Comparison of copper IUDs and hormonal IUDs in prevalence of Candida species in cervicovaginal smears

Candidal vulvovaginitis is one of the most common genital infections that different types of diagnosis are essential for a proper treatment plan. IUD is one of the most influential and long-lasting methods of contraception that can be associated with vaginal candidiasis. This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of Candida species before and three months after IUD placement in patients referred to health centers. Also, a comparison of copper IUDs and hormonal IUDs was evaluated to consider the prevalence of Candida species in cervicovaginal smears. In this regard, cervicovaginal swabs were prepared from 160 women applying for IUDs who did not show signs of vaginal infection during the vaginal examination. These people were divided into two groups of 80 cases. The first group received copper IUDs (NT Cu380, Mona Lisa®, Canada), and the second group received hormonal IUDs (Mirena, USA). They had not used antibiotics or antifungal drugs at least two weeks before and three months after IUD placement. The provided Samples were cultured in a Saburo dextrose agar medium. The milky yeast colony was transferred to chromium agar culture medium, and fungal species were differentiated by dyeing. P <0.05 was considered significant. Three months after IUD insertion, 29.57% of people who received a copper IUD were diagnosed with candidiasis. Also, different species of Candida were observed in 22.95% of people who received hormonal IUD. Because Candida albicans is found in the vaginal microflora of 30 to 80% of asymptomatic women, the decision to treat asymptomatic cases requires further study and testing. The use of Candida chromium agar differential culture medium is easy, reproducible, and cost-effective; however, in cases such as recurrent or complicated vulvovaginal candidiasis where the accurate diagnosis is essential for successful treatment, the use of sensitive and precise molecular methods such as PCR is recommended. Finally, studies with wider dimensions and longer follow-up periods are suggested to confirm and complete the present study.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus screening in healthcare workers: should a new protocol be introduced?

Background: In recent times, emerging resistance to majority of antibiotic classes seen in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates is of concern in hospital-acquired infection. MRSA carriage by healthcare workers (HCWs) has been documented to be as high as 50% in some studies. Higher carrier rate increases the risk of developing active infection as well as transmission of infection to the patients. The study aims to establish a relationship between MRSA carrier rate and healthcare workers of a tertiary care hospital in Pune and understand the need for screening regimens, based on the outcome.Methods: A cross-sectional study including health care workers from a tertiary care hospital working in different clinical departments was carried out. Data was collected by taking samples of nasal swabs of 115 HCWs and inoculated immediately on blood agar. Culture plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours and colonies were tested by routine diagnostic techniques. Antibiotic sensitivity was tested using cefoxitin discs on Mueller Hinton medium.Results: Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus carriage was reported in 19 out of 115 (16.52%) healthcare workers, of which 63.2% were MRSA and 36.8% were MSSA. Prevalence of MRSA among Orthopaedic surgeons and General surgeons showed a carrier rate of 25% and 18.2% respectively. Nurses had a prevalence rate of 0.39 %. Overall prevalence of MRSA carriage in healthcare workers was reported to be 10.4%Conclusions: MRSA carriage among HCWs at the hospital is considerably high. The high prevalence of MRSA carriage emphasizes the need for stringent hospital infection control and regular screening regimen of HCWs.

Study of a green algae Lobochlamys segnis Strain-019 from peatland

Characterization of a green algae Lobochlamys segnis strain 019 using morphological dan phylogenetic study were determined. In this study, contribution of natural nutrients will be evaluated by culturing this strain using Sphagnum peat soil extract in comparing to that of a commercial media for freshwater algae. Based on morphological study, L.segnis strain 019 is a unicellular biflagellate. This Chlamydomonas-like algae possessed a cup shaped to lateral chloroplast with central pyrenoid and a low indistinct papilla. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on 18 S rDNA indicated that this strain is a member of Lobochlamys subclade, and formed a robust clade (PP = 1.0, BP = 99%) with Oogamochlamys. Strain 019 formed a buble-like colonies covered by mucilage material under agar culture condition. In this study, a moderate acidic condition pH 4.0 was applied for both media due to liquid medium of Sphagnum peat soil extract detected in this pH value. The biomass production, lipid production and fatty acid composition using peat soil extract and AF-6 media are evaluated and discussed.

