{"title":"Antifungal activity of Taurolidine against Mucorales: An in vitro study on clinical isolates.","authors":"Hadis Jafarian, Ali Amanati, Parisa Badiee","doi":"10.18502/cmm.8.1.9211","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/cmm.8.1.9211","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and purpose: </strong>Taurolidine is active against a wide variety of micro-organisms, including bacteria and fungi. Mucormycosis is one of the life-threatening opportunistic fungal infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. Currently, the emergence of Mucormycosis during the COVID-19 pandemic raises public health concerns regarding untoward morbidity and mortality among SARS-CoV-2 patients. It is well-known that delayed and inappropriate antifungal therapy leads to increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to investigate the <i>in-vitro</i> antifungal activity of taurolidine to evaluate its effects against clinical isolates of <i>Mucorales</i>.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>This study included previously collected clinical <i>Mucorales</i> isolates. The minimum <i>in vitro</i> inhibitory concentration (MIC) of amphotericin B, caspofungin, voriconazole, posaconazole, and itraconazole was determined using the broth microdilution method.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All clinical isolates showed full sensitivity to amphotericin B. Posaconazole MIC range from 8 μg/mL to 0.032 μg/mL. The MIC range of voriconazole and caspofungin were determined to be 2-8 µg/mL and 0.5-16 µg/mL, respectively. Growth of the isolates was entirely inhibited in 1000 µg/mL concentration of taurolidine. In microscopic observations, morphological effects on hyphal growth were observed at 500 µg/mL concentration.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In conclusion, this is an updated experience of using taurolidine against <i>Mucorales</i>. However, our in-vitro findings need to be confirmed in well-designed clinical trials aimed at treating invasive Mucormycosis infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":10863,"journal":{"name":"Current Medical Mycology","volume":"8 1","pages":"26-31"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9548082/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40669075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Candidemia: Changing dynamics from a tertiary care hospital in North India.","authors":"Garima Gautam, Deepti Rawat, Ravinder Kaur, Masoom Nathani","doi":"10.18502/cmm.8.1.9210","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/cmm.8.1.9210","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and purpose: </strong>Routine identification of <i>Candida</i> species and knowledge of antibiotic susceptibility patterns can prevent diagnostic delays and help clinicians choose appropriate empirical therapies. This study aimed to identify and speciate <i>Candida</i> isolates from bloodstream infections and evaluate their epidemiological profile and antibiotic susceptibility pattern in a tertiary care hospital in North India.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Blood samples were cultured in the Department of Microbiology of a tertiary care hospital from January 2019 to May 2021, and the samples which showed growth of <i>Candida</i> species (spp.) were included in this study. <i>Candida</i> isolates were initially characterized by conventional techniques. Further identification and antifungal susceptibility testing were performed using Vitek 2 compact automated system. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software (Version 25.0).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong><i>Candida</i> spp. were isolated from a total of 116 blood samples, 60.92% of which belonged to males. The majority (43.10%) of isolates were obtained from 0-1-month-old neonates, followed by infants (16.38%) and children in the age range of 1-17 years (16.38%). Only 6.89% of isolates were obtained from adults older than 18 years. <i>Candida tropicalis</i> (26.72%) was the most common species, followed by <i>Candida pelliculosa</i> (19.83%), <i>Candida albicans</i> (17.24%), <i>Candida parapsilosis</i> (14.66%), <i>Candida famata</i> (9.48%), and <i>Candida krusei</i> (9.48%). Other isolated species included <i>Candida lusitaniae</i>, <i>Candida sphaerica</i>, and <i>Candida inconspicua</i>. Out of 116 isolates, 101 isolates were subjected to Vitek 2 susceptibility testing. Overall, 21.78% (22/101) of Candida isolates were found to be resistant/intermediate. Among <i>C. albicans</i> isolates, resistance was observed only against voriconazole (20%) and fluconazole (5%); however, among non- <i>albicans Candida</i> species (NAC), resistance was observed against flucytosine (16.04%), followed by fluconazole (14.81%), voriconazole (3.70%), and caspofungin (3.70%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Non-<i>albicans Candida</i> spp. predominated over <i>Candida albicans</i> in causing bloodstream infections and were found to be more resistant to antifungals. Continuous surveillance is necessary to monitor changes in epidemiological and resistance patterns.</p>","PeriodicalId":10863,"journal":{"name":"Current Medical Mycology","volume":"8 1","pages":"20-25"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9548083/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40669073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ashkan Hekmatpanah, Aghil Sharifzadeh, Hojjatollah Shokri, Sepideh Abbaszadeh, Donya Nikaein
