Iranian Journal of Microbiology最新文献

{"title":"Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for identification of anaerobic and microaerophilic bacteria from clinical specimens, in comparison with conventional techniques.","authors":"Beena Antony, Sherin Justin, Shruthi Bagambila, Jane Grace D'Souza, Rhea Nicola Pinto","doi":"10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22190","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22190","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>MALDI-TOF MS offers a unique combination of flexibility, accuracy, automation and has found benefit in many fields of biological research. Here we investigated MALDI-TOF analysis for the identification of anaerobic and microaerophilic bacteria isolated from clinical specimen and also compared the results with conventional biochemical characterization.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>The present study was conducted for a duration of 2 years and had obtained Ethical clearance. Bacteria obtained from 1514 specimens were subjected to MALDI-TOF in comparison with conventional techniques. MALDI-TOF was done by Extended Direct Transfer technique after a preparatory protein extraction.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 957 isolates of anaerobes and 214 microaerophilic organisms, 552 anaerobes and 154 microaerophilic isolates were identified up to species level giving concordant results by conventional techniques. Rest of the strains could be identified only up to genus level by biochemical characterization. MALDI-TOF MS was able to identify more isolates to the species level compared with conventional methods, including several new genera and species including <i>Clostridia</i>, <i>Peptostreptococcus</i> and <i>Lactobacilli</i>.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Newly recognized and taxonomically rearranged genera, frequently isolated anaerobic and microaerophilic species as well as closely related species could be identified accurately by employing MALDI-TOF MS. Implementation of this technique for identification will shorten the Turn Around Time, reduce the cost in the Microbiology laboratory and improve the patient care with better clinical outcome.</p>","PeriodicalId":14633,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Microbiology","volume":"18 4","pages":"473-481"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13490636/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148792988","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>Pseudomonas</i> clearance from the oropharyngeal cavity and healing of mouth ulcers using a selenium-enriched <i>Lactobacillus brevis</i> Lse mouthwash: a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial.","authors":"Zohreh Amirheidari, Farshid Ataollahi, Bagher Amirheidari, Hamid Forootanfar, Mojtaba Shakibaie, Mehdi Ahmadinejad, Zahra Khoshnam, Maryam Nooshadokht, Mohammad Shabani, Maryam Ramezani Nejad, Zahra Amirheidari","doi":"10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22194","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22194","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>A selenium (Se) enriched <i>Lactobacillus brevis</i> was applied as mouthwash to relieve mouth ulcers and regulate oral pathogens. The persistence of four frequent oral pathogens (<i>Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Proteus,</i> and <i>Enterobacter</i>) and the quantity of mouth lesions were to be measured after exposure to the above probiotic. Susceptibility of the pathogens was also examined.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In this randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial, 60 ICU patients were allocated into three groups equally (to receive normal saline, chlorhexidine, and Se-probiotic) every 6 hours for 1 week. The utilized <i>Lactobacillus brevis</i> was previously separated from a traditional dairy product and its enrichment was accomplished through streaking on MRS plates supplemented with sodium selenite.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong><i>Klebsiella</i> and <i>Pseudomonas</i> were the most frequent initial pathogens, from which <i>Pseudomonas</i> were totally omitted from the probiotic group. The Se-probiotic existed in the mouth cavity of the test group six hours after the last dose. In the probiotic group, the number of oral lesions were significantly reduced.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Clearance of <i>Pseudomonas</i> from mouth cavity and significant decrease in the quantity of mouth ulcers are considerable achievements. Hence, the applied Se-supplemented mouthwash exhibited promising capability to be considered as a potential oral hygiene formulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":14633,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Microbiology","volume":"18 4","pages":"509-517"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13490638/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148793084","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":"Antimicrobial resistance surveillance of clinical bacterial isolates at Maryamana private hospital, Erbil-Iraq (2023-2025): antibiogram data and multidrug-resistant (MDR)/extensively drug-resistant (XDR)/pandrug-resistant (PDR) classification.","authors":"Safaa Toma Hanna Aka","doi":"10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22192","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22192","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical global health threat, with multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and pandrug-resistant (PDR) pathogens increasingly prevalent in healthcare settings. The study aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of AMR among clinical bacterial isolates, including detailed antibiogram profiling and prevalence of MDR, XDR, and PDR phenotypes, to inform local treatment guidelines and antimicrobial stewardship strategies.