Studying the candida resistance and sensitivity for some antifungals

Back ground: The current study included 150 samples from patients with Candida from a hospital of Medical City / education labs - Baghdad, and ranged in age from (10 – 65(years for both sexes, all isolates taken from different sources (Lower respiratory tract, Urine, Skin, Vaginal and Oral thrux), where the number of males (55(as a percentage (37%) while the number of females (95) as a percentage (63%). The objective: The objectives of this study are studying resistance and sensitivity of candida spp to some antifungals. Material and methods: All the required material which used for the study, and the direct examination was conducted using potassium hydroxide KOH 10%, As well as microscopic examination and laboratory transplantation for all samples, for the purpose of investigating the candidiasis. Also Vitek System examination was conducted on all positive samples for microscopy and laboratory culturing; and so to be diagnosed on the species level, and this study included using (3) anti-fungal equipped from Himedia (India), an  (Fluconazole, Clotrimazole and Nystatin), anti-fungal used by standard disk Diffusion to know the resistance of Candida and its sensitivity toward used anti-fungal. The results: The results of direct examination were vaginal swab (50), Sputum (28), Oral swab (34), Urine (21) and Skin swab (17). Conclusion: Candidiasis was more common in female patients as well as from medical units, where the rate of infection in females more than in males, Candida species were identified by the manual and automated methods and we found that the automated method by using VITEK2 YST Card was the best for species identification

Synergistic effect of tea tree oil on fungi causing vaginal thrush in pregnant women

        Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis(VVC), or Vaginal thrush, is a vaginitis caused by the overgrowth of some opportunistic yeasts of the genus Candida spp. Australian Tea Tree Oil (TTO) is one of the most important essential oils that contain many compounds that are effective against many bacteria and fungi, which may match the effect of common antibiotics.        Objective: The aim of this study was to isolate and diagnose fungi that causing vaginal thrush, in pregnant women and to study the effect of (pregnancy and pregnancy sequence and age) on the rate of infection compared to non-pregnant, as well as to study the drug sensitivity of isolates towards a number of antifungal and compared that with the inhibitory effectiveness of tea tree oil.        Material and Methods: 75 vaginal swabs from pregnant women and 50 from non-pregnant women were collected at ages ranging from 17-65 years. The isolates were diagnosed using several methods, including the Vitek2 Compact system. 17 isolates were selected to study the inhibitory effect of ten antifungal agents, six of them were automatically tested by the Vitek 2 compact system, which contains a sensitivity test kit (AST-YS07 Card). The essential oil (TTO) was analyzed by GC-MS to detect its content of active compounds. The inhibitory effect of TTO was studied according to "Broth dilution" method to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for it, the inhibitory effect of four concentrations of TTO (100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5 %) was also tested according to "well diffusion" method. This investigation also included a study of the mechanism of action (TTO).         RESULTS: The rate of infection among pregnant women was (41%) with the highest rate of infection during the third trimester of pregnancy, while the percentage of non-pregnant women was only 8%. Vaginal infection was also prevalent in the age group ranged between (17-29 years).The isolates showed resistance to (Ketoconazol, Terbinafine) while they were sensitive to (Nystatin, clotrimazol), as well as sensitive to all antifungal of (AST-YS07 Card). The analysis of the TTO using chromatogram showed that it contains 32 chemical compounds, most of them are monoterpene like (Terpinen-4-ol, 1, 8-Cineol). The MIC of TTO ranged between (4 - < 2 µl/ ml). The function of TTO is to destroy the structural structure of the cell membrane and change its permeability, thereby leakage of cellular components and cell death.        Conclusion: Pregnancy increases the rate of vaginal candidiasis in women, especially during the third trimester. TTO is highly effective in inhibiting the growth of opportunistic candida yeasts.        

