@article { author = {Abastabar, Mahdi and Hosseinpoor, Susan}, title = {Hyphal wall protein 1 gene: A potential marker for the identification of different Candida species and phylogenetic analysis}, journal = {Current Medical Mycology}, volume = {2}, number = {4}, pages = {1-8}, year = {2016}, publisher = {Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2423-3439}, eissn = {2423-3420}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.cmm.2.4.1.}, abstract = {Background and Purpose: Hyphal wall protein 1 (HWP1) is an important adhesin which usually is expressed on the germ tube and hyphal surface produced by different Candida species. The hyphal wall protein-coding gene (HWP1) was evaluated as a novel identification and phylogenetic marker in Candida tropicalis, C. orthopsilosis, C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata. Materials and Methods: Initially, four specific primer pairs were designed, and the target was amplified and finally sequenced. A total of 77 Candida isolates from four different species were included in the study. Consensus sequences were used for the evaluation of phylogenetic tree using the CLC Genome Workbench, GENEIOUS, and MEGA softwares and the levels of nucleotide and amino acid polymorphism were assessed. Results: According to the results, the specific amplified fragments of HWP1 gene were useful for the differentiation of four species. Intra-species variation was observed only in C. tropicalis with two DNA types. The phylogenetic tree of Candida species based on the HWP1 gene showed consistency in topology with those inferred from other gene sequences. Conclusion: We found that HWP1 gene was an excellent marker for the identification of non-albicans Candida species as well as the phylogenetic analysis of the most clinically significant Candida species.  }, keywords = {Candida species,HWP1 gene,Identification,phylogenetic analysis}, url = {https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90341.html}, eprint = {https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90341_f957b62a8139c251e37e4b10ebccd87c.pdf} } @article { author = {Pakshir, Keyvan and Mohammadi, Tooba and khodadadi, Hossein and Motamedifar, Mohammad and Zomorodian, kamiar and Alipour, Saeideh and Motamedi, Marjan}, title = {Proteolytic activity and cooperative hemolytic effect of dermatophytes with different species of bacteria}, journal = {Current Medical Mycology}, volume = {2}, number = {4}, pages = {9-14}, year = {2016}, publisher = {Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2423-3439}, eissn = {2423-3420}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.cmm.2.4.9}, abstract = {Background and Purpose: Globally, dermatophytes are the most common filamentous group of fungi causing cutaneous mycoses. Dermatophytes were shown to secrete a multitude of enzymes that play a role in their pathogenesis. There is limited data on co-hemolytic (CAMP-like) effect of different bacterial species on dermatophyte species. In this study, we sought to the evaluate exoenzyme activity and co-hemolytic effect of four bacteria on clinical dermatophytes isolated from patients in Shiraz, Iran. Materials and Methods: A total of 84 clinical dermatophyte species were isolated from patients suffering dermatophytosis and identified by conventional methods. Hemolytic activity was evaluated with Columbia 5% sheep blood agar. Proteolytic activity was determined by plate clearance assay method, using gelatin 8% agar. CAMP-like factor was evaluated with four bacteria, namely, S. areus, S. saprophyticus, S. pyogenes, and S. agalactiae. Fisher's exact test was run for statistical analysis. Results: T. mentagrophytes was the most predominant agent (27 [32.1%]) followed by T. verrucosum (20 [23.8%]), T. tonsurans (10 [11.9%]), Microsporum canis (7 [8.3%]), T. rubrum (6 [7.1%]), E. floccosum (6 [7.1%]), M. gypseum (5 [6%]), and T. violaceum (3[3.6%]). The most common clinical area of dermatophytosis was the skin. All the isolates expressed the zone of incomplete alpha hemolysis. All the isolates had CAMP - positive reaction with S. aureus and the other bacteria were CAMP-negative. All the isolates expressed proteolytic activity and no significant differences were noted among diverse genera of dermatophytes and severities of proteolytic activity. Conclusion: This study indicated that hemolysin and proteolytic enzymes potentially play a role in dermatophyte pathogenesis and S. aureus could be considered as a main bacterium for creation of co-hemolytic effect in association with dermatophyte species.