to the Central Laboratory of School of Veterinary Medicine in Tehran for routine cytological, mycological and bacteriological examinations. Direct microscopic examination with 10% KOH/DMSO wet mount revealed the fragments of non-septate hyphae. The fungus was recovered in culture and identified as Rhizopus oryzae. This case showed that the veterinary practitioners should be aware of the possibility of localized nasal mucormycosis when examining dogs with chronic nasal discharge

Evaluation of the effects of Zataria multiflora, Geranium elargonium, Myrth and Lemon essences on immune system function in experimental animals

The effects of some Iranian herbal essences have been evaluated on the function of immune system using experimental animals. Rabbits received Zataria multiflora, Geranium pelargonium, Myrth, Lemon essences and normal saline [control group], 6 times with 6 days of interval. Five days after the last injection of the essences, Candida albicans antigens were injected into all the animals. Phagocytosis and killing assays and lymphocyte transformation test [LTT] were carried out on blood samples. The cellular immunity was significantly stimulated against C. albicans antigens and Con-canavalin A [Con-A] mitogen in animals that injected subcutaneously with Z. multiflora and G. pelargonium in comparison with the control group, whereas Myrth essence had no considerable effect and Lemon essence suppressed the cellular responses. Zataria multiflora, Myrth and Lemon essences stimulated innate immunity when injected subcutaneously, whereas G. pelargonium essence had no significant effect. Humoral responses to Candida antigens were significantly decreased in animals injected with Lemon essence as compared to other essences [p < 0.05]

Identification of Isolated fungi from different lesions of birds with aspergillosis referred to mycology research center, faculty of veterinary medicine, university of Tehran [1991-2003]

In this study, the samples of 263 birds suspected to Aspergillosis were examined by direct microscopy, culture and histopathological methods. Of 263 affected birds, 185[85.3%], 23[79.3%], and 12[70.6%]were infected to pulmonary, ocular, and skin Aspergillosis, respectively. The most frequent aspergillus species were A.fumigatus[70.4%], and then A.flavus[22.7%], A.niger[3.6%], A.terreus[2.3%], and A.ustus[0.9%]. Chickens were the most affected birds[85%]. Aspergillus flavus was the most frequent pathogenic isolate in canary[61.5%]. Young birds were most involved with pulmonary lesions[96.1%], whereas the ocular and skin lesions were mainly observed in adults. Regarding to high prevalence of different Aspergillus species in the environment and contaminated feedstuffs, it should be considered to plan a program to prevent the growth of these pathogens in breeding poultry

[Isolation of toxigenic and nontoxigenic fungi from feedstuffs referred to the center of mycology]

Objective: identification of toxigenic and nontoxigenic fungi agents isolated from feedstuffs, understudy

Design: laboratory study

Samples: nineteen different samples of feedstuffs such as corn, oat, and silage, concentrated feed fat powder etc

Procedure: after processing of the samples, they were cultured [using inoculation and streak culture methods] on sabouraud glucose agar containing chloramphenicol, potato glucose agar, czapek-dox agar and rosebangal agar media under standard laboratory technical conditions

Statistical analysis: chi-square and t-test. Results: The most frequent isolated fungi were: Aspergillus [63/2%], Penicillium [36/8%], Mucor [3 116%] and Cladosporium [26/3%], respectively. According to the colony counts, Fusarium colonies were the most abundantly isolated from silage and concentrated Feeds [l18 colonies].Among the isolated Aspergillus species, A. fumigatus [l8.5%], A. Jms [35.9%], A.niger [25.9%] and A. sPP [29.6%] were identified. There was a significant difference between Aspergillus and the other fungi. These differences were significant, respect to suspected toxigenic and nontoxigenic species, as well. It means that toxigenic species were isolated more significantly than nontoxigenic agents

Conclusion: with attention to presence of toxigenic fungi on the feeds, it should be considered to plan a program for identifying fungi [spacial1y toxigenic fungi ] in different feedstuffs .After this step, in order to hygienic control of fungi on feeds, it is necessary to design some programs into the future