Dextrose Agar (dextrose + agar)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences

Kinds of Dextrose Agar

  • potato dextrose agar
  • sabouraud dextrose agar


  • Selected Abstracts


    Prevalence of yeasts in saliva and root canals of teeth associated with apical periodontitis

    INTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 4 2002
    M. W. Egan
    Abstract Egan MW, Spratt DA, Ng Y-L, Lam JM, Moles DR, Gulabivala K. Prevalence of yeasts in saliva and root canals of teeth associated with apical periodontitis. International Endodontic Journal, 35, 321,329, 2002. Aims To determine: (i) the relative prevalence and diversity of yeasts in salivary and root canal samples from the same patients; and (ii) the clinical factors associated with their presence in saliva and root canals. Methodology Sixty root canal samples from teeth associated apical periodontitis and the corresponding whole unstimulated saliva samples were obtained from 55 patients. The medical history including antibiotic therapy and clinical/radiographic data on the teeth were recorded. The samples were serially diluted and cultured on yeast & fungi-selective sabouraud dextrose agar. Isolates were characterized and speciated by the germ tube formation test, hyphal morphology and a commercial biochemical test kit (Rapid ID32C® system). Results Twenty-three yeast isolates were recovered from 19 saliva samples and eight isolates from six root canal samples. Candida albicans (17/23 & 3/8) and Rodotorula mucilaginosa (2/23 & 4/8) were the most prevalent isolates from saliva and root canal samples. It was significantly (13.8 times) more probable that yeasts would be recovered from root canals when they were also present in the saliva (P = 0.021). The effect of coronal restoration leakage (P = 0.08) and previous root canal treatment (P = 0.123) were equivocal. The history of antibiotic therapy had no association with the presence of yeasts in saliva (OR = 1.1). Conclusions Yeasts occurred relatively infrequently (10%) in root canals. Their presence in root canals was significantly associated with their presence in saliva. The role of yeasts in the initiation and perpetuation of periapical disease remains to be determined. [source]


    Kerion and dermatophytic granuloma.

    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2006
    Mycological, histopathological findings in 19 children with inflammatory tinea capitis of the scalp
    Background, Inflammatory tinea capitis or kerion is the result of a hypersensitivity reaction to a dermatophytic infection. Majocchi's granuloma, in contrast, usually begins as a suppurative folliculitis and culminates in a granulomatous reaction. Objectives, To present clinical, mycological and histopathological findings for 19 cases of kerion of the scalp in children. Methods, Nineteen children were investigated (14 boys and five girls) with a mean age of 6.5 years. A potassium hydroxide (KOH) exam and culture in Sabouraud dextrose agar were performed, followed by a biopsy with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-schiff (PAS) and Gomori-Grocott stains. The same investigations were carried out in four control cases of noninflammatory tinea capitis. Results, Clinical history varied from 2 to 16 weeks (mean 6.6 weeks). Diagnosis was confirmed by a positive KOH exam: all cases except one had a positive culture. The following dermatophytes were isolated: Microsporum canis (32%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (27%), Trichophyton tonsurans (21%), Trichophyton rubrum (10%) and Microsporum gypseum (5%). The histopathological findings were: suppurative folliculitis (SF) 11%, SF plus suppurative dermatitis 37%, suppurative and granulomatous dermatitis (SGD) 26% and SGD plus fibrosing dermatitis 26%. Fungi were observed in 63% of the histopathological sections. Perifollicular infiltrates (PF) around the parasitized hair follicles were identified in the four noninflammatory control cases due to M. canis. Conclusions, Kerion Celsi is an inflammatory or suppurative type of tinea capitis caused by zoophylic dermatophytes (M. canis and T. mentagrophytes), but also by antrophophylic (T. tonsurans and T. rubrum) and geophylic (M. gypseum) dermatophytes. Histopathological findings showed a spectrum from mild suppurative folliculitis to dense granulomatous infiltrates without a clear relationship with the clinical features. [source]