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 2,945 clinical specimens (blood, wound, sputum, urine, vaginal swabs, and others). Bacterial identification was performed using VITEK 2 automated system. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. MDR, XDR, and PDR classifications were applied.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 2,851 major clinical specimens, Gram-negative bacteria predominated (53%), with highest isolation rates from wound, sputum, and urine samples. Gram-positive organisms accounted for 30%, while <i>Candida</i> species represented 10%. Among Gram-negative isolates, 55% were classified as MDR, 15% as XDR, and 2% as PDR. Gram-positive bacteria showed lower resistance rates with 30% MDR, 4% XDR, and no PDR detected. Species-specific analysis revealed that <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> and <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> exhibited the highest XDR and PDR rates, with <i>A. baumannii</i> showing 45% XDR and 10% PDR prevalence. Among Gram-positive organisms, MRSA demonstrated 100% MDR prevalence. The most effective antimicrobials against resistant isolates were carbapenems, amikacin, and vancomycin (for Gram-positives).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrates alarmingly high rates of MDR, XDR, and PDR among clinical bacterial isolates, with Gram-negative bacteria showing significantly greater resistance burden than Gram-positive organisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":14633,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Microbiology","volume":"18 4","pages":"490-498"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13490635/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148793225","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":"Brucellosis-related pancytopenia: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge case report from an endemic region.","authors":"Zahra Jahani, Zohreh Jahani","doi":"10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22207","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22207","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Brucellosis, endemic in the Middle East and similar regions, can present with pancytopenia, complicating diagnosis and treatment. We report a 62-year-old female with fever, fatigue, and weight loss. Persistent pancytopenia required prolonged triple antibiotic therapy. Clinicians must consider brucellosis-related pancytopenia and tailor therapy with careful monitoring.</p>","PeriodicalId":14633,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Microbiology","volume":"18 4","pages":"633-636"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13490631/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148792810","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":"Updated oncolytic viruses for the treatment of bladder cancer: a systematic review.","authors":"Fatemeh Khatami, Abdolreza Mohammadi, Kayhan Azadmanesh, Roham Deyhimfar, Helia Azodian Ghajar, Parsa Nikoofar, Seyed Mohammad Kazem Aghamir","doi":"10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22188","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22188","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>Bladder cancer (BCa) is the most prevalent malignancy of the urinary tract and is often diagnosed at a late stage. Recurrence remains a major challenge for current treatment strategies. Over the past decade, the antitumor potential of oncolytic viruses (OVs) has been increasingly recognized, with several studies evaluating their safety and efficacy in BCa treatment. In this systematic review, we present clinical trials and animal studies to comprehensively evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficiency of various OVs in BCa.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>After receiving the PROSPERO registration code, four electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase, were systematically searched to identify studies evaluating the safety and treatment potential of OVs in BCa. Two reviewers independently conducted the screening process, and data from clinical trials and animal studies were systematically extracted into Excel for subsequent synthesis and reporting. All steps of this systematic review adhered to the guidelines outlined in the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions, upholding high standards of methodological rigor and transparency.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The initial search strategy yielded 1,061 records. After removing duplicates, 809 articles were screened for relevance. Following the exclusion of 761 studies, 48 were deemed eligible for data extraction, comprising 17 clinical trials and 29 animal studies. Various oncolytic viruses were investigated, either as monotherapies or in combination with other agents, including Vaccinia virus, Adenovirus, Oncolytic adenovirus ONYX, Coxsackievirus A21 (CVA21), oncolytic CVA21 (V937), attenuated measles virus (MV-NIS virus), recombinant adenovirus (rAd), and a serotype 5 adenovirus engineered to express GM-CSF. All studies reported their most effective doses administered within safe parameters.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The common virus was the non-replicative recombinant adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5), which encodes human interferon alfa-2b (IFNα2b) a cytokine with anti-tumor properties. It is administered via intravesical instillation and has received FDA approval.