Study of the effectiveness of the use of closed-type UV-recirculators for air disinfection in enclosed space

Introduction. The research is devoted to assessing the results of our studies of indoor air concerning microbial contamination during the operation of a UV recirculator with different modes (different UV doses). Also, a theoretical calculation of the influence of the ratio of the capacity of the UV recirculator to the air volume of the treated room on the efficiency of air disinfection has been made. Materials and methods. The study of indoor air in terms of total bacterial count (TBC), including coccal microflora and yeast and mould fungi, were carried out. Air sampling and evaluation were carried out under the requirements of Methodical guidelines MUK 4.2.2942-11 “Methods of sanitary and bacteriological studies of environmental objects, air and sterility control in medical institutions”. The evaluation of the results was carried out following R 3.5.1904-04, "The use of ultraviolet bactericidal radiation for disinfection of indoor air". During the study, agar culture media were used: Sabouraud agar, yolk-salt agar (YSA), meat-peptone agar (MPA), nutrient agar with the addition of 5% sheep blood (blood agar), bismuth sulfite agar, XLD-agar, cetrimide-agar, “Shine” agar, Endo agar. Results. As a result of the studies carried out, it was shown that a dose of UV irradiation of the order of 12-15 mJ/cm2 leads to an insignificant change in the concentration of bacteria (TBC) and fungi in the air (the efficiency was 58% and 69%, respectively). UV doses of the order of 25-30 mJ/cm2 significantly reduce the concentration of bacteria (TBC) and fungi in the air (efficiency was 99.99% and 99.4%, respectively). A theoretical calculation showed that it is practical to use a UV recirculator of such a capacity that provides an air exchange rate in the room of at least 4 (with ventilation operating at a rate of at least 2). Conclusion. To effectively use UV recirculators in enclosed spaces against bacteria and fungi, it is necessary to use models that provide a UV dose of at least 25-30 mJ/cm2. In contrast, their air capacity should provide an air exchange rate of at least 4.

Precursor-Directed Biosynthesis Mediated Amplification of Minor Aza Phenylpropanoid Piperazines in an Australian Marine Fish-Gut-Derived Fungus, Chrysosporium sp. CMB-F214

Chemical analysis of an M1 agar plate cultivation of a marine fish-gut-derived fungus, Chrysosporium sp. CMB-F214, revealed the known chrysosporazines A–D (11–14) in addition to a suite of very minor aza analogues 1–6. A microbioreactor (MATRIX) cultivation profiling analysis failed to deliver cultivation conditions that significantly improved the yields of 1–6; however, it did reveal that M2 agar cultivation produced the new natural product 15. A precursor-directed biosynthesis strategy adopting supplementation of a CMB-F214 M1 solid agar culture with sodium nicotinate enhanced production of otherwise inaccessible azachrysposorazines A1 (1), A2 (2), B1 (3), C1 (4), C2 (5) and D1 (6), in addition to four new chrysosporazines; chrysosporazines N–P (7–9) and spirochrysosporazine A (10). Structures inclusive of absolute configurations were assigned to 1–15 based on detailed spectroscopic and chemical analyses, and biosynthetic considerations. Non-cytotoxic to human carcinoma cells, azachrysosporazies 1–5 were capable of reversing doxorubicin resistance in P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-overexpressing human colon carcinoma cells (SW620 Ad300), with optimum activity exhibited by the C-2′ substituted analogues 3–5.

Burkholderia Cepacia in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus - An unusal Presentation

Burkholderia Cepacia is an aerobic gram-negative bacillus, rarely affects immunocompetent indi­viduals, usually found in various aquatic environments. We present a case of a 45-year-old male with a known case of diabetes for five years. He presented with high-grade fever, dysuria, and abdominal pain. Routine tests, ultrasonography along together with high-resolution computed tomography was done. High Resolution Computed Tomography showed subtle ground-glass opacity of the superior segment of lingulae of the left lobe of the lungs. Real time polymerase chain reaction was advised to rule out Covid-19 infection, which was negative. Burkholderia Cepacia was identified in Cystine- Lactose-Electrolyte-Deficient Agar culture (CLED).

Possibilities of practical application of different culture mediums for laboratory diagnostic of diphtheria

The purpose of the work is to evaluate the cultural and morphological properties of colonies of clinically significant corynebacteria on culture mediums for the isolation of corynebacteria. The study used 9 culture mediums for the isolation of corynebacteria: a culture medium for the isolation of corynebacteria (Corynebacagar); Tellurite-containing blood agars on base - Culture medium № 1 GRM, Culture agar for the cultivation of microorganisms (GRM agar), Culture medium for determining the sensitivity of microorganisms to antibacterial preparations - AGV, culture agar for the cultivation of dry microorganisms (SPA), Clauberg medium II, Hoyle Medium agar (Oxoid), Blood agar base (Conda), Columbia Agar Base (Conda). The work used 7 test strains of microorganisms from the State collections of pathogenic microorganisms - C. diphtheriae biovars gravis, mitis, intermedius, belfanti and subspecies lausannense, C. ulcerans and C.pseudotuberculosis. Studies were carried out in accordance with MUK 4.2.3065-13 «Laboratory diagnosis of diphtheria infection». We describe culture-morphological properties of strains on all tested culture mediums the isolation of corynebacteria after 24 and 48 hours of incubation. Analysis of the results on the growth properties of culture mediums showed that all culture mediums had high sensitivity - from dilution 10-7 for all test strains. Colonies of corynebacteria were visually detected on culture mediums after 19-20 hours of cultivation. When cultivating a suspension of corynebacteria from breeding 10-6 on culture mediums, the number of colonies ranged from 95±5 to 120±10. Conclusion. All culture mediums had differential diagnostic properties that ensure the growth of corynebacteria after the day of incubation.