    Evaluation of extracts of Jatropha curcas and Moringa oleifera in culture media for selective inhibition of saprophytic fungal contaminants

    JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS, Issue 3 2009
    Grace Mebi Ayanbimpe
    Abstract Most fungi occur in nature and utilize simple sources of carbohydrates and nitrogen for growth. Sabouraud's dextrose agar has been an ideal medium for primary isolation of fungi from clinical specimens, but for specimens from nonsterile sites or heavily contaminated ones, it has been necessary to include inhibitory substances such as antibiotics like chloramphenicol (antibacterial) and cycloheximide (antifungal). The problems we have in the our laboratory owing to frequent contamination of cultures and the delays in the procurement of cycloheximide have stimulated a search for alternatives in our local environment to enhance effective laboratory diagnoses of fungal infections. Purified extracts of the leaves and bark of Jatropha curcas and Moringa oleifera (common plants in our locality) were tested against clinical isolates of fungi at various concentrations to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration at which common fungal contaminants are inhibited, without affecting the growth of the pathogenic fungi sought for. At a concentration of 0.75,mg,ml,1 contaminants were totally inhibited by the leaf extracts. The bark extracts did not inhibit any fungus even at higher concentrations. From the results it was evident that the leaf extracts of both plants have potentials for use as inhibitory substances in culture media against contaminant fungi including Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., etc. J. curcas and M. oleifera are very common plants in our locality. They can be obtained at almost no cost and at any time needed. The benefits of these findings to mycology laboratories in a developing country are enormous. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 23:161,164, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND VALIDATION OF A SANITARY GLOVE BOX PACKAGING SYSTEM FOR PRODUCT SHELF-LIFE STUDIES

    JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 3 2001
    ZEHRA AYHAN
    A glove box has been constructed as pan of an integrated pilot plant scale pulsed electric field processing and packaging system to facilitate studies of product shelf-life with selected packaging materials. The glove box was sanitized using combination of hydrogen peroxide and germicidal UV light. A HEPA air filter provided positive pressure of bacteria-free air. Nonselective nutrient broth was sterilized and filled into presanitized bottles inside the glove box. Negative and positive controls were included in the experiment. All bottles were incubated at 22C and 37C for two weeks and checked for rnicrobial growth by measuring optical density at 600 nm using a spectrophotometer and by plating on plate count agar and potato dextrose agar for total aerobic and, yeast and mold counts, respectively. No turbidity or microbial growth was observed in the media filled in the sanitized bottles using the sanitized glove box at 22 and 37C. PEF processed orange juice using this system had a shelf-life of more than 16 weeks at 4C. [source]


    Fungistatic Activity of Heat-Treated Flaxseed Determined by Response Surface Methodology

    JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 6 2008
    Y. Xu
    ABSTRACT:, The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of heat treatment on the fungistatic activity of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) in potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium and a fresh noodle system. The radial growth of Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus flavus, and a Penicillium sp. isolated from moldy noodles, as well as the mold count of fresh noodle enriched with heat treated flaxseed, were used to assess antifungal activity. A central composite design in the response surface methodology was used to predict the effect of heating temperature and time on antifungal activity of flaxseed flour (FF). Statistical analysis determined that the linear terms of both variables (that is, heating temperature and time) and the quadratic terms of the heating temperature had significant (P < 0.05) effects on the radial growth of all 3 test fungi and the mold count log-cycle reduction of fresh noodle. The interactions between the temperature and time were significant for all dependent variables (P < 0.05). Significant reductions in antifungal activities were found when FF was subjected to high temperatures, regardless of heating time. In contrast, prolonging the heating time did not substantially affect the antifungal activities of FF at low temperature. However, 60% of the antifungal activity was retained after FF was heated at 100 °C for 15 min, which suggests a potential use of FF as an antifungal additive in food products subjected to low to mild heat treatments. [source]


