[ effects of formaldehyde among medical students in anatomy dissection laboratory of Shiraz school of medicine]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of formaldehyde vapor on eyes, nose and skin and pulmonary function of medical students, as well as, indoor concentration of formaldehyde [FA] vapor in dissection laboratory. One hundred sixty five [165] medical students were selected randomly. Students were excluded if they had had history of smoking, or any condition likely to have an effect on the results of this study. All students were exposed to formaldehyde at least one hour per week for 10 weeks. To evaluate irritation of eyes, nose and skin, pulmonary function and indoor concentration of FA vapor in anatomy laboratory we used questioner, spirometry and NIOSH 3500 method [National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health], respectively. Following exposure to FA, irritation of skin, eyes and specially nose [75.8%] were increased significantly [P

[In vitro susceptibility of Fluconazole, Clotrimazole and Toucrium Polium smoke product on Candida isolates of vaginal candidiasis]

It has been estimated that up to 75% of women in their child-bearing age have been affected by vulvovaginal candidiasis at least once in their life time. Almost 45% of women experience this infection two or more times. The antifungal azole group, in topical and oral forms, is the common way of therapy. Herbal products are often used for vulvovaginal therapy. Nowadays, Toucrium polium [TP] products are being used as traditional medicine to reduce signs of Candida vaginitis. There is no study regarding to antifungal activity of TP smoke product in Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the In vitro activity of TP smoke product against Candida, isolated from women with Candida vaginitis, compared with antifungal drugs which are ordinary used to cure Candida vaginitis. The present study was conducted at the University of Medical Sciences of Shiraz in 1387 [2008]. During seven months, samples were taken from 450 patients suffering from urogenital infections and 105 Candida vaginitis were detected. Germ tube test was used for identification of fungal species. TP smoke product was prepared in suitable potency. Antifungal activity of fluconazole, clotrimazole and TP product were evaluated by disk diffusion method. Sterile blank disks were loaded by TP smoke product in potency of 10-240 microliter/disk. Inhibition zone around the disks were measured and compared with each other. 105 Candida species were isolated from the patients. Candida species were identified by germ tube test as Candida albicans 74 [70.5%] and Candida non-albicans 31[29.5%].The mean of inhibition zone around the clotrimazole disks was 22 +/- 5.39 along with one case of resistance. Forty seven species had resistance to fluconazole while 94% and 55.2% of all samples were sensitive to clotrimazole and fluconazole respectively. All of the clinical isolates and standard Candida species were sensitive to TP smoke product. Considering the resistance of Candida species to antifungal drugs and good antifungal activity of TP smoke product, it is necessary to analyze the main compounds and chemical contents of TP extract for better evaluation of its antifungal activity

Mycoflora of human external auditory canal in Shiraz, southern Iran

Otomycosis is a superficial mycotic infection of the outer ear canal caused by many saprophytic fungi that could be considered as causative agents. Detection of the fungal agents in the external auditory canal could be valuable to determine the potential risk of otomycosis. The aim of this study was to identify the mycoflora of the human auditory canal in healthy individuals in Shiraz, southern Iran. During three months, a total of 486 ear samples of 243 healthy individuals [100 females and 143 males] were randomly collected by sterile swabs and cultivated on Mycosel and Sabouraud dextrose agar supplemented with antibiotics. Fungal isolates were identified using conventional methods and chromogenic media. Ten point twenty eight percent of the individuals were positive for ear fungal infections. Fungal species belonged to eight genera including Penicillium, Cladosporium, Candida, Aspergillus, Alternaria, Rodotorula, Exophiala and Dematiaceous fungi. In this study, Aspergillus niger, the major cause of otomycosis, was not isolated. Our findings suggest that the normal fungal otic infections in the presence of predisposing factors could be a potential cause for otomycosis

Asyptomatic fungal cyst of conjunctiva caused by bipolaris spicifera

An asymptomatic fungal cyst of a conjunctival infection was found and removed by biopsy in a young shepherdess. Histopathologic evaluations of the excised tissue specimen from the lesion of the conjunctiva demonstrated an epithelium lined cavity containing a tangled mycelial mass that was surrounded by inflammatory cells and the fungus was identified as Bipolaris spicifera. It is concluded that asymptomatic conjunctival infections by fungi may occur without a having previous history of trauma or having any signs of inflammation

[Prevalence and identification of etiological agents of funguria in foley catheterized patients]

Background: Nosocomial infections are a group of infectious diseases acquired during hospitalization. Catheter-associated urinary tract infection is the most common nosocomial disease in catheterized patients. The first sign of this infection is symptomatic or asymptomatic bacteriuria or funguria. The aim of this study was to determine the point prevalence of funguria and urinary tract infection as well as their etiological agents in foley catheter users

Patients and Methods: Over a seven- month period, a total of 509 urine samples from 101 catheterized patients at Shariati Hospital, Tehran, were collected. Uncentrifuged urine samples were used for colony count. Culture, direct examination and leucocyte count were done on urine sediments. Identification of etiological agents was performed by conventional methods and API 20C-Aux commercial system

Results: Bacteriuria, funguria and mixed infections were observed in 33.7 percent [34 cases], 11.9 percent [12 cases] and 16.8 percent [17 cases] of the cases, respectively. The prevalence rate of funguria was 21.27 percent for males and 35.1 percent for females. The etiological agents were: Candida albicans [24 cases], Candida glabrata [4 cases] and Cryptococcus laurentii [1 case]. The highest number of colony forming units in 1 milliliter of the urine was 185000. None of the patients showed signs of urinary tract infection. Nine patients developed funguria after replacement of the catheter

Conclusion: The presence of yeasts in the urine should not be considered as a sign of urinary tract infection, particulary in the presence of foley catheters, however, it may increase the risk of urinary tract infection