Identification of Candida Species Associated with Blood Infection by Multiplex PCR and Phenotypic Characteristics

Background and Aim: The correct identification of Candida species is one of the most critical procedures in prognostic and therapeutic significance, allowing an early and appropriate antifungal therapy. This study aimed to evaluate multiplex PCR as a rapid diagnostic method and traditional phenotypic tests in identifying Candida species isolated from candidemia cases. Methods: In this study, 38 Candida spp were isolated from culturing of human blood obtained from patients suspected to candidemia. The isolated species were evaluated by phenotypic and molecular methods including carbohydrate assimilation test, colony colour on CHROMagar Candida, chlamydoconidia production, germ tube formation and Multiplex PCR. Multiplex PCR was performed using specific primers of 4 common species. The results of multiplex PCR were compared with those obtained from phenotypic tests. Results: According to multiplex PCR findings, the isolated Candida species were identified as C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, and C. tropicalis. Phenotypic tests identified that 23 (60.52%), 8 (21.05%), 5 (13.15%), and 2 (5.26%) isolates belonged to C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, and C. tropicalis, respectively, that were confirmed by multiplex PCR results. C. albicans and C. parapsilosis had the same carbohydrate assimilation pattern but were differentiated based on their colonies color on CHROMagar and the ability of C. albicans to produce chlamydoconidia and germ tube. C. glabrata (100%) and C. tropicalis (100%) assimilated trehalose and cellobiose, respectively. Conclusion: Our study showed that the both phenotypic and molecular techniques provide appropriate information for identification of Candida spp from blood samples. *Corresponding Author: Masoomeh Shams-Ghahfarokhi; Email: [email protected]; ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2562-965X Please cite this article as:  Fallah B, Shams-Ghahfarokhi M, Salehi M. Identification of Candida Species Associated with Blood Infection by Multiplex PCR and Phenotypic Characteristics.  Arch Med Lab Sci. 2023;9:1-9 (e1). https://doi.org/10.22037/amls.v9.3840

Food Microbiology: Application of Microorganisms in Food Industry

Industrial microbiology is one branch of applied microbiology where microbes are used to produce important products such as metabolic manufacture, biotransformation, manufacture of energy (bio-fuels), management of organic and industrial wastes, manufacture of microbial biomass (microbial protein) for food and feed, manufacture of bio-control agents (antibiotics) and fermentation of food products. Microbial food processing is used to transform simple food into a value-added form with the assistance of microbes. In addition, it involves converting low-value, often inedible, perishable natural resources into high-value, safe food products. Since antiquity, mankind have used microbes to produce a variety of food products such as dairy products, bread, vinegar, wine and beer, as well as fermented seafood, meat and vegetables. There are many useful applications of microbes in the food processing industry, which have a strong influence on the quality and quantity of food. Recently, microbial approaches of food processing have garnered global attention as a workable method to food conservation and a good source of vital nutrients. Microbial contamination of food commodities typically occurs between the field and the processing plant or during processing, storage, transportation and distribution or prior to consumption. Consequently, microbes are being considered as very significant elements in food manufacturing, food quality maintenance and food safety. In this chapter, we focus on the beneficial roles of microorganisms, the applications of microorganisms in the food industry and the risks of microbial contamination

Fabrication of a silica aerogel and examination of its hydrophobic properties via contact angle and 3M water repellency tests

Aerogels are dry gels with a very high specific pore volume. Aerogels with increased hydrophobicity have significant potential to expand their use as lightweight materials. Considering its special nanostructure and exceptional properties, this paper focuses on the synthesis and hydrophobic evaluation of a silica aerogel. The structural properties were investigated by measuring density, SEM micrographs, and BET analyses. Also, the hydrophobic evaluation was carried out by measuring 3M water repellency and water/alcohol contact angle. The BET analysis showed successful synthesis of the nanoporous silica aerogel with a pore size of 24 nm and porosity of 89%. The synthesized aerogel showed 3M water repellency of 3 and water contact angle of 129.6˚. Also, it is worth-mentioning that as the alcohol content of the drops in 3M water repellency test is increased, the drop contact angle is decreased due to its lower surface tension. Thus, the contact angle reaches the zero at 3M water repellency test number of 4 (water/alcohol 60/40)

Mycobiota and aflatoxin B1 contamination of rainbow trout (Oncorhinchus mykiss) feed with emphasis to Aspergillus section Flavi