    Growth of Botrytis cinerea and Strawberry Quality in Ozone-enriched Atmospheres

    JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 5 2003
    A. Nadas
    ABSTRACT Botrytis cinerea cultures were stored on potato dextrose agar in air with or without 1.5 ,L/L ozone at 2 °C. Cultures stored in the presence of ozone grew slower. Strawberry fruits (Fragaria×ananassa cv. Camarosa) were stored for 3 d at 2 °C in air with or without 1.5 ,L/L ozone and then transferred to room temperature. Each group was inoculated with B. cinerea grown in air with or without ozone. Visible mycelial growth developed more rapidly on fruit previously stored in air. Ozone-enriched cold storage of naturally infected ,Camarosa' fruit reduced decay incidence, weight loss, and fruit softening, but resulted in a reversible loss of fruit aroma. [source]


    Oral candidiasis as a clinical marker related to viral load, CD4 lymphocyte count and CD4 lymphocyte percentage in HIV-infected patients

    JOURNAL OF ORAL PATHOLOGY & MEDICINE, Issue 1 2002
    J. Campo
    Abstract Background:, High viral load is currently considered to be one of the main indicators of the progression of HIV-induced immunodepression, but few studies have analysed its relationship to the presence of oral candidiasis (OC). The aim of this cross-sectional study is to analyse the relationship between viral load, total CD4 lymphocyte count, and percentage of CD4 lymphocytes to the occurrence of OC. Methods:, The present cross-sectional study included 156 HIV-infected patients seen at a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. We assesed the presence or absence of OC, and microbiological samples were obtained from the palatine mucosa and dorsal tongue for a smear stained with KOH (potassium hydroxide) and culture on Sabouraud's dextrose agar in all patients. Viral load was determined by quantification of viral RNA in peripheral blood with a minimum detectable level of 500 RNA copies/ml. CD4+ counts/CD4+ percentage were categorized as <200/<14%, 200,499/14,28%, and >500/>29%, and HIV viral loads were categorized as <500, 500,10,000, >10,000 copies/ml. Results:, Thirty-eight percent (37.8%) of the patients had OC. Patients with CD4+ lymphocyte counts below 200×106/l and CD4+ percentages below 14% showed a significantly higher frequency of OC (57.9% and 48.0%, respectively). Patients with a viral load over 10,000 copies/ml also had OC more frequently (44.8%). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, OC showed a statistically significant association with high viral load [>10,000 vs <500, odds ratio (OR)=11.4], low percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes (<14% vs >28%, OR=5), and injection drug use (IDU vs heterosexual transmission, OR=10.2). In HIV-infected patients, high viral load was associated with more frequent OC, regardless of CD4+ lymphocyte level. Conclusions:, These findings suggest that oral candidiasis could be a useful clinical marker of patients with high viral load. In view of these results, emphasis should be placed on the importance of systematic examination of the oral cavity in all medical follow-up examinations of HIV-infected patients. [source]


    First Report of Rhizoctonia solani AG-7 on Cotton in Egypt

    JOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2010
    Kamel A. Abd-Elsalam
    Abstract Eighty-two isolates of Rhizoctonia solani were recorded from roots of naturally-infected seedlings of the Egyptian cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.). Anastomosis groups (AGs) of the isolates were determined by using 13 different AGs testers. Three (3.7%) of the isolates were identified as R. solani AG7, while the remaining isolates were belonging to the AG 2-1, AG4 and AG5. The identification of the three isolates was based on the frequency of the C2 reaction with the AG7 tester isolate. No fusion was observed between AG7 and isolates representing the other 13 AGs. Colonies of AG7 isolates grown on potato dextrose agar (PDA), malt yeast agar (MYA) and melt peptone agar (MPA) were brown to dark brown with aerial mycelium and sclerotia. The isolates had pitted sclerotial clusters and brownish exudates after 21 days of culturing on PDA, but without clear zonation. Pathogenicity test under greenhouse conditions revealed that AG7 caused the common symptoms of damping,off, which included seed rot, lesions on the hypocotyls and root rot. [source]


