Papers by Ali Zarei Mahmoudabadi

Journal of Infection, Jun 1, 2007
A large outbreak of tinea capitis in a primary school Tinea capitis is a dermatosis of the scalp ... more A large outbreak of tinea capitis in a primary school Tinea capitis is a dermatosis of the scalp due to dermatophytes that can cause hair loss. It is a common dermatophytosis in children aged 0e9 years. 1,2 Tinea capitis remains a significant endemic problem mainly in school children in the world. Zoophilic species of dermatophytes, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton verrucosum and T. mentagrophytes are associated with dermatophytosis in wild and domestic animals, and animals act as a reservoir of human infections. These species are the most common dermatophytes which are the causative agents of tinea in rural areas of Iran. 3,4 M. gypseum is the only geophilic species that was reported as causative agent of dermatophytosis in Iran. 1,5 It is usually associated with inflammatory lesions in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate tinea capitis and its etiologic agents in a primary school in a village in Khuzestan province. One hundred and seventy-two male primary school students were considered for tinea capitis in a village in Khuzestan. In the present study 45 patients were included; patients with clear symptoms and patients with minimal clinical symptoms were sampled. Infected hair and scalp scrapings were collected in sampling packets and transferred to medical mycology laboratory (Department of Medical Mycoparasitology, Jundishapour University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz). Direct microscopy slides were prepared by using KOH for scalp scrapings and lactophenol for hair samples. Samples were cultured in Mycobiotic agar (Difco, East Molesey, UK) slant tubes and incubated at 25e 30 C for 4 weeks. Isolated dermatophytes were identified based on growth rate, microscopic morphology of slide cultures, production and potential diffusion of pigment on cornmeal agar, hair perforation test and urease enzyme. The incidence and types of tinea capitis in 172 patients aged 6e11 were investigated. Direct and culture examinations showed 10 (5.8%) cases of tinea capitis (ectothrix form). Gray patch was the most common clinical presentation in patients. T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes was the most frequent dermatophyte followed by M. gypseum. The highest frequency of tinea capitis was seen in patients aged 6e7 years (60%), followed by 8e9 years (20%) and 10e11 years (20%). Tinea capitis was

DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Dec 1, 2016
Background and Objectives: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a common fungal infection among women duri... more Background and Objectives: Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a common fungal infection among women during reproductive ages. Although, Candida albicans is accounted as the main etiologic agent of vaginitis, non-albicans species have arisen during last years. Resistant to antifungal drugs especially, fluconazole has been more reported by researchers from around the World. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis among suspected patients with vaginitis, the frequency of Candida species, and the susceptibility profiles of isolates to caspofungin, fluconazole and clotrimazole. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty suspected women with vaginitis were examined by specialist physician and sampled using moisture swabs. Swabs were inoculated on CHROMagar Candida plates, incubated at 35ºC and detected all isolated Candida species using morphological, microcopy and molecular methods. The antifungal susceptibility tests with caspofungin, fluconazole and clotrimazole were applied using microdilution and Resazurin dye methods against all isolated yeasts. Results: The cultures were positive for 34(28.3%) samples and three Candida species including; C. albicans (88.2%), C. glabrata (8.8%) and C. kefyr (2.9%). Our study shows that only one isolate of C. albicans was resistant to caspofungin at the concentration of 2 µg/ml after 24h incubation that increased to 2 isolates after 48h incubation. All isolates were sensitive to fluconazole at the MIC ranges of 1-0.25 µg/ml, while 88.2% of them were inhibited at 0.25 µg/mL of clotrimazole. Candida albicans remains the most common agent of fungal vaginitis. Conclusion: Although all of Candida isolates were susceptible to fluconazole in vitro, it should be used with caution for empirical therapy due to more resistant rates in clinic. In addition, due to valuable sensitivity of all tested strains to caspofungin, it potentially can be presented as the first line therapy for Candida vaginitis.

Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology, Mar 21, 2015
Background: Candiduria is a rising condition among hospitalized patients and Candida albicans is ... more Background: Candiduria is a rising condition among hospitalized patients and Candida albicans is the most common recovered agent. However, non-albicans Candida species (NACs) such as C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis are also important. Although most Candida species especially C. albicans are sensitive to routinely used antifungals, an increasing trend in resistance has been observed among NACs. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to detect the susceptibility of Candida strains recovered from candiduria in hospitalized patients against posaconazole and caspofungin. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 urine samples were taken from patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) (65) and urology (55) wards. All recovered yeasts were differentiated by using CHROMagar Candida medium and routine tests for identification of Candida species. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of all isolates towards posaconazole and caspofungin were determined using the microdilution method with serial dilutions from 8 to 0.0625 µg/mL (posaconazole) and 4 to 0.03125 µg/ mL (caspofungin). Results: In total, 41.7% of urine samples were positive for Candida isolation, including C. albicans (46%), C. glabrata (24%), C. tropicalis (16%) and C. krusei (14%). The MIC of caspofungin for 90% of the tested isolates was lower than 2 µg/mL. Furthermore, 94% of the tested isolates were inhibited by posaconazole at lower than 2 µg/mL after 24 hours, whereas 6% of isolates had MICs of more than 4 µg/mL. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the importance of Candida species in urine samples from hospitalized patients in ICUs and urology wards. It showed that both tested antifungals had excellent effects on different species of Candida, however the strains from ICUs were found to be more sensitive to caspofungin than posaconazole.

Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology, Mar 21, 2015
Background: Diabetes mellitus as a chronic metabolic disease occurs in patients with partial or c... more Background: Diabetes mellitus as a chronic metabolic disease occurs in patients with partial or complete deficiency of insulin secretion or disorder in action of insulin on tissue. The disease is known to provide conditions for overgrowth of Candida species. Candida spp. cause candidiasis by many virulence factors such as esterase, hemolysin and phospholipase. Objectives: This study aimed to compare esterase and hemolytic activity in various Candida species isolated from oral cavity of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. Patients and Methods: Swab samples were taken from 95 patients with diabetes (35 men and 60 women) and 95 normal persons (42 men and 53 women) and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Identification of isolated yeasts was performed by germ tube test, morphology on CHROMagar Candida medium, corn meal agar and ability to grow at 45°C. Hemolysin activity was evaluated using blood plate assay and esterase activity was determined using the Tween 80 opacity test. Results: Different Candida species were isolated from 57 (60%) diabetic and 24 (25%) non-diabetic individuals. Esterase activity was detected in all Candida isolates. Only 21.6% of C. albicans from patients with diabetes had esterase activity as + 3, while it ranged from + 1 to + 2 in others. Hemolytic activity was determined in C. albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. glabrata and C. krusei as 0.79, 0.58, 0.66 and 0.74, respectively. Hemolytic activity was significantly different in the two groups of diabetics and non-diabetics. Conclusions: Oral carriage of C. albicans in the diabetic group (n = 42; 66.7%) was significantly greater than the control group (n = 16; 57.1%). Esterase activity of C. albicans in diabetic group was higher than non-diabetic group. Although C. albicans remains the most frequently pathogenic yeast for human, but other species are increasing.

Journal De Mycologie Medicale, Jun 1, 2018
Objective.-Luliconazole is an inhibitor for sterol 14-a-demethylase in fungal cells with a broads... more Objective.-Luliconazole is an inhibitor for sterol 14-a-demethylase in fungal cells with a broadspectrum antifungal activity against dermatophytes, Candida albicans, Malassezia species, dematiaceous and hyaline hyphomycetes. Furthermore, luliconazole has been clinically used for the treatment of pityriasis versicolor, dermatophytosis, onychomycosis, cutaneous and mucocutaneous candidiasis. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate in vitro antifungal activity of luliconazole against several strains of Candida species recovered from different clinical materials. Materials and methods.-In the present study, 104 strains of Candida species including, 34 isolates from vaginitis, 23 isolates from AIDS patients with vaginal candidiasis, 24 isolates from neutropenic patients and 24 isolates from tracheal tubes, were examined for susceptibility tests. A serial dilution of luliconazole (4-0.008 mg/mL) was tested against different strains of Candida species recovered from different sources. Results.-The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range and MIC 90 of vaginal isolates (HIV À) were 1-0.063 and 1 mg/mL. Furthermore, the most of strains (50%) had a MIC of 0.5 mg/mL. The MIC ranges were similar (2-0.016 mg/mL) for both vaginal (HIV +) and neutropenic patients isolates, whereas, MIC 90 for them were 0.5 and 1 mg/mL, respectively. All tracheal tubes strains were inhibited at the range of 2-0.008 mg/mL with MIC 90 = 1 mg/mL. Totally, the lowest MIC 50 (MIC = 0.015 mg/mL), MIC 90 (MIC = 1 mg/mL) and MIC GM (MIC = 0.05 mg/mL) are correlated to C. glabrata, a non-albicans species.

