DISTRIBUTION OF DERMATOPHYTES FROM SOILS OF URBAN AND RURAL AREAS OF CITIES OF PARAIBA STATE, BRAZIL

SUMMARY The dermatophytes, keratinophilic fungi, represent important microorganisms of the soil microbiota, where there are cosmopolitan species and others with restricted geographic distribution. The aim of this study was to broaden the knowledge about the presence of dermatophytes in soils of urban (empty lots, schools, slums, squares, beaches and homes) and rural areas and about the evolution of their prevalence in soils of varying pH in cities of the four mesoregions of Paraiba State, Brazil. Soil samples were collected from 31 cities of Paraiba State. Of 212 samples, 62% showed fungal growth, particularly those from the Mata Paraibana mesoregion (43.5%), which has a tropical climate, hot and humid. Soil pH varied from 4.65 to 9.06, with 71% of the growth of dermatophytes occurring at alkaline pH (7.02 - 9.06) (ρ = 0.000). Of 131 strains isolated, 57.3% were geophilic species, particularly Trichophyton terrestre (31.3%) and Mycrosporum gypseum (21.4%). M. nanum and T. ajelloi were isolated for the first time in Paraiba State. The zoophilic species identified were T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes (31.3 %) and T. verrucosum (7.6 %), and T. tonsurans was isolated as an anthropophilic species. The soils of urban areas including empty lots, schools, slums and squares of cities in the mesoregions of Paraiba State were found to be the most suitable reservoirs for almost all dermatophytes; their growth may have been influenced by environmental factors, soils with residues of human and/or animal keratin and alkaline pH

IN VITRO STUDY OF GRISEOFULVIN RESISTANT ISOLATES OF PREVALENT DERMATOPHYTES IN ISFAHAN

Introduction. With report of cases of griseofulvin resistant dermatophytes, the use of new Antifungal drugs such as itraconazole, fluconazole and terbinafine is recommended which are more expensive or somehow rare in Iran. Therefore, study of griseofulvin sensitivity pattern of dermatophytes in Isfahan could lead to a more effective and less expensive treatment for ermatophytoses.
 Methods. Fifty isolates of the most prevalent dermatophytes in Isfahan were isolated from patients and then the standard homogenized suspensions from them were prepared for future inoculation. The minimum inhibitory concemtration (MIC) of Griseofulvin was determined by modified macrodiution method for each isolate and then results were compared and analysed with standard values of MICs of dermatophytes and the resistant species indentified.
 Results. All tested isolates (related to four species) had MIC mode of 0.25, 90% had 8 and 50% ranged . between <0.25-1 µ.mg/ml. From all isolates, 10% of them including three T.verrucosum, one M. canis and one T. mentagrophytes had MIC out of standardized range, therfore, they considered as griseofulvin resistant isolates.
 Discussion. Although MIC valuses of drug in vivo and in vitro are somewhat different but in vitro values could be used as additional parameters in treatment of dermatophytoses, in particular its recalcitrant types or in areas which the resistant species may have high prevalence. In general, the proper application of griseofulvin and knowledge of prevalent species of dermatophytes of region and their drug sensitivity pattern could reduce the use of expensive and rare antifungal drugs for treatment of dermatophytoses in Iran

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma Gondii in pregnant females referring to Ashrafi Isfahani Hospital in Khomeinishahr, 1998-2000

Background: Primary infection of toxoplasma gondii in pregnancy may lead to death, abortion, severe infection of neonates and asymptomatic but progressive infections. With respect to the known complications of toxoplasma gondii, the present study was conducted in Ashrafi Isfahani hospital in Khomeinishahr, 1998-2000, to determine the seroepidemiology of toxoplasma gondii in parturients.Materials and Methods: 270 parturients aged 15-45 years were included. Having received 5ml peripheral blood sample, the presence of antibody was determined in dilutions of 1/20 and 1/100. In case of positive results in dilution of 1/100, tests were carried out for higher titers. Titer of 1/20 was considered as the criteria for diagnosis, however titer of 1/400 was considered significant.Results: Toxoplasma gondii was revealed in 32.2 of the subjects, of which, 17.6 had IgM antibody and 82.6 had IgG. Most of the affected individuals aged 20-25 years (36.7).Conclusion: Results have revealed that toxoplasma gondii is relatively prevalent in Khomeinishahr. Bear in mind the susceptibility of pregnant women as well as high expenses of serologic screening tests, the necessity of educational programs in felt further

An evaluation on the adherence of Candida albicans to different denture- base materials

The surface topography of denture base material is an important factor for the"nadhesion of Candida albicans and other microorganisms."nPurpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the adherence of Candida albicans to four types of denture"nbase materials (Acropars acrylic resin, Meliodent acrylic resin, rough and smooth surfaces of Molloplast B)."nMaterials and Methods: Seven blocks of two types of acrylic resins and ten blocks of silicone with one"nrough and one smooth surface were made and incubated in a suspension of Candida albicans. After washing,"nthe blocks were stained with acridine orange and examined under fluorescent microscope. For statistical"nanalysis ANOVA and Duncan tests were used."nResults: It was observed that Candida adhesion to rough surfaces of acrylic resins and silicone was"nsignificantly more than polished surfaces of acrylic resins and smooth silicone (PO.0001). However, no"nstatistical significant difference was found between polished acrylic resins surfaces and smooth silicone."nConclusion: Significant differences in the adherence of Candida to the surfaces of different denture base"nmaterials are due to differences in surface topography, chemical, physical and hydrophobic properties so it is"nrecommended to minimize the roughness and irregularities of denture base

