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1.
Clin Obes ; : e12691, 2024 Jul 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38978306

ABSTRACT

People with metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) are at risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases. We investigated the prevalence of MHO and factors influencing its transition into a metabolically unhealthy state (MUS). This study was conducted as part of the Kerman Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factor Study (KERCADRS). From 2014 to 2018, 9997 people were evaluated. The obesity and metabolic status of the MHO participants were re-examined after 5 years of their initial participation in the study. Out of 347 MHO, 238 individuals were accessed at follow-up. Twenty-nine (12.2%) had metabolic unhealthy normal weight (MUNW), 169 (71.0%) had metabolic unhealthy obesity (MUO), and the others had healthy metabolic state. Among age, total cholesterol, diastolic blood pressure and triglyceride (TG) variables, the baseline serum TG level was associated with a significant increase in the risk of developing MUS during 5 years (p <.05). The TG level optimal cut-off point for predicting the development into MUS was 107 mg/dL with 62.1% sensitivity and 77.5% specificity (AUC = 0.734, p <.001). A high percentage of MHO people transit into MUS during 5 years. A TG level higher than 107 mg/dL can help to identify people at a higher risk of developing into MUS.

2.
BMC Infect Dis ; 24(1): 553, 2024 Jun 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38831292

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a global health emergency necessitates continued investigation of the disease progression. This study investigated the relationship between eosinophilia and the severity of COVID-19 in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 73 COPD patients infected by COVID-19 in Afzalipour Hospital, Iran. Peripheral blood samples were collected for hematological parameter testing, including eosinophil percentage, using Giemsa staining. Eosinophilia was defined as≥ 2% and non-eosinophilia as< 2%. The severity of pulmonary involvement was determined based on chest CT severity score (CT-SS) (based on the degree of involvement of the lung lobes, 0%: 0 points, 1-25%: 1 point, 26-50%: 2 points, 51-75%: 3 points, and 76-100%: 4 points). The CT-SS was the sum of the scores of the five lobes (range 0-20). RESULTS: The average age of patients was 67.90±13.71 years, and most were male (54.8%). Non-eosinophilic COPD patients were associated with more severe COVID-19 (P= 0.01) and lower oxygen saturation (P= 0.001). In addition, the study revealed a significant difference in the chest CT severity score (CT-SS) between non-eosinophilic (9.76±0.7) and eosinophilic COPD patients (6.26±0.63) (P< 0.001). Although non-eosinophilic COPD patients had a higher mortality rate, this difference was not statistically significant (P= 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that reduced peripheral blood eosinophil levels in COPD patients with COVID-19 correlate with unfavorable outcomes. Understanding this association can help us identify high-risk COPD patients and take appropriate management strategies to improve their prognosis.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Eosinophilia , Eosinophils , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , SARS-CoV-2 , Severity of Illness Index , Humans , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/complications , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/physiopathology , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/mortality , COVID-19/blood , Male , Female , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Middle Aged , Eosinophilia/blood , Aged, 80 and over , Iran/epidemiology , Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Lung/diagnostic imaging , Lung/pathology , Lung/physiopathology , Leukocyte Count
3.
Med Mycol ; 62(4)2024 Mar 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38521982

