Surveying the airborne pathogenic fungi in desert area of Ardestan town trip

Background: This study was performed to determine the type and number of the fungus species including saprophyte, opportunistic and pathogen in the salt desert region of Ardestan township in 1375.Materials and methods: This descriptive study was conducted by Petri-dish trapping technique. 9 different locations were selected (saltiferous, salt desert forest, agriculture ground, fruit garden, city space, pigeon space, ranches space, poultry space, and canal wells including wild pigeon). From the first 5 locations 75 samples and from the other 4 locations 40 petri-dish were obtained.Results: Totally, 1051 fungus colonies were counted from 115 petir-dishes. The most common fungi were peniccilium spp., cladosporium spp., aspergillus spp., alternaria spp., and yeasts. Number of fungus colonies were as follow: at the evening 45.5, in the morning 27.7, and at noon 26.8. Canal wells including wild pigeons had shown to have the most variable types of fungi, meanwhile, the biggest yeast colony numbers were isolated form this location. Furthermore, 3 fungus species similar to sporothrix schenchii were isolated from this site.Conclusion: The place of sampling and environmental factors may influence the number and type of fungi in the salt desert region. The biggest fungus colonies were isolated form ranches space and the smallest from salt march regions. Meanwhile, some fungi such as peniccilium spp., cladosporium spp., aspergillus spp., alternaria spp are able to grow even in unsuitable environmental conditions

Proximal onychomycosis due to Malassezia furfur: a case report

Background: The etiologic role of Malassezia furfur in onychomycosis, because of its controversial keratinolytic ability, has not been proven. The most reported cases are distal subungual onychomycosis (DSO). In our knowledge no cases of proximal onychomycosis (PO) has been reported. For the first time we report proximal onychomycosis. This case report describes the isolation of Malassezia furfur from fingernails. Case presentation: An Iranian 56- year- old women had been referred to mycology lab with hyperkeratosis in proximal regions of right hand nails and clinical diagnosis of onychomycosis without paronychia in May 2012. She used several medicines for her cardiac disease, mental illness, severe stress and blood glucose fluctuation diseases. Scraping and sampling from nail lesions were done, budding yeast cells with broadband connections were observed in 15% KOH wet mounts. Also, other differentiation tests, consist of staining with methylen blue, cultures and biochemical tests were done. In order to rejecting the probable etiologic role of any dermatophytic or non-dermatophytic fungi in this case, samples were collected from other parts of the body by scotch tape and scraping with scalpel blade too, but the results of direct microscopy and culture were negative. Finally, Malassezia furfur was identified as the causative agent of onychomycosis.Conclusion: Despite failure to prove Malassezia furfur keratinolytic ability, it can be the etiologic agent of proximal onychomycosis that shows the aggressive properties of this species. Its clinical importance is the easier transmission to hospitalized patients and other people

Frequency and Geographic Distribution of CARD9 Mutations in Patients With Severe Fungal Infections

Contains fulltext : 200115.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Autosomal recessive deficiency in the caspase recruitment domain containing protein 9 (CARD9) results in susceptibility to fungal infections. In the last decade, infections associated with CARD9 deficiency are more reported due to the advent of genome sequencing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency, geographic distribution and nature of mutations in patients with CARD9 deficiency. We identified 60 patients with 24 mutations and different fungal infections. The presence of the homozygous (HMZ) p.Q295X (c.883C > T) and HMZ p.Q289X (c.865C > T) mutations were associated with an elevated risk of candidiasis (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.18-2.15; p = 0.004) and dermatophytosis (OR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.47-2.37; p T) and HMZ p.Q295X (c.865C > T) accounted for 75% and 37.9% of the African and Asian cases, respectively. The spectrum of CARD9 mutations in Asian patients was higher than in African. Asia is the most populous continent in the world and may have a greater genetic burden resulting in more patients with severe fungal infections. The presence of a high diversity of mutations revealing 24 distinct variations among 60 patients emphasize that the unique genetic alteration in CARD9 gene may be associated with certain geographical areas