ISOLATION AND DETECTION OF CRYPTOCOCCUS NEOFORMANS FROM PIGEON DROPPINGS: ISFAHAN AND IT"S SUBURBS PROVINCE PIGEON TOWERS

Introduction: Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast like and a principle cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised hosts, especially those with AIDS. At the persent, due to progressive increase in predisposing factors to cryptococcosis and proper therapy, identification of this fungus has become more important than before. The most important sources of infection are contaminated pigeon droppings and soil. Since there are many so called .Pigeon Tower" in Isfahan and it"s suburbs, we decided to isolate and identify C.neoformans from pigeon droppings collected in these towers. It is notable that these pigeon droppings are traditionally used as natural fertilizer.
 Methods: After preparing suspensions of droppings, we spread them onto the surface of Niger seed agar and L-DOPA containing media. The identification of isolates was established by ureas test, India ink preparation, subculturing on CMA + Tween 80 medium, growth 37°c and assimilation of carbohydrates and nitrate. GCP (Glycine- Cyclohexaamide - Phenol red) medium was used for distinguishing C.neoformans Var. neoformans from C. neoformans Var. gattii. The pathogenicity of the isolates was determined in mice by intracerebral inoculation.
 Results: c. neoformans was isolated from 11 of 136 samples (8.1 percent). All of them were identified as c. neoformans Var. neoformans. However, five of them (45.5 percent) caused disease in mice. There was no statistically significant relation between the pH of the pigeon dropping and the precence of C.neoformans.
 Discussion: According to the results, it seems that the actual prevalance of cryptococcosis should be more than the reported cases. Regarding the relative frequency of the yeast in "Pigeon Towers" in Esfahan, as it was shown in this study, clinicians should pay more attention to this organism and its disease, especially in patients with predisposing factors

GROWTH RATE AND IDENTIFICATION OF YEASTS IN THREE DIFFERENT MEDIA: FLOUR, SPROUT OF CEREALS AND COMMERCIAL MEDIA

Introduction. The yeasts are a large group of fungi. In addition to their different uses in food industries and pharmacology they can also cause human and animal infections under predisposing factors. For investigating the yeast"s growth phases and diagnosis of the species, they should culture in media from natural sources like the seeds on the commercial media. According to yeast"s nutritinal requierments and considering the various nutritional materials of seeds like wheat, rice, barney and better use of these seed"s compounds during sprouting, this research was done with the aim of measurment of growth rate and yeasts characterization in such media.
 Methods. For making seeds media, a fixed quantity of seed"s flour or sprout"s flour was added to a certain amount of agar in acidotic condition (pH=5.8). The germination of seeds was done by Hus method and for colony counting Mc, Farland tubes were used and microscopic and macroscopic characteristics were investigated and compared in both synthetic and seed media Results. The results showed that the rate of yeasts growth in all germinated seeds was more than the seeds themeselves. Statistical analysis showed no significal difference between the growth rate of yeasts in both wheat and barney sprout compared to the commercial media. In the microscopic studies, the species of Candida albicans in wheat flour has produced more chlamydoconidia than the synthetic medium of corn meal agar. Also production of the capsule in C.neoformans in the seed"s media has been better than the synthetic media.
 Discussion. According to the promising results obtained from the present study regard to the growth rate and differentiation of the fungal species in such media, standardization and mass production of them in our country would seem to be an productive step towards self sufficiency

The effect of safety education based on Health Belief Model (HBM) on the workers practice of Borujen industrial town in using the personal protection respiratory equipments

Background and aims   Every year 50-158 million occupational diseases and job accidents occur in the world. Studies on the job injuries show that about 150000 injuries occur annually in  Iran. Unhealthy behaviors are important problems in public health. Education is one of the best ways to change unhealthy behaviors. Interventions based on model and theories have many  capacities for behavior change. Health Belief Model is one of the health education models that are  useful for behavior change. This research has been performed in order to assess the effect of health  education program based on health belief model (HBM) to prevent occupational respiratory   diseases in workers.   Methods   Aquasi-experimental design was used for this interventional study, in which 88 of workers of Borujen industrial town participated, who were randomly assigned to experimental and control group. Data collecting tool were a self-administered questionnaire including 53 questions based on health belief model that was completed by the workers, in addition to the performance check list which was conducted by researcher via insensible controlling the workers' safety behaviour. Validity and reliability of the tools were examined prior to the study. Educational  intervention was conducted in the first stage following by the second data collection one month  later. The data of both experimental and control group were compared statistically before and  after the intervention.   Results   The results showed that the mean of the grade of all parts of health belief model  (HBM) and performance mark of the workers about safety and use of personal respiratory  preventive equipment in experimental group after educational intervention compared to prior the  study and also compared to control group were significantly increased.   Conclusion   The results of this survey showed that by enhancement of health belief model (HBM) components including perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived barriers  and perceived benefits, adopting preventive actions increases, too. Therefore, the results of this survey confirm the effectiveness and efficiency of health belief model (HBM) in safety education and adopting preventive actions of respiratory occupational diseases in worker's behaviors