Fungicidal versus Fungistatic activity of five Iranian essences against fluconazole resistant Candida species

Introduction: Antifungal resistant is one of the causes of high mortality rates during invasive candidiasis. Since development of new antifungal agents is limited, researchers have focused on natural products including essential oils (EOs) with antifungal properties. In immunocompromised patients fungicidal activity is of benefit. This study was designed to evaluate chemical composition and fungicidal/fungistatic activities of five Iranian EOs and against fluconazole resistant Candida species. Methods: To determine chemical composition of EOs gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) was employed. Fluconazole resistant Candida species were chosen and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of studied EOs were determined by broth microdilution method. Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was determined as the lowest concentration with no fungal growth on solid media. Fungicidal activity was calculated by MFC/MIC ratio. Results: The results showed that C. albicans and C. tropialis isolates were susceptible to itraconazole (ITC) and voriconazole (VRC) while one species of C. glabrata and C. krusei each was resistant to itraconzaole; and itraconazole resistant C. glabrata isolate was resistance to voriconzaole as well. Among tested EOs, the ones from Cinnamomum cayennense, Origanum majorana var. majoranoides and Andropogon citratus had the highest anti-Candida activity. Artemisia aromatica A. Nelson had the highest MIC value against Candida isolates. All EOs in this study had fungicidal activity. Conclusion: In general, the tested natural compounds are suitable to be used as anti-Candida. However more studies are needed on each chemical compound to evaluate its antifungal activity alone or in combination with other agents

The antibacterial activity of chitosan between different extraction method

his survey described the relation between chitosan extraction methods and the antibacterial activity. Chitosan were extracted from shrimp waste according to the conventional method. But in step of deprotenisation, three process acid, alkaline, and enzyme extraction was used. The extracted chitosan evaluated by inhibition of bacterial growth against current foodborne bacteria. Therefore, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are used to study the antimicrobial activity. These results demonstrated that good results can be achieved by enzymatic and alkaline treatment. Subject to economic advantages, alkaline can replace the other methods

Fungicidal versus Fungistatic activity of five Iranian essences against fluconazole resistant Candida species

Introduction: Antifungal resistant is one of the causes of high mortality rates during invasive candidiasis. Since development of new antifungal agents is limited, researchers have focused on natural products including essential oils (EOs) with antifungal properties. In immunocompromised patients fungicidal activity is of benefit. This study was designed to evaluate chemical composition and fungicidal/fungistatic activities of five Iranian EOs and against fluconazole resistant Candida species. Methods: To determine chemical composition of EOs gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) was employed. Fluconazole resistant Candida species were chosen and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of studied EOs were determined by broth microdilution method. Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) was determined as the lowest concentration with no fungal growth on solid media. Fungicidal activity was calculated by MFC/MIC ratio. Results: The results showed that C. albicans and C. tropialis isolates were susceptible to itraconazole (ITC) and voriconazole (VRC) while one species of C. glabrata and C. krusei each was resistant to itraconzaole; and itraconazole resistant C. glabrata isolate was resistance to voriconzaole as well. Among tested EOs, the ones from Cinnamomum cayennense, Origanum majorana var. majoranoides and Andropogon citratus had the highest anti-Candida activity. Artemisia aromatica A. Nelson had the highest MIC value against Candida isolates. All EOs in this study had fungicidal activity. Conclusion: In general, the tested natural compounds are suitable to be used as anti-Candida. However more studies are needed on each chemical compound to evaluate its antifungal activity alone or in combination with other agents

Descriptive epidemiology of dermatophytosis in rodents

Abstract Introduction Dermatophytosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a group of keratinophilic fungi called dermatophytes. Objectives Since the epidemiology of diseases revolves over time, this research studies the incidence of dermatophytosis among rodents referred to mycology laboratory during 2019–2021. Methods A total of 163 rodents including rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters suspecting having dermatophytosis were sampled by scraping lesions. Direct microscopic examination, culture, and polymerase chain reaction were done for diagnosis of dermatophytosis and identification of the etiologic agent. Results The results of this study showed that 37.4% of rodents were involved with dermatophytosis, among which 41.13% of rabbits, 25% of guinea pigs, and 26.3% of hamsters were included. Microsporum canis (52.7%) was the most isolated agent. Incidence of dermatophytosis was higher in female in rabbits while in hamsters and guinea pigs male were mostly infected. Rodents less than 6 months were more susceptible for dermatophytosis except for hamsters in which 6–12 months animals had a higher prevalence. Conclusion In conclusion, it is significant to update our knowledge about the epidemiology of dermatophytosis in rodents and other animals every few years to define valid preventive strategies. Moreover, since dermatophytes are contagious and zoonotic, it is also a priority to apply preventing methods for dermatophytosis and treat infected rodents with appropriate antifungal agents to decrease the risk of infection

Phylogenetic analysis and genotyping of Iranian infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) based on the glycoprotein gene

Abstract Background Infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN) is known as one of the most contagious systemic viral diseases in salmonids which can lead to significant mortality rates and negative impacts on the salmonid farming industry. Infectious haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) was first detected in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) farms in Iran in 2003. Objectives We conducted the present study to determine the detection of IHN genotypes in rainbow trout (O. mykiss) in farms in the central parts of Iran, using molecular and phylogenetic techniques. Methods Samples were collected from fries exhibiting clinical signs such as darkening of the skin, abdominal swelling, and loss of appetite. Phylogenetic analysis was performed by the neighbour‐joining method, using MEGA 5.1 software. For phylogenetic analysis and genotyping of IHNV from central parts of Iran, the sequences of the glycoprotein gene were determined for two Iranian isolates (Jahad‐UT1 and Jahad‐UT2). Results Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the detected strains (Jahad‐UT1 and Jahad‐UT2 isolates) are closely related (97.23%–100%) to European isolates within genogroup ‘E’. Conclusions This finding indicates that Jahad‐UT1 and Jahad‐UT2 isolates have been widely transferred to Iran from European countries. Moreover, the nucleotide diversity of these Iranian isolates showed a close relationship with the North American and Asian isolates, although the Iranian isolates were collected from a smaller geographical area and within a shorter time period between 2014 and 2015