Efficacy of 7.5% povidone-iodine and 1% clotrimazole in the treatment of otomycosis – A prospective randomized study

Background: Otomycosis is a common condition of the external auditory canal. Aspergillus species and candida species are common causative agents for otomycosis. Clotrimazole is effective in controlling candida species than Aspergillus species. The povidone-iodine is a routinely used antiseptic solution in surgical care. Aims and Objectives: To assess the efficacy of 7.5% povidone-iodine and 1% clotrimazole in the treatment of otomycosis. Materials and Methods: This prospective randomized study recruited 128 cases of both genders. The study participants were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 received 7.5% povidone-iodine and group 2 received clotrimazole (1%). After removal of otomycotic debris, the study cases were randomly administered with study drugs three drops once a day. All the cases were strictly advised to adhere to the treatment procedure not <2 weeks. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test was used to test the significance of qualitative data by SPSS 16.0. The P < 0.005 was considered as statistically significant. Results: After 14 days treatment, 1% clotrimazole group, showed continuous ear discharge (6.25%), pruritus (3.12%), tinnitus (3.12%), otalgia (1.56%), and deafness (1.56%), which was higher than 7.5% povidone-iodine group. Aspergillus niger (1 case) and Aspergillus flavus (2 cases) isolates were observed in 1% clotrimazole group. Good treatment response after the 5th day was seen in 15.62% and 18.75% cases, after the 9th day in 45.31% and 48.43%, and after the 14th day in 87.5% and 75% in 7.5% povidone-iodine and 1% clotrimazole groups, respectively. Conclusion: The cases treated with 7.5% povidone-iodine were showed comparatively less bacterial and fungal isolates and less clinical signs and symptoms than cases treated with 1% clotrimazole after 2 weeks of treatment follow-up.

Assessment Of Risk Factors And Identification Of Fungal And Bacterial Agents In Otomycosis At Rural Community Attending A Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: Otomycosis is a sub-acute or a chronic superficial fungal infection of the external auditory canal.It is one of the frequently encountered fungal infections of the ear. The prevalence of otomycosis is higher intropical and subtropical climates zones. This study was planned to identify the most common organismsinvolved in otomycosis, clinical features and various predisposing factors of the disease in south India.Materials and Methods: Prospective study on 187 confirmed cases of Otomycosis who attended the ENT OPD. Apredesigned proforma was administered to the participants to know the clinical symptoms, predisposingfactors, sociodemographic details, and comorbid conditions. Clinical findings in both ears were recorded.Results: The majority of the study population (31%) were in the age group of 31-40. Around 47% of the studypopulation had a history of manipulation of the external auditory canal. Around 32 % gave the history of theinstallation of either antibiotic drops or steroid drops into the ear. Around 97% of the study population hadblocked, 83% had pain and 77 % had itching. The discharge was present in 47% of the study population. Femaleprevalence was high and more than 88% was unilateral. Aspergillus species and Candida species were morecommonly present in the fungal culture. Around 88% had a bacterial infection along with fungal growth.Conclusion: the diagnosis of Otomycosis must be considered for all cases of ear discharge for prompt andaccurate treatment and to save time and suffering.

A Case of Cutaneous Aspergillus flavus Infection in a Immunocompetent Patient / 대한의진균학회지

Fungi of Aspergillus genus are widely distributed in nature, particularly in the soil and in decomposing vegetation. They are frequent opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised patients, second only to Candida. The most common agent is A. fumigatus, followed by A. flavus, mainly in invasive disease in immunocompromised patients, and in nasal or paranasal sinus lesions. Cutaneous aspergillosis is a rare condition. There are several factors that predispose to Aspergillus infection: the most frequent are granulocytopenia, haematological disorders, diabetes, the neonatal period, local tissue injury, and any primary or acquired diseases that cause immunosuppression. A 25-year-old male was referred to department of dermatology for his skin lesions on the both axillary areas. The skin lesions showed localized erythematous to brownish scaly patches on the both axillary areas. A KOH mount fungal smear showed fungal hyphae, and Aspergillus species was grown in culture. rDNA ITS sequencing result was also consistent with A. flavus. He was treated with itraconazole 200 mg daily for 4 weeks, and showed a good response. This case is thought to be peculiar in that cutaneous aspergillosis is detected in an immunocompetent host.