</p>","PeriodicalId":14633,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Microbiology","volume":"18 4","pages":"448-459"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13490632/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148792974","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":"Antibiogram and molecular profiling of non-respiratory isolates of <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> using ERIC-PCR in a tertiary care hospital.","authors":"Mohammed Sameer Chishti, Amir Sayed Malik, Gulnaz Bashir, Irfan Nisar Ahangar","doi":"10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22195","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22195","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background and objectives: &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;i&gt;Pseudomonas aeruginosa&lt;/i&gt; is a major nosocomial pathogen implicated in a wide range of hospital-acquired infections. Prompt detection and effective control of outbreaks caused by this organism are essential to minimize associated morbidity and mortality. Multiple strains may circulate within healthcare settings due to cross-transmission and persistent environmental reservoirs. Various molecular typing techniques have proven valuable in tracing the sources and transmission dynamics of outbreaks. The present study aimed to investigate the antibiogram profiles and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) patterns of &lt;i&gt;P. aeruginosa&lt;/i&gt; isolates recovered from non-respiratory clinical samples at a tertiary care hospital.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Materials and methods: &lt;/strong&gt;A total of 157 clinical isolates phenotypically identified as &lt;i&gt;P. aeruginosa&lt;/i&gt; were subjected to 16S rDNA-PCR for species confirmation. Among these, 150 isolates were confirmed as &lt;i&gt;P. aeruginosa&lt;/i&gt; and subsequently analysed for antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular typing. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Molecular typing was carried out using ERIC-PCR. The resulting ERIC-PCR profiles were analysed using PAST version 4.03 software, and a dendrogram was constructed based on Dice similarity coefficients to assess genetic relatedness among isolates. Fisher's exact test was employed to determine associations between specific ERIC types and antibiotic resistance profiles.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;Overall, 84% of the &lt;i&gt;P. aeruginosa&lt;/i&gt; isolates were identified as multidrug-resistant (MDR), with widespread distribution among both inpatients and outpatients. The highest resistance rate was observed against ticarcillin/clavulanic acid, followed by ceftazidime, whereas no resistance was detected against colistin sulphate. A total of 54 distinct antibiotypes were identified, indicating substantial variability in antimicrobial resistance patterns. All 150 isolates were successfully typed using ERIC-PCR, which revealed 41 distinct clusters at an approximate similarity coefficient of 70%, demonstrating considerable genetic diversity among the isolates.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;This study enhances the understanding of the epidemiology of &lt;i&gt;P. aeruginosa&lt;/i&gt; infections in healthcare settings by characterizing both the molecular diversity and antimicrobial resistance patterns of clinical isolates. The high prevalence of MDR strains and the circulation of multiple genetically diverse strains among hospital patients highlight the ongoing risk of transmission within the healthcare environment. Notably, the findings suggest a comparatively higher rate of cross-infection among burn patients. These observations underscore the urgent need for stringent infection prevention and control measures,","PeriodicalId":14633,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Microbiology","volume":"18 4","pages":"518-532"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13490896/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148793219","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":"Phenotypic and molecular characterization of virulence-associated enzymes in <i>Malassezia</i> spp. isolated from companion animals in northern Iran.","authors":"Nima Niaee Barmachi, Mansour Bayat, Nakisa Sohrabi Haghdoost, Batool Ghorbaniyekta, Leila Eini Farahani","doi":"10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22203","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22203","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong><i>Malassezia</i> spp. are lipid-dependent yeasts that colonize the skin of humans and animals and may act as opportunistic pathogens. This study aimed to characterize virulence-associated enzymes and their encoding genes in <i>Malassezia</i> spp. isolated from companion animals in northern Iran.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A total of 300 clinical samples were collected from dogs and cats with dermatological or otic lesions. Species identification was performed using ITS-based PCR. Multiplex PCR was used to detect LIP, PLB, and KER genes. Enzymatic activity was evaluated using the Pz index. Statistical analyses included Chi-square and Spearman's correlation tests (p < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eighty isolates were identified as <i>Malassezia pachydermatis</i> (87.5%) and <i>Malassezia nana</i> (12.5%). LIP, PLB, and KER genes were detected in 90%, 62.5%, and 50% of isolates, respectively. Strong enzymatic activity (Pz ≤ 0.69) was observed in 41.2% of isolates. A significant association was found between the presence of the PLB gene and phospholipase activity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong><i>Malassezia pachydermatis</i> was the predominant species. Virulence-associated genes were associated with higher enzymatic activity, supporting their role in pathogenic potential.</p>","PeriodicalId":14633,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Microbiology","volume":"18 4","pages":"607-614"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13490895/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148792947","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":"Enzymatic activity of clinical and environmental isolates of <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> section <i>Flavi</i>.","authors":"Marzieh Halvaeezadeh, Gholam Ali Jalaee, Mahnaz Fatahinia, Ali Zarei Mahmoudabadi","doi":"10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22205","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22205","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>The ability of <i>Aspergillus</i> species to produce various extracellular enzymes has a pathogenic role in humans. These enzymes not only play a role in metabolism but also act as virulence factors. The secretion of hydrolytic enzymes facilitates tissue invasion and is considered a virulence factor for several fungi. The current study aimed to compare the enzymatic activity of <i>A. flavus</i> section <i>Flavi</i> isolated from otomycosis and environmental samples.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>In the present study, eighty-one isolates of <i>A. flavus</i> including 41 clinical strains from otomycosis and 40 environmental isolates were identified using the calmodulin gene. The enzymatic activity of the isolates was assessed using standard culture media.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All isolates exhibited phospholipase and urease activity. Esterase and hemolysin activity in otomycosis isolates were higher than in environmental isolates (88% > 62%), (98% > 72%). High levels of both extracellular and intracellular catalase activity were detected among otomycosis isolates.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>All isolates were phenotypically identified as <i>Aspergillus</i> section <i>Flavi</i> and then characterized using the calmodulin gene. The mean activity of intracellular catalase enzymes (1.29) in both groups was higher than the mean activity of extracellular catalase enzymes (0.85). Additionally, the esterase (88%) and hemolysin (98%) activity of the clinical isolates was higher than that of the environmental isolates (esterase 62%, hemolysin 72%). All isolates exhibited phospholipase and urease activity.</p>","PeriodicalId":14633,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Microbiology","volume":"18 4","pages":"621-628"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13490890/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148792952","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":"Bacteriophage cocktails and bacterial coevolution: a systematic review of resistance prevention strategies against multidrug-resistant pathogens in sewage water.","authors":"Farah Badakshi, Kiran Zahid","doi":"10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22189","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22189","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>This systematic review aimed to determine whether phage cocktails and co-evolutionarily trained phages prevent or delay the emergence of resistance in multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria more effectively than single-phage therapy in sewage and wastewater-derived systems, and to characterize the underlying mechanisms and the maturity of the current evidence base.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was performed using the PubMed and Scopus databases, with screening conducted via Rayyan Premium.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 4,795 records, 20 studies (≈0.4%) fulfilled the inclusion criteria; this low fraction reflects a deliberately broad search combined with strict eligibility criteria targeting original experimental studies of phage activity against MDR pathogens specifically isolated from sewage or wastewater. Phage cocktails showed a wider range of host coverage, a delay in resistance development, and improved penetration of biofilms, particularly when paired with depolymerases or antibiotics. Phage co-evolution training resulted in a more prolonged suppression of multidrug-resistant bacteria.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Phage cocktails, especially those that are co-evolved and enhanced with enzymes, show potential for applications in wastewater; however, additional long-term and large-scale research is necessary.</p>","PeriodicalId":14633,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Microbiology","volume":"18 4","pages":"460-472"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13490633/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148793179","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":"Evaluation of galactomannan assay in diagnosing invasive aspergillosis.","authors":"Arun Sachu, Alice David","doi":"10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22204","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.18502/ijm.v18i4.22204","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objectives: </strong>In most laboratories, diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) depends on culture and histopathological examination of the involved tissues. Galactomannan (GM) is a polysaccharide antigen detectable in body fluids and represents an ideal assay for diagnosing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. The main objectives of this study were to estimate the proportion of patients with proven, probable, and possible aspergillosis and to compare different diagnostic methods.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Samples for culture, microscopy, and GM assay were taken from a total of 60 patients. The enrolled patients were divided into proven, probable, and possible aspergillosis groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the 60 patients in the study, there were 9 (15%) cases of probable aspergillosis. galactomannan assay was positive in 19 patients. Galactomannan assay had a higher sensitivity (66.7%) when compared to other fungal assays for diagnosing probable aspergillosis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Diagnosing invasive aspergillosis is extremely challenging, and biomarkers such as galactomannan assay are important for early diagnosis. Raising the cutoff to >1 can eliminate false-positive results associated with the GM assay.</p>","PeriodicalId":14633,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Microbiology","volume":"18 4","pages":"615-620"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13490893/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148793017","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}