ABSTRACT

Our understanding of fungal epidemiology and the burden of antifungal drug resistance in COVID-19-associated candidemia (CAC) patients is limited. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective multicenter study in Iran to explore clinical and microbiological profiles of CAC patients. Yeast isolated from blood, were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and subjected to antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) using the broth microdilution method M27-A3 protocol. A total of 0.6% of the COVID-19 patients acquired CAC (43/6174). Fluconazole was the most widely used antifungal, and 37% of patients were not treated. Contrary to historic candidemia patients, Candida albicans and C. tropicalis were the most common species. In vitro resistance was high and only noted for azoles; 50%, 20%, and 13.6% of patients were infected with azole-non-susceptible (ANS) C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, and C. albicans isolates, respectively. ERG11 mutations conferring azole resistance were detected for C. parapsilosis isolates (Y132F), recovered from an azole-naïve patient. Our study revealed an unprecedented rise in ANS Candida isolates, including the first C. parapsilosis isolate carrying Y132F, among CAC patients in Iran, which potentially threatens the efficacy of fluconazole, the most widely used drug in our centers. Considering the high mortality rate and 37% of untreated CAC cases, our study underscores the importance of infection control strategies and antifungal stewardship to minimize the emergence of ANS Candida isolates during COVID-19.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Candidemia , Humans , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Candidemia/drug therapy , Candidemia/epidemiology , Candidemia/microbiology , Candidemia/veterinary , Fluconazole/therapeutic use , Azoles/pharmacology , Azoles/therapeutic use , Microbial Sensitivity Tests/veterinary , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/veterinary , Candida , Candida albicans , Candida tropicalis , Candida parapsilosis , Drug Resistance, Fungal
4.
BMC Pediatr ; 24(1): 179, 2024 Mar 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38481221

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In April 2020, an association between multisystem inflammatory syndromes (MIS-C) was observed in children with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection (SARS-CoV-2). Most patients had heart involvement alone, and most patients had pericardial effusion. This study aimed to express and emphasize cardiac involvement in pediatric patients with respiratory symptoms who were diagnosed with COVID-19. METHODS: This study was conducted in July 2021 in Kerman province, Southeastern Iran, during a notable surge in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. The study included 904 pediatric patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Data collection involved a comprehensive assessment of clinical symptoms and manifestations. Patients with fever lasting more than five days were admitted to the hospital. Echocardiography was utilized for cardiac involvement diagnosis, with 47 patients undergoing this diagnostic procedure. RESULTS: Of the 904 patients, most of them had high fevers (74%). Fifty-five patients had a fever for more than five days and were hospitalized. Of the 47 patients who underwent echocardiography, 45 (81%) had heart involvement. In 75% of patients, pericardial effusion was the only cardiac involvement. Patients with pericardial effusion were treated with dexamethasone up to 3 mg every 8 h for 72 h. CONCLUSIONS: MIS-C has a wide range of clinical symptoms. In cases where the fever is prolonged and there are gastrointestinal symptoms, physicians have clinical suspicion to diagnose this syndrome. Most cases of pericardial effusion are alone and improve with treatment with glucocorticosteroids.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/complications , Pericardial Effusion , Child , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , Pericardial Effusion/diagnostic imaging , Pericardial Effusion/etiology , Iran/epidemiology , Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/diagnosis , Fever/etiology
5.
Addict Health ; 15(2): 93-99, 2023 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37560392

ABSTRACT

Background: Atherosclerosis has an essential role in causing cardiovascular diseases. Various factors affect the risk of coronary artery atherosclerosis, and the increase in the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a primary marker for detecting atherosclerotic changes in the artery wall. Since opioid use is one of the leading social and health problems in many countries, this study aimed to detect the factors influencing the increase in CIMT in opium consumers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 350 participants of the phase 2 of the KERCADRS cohort study who visited Besat clinic in Kerman and were divided into addicted and non-addicted groups. The participants in both groups underwent carotid artery ultrasound, and the Philips IU22 ultrasound machine was used to measure the CIMT. Findings: The mean age of the participants was 42.28±12.58 in the addicted group and 35.99±15.38 in the non-addicted group (P=0.001). CIMT was similar in the two groups (P=0.170). Moreover, CIMT had a significant positive correlation with age, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure (SBP), body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and triglyceride in both addicted and non-addicted groups. Age, weight, waist circumference, SBP, and BMI in the multivariate model were significant determinants of CIMT in the addicted group. Conclusion: The results revealed that age, weight, waist circumference, SBP, and BMI were the factors influencing intima thickness in opium consumers, and no significant relationship was observed between addiction to opium and CIMT.

