Bita Mousavi - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Bita Mousavi
Medical Mycology, 2018
Mucormycoses are life-threatening fungal diseases that affect a variety of patients including tho... more Mucormycoses are life-threatening fungal diseases that affect a variety of patients including those with diabetes mellitus or hematological malignancies. The responsible agents, the Mucorales, are opportunistic pathogens originating from the environment such as soil or decaying organic matter. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and diversity of human-pathogenic species of Mucorales in commercially available foodstuffs in France. All food samples were purchased from January 2014 to May 2015 in France. A total of 159 dried food samples including spices and herbs (n = 68), herbal tea (n = 19), cereals (n = 19), vegetables (n = 14), and other foodstuffs (n = 39) were analyzed. Each strain of Mucorales was identified phenotypically, and molecular identification was performed by ITS sequencing. From the 28 (17.6%) samples that were culture-positive for Mucorales, 30 isolates were recovered. Among the isolates, 13 were identified as Rhizopus arrhizus var. arrhizus, 1...
Medical Mycology Case Reports, 2012
Based on epidemiological studies, Aspergillus candidus has been demonstrated as an emerging funga... more Based on epidemiological studies, Aspergillus candidus has been demonstrated as an emerging fungal agent of toenail onychomycosis. Here we report a case of a toenail infection caused by A. candidus in a healthy 60-year-old woman. Based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the culture as well as nucleotide sequencing of 28S region, the causative agent was identified as A. candidus.
Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
Current Medical Mycology
The genus Aspergillus, which consists of a few hundred opportunistic mold species found in variou... more The genus Aspergillus, which consists of a few hundred opportunistic mold species found in various climatic conditions, causes diseases including localized infections, fatal diseases, allergic responses, and inhaled conidia in humans. Herein, we present an overview of the most common diseases and allergic infections caused by Aspergillus species and their associated health hazards in various indoor environments worldwide.
ABSTRACT Background and purpose: Aspergillus is a ubiquitous fungus, which causes a wide spectrum... more ABSTRACT Background and purpose: Aspergillus is a ubiquitous fungus, which causes a wide spectrum of infections including invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), depending on the patient’s immune status and underlying lung disease. Among the Aspergillus spp, A. fumigatus remains the predominant agent of IPA. In patients with a preexisting lung cavity from a variety of causes, such as pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) Aspergillus can colonize and grow into the cavity to form a pulmonary aspergilloma. In this present study we assessed TB patients for aspergilloma based on culture and non-culture based methods Materials and methods: During one year, we studied 124 patients with TB at Massih Daneshvari hospital from Tehran, Iran. Sputum specimens were analyzed by direct microscopic examination (DME) with 20% potassium hydroxide. These samples were also processed for fungal culture. The clinical and radiological features or CT-scan report of all patients were recorded. All patients were screened for serum specific IgG against A. fumigatus , using Aspergillus IgG ELISA Kit (Genesis Diagnostics Ltd, Cambridgeshire, UK). The results are expressed in U/mL. IgG 12 U/mL was considered as positive result based on kit manufacturer instruction. Results: Out of 124 patients with tuberculosis (66 male, 58 female, age range: 10-91 years), 54 had abnormal chest radiographic findings. Chest X-ray findings showed that 48 patients (38.7%) exhibited residual cavities (31 cases in right lobe, 10 in left lobe and 7 in both lung). Round shaped mass lesion was detected only in 6 patients (6.8%). DME of sputum was positive in 10 patients for septate fungal hyphae. A. fumigatus was grown from 14 samples of TB patients. Out of 124 TB patients, 55(44.3%) cases were positive for specific serum IgG against A. fumigatus . There was a significant relationship between positive culture, DME and serum IgG profile level (P< 0.05). Totally, three patients (2.4%) met criteria for aspergilloma Conclusion: Colonization with Aspergillus in preexisting lung cavity produced by TB should be considered as a risk factor for aspergilloma Keywords: Aspergillus fumigatus , Colonization, tuberculosis, aspergilloma
European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology, 2015
In patients with preexisting lung disease, especially a cavity, Aspergillus can infect the surfac... more In patients with preexisting lung disease, especially a cavity, Aspergillus can infect the surface of the cavity, causing chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis (CCPA), and may form an aspergilloma, collectively called chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). In the present study, we assessed tuberculosis (TB) patients for CPA based on culture and serological methods. During a period of 1 year (from March 2013 to March 2014), we studied 124 patients with TB (94 with current TB and 30 with previous TB) at Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Sputum specimens were analyzed by direct microscopic examination (DME) and fungal culture. The clinical and radiological features of all patients were recorded, to categorize the patients into CCPA and aspergilloma. All patients were screened for serum-specific IgG against A. fumigatus, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Out of 124 patients with TB (66 male, age range: 10-91 years), 48 patients (38.7 %) exhibited residual cavitie...
