Relationship between antifungal susceptibility profle and virulence factors in Candida albicans isolated from nail specimens

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate some virulence factors in Candida albicans isolates from patients with onychomycosis and determine the correlation between these factors and the antifungal resistance profle Methods: Seventy species of C. albicans were confrmed using polymerase chain reaction amplifcation of the HWP1 gene. According to the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines, the susceptibility profle of four antifungal agents was investigated, and the production of aspartyl protease, phospholipase, haemolysin, and bioflm was determined. The correlation between these profles was also investigated Results: The isolates indicated different levels of resistance and production of virulence factors. Signifcant correlations were observed between the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of fluconazole/itraconazole and bioflm production, between phospholipase production and fluconazole/ itraconazole MIC, and between fluconazole MIC and hemolytic activity in C. albicans isolates. The results also showed significant correlations between phospholipase activity and bioflm production Conclusions: Our fndings will contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of C. albicans and characterize the relationship between virulence factors and antifungal resistance, which may suggest new therapeutic strategies considering the possible involvement of the virulence mechanism in the effectiveness of treatment. Keywords: Candida albicans. Virulence factors. Bioflm. Antifungal agents

Molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility profile of Candida species isolated from patients with vulvovaginitis in Tehran, Iran

Background: Rapid and accurate identification and evaluation of antifungal susceptibility pattern of Candida isolates are crucial to determine suitable antifungal drugs for the treatment of patients with vulvovaginitis candidiasis. Materials and Methods: Vaginal samples were collected from 150 women with suspicious vaginal candidiasis, and then cultured on Sabouraoud's Dextrose Agar with chloramphenicol to isolate Candida species. After identification of Candida isolates using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique, antifungal susceptibility testing of four azolic antifungal drugs was carried out using broth microdilution method according to the CLSI M27-A3. Results: Candida species were isolated from eighty suspected patients (61.79%). The most common pathogen was Candida albicans (63.75%). Resistance to fluconazole and ketoconazole was observed in 27.5% and 23.75% of Candida isolates, respectively, and only 2% of Candida isolates were resistant to miconazole. Interestingly, resistance to fluconazole in C. albicans was more than other Candida species. Conclusion: The results indicated that therapy should be selected according to the antifungal susceptibility tests for the prevention of treatment failure and miconazole therapy can be considered as the best therapeutic choice in the management of vulvovaginitis

Antifungal Susceptibility Patterns of Candida Species Recovered from Endotracheal Tube in an Intensive Care Unit

Aims. Biofilms formed by Candida species which associated with drastically enhanced resistance against most antimicrobial agents. The aim of this study was to identify and determine the antifungal susceptibility pattern of Candida species isolated from endotracheal tubes from ICU patients. Methods. One hundred forty ICU patients with tracheal tubes who were intubated and mechanically ventilated were surveyed for endotracheal tube biofilms. Samples were processed for quantitative microbial culture. Yeast isolates were identified to the species level based on morphological characteristics and their identity was confirmed by PCR-RFLP. Antifungal susceptibility testing was determined according to CLSI document (M27-A3). Results. Ninety-five strains of Candida were obtained from endotracheal tubes of which C. albicans (n=34; 35.7%) was the most frequently isolated species followed by other species which included C. glabrata (n=24; 25.2%), C. parapsilosis (n=16; 16.8%), C. tropicalis (n=12; 12.6%), and C. krusei (n=9; 9.4%). The resulting MIC90 for all Candida species were in increasing order as follows: caspofungin (0.5 μg/mL); amphotericin B (2 μg/mL); voriconazole (8.8 μg/mL); itraconazole (16 μg/mL); and fluconazole (64 μg/mL). Conclusion. Candida species recovered from endotracheal tube are the most susceptible to caspofungin

Relationship between antifungal susceptibility profile and virulence factors in Candida albicans isolated from nail specimens

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate some virulence factors in Candida albicans isolates from patients with onychomycosis and determine the correlation between these factors and the antifungal resistance profile. Methods: Seventy species of C. albicans were confirmed using polymerase chain reaction amplification of the HWP1 gene. According to the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines, the susceptibility profile of four antifungal agents was investigated, and the production of aspartyl protease, phospholipase, haemolysin, and biofilm was determined. The correlation between these profiles was also investigated. Results: The isolates indicated different levels of resistance and production of virulence factors. Significant correlations were observed between the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of fluconazole/itraconazole and biofilm production, between phospholipase production and fluconazole/ itraconazole MIC, and between fluconazole MIC and hemolytic activity in C. albicans isolates. The results also showed significant correlations between phospholipase activity and biofilm production. Conclusions: Our findings will contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of C. albicans and characterize the relationship between virulence factors and antifungal resistance, which may suggest new therapeutic strategies considering the possible involvement of the virulence mechanism in the effectiveness of treatment. Keywords: Candida albicans. Virulence factors. Biofilm. Antifungal agents