6.
Blood Press Monit ; 28(4): 193-198, 2023 Aug 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37404038

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and short-term blood pressure variability (BPV) in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. METHODS: One hundred newly diagnosed patients with stage one essential hypertension were included and divided into two groups, the deficient and non-deficient groups, according to their 25(OH)D level. The blood pressure was recorded automatically by a portable ambulatory blood pressure monitor for 24 h. RESULTS: In the present study, there was no significant relationship between vitamin D levels and short-term BPV or other parameters derived from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) (P > 0.05). Age (r = 0.260, P = 0.009), serum phosphorus (r = 0.271, P = 0.007), and cholesterol levels (r = 0.310, P = 0.011) were positively correlated with 25(OH)D levels, while glomerular filtration rate (r = -0.232, P = 0.021) negatively correlated with vitamin D levels. There was no crude or adjusted relationship between the levels of 25(OH)D and any parameters of ABPM in multiple linear regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Although the relationship between vitamin D levels and cardiovascular diseases has been confirmed, vitamin D deficiency does not cause an increase in cardiovascular risk by influencing the short-term BPV or other parameters derived from ABPM.


Subject(s)
Blood Pressure , Vitamin D , Humans , Vitamin D/blood , Blood Pressure/physiology , Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory , Essential Hypertension/diagnosis , Prospective Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged
7.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int ; 30(35): 84474-84490, 2023 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37369900

ABSTRACT

While some robust artificial intelligence (AI) techniques such as Gene-Expression Programming (GEP), Model Tree (MT), and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Spline (MARS) have been frequently employed in the field of water resources, documents aimed to explore their uncertainty levels are few and far between. Meanwhile, uncertainty determination of these AI models in practical applications is highly important especially when we aimed to use the AI models for streamflow forecast due to the repercussions of poorly managed water resources. With the aid of a global daily streamflow dataset, understanding the uncertainty of GEP, MT, and MARS for forecasting streamflow of natural rivers was studied. The efficiency of uncertainty analysis was quantified by two statistical indicators: 95% Percent Prediction Uncertainty (95%PPU) and R-factor. The results demonstrated that MT had lower uncertainty (95%PPU=0.59 and R-factor=1.67) in comparison with MARS (95%PPU=0.61 and R-factor=1.92) and GEP (95%PPU=0.64 and R-factor=2.03). Overall, although the confidence interval bands of uncertainty for the AI models almost captured the mean streamflow measurements, wide bands of uncertainty were obtained and consequently remarkable uncertainty in the calculation of monthly streamflow values was met.


Subject(s)
Artificial Intelligence , Lead , Uncertainty , Water Resources , Trees , Rivers , Forecasting
9.
Semin Ophthalmol ; 38(6): 537-546, 2023 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36734046

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To evaluate myopia progression during the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its risk factors. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to find literature until August 2022 related to COVID-19 pandemic and myopia progression. Outcomes of myopia progression included axial length (AL) and spherical equivalent (SE). Factors of screen time and outdoor activity time were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies were included in this meta-analysis. Compared to the same period before the COVID-19 pandemic, myopia prevalence increased (OR = 1.11; 95% CI, 1.05-1.18). The outcomes of SE decreased -0.61 diopter (95% CI, -0.98 to -0.23), and AL increased 0.42 mm (95% CI, 0.13-0.7). Mean screen time was increased 6.25 hours/day (95% CI, 4.84-7.66), and outdoor activity time was decreased -1.52 hours/day (95% CI, -3.20 to -0.15). CONCLUSION: Establishing care policies is necessary to restrict behavioral changes and their consequences during the pandemic.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Myopia , Humans , Pandemics/prevention & control , COVID-19/epidemiology , Myopia/epidemiology , Myopia/therapy , Refraction, Ocular , Risk Factors , Disease Progression
10.
Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob ; 22(1): 15, 2023 Feb 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36805670

