The current study was conducted to survey the prevalence of pigeon candidiasis in diseased pigeons suspected to candidiasis by isolation, microscopic examination, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and to characterize Candida spp. phylogenetically. For this purpose, samples were obtained from 100 suspected pigeons from September 2018 to February 2019 in Ahvaz, Iran. Cloacal and oropharyngeal swab samples were collected from each diseased pigeon with diarrhea resistant to the antibiotics, crop stasis, white diphtheritic membrane in the mouth, regurgitation, and vomiting. Sabouraud dextrose agar was used as a culture medium. Selected colonies were stained with lactophenol cotton blue stain. In the culture and direct microscopic observation, 19.00% of birds were suspected to candidiasis. Twenty-two isolates were identified. All 22 isolates were confirmed as Candida spp. By PCR method. The PCR test confirmed the presence of Candida spp. in 19.00% of pigeons. Based on the sequencing results of some PCR products, the isolates belonged to Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. The results revealed a 99.78% accordance when compared with other sequences of C. albicans which were formerly deposited in GenBank® from Colombia, Indonesia, China, and Sudan. The results revealed a 99.54% accordance when compared with other sequences of C. glabrata which were formerly deposited in GenBank® from the Netherlands and Spain. The symptoms such as diarrhea resistant to antibiotics, crop stasis, white diphtheritic membrane in the mouth, regurgitation, and vomiting were the most prevalent clinical symptoms in positive pigeons.

Background: Several studies have shown that propolis has antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiparasitic activity. Furthermore propolis has been described to have medicinal usages in some fungal infections like Candidiasis. Our aim is to study the inhibitory effects of alcoholic extract of propolis on Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp.Methods: To determine inhibitory and fatality dose of propolis extract, we prepared serial dilution of the extract including 1/20, 1/40, 1/80, 1/160, 1/320 and 1/640 in 1 ml of liquid medium sabouraud broth. Given numbers of Candida yeasts in 1ml were added to above dilution tubes. Candida and Aspergillus cultures were incubated at 30oC and 25oC respectively for 24-72 hours.Results: We obseved that the concentration of 0.25 g/dl of propolis extract showed an inhibitory and killing effect on more than 50% of the isolates. But there were no inhibitory and killing by the concentrations 0.0312 g/dl and 0.0625 g/dl on Candida isolates. Our findings showed that 0.0312 g/dl of the extract was partially active on Aspergillus fumigatus and dilution of 0.125 g/dl was active on Aspergillus. niger. In the agar dilution method, some changes were observed on morphological features (depends on the extract dilution) as well as quantitative effects of dilution of extract on the colonies.Conclusion: We found that the alcoholic extract of propolis had a prominent antifungal activity and inhibitory effect on Candida and Aspergillus isolates.

Background: Yeasts naturally colonize the mammalian digestive tract and play an important role in health and disease. This community is composed of commensal yeasts, mostly Candida and Saccharomyces described as a part of the intestinal mycobiome and could be associated with resident or transient flora. Objectives: The aim of our study was to perform the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of culturable Candida isolates present in stool specimens of healthy Tunisian individuals and to evaluate their antifungal susceptibility. Methods: Yeasts were recovered from 46 stool samples cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar at 37° C. Species were identified using conventional methods and ITS-PCR sequencing. Candida isolates were tested by exploring their tolerance to oxidative stress and extreme acidic conditions. In addition, their biofilm formation ability and in vitro resistance to antifungals was determined by the VITEK 2 system. Results: The identification by sequencing the ITS1-5. 8S-ITS2 region of the 56 yeast strains isolated from 37 stool samples revealed that Candida was the dominant genus and was represented by Candida albicans (n = 21), C. parapsilosis (n = 10), C. glabrata (n = 9), and C. krusei (n = 9). In contrast, the other genera, including Trichosporon, Geotrichum, and Rhodotorula, were sporadically occurring. We found thatmostCandida isolates were able toformbiofilmsunder oxidative stressandextremepHconditions. Regarding antifungal susceptibility, a higher resistance rate to fluconazole was revealed in comparison to caspofungin and micafungin. However, no resistance was revealed against voriconazole, amphotericin B, and 5-flucytosine. Conclusions: This is the first work-generated data on cultivable yeasts from stool specimens of healthy individuals in Tunisia. Further metagenomic studies with a larger sample size are needed to better characterize the intestinal mycobiota.

Background: When sutures are removed, bacteriemia and infections of odontological origin may cause bacterial endocarditis and other diseases. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the colonization by Candida species in sutures after extraction of retained third molars as well as to examine the influence of the position of the dental piece and the material used in sutures. Methods: A total of 56 male and female patients aged 21-55 years and with retained lower third molars were examined. Suture threads were removed a week later, and yeasts were isolated and grown in differential chromogenic medium and in Sabouraud dextrose agar. Results: Out of 56 patients, 16 (28. 57%) were found to carry some species of the yeast of genus Candida. The predominant species was C. albicans (23. 20%), followed by C. parapsilosis complex (5. 40%). Although 19 out of 33 patients (57, 58%) tested negative, the yeasts were detected in the vertical position of the teeth of 14 patients (42. 42%). The horizontal and mesioangular position carried the yeasts in 12. 50, and 8. 33% of the patients, respectively, while the distoangular position was yeast-negative. No significant difference was observed among the different positions. Yeasts were detected in 9 out of 26 patients (34. 61%) with nylon threads and in 7 out of 30 patients (23. 33%) with silk threads. According to the results from statistical analysis, no significant difference was found between the materials. Conclusions: The post-extraction suture threads of retained third molars were found to carry some species of the genus Candida. Candida albicans was the predominant species, followed by C. parapsilosis. The vertical position of the molar tended to carry yeasts to a greater degree than the horizontal and mesiangular one, although it was not statistically significant. No significant differences were detected between nylon and silk suture threads either.