Mycoses, 2015
An increasing number of reports have described the emergence of acquired resistance of Aspergillu... more An increasing number of reports have described the emergence of acquired resistance of Aspergillus fumigatus to azole compounds. The primary mechanism of resistance in clinical isolates is the mutation of the azole drug target enzyme, which is encoded by the cyp51A gene. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of silencing the cyp51A gene in azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates. A 21-nucleotide small-interfering RNA (siRNA) was designed based on the cDNA sequence of the A. fumigatus cyp51A gene. After silencing the cyp51A gene in germinated conidia (15, 20, 25 and 50 nM), azole-resistant A. fumigatus was cultured on broth media and gene expression was analysed by measuring the cyp51A mRNA level using RT-PCR assay. Hyphae were successfully transfected by siRNA and expression of the cyp51A gene was significantly reduced by siRNA at the concentration of 50 nM (P ≤ 0.05). In addition, at this siRNA concentration, the minimum inhibitory concentration of itraconazole for the treated cells was decreased, compared with that for untreated control cells, from 16 to 4 μg/ml.
Journal de Mycologie Médicale / Journal of Medical Mycology, 2015
Journal de Mycologie Médicale / Journal of Medical Mycology, 2015
Invasive Aspergillosis (IA) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in the immunocomprom... more Invasive Aspergillosis (IA) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in the immunocompromised host such as, neutropenic individuals, chronic granulomatous disorder, leukemia, those undergoing solid organ transplantation, patients using broad spectrum antibiotics and steroids, patients with severe underlying diseases and patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease are among the main risk groups. Successful management in the treatment of IA depends on early diagnosis and treatment, the adequate choice of therapy, and antifungal resistance. The diagnosis of IA remains difficult and significant proportions of cases of IA remain undetected, thus in case of IA treatment should be considered as early as possible and carried out until the improvements. The treatment is usually based on surgery, antifungal therapy and reduction of immunosuppression. Azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus was first observed in Netherlands in 1999. Full mechanism of evolution of azole resistance...
