Use of single-enzyme PCR-restriction digestion barcode targeting the internal transcribed spacers [ITs rDNA] to identify dermatophyte species

Dermatophytes are the most common causative agents of superficial mycoses. Species identification of these fungi is important from therapeutic and epidemiological point of wive. Traditional approaches for identification of dermatophytes at the species level, relying on macroscopic and microscopic features of the colonies, usually are time-consuming and unreliable in many circumstances. Recently a broad varieties of rapid and accurate DNA-based techniques were successfuly utilized for species delineation of dermatophytes. The ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of rDNA from various reference strains of dermatophyte species were amplified using the universal fungal primers ITS1 and ITS4.The PCR products were digested by a single restriction enzyme, MvaI. The enzyme was evaluated in both in silico and practical PCR-RFLP assay to find the exact differentiating restriction profiles for each species. To validate the standardized PCR-RFLP system, all tested strains were subjected to sequencing and sequence analysis. The obtained RFLP patterns were specific for many species including T. interdigitale, T. rubrum, T. violaceum, M. persicolor, M. audouinii, M. nanum [A. obtusum] and E. floccosum but were similar for some closely related species such as M. canis / M. ferrugineum. Sequencing of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 fragment from all type strains affirmed the RFLP findings. It was practically revealed that the ITS-PCR followed by MvaI-RFLP is a useful and reliable schema for identification and differentiation of several pathogenic species and can be used for rapid screening of even closely related species of dermatophytes in clinical and epidemiological settings

case of actinomycotic mycetoma in hand treated successfully with co-trimoxazole and streptomycin

Mycetoma is a chronic infection involving cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues. We describe a 33-year old man who presented subcutaneous nodules with draining sinuses that extrude masses of the infecting organism. The etiologic agent of disease was identified as Nocardia asteroids by direct examination, culture of exudates and physiological tests. The lesions were completely eradicated by using combination of streptomycin and co-trimoxazole

Report of thirteen cases of mucormycosis

Thirteen cases of mucormycosis in ten diabetics, one leukemic, and one burned patient, and one in an apparently normal person are reported. The presenting form included rhinocerebral in 11 and cutaneous in two cases. The diagnosis was established by KOH preparation and biopsy and it was confirmed with culture. Rhizopussp. was the causative agent in 11 and Mucor sp. In one case.Amphotericin B was administered in 10 patients as soon as the diagnosis of mucormycosis was made. Of these, four patients survived