{"title":"Efficacy of <i>Syzygium aromaticum</i> essential oil on the growth and enzymatic activity of pathogenic <i>Candida albicans</i> strains.","authors":"Ashkan Hekmatpanah, Aghil Sharifzadeh, Hojjatollah Shokri, Sepideh Abbaszadeh, Donya Nikaein","doi":"10.18502/cmm.8.1.9209","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/cmm.8.1.9209","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and purpose: </strong><i>Candida albicans</i> (<i>C. albicans</i>) is the most common human pathogen owing to the most virulence factors. It seems that extracellular hydrolytic enzymes play a key role in <i>C. albicans</i> pathogenicity. The present study aimed to assess the susceptibility and enzymatic activity of pathogenic <i>C. albicans</i> isolates exposed to the <i>Syzygium aromaticum</i> (<i>S. aromaticum</i>) essential oil.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong><i>S. aromaticum</i> oil was characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The broth microdilution technique (CLSI, M27-A3) was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of test compounds. Furthermore, before and after treatment with <i>S. aromaticum</i> essential oil, the yeasts were analyzed regarding the proteinase (Prz), hemolysin (Hz), and phospholipase (Phz) production/activity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>β-caryophyllene (12.76%) was found to be the major constituent in the essential oil after eugenol (84.64%). Only one isolate of <i>C. albicans</i> showed the antifungal resistance to fluconazole. All isolates were susceptible to <i>S. aromaticum</i> essential oil with MIC of 625-1250 μg/ml. <i>S. aromaticum</i> oil represented the best antifungal effect against <i>C. albicans</i> at MIC 1000 μg/ml. The mean±SD enzyme activity of <i>C. albicans</i> not exposed to <i>S. aromaticum</i> essential oil was obtained at 0.55±0.03, 0.73±0.04, and 0.61±0.05 for proteinase, hemolysin, and phospholipase, respectively. The activities of these enzymes were reduced significantly (<i>P</i><0.05) to 0.33±0.06, 0.40±0.04, and 0.16±0.03 for phospholipase, proteinase, and hemolysin, respectively, after the yeasts were subjected to <i>S. aromaticum</i> essential oil.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The present study aimed to determine the ability of <i>S. aromaticum</i> essential oil to prevent the growth of <i>C. albicans</i> and decrease their enzymatic activity. As a natural antifungal agent, <i>S. aromaticum</i> can be utilized in pharmaceutical systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":10863,"journal":{"name":"Current Medical Mycology","volume":"8 1","pages":"12-19"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9548078/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40669074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mucormycosis: A comparative update between conventional and molecular diagnosis strategies.","authors":"Shikha Mudgal, Shalinee Rao, Manju O Pai","doi":"10.18502/cmm.8.1.9214","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/cmm.8.1.9214","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mucormycosis is an opportunistic, aggressive, and angioinvasive fungal infection associated with a high mortality rate as it disseminates and infects the whole body if not treated early. Most conventional diagnostic methods require time and may also generate false-negative reports due to the several lacunae associated. On the other hand, molecular methods are rapid, reliable, and can be applied to different biological samples, such as fresh tissue, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks, serum, and urine. Mucorales are angio-invasive, and many studies have found the circulating fungal DNA (a non-invasive form of DNA) in the blood and urine of the patient. In addition, with the increase in the usage of steroid drugs in this COVID scenario, the rate of mucormycosis infection has taken a sudden rise. In light of this situation, there is an imperative need to diagnose these infections at the earliest.</p>","PeriodicalId":10863,"journal":{"name":"Current Medical Mycology","volume":"8 1","pages":"44-53"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9548081/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40669078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alixandra De la Espriella, Andrea Restrepo, Mónica Trujillo, Karen Arango