Phytochemistry and biological activity of Prosopis fracta

Background: Prosopis fracta is a valuable and useful medicinal plant for the purpose of extracting flavonoids and it is one of the most important plants with medicinal properties. Prosopis fracta is found in many southern regions of Iran. Objective: the aim of this review Phytochemistry and biological activity of Prosopis fracta. Material and Methods: Initially, the powder was degreased by hexane and then after completion of the extraction process, we obtained a rotary solvent removal and the rest of the extract was frozen for retention, then it stored at -23°C. The freeze-dried samples are dissolved in methanol and permanently filtered through a 0.35 syringe filter. Results: Prosopis fracta extracts using to treat cancer, which destroying activity via mitochondrial changes, as showed a good example for increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, SIRT3 activity and cell death in HT-29 related to the intestines and rectum cancer cells. Conclusion: Antimicrobial and phytochemical studies provide valuable insight into understanding media. Sometimes the idea of the route responsible for the activity of these phytochemicals against oxidizing compounds that act as a source of harmful chemical to the body is removal from service of protein and loss of function.

New Record of Penicillium vanoranjei in Iraq

The present study aimed to identification of P. vanoranjei based on microscopical and cultural method as a new record isolate in Iraq. Penicillium vanoranjei is a new species in Iraq  that  produce an orang production pigment after compelet growth on the culure medium. Location, the spesmen collected from women patient  admitted to Al Jimhory Hospital in Samaraa city and lived in Al Jilam township during December/ /2016  in Salah Al Deen Governorate- Samaraa City. Morphological and microscopichal charecterstic  appeared that the top view of the culture slightly raised in the center; mycelia was white near the margins, the reversed view appeared Dark brown. Microscopic examination illustrates that the Conidiophores were monoverticillate (unbranched) Penicillium vanoranjei

Role of IL-22 and TNF-α in pulmonary candidiasis and its effects as immunomodulation through Dectin-2 receptor mediation

Pulmonary fungal infections are severe and potentially fatal conditions caused by various fungi, with varying levels of seriousness. The present study aimed to determine the immunomodulatory role of IL-22 and TNF-α in patients with pulmonary candidiasis. Sputum specimens from 106 (Male/Female) outpatients were collected at the Consultation Clinic for Chest and Respiratory Diseases in Salah Al-Din Governorate in Tikrit – Iraq, from June 2022 to December 2022. The age groups ranged from 20 -75 years. Phenotypic identification of isolates was performed based on Gram reaction, direct wet preparation (10% KOH), and HiCrome™ candida differential agar. Complete species identification was confirmed using the Vitek2® compact system. The study patients\u27 stimulation of IL-22 and TNF-α production through the 4Dectin-2 (CLEC6A) receptor was also examined. The results revealed that 40 of the collected specimens (37.7%) were confirmed as Candida. albicans. Dectin-2 (CLEC6A) expression indicates the concurrent release of TNF-α and IL-22 cytokines in response to C. albicans. The study determined that C. albicans was the main cause of pulmonary candidiasis. These findings can provide valuable insights to optimize the treatment strategies, ultimately enhancing the patient’s quality of life

RAPD and ISSR analyses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates from different sources

     The purpose of this study was to isolate the Saccharomyces cerevisiae present on different fruits and performing RAPD and ISSR analyses to know the genetic interrelationship between different S. cerevisiae isolates. Some fruits namely apple, plum, dates, and peach were used as natural sources for S. cerevisiae isolation. The isolated S. cerevisiae was designated as SUC1, SUC2, SUC3, SUC4, SUC5 respectively. Amplicon fingerprints for the isolated species were obtained by RAPD assay using six different primers and ISSR assay using six different primers. RAPD assay showed the lowest genetic distance (0.1559) between SUC2 and SUC3 isolates whereas ISSR assay showed the lowest genetic distance (0.06899) between SUC4 and SUC5 isolates.  Both genetic markers showed the highest genetic distance for SUC1 when compared to the other isolates

A Study of the Expression of Aflatoxin B1 Regulatory Gene in Clinical and Environmental Aspergillus flavus using Real-time PCR

This recent study investigated the differences in the expression of Aflatoxin B1 regulatory gene among clinical and environmental (Aspergillus flavus) isolates. Samples were subjected to RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis and PCR amplification. Electrophoresis demonstrated clean bands 798 bp upon amplification with aflR1 primers. The ability of A. flavus confirmed the presence of the aflR2 gene in product size 400 bp in all the studied isolates with a different gene expression (Sentence not clear. Rephrase). There was a direct correlation between the aflr gene expression and the isolates source. The source of isolates significantly influenced the aflr gene expression. It appeared that the aflr gene expression increased at the A. flavus isolated from patients with aspergillosis with a gradual gene expression in A. flavus isolated from grains of Zea mays (maize) and with no clear expression in the A. flavus isolated from rice grain. These results indicate a suitable molecular method for detecting and controlling the spread of A. flavus in the grainer and in hospitals to avoid infection

