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Background and Objective: The identification of fungi agents causes allergic rhinitis is crucial for the appropriate diagnosis prophylaxis and treatment of patients suffering from the disease. This study was done to evaluate the prevalence of fungi in patients with allergic rhinitis in Shahrekord, Iran. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was done on 124 patients whom referred to Kashani hospital in Shahrekord, Iran during 2009. 62 patients with allergic rhinitis were selected as case group and 62 patients without allergic rhinitis were considered as controls. Direct smear and culture of nasal secretion were performed to identify the fungi. Also IgE level's were measured for all participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16, Chi-Square and independent t-tests. Results: The fungi from culture medium of nose exeretion were isolated from 15 (24%) cases and 5 persons (8%) in control group. The most common isolated fungi were Aspergillus (8%) and Penicillinum (6.5%). In direct smear the fungi agent were found in 23% and 8% in case and control groups respectively. The IgE titre in 31% of cases with allergic rhinitis was higher than 100 IU/mL, but this titre of IgE only was seen in 4.8% of control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the fungi can be considered as induce of allergic rhinitis.

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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: Fungal ear infection is common diseases in tropical areas with manifestation of acute and chronic clinical symptoms in external ear canal. This study was done to compare the fungal flora in external ear canal in chronic otitis media and subjects without otitis media. Method: This case-control study was done on 63 patients with chronic otitis media and 63 subjects without otitis media. Samples were taken from external ear canal with a sterile swab and were placed in the sterile tubes containing normal saline. The direct smear was prepared and samples were cultured in S, SCC and CMA (corn meal agar) media. Identification of genus and species were established using slide culture method and Germ-tube assay. Results: Positive fungi culture in external ear canal was seen in 77.78% and 17.46% of case and control groups, respectively (P<0.05). The most common type of fungi was Saprophyts (57.33%) followed by yeast (20.59%) and dermatophytes (17.32%). The most prevalent fungi in the subgroup of Saprophyts and dermatophytes was Aspergillusnigra (41.66%) and Trichophytonmentagrophytes (36.37%), respectively. The most common subgroup in yeast was Candida SPP with 53.85%. Conclusion: This study showed that the positive fungi culture in external ear canal is more prevalent in patients with chronic otitis media.

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Background and Objective: Bacterial nanocellulose is known as a potential carrier for a widespread spectrum of biological compounds, including antibacterial and antifungal compounds. The present study was conducted to determine the impact of bacterial nanocellulose containing Natamycin and Amphotericin B on Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium citrinum in an in vitro environment.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical research, Aspergillus flavus-PTCC: 5006 and Penicillium citrinum-PTCC: 5304 fungi were prepared from the Fungal Collection of the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of Natamycin and Amphotericin B against Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium citrinum were evaluated by the microdilution method. Bacterial nanocellulose was prepared using Komagata xylinum bacterium, and Natamycin and Amphotericin B were added in three concentrations of 0.01%, 0.05%, and 0.1% to wet and lyophilized nanocellulose films by the immersion method. Then, the antifungal effects of the film containing the above compounds against the investigated fungi were investigated by the agar diffusion method. Parchment paper was used as a control for comparison. Spectral properties of nanocellulose film containing antifungal compounds were evaluated by the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) method.
Results: MIC and MFC of Natamycin for Aspergillus flavus were determined as 3.9 μg/mL and 7.81 μg/mL, and for Penicillium citrinum as 7.81 μg/mL and 15.62 μg/mL, respectively. MIC and MFC of Amphotericin B for Aspergillus flavus were determined as 7.81 μg/mL and 15.62 μg/mL, and for Penicillium citrinum as 15.62 μg/mL and 31.25 μg/mL, respectively. The increased concentration had a statistically significant impact on the antifungal properties of all films (P<0.05). The best antifungal effects of the film were related to the film containing Natamycin.
Conclusion: Bacterial nanocellulose containing Natamycin showed stronger antifungal effects in an in vitro environment compared to Amphotericin B against Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium citrinum.