ABSTRACT Background and purpose: Aspergillus is a ubiquitous fungus, which causes a wide spectrum... more ABSTRACT Background and purpose: Aspergillus is a ubiquitous fungus, which causes a wide spectrum of infections including invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), depending on the patient’s immune status and underlying lung disease. Among the Aspergillus spp, A. fumigatus remains the predominant agent of IPA. In patients with a preexisting lung cavity from a variety of causes, such as pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) Aspergillus can colonize and grow into the cavity to form a pulmonary aspergilloma. In this present study we assessed TB patients for aspergilloma based on culture and non-culture based methods Materials and methods: During one year, we studied 124 patients with TB at Massih Daneshvari hospital from Tehran, Iran. Sputum specimens were analyzed by direct microscopic examination (DME) with 20% potassium hydroxide. These samples were also processed for fungal culture. The clinical and radiological features or CT-scan report of all patients were recorded. All patients were screened for serum specific IgG against A. fumigatus , using Aspergillus IgG ELISA Kit (Genesis Diagnostics Ltd, Cambridgeshire, UK). The results are expressed in U/mL. IgG 12 U/mL was considered as positive result based on kit manufacturer instruction. Results: Out of 124 patients with tuberculosis (66 male, 58 female, age range: 10-91 years), 54 had abnormal chest radiographic findings. Chest X-ray findings showed that 48 patients (38.7%) exhibited residual cavities (31 cases in right lobe, 10 in left lobe and 7 in both lung). Round shaped mass lesion was detected only in 6 patients (6.8%). DME of sputum was positive in 10 patients for septate fungal hyphae. A. fumigatus was grown from 14 samples of TB patients. Out of 124 TB patients, 55(44.3%) cases were positive for specific serum IgG against A. fumigatus . There was a significant relationship between positive culture, DME and serum IgG profile level (P< 0.05). Totally, three patients (2.4%) met criteria for aspergilloma Conclusion: Colonization with Aspergillus in preexisting lung cavity produced by TB should be considered as a risk factor for aspergilloma Keywords: Aspergillus fumigatus , Colonization, tuberculosis, aspergilloma
Mycoses, 2013
Azole resistance in Aspergillus is emerging in European and Asian countries. As azoles are mainst... more Azole resistance in Aspergillus is emerging in European and Asian countries. As azoles are mainstay of therapy in the management of aspergillosis, azole resistance has serious implications in patient management. We report the emergence of resistance to triazoles in environmental Aspergillus fumigatus isolates in Iran. The TR 34 /L98H mutation was the only resistance mechanism. Overall 3.3% of the A. fumigatus isolates from hospital surroundings in Sari and Tehran had the same TR 34 /L98H STRAf genotype and were related to some resistant clinical and environmental TR 34 /L98H isolates from the Netherlands and India. It is emphasised that routine resistance surveillance studies focusing on environmental and clinical samples are warranted to yield the true prevalence of azole resistance in A. fumigatus in Iran.
Mycopathologia, 2013
Inter-and intraspecific genomic variability of 18 isolates of Veronaea botryosa originating from ... more Inter-and intraspecific genomic variability of 18 isolates of Veronaea botryosa originating from clinical and environmental sources was studied using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). The species was originally described from the environment, but several severe cases of disseminated infection in apparently healthy individuals have been reported worldwide. All tested strains of V. botryosa, identified on the basis of sequencing and phenotypic and physiological criteria prior to our study, were confirmed by AFLP analysis, yielding a clear separation of V. botryosa as a rather homogeneous group from related species. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing resulted in MIC 90 s across all strains in increasing order posaconazole (0.25 lg/ml), itraconazole (1 lg/ml), voriconazole (4 lg/ml), terbinafine (4 lg/ml), caspofungin (8 lg/ml), anidulafungin (8 lg/ml), isavuconazole (16 lg/ml), amphotericin B (16 lg/ml), and fluconazole (32 lg/ml). Overall, the isolates showed a uniform pattern of low MICs of itraconazole and posaconazole, but high MICs for remaining agents. The echinocandins (caspofungin and anidulafungin) had no activity against V. botryosa. There was no statistically significant difference between susceptibilities of environmental (n = 11) and clinical (n = 7) isolates of V. botryosa (P [ 0.05).
Mycopathologia, 2013
We report two cases of chromoblastomycosis due to Fonsecaea pedrosoi and F. monophora in otherwis... more We report two cases of chromoblastomycosis due to Fonsecaea pedrosoi and F. monophora in otherwise healthy Cuban males. Direct microscopic examination of biopsies revealed muriform cells, the hallmark of chromoblastomycosis. The suspected agents were recovered in culture, identified on the basis of morphological criteria and confirmed by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer regions of rDNA. Final treatment consisted of surgical excision. The patients were successfully cured since there was no relapse after a follow-up of more than a year. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing of both isolates showed that itraconazole and posaconazole had potent activity. High MICs of amphotericin B (2 μg/ml), fluconazole (&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;64 μg/ml), anidulafungin (8 μg/ml) and caspofungin (8 μg/ml) were found.
Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 2012
Salvia officinalis L., Sumac, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Althaea officinalis extracts on Aspergillus... more Salvia officinalis L., Sumac, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Althaea officinalis extracts on Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus flavus species Using synthetic preservatives to control fungal disease has become important due to emergence of drug resistance and some side effects of the drugs' remainder including carcinogenicity and teratogenicity. Lavandula, Salvia officinalis L., Sumac, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Althaea officinalis are some medicinal plants with proved therapeutic effects as anti-microbial, anti-viral, and anti-parasitic agents. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the effect of these plants on clinical species of Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus flavus. Plant extracts were prepared by maceration method. The extracts at concentrations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, and 12.5 mg ml -1 were prepared in dimethylsulfoxide. The effect of anti-fungal extracts was separately assessed using Broth macrodilutitheon. Finally, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC) of extracts were determined. This study showed that Lavandula, S. officinalis L., Sumac, G. glabra, and A. officinalis extracts have anti-fungal effects. The antifungal effect of Sumac, G. glabra, and Lavandula officinalis was significantly different from that observed by S. officinalis L. extract. Moreover, it was observed that A. flavus and A. fumigatus were the most sensitive and resistant fungal species to the antifungal effects of the extracts, respectively (p≤0.05). Further evaluation is necessary to elucidate the extent and mechanism of these changes.
Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2013
In recent decades the incidence of Candida endocarditis has increased dramatically. Despite the a... more In recent decades the incidence of Candida endocarditis has increased dramatically. Despite the application of surgery and antifungal therapy, Candida endocarditis remains a life-threatening infection with significant morbidity and mortality. We report a 37-year-old male drug abuser presenting with high fever, chest pain, loss of appetite and cardiac failure. His echocardiography revealed mobile large tricuspid valve vegetations. Fungal endocarditis was confirmed by culturing of the resected vegetation showing mixed growth of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis, although three consecutive blood cultures were negative for Candida species. Phenotypic identification was reconfirmed by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS rDNA) region. The patient was initially treated with intravenous fluconazole (6 mg kg "1 per day), followed by 2 weeks of intravenous amphotericin B deoxycholate (1 mg kg "1 per day). Although MICs were low for both drugs, the patient's antifungal therapy combined with valve replacement failed, and he died due to respiratory failure.
Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology, 2000
The aim of this study was to assess the volume of airborne fungi in the indoor and outdoor enviro... more The aim of this study was to assess the volume of airborne fungi in the indoor and outdoor environment of poultry and cattle houses in the Mazandaran Province in Iran. Indoor and outdoor air of twenty cattle houses and twenty-five poultry houses were sampled using a single-stage impactor, which draws air at 20 L min-1 and impacts sampled material onto Petri plates containing malt extract agar. The plates were incubated at 30 °C for seven days, after which the resulting colonies were counted. The fungi were identified and counted microscopically and macroscopically. A total of 4,662 fungal colonies were isolated from 90 plates collected from indoor and outdoor air of cattle and poultry houses. Cladosporium (55.3 %), yeast (10.0 %), and Aspergillus (9.4 %) were the most common findings. The concentration of airborne fungi in cattle and poultry houses ranged from 10 CFU m-3 to 1700 CFU m-3 in indoor and 10 CFU m-3 to 2170 CFU m-3 in outdoor environments. Cladosporium had the highest mean indoor (424.5 CFU m-3) and outdoor (449.7 CFU m-3) air concentration in the cattle houses. In the poultry houses, the highest mean concentrations were measured for Cladosporium (551.0 CFU m-3) outdoors and yeast (440.7 CFU m-3) indoors. These levels might present an occupational risk, but threshold levels for these environments have yet to be established worldwide.
... Date: الإثنين, جوان 29, 2009, Last Page: 2, Authors: Mehri Najafi. B Mousavi. Sayyed ... more ... Date: الإثنين, جوان 29, 2009, Last Page: 2, Authors: Mehri Najafi. B Mousavi. Sayyed Ahmadreza Okhovat. L Andonian. S Rezaie. F Zaini. P Kordbacheh. F Noorbakhsh. M Moazeni. Momahhad Reza Keramati. Correspondence: Mehri Najafi ...
