Fumonisin B1 contamination of cereals and risk of esophageal cancer in a high risk area in Northeastern Iran

Introduction: Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a toxic and carcinogenic mycotoxin produced in cereals due to fungal infection. This study was conducted to determine FB1 contamination of rice and corn samples and its relationship with the rate of esophageal cancer (EC) in a high risk area in northeastern Iran. Methods: In total, 66 rice and 66 corn samples were collected from 22 geographical subdivisions of Golestan province of Iran. The levels of FB1 were measured for each subdivision by thin layer and high pressure liquid chromatographies. The mean level of FB1 and the proportions of FB1 contaminated samples were compared between low and high EC-risk areas of the province. Results: The mean of FB1 levels in corn and rice samples were 223.64 and 21.59 μ/g, respectively. FB1 contamination was found in 50% and 40.9% of corn and rice samples, respectively. FB1 level was significantly higher in rice samples obtained from high EC-risk area (43.8 μ/g) than those obtained from low risk area (8.93 μ/g) (p-value=0.01). The proportion of FBI contaminated rice samples was also significantly greater in high (75%) than low (21.4%) EC-risk areas (p-value=0.02). Conclusion: We found high levels of FBI contamination in corn and rice samples from Golestan province of Iran, with a significant positive relationship between FB1 contamination in rice and the risk of EC. Therefore, fumonisin contamination in commonly used staple foods, especially rice, may be considered as a potential risk factor for EC in this high risk region

Immunomodulatory effect of β-glucan on peritoneal macrophages of Babl/c mice

We assessed the effect of β-Glucan on macrophages by Griess reagent and viability by MTT assay and cytotoxicity. Assay of macrophages culture supernatants were carried out on WEHI-164 fibrosarcoma cell line as tumor necrosis factor-α bioassay were done. NO release was increased at the dose of 10 μg/ml (P = 0.001) of β-Glucan while the viability of macrophages in all concentrations was the same. In TNF-α bioassay, the supernatant of macrophages stimulated with β-Glucan had a significant cytotoxic effect on WEHI-164 cells (P = 0.023). β-Glucan had a positive effect on increasing tumoricidal activity of macrophages which may help in anti-cancer immune responses. © 2015 Polish Journal of Microbiology

Evaluation of the ability of malassezia species in biofilm formation

Background: Although Malassezia genusare part of the skin normal flora, under certain conditions, they become pathogenic. Catheter-related fungemia, caused by Malassezia, which is associated with biofilm formation, is considered a nosocomial infection. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of Malassezia globosa and Malassezia restricta in biofilm formation. Methods: Biofilm formation was carried out using catheter segments in 12-well plates. Results were measured using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay in 96-well plates. The data was analyzed using univariate Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) or Repeated Measures ANOVA. P values of � 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0 software. Results: Both M. globosa and M. restricta species were able to form biofilms in vitro. Malassezia restricta was more capable than M. globosa to form biofilms, yet, significant differences were not observed (P = 0.192). Conclusions: Over time, Malassezia biofilms matured. Due to the above species ability in forming biofilm, they could play an important role in fungemia that should be considered in therapeutic procedures. © 2017, Archives of Clinical Infectious Diseases

Molecular investigation of etiologic agents causing vulvovaginal candidiasis

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an ordinary infection caused by Candida species. Meanwhile, a shift towards non-albicans Candida (NAC) species has been detected in VVC patients. Objectives: This study aimed at molecular identification of Candida isolates, causing VVC. Methods: Vaginal secretion samples of 320 non-pregnant vaginitis patients at Shahid Akbar-Abadi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in Tehran (Iran) were collected. Samples were evaluated using mycological and molecular approaches. Vaginitis isolates were analyzed with the PCR using NL1 and NL4 primers, and the D1/D2 region of the large-subunit rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced. Results: In total, 100 Candida isolates were identified from VVC and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). Candida albicans was the most frequent (51), followed by C. glabrata (36), C. krusei (Pichia kudriavzevii) (8), and C. kefyr (Kluyveromyces marxianus) (5). 51 and 49 of isolates had C. albicans and NAC, respectively. Conclusions: Candida albicans and C. glabrata were the most common agents of vulvovaginal candidiasis. NAC spp. (49) was found as an important agent associated with VVC. © 2020, Author(s)