Studying the candida resistance and sensitivity for some antifungals

Back ground: The current study included 150 samples from patients with Candida from a hospital of Medical City / education labs - Baghdad, and ranged in age from (10 – 65(years for both sexes, all isolates taken from different sources (Lower respiratory tract, Urine, Skin, Vaginal and Oral thrux), where the number of males (55(as a percentage (37%) while the number of females (95) as a percentage (63%).&#x0D; The objective: The objectives of this study are studying resistance and sensitivity of candida spp to some antifungals.&#x0D; Material and methods: All the required material which used for the study, and the direct examination was conducted using potassium hydroxide KOH 10%, As well as microscopic examination and laboratory transplantation for all samples, for the purpose of investigating the candidiasis. Also Vitek System examination was conducted on all positive samples for microscopy and laboratory culturing; and so to be diagnosed on the species level, and this study included using (3) anti-fungal equipped from Himedia (India), an  (Fluconazole, Clotrimazole and Nystatin), anti-fungal used by standard disk Diffusion to know the resistance of Candida and its sensitivity toward used anti-fungal.&#x0D; The results: The results of direct examination were vaginal swab (50), Sputum (28), Oral swab (34), Urine (21) and Skin swab (17).&#x0D; Conclusion: Candidiasis was more common in female patients as well as from medical units, where the rate of infection in females more than in males, Candida species were identified by the manual and automated methods and we found that the automated method by using VITEK2 YST Card was the best for species identification.</jats:p

Synergistic effect of tea tree oil on fungi causing vaginal thrush in pregnant women

        Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis(VVC), or Vaginal thrush, is a vaginitis caused by the overgrowth of some opportunistic yeasts of the genus Candida spp. Australian Tea Tree Oil (TTO) is one of the most important essential oils that contain many compounds that are effective against many bacteria and fungi, which may match the effect of common antibiotics.&#x0D;        Objective: The aim of this study was to isolate and diagnose fungi that causing vaginal thrush, in pregnant women and to study the effect of (pregnancy and pregnancy sequence and age) on the rate of infection compared to non-pregnant, as well as to study the drug sensitivity of isolates towards a number of antifungal and compared that with the inhibitory effectiveness of tea tree oil.&#x0D;        Material and Methods: 75 vaginal swabs from pregnant women and 50 from non-pregnant women were collected at ages ranging from 17-65 years. The isolates were diagnosed using several methods, including the Vitek2 Compact system. 17 isolates were selected to study the inhibitory effect of ten antifungal agents, six of them were automatically tested by the Vitek 2 compact system, which contains a sensitivity test kit (AST-YS07 Card). The essential oil (TTO) was analyzed by GC-MS to detect its content of active compounds. The inhibitory effect of TTO was studied according to "Broth dilution" method to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for it, the inhibitory effect of four concentrations of TTO (100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5 %) was also tested according to "well diffusion" method. This investigation also included a study of the mechanism of action (TTO).&#x0D;         RESULTS: The rate of infection among pregnant women was (41%) with the highest rate of infection during the third trimester of pregnancy, while the percentage of non-pregnant women was only 8%. Vaginal infection was also prevalent in the age group ranged between (17-29 years).The isolates showed resistance to (Ketoconazol, Terbinafine) while they were sensitive to (Nystatin, clotrimazol), as well as sensitive to all antifungal of (AST-YS07 Card). The analysis of the TTO using chromatogram showed that it contains 32 chemical compounds, most of them are monoterpene like (Terpinen-4-ol, 1, 8-Cineol). The MIC of TTO ranged between (4 - &lt; 2 µl/ ml). The function of TTO is to destroy the structural structure of the cell membrane and change its permeability, thereby leakage of cellular components and cell death. &#x0D;        Conclusion: Pregnancy increases the rate of vaginal candidiasis in women, especially during the third trimester. TTO is highly effective in inhibiting the growth of opportunistic candida yeasts.&#x0D;  &#x0D;       </jats:p