ORIGINAL_ARTICLE
Molecular characterization of environmental Cladosporium species isolated from Iran
Background and Purpose: Cladosporium species are ubiquitous, saprobic,dematiaceous fungi, only infrequently associated with human and animal opportunisticinfections. Materials and Methods: Airborne samples were collected using the settle plate method, and soil samples were obtained from a depth of 5-10 cm of the superficial soil layer. Samples were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) plates, incubated at 25°C, and examined daily for fungal colonies for two to three weeks. Isolates were identified as Cladosporium species according to the macroscopic and microscopic criteria. For species differentiation, DNA from 53 isolates was extracted and subjected to amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region followed by sequencing. Results: A total of 270 samples were collected from various environmental sources, of which 79 strains of Cladosporium species were isolated. The most frequent species was C. cladosporioides (50.6%), followed by C. iridis (44.3%), C. elatum (2.5%), C. peranqestum (1.3%), and C. alicinum. (1.3%). Conclusion: The collected data can serve as baseline information for future research and may be useful in the development of preventive and educational strategies.
https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90349_5fa5069c450b582f69ab5a9396c48e29.pdf
2017-03-01
1
5
10.29252/cmm.3.1.1
cladosporium species
Dematiaceous molds
Morphological characteristics
Nuclear ribosomal RNA gene
Sequence analysis
Ilnaz
Ghiaie Asl
marjanmotamedi64@yahoo.com
1
Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE
Chemical composition and antifungal effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Allium tripedale (Tvautv.) against Candida species
Background and Purpose: Treatment of life-threatening fungal infections caused by Candida species has become a major problem. Candida spp. are the most important causative agents of candidiasis. Allium tripedale is a medicinal plant that has been traditionally used to treat infections. In the present study, we aimed to determine the chemical compounds and antimicrobial activity of hydroalcoholic extract of A.tripedale against different species of Candida. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical analysis was performed to identify the possible bioactive components of this extract by using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The hydroalcoholic extract of A. tripedale were collected.Different concentrations of A. tripedale (50, 25, 12.5, and 6.25 mg/ml) were used to evaluate its antifungal activity against Candida species (C. albicans, C. parapsilosis,and C. krusei) using disk diffusion assay. Results: The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 40 different phytoconstituents with peak area; the major compounds were tetracosane, hexadecanoic acid, 1-eicosanol, 1,2-dihydro-pyrido[3,2,1-kl]phenothiazin-3-one, 2-hexadecen-1-ol, and 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl. Hydroalcoholic extract showed strong antimicrobial activity (inhibition zone ⩾ 20 mm), moderate antimicrobial activity (inhibition zone < 12-20 mm), and no inhibition (zone < 12 mm). In addition, the hydroalcoholic extract exhibited the highest antimicrobial properties against C. albicans strains. Conclusion: A. tripedale extract had a considerable inhibitory effect against various Candida species, but its highest inhibitory effect was against Candid albicans. Further investigations are required to detect the performance of this plant in the treatment of Candida infection.
https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90350_99833692a5c125673edefdd8beed0d79.pdf
2017-03-01
6
12
10.29252/cmm.3.1.6
Allium tripedale
Candida species
Candidiasis
GC-MS
Maryam
Shirani
mshirani86@yahoo.com
1
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
AUTHOR
Azin
Samimi
azin.831@gmail.com
2
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
LEAD_AUTHOR
Heibatullah
Kalantari
kalantar@yahoo.com
3
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
AUTHOR
Mahboobeh
madani
madanim@yahoo.com
4
Department of Microbiology, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
AUTHOR
Ali
Kord Zanganeh
5
Department of Pharmaceutics and Nanotechnology Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE
Quantitation of ergosterol content and gene expression profile of ERG11 gene in fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans
Background and Purpose: The frequency of opportunistic fungal infections in immunocompromised patients, especially by Candida species, has sharply increased in the last few decades. The objective of this study was to analyse the ergosterol content and gene expression profiling of clinical isolates of fluconazole resistant Candida albicans. Materials and Methods: Sixty clinical samples were identified and collected from immunocompromised patients, namely recurrent oral, vaginal, and cutaneous candidiasis, during 2015-16. Antifungal susceptibility testing of fluconazole against clinical Candida species was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Ergosterol content and gene expression profiling of sterol 14α-demethylase (ERG11) gene in fluconazole-susceptible and –resistant C.albicans were investigated. Results: The specimens consisted of C. albicans (46.67%), Candida krusei (41.67%) (and Candida tropicalis (11.67%). All the isolates were resistant to fluconazole. No significant reduction was noted in total cellular ergosterol content in comparison with untreated controls in terms of fluconazole-resistant C. albicans. The expression level of ERG11 gene was down-regulated in fluconazole-susceptible C. albicans.Eventually, the expression pattern of ERG11 gene revealed no significant changes in fluconazole-resistant isolates compared to untreated controls. The results revealed no significant differences between fluconazole-susceptible and –resistant C. albicans sequences by comparison with ERG11 reference sequence. Conclusion: Our findings provide an insight into the mechanism of fluconazole resistance in C. albicans. The mechanisms proposed for clinical isolates of fluconazole-resistant C. albicans are alteration in sterol biosynthesis, analysis of expression level of ERG11 gene, and analysis of gene sequences. Nonetheless, further studies are imperative to find molecular mechanisms that could be targeted to control fluconazole resistance.