{"title":"Disseminated fusariosis in children: Report of two cases in girls with leukemia.","authors":"Alixandra De la Espriella, Andrea Restrepo, Mónica Trujillo, Karen Arango","doi":"10.18502/cmm.8.1.9213","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/cmm.8.1.9213","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and purpose: </strong>Disseminated fusariosis is an opportunistic infection caused by the hyaline fungus <i>Fusarium</i> spp. and occurs mainly in patients with leukemia.</p><p><strong>Case report: </strong>Two cases of disseminated fusariosis in pediatric patients are presented. Profound and prolonged neutropenia, fever, myalgia, and skin lesions in the legs were present in two girls with leukemia undergoing chemotherapy. In the first case, infection by <i>Fusarium</i> spp. was confirmed by anatomopathological findings, pathogen isolation, and polymerase chain reaction. In the second case, <i>Fusarium solani</i> infection was confirmed by mass spectrometry using blood cultures and skin lesion samples.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>It is important to consider disseminated fusariosis in high-risk patients who present with profound and prolonged neutropenia and persistent fever that does not resolve after broad-spectrum antibiotics to initiate antifungal therapy in a timely manner.</p>","PeriodicalId":10863,"journal":{"name":"Current Medical Mycology","volume":"8 1","pages":"39-43"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9548084/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40669077","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"<i>In vitro</i> interactions of nystatin and micafungin combined with chlorhexidine against <i>Candida albicans</i> isolates.","authors":"Maede Salehi, Ali Malekzadeh Shafaroudi, Maryam Daryani, Alireza Khalilian, Fatemeh Ahangarkani, Tahere Molania","doi":"10.18502/cmm.8.1.9208","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/cmm.8.1.9208","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and purpose: </strong>Oral candidiasis has become a growing problem in hospitals worldwide, and the development of antifungal drug resistance in <i>Candida</i> species constitutes a serious concern. This study aimed to evaluate the <i>in vitro</i> efficacy of nystatin, and micafungin with chlorhexidine against fluconazole-resistant and fluconazole-sensitive <i>Candida albicans</i> (<i>C. albicans</i>) isolates.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this experimental-laboratory study, a total of 20 fluconazole-resistant (n=10) and fluconazole-susceptible (n=10) <i>C. albicans</i> strains were obtained from the reference culture collection of the Invasive Fungi Research Center in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. <i>In vitro</i> combination of nystatin and micafungin with chlorhexidine was performed using a microdilution checkerboard method based on the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guideline.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Micafungin had the highest antifungal activity against <i>C. albicans</i> susceptible and resistant strains, with a Geometric mean of (GM) =0.008µg/ml and GM=0.008µg/ml, followed by nystatin with GM=0.06µg/ml and GM=0.042µg/ml and chlorhexidine with GM=0.25µg/ml and GM=0.165µg/ml against <i>C. albicans</i> resistant and sensitive strains, respectively. The interaction of micafungin and nystatin with chlorhexidine showed a synergistic interaction against most <i>C. albicans</i> strains. In addition, no antagonistic interaction was observed between micafungin, nystatin, and chlorhexidine against <i>C. albicans</i> strains.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The synergistic interaction of micafungin with chlorhexidine against azole-resistant <i>C. albicans</i> suggests an alternative approach to overcome antifungal drug resistance. However, further studies are needed for <i>in vivo</i> evaluation.</p>","PeriodicalId":10863,"journal":{"name":"Current Medical Mycology","volume":"8 1","pages":"7-11"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9548080/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40669079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Risk factors and lethality associated with Candidemia in severe COVID-19 patients.","authors":"Zehra Beştepe Dursun, Hilal Sipahioğlu, Recep Civan Yüksel, Hafize Sav, İlhami Çelik","doi":"10.18502/cmm.8.1.9212","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/cmm.8.1.9212","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and purpose: </strong>Candidemia remained important in the intensive care units (ICU) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and laboratory data on candidemia in COVID-19 patients.