Comparison of in vitro antifungal activity of novel triazoles with available antifungal agents against dermatophyte species caused tinea pedis.

OBJECTIVE: Dermatophytes are a group of keratinophilic fungi that invade and infect the keratinized tissues and cause dermatophytosis. We investigated effectiveness of novel triazole (luliconazole and lanaconazole) in comparison with available antifungal agents against dermatophyte species isolated from patients with tinea pedis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 60 dermatophytes species were isolated from the patients with tinea pedis. Identification of species was done by DNA sequencing of the ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 rDNA region. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing with luliconazole and lanaconazole and available antifungal agent was done in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, M38-A2 document. RESULTS: In all investigated isolates, luliconazole had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (MIC range=0.0005-0.004µg/mL), while fluconazole (MIC range=0.4-64µg/mL) had the highest MICs. Geometric mean MIC was the lowest for luliconazole (0.0008µg/mL), followed by lanoconazole (0.003µg/mL), terbinafine (0.019µg/mL), itraconazole (0.085 µg/mL), ketoconazole (0.089µg/mL), econazole (0.097µg/mL), griseofulvin (0.351 µg/mL), voriconazole (0.583µg/mL) and fluconazole (11.58µg/mL). CONCLUSION: The novel triazoles showed potent activity against dermatophytes and promising candidates for the treatment of tinea pedis caused by Trichophyton and Epidermophyton species. However, further studies are warranted to determine the clinical implications of these investigations.

Prioritizing the health education needs based on community participation: AHP method.

INTRODUCTION: The identification of health education needs through the community results in targeted services and health promotion. Prioritizing these needs, in addition to identifying the desired health system based on the needs of the community, is required for the optimal allocation of resources. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim prioritizing the health educational needs of Sabzevar-Iran community. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a two-step mix study. In the first stage, the qualitative method of the main themes of health educational needs of Sabzevar society was determined. Then, the questionnaire was prepared by a paired scale (36 questions) and quantitative method was used to prioritize the main themes with Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) software. The random sampling method was used in this study and data analysis was performed using Expert Choice software using AHP method. RESULTS: Social problems with 0.206, contagious diseases with 0.205, nutrition with 0.161, and public health with 0.132 were in the first to fourth grades of health educational needs in Sabzevar city and environmental health, health management, noncontagion diseases, elderly, and occupational health were in the fifth to ninth grades. The consistency index in this study was 0.08, although the adjustment index is <0.1 good and acceptable. CONCLUSION: Social problems are the first priority of Sabzevar society, which require appropriate training.

Plasma levels of Transforming Growth Factor Beta in HIV-1 patients with oral candidiasis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: TGF-ß is a potent regulator and suppressor of the immune system and overproduction of this cytokine may contribute to immunosuppression in HIV-infected patients. Increasing population of immunosuppressed patients has resulted in increasingly frequent of fungal infections, including oral candidiasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of TGF-ß under in vivo conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy- two samples were obtained from the oral cavities of HIV-positive Iranian patients and cultured on Sabouraud's dextrose agar and CHROMagar. Also blood samples were obtained to assess TGF-ß levels using ELISA technique. RESULTS: Thirty-three out of 72 oral samples yielded candida isolates, Candida albicans in 14 and non-albicans candida in 19.Fungal infection decreased significantly more TGF-ß level than non-fungal infection also HIV negative were significantly more TGF-ß than HIV positive. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a significant interaction between fungal infection and HIV on expression of Transforming Growth Factor Beta.

In vitro antifungal activities of Actinomyces species isolated from soil samples against Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cutaneous infections arise from a homogeneous group of keratinophilic fungi, known as dermatophytes. Since these pathogenic dermatophytes are eukaryotes in nature, use of chemical antifungal agents for treatment may affect the host tissue cells. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of Actinomyces species against Trichophyton mentagrophytes (abbreviated as T. mentagrophytes). The isolates were obtained from soil samples and identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total, 100 strains of Actinomyces species were isolated from soil samples in order to determine their antagonistic activities against T. mentagrophytes in Kerman, Iran. The electron microscopic study of these isolates was performed, based on the physiological properties of these antagonists (e.g., lipase, amylase, protease and chitinase), using relevant protocols. The isolates were identified using gene 16S rDNA via PCR technique. RESULTS: Streptomyces flavogriseus, Streptomyces zaomyceticus strain xsd08149 and Streptomyces rochei were isolated and exhibited the most significant antagonistic activities against T. mentagrophytes. Images were obtained by an electron microscope and some spores, mycelia and morphology of spore chains were identified. Molecular, morphological and biochemical characteristics of these isolates were studied, using the internal 16S rDNA gene. Active isolates of Streptomyces sequence were compared to GenBank sequences. According to nucleotide analysis, isolate D5 had maximum similarity to Streptomyces flavogriseus (99%). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed that Streptomyces isolates from soil samples could exert antifungal effects on T. mentagrophytes.