In Vitro Antifungal Susceptibility Profiles of Candida albicans Complex Isolated from Patients with Respiratory Infections

Candidiasis, the main opportunistic fungal infection has been increased over the past decades. This study aimed to characterize C.albicans species complex (C.albicans, C.dubliniensis, and C.africana) isolated from patients with respiratory infections by molecular tools and in vitro antifungal susceptibilities by using broth microdilution method according to CLSI M27-A3 guidelines. Totally, 121 respiratory samples were collected from patients with respiratory infections. Of these, 83 strains were germ tube positive and green colonies on chromogenic media, so initially identified as C.albicans species complex and subsequently were classified as C.albicans (89.15%), C.dubliniensis (9.63%), and C.africana (1.2%) based on PCR-RFLP and amplification of hwp1 gene. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) results showed that all tested isolates of C.albicans complex were highly susceptible to triazole drugs. However, caspofungin had highest activity against C.albicans, C.dubliniensis, and C.africana. Our findings indicated the variety of antifungal resistance of Candida strains in different areas. These results may increase the knowledge about the local distribution of the mentioned strains as well as their antifungal susceptibility pattern which play an important role in appropriate therapy

Morphological changes and induction of antifungal resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus due to different CO2 levels

Background and Purpose: Aspergillosis is one of the most common opportunistic fungal infections in immunocompromised and neutropenic patients. Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) is the most common causative agent of this infection. Due to variable CO2 concentrations that pathogens are exposed to during the infection process and to understand the role of CO2, we examined the effects of various CO2 concentrations as one of the environmental factors on morphological changes and induction of antifungal resistance in A. fumigatus. Materials and Methods: A. fumigatus strains were cultured and incubated under 1%, 3%, 5%, and 12% CO2 atmospheres, each time for one, two, and four weeks. The control culture was maintained for one week without CO2 atmosphere. Morphological changes were investigated and antifungal susceptibility test was performed according to the recommendations of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M38-A2 document. The results of different CO2 atmospheres were compared with that of the control sample. Results: We found that 1%, 3%, 5%, and 12% CO2 atmospheres were associated with morphological colony changes. Macroscopically, the colonies were shallow dark green, smooth, crisp to powdery with reduced growth; microscopic examination revealed the absence of conidiation. The induction of antifungal resistance in the susceptible strains to itraconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin B increased after exposure to 12% CO2 atmosphere and four weeks of incubation. The MIC values for itraconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin B were 16 g/ml, 1 g/ml, and 16 g/ml, respectively. These values for the control group were 0.125 g/ml, 0.125 g/ml, and 2 g/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Exposure to different CO2 atmospheres induced morphological changes in A. fumigatus, it seems to increase the MIC values, as well. In parallel, resistance to both itraconazole and voriconazole was also observed

Genetic diversity and antifungal susceptibility of bloodstream Candida albicans isolated from Turkish patients.

WOS: 00043485270050

Prevalence of specific immunoglobulin E and G against Aspergillus fumigatus in patients with asthma

Background and Purpose: Aspergillus fumigatus as a ubiquitous fungus can be found in the respiratory tract of the asthmatic and healthy people. The inhalation of Aspergillus spores leads to an immune response in individuals with asthma and results in the aggravation of the clinical symptoms. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of specific immunoglobulin E and G (IgE and IgG) against A.fumigatus in asthmatic patients. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 200 consecutive patients with moderate to severe asthma referring to Masih Daneshvari hospital Tehran, Iran, from January 2016 to February 2018. Skin prick test (SPT) was performed in all subjects with Aspergillus allergens. Moreover, all patients underwent specific IgE testing for Aspergillus using Hycor method. Enzyme immune assay was applied to measure total IgE and Aspergillus-specific IgG. Results: According to the results, the mean age of the patients was 45.8 years (age range: 18-78 years). The mean levels of total IgE and Aspergillus specific IgE in asthmatic patients were obtained as 316.3 (range: 6-1300 IU/ml) and 1.5 (range: 0.1- 61.3 IU/ml), respectively. Out of 200 patients, 27 (13.5%), 65 (32.5%), 22 (11.0%), and 86 (43.0%) cases had positive Aspergillus SPT, total IgE of > 417 IU/ml, Aspergillus-specific IgE, and IgG, respectively. The level of these variables in patients with severe asthma were 16 (16.5%), 36 (37.1%), 15 (15.5%), and 46 (47.4%), respectively. Conclusion: As the findings indicated, reactivity to Aspergillus is a remarkable phenomenon in asthmatic patients. It is also emphasised that the climatic condition may affect the positive rate of hypersensitivity to Aspergillus