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The baseline characteristics, as well as laboratory and clinical findings of candidemia and non-candidemia patients, were compared. Candidemia was defined as the isolation of Candida spp. from blood cultures. The isolates were identified by VITEK® 2 (bioMérieux, France) commercial method. Antifungal susceptibility was assessed using the E-test method. Univariate and multiple binary logistic regression analyses were performed to compare the variables.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In total, 126 patients with the COVID-19 disease were included. Candidemia was diagnosed in 44 (35%) of the patients. The number of patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure was higher in the candidemia group. In the candidemia group, the duration of ICU stay of patients, the 30-day mortality rate, mechanical ventilation therapy, and systemic corticosteroids (Prednisone) usage were significantly higher in candidemia patients. Moreover, the median white blood cell, neutrophils, and lactate dehydrogenase were higher in the candidemia group.Univariate and multiple binary logistic regression analyses were performed to compare the variables. Isolated species were identified as <i>Candida albicans</i> (n=12, 41%), <i>Candida parapsilosis</i> (n=7, 24%), <i>Candida glabrata</i> (n=6, 21%), <i>Candida tropicalis</i> (n=3, 10%), and <i>Candida dublinensis</i> (n=1, 3%). In total, three isolates of six <i>C. glabrata</i> species had dose-dependent sensitivity to fluconazole, and one <i>C. parapsilosis</i> was determined to be resistant.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The COVID-19 patients who are admitted to ICU have many risk factors associated with candidemia. The most common risk factors for the development of candidemia were mechanical ventilation, diabetes mellitus, neutrophilia, and low hemoglobin level. The most frequently isolated species was <i>C. albicans</i>. Moreover, caspofungin was found to be the most effective drug <i>in vitro</i>. No significant resistance pattern was detected against the isolated species. It should be noted that risk-stratified antifungal prophylaxis in the ICU is possible.</p>","PeriodicalId":10863,"journal":{"name":"Current Medical Mycology","volume":"8 1","pages":"32-38"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9548077/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40670021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mixed invasive fungal infections among COVID-19 patients.","authors":"Vanya Singh, Amber Prasad, Prasan Kumar Panda, Manjunath Totaganti, Amit Kumar Tyagi, Abhinav Thaduri, Shalinee Rao, Mukesh Bairwa, Ashok Kumar Singh","doi":"10.18502/cmm.7.4.8407","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/cmm.7.4.8407","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and purpose: </strong>The healthcare system in India collapsed during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A fungal epidemic was announced amid the pandemic with several cases of COVID-associated mucormycosis and pulmonary aspergillosis being reported. However, there is limited data regarding mixed fungal infections in COVID-19 patients. Therefore, we present a series of ten consecutive COVID-19 patients with mixed invasive fungal infections (MIFIs).</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Among COVID-19 patients hospitalized in May 2021 at a tertiary care center in North India, 10 cases of microbiologically confirmed COVID-19-associated mucormycosis-aspergillosis (CAMA) were evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All patients had diabetes and the majority of them were infected with severe COVID-19 pneumonia (6/10, 60%) either on admission or in the past month while two were each of moderate (20%) and mild (20%) categories of COVID-19; and were treated with steroid and cocktail therapy. The patients were managed with amphotericin-B along with surgical intervention. In total, 70% of all CAMA patients (<i>Rhizopus arrhizus</i> with <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> in seven and <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> complex in three patients) survived.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study findings reflected the critical importance of a high index of clinical suspicion and accurate microbiological diagnosis in managing invasive dual molds and better understanding of the risk and progression of MIFIs among COVID-19 patients. Careful scrutiny and identification of MIFIs play a key role in the implementation of effective management strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":10863,"journal":{"name":"Current Medical Mycology","volume":"7 4","pages":"19-27"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9175149/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9837020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Prachala G Rathod, Atul Kumar, Radhika Tandon, Nishat H Ahmed