}, keywords = {CAMP-like,Dermatophyte,Hemolysin,Proteolytic,Trichophyton mentagrophytes}, url = {https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90342.html}, eprint = {https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90342_fed18975c82a6bcfdeee740919a1dcaf.pdf} } @article { author = {Abdollahi, Akram and shokohi, Tahereh and Amirrajab, Nasrin and Nikkhah, Mehdi and Ghasemi, Maryam and Vahedi Larijani, Laleh and Didehdar, Mojtaba and Seifi, Zahra and gholinejad, Nahid and ilkit, Macit}, title = {Clinical features, diagnosis, and outcomes of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis: A retrospective analysis}, journal = {Current Medical Mycology}, volume = {2}, number = {4}, pages = {15-23}, year = {2016}, publisher = {Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2423-3439}, eissn = {2423-3420}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.cmm.2.4.15}, abstract = {Background and Purpose: Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is a rare disease with acute and fulminant manifestation. This infection is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Herein, we reviewed the manifestations, underlying conditions, medical treatments, and surgical interventions in ROCM patients admitted to a tertiary referral center in northern Iran over a seven-year period. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective analysis, 15 cases of ROCM were identified from 2007 to 2013 in Bu Ali Sina Hospital, Sari, Iran. All the ROCM cases were clinically diagnosed and confirmed by histopathological and/or mycological examination. The relevant demographic data, clinical, ophthalmic, and neurologic manifestations, underlying conditions, medical treatments, and surgical interventions were recorded and analyzed. Results: The mean age of the patients was 54±11 years (age range: 28–70 years); 26.7% of the patients were male and 73.3% female (male: female ratio of 1: 2.7). Uncontrolled diabetes was noted in at least 86.7% (13/15) of the cases. The maxillary sinuses were the most frequently involved sites (66.7% of the cases) followed by the ethmoid sinus. Amphotericin B in combination with surgical debridement was used in the treatment of 80% of the cases. Furthermore,73.3% of the patients who were diagnosed early and underwent medical and extensive surgical debridement of the infected tissues survived. Conclusion: Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus is considered to be the main predisposing factor for ROCM. To prevent and reduce mortality rate of this acute disease, early diagnosis based on clinical findings and biopsy is recommended.  }, keywords = {Diabetes,Iran,Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis,ROCM,Zygomycosis}, url = {https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90343.html}, eprint = {https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90343_da4b644ea448721ce071dba8e693df03.pdf} } @article { author = {Khosravi Rad, Kamal and Falahati, Mehraban and Roudbary, Maryam and Farahyar, Shirin and Nami, Sanam}, title = {Overexpression of MDR-1 and CDR-2 genes in fluconazole resistance of Candida albicans isolated from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis}, journal = {Current Medical Mycology}, volume = {2}, number = {4}, pages = {24-29}, year = {2016}, publisher = {Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2423-3439}, eissn = {2423-3420}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.cmm.2.4.24}, abstract = {Background and Purpose: Candida albicans (C. albicans) is an opportunistic fungus that can colonize women’s mucosal epithelial cell surfaces, causing vulvovaginitis in specific circumstances. The major genes contributing to drug resistance in C. albicans are the candida drug resistance (CDR) and multi drug resistance (MDR) genes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CDR-2 and MDR-1 gene expression patterns in C. albicans strains isolated from patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Materials and Methods: In this study, 40 isolates of fluconazole-resistant C. albicans were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar. These isolates were collected from women with vulvovaginitis who were referred to a clinic in Tehran, Iran, and transferred to a mycology laboratory. Then, RNA was extracted from the isolates using phenolchloroform and glass beads, and the complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthetized. To detect the semi-quantitative expression of CDR-2 and MDR-1 genes, the reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) technique was performed using specific primers. Results: Our findings indicated that of the 40 C. albicans isolates, 35 (87.5%) strains were positive for mRNA of the CDR-2 gene, 32 (80%) strains expressed mRNA of the MDR-1 gene, and 30 (75%) strains were confirmed to express mRNA of both the CDR-2 and MDR-1 genes simultaneously using the RT-PCR assay. Conclusion: According to the obtained results, the expression rates of CDR-2 and MDR-1 genes were high in fluconazole-resistant C. albicans isolates, which can cause treatments to fail and result in chronic infections.Inhibiting these important genes using novel or natural agents can help with the treatment of chronic and recurrent vaginitis.  }, keywords = {C. albicans,CDR-2,Gene expression,MDR-1,RT-PCR,Vulvovaginal candidiasis}, url = {https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90344.html}, eprint = {https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90344_6fbbb3c39d0e8cd13ba68dd74fd872c9.pdf} } @article { author = {Mahmoudi, Elaheh and Saeidi, Marjan and Marashi, Mohammad Amin and Moafi, Aida and Mahmoudi, Vajiheh and Zeinolabedini Zamani, M}, title = {In vitro activity of kombucha tea ethyl acetate fraction against Malassezia species isolated from seborrhoeic dermatitis}, journal = {Current Medical Mycology}, volume = {2}, number = {4}, pages = {30-36}, year = {2016}, publisher = {Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2423-3439}, eissn = {2423-3420}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.cmm.2.4.30.}, abstract = {Background and Purpose: Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic and recurrent superficial dermatitis in which Malassezia species play an important role. There are different Malassezia species, which have been recently reported to be resistant to common antifungals. Natural sources can be useful alternatives to reduce the emergence of this resistance. Kombucha tea is believed to have potential antimicrobial properties. Regarding this, the present study aimed to investigate theantifungal activity of Kombucha tea ethyl acetate fraction (KEAF) against Malassezia species obtained from the patients with seborrheic dermatitis. Materials and Methods: A total of 23 clinical isolates were identified by direct microscopic examination and Tween assimilation, and then confirmed by DNA sequencing of ITS regions for Malassezia species. Kombucha tea was fractionated using ethyl acetate (1:2 v/v). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) microdilution assay was used to evaluate the anti-Malssezia activity of KEAF at three concentrations of 10, 40, and 80 mg/mL. Results: The results of the DNA sequence analysis indicated that M. furfur (39.13%) was the predominant species,followed by M. globosa (30.43%), M. sloofie (13.04%), M. sympodialis (13.04%), and M. restricta (4.34%), respectively. Furthermore, KEAF showed inhibitory activity against Malassezia species. Accordingly, KEAF had the lowest and highest MIC value against M. sloofie and M. restricta, respectively. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of the extract was equivalent to that of ketoconazole at 4.8 µg/mL. Conclusion: The findings of the current study highlighted the antifungal properties of KEAF. Therefore, this extract can be promoted as complementary medicine for the treatment of the infections caused by Malassezia.  }, keywords = {Antifungal activity,Ethyle acetate fraction,Ketoconazole,Kombucha tea,Malassezia spp}, url = {https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90345.html}, eprint = {https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90345_048d42126195c3c278626d1cb48a8fbe.pdf} } @article { author = {Falahati, Mehraban and Falak, Reza}, title = {Fractionation and identification of the allergic proteins in Aspergillus species}, journal = {Current Medical Mycology}, volume = {2}, number = {4}, pages = {37-45}, year = {2016}, publisher = {Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2423-3439}, eissn = {2423-3420}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.cmm.2.4.37.}, abstract = {Background and Purpose: Allergy is an undesired immune response to non-pathogenic agents. However, some opportunistic microorganisms such as fungi can also cause allergy. Among those fungi, hyphae form of Aspergillus strains including A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger could be mentioned. In this study, we aimed to separate allergic proteins from Aspergillus strains and determine their identity. Materials and Methods: Standard species of Aspergillus strains were cultivated in optimized conditions and the mycelium was separated by centrifugation. The fungal cells were lysed through physical methods such as freezethawing and grinding to prepare a suitable protein extract. The protein concentration was measured by Bradford method and the electrophoretic pattern of the extract was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The proteins were fractionated by ammonium sulfate precipitation and anion exchange chromatography using fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) system. The IgE immunoreactivity of the sensitized patients and controls was studied using the fractionated proteins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Following SDS-PAGE, proteins were electrotransferred onto polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membranes and the strips were blotted with allergic patients' and controls' sera. The immunoreactive bands were excised from colloidal coomassie-stained SDS-PAGE gels and studied by mass spectroscopy methods. Results: Among the studied species, A. fumigatus showed stronger IgE reactivity and more IgE reactive protein bands than others did. The proteins with higher molecular weights showed stronger immunoreactivity in Western blotting. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated a correlation between the results of the applied ELISA methods. One of the most prominent IgE reactive proteins was confirmed to be 45 kDa mycelia catalase. Conclusion: Our findings confirmed that high molecular weight proteins might play a major role in allergy and IgE reactivity to Aspergillus species. Moreover, the results showed that precipitation and chromatographic methods are applicable for fractionation of fungal proteins such as mycelial catalase.  }, keywords = {Allergy,Aspergillus,Protein identification,Protein fractionation}, url = {https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90346.html}, eprint = {https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90346_f0c1ea769bd7644c56bffba579ca1594.pdf} } @article { author = {Shokouhi, Shervin and Mirzaei, Jamal and Mohseni Sajadi, Mohammad and Javadi, Alireza}, title = {Comparison of serum PCR assay and histopathology for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis in immunocompromised patients with sinus involvement}, journal = {Current Medical Mycology}, volume = {2}, number = {4}, pages = {46-48}, year = {2016}, publisher = {Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2423-3439}, eissn = {2423-3420}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.cmm.2.4.46.}, abstract = {Background and Purpose: Invasive fungal infections cause morbidity and mortality in patients with hematologic malignancies and immunosuppression. Although these infections are commonly caused by Candida and Aspergillus species, infections caused by Mucoralean fungi are also on a growing trend. The definitive diagnosis of mucormycosis includes visualization of non-septate hyphae on pathology or growth of Mucoralean fungi culture. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is used to diagnose mucormycosis from paraffin blocks; however, it yields discrepant results in diagnosis of mucormycosis from blood samples. In the current study, we sought to examine the efficiency of PCR test for the diagnosis of mucormycosis and aspergillosis. Materials and Methods: Thirty-one patients with suspected fungal sinus infection were recruited from the Hematology-Oncology unit in Taleghani Hospital, Tehran, Iran. DNA was extracted and semi-nested PCR was performed. Results: PCR was reported negative for all the 31 serum samples. Our assay had a sensitivity of 1.3 ng and 12 pg for Mucoralean and Aspergillus species, respectively. Conclusion: Using serum PCR, we detected Aspergillus and Mucoralean species in patients with suspected fungal sinus infection. While this test may have utility in diagnosis directly from biopsy site, it appears unreliable for use as a noninvasive blood test.  }, keywords = {Aspergillosis,Diagnosis,Immunocompromised patients Mucormycosis,Polymerase Chain Reaction}, url = {https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90347.html}, eprint = {https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90347_1fc6bd1a92d88d18ebfde919a95c459d.pdf} } @article { author = {sassani, Elahe and Khodavaisy, Sadegh and Agha Kuchak Afshari, Setareh and Darabian, Sima and Aala, Farzad and Rezaie, Sassan}, title = {Pseudohyphae formation in Candida glabrata due to CO2 exposure}, journal = {Current Medical Mycology}, volume = {2}, number = {4}, pages = {49-52}, year = {2016}, publisher = {Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2423-3439}, eissn = {2423-3420}, doi = {10.18869/acadpub.cmm.2.4.49.}, abstract = {Background and Purpose: Formation of pseudohyphae is considered a virulence factor in Candida species. Generally, Candida glabrata grows as budding yeast cells; however, reports illustrated that C. glabrata could form pseudohyphal cells in response to some stimuli. In this study, we provided insight into the ability of C. glabrata in forming pseudohyphal cells under different levels of carbon dioxide (CO2). Materials and Methods: Candida glabrata reference strain (ATCC 90030) was used in this study. Yeast samples were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose broth (SDB) medium and incubated under 3%, 5%, and 10% CO2 levels for 24, 48 and72 h. Control cultures were prepared without CO2 pressure for three days. The possibility of pseudohyphae and mycelium formation in C. glabrata was investigated. Results: The results of this study revealed that the most branching filament-like cells were obtained at high CO2 pressure (10%) after 72 h. After three days of low CO2 pressure (3%), only yeast and budding cells were observed without any pseudohyphae formation. Conclusion: CO2 could act as a stimulus and induced formation of pseudohyphae in Candida glabrata yeast cells.  }, keywords = {Candida glabrata,CO2 pressure,Pseudohyphae}, url = {https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90348.html}, eprint = {https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90348_e1e042a647efb6f5e5fbcc60549567dc.pdf} }