Antifungal Efficacy of a Permanent Silicon Soft Liner Containing Silver Nanoparticles

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antifungal efficacy of addition of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) to Mucopren® silicone soft liner material. Materials and Methods: Twenty disc samples (8 × 2 mm) of Mucopren® silicone soft liner containing 0wt% (control), 0.5wt%, 1wt%, 2wt%, and 3wt% SNPs were fabricated. Samples were powdered and added to 150 mL of Sabouraud dextrose agar culture medium and placed on separate culture dish plates. Each plate was inoculated with 106 colony forming units per milliliter (CFUs/mL) of Candida albicans (PTCC 5027) according to the CLSI protocol, and incubated at 37℃. The colony count was verified at 24 h, and the antifungal effect of the samples was evaluated according to the percentage of viable cells in the 2 subgroups with/without thermocycling. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 via ANOVA and t-test (P<0.05). Results: All experimental groups showed higher antifungal activity than the control group, and this effect was dose-dependent (P<0.05). The lowest colony count was recorded in the 3wt% group. Thermocycling had no significant effect on the antifungal efficacy, except in 0.5wt% concentration of SNPs (P=0.013). Conclusion: Addition of SNPs to Mucopren soft liner conferred antifungal effects. Further mechanical stability and toxicity studies are still required.

Evaluating the Antifungal Potential of Botanical Compounds to Control Botryotinia fuckeliana and Rhizoctonia solani

The European Union is promoting regulatory changes to ban fungicides because of the impact their use has on the ecosystem and the adverse effects they can pose for humans. An ecofriendly alternative to these chemicals to fight against fungal species with low toxicity is essential oils and their compounds extracted from aromatic plants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antifungal capacity of the botanical compounds eugenol, carvacrol, thymol, and cinnamaldehyde, and the synergy or antagonism of their mixtures, against Botryotinia fuckeliana and Rhizoctonia solani. Different bioassays were performed at doses of 300, 200, 150, and 100 µg/mL using pure commercial compounds and their combination in potato dextrose agar culture medium. Growth rate and the mycelium growth inhibition parameters were calculated. Phenolic compounds and their combination inhibited the development of species at the different concentrations, with fungicidal or fungistatic activity shown under almost all the tested conditions. When comparing the growth rates of the species in the control plates and treatments, the statistical analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences. The mixture of compounds improved fungicidal activity against the studied species and at a lower concentration of monoterpenes.

Microbiological study in a gneissic cave from Sri Lanka, with special focus on potential antimicrobial activities

The emergence of antibiotic resistance is a global health crisis, thus the search for novel antimicrobial compounds has become a continuous necessity. Underexplored and extreme environments, such as cave ecosystems, have been identified as a promising potential source for the discovery of novel microorganisms with novel antimicrobial compounds (AMC). This study presents the first cave microbiological investigation in Sri Lanka, with a special preference for bioprospecting of novel AMC. The cave sediment characterization demonstrated the presence of close to strong acidic conditions (pH 3.1 – 3.3) and thus indicates the possibility of isolating acidophilic microorganisms. Eight cave wall/ceiling fungal strains were isolated from Sthreepura Cave - Kuruwita and identified using both morphological and ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region sequence analysis. Interestingly, four fungal isolates (Penicillium panissanguineum, P. cremeogriseum, Aspergillus bertholletius and Trichoderma yunnanense) were found to be the first records in Sri Lanka. Of these eight isolates, three showed antimicrobial activity (AMAs) against at least one of the five tested human pathogens in preliminary screening, while A. fumigatus (SKW 404) strain showed the highest AMA against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 11778) assessed by agar culture plug method on Muller Hinton Agar (MHA). Crude Ethyl Acetate (EtOAc) fraction of both mycelial and Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB) extracts of A. fumigatus demonstrated similar bioactive metabolic profiles with four corresponding chemical fractions [Rf = 0.47, 0.56, 0.65, 0.82; EtOAc: Hexane (4:1, v/v)] in TLC: agar overlay bioassay. The present study indicates that there is potential for discovering novel Sri Lankan deep cave microorganisms and bioprospecting of their novel bioactive compounds. Hence, further island-wide in-depth cave microbiological investigations are required for a better understanding of the Sri Lankan cave microbiology.