{"title":"Ophthalmic infections caused by <i>Aspergillus nidulans</i>: A case series and short review of literature.","authors":"Prachala G Rathod, Atul Kumar, Radhika Tandon, Nishat H Ahmed","doi":"10.18502/cmm.7.4.8411","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/cmm.7.4.8411","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and purpose: </strong>Although <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> and <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> are more commonly implicated with ocular infections; there are some saprophytic species, such as <i>Aspergillus nidulans</i> (<i>A. nidulans</i>) which may occasionally lead to serious ocular infections. There is a paucity of data on ocular infections caused by <i>A. nidulans</i>. We report a case series of three ophthalmic infections caused by <i>A. nidulans</i> from a tertiary care eye center in North India.</p><p><strong>Case report: </strong>Three cases of ophthalmic infections, including two cases of keratitis and one case of recurrent endophthalmitis caused by <i>A. nidulans</i> were diagnosed at the ocular microbiology section of a tertiary eye care center. One case of keratitis had a history of ophthalmic surgery and underlying diabetes mellitus. The case of recurrent endophthalmitis had undergone cataract surgery in the recent past. Diminution of vision was the most common presenting feature in all three cases. The microbiological diagnosis was made by conventional microscopy and culture techniques.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This case series illustrates the potential of uncommon fungal pathogens, such as <i>A. nidulans</i> to cause devastating ocular infections and has an emphasis on the importance of timely microbiological diagnosis in the management of such cases.</p>","PeriodicalId":10863,"journal":{"name":"Current Medical Mycology","volume":" ","pages":"43-48"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9175144/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40394718","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Characterization of <i>Candida</i> species isolated from vulvovaginal candidiasis by MALDI-TOF with <i>in vitro</i> antifungal susceptibility profiles.","authors":"Narges Aslani, Roya Kokabi, Fatemeh Moradi, Kiana Abbasi, Narges Vaseghi, Mohammad Hosein Afsarian","doi":"10.18502/cmm.7.4.8405","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/cmm.7.4.8405","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and purpose: </strong>Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an opportunistic infection due to <i>Candida</i> species, one of the most common genital tract diseases among reproductive-age women. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of VVC among non-pregnant women and identify the epidemiology of the involved <i>Candida</i> species with the evaluation of antifungal susceptibilities.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was performed to identify <i>Candida</i> species isolated from the genital tract of 350 non-pregnant women. Moreover, antifungal susceptibility testing was performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute broth microdilution method guidelines (M27-A3 and M27-S4).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Vaginal swab cultures of 119 (34%) women yielded <i>Candida</i> species. <i>Candida albicans</i> was the most frequently isolated species (68%), followed by <i>Candida glabrata</i> (19.2%). Voriconazole was the most active drug against all tested isolates showing an MIC50/MIC90 corresponding to 0.016/0.25 µg/mL, followed by posaconazole (0.031/1 µg/mL). Overall, resistance rates to fluconazole, itraconazole, and voriconazole were 2.4%, 4.8% and, 0.8% respectively. However, posaconazole showed potent <i>in vitro</i> activity against all tested isolates.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Results of the current study showed that for the effectual therapeutic outcome of candidiasis, accurate identification of species, appropriate source control, suitable antifungal regimens, and improved antifungal stewardship are highly recommended for the management and treatment of infection with <i>Candida</i>, like VVC.</p>","PeriodicalId":10863,"journal":{"name":"Current Medical Mycology","volume":" ","pages":"6-11"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9175151/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40395147","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}