Candiduria in hospitalized patients in teaching hospitals of Ahvaz
PubMed, Dec 1, 2012
Background and objectives: Nosocomial infections are usually acquired during hospitalization. Fun... more Background and objectives: Nosocomial infections are usually acquired during hospitalization. Fungal infection of the urinary tract is increasing due to predisposing factors such as; antibacterial agents, indwelling urinary catheters, diabetes mellitus, long hospitalization, immunosuppressive agents, use of IV catheters, radiation therapy, malignancy. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of candiduria and urinary tract infection in patients admitted in Golestan and Emam Khomeini hospitals of Ahvaz, Iran. Materials and methods: During 14 months, a total of 744 urine samples were collected and transferred to medical mycology laboratory immediately. Ten µl of uncentrifuged sample was cultured on CHROM agar Candida plates and incubated at 37°C for 24-48h aerobically. Candida species were identified based on colony morphology on CHROM agar Candida, germ tube production and micro-morphology on corn meal agar including 1% Tween 80. Results: In the present study, 744 hospitalized patients were sampled (49.5%, female; 50.5%, male). The prevalence of candiduria in subjects was 16.5% that included 65.1% female and 34.9% male. The most common isolates were C. albicans (53.3%), followed by C. glabrata (24.4%), C. tropicalis (3.7%), C. krusei (2.2%), and Geotrichum spp. (0.7%) Urine cultures yielded more than 10,000 yeast colonies in 34.1% of cases, and the major predisposing factor associated with candiduria was antibiotic therapy (69.1%). Conclusion: Candiduria is relatively common in hospitalized patients in educational hospitals of Ahvaz. In addition, there is a strong correlation between the incidence of candiduria in hospitalized patients and broad-spectrum antibiotics therapy.
Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology, Jan 31, 2009
The epidemiology of Candida fungal infections is growing, due to the increasing size of the peopl... more The epidemiology of Candida fungal infections is growing, due to the increasing size of the people at risk. Candida species are the fourth main cause of bloodstream infections; however, significant geographic differences have been reported. Although, in some instances, these changes may be related to medical interventions, such as the use of antifungal agents in prophylaxis, in the majority of cases, they seem to be a consequence of changes in the host, such as more-severe immunosuppression or different types of immunosuppression impacting both risk periods and the infections that occur. Discussion of surveillances and reports will be critical to improve our understanding of the importance of invasive Candida infections, and to facilitate the prioritization of the investigation as well as the prevention efforts.

Current medical mycology, Jun 1, 2017
Ozone is an inorganic molecule with effective antimicrobial properties. Clinical treatment of ozo... more Ozone is an inorganic molecule with effective antimicrobial properties. Clinical treatment of ozonated water was used for the elimination of Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, endotoxins, and biofilms from root canals. In addition, its therapeutic effects for tinea pedis, ulcers, and leishmaniasis were investigated. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the fungicidal effects of ozone on different forms of C. albicans. In addition, antifungal susceptibility profile of strains was assessed before and after exposure to ozone. Materials and Methods: Fifty strains of C. albicans were exposed to gaseous ozone at different times. Furthermore, biofilm formation and germ tube production were evaluated when yeast suspensions were exposed to ozone. In addition, antifungal susceptibility of ozone resistant colonies was investiagted as compared to controls. Results: Ozone was highly effective in killing C. albicans in yeast form and inhibition of germ tube formation during 210 and 180 s, respectively. Although with increasing exposure time biofilm production was considerably decreased, resistance to ozone was much higher among vaginal and nail isolates even after 60 min. All the strains were sensitive to fluconazole, caspofungin, and terbinafine pre-and post-ozone exposure. Resistance to amphotericin B was significantly enhanced after exposure to ozone. Conclusion: Although ozone was highly effective on the yeast form of C. albicans and it can inhibit the formation of germ tubes in C. albicans, the complete removal of biofilms did not happen even after 60 min. It seems that ozone therapy induces resistance to amphotericin B.