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dermatophytes have the ability to invade the keratin layer of humans and cause infections. The aims of this study were the accurate identification of dermatophytes by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism method and sequencing and comparison between the in vitro activities of newer and established antifungal agents against them. METHODS: Clinical specimens of patients from five Iranian university laboratories were entered in this study. Samples were cultured on sabouraud dextrose agar medium. For molecular identification, extracted DNAs were amplified by the universal fungal primers ITS1 and ITS4, and digested with MvaI enzymes. The antifungal susceptibility test for each isolate to terbinafine, griseofulvin, caspofungin, fluconazole, itraconazole, luliconazole, and isavuconazole was performed, according to the microdilution CLSI M38-A2 and CLSI M61 standard methods. RESULTS: Two hundred and seven fungi species similar to dermatophytes were isolated of which 198 (95.6%) were dermatophytes by molecular assay. The most commonly isolated were Trichophyton mentagrophytes (76/198), followed by Trichophyton interdigitale (57/198), Trichophyton rubrum (34/198), Trichophyton tonsurans (12/198), Microsporum canis (10/198), Trichophyton simii (3/198), Epidermophyton floccosum (3/198), Trichophyton violaceum (2/198), and Trichophyton benhamiae (1/198). The GM MIC and MIC90 values for all the isolates were as follows: terbinafine (0.091 and 1 µg/ml), griseofulvin (1.01 and 4 µg/ml), caspofungin (0.06 and 4 µg/ml), fluconazole (16.52 and 32 µg/ml), itraconazole (0.861 and 8 µg/ml), isavuconazole (0.074 and 2 µg/ml), and luliconazole (0.018 and 0.25 µg/ml). CONCLUSION: Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton interdigitale, and Trichophyton rubrum were the most common fungal species isolated from the patients. luliconazole, terbinafine, and isavuconazole in vitro were revealed to be the most effective antifungal agents against all dermatophyte isolates.


Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents , Arthrodermataceae , Humans , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Arthrodermataceae/genetics , Fluconazole , Itraconazole/pharmacology , Terbinafine , Iran , Caspofungin , Griseofulvin , Hospitals, University , Triazoles/pharmacology
11.
Clin Case Rep ; 11(1): e6812, 2023 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36619488

ABSTRACT

In this case report, we present a 10-year-old girl with acute suppurative thyroiditis (AST) symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, and swelling in the suprasternal region, who had a positive PCR test for COVID-19. The result of the secretions culture obtained from the abscess drainage was positive for nonhemolytic Streptococcus.

12.
Endocrinol Diabetes Metab ; 6(2): e407, 2023 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36707236

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global public health concern. Chronic inflammation plays a role in MetS; haematological inflammatory parameters can be used as MetS predicting factors. OBJECTIVE: Hereditary and environmental factors play an important role in the development of MetS. This study aimed to determine the relationship between haematological parameters and MetS in the adult population of southeastern Iran, Kerman. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was a sub-analysis of 1033 subjects who participated in the second phase of the Kerman Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factor Study (KERCADRS). Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) definition. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship between haematological parameters with age and components of metabolic syndrome. The role of WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte in predicting metabolic syndrome was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RESULTS: White blood cell (WBC) and its subcomponent cells count, red cell distribution width (RDW), monocyte to HDL ratio (MHR) and Neutrophil to HDL ratio (NHR) had a significant positive correlation with the severity of MetS. The cut-off value of WBC was 6.1 (×103 /µL), the sensitivity was 70%, the specificity was 52.9% for females, the cut-off value of WBC was 6.3 (×103 /µL), the sensitivity was 68.2% and the specificity was 46.7%, for males. CONCLUSION: WBC and its subcomponent count, RDW, MHR and NHR parameters are valuable biomarkers for further risk appraisal of MetS in adults. These markers are helpful in early diagnoses of individuals with MetS.


