Investigation of Fungi in drinking water resources, as a source of contamination tap water in Sari, Iran

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

[ study of 101 cases of onychomycosis and associate factors in patients referred to Boali Sina Hospital and Toba dermatology outpatient clinics in Sari]

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

[Identification of malassezia species isolated from patients with pityriasis versicolor and seborrhoeic dermatitis by PCR-RFLP]

Lipophilic yeast of the genus Malassezia are members of normal human cutaneous micro flora which are also associated with several skin diseases. It is strongly suspected that Malassezia species are responsible for pityriasis versicolor [PV], and seborrhoeic dermatitis [SD]. Considering various sensitivities among Malassezia species to antifungal, accurate species identification will facilitate the treatment of relevant diseases. Malassezia species can be identified through their morphological features and bio-chemical characteristics. However, these phenotypic methods are usually time consuming, and lack sufficient discriminatory power. Development of DNA- based methods for detection and identification of Malassezia species provide helpful alternatives for solving problems. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of Malassezia species in patients with pityriasis versicolor and seborrhoeic dermatitis, using molecular methods. A total of 63 clinical isolates of Malassezia spp, 30 strains isolated from patients with PV and 33 strains isolated from patients with SD, were studied. To investigate the strains at molecular level, genomic DNA of Malassezia isolates were extracted and amplified within the ITS1 region [located between 18S and 5.8S rDNA] by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay. DNA sequencing of ITS1 of rDNA in Malassezia spp was performed to type the species. Restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP] analysis of ITS1 PCR product with two restrictive enzymes CFOI and BSTF5I, was used in subsequent species identification. In this study, 37 patients with PV [20 females, 17 males; 2 to 64 years old], 81.1% [30 case] yielded growth of Malassezia in culture, while the frequency of isolation of M. globosa was 53.3% [16 case], M .furfur 40% [12 case] and M. sympodialis 6.7% [2 case]. Of the 41 patients with SD [22 females, 19 males; 1 to 52 years old], 80.5% [33 case] yielded growth of Malassezia in culture, while the frequency of M. furfur was 42.4% [14 case], M.globosa 39. 4% [13 case], M. restrict 15.2% [5 case] and M. sympodialis 3% [1 case]. This PCR-RFLP Profile allows us to clearly identify important Malassezia species. The results of the PCR-RFLP analyses of clinical isolates were in complete agreement with those from DNA sequencing, morphological features and bio-chemical characterization. In patients with PV, the most frequently isolated species were M. globosa, followed by M .furfur. However, in patients with SD, the most frequently isolated species were M. furfur, followed by M. globosa. The PCR-RFLP system applied for the ITS1 fragment of the rDNA is a reliable, simple and rapid method for identification of the most important Malassezia species, but further work will be necessary in applying these techniques to additional patients

Airborne fungi in indoor and outdoor of asthmatic patients' home, living in the city of Sari

The aim of this study was identification of fungi in indoor and outdoor of asthmatic patients´ home environment. Opened plates [containing of Malt extract agar media] were used for isolation of fungi in the air of indoor [n=360] and outdoor [n=180] of 90 asthmatic patients? home living in the city of Sari at the level of breathing height. Plates were incubated in room temperature for 7- 14 days. Then grown fungi were identified by standard mycological techniques. A total of 1876 colonies with 31 and 1692 colonies with 27 genera of fungi were identified from indoor and outdoor of asthmatic patients' home respectively. The most common fungi isolated were Cladosporium, Aspergillus and Penicillium. Stachibotyris, Oedocephalum, and Stemphillium showed the least frequencies among the isolated fungi. Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Alternaria as the most common allergenic moulds had the most frequencies in indoor air of the houses of asthmatic patients