Drug susceptibility of aAspergillus flavus and A.fumigatus to itraconazole and amphotericin B

Aspergillosis is the most current causative agent of exogenous fungal nosocomial infection. This study was done to evaluate the drug susceptibility of Aspergillus flavus and A.fumigatus to itraconazole and amphotericin B. This Laboratory study was done on 25 Aspergillus fumigatus and 25 Aspergillus flavus species isolated from transplant's patients. Drug susceptibility test was done according to NCCLS M38-P document. Fungal suspensions of mentioned fungi were supplied with ranges 0.5-5x10[4] by spectrophotometer at 530 nm. Serial dilutions of drugs were supplied from 0.03125 to 16 microg/ml and MICs determined following 48h incubation at 35C. Obtained MICs ranges for Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus were 1-4 microg/ml and 0.5-4 micro g/ml for itraconazole, respectively while MICs ranges against Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus were 0.5-2 micro g/ml and 0.25-2 microg/ml for amphotericin B, respectively. Amphotericin B MICs were significantly lower than itraconazole [P<0.05]. Aspergillus flavus and A.fumigatus were susceptible to amphotericin B and itraconazole

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

[Developmental changes in Endothelin-1 and Endothelin type A receptor expression in the lungs of chickens [Broiler versus layer]]

BACKGROUND: Broilers lung mechanisms that regulate endothelin [ET] in the lung are complex and poorly understood

OBJECTIVES: METHODS: In this experiment lung ET-1 mRNA levels and lung mRNA expression for the ET[A] receptors were determined in lung tissue weekly [term = 42 days, intervals = 7 days] Serum endothelin concentration was also measured at these ages

RESULTS:The study showed that expression of endothelin in lungs of layers and broilers was similar during the first three weeks and the overall trend of ET-1 expression was increasing. However, there was a significant increase of ET-1 expression which started from the fourth week and gradually increased until the end of the commercial life of the chicken [day 42]. ET-A expression in the lungs of broilers was significantly higher than layers during the last three weeks of life. Overall, trends of serum ET-1 concentration increased in both layers and broilers, but serum ET-1 concentration in broilers was significantly higher than layers

CONCLUSIONS: The higher level of serum Endothelin and expression of ET-1 and ETAin broiler lungs may explain the higher sensitivity of broilers to the vasoconstrictions activity of endothelin and the higher sensitivity of these animals to pulmonary hypertension [PH]

Effects of different concentrations of soluble non-statch polysaccharides in diet, on morpholigical characteristics of the small intestine and performance of broiler chickens

In this study, 480 on-day-old Arbor broiler chicks were used in a 2 [asterisk] 3 factorial arrangement with 2 levels of hull-less barley [0.30%] and 3 levels of enzyme [0.300 and 600 g/ton], to investigate the effect of diets containing high soluble non-starch polysaccharides [NSPs] concentrations on morphological characteristics of small intestine and performance of broilers. Increasing in concentration of soluble NSPs significantly decreased feed intake and body weight gains of broilers, [p<0.05] height and width of villi and tongue shaped villi percentage but increased other types of villi and crypt depth in small intestine [p<0.01], Enzyme supplementation of diets had no significant effects on studied traits, results show increase in the concentration of soluble NSPs of diet causes negative effects on morphological characteristics of small intestine in broiler chicks. Therefore, it could reduce absorption surface in digestive tract, and consequently decrease broiler performance

Effect of various levels of probiotic on morphology of intestinal mucosa in brioler chicks