Medical Mycology, 2018
Mucormycoses are life-threatening fungal diseases that affect a variety of patients including tho... more Mucormycoses are life-threatening fungal diseases that affect a variety of patients including those with diabetes mellitus or hematological malignancies. The responsible agents, the Mucorales, are opportunistic pathogens originating from the environment such as soil or decaying organic matter. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and diversity of human-pathogenic species of Mucorales in commercially available foodstuffs in France. All food samples were purchased from January 2014 to May 2015 in France. A total of 159 dried food samples including spices and herbs (n = 68), herbal tea (n = 19), cereals (n = 19), vegetables (n = 14), and other foodstuffs (n = 39) were analyzed. Each strain of Mucorales was identified phenotypically, and molecular identification was performed by ITS sequencing. From the 28 (17.6%) samples that were culture-positive for Mucorales, 30 isolates were recovered. Among the isolates, 13 were identified as Rhizopus arrhizus var. arrhizus, 1...
Medical Mycology Case Reports, 2012
Based on epidemiological studies, Aspergillus candidus has been demonstrated as an emerging funga... more Based on epidemiological studies, Aspergillus candidus has been demonstrated as an emerging fungal agent of toenail onychomycosis. Here we report a case of a toenail infection caused by A. candidus in a healthy 60-year-old woman. Based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the culture as well as nucleotide sequencing of 28S region, the causative agent was identified as A. candidus.
Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
Current Medical Mycology
The genus Aspergillus, which consists of a few hundred opportunistic mold species found in variou... more The genus Aspergillus, which consists of a few hundred opportunistic mold species found in various climatic conditions, causes diseases including localized infections, fatal diseases, allergic responses, and inhaled conidia in humans. Herein, we present an overview of the most common diseases and allergic infections caused by Aspergillus species and their associated health hazards in various indoor environments worldwide.
ABSTRACT Background and purpose: Aspergillus is a ubiquitous fungus, which causes a wide spectrum... more ABSTRACT Background and purpose: Aspergillus is a ubiquitous fungus, which causes a wide spectrum of infections including invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), depending on the patient’s immune status and underlying lung disease. Among the Aspergillus spp, A. fumigatus remains the predominant agent of IPA. In patients with a preexisting lung cavity from a variety of causes, such as pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) Aspergillus can colonize and grow into the cavity to form a pulmonary aspergilloma. In this present study we assessed TB patients for aspergilloma based on culture and non-culture based methods Materials and methods: During one year, we studied 124 patients with TB at Massih Daneshvari hospital from Tehran, Iran. Sputum specimens were analyzed by direct microscopic examination (DME) with 20% potassium hydroxide. These samples were also processed for fungal culture. The clinical and radiological features or CT-scan report of all patients were recorded. All patients were screened for serum specific IgG against A. fumigatus , using Aspergillus IgG ELISA Kit (Genesis Diagnostics Ltd, Cambridgeshire, UK). The results are expressed in U/mL. IgG 12 U/mL was considered as positive result based on kit manufacturer instruction. Results: Out of 124 patients with tuberculosis (66 male, 58 female, age range: 10-91 years), 54 had abnormal chest radiographic findings. Chest X-ray findings showed that 48 patients (38.7%) exhibited residual cavities (31 cases in right lobe, 10 in left lobe and 7 in both lung). Round shaped mass lesion was detected only in 6 patients (6.8%). DME of sputum was positive in 10 patients for septate fungal hyphae. A. fumigatus was grown from 14 samples of TB patients. Out of 124 TB patients, 55(44.3%) cases were positive for specific serum IgG against A. fumigatus . There was a significant relationship between positive culture, DME and serum IgG profile level (P< 0.05). Totally, three patients (2.4%) met criteria for aspergilloma Conclusion: Colonization with Aspergillus in preexisting lung cavity produced by TB should be considered as a risk factor for aspergilloma Keywords: Aspergillus fumigatus , Colonization, tuberculosis, aspergilloma
European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology, 2015
In patients with preexisting lung disease, especially a cavity, Aspergillus can infect the surfac... more In patients with preexisting lung disease, especially a cavity, Aspergillus can infect the surface of the cavity, causing chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis (CCPA), and may form an aspergilloma, collectively called chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). In the present study, we assessed tuberculosis (TB) patients for CPA based on culture and serological methods. During a period of 1 year (from March 2013 to March 2014), we studied 124 patients with TB (94 with current TB and 30 with previous TB) at Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Sputum specimens were analyzed by direct microscopic examination (DME) and fungal culture. The clinical and radiological features of all patients were recorded, to categorize the patients into CCPA and aspergilloma. All patients were screened for serum-specific IgG against A. fumigatus, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Out of 124 patients with TB (66 male, age range: 10-91 years), 48 patients (38.7 %) exhibited residual cavitie...