Subject(s)
Metabolic Syndrome , Male , Adult , Female , Humans , Metabolic Syndrome/diagnosis , Risk Factors , Cross-Sectional Studies , Biomarkers , ROC Curve
13.
Sci Rep ; 13(1): 1679, 2023 Jan 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36717586

ABSTRACT

In urban wastewater collection and drainage networks, vortex structures are recruited to transfer fluid between two conduits with significant level differences. During the drop shaft, in addition to preventing the fluid from falling due to vortex flow formation, a significant amount of the fluid energy is dissipated due to wall friction of vertical shaft. In the present study, by constructing a physical model with a scale of 1:10 made of Plexiglas, the energy dissipation efficiency in the vertical shaft has been investigated. In this way, the performance of dimensional analysis indicates that the flow Froude number (Fr) and the ratio of drop total height to shaft diameter (L/D) are parameters affecting the efficiency of flow energy dissipation in the vertical shaft (ηs). This research considers four levels of Fr factor (1.77, 2.01, 2.18, and 2.32) and three levels of L/D factor (10, 13, and 16). Additionally, four replications for 12 possible combinations allow us to carry out 48 experiments and the full factorial method. The results demonstrated that the energy dissipation efficiency in the vertical shaft changes varies from 10.80 to 62.29%. Moreover, ηs values decrease with an increase in Fr whereas the efficiency increases with increasing L/D ratio. Furthermore, the regression analysis gave a second-order polynomial equation which is a function of Fr and L/D to accurately estimate the flow energy dissipation efficiency in the vertical shaft.

14.
Mycoses ; 66(3): 258-275, 2023 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36447396

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fusarium species are opportunistic human pathogens that remarkably cause fungal infections ranging from superficial to fatal invasive disseminated infections. Fusarium species are notoriously resistant to the majority of antifungal agents. OBJECTIVES: Therefore, detailed studies regarding in vitro susceptibility are required and may lead to a better prognosis of severe infections. METHODS: We evaluated 25 antifungal drugs in vitro against 282 clinical and environmental Fusarium isolates. RESULTS: Fusarium species demonstrated high MICs/MECs values to the most commonly used antifungal drugs in clinical practice. The geometric mean (GM) MICs for luliconazole (0.004 µg/ml) and lanoconazole (0.012 µg/ml) were the lowest, followed by efinaconazole (0.98 µg/ml) and amphotericin B (1.04 µg/ml). CONCLUSIONS: Efinaconazole, a novel triazole, may be a promising candidate for the treatment of superficial Fusarium infections. Furthermore, the development of systemic formulations of these drugs as well as further in vitro and in vivo investigations could aid in the treatment of systemic fusariosis.


Subject(s)
Fusariosis , Fusarium , Humans , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Iran , Triazoles/pharmacology , Fusariosis/drug therapy , Fusariosis/microbiology , Microbial Sensitivity Tests
16.
J Emerg Med ; 63(4): 520-527, 2022 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36462798

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pain associated with chest wall trauma is a major issue in the emergency department (ED). However, it may be challenging to select among the various analgesic procedures. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to compare single-shot erector spinae plane block (ESPB) with intercostal nerve block (ICNB) under ultrasound guidance for pain management in thoracic trauma. METHODS: This study was a randomized nonblinded clinical trial performed in a level I urban trauma center. A convenience sample of patients with isolated chest wall trauma and initial Numeric Rating Scale pain scores (NRS 0) > 5 were included. Exclusion criteria were large pain area, surgical interventions, discharged from the ED, and presence of contraindications to lidocaine. Pain scores at 20 min and 60 min (NRS 20 and 60) and at disposition (disp) were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients in the ESPB and 23 in the ICNB groups were enrolled. Mean values of NRS 0, 20, 60, and disp for the ESPB vs. ICNB groups were 8.0 vs. 7.4, 5.2 vs. 6.1, 4.1 vs. 5.4, and 4.3 vs. 5.8, respectively (p = 0.07, p = 0.04, p = 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). Four patients in the ESPB and 8 patients in the ICNB groups required administration of adjunctive doses of fentanyl for satisfactory pain control (p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided ESPB was superior to ICNB regarding pain control during the ED stay period of patients with painful chest wall trauma. We recommend ESPB in the ED for pain control in blunt or penetrating thoracic trauma.


