The epidemiology of Candida species isolated from urinary tract infections

Candida spp. are members of a genus, including closely related fungal species that cause a variety of infections. Objectives: The aim of this study was the isolation of various Candida species from vulvovaginitis and urethra of patients in Neyshabur, Northeast Iran from 2013 to 2015. Methods: This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was performed to identify Candida spp. causing vulvovaginitis and Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) at a referral laboratory in Neyshabur district, Khorasan Razavi Province. A total of 451 vaginal and midstream urine samples were collected. Ten micro-liters of each specimen was cultured on CHROM agar plates and then incubated at 37°C for 24 to 48 hours, aerobically. Candida species were identified based on colony morphology, germ tube production and micro-morphology on corn meal agar including 1% Tween 80. Results: The mean age of the patients was 34.7_16.3. Candida albicans was the predominant species isolated. Moreover, age groups of 21 to 30 and 0 to 1 years were the most and the least infected individuals. Moreover, Candida spp. were significantly morecommon in females compared to males (P value 103. Conclusions: In this study, C. albicans was the most common species isolated from patients with vulvovaginitis and UTI, and significantly more common amongst females compared to males. The prevalence of candida spp. had significantly declined from 2013 to 2015. Moreover, the candida spp. counts were mostly higher than 103cfu/mL

Candidiasis, Bacterial Vaginosis, Trichomoniasis and Other Vaginal Conditions Affecting the Vulva

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of amphotericin B, nystatin and miconazole on the polar lipids of Candida albicans and Candida dubliniensis

Objective : To determine whether nystatin, amphotericin B and miconazole have similar effects upon the fatty acids and phospholipids of Candida albicans   and C. dubliniensis . Materials and Methods: Serial dilutions of antifungal drugs were prepared in flasks. Then 50 ml of standardised suspension of tested yeasts was inoculated into each flask and incubated in shaking water bath at 37°C for 48 h. The last flask that had growth was centrifuged and the yeast cells harvested, washed and freeze-dried. Polar lipids were extracted from freeze-dried cells and were analysed by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB MS) in negative-ion mode. Results: Nystatin, amphotericin B and miconazole have different effects on phospholipids and fatty acids of two strains of C. albicans and a single strain of C. dubliniensis . The content of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in C. dubliniensis decreased from 53.2% to 19.4% and from 53.2% to 14.3% in the presence of nystatin and amphotericin B, respectively, whereas this phospholipid was absent in cultures exposed to miconazole. In both the examined strains of C. albicans , PE was decreased,in the presence of amphotericin B and nystatin, whereas PE in both strains of C. albicans increased when cultures were exposed to nystatin. Conclusion: It is concluded that biosynthesis of fatty acids and phospholipids of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis is affected by nystatin, amphotericin B and miconazole, in addition to the effects on ergosterol previously described. Antifungals also exert both qualitative and quantitative effects on different strains of C. albicans

An evaluation of the infection control potential of a UV clinical podiatry unit

Background: Infection control is a key issue in podiatry as it is in all forms of clinical practice. Airborne contamination may be particularly important in podiatry due to the generation of particulates during treatment. Consequently, technologies that prevent contamination in podiatry settings may have a useful role. The aims of this investigation were twofold, firstly to determine the ability of a UV cabinet to protect instruments from airborne contamination and secondly to determine its ability to remove microbes from contaminated surfaces and instruments. Method: A UV instrument cabinet was installed in a University podiatry suite. Impact samplers and standard microbiological techniques were used to determine the nature and extent of microbial airborne contamination. Sterile filters were used to determine the ability of the UV cabinet to protect exposed surfaces. Artificially contaminated instruments were used to determine the ability of the cabinet to remove microbial contamination. Results: Airborne bacterial contamination was dominated by Gram positive cocci including Staphylococcus aureus. Airborne fungal levels were much lower than those observed for bacteria. The UV cabinet significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the observed levels of airborne contamination. When challenged with contaminated instruments the cabinet was able to reduce microbial levels by between 60% to 100% with more complex instruments e.g. clippers, remaining contaminated. Conclusions: Bacterial airborne contamination is a potential infection risk in podiatry settings due to the presence of S. aureus. The use of a UV instrument cabinet can reduce the risk of contamination by airborne microbes. The UV cabinet tested was unable to decontaminate instruments and as such could pose an infection risk if misused. Keywords: Infection control, UV, Bacteria, Fungi, Dermatophytes, Contaminatio