Mycoses, 2015
An increasing number of reports have described the emergence of acquired resistance of Aspergillu... more An increasing number of reports have described the emergence of acquired resistance of Aspergillus fumigatus to azole compounds. The primary mechanism of resistance in clinical isolates is the mutation of the azole drug target enzyme, which is encoded by the cyp51A gene. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of silencing the cyp51A gene in azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates. A 21-nucleotide small-interfering RNA (siRNA) was designed based on the cDNA sequence of the A. fumigatus cyp51A gene. After silencing the cyp51A gene in germinated conidia (15, 20, 25 and 50 nM), azole-resistant A. fumigatus was cultured on broth media and gene expression was analysed by measuring the cyp51A mRNA level using RT-PCR assay. Hyphae were successfully transfected by siRNA and expression of the cyp51A gene was significantly reduced by siRNA at the concentration of 50 nM (P ≤ 0.05). In addition, at this siRNA concentration, the minimum inhibitory concentration of itraconazole for the treated cells was decreased, compared with that for untreated control cells, from 16 to 4 μg/ml.
Journal de Mycologie Médicale / Journal of Medical Mycology, 2015
Journal de Mycologie Médicale / Journal of Medical Mycology, 2015
Invasive Aspergillosis (IA) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in the immunocomprom... more Invasive Aspergillosis (IA) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in the immunocompromised host such as, neutropenic individuals, chronic granulomatous disorder, leukemia, those undergoing solid organ transplantation, patients using broad spectrum antibiotics and steroids, patients with severe underlying diseases and patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease are among the main risk groups. Successful management in the treatment of IA depends on early diagnosis and treatment, the adequate choice of therapy, and antifungal resistance. The diagnosis of IA remains difficult and significant proportions of cases of IA remain undetected, thus in case of IA treatment should be considered as early as possible and carried out until the improvements. The treatment is usually based on surgery, antifungal therapy and reduction of immunosuppression. Azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus was first observed in Netherlands in 1999. Full mechanism of evolution of azole resistance...
ABSTRACT Background and purpose: Aspergillus is a ubiquitous fungus, which causes a wide spectrum... more ABSTRACT Background and purpose: Aspergillus is a ubiquitous fungus, which causes a wide spectrum of infections including invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), depending on the patient’s immune status and underlying lung disease. Among the Aspergillus spp, A. fumigatus remains the predominant agent of IPA. In patients with a preexisting lung cavity from a variety of causes, such as pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) Aspergillus can colonize and grow into the cavity to form a pulmonary aspergilloma. In this present study we assessed TB patients for aspergilloma based on culture and non-culture based methods Materials and methods: During one year, we studied 124 patients with TB at Massih Daneshvari hospital from Tehran, Iran. Sputum specimens were analyzed by direct microscopic examination (DME) with 20% potassium hydroxide. These samples were also processed for fungal culture. The clinical and radiological features or CT-scan report of all patients were recorded. All patients were screened for serum specific IgG against A. fumigatus , using Aspergillus IgG ELISA Kit (Genesis Diagnostics Ltd, Cambridgeshire, UK). The results are expressed in U/mL. IgG 12 U/mL was considered as positive result based on kit manufacturer instruction. Results: Out of 124 patients with tuberculosis (66 male, 58 female, age range: 10-91 years), 54 had abnormal chest radiographic findings. Chest X-ray findings showed that 48 patients (38.7%) exhibited residual cavities (31 cases in right