BMC Infectious Diseases, 2016
Background: Because of the inherent immunosuppression of cancer patients opportunistic infections... more Background: Because of the inherent immunosuppression of cancer patients opportunistic infections by Candida spp, occur frequently. This study aimed to identify Candida species in the oral mucosa of 59 patients with orogastric cancer (OGC) and to analyze the immunological phenotype of these patients. Methods: The yeasts were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS). For all isolates, we performed phospholipases and proteinases assays, in vitro adherence to buccal epithelial cells (BEC), minimum inhibitory concentration of antifungal drugs and determined the cytokine profile by Cytometric Bead Array flow citometry assay. Results: C. albicans was the most prevalent species in OGC patients (51.6 %) and control group (66.7 %). Candida spp. strains isolated from OGC patients exhibited better adherence to BEC (p = 0.05) than did the control group. Phospholipases production by Candida strains from OGC patients was lower (51.6 %) than in the control group (61.9 %). Proteinases were detected in 41.9 % and 4.8 % of the yeasts from OGC patients and control group, respectively. Significant differences were found in the serum of OGC patients compared to the control group for IL-2, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-17. Conclusions: The results of this work suggest increased virulence of yeasts isolated from OGC patients and, that this may interfere with the immune phenotype.

Mycoses, Sep 7, 2011
Black aspergilli are among the main causative agents of otomycosis worldwide. In this study, the ... more Black aspergilli are among the main causative agents of otomycosis worldwide. In this study, the species assignment of black aspergilli isolated from otomycosis cases in Iran was carried out using sequence analysis of part of the calmodulin gene. The results indicate that Aspergillus niger is not the only black Aspergillus species involved in otomycosis cases in Iran: Aspergillus awamori and Aspergillus tubingensis are also able to cause ear infections. Antifungal susceptibility tests were carried out against five antifungal drugs including amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole and terbinafine. All isolates were highly susceptible to terbinafine, while they exhibited moderate susceptibilities against amphotericin B, fluconazole and ketoconazole. Aspergillus niger and A. awamori were found to have higher minimal inhibitory concentrations for azoles than A. tubingensis, in accordance with previous findings.

Journal de Mycologie Médicale, 2018
Introduction.-Airborne fungi are considered important causes of respiratory allergy and diseases.... more Introduction.-Airborne fungi are considered important causes of respiratory allergy and diseases. The knowledge of these fungi in a city or region is important for the ecological diagnosis and specific treatment of respiratory manifestations induced by inhalation of fungal agents. Therefore, in recent years bioaerosols and their density in the air is highly regarded. Identifying fungi with common mycological methods as well as molecular about 5% of people are prone to allergic symptoms of the respiratory tract caused by molds during their lives. Fungi are being considered as one of the most common triggers of asthma, allergic rhinitis and other respiratory problems. Aims.-We aimed at the investigation of the airborne fungi of Ahvaz, Khuzestan province, Iran, during spring and autumn months. Materials and methods.-A total of 224 Petri dishes with Sabouraud dextrose agar medium containing chloramphenicol were exposed at seven different regions in the city. Two hundred and twenty-four samples (112 samples per season) were taken from outdoor air seven areas of Ahvaz using microbial sampler (Quick Take-30, SKC, USA) with Debbi 14.3 L/min during 5 minutes directly on Sabouraud dextrose agar medium with Chloramphenicol and Dechlorane. The effects of environmental factors such as temperature, humidity and wind velocity on bioaerosol concentrations were studied.