A retrospective study of fungal corneal ulcer from the western part of Uttar Pradesh.

Background: Infectious keratitis is a major cause of avoidable blindness worldwide. Fungus is an important aetiological agent of infectious keratitis following corneal trauma with vegetative matter. This infection should be promptly treated to limit the morbidity and dangerous sequelae. The purpose of this study was to detect causative agents from corneal scrapings and to identify the predisposing factors of mycotic keratitis. Methods: Corneal scrapings were taken in full aseptic precautions in total 112 suspected patients for fungal etiology and were subjected to direct examination by 10% KOH mount, gram stain and culture. Results: A total 112 cases of suspected corneal ulcers were subjected to KOH mount to detect fungal elements in corneal scraping and culture to isolate aetiological agents. In our study 29 (25.8%) samples were found positive in KOH mount and fungus was isolated from the all KOH positive samples. Males were more commonly affected and were mostly in the age group of 30-50 years. Fusarium species was the most common fungus isolated followed by Aspergillus species. Conclusion: Mycotic keratitis is a serious problem usually following corneal trauma, it requires rapid detection and identification of fugal agents for treatment to prevent disastrous consequences.

Effect of essential oils on Aspergillus spore germination, growth and mycotoxin production：a potential source of botanical food preservative

Objective: To investigate effect of essential oils on Aspergillus spore germination, growth and mycotoxin production.Method: In vitro antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activity of essential oils was carried out using poisoned food techniques, spore germination assay, agar dilution assay, and aflatoxin arresting assay on toxigenic strains of Aspergillus species.Results: Cymbopogon martinii, Foeniculum vulgare and Trachyspermum ammi (T. ammi) essential oils were tested against toxicogenic isolates of Aspergillus species. T. ammi oil showed highest antifungal activity. Absolute mycelial inhibition was recorded at 1 μl/mL by essential oils of T. ammi. The oil also showed, complete inhibition of spore germination at a concentration of 2 μl/mL. In addition, T. ammi oil showed significant antiaflatoxigenic potency by totally inhibiting aflatoxin production from Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus at 0.5 and 0.75 μl/mL, respectively. Cymbopogon martinii, Foeniculum vulgare and T. ammi oils as antifungal were found superior over synthetic preservative. Moreover, a concentration of 5 336.297 μl/kg body weight was recorded for LC50 on mice indicating the low mammalian toxicity and strengthening its traditional reputations.Conclusions:In conclusion, the essential oils from T. ammi can be a potential source of safe natural food preservative for food commodities contamination by storage fungi.

Effect of essential oils on Aspergillus spore germination, growth and mycotoxin production: a potential source of botanical food preservative

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate effect of essential oils on Aspergillus spore germination, growth and mycotoxin production.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>In vitro antifungal and antiaflatoxigenic activity of essential oils was carried out using poisoned food techniques, spore germination assay, agar dilution assay, and aflatoxin arresting assay on toxigenic strains of Aspergillus species.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cymbopogon martinii, Foeniculum vulgare and Trachyspermum ammi (T. ammi) essential oils were tested against toxicogenic isolates of Aspergillus species. T. ammi oil showed highest antifungal activity. Absolute mycelial inhibition was recorded at 1 µl/mL by essential oils of T. ammi. The oil also showed, complete inhibition of spore germination at a concentration of 2 µl/mL. In addition, T. ammi oil showed significant antiaflatoxigenic potency by totally inhibiting aflatoxin production from Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus at 0.5 and 0.75 µl/mL, respectively. Cymbopogon martinii, Foeniculum vulgare and T. ammi oils as antifungal were found superior over synthetic preservative. Moreover, a concentration of 5 336.297 µl/kg body weight was recorded for LC50 on mice indicating the low mammalian toxicity and strengthening its traditional reputations.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In conclusion, the essential oils from T. ammi can be a potential source of safe natural food preservative for food commodities contamination by storage fungi.</p>

Screening of Locally Isolated Aspergillus species for Their Cellulolytic Potential and Their Optimization on Vigna mungo in Solid State Fermentation.