lobe, 10 in left lobe and 7 in both lung). Round shaped mass lesion was detected only in 6 patients (6.8%). DME of sputum was positive in 10 patients for septate fungal hyphae. A. fumigatus was grown from 14 samples of TB patients. Out of 124 TB patients, 55(44.3%) cases were positive for specific serum IgG against A. fumigatus . There was a significant relationship between positive culture, DME and serum IgG profile level (P< 0.05). Totally, three patients (2.4%) met criteria for aspergilloma Conclusion: Colonization with Aspergillus in preexisting lung cavity produced by TB should be considered as a risk factor for aspergilloma Keywords: Aspergillus fumigatus , Colonization, tuberculosis, aspergilloma
Mycoses, 2013
Azole resistance in Aspergillus is emerging in European and Asian countries. As azoles are mainst... more Azole resistance in Aspergillus is emerging in European and Asian countries. As azoles are mainstay of therapy in the management of aspergillosis, azole resistance has serious implications in patient management. We report the emergence of resistance to triazoles in environmental Aspergillus fumigatus isolates in Iran. The TR 34 /L98H mutation was the only resistance mechanism. Overall 3.3% of the A. fumigatus isolates from hospital surroundings in Sari and Tehran had the same TR 34 /L98H STRAf genotype and were related to some resistant clinical and environmental TR 34 /L98H isolates from the Netherlands and India. It is emphasised that routine resistance surveillance studies focusing on environmental and clinical samples are warranted to yield the true prevalence of azole resistance in A. fumigatus in Iran.
Mycopathologia, 2013
Inter-and intraspecific genomic variability of 18 isolates of Veronaea botryosa originating from ... more Inter-and intraspecific genomic variability of 18 isolates of Veronaea botryosa originating from clinical and environmental sources was studied using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). The species was originally described from the environment, but several severe cases of disseminated infection in apparently healthy individuals have been reported worldwide. All tested strains of V. botryosa, identified on the basis of sequencing and phenotypic and physiological criteria prior to our study, were confirmed by AFLP analysis, yielding a clear separation of V. botryosa as a rather homogeneous group from related species. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing resulted in MIC 90 s across all strains in increasing order posaconazole (0.25 lg/ml), itraconazole (1 lg/ml), voriconazole (4 lg/ml), terbinafine (4 lg/ml), caspofungin (8 lg/ml), anidulafungin (8 lg/ml), isavuconazole (16 lg/ml), amphotericin B (16 lg/ml), and fluconazole (32 lg/ml). Overall, the isolates showed a uniform pattern of low MICs of itraconazole and posaconazole, but high MICs for remaining agents. The echinocandins (caspofungin and anidulafungin) had no activity against V. botryosa. There was no statistically significant difference between susceptibilities of environmental (n = 11) and clinical (n = 7) isolates of V. botryosa (P [ 0.05).
Mycopathologia, 2013
We report two cases of chromoblastomycosis due to Fonsecaea pedrosoi and F. monophora in otherwis... more We report two cases of chromoblastomycosis due to Fonsecaea pedrosoi and F. monophora in otherwise healthy Cuban males. Direct microscopic examination of biopsies revealed muriform cells, the hallmark of chromoblastomycosis. The suspected agents were recovered in culture, identified on the basis of morphological criteria and confirmed by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer regions of rDNA. Final treatment consisted of surgical excision. The patients were successfully cured since there was no relapse after a follow-up of more than a year. In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing of both isolates showed that itraconazole and posaconazole had potent activity. High MICs of amphotericin B (2 μg/ml), fluconazole (&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;64 μg/ml), anidulafungin (8 μg/ml) and caspofungin (8 μg/ml) were found.
Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 2012
Salvia officinalis L., Sumac, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Althaea officinalis extracts on Aspergillus... more Salvia officinalis L., Sumac, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Althaea officinalis extracts on Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus flavus species Using synthetic preservatives to control fungal disease has become important due to emergence of drug resistance and some side effects of the drugs' remainder including carcinogenicity and teratogenicity. Lavandula, Salvia officinalis L., Sumac, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Althaea officinalis are some medicinal plants with proved therapeutic effects as anti-microbial, anti-viral, and anti-parasitic agents. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the effect of these plants on clinical species of Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Aspergillus flavus. Plant extracts were prepared by maceration method. The extracts at concentrations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, and 12.5 mg ml -1 were prepared in dimethylsulfoxide. The effect of anti-fungal extracts was separately assessed using Broth macrodilutitheon. Finally, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFC) of extracts were determined. This study showed that Lavandula, S. officinalis L., Sumac, G. glabra, and A. officinalis extracts have anti-fungal effects. The antifungal effect of Sumac, G. glabra, and Lavandula officinalis was significantly different from that observed by S. officinalis L. extract. Moreover, it was observed that A. flavus and A. fumigatus were the most sensitive and resistant fungal species to the antifungal effects of the extracts, respectively (p≤0.05). Further evaluation is necessary to elucidate the extent and mechanism of these changes.
Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2013
In recent decades the incidence of Candida endocarditis has increased dramatically. Despite the a... more In recent decades the incidence of Candida endocarditis has increased dramatically. Despite the application of surgery and antifungal therapy, Candida endocarditis remains a life-threatening infection with significant morbidity and mortality. We report a 37-year-old male drug abuser presenting with high fever, chest pain, loss of appetite and cardiac failure. His echocardiography revealed mobile large tricuspid valve vegetations. Fungal endocarditis was confirmed by culturing of the resected vegetation showing mixed growth of Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis, although three consecutive blood cultures were negative for Candida species. Phenotypic identification was reconfirmed by sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS rDNA) region. The patient was initially treated with intravenous fluconazole (6 mg kg "1 per day), followed by 2 weeks of intravenous amphotericin B deoxycholate (1 mg kg "1 per day). Although MICs were low for both drugs, the patient's antifungal therapy combined with valve replacement failed, and he died due to respiratory failure.
Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology, 2000
The aim of this study was to assess the volume of airborne fungi in the indoor and outdoor enviro... more The aim of this study was to assess the volume of airborne fungi in the indoor and outdoor environment of poultry and cattle houses in the Mazandaran Province in Iran. Indoor and outdoor air of twenty cattle houses and twenty-five poultry houses were sampled using a single-stage impactor, which draws air at 20 L min-1 and impacts sampled material onto Petri plates containing malt extract agar. The plates were incubated at 30 °C for seven days, after which the resulting colonies were counted. The fungi were identified and counted microscopically and macroscopically. A total of 4,662 fungal colonies were isolated from 90 plates collected from indoor and outdoor air of cattle and poultry houses. Cladosporium (55.3 %), yeast (10.0 %), and Aspergillus (9.4 %) were the most common findings. The concentration of airborne fungi in cattle and poultry houses ranged from 10 CFU m-3 to 1700 CFU m-3 in indoor and 10 CFU m-3 to 2170 CFU m-3 in outdoor environments. Cladosporium had the highest mean indoor (424.5 CFU m-3) and outdoor (449.7 CFU m-3) air concentration in the cattle houses. In the poultry houses, the highest mean concentrations were measured for Cladosporium (551.0 CFU m-3) outdoors and yeast (440.7 CFU m-3) indoors. These levels might present an occupational risk, but threshold levels for these environments have yet to be established worldwide.
... Date: الإثنين, جوان 29, 2009, Last Page: 2, Authors: Mehri Najafi. B Mousavi. Sayyed ... more ... Date: الإثنين, جوان 29, 2009, Last Page: 2, Authors: Mehri Najafi. B Mousavi. Sayyed Ahmadreza Okhovat. L Andonian. S Rezaie. F Zaini. P Kordbacheh. F Noorbakhsh. M Moazeni. Momahhad Reza Keramati. Correspondence: Mehri Najafi ...