Subject(s)
Nerve Block , Thoracic Injuries , Thoracic Wall , Wounds, Penetrating , Humans , Intercostal Nerves , Chest Pain , Thoracic Injuries/complications , Ultrasonography, Interventional
17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36518853

ABSTRACT

The aim of this systematic review was to identify randomized controlled trials that looked at the effects of Nigella sativa in any form on different skin diseases. Up to March 2022, the online databases of Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane trials were searched. This study included 14 records of people who had experienced different types of skin disease including atopic dermatitis, vulgaris, arsenical keratosis, psoriasis, vitiligo, acute cutaneous leishmaniasis, warts, eczema, and acne. The mean SD age of the patients was 28.86 (4.49); [range: 18.3-51.4], with females accounting for 69% (506 out of 732) of the total. The follow-up mean SD was 8.16 (1.3) (ranged: 4 days to 24 weeks). The odds ratio (OR) was found to be 4.59 in a meta-analysis (95% CI: 2.02, 10.39). Whereas the null hypothesis in this systematic review was that lotion had no impact, OR 4.59 indicated that lotion could be effective. The efficacy of N. sativa essential oil and extract has been demonstrated in most clinical studies. However, more research is needed to completely evaluate and validate the efficacy or inadequacy of therapy with N. sativa, although it appears that it can be used as an alternative treatment to help people cope with skin problems.

18.
Rev Iberoam Micol ; 39(3-4): 72-76, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36456391

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Neoscytalidiumdimidiatum is an opportunistic dematiaceous fungus belonging to the class Dothideomycetes. CASE REPORT: We report a case of N. dimidiatum cerebral phaeohyphomycosis post COVID-19 infection in a 32-year-old male from Iran. The causative agent was identified by cytopathology, routine mycological methods, and DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA. Apart from COVID-19 complications and the corticosteroid therapy, no underlying condition was diagnosed. The symptoms suggesting the fungal infection were shown two weeks after being discharged from COVID-19 hospital stay. Magnetic resonance of the brain showed a multi-focal central nervous system infection. The delayed identification of the fungus and, thus, a late starting of the antifungal treatment with amphotericin B, might have affected the patient outcome as he finally died. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the rare incidence of N. dimidiatum infections, this case should aware us about them, leading to a timely antifungal management.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Mycoses , Phaeohyphomycosis , Male , Humans , Adult , Phaeohyphomycosis/microbiology , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Mycoses/microbiology , Amphotericin B/therapeutic use
19.
Rev. iberoam. micol ; 39(3-4): 72-76, julio-diciembre 2022. ilus
Article in English | IBECS | ID: ibc-215460

ABSTRACT

Background: Neoscytalidiumdimidiatum is an opportunistic dematiaceous fungus belonging to the class Dothideomycetes.Case reportWe report a case of N. dimidiatum cerebral phaeohyphomycosis post COVID-19 infection in a 32-year-old male from Iran. The causative agent was identified by cytopathology, routine mycological methods, and DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA. Apart from COVID-19 complications and the corticosteroid therapy, no underlying condition was diagnosed. The symptoms suggesting the fungal infection were shown two weeks after being discharged from COVID-19 hospital stay. Magnetic resonance of the brain showed a multi-focal central nervous system infection. The delayed identification of the fungus and, thus, a late starting of the antifungal treatment with amphotericin B, might have affected the patient outcome as he finally died.ConclusionsConsidering the rare incidence of N. dimidiatum infections, this case should aware us about them, leading to a timely antifungal management. (AU)


