Effect of sodium bicarbonate against Candida albicans in denture stomatitis: An in vitro study

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sodium bicarbonate against candida albicans, the main infectious factor of denture stomatitis, and to compare it with other common anti-candida medications. Materials and Methods: Three concentrations of Candida albicans (105, 106, 107 CFU/mL) were prepared. Experimental substances were 5% sodium bicarbonate, nystatin, chlorhexidine, and sterile saline (as control). Each of them was added separately to the same amounts of Candida albicans of different concentrations, and sampled at the intervals of 1, 2, 3 and 4 min. Then, the samples were cultured and incubated. The number of formed colonies was counted for each plate. The data were analyzed, using ANOVA and Tukey test. Results: Sodium bicarbonate showed a noticeable anti-candida effect on the concentrations of 105 and 106 CFU/mL, with almost similar anti-candida effect as nystatin and chlorehexidine(P=0.29, P=0.32). Nystatin was the most effective medication on the concentration of 107 CFU/mL of candida (P=0.03, P=0.01). Sodium bicarbonate and chlorhexidine were less effective in this concentration with no statistically significant difference (P=1.00). Conclusion: Sodium bicarbonate showed a significant anti-candida effect at low and medium concentrations of Candida albicans, but nystatin was more effective in the higher concentrations

Evaluation of Van A-B genes frequency in Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci spp., isolated from clinical samples of Imam Hossein Teaching Hospital in Tehran.: A molecular study of vancomycin-resistant-enterococci.

Abstract Background: Antibiotic resistance is an important cause of treatment failure and re-infection in enterococci. In this study, the frequency of phenotype and genotype of Van A-B genes in Vancomycin resistant enterococcus isolated from a clinical sample of Imam Hossein Hospitals in Tehran was determined. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study in 2018, a total of 76 vancomycin-resistant enterococci in Imam Hossein Hospitals in Tehran were evaluated, including those from blood, urine, sputum, and wound. The frequency of phenotype and genotype of Van A-B genes in them was determined by MIC Epsilometer test and Multiplex Real-time PCR. Results: The 160 isolates of enterococci collected from different hospital wards revealed that 76 (47%) enterococci were resistant by applying MIC E-test; interestingly, all VRE isolated showed high-level vancomycin resistance. The Real-time-PCR assay demonstrated vanA gene in 76 (100%) VRE isolates. Considering to controls no van B gene was detected in this assay. Based on bacterial phenotype tests, the results showed that 82% and 18% of the isolates were E. faecium and E. faecalis, respectively. Conclusion: Totally, it may be concluded that Van A gene is more accompanied by high-level Vancomycin Teicoplanin resistance in common enterococci species. The frequency of Vancomycin resistance entrocooci is increasing especially among ICU admitted patients. For effective treatment MIC test and Van A-B genotyping seem to be essential