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Background and Objective: Incidence of fungal infections particularly fungal sinusitis is increasing in Iran and identification of causative agents is essential for its control and treatment. This study was carried out to determine the fungus paranasal sinusitis in non- immunocompromised patients in Tehran, Iran.

Materials and Methods: This cross – sectional study was done on 108 patients (73 males, 35 females) with chronic sinusitis ranged from 9 to 68 years, admitted to Amir Alam and Emam Khomeini hospitals in Tehran, Iran during 2006-07. Sinusitis in patients confirmed by radiologic images. Complementry information were obtained using questionnaires which including gender, job, presence of disposing disease diabetes and consumption immunocompromised drugs. Sinus samples were collected by washing and biopsy were carried out by two methods of fenestration and Cald-wel luc operations. Subsequently they were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), SDA+chloramphenicol and blood agar (BA) media at 30°C and 37°C. Direct examination and fixative sample for histhologic evaluation was done and for colonies confirmation the slide culture method also was used.

Results: 8 cases (7.4 %) were positive for fungal sinusitis with following sub type: 6 cases (Alternaria Spp), 1 case (Paecilomyces) and 1 case (Aspergillus flavus). The most fungal sinusitis (5 cases) were observed in 30-39 years patients.

Conclusion: Considering the prevalence of 7.4 % fungal sinusitis and isolation of paecilomyces which is a rare subtype complematry investigation is recommended, in the field of research.

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Background and Objective: Nosocomial infections are one of main causative agents of mortality among hospital patients. This study was done for the determination of efficacy of commercial disinfectants such as: formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, microten, the alcohol 70 and savlon–alcohol on isolated saprophytic fungi from hospital environments. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was done on 33 isolated fungi from teaching hospitals of Tehran during 2009-10. The identified samples were randomly chosen. Stock fungal suspensions were supplied from each fungus with cells ranging 0.5-5×10⁴ micro g/cfu in 1ml with spectrophotometer at the wavelength of 530 nm. For evaluation of antifungal activity of commercial disinfectants formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, microten, alcohol 70 and savlon–alcohol disinfectants, 0.25cc stock solutions were mixed with 3.75 cc disinfectants solutions and the new diluted samples held at 25c for 15, 30 and 60 min. The culture medium was checked for growth of fungi until 8 weeks. Results: Following specific period isolated fungi were including Aspergillus spp with 39.4%, Penicillium spp with 36.4%, Fusarium spp with 12.1%, Rhizopus with 6.1%, Alternaria and Circinella with 3 %. Formaldehyde 8% and glutaraldehyde 8% with activity against 63.6% and 39.3% were effective disinfectants at 15 min. Formaldehyde 8% with activity against 74.8% of fungi, was effective disinfectant at 30 min. Glutaraldehyde 8% and formaldehyde 8% with 100% prevention of growth were effective disinfectants at 60 min. Conclusion: According to this study formaldehyde 8% and glutaraldehyde 8% showed to have the highest antifungal activities. Synergetic fungicidal activity of comenercial disinfectants, dependent on time and concentration.

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Background and Objective: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a important disinfectant. Fungal infections with resistant isolates in patients culminate in recurrence of disease even with worse condition. This study was done to evaluate the efficacy of ultraviolet radiation on drug susceptibility of Candida Spp. to itraconazole, fluconazole and amphotericin B. Materials and Methods: This laboratory study was done on 12 Candida spp. isolated from patients according to NCCLS M27- A method. Samples were suspended with sterile saline and optical density was read by spectrophotometer at the wavelength of 530 nm. Serial dilutions (0.0313-16 µg/ml) and (0.0313-128 µg/ml) were supplied for itraconazole, amphotericin and fluconazole, respectively. MICs were determined after 48h incubation at 35°C. Following UV radiation for 1, 2, 5, 10, 60, 90 and 120 seconds MICs were determined, subsequently. Results: The highest MIC pre UV radiation was (>128 µg/ml) for fluconazole. After UV radiation, MICs were steadily decreased for all mentioned drugs while after 10 sec, MICs of itraconazole and amphotericin B were >0.0313 µg/ml. Secondary MICs significantly decreased with respect to MICs obtained in pre UV radiation (P<0.05). Conclusion: UV radiation reduces MICs of Candida spp. to itraconazole, fluconazole, amphotericin B.