In the present study, mycobiota and natural occurrence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in pellet feed and feed ingredients used in a feed manufacturing plant for rainbow trout nutrition was investigated. The samples were cultured on the standard isolation media for 2 weeks at 28 ºC. Identification of fungal isolates was implemented based on the macro- and microscopic morphological criteria. AFB1 was detected using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Based on the results obtained, a total of 109 fungal isolates were identified of which Aspergillus was the prominent genus (57.0%), followed by Penicillium (12.84%), Absidia (11.01%) and Pseudallscheria (10.10%). The most frequent Aspergillus species was A. flavus (60.66%) isolated from all feed ingredients as well as pellet feed. Among 37 A. flavus isolates, 19 (51.35%) were able to produce AFB1 on YES broth in the range of 10.2 to 612.8 µg/g fungal dry weight. HPLC analysis of trout feed showed that pellet feed and all feed ingredients tested except gluten were contaminated with different levels of AFB1 in the range of 1.83 to 67.35 µg/kg. Unacceptable levels of AFB1 were reported for feed including soybean, fish meal and wheat. These results indicate the importance of AF contamination of trout feed in amounts higher than the acceptable level as a risk factor for fish farming production

Identification of the main allergen sensitizers in an Iran asthmatic population by molecular diagnosis

Background: There has been a significant growth in the prevalence of allergy, mainly associated to IgE-mediated disorders such as asthma and rhinitis. The identification of atopy in asthmatic patients through the measurement of specific IgE can help to identify risk factors that cause asthmatic symptoms in patients. The development and use of individualized allergen-based tests by the Component Resolved Diagnosis has been a crucial advance in the accurate diagnosis and control of allergic patients. The objective of this work was to assess the usefulness of molecular diagnosis to identify environmental allergens as possible factors influencing the development and manifestation of asthma in a group of asthmatic patients from Iran. Methods: Studied population: 202 adult asthmatic patients treated at the Loghman Hakim Hospital and Pasteur Institute of Teheran (Iran) from 2011 to 2012. Specific IgE determined by the ImmunoCAP system were used to both evaluate the patients' atopic condition and the molecules involved in the allergic sensitization. SDS-PAGE IgE-immunoblotting associated with mass spectrometry was carried out to study the cockroach IgE-binding sensitizing proteins. Results: Forty-five percent of all patients could be considered atopic individuals. Eighty-two percent of atopic patients were sensitized to pollen allergens. The Salsola kali (Sal k 1) and the Phleum pratense (rPhl p 1 and/or rPhl p 5) major allergens were the most common sensitizers among pollens (71% and 18%, respectively). Thirty-five percent of the atopic population was sensitized to cockroach. Four different allergens, including a previously unknown alpha-amylase, were identified in the cockroach extract. No significant associations could be demonstrated between the severity of asthma and the specific IgE levels in the atopic population. Statistical analysis identified the Sal k 1 as the main protein allergen influencing the development and expression of asthma in the studied population. Conclusions: Pollen and cockroach were the most relevant allergen sources in the asthmatic population. The Salsola kali major allergen was the main cause for sensitization in the atopic patients suffering asthma. Using the Component Resolved Diagnosis, it was possible to identify a new Blattella germanica cockroach allergen (Blattella alpha amylase 53 kDa) that could sensitize a relevant percentage of this population.This study has been founded by the Government of The Basque Country, Project IT787-13

The Effect of the Acetone Extract of Arctotis arctotoides (Asteraceae) on the Growth and Ultrastructure of Some Opportunistic Fungi Associated with HIV/AIDS

In this study, the effect of the acetone extract of Arctotis arctotoides (L.f.) O. Hoffm. (Asteraceae) on the growth and ultrastructure of some opportunistic fungi associated with HIV/AIDS was analyzed by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM). Remarkable morphological alterations in the fungal mycelia which were attributed to the loss of cell wall strength ranged from loss of turgidity and uniformity, collapse of entire hyphae to evident destruction of the hyphae. The elements responsible for giving the fungi their characteristic virulence were detected and quantified by energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis techniques. X-ray microanalysis showed the specific spectra of sodium, potassium and sulfur as the principal intersection of the four pathogenic fungi studied. Since these ions have the potential of fostering fungal invasion by altering the permeability of hosts’ membranes, their presence was considered inherent to the pathogenicity of the opportunistic fungi. Hence, these findings indicate the potential of the crude extract of A. arctotoides in preventing fungal invasion and subsequent infection of host’s membranes