Aims: To evaluate cellulolytic potential of locally isolated Aspergillus species and emphasis the importance of screening on qualitative bases. Also, to enhance cellulase production by optimizing the process parameters of the solid state fermentation of Vigna mungo with the isolated Aspergillus species. Place and Duration of Study: Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Botany, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan, from February, 2012 to November, 2012. Methodology: Aspergillus species were isolated from different deteriorated plant materials and maintained on potato dextrose agar. The purified isolated species were qualitatively screened on caboxymethylcellulose agar plates. The cellulolytic ability was further tested by culturing Aspergillus species on V. mungo in solid state fermentation. Various nutritional and cultivation parameters were optimized for the production of cellulases by Aspergillus species on V. mungo. Results: Most of the isolated Aspergillus species showed potential for cellulase production. However, A. terreus gave qualitatively, the highest cellulase activity by fermenting V. mungo of 0.566 IU/g while A. niger gave quantitatively, the highest cellulase activity of 0.435 IU/g. Cellulase production by A. terreus reached at its maximum with 0.1% of urea as nitrogen source and 80% of initial moisture level at 35°C after 144 hours of fermentation. Conclusion: A. terreus was identified as highest cellulase producer among the isolated Aspergillus species. The cellulolytic ability of Aspergillus specie greatly depends upon the nutritional and cultivation parameters of fermentation.

Deep fungal infectious in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus:a clinical analysis / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To investigate the infection sites,the offending species,diagnosis and prognosis of deep fungal infections (DFI) in patients with systemic lupus erythcmatosus (SLE).Methods Fifty-one patients with fungal infections in 1466 SLE patients admitted to Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital from 2000 to 2006 were reviewed retrospectively.Results Candida albicans was ranked the first pathogen,followed by ncoformans and Aspergillus species.The infection sites were lungs,cerebral meninges and blood in the order of prevalence.The overall mortality was 20%(10/51).Aspergillasis carried the highest mortality which couht be as high as 80%.Hypoproteinemia,multiple focus of fungal infections,Aspergillasis and fungemia might he the independent risk factor for mortality.Conclusion Candida albicans is the most frequent species of fungal infections in SLE patients.Iungs are the most prevalent location of infection.Earlier diagnosis is important.Special attention should be paid to aspergillasis.

Mycoflora and Mycotoxins of Cereal Grains in Delta, Egypt

Five cereal grains (wheat, barley, rice, maize and sorghum) were collected from three Egyptian provinces known to be grain producers (Daqahlia, Gharbia and Kafer el-Sheikh). Two species of Alternaria (A. raphani and A. tenusinae); two species of Aspergillus (A. flavus and A. niger); one species of Cunninghamella (C. elegans); one Dreschslera species (D. myaki); three Fusarium species (F. graminearum, F. moniliform and F. solani); one Rhizopus species (R. stolonifer) and two species of Penicillium (P. digitatum and P. notatum) were isolated from the grains. The densities of these fungi and their frequencies of occurrence have been investigated. All the fungal isolates were tested for the production of toxic metabolites in culture media and the percentages of toxigenic isolates were calculated. The biological assay of the toxigenic fungal isolates showed significant variations in toxigenic activity. Thin layer chromatography revealed that the most active isolate produces moniliformin in culture media. The effect of culture conditions on the production of moniliformin was studied.