To Investigate the effect of probiotic on morphology of small intestine in roosters. Factoriel 4 x 6 in completely randomized design. 240 male broilers of Ross commecial hybrid designated into 4 groups [N= 60 chicks]. Experimental groups were fed diet with different levels of probiotic [Bioplus 2B] from day 1-42.Treatment were done with just diet [basal or 0%] and with increasing percentages of probiotic [0.05, 0.01 and 0.15%].Different segments of small intestine [1,10, 30,50, 70 and 90% of total length] were extracted from each group [n=5] and analyzed for villus indices [hight [H], width [W], H/W ratio], depth of cripts and villus types [tongue shape, leaf shape, finger like, bridge from, ridged and convoluted] were recorded. Data were analyzed through ANOVA by MSTATC and means of different villus parameters were compared by Duncans Multiple test. While intake of varius levels of probiotic significantly increased villus height in the first part of small intestine above basal levels [P<0.05], its width had any change. H/W ratio was not affected by the probiotic intake. Despite an apparent increase of crypt depth in the first and last segments of small intestine [P<0.05] probiotic intake did not change it in the mid portion of the intestine. Percentage of different types of villi were not affected by consumption of probiotic. Administration of probiotic in poultry diets increases villus height of the first segment and crypt depth in the first and last parts of small intestine. These data suggest that probiotic administration providing increased food digestion and absorption in chickens

[Comparative studies of the electrocardiographic parameters, mean electrical axes [MEA] and cardiac index[RV/TV]in two groups of normal and experimentally ascitic broilers [using cold stress as a model]]

To evaluate the electrocardigraphic changes in the experimentally induced ascitis in broiler chickens using cold stress as a model. Experimental study.A total of 300 day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickes.Chickenswere randomly divided into two equal groups, [control and test], chicks were reared for six weeks. Gradually Temperature was gradually decreased in the test group to 30% of the standard program from 2 nd week of the rearing period. At the end of each week, 5 chicks from each group were selected and electrocardiographic recordings were performed. Also after autopsy right ventricle / total ventricular weight was measured and recorded. t- student Test and Bivariate correlation. There were significant elevation of the S wave amplitudes in 4th week [leads II, III, aVR]and 6th week [lead III] .S wave had a significant correlation with RV/TV in 4th week[lead II] and 5th week [leadsII, aVF] in the test group, too. There were also significant increase in the T wave amplitudes in 4[th] and 5[th] weeks [leadsII, aVF]and 6[th] week[leads aVF, aVR] in the test group.In this study, R waves did not show a significant variation with the exception of 4[th] week[lead II]. There were an elevation of MEA in test groups [with a right-cranial direction] but it just was significant in 4th week compared with control group. Electrocardiograms can be used effectively to evaluate the development of ascites syndrome in broiler chickens. The increase in the amplitude of S and T waves could be considered as the sign of ventricular hypertrophy in ascites syndrome resulted from cold condition

[ effects of T3-induced ascites [by T3-supplementation of the diet] on changes in the viscera weight and intestinal density of broiler chickens]

Objective: To study the changes in the viscera weight and intestinal density of broiler chickens in response to T3-induced ascites, caused by T3-supplementation of the diet

Design: Experimental study

Animals: One hundred and fifty, day old, male Ross broiler chicks

Treatment: Triiodothyronine [T3]

Procedure: The chickens were randomly divided into two equal groups [Control and T3-treated]. Diet of T3-treated group was supplemented with 1.5 ppm T3 for five weeks. At the end of each week five chicks from either group [ten chicks in total] were separated, and sacrificed. After exsanguinations and opening the thoracic and abdominal cavities ,the hearts and visceras were removed. The weight of right ventricle [RV] and total ventricles [TVs] of the heart were measured. The weight of viscera and weight and length of the intestines were also determined

Statistical analysis: T-test

Results: In T3-treated group, RV/TVs significantly increased at the end of the 3th, 4th, and 5th week, but the viscera weight was significantly decreased at the same time. The intestinal lengths were significantly reduced at the end of the 2nd, 4th, and 5th week, in response to T3 supplementation of the diet, but the reduction of intestinal weight and density were significant at the end of the 3th week

Conclusion: According to the results of this study the increases in RV/TVs and the decreases in viscera weight and intestinal length seem to be related to T3-induced ascites. The reductions in intestinal weight and density seen at the end of 3th week did not last for the following two weeks. This might indicates a transient reduction in thickness of the intestinal wall at the end of the 3" week and a direct proliferative effect of T3 on the intestinal crypt cells during the 4th and 5th weeks