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Background and Objective: Aspergillosis is the most current causative agent of exogenous fungal nosocomial infection. This study was done to evaluate the drug susceptibility of Aspergillus flavus and A.fumigatus to itraconazole and amphotericin B. Materials and Methods: This Laboratory study was done on 25 Aspergillus fumigatus and 25 Aspergillus flavus species isolated from transplant's patients. Drug susceptibility test was done according to NCCLS M38-P document. Fungal suspensions of mentioned fungi were supplied with ranges 0.5–5×10⁴ by spectrophotometer at 530 nm. Serial dilutions of drugs were supplied from 0.03125 to 16 µg/ml and MICs determined following 48h incubation at 35°C. Results: Obtained MICs ranges for Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus were 1-4 µg/ml and 0.5–4 µg/ml for itraconazole, respectively while MICs ranges against Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus were 0.5-2 µg/ml and 0.25-2 µg/ml for amphotericin B, respectively. Amphotericin B MICs were significantly lower than itraconazole (P<0.05). Conclusion: Aspergillus flavus and A.fumigatus were susceptible to amphotericin B and itraconazole.

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Background and Objective: Nosocomial fungal infections have considerably increased due to incrasing of immunocompromised diseases. This study was done to evaluate the antifungal activity of Amphotericin B and Fluconazole on hospital wards fungi. Methods: In this descriptive - analytic study, 33 fungal samples isolated from Imam Khomini hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2013. Samples were identified using slide culture method. Serial dilution of drugs and fungal suspensions were supplied from 0.25-128 µg/ml and range 0.5–5×10⁵ cfu/ml, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined in accordance with NCCLS M38-p guideline. Results: The most frequent isolated fungus was Aspergillus spp. with 39.4% while the low frequent were Alternaria Spp. and Circinella with similar frequency (3%). MIC range for Fluconazole and Amphotericin B were 64-128 µg/ml and 16-64 µg/ml, respectively. Amphotericin B showed a MIC significant reduction in comparision with Fluconazole (P<0.05). Conclusion: Hospital wards fungi were resistant to Amphotericin B and Fluconazole.

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Background and Objective: Candida albicans is the normal flora of the body as opportunistic fungi. It causes candidiasis in immunocompromised condition. This study was done to drug susceptibility testing of Candida albicans isolated from patients against Amphotericin B and Ketoconazole.

Methods: In this descriptive – analytic study, drug susceptibility of 30 Candida albicans isolated from patients admitted to Tehran hospitals, Iran was tested against Amphotericin B and Ketoconazole by micro dilution method in accordance with CLSI M27-A2 guideline and disk diffusion method in accordance with CLSI M44-S2 guideline. Standard isolate Candida albicans PTCC (5027) and Candida krusei PTCC (5295) were used for quality control.

Results: The minimum and maximum MIC against Amphotrericin B was 0.0625 µg.ml^-1 and
4 µg.ml^-1, respectively. The minimum and maximum MIC against Ketoconazole was 0.5 µg/ml^-1 and 32 µg/ml^-1, respectively. The minimum and maximum zone diameter was 6 and 28 mm for both drugs. The results of drug susceptibility testing by two methods did not show significant differences. 25 isolates (83.3%) against ketoconazole and 2 isolates (6.7%) against Amphotericin B were resistant.

Conclusion: Amphotericin B administration seems better choice in candidiasis treatment in comparision with Ketoconazole.

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Background and Objective: Fungal diseases are increasing in immunocompromised patients. One of the important fungal disseases is Aspergillosis. Few studies have been conducted on the effects of melatonin on fungal diseases. This study was performed to determine the protective effect of melatonin and Amphotericin B in Aspergillosis in rat model.
Methods: This experimental study was done on 40 Wistar rat with weight ranging from 200 to 250 grams. Animals were allocted in five groups. The first group was positive control (immunocompromised condition with cyclophosphamide and inoclusion of Aspergillus spore). The second groupe was negative control (without drug and inoclusion of Aspergillus spore) and the third group was treated by melatonin (200 μg/kg). The forth group was treated by Amphotericin B and fifth group was treated by melatonin plus Amphotericin B, IL.6 and TNFα were measured in the first and ten^th days after contamination.
Results: The level of the IL.6 and TNFα in three interventional treated groups significantly reduced in compared to positive control group in first and ten^th days (P<0.05). The level of the IL.6 and TNFα in melatonin plus Amphotericin B group significantly reduced in comparison with Amphotericin B and melatonin treated groups in first and ten^th days (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Melatonin with Amphotericin B increases immune competent system in rats affected with Aspergillosis.