A variety of Candida spp. as the most common fungus in the human body can normally be found in the vagina competing with other microbotes. Its presence is affected by variable conditions in the vaginal environment. The proliferation of Candida spp. in the vagina under specific conditions can result in a fungal disease known as vaginal candidiasis. More than 17 species of Candida out of 200 members of this genus are capable of causing diseases within the human body. Estrogen, along with other steroidal hormones, has been shown to have direct multifunctional effects on various pathogenic microorganisms by numerous activities. Its production and other factors such as disturbance of microbial balance and immune activity may alter the vaginal physical environment and promote the development of vaginal fungal infection. The vaginal functions can be affected by the level of circulation of estrogens in the blood according to the stage of the menstrual cycle in women. It also has many other functional actions on the vaginal structure. Estrogen and several other factors play an important role in determining the vaginal content of Candida species. Its effect could be a direct action on the cells of Candida or through an indirect effect on the immunity defenses of the vagina.

Background: Due to the pathogenic role of opportunistic fungi in immunodeficiency patients, many efforts have been made for developing effective treatment strategies to augment current practice standards. Nystatin, as one of the treatment candidates, is characterized by antifungal effects. In this study, we tried to use liposomal formulation as a nystatin carrier to increase its antifungal efficacy. Materials and Methods: A total of 87 positive culture samples of yeast agents were applied to the study. Yeast species were identified by culturing on CHROMagar medium (HiMEDIA), culturing on NigerSide agar medium, and Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Characterization of nanoparticles was examined by the size, zeta potential (ZP), scanning electron microscope (SEM), drug loading, and drug release rate. The standard method of broth microdilution according to CLSI M27-A and the quality control standard of Candidaparapsilosis ATCC 22019 were used to evaluate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of nystatin and nystatin nanoliposomes. Results: The particle size for liposomes containing nystatin was 100. 8 ± 17. 3 nm. Moreover, the ZP for liposomal formulation of nystatin was 21. 14 ± 0. 92 –mV. The formulation of nystatin in nanoparticles markedly increased the susceptibility of Candida species to nystatin at lower doses, which was statistically significant compared to free nystatin (P ≤ 0. 05). Conclusion: Our results showed that liposomal formulation improves the efficiency of nystatin against albicans species. This formulation can be used to develop new antifungal agents to improve the delivery and absorption of hydrophobic drugs.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between salivary biomarkers—such as salivary trace elements, salivary glucose, volatile sulphur compounds, salivary Adiponectin, leptin, and glycated haemoglobin—and the CFU/mL of salivary Candida spp. in Type II diabetic patients compared to healthy individuals. Ninety subjects were included in two groups of 45 each. The study included two groups of subjects, each consisting of 45 individuals. Group 1 comprised patients with Type II diabetes aged 40 to 60 years, while Group 2 consisted of healthy control subjects, also aged 40 to 60 years, matched for gender and age. The study included oral examination to evaluate burning sensation, candidiasis, and decreased salivary secretion. Salivary flow rate (mL/min) was measured in unstimulated saliva samples. Colorimetric and ELISA tests were used to determine salivary trace elements and adipocytokine levels. The colony count of Candida spp. (CFU/mL) was determined by enrichment and culture methods and volatile sulfur compounds in breath were quantified using ShowNovoWG1 halimeter. Salivary glucose oxidase test was performed by colorimetric test method and trace elements were determined by colorimetric test method. The colony count of Candida spp. increased significantly in the diabetic group due to increased salivary glucose levels (p>0.05). In contrast, there were no significant differences in body mass index (BMI), burning mouth syndrome (BMS), salivary flow rate (SFR), adiponectin, leptin, salivary cobalt, and iron in the flora between the diabetic and healthy groups (p>0.05).The information collected in this study can help develop a preventive program for oral fungal infections in patients with type 2 diabetes by studying saliva and its components.

Background and Purpose: Invasive fungal infections have high morbidity and mortality rates, with Candida species being the leading cause in hospitalized patients. Virulence factors, such as adhesion, enzyme secretion, and biofilm formation, play a major role in Candida pathogenesis. This study hypothesized that virulence factors in localized Candida infections behave differently than those in systemic infections. Materials and Methods: This study compared invasive and non-invasive Candida clinical isolates in terms of biofilm formation and enzymatic activity in. Biofilm mass and metabolic activity were assessed using crystal violet and XTT assays, while phospholipase and protease activities were measured in specific media. Qualitative biofilm characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy and scanning confocal laser microscopy. Results: Candida isolates from invasive infections showed higher bulk biofilm production and metabolic activity, compared to localized infection isolates. Bulk biofilm production and metabolic activity were notably higher in systemic infections, compared to those in localized infections. Non-albicans Candida species exhibited a higher biofilm-forming capacity and metabolic activity, emphasizing their potential for more invasive infections. Conversely, hydrolytic enzyme production was higher in localized infection isolates, compared to that in systemic infection. Phospholipase activity showed no significant differences. Conclusion: The differences in enzymatic activity observed in isolates from various anatomical sites underscores the importance of considering the infection context in assessing virulence These findings highlight the role of proteases and other factors in Candida invasiveness, contributing new insights into Candida virulence factors in Ecuador.