Regulation of ERG3, ERG6, and ERG11 genes in antifungal-resistant isolates of candida parapsilosis

Background: Candida parapsilosis is one of the five common strains of yeasts involved in invasive candidiasis. The expression analysis of sterol biosynthesis pathway genes, which are associated with resistance, can assist the better understanding of antifungal resistance mechanisms

Methods: The antifungal susceptibility of 120 clinical C. parapsilosis isolates was examined. The changes in the gene expression related to resistance were analyzed

Results: Eight strains were resistant to fluconazole [FLC], itraconazole [ITC], and amphotericin B [AMB]. The regulation variations included increased mRNA levels of ERG3, ERG6, and ERG11 and decreased mRNA levels of ERG3 and ERG6 in response to FLC. ERG11 mRNA level increases in response to ITC and AMB

Conclusion: The mechanism of resistance to azoles in C. parapsilosis is very similar to C. Albicans. This feature may help to design new treatment strategy for candidiasis

In vitro susceptibility of aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic aspergillus flavus strains to conventional antifungal agents

Presently appearance of resistance to antifungal agents among Aspergillus species is dramatically increasing. The objective of this study was to look at the in vitro activities of antifungal drugs against Iranian clinical [from nail, bronchoalveolar lavage, paranasal sinus] isolated A. flavus strains. The susceptibility of 45 aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains were evaluated to six antifungal agents [caspofungin, itraconazole, amphotericin B, ketoconazole, fluconazole, nystatin] using CLSI M38-A2 broth microdilution method. The results indicated that 57.1%, 28.6% of aflatoxigenic and 25.8%, 6.5% of nonaflatoxigenic isolates were susceptible to caspofungin, amphotericin B respectively. All isolates but one aflatoxigenic strain were sensitive to ketoconazole. All 45 strains showed to be resistant to nystatin. Also 64.28%, 92.9% of aflatoxigenic and 64.51%, 100% of non-aflatoxigenic isolates were resistant to fluconazole and itraconazole in ranking order. There was no statistically significant difference between the susceptibilities of aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic strains of A. flavus to tested antifungal agents

puzzle of the false positive reaction in Cr neoformans'es capsular antigen slide latex agglutination test by sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Different examination have shown that rheumatoid factor is not responsible for false positive reaction [F.P.R.] in Cr. Neoformanse's free capsular antigen latex agglutination test, whereas high levels of iron in sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis as well as other sera was responsible not only for this F.P.R., but also had an important role in the production of F.P.R. in many slide latex agglutination tests. This is because of Iron's Ion reaction with reagent's preservative: sodium azid and/or negative charge of the antigens fixed to the latex particles

Sporotrichosis in Iran: first report of isolation of sporothrix schenkii from clinical material

The isolation of Sporothrix Schenckii in Iran is reported from the arm lesions of a housewife for the first time. The identity of the fungus was based on its gross and microscopic cultural morphology including demonstration of its dimorphic character