Antecedentes: Neoscytalidiumdimidiatum es un hongo dematiáceo oportunista perteneciente a la clase Dothideomycetes.Caso clínicoPresentamos un caso de feohifomicosis cerebral por N. dimidiatum posterior a infección por COVID-19 en un paciente iraní de 32 años de edad. El microorganismo responsable fue identificado por citopatología, métodos rutinarios de laboratorio y secuenciación del ADN del espaciador transcrito interno (ITS) del ADNr. Aparte de las complicaciones asociadas a la COVID-19 y al uso de corticoides, el enfermo no presentaba enfermedades subyacentes. Los síntomas indicativos de infección fúngica fueron observados dos semanas después de que el paciente recibiera el alta hospitalaria por la COVID-19. La resonancia magnética cerebral mostró una infección multifocal en el sistema nervioso central. El retraso en la identificación del hongo responsable y, consecuentemente, en la instauración del tratamiento antifúngico con anfotericina B, pudo afectar a la evolución del paciente, ya que este finalmente falleció.ConclusionesA pesar de la escasa incidencia de las infecciones por N. dimidiatum, este caso debe alertarnos sobre su existencia para instaurar así el tratamiento antifúngico conveniente a la mayor brevedad. (AU)


Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus , Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Communicable Diseases , Amphotericin B , Central Nervous System
20.
Microbiol Spectr ; 10(6): e0245322, 2022 12 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36445122

ABSTRACT

In recent decades, the incidence of Candida infections has increased in immunocompromised patients. This multicenter study aimed to evaluate in vitro antifungal activities of 8 antifungal agents against the Candida species isolated from 10 university hospitals in Iran. During the period from Dec 2019 to Dec 2021, Candida species were collected from clinical samples of patients. The isolates were identified by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing methods. The antifungal susceptibility tests of each isolate to eight antifungal agents were performed according to the microdilution CLSI M27, M59, and M60 standard methods. A total of 598 Candida strains were isolated from clinical samples. The most commonly isolated Candida species was C. albicans, followed by C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, Debaryomyces hansenii (Candida famata), C. tropicalis, Pichia kudriavzevii (Candida krusei), C. orthopsilosis, Meyerozyma guilliermondii (Candida guilliermondii), Kluyveromyces marxianus (Candida kefyr), and Clavispora lusitaniae (Candida lusitaniae). MIC90 values in all Candida species were as follows: 0.25 µg/mL for caspofungin and voriconazole; 0.5 µg/mL for amphotericin B and isavuconazole; 2 µg/mL for itraconazole, luliconazole, and posaconazole; and 16 µg/mL for fluconazole. Although 30/285 C. albicans, 15/31 C. hansenii, 3/12 M. guilliermondii, 67/125 C. glabrata, 5/15 P. kudriavzevii, 6/60 C. parapsilosis, and 5/23 C. tropicalis isolates were multiazole resistant with resistance to 2 to 4 azoles, pan-azole resistance was not observed. According to our data, Candida albicans and C. glabrata were the most frequent species isolated from clinical samples in Iran. Caspofungin and voriconazole, with lower MIC90 values, are the most effective than other antifungal agents for the treatment of Candida infections in this region. IMPORTANCE Candida species cause severe invasive infections of the heart, brain, eyes, bones, and other parts of the body. Knowledge of regional distributions of causative Candida agents and their antifungal susceptibility patterns can help to monitor resistance to antifungal agents of various species and support local and national surveillance programs. In the present study, C. albicans and C. glabrata were the most frequently isolated species from clinical samples in Iran. Increasing rates of non-albicans Candida isolates from the Iranian population should be looked at as alarming due to various levels of intrinsic MIC values or resistance to various antifungal drugs. Caspofungin and voriconazole are recommended over fluconazole for the treatment of Candida infections in the study region. However, amphotericin B and isavuconazole are also active against the most common Candida species isolated from patients. Pan azole-resistant Candida species were not observed in the present study.


Subject(s)
Antifungal Agents , Candida , Candidiasis , Humans , Amphotericin B/pharmacology , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Azoles/pharmacology , Candida/drug effects , Candida albicans , Candida glabrata , Candidiasis/drug therapy , Candidiasis/epidemiology , Candidiasis/microbiology , Caspofungin/pharmacology , Drug Resistance, Fungal , Fluconazole/pharmacology , Iran/epidemiology , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Tertiary Care Centers , Voriconazole/pharmacology
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