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Background and Objective: Fungi are widely distributed in nature and they are usually present in attomospher but other sources such as water play an important role in their ecology. This study was done to evaluate mycoflora assessment in drinking tap water in Sari, North of Iran. The tap water collected form Sari water distribution system for fungi. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, a volume of 100 ml of tap drinking water samples (n=60) were collected in sterile bottles. All water samples passed through sterile 0.45 micrometer filters. The filters were placed directly on Malt extract agar and incubated at 27°C for 3-7 days. Routine mycological techniques were applied to identify the grown fungi. Results: Out of 468 grown fungal colonies, eight different fungal genera were identified. The total mean cfu per 100 ml for the positive samples were 8.4. Aspergillus (37.4%) and Penicillium (27.3%) were the most common isolated fungi. Rhizopus (0.6%) had the lowest frequency. Among Aspergillus species, A. flavus had the highest frequency. Conclusion: Our result showed that various fungi were present in the tap drinking water. We propose fungi should be considered as part of the microbiological analysis parameters in drinking tap water.

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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: 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.