Current Medical Mycology, 2017
Ozone is an inorganic molecule with effective antimicrobial properties. Clinical treatment of ozo... more Ozone is an inorganic molecule with effective antimicrobial properties. Clinical treatment of ozonated water was used for the elimination of Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, endotoxins, and biofilms from root canals. In addition, its therapeutic effects for tinea pedis, ulcers, and leishmaniasis were investigated. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the fungicidal effects of ozone on different forms of C. albicans. In addition, antifungal susceptibility profile of strains was assessed before and after exposure to ozone. Materials and Methods: Fifty strains of C. albicans were exposed to gaseous ozone at different times. Furthermore, biofilm formation and germ tube production were evaluated when yeast suspensions were exposed to ozone. In addition, antifungal susceptibility of ozone resistant colonies was investiagted as compared to controls. Results: Ozone was highly effective in killing C. albicans in yeast form and inhibition of germ tube formation during 210 and 180 s, respectively. Although with increasing exposure time biofilm production was considerably decreased, resistance to ozone was much higher among vaginal and nail isolates even after 60 min. All the strains were sensitive to fluconazole, caspofungin, and terbinafine pre-and post-ozone exposure. Resistance to amphotericin B was significantly enhanced after exposure to ozone. Conclusion: Although ozone was highly effective on the yeast form of C. albicans and it can inhibit the formation of germ tubes in C. albicans, the complete removal of biofilms did not happen even after 60 min. It seems that ozone therapy induces resistance to amphotericin B.

Letters in Applied Microbiology
This study aimed to detect different genotypes of Candida glabrata isolates in paediatric patient... more This study aimed to detect different genotypes of Candida glabrata isolates in paediatric patients with and without neutropenia utilizing microsatellite length polymorphism (MLP) and its correlation with drug resistance and enzymatic activity were assessed. Samples from neutropenic and non-neutropenic patients were collected from November 2020 to November 2021. Thirty-six C. glabrata strains were isolated and identified using classical and molecular methods. Then, C. glabrata isolates were genotyped by the MLP technique, and their antifungal susceptibility was performed based on the CLSI M27 guideline. Eighteen different multi-loci genotypes (G1–G18) were detected based on MLP analysis. Analysis of molecular variance revealed high genetic variation within populations (94%) and low genetic differentiation amongst populations (6%). Also, 40% (n = 4) of isolates from neutropenic patients were non-wild-type for posaconazole, and 30% (n = 3) were resistant to caspofungin. Very strong hem...

Candiduria is a common infection of the urinary tract. Evaluation of the susceptibility to antifu... more Candiduria is a common infection of the urinary tract. Evaluation of the susceptibility to antifungal drugs could be used for treatment and control of infection. Background: Candiduria is one of the most common symptoms of urinary tract infections caused by several species of Candida spp.. Several antifungals are available to treat such candidal infections. During the last decades, resistance to antifungal especially to non-albicans species has increased. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the susceptibility to antifungal drugs of Candida species isolated from candiduria in Ahvaz. Materials and Methods: Ninety three species of yeasts and yeast like organisms isolated from urine samples [Candida albicans (58), C. glabrata (25), C. tropicalis (4), C. krusei (1), unknown Candida species (4) and Geotrichum species (1)] were used for susceptibility tests. All species were re-identified based on standard mycological methods. Then a suspension of each isolate of overnight cultures was prepared in 1ml of sterile PBS and adjusted to 0.5 McFarland turbidity standards. In the present study several antifungal drugs (fluconazole, amphotericine B, ketoconazole, econazole, itraconazole) were used for susceptibility test using disk diffusion method. Results: In the present study all tested isolates were sensitive/dose dependent to amphotericine B and nystatin, whereas only one isolate of C. glabrata was resistant to both antifungals. Resistance against fluconazole (48.4%) and ketoconazole (26.9%) were observed among tested isolates. Resistance against fluconazole was detected among all tested organisms, 34.4% of C. albicans, and 7.5% of C. glabrata. On the other hand, all isolates were sensitive to econazole (93.5% sensitive, 6.5% dose dependent). Conclusions: It was concluded that Candida species isolated from candiduria in hospitalized patients had excellent in vitro sensitivity against econazole. Other suitable antifungal drugs were amphotericine B and nystatin, itraconazole. Whereas, resistance against ketoconazole (26.9%) and especially fluconazole (48.4%) was significant.

Rhodotorula species and its antifungal activity
Background: Biosurfactants are amphiphilic surface active compounds that produced by 11 several m... more Background: Biosurfactants are amphiphilic surface active compounds that produced by 11 several microorganisms, including, bacteria and fungi. Biodegradability, low toxicity, applications 12 diversity and functionality under extreme conditions are characterized them from chemically 13 biosurfactants. It is found that, Rhodotorula species, read yeasts, have high potency for biosurfactant 14 producing. Recently, antimicrobial activities of biosurfactants have been subjected for new 15 antibiotic therapy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate biosurfactant production by the 16 different strains of Rhodotorula species in laboratory conditions. In addition, antifungal activity of 17 produced biosurfactant was assessed against several saprophytic fungi. In the present study 54 18 strains of Rhodotorula including, R. glutinis (48 strains), R. minuta (2 strains), R. mucilaginosa (2 19 strains) and Rhodotorula species (2 strains) were screened for biosurfactant production. The 20 bios...

Pediatric candiduria, epidemiology, genotype distribution and virulence factors of Candida albicans
Microbial Pathogenesis, 2021
The presence of Candida species in urine may be due to colonization of this species in the bladde... more The presence of Candida species in urine may be due to colonization of this species in the bladder, urinary catheter, and perineum. Candida albicans has been the most commonly isolated from urine samples in patients with candiduria. Several virulence factors include adhesion to host cells, secreted extracellular enzymes, phenotype switching, and biofilm formation are contributing to the pathogenicity of C. albicans. ABC genotyping is the method based on the determination of 25s rDNA and C. albicans is divided into four genotypes include A, B, C, and E. We aimed to identify Candida species from pediatrics and evaluate extracellular enzyme activities, phenotype switching, biofilm formation, and genotyping in isolates. Urine samples collected, cultured, and yielded yeasts were identified. Phenotype switching, biofilm formation, enzymatic patterns, and genotyping of 50 isolates of C. albicans were evaluated. The Genotyping pattern was compared with extracellular enzymes, biofilm formation, and phenotype switching pattern. 16.2% of urine cultures were positive for the different Candida species. The most common species was C. albicans, followed by C. glabrata. Out of 50 isolates of C. albicans, 72% and 28% isolates were recognized as genotypes A and C. All isolates were produced extracellular enzymes and biofilm formation. In conclusion, candiduria with high colony counts is still a challenge in Iranian pediatrics. Genotype A was the predominant genotype among C. albicans strains. There is a statistical difference between esterase and genotypes of C and A C. albicans.

Iranian Journal of Microbiology, 2020
Background and Objectives: Luliconazole is currently confirmed for the topical therapy of dermato... more Background and Objectives: Luliconazole is currently confirmed for the topical therapy of dermatophytosis. Moreover, it is found that luliconazole has in vitro activity against some molds and yeast species. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of luliconazole in comparison to routine used antifungals on clinical and environmental isolates of Aspergillus flavus. Materials and Methods: Thirty eight isolates of A. flavus (18 environmental and 20 clinical isolates) were detected based on morphological and microscopic features and also PCR-sequencing of β-tubulin ribosomal DNA gene. All the isolates were tested against luliconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B and caspofungin. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), 90 MIC50, MIC isolates. and MIC Geometric (GM) were calculated using CLSI M38-A2 protocol for both environmental and clinical GM Results: Luliconazole with extremely low MIC range, 0.00049-0.00781 μg/mL and MIC 0.00288 μg/mL showed very str...

Medical Microbiology and Immunology, 2020
Luliconazole is a new antifungal that was primarily used for the treatment of dermatophytosis. Ho... more Luliconazole is a new antifungal that was primarily used for the treatment of dermatophytosis. However, some studies have shown that it has excellent efficacy against Aspergillus and Candida species in vitro. The present study aimed to evaluate of luliconazole activity against some Fusarium species complex isolates. In this study, 47 isolates of Fusarium were tested against several antifungals including luliconazole. All species were identified using morphology features, and PCR sequencing and antifungal susceptibility were performed according to CLSIM38 A3 guideline. Our results revealed that luliconazole has a very low minimum inhibitory concentration value (0.0078-1 µg/ml) in comparison with other tested antifungals. Amphotericin B had a poor effect with a high MIC 90 (64 µg/ml), followed by terbinafine (32 µg/ml), posaconazole (16 µg/ ml), caspofungin (16 µg/ml), voriconazole (4 µg/ml), and itraconazole (4 µg/ml). Overall, our findings indicated that luliconazole has great activity against environmental and clinical Fusarium species complexes in comparison to tested antifungals.

Mycopathologia, 2017
Occurrence and diversity of dermatophyte mycoflora in 298 soil samples from Ahvaz, Southwest of I... more Occurrence and diversity of dermatophyte mycoflora in 298 soil samples from Ahvaz, Southwest of Iran was investigated by using the hair-baiting technique. The samples were collected during spring (n = 210) and autumn (n = 88) of 2015, and the fungal isolates were identified based on the macro-and micro-morphology of colonies and with further ITS-rDNA RFLP and sequencing. Totally, 60 soil samples (20.1%) were positive for dermatophyte growth whose pH varied from 7.0 to 7.9. The highest (26.6%) and the lowest (14.3%) recovery rates were from the animal resorts and the streets soils samples, respectively. Seasonally, 16.7% of the spring samples and 28.4% of the autumn samples were positive. Based on molecular identification, three species of two genera were identified viz. M. fulvum (n = 57), M. canis (n = 2) and zoophilic Trichophyton interdigitale (n = 1). As a specific goal in the study, differentiation of the species in Microsporum gypseum complex was established by measuring the mean length and width of macroconidia in some strains of M. gypseum, M. fulvum and M. incurvatum. Mean size for macroconidia length and width in three species showed that M. gypseum and M. incurvatum can morphologically be differentiated from M. fulvum but not from each other. M. fulvum was the most abundant species isolated from the soils of Ahvaz; however, to comprehensively specify the distribution pattern of geophilic dermatophytes in the soils of this city further investigations are needed. Identification based on micro-morphometric is not effective for species distinction in M. gypseum complex, while molecular procedures based on sequencing

Current Medical Mycology, 2015
Background and Purpose: Otomycosis is an acute, subacute or chronic fungal infection of the pinna... more Background and Purpose: Otomycosis is an acute, subacute or chronic fungal infection of the pinna, the external auditory meatus and the ear canal caused mainly by several species of saprophytic fungi. Lamisil (Terbinafine) is an allylamine antifungal agent, that is used both in the topical and oral administration for the treatment of dermatophytosis, cutaneous candidiasis, and the pityriasis versicolor. We investigated the in vitro activity of clotrimazole, miconazole, nystatin, and Lamisil against the agents of otomycosis. Materials and Methods: Fifteen clinically obtained isolates from otomycosis (Aspergillus species; n=13, and Candida species, n=2) and 8 environmental isolates of Aspergillus were tested. The disk diffusion method was employed to detect susceptibility. In the present study, the in vitro activity of the terbinafine with clotrimazole, miconazole, and nystatin against several isolates of Aspergillus and Candida with different sources were compared. Results: Out of 23 isolates of Aspergillus, Candida 4(17.4%) and 1(4.4%) were resistant to nystatin and miconazole, respectively. In addition, all tested organisms were sensitive to clotrimazole and terbinafine. Statistical analysis has shown that there are no significant differences on the effects of clotrimazole, miconazole and, terbinafine on saprophytic (environmental) and pathogenic isolates of A. niger, A. flavus, and A. terreus (P value= 0.85). In addition, all tested organisms were found to be highly susceptible to terbinafine (P< 0.04). Conclusion: This is a new approach for the possible use of Lamisil for the treatment of otomycosis.
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Papers by Ali Zarei Mahmoudabadi