https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90351_a5fd327b03d79988e04a6faca6440e90.pdf
2017-03-01
13
19
10.29252/cmm.3.1.13
Candida species
ERG11
Fluconazole
Resistant
Fahimeh
Alizadeh
mnalizadeh@yahoo.com
1
Department of Microbiology, Yasooj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yasooj, Iran.
AUTHOR
Alireza
Khodavandi
alireza_khodavandi@yahoo.com
2
Department of Biology, Gachsaran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Gachsaran, Iran
LEAD_AUTHOR
Sara
Zalakian
mnlzdh@gmail.com
3
Department of Microbiology, Yasooj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yasooj, Iran.
AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE
Epidemiological Status of Dermatophytosis in Guilan, North of Iran
Background and Purpose: The epidemiological features of dermatophytoses have been characterized in many geographical locations of Iran, but not in Guilan, North of Iran. This study was carried out to determine the distribution pattern of dermatophytoses and their relevant agents in Guilan, North of Iran, over a period of one year, from April 2010 to April 2011. Materials and Methods: The clinical samples of skin, hair, and nail from 889 outpatients (317 men vs. 572 women) were used for direct microscopy and culture. All the culture-positive samples were then subjected to amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the nuclear rDNA followed by a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay to verify the causative agents. Results: The infection was confirmed in 90 (44.3%) males and 113 (55.7%) females.The most common type of dermatophytoses was tinea cruris (42.9%), followed by tinea pedis (20.2%), tinea corporis (11.3%), tinea unguium (7.4%), tinea faciei (6.9%), tinea manuum (6.4%), and tinea capitis (4.9%). ITS-RFLP based of the identification of isolates, showed that the infections were significantly associated with anthropophilic species, of Trichophyton rubrum (41.9%), Epidermophyton floccosum (19.7%), T.tonsurans (5.4%), and T. violaceum (2%). Other causative agents were T. interdigitale (22.6%),Microsporum canis (4.9%), T. verrucosum (2.5%), and M. gypseum. (1%). Conclusion: The higher prevalence of T. rubrum, as the agent of dermatophytoses, than other species has never been reported from Iran and is of public health concern because of the chronic nature of infections with anthropophilic species. To thoroughly investigate the epidemiological trend of dermatophytoses in Iran, further periodical and molecularbased studies are necessary.
https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90352_1fe2d3753a48102797d3a74782abcef1.pdf
2017-03-01
20
24
10.29252/cmm.3.1.20
Dermatophyte
Epidemiology
Guilan
Tinea
Ali Akbar
Fallahi
shirazi_4729@yahoo.com
1
Department of Microbiology & Parasitology & Immunology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
AUTHOR
Ali
Rezaei-Matehkolaei
a.r.matehkolaie@gmail.com
2
Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
AUTHOR
Sasan
Rezaei
srezaie@sina.tums.ac.ir
3
Division of Molecular Biology, Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
LEAD_AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE
In vitro antitumor activity of patulin on cervical and colorectal cancer cell lines
Background and Purpose: Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by some molds,especially Aspergillus and Penicilium, and is responsible for mycotoxicosis in animals and humans.There is still not very detailed data about the anti-cancer potency of patulin, but some reports demonstrated that it induces cellular apoptosis and toxicity. Materials and Methods: To determine the efficacy of patulin as a therapeutic strategy for cervical and colorectal cancers, we investigated its effects on HeLa,SW-48, and MRC-5 cell lines. Cell lines were exposed to various concentrations of patulin (i.e., 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 µM), then using methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assays, the rates of apoptosis and cell viability were determined. Results: The obtained results showed a significant reduction in cell viability and apoptosis induction in a dose-dependent manner. Among all the cell lines, the highest growth inhibition rate was obtained at the 4 μM concentration of patulin.Conclusion: Our results suggested that patulin could significantly decrease tumor growth in human cervical and colorectal cancer models.