Investigating the presence of aspergillus fumigatus and A. Flavus using galactomannan enzyme assay and taqman real-time PCR technique

Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA), a serious and fatal disease, is caused by numerous opportunistic fungi including Aspergillus species. Lack of early diagnosis and delay in treatment lead to the rapid spread of the infection and relapse, increase treatment costs, and ultimately cause death. Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the presence of Aspergillus species by Galactomannan EIA (GM) and TaqMan q PCR methods. Methods: Fluid samples of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were collected from 89 patients, who were at risk for IA and underwent a bronchoscopy at Shariati hospital in Tehran, Iran. The specimens were examined using direct examination, culture methods, and GM and TaqMan real-time PCR. Results: A total of 23 samples were found to be positive in direct examination, 7 were identified as Aspergillus fumigatus, and 11 were positive as A. flavus in culture assays, 27 were GM positive, and 29 were positive with PAN Aspergillus probe. Moreover, 7 samples were positive with A. fumigatus probe and 11 were positive with A. flavus probe. Negative predictive value (NPV), sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV), and specificity for a � 1.0 BAL GM level were 98.4, 94.4, 62.9, and 85.9, respectively, and were 100 for TaqMan Real time PCR. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that TaqManreal-time PCR has a great value for detection of Aspergillus species in BAL specimen. Since early diagnosis has been highly considered to prevent the occurrence of drug resistance and mortality rate, it is necessary to use this method directly to detect Aspergillus species in BAL or blood specimens without culture. Onthe other hand, Galactomannan assay with a 98.4 NPVcould be usedto screen the patients with suspected invasive aspergillosis. Additionally, dueto the lack of need for specialized devices, an appropriate diagnostic technique should be used in laboratories that do not have access to specialized procedures. © 2018, Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology

Design and synthesis of mucoadhesive nanogel containing farnesol: investigation of the effect on HWP1, SAP6 and Rim101 genes expression of Candida albicans in vitro

The evolution of drug resistance of Candida species to conventional antifungal agents has been a major medical challenge worldwide; attempt to use the potential antifungal agents with appropriate therapy efficacy and minimum effects is considerably growing. This study was conducted to evaluate the use of nanogel as a nanocarrier for pharmaceutical application of farnesol. The nanogels were synthetized using alginate (AL) and chitosan (CS) polymers containing 300 µM of farnesol in the nano-range 42-70�nm size. In vitro release studies indicated that release of farnesol from CS and AL nanogels was as 58 and 37, respectively. Chitosan nanogel showed more in inhibitory zone as compared to AL nanogel (9�mm). Also, cytotoxicity assay showed no significant difference between control and treatment groups (p>.05). Finally, the effect of nanogels on genes expression of HWP1, SAP6 and Rim101 in Candida albicans ATCC10231 was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Expression of HWP1 and SAP6 genes in C. albicans treated with CS nanogel was significantly decreased (p<.01). In general, the obtained finding showed that, CS nanogel contains farnesol with proper antifungal activity and as a new approach used in pharmaceutical applications against C. albicans; however, more studies in vitro and in vivo are needed in the future

Investigating the presence of aspergillus fumigatus and A. Flavus using galactomannan enzyme assay and taqman real-time PCR technique

Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA), a serious and fatal disease, is caused by numerous opportunistic fungi including Aspergillus species. Lack of early diagnosis and delay in treatment lead to the rapid spread of the infection and relapse, increase treatment costs, and ultimately cause death. Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the presence of Aspergillus species by Galactomannan EIA (GM) and TaqMan q PCR methods. Methods: Fluid samples of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were collected from 89 patients, who were at risk for IA and underwent a bronchoscopy at Shariati hospital in Tehran, Iran. The specimens were examined using direct examination, culture methods, and GM and TaqMan real-time PCR. Results: A total of 23 samples were found to be positive in direct examination, 7 were identified as Aspergillus fumigatus, and 11 were positive as A. flavus in culture assays, 27 were GM positive, and 29 were positive with PAN Aspergillus probe. Moreover, 7 samples were positive with A. fumigatus probe and 11 were positive with A. flavus probe. Negative predictive value (NPV), sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV), and specificity for a � 1.0 BAL GM level were 98.4, 94.4, 62.9, and 85.9, respectively, and were 100 for TaqMan Real time PCR. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that TaqManreal-time PCR has a great value for detection of Aspergillus species in BAL specimen. Since early diagnosis has been highly considered to prevent the occurrence of drug resistance and mortality rate, it is necessary to use this method directly to detect Aspergillus species in BAL or blood specimens without culture. Onthe other hand, Galactomannan assay with a 98.4 NPVcould be usedto screen the patients with suspected invasive aspergillosis. Additionally, dueto the lack of need for specialized devices, an appropriate diagnostic technique should be used in laboratories that do not have access to specialized procedures. © 2018, Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology

Candida albicans beta-glucan induce anti-cancer activity of mesenchymal stem cells against lung cancer cell line: An in-vitro experimental study

Objective: �-glucan, glucopyranosyl polymers of fungi cell wall, represent an immune stimulating effects with potential anti-cancer activity. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have immunomodulating properties in cancer microenvironment. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effect of Candida albicans (C. albicans) beta-glucan on MSCs supernatant for apoptosis assay of lung cancer cells in vitro. Methods: Beta-glucan was extracted from cell wall of C.albicans. MSC isolated from adipose tissue of patients and confirmed using specific surface markers expression which examined by flow cytometry. MSCs treated with various concentrations of �-glucans for 48 hours. Cytotoxic effect of �-glucans was evaluated using MTT assay. MSC and lung cancer line cocultured and treated with �-glucans and apoptosis assay was done by flow cytometry. Results: Cytotoxicity findings showed a significant decrease in MSC viability during 48h, however it was dose-dependent (P<0.05). According to the obtained findings, supernatant of mesenchymal stem cells treated with �-glucans increased cancer cells apoptosis (P<0.05). Conclusion: Beta glucan may highlight a potential and novel promising candidate in future strategies to cause apoptosis of cancer cells and consider as therapeutic agent against tumor growth as well. Definitely, more in vitro and in vivo tudies are required to understand its functions. © 2020, Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention

Differential role of gpaB and sidA gene expressions in relation to virulence in Aspergillus species from patients with invasive aspergillosis

The virulence genes in invasive aspergillosis (IA) have not been analyzed adequately. The present study was designed to evaluate the expression of gpaB and sidA genes, which are important virulence genes in Aspergillus spp. from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples. Direct examination and culture on Czapek Agar and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar media were performed for 600 BAL specimens isolated from patients with possible aspergillosis. A Galactomannan ELISA assay was also carried out. The expression levels of the gpaB and sidA genes in isolates were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). We identified 2 species, including Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) and Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) in 25 positive samples for invasive aspergillosis as validated using GM-ELISA. A. flavus is the main pathogen threatening transplant recipients and cancer patients worldwide. In this study, A. flavus had low levels of the gpaB gene expression compared to A. fumigatus (p = 0.006). The highest sidA expression was detected in transplant recipients (p = 0.05). There was no significant correlation between sidA expression and underlying disease (p = 0.15). The sidA and gpaB gene expression patterns may provide evidence that these virulence genes play important roles in the pathogenicity of Aspergillus isolates; however, there are several regulatory genes responsible for the unexpressed sidA and gpaB genes in the isolates. © 2018 Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologi