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Background and Objective: Candida albicans is the most frequent etiological agent of oral candidiasis. This study was done to compare the anticandidal effect of Thymus vulgaris and Myrtus communis to nystatin on Candida albicans. Materials and Methods: In this laboratory study thirty-two strains of Candida albicans isolated from patients with oral candidiasis. Yeast suspension of Candida yeast cells was provided, subsquntly a serial dilution from Thymus vulgaris and Myrtus communis and Nystatin in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) medium were prepared. Then a loop of Candida suspension was cultured on all of the solid media and was incubated at 25°C. The findings of fungus growing were recorded during 7 days. Results: MIC of Thymus vulgaris, Myrtus communis L, mix of these essences and Nystatin was 0.390µl/ml, 12.5 µl/ml, 0.78 µl/ml and 160 IU/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Thymus vulgaris contained antifungal activity against Candida albicans, but Myrtus communis demonstrated a very low activity against Candida albicans.

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Background and Objective: Fusarium solani is the common etiological agent of fungemia and disseminated fusariosis, which is associated with high incidence of mortality in immune-compromised host. Due to high level of resistance of antifungals in Fusarium solani, rapid and specific identification of organism is essential. This study was done to evaluate the PCR method for rapid and specific diagnosis of Fusarium solani in serum samples of HIV positive patients. Methods: In this descriptive study, the PCR test based on mitochondrial cytochrome b gene as the target gene with 330 bp product was optimized. PCR was applied on 45 serum samples of HIV positive patients after evaluation of sensitivity and specificity of the test. Results: In the optimized PCR test, the 330 bp product was amplified. The sensitivity of the test was a copy of Fusarium solani genome, and its specificity was 100%. Among 45 serum samples, 9 cases (20%) were positive for Fusarium solani. Conclusion: The PCR method has functional capabilities for direct, rapid and specific clinical diagnosis of Fusarium solani in HIV positive patients.