https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90353_1ab2cbbe2b6c3612b06da2d619cf53ce.pdf
2017-03-01
25
29
10.29252/cmm.3.1.25
cancer
HeLa cells
Mycotoxin
Patulin
Mahdi
Abastabar
mabastabar@gmail.com
1
Invasive Fungi Research Center (IFRC), Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
AUTHOR
Abolfazl
Akbari
akbariia2006@gmail.com
2
Colorectal Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
AUTHOR
Javad
Akhtari
javad.akhtari@gmail.com
3
Immunogenetics Research Center, Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
LEAD_AUTHOR
Mohammad Taghi
Hedayati
hedayatimt@gmail.com
4
Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, Invasive Fungi Research Center (IFRC), Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
AUTHOR
Tahereh
Shokohi
shokohi.tahereh@gmail.com
5
Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, Invasive Fungi Research Center (IFRC), Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
AUTHOR
hasan
Mehrad-Majd
mehradmajd.h@gmail.com
6
Clinical Research Unit, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
AUTHOR
Hosseein
Ghalehnoei
7
Immunogenetics Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
AUTHOR
Sahar
Ghasemi
sahar.ghasemi2006289@yahoo.com
8
Students Research Committee, Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE
Intestinal Microsporidiosis in Iran (Kerman): Comparison in immune-compromised patients and immune competent people with diarrhea
Background and Purpose: Gastroenteritis and the clinical profile caused by Microsporidia, an opportunistic pathogen, may be severe in immunocompromised individuals, especially in AIDS patients. Conventionally, it is necessary to detect the small infective spores in stained smears. However, due to the limitations of the microscopy-based methods, several DNA-based methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have recently been developed to enhance diagnosis sensitivity. Therefore,we sought to evaluate the rate of infection in immunocompromised patients as compared with immunocompetent patients in Kerman, Iran. Materials and Methods: We collected stool samples of 199 human subjects (116 males and 83 females), aged 1 to 69 years old. They were divided into immunocompromised (i.e., AIDS [n=72] and cancer-positive patients [n=59]) and immunocompetent (n=68) groups. We comparatively examined the fecal materials using the microscopy and PCR methods. Results: The overall prevalence rate of Microsporidia infection was 10.05% (20/199). Entrocytozoon bieneusi was the only species within the Microsporidia genus that was identified in 14.5% (19/131) of the immunocompromised patients and 1.47% (1/68) of the immunocompetent individuals. Conclusion: Considering the higher prevalence rate of microsporidiosis in patients with immunodeficiency (10.03%), we suggest performing sensitive and specific techniques such as PCR for the detection of these parasites in immunocompromised patients.
https://cmm.mazums.ac.ir/article_90354_8a13b530eea2fd7e194f8887027d5c12.pdf
2017-03-01
30
36
10.29252/cmm.3.1.30
Immunocompetent individuals
Immunocompromised patients
Iran
Microsporidia
Maryam
Nooshadokht
maryam.noshadokht@yahoo.com
1
Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
AUTHOR
Iraj
Sharifi
iraj.sharifi@yahoo.com
2
Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
AUTHOR
Mohammad Ali
Mohammadi
ali.uk.biotech@gmail.com
3
Research center for Hydatid disease in Iran, Kerman, Iran
AUTHOR
Majid
Pirestani
majid_pirestani@yahoo.com
4
Deptartment of Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, I. R. Iran
AUTHOR
Afgar
Afgar
dkalantari@gmail.com
5
Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
AUTHOR
Armina
Mahootchi
arminamahootchi@gmail.com
6
Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
AUTHOR
Samira
Salari
samirasalari62@gmail.com
7
Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
AUTHOR
Zahra
Babaei
zbabaei@kmu.ac.ir
8
Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
LEAD_AUTHOR