    Gerbera jamesonii, a New Host of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. tracheiphilum

    JOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2010
    Marco Troisi
    Abstract The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to analyze the total genomic DNA of pathogenic isolates of Fusarium oxysporum on Gerbera jamesonii by comparing them to representatives of the formae speciales chrysanthemi and tracheiphilum. A close genetic relationship was observed among most of the new isolates from G. jamesonii. They shared RAPD markers with the tested representatives of the forma specialis chrysanthemi. Some isolates of those tested from diseased G. jamesonii were placed in a different cluster, which included representative isolates of forma specialis tracheiphilum. This is the first report of F. oxysporum f.sp. tracheiphilum on G. jamesonii. A rapid protocol for DNA extraction directly from fungal colonies grown on potato dextrose agar allowed complete analysis in less than 4 h. [source]


    Acetic Acid, Ethanol and Steam Effects on the Growth of Botrytis cinerea in vitro and Combination of Steam and Modified Atmosphere Packaging to Control Decay in Kiwifruit

    JOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
    Anastasia L. Lagopodi
    Abstract The effects of acetic acid fumigation, ethanol fumigation, and steam heat treatment on growth of Botrytis cinerea in vitro were investigated. The effect of steam heat treatments in combination with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on Botrytis decay development on ,Hayward' kiwifruit was also studied. The fungus was grown in Petri dishes on potato dextrose agar. Ethanol fumigation with 100 ,l/l for 3 or 6 min, or 200 ,l/l for 6 min enhanced the growth of B. cinerea. The effect of acetic acid on growth of B. cinerea was time and dosage-dependent. Fumigation with 1 ,l/l for 6 min, 2 ,l/l for 3 min, and 4 ,l/l for 3 min promoted radial growth of the fungus when compared to the growth of the untreated control. Fumigation with 2 ,l/l for 6 min delayed the growth of the fungus for the first 6 days, while fumigation with 6 ,l/l for 3 min delayed the growth of the fungus after the sixth day. Fumigation with 4 or 6 ,l/l acetic acid for 6 min, and 8 ,l/l acetic acid for 3 or 6 min resulted in complete inhibition of fungal growth. Steam heat treatment at 45°C for 6 min, and at 48, 51, and 54°C for 3 or 6 min completely inhibited fungal growth in vitro. Furthermore, steam treatments at 47, 50, and 53°C for 3 or 6 min completely inhibited decay at the stem end of kiwifruit kept at 10°C in MAP for 12 days. However, none of the steam treatments inhibited decay in wounds on the surface of the fruit kept in MAP. [source]


    Isolates of Microdochium nivale and M. majus Differentiated by Pathogenicity on Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and in vitro Growth at Low Temperature

    JOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2006
    I. S. Hofgaard
    Abstract Pink snow mould is a serious disease on grasses and winter cereals in cold and temperate zones during winter. To better understand the basis for the variation in pathogenicity between different isolates of Microdochium nivale and M. majus and to simplify selection of highly pathogenic isolates to use when screening for resistance to pink snow mould in perennial ryegrass, we sought traits correlated with pathogenicity. Isolates of M. nivale were more pathogenic on perennial ryegrass than isolates of M. majus, as measured by survival and regrowth of perennial ryegrass after infection and incubation under simulated snow cover. Pathogenicity as measured by relative regrowth was highly correlated with fungal growth rate on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 2°C. Measuring fungal growth on PDA therefore seems to be a relatively simple method of screening for potentially highly pathogenic isolates. In a study of a limited number of isolates, highly pathogenic isolates showed an earlier increase and a higher total specific activity of , -glucosidase, a cell wall-degrading enzyme, compared with less pathogenic isolates. None of the M. majus isolates was highly pathogenic on perennial ryegrass. Our results indicate biological differences between M. nivale and M. majus and thus strengthen the recently published sequence-based evidence for the elevation of these former varieties to species status. [source]


    Rapid Screening Method of Cassava Cultivars for Resistance to Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f.sp. manihotis

    JOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2002
    C. N. FOKUNANG
    An in vitro method for assessing cassava anthracnose disease (CAD) resistance was developed as a preliminary screen to a CAD-resistant breeding programme. Potato dextrose agar (PDA) media was amended by extracts from the stem cortex of 10 cassava cultivars (30001; 30572, 30211, 88/02549, 88/00695, 88/01336, 91/00344, 91/00313, 91/00684 and 91/00475), and assayed for efficacy of inhibition of the growth of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides f. sp. manihotis isolates (05FCN, 10FCN, 12FCN, and 18FCN). Morphological and physiological data indicated that there was a significant difference (P , 0.05), in mycelial growth, spore germination and sporulation among the four isolates on PDA amended with cassava stem extracts. Extracts from cassava cultivars 30211, 91/00684 and 91/00313 showed higher inhibition of germ tube development, mycelial growth and sporulation of the fungal isolates, whereas cultivars 88/02549 and 88/01336 showed the least inhibition. The 10 cultivars were further tested in both greenhouse and field conditions, under disease pressure for two planting seasons, to corroborate resistance to the fungus as observed in vitro. Greenhouse and field trials with the 10 cassava cultivars showed a significant difference (P , 0.05) in CAD resistance. Cultivars 88/02549 and 88/01336 were highly CAD-susceptible, as shown in the in vitro assays and confirmed in the greenhouse and field tests. The other eight cultivars were either resistant (30211, 91/00684), or moderately resistant (30572, 88/00695, 91/00475, 91/00344, 30001 and 91/00313) to CAD. The study shows that an in vitro screening assay of cassava for resistance to CAD could serve as a convenient preliminary screening technique to discriminate CAD-resistant from CAD-susceptible cassava cultivars. The in vitro screening method considerably reduces time and labour in comparison with the current screening techniques of cassava, which involve field planting, inoculation and evaluation. [source]


    Effect of benzyl isothiocyanate on tomato fruit infection development by Alternaria alternata

    JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 9 2005
    R Troncoso-Rojas
    Abstract Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) is known to be a strong antifungal compound in vitro against different fungi. The effectiveness of benzyl isothiocyanate to control Alternaria alternata growth in vitro and in vivo was tested. BITC in vitro activity was evaluated in A alternata growing on potato dextrose agar and exposed to 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 or 0.4 mg ml,1. In vivo activity was evaluated by exposing A alternata -inoculated tomato fruits for either 18 or 36 h to 0.28 or 0.56 mg ml,1 BITC packed on low-density polyethylene film (LDPF) bags. Additionally, the effect of BITC on post-harvest physiology and tomato quality throughout storage at 20 °C was evaluated daily by monitoring respiration rate and ethylene production, whereas total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity and fresh weight loss were measured every 3 days. Results showed that the minimal inhibitory concentration of BITC in vitro was 0.1 mg ml,1. A combined use of 0.56 mg ml,1 BITC with LDPF for 18 h was the optimum treatment to control Alternaria rot in packed tomato fruit. No effect of BITC on respiration rate, ethylene production, total soluble solids, pH, weight loss and titratable acidity was observed. Results suggest that BITC can be used as a post-harvest treatment to control Alternaria rot in tomato fruit without detrimental effects on the tomato post-harvest quality. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Modulation of water activity on fungicide effect on Aspergillus niger growth in Sabouraud dextrose agar medium,

    LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2005
    X. Ni
    Abstract Aims:, To examine whether water activity (aw) in combination with low concentration of fungicides can be used to effectively control Aspergillus niger van Tieghem growth in cultural medium, the Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). The data would be used as baseline information for reducing A. niger contamination in insect artificial diets. Methods and Results:,Aspergillus niger was isolated from an insect artificial diet. Four concentration levels (i.e. 0, 1, 10 and 20 ,mol) of two fungicides (i.e. amphotericin B and itraconazole) were tested against A. niger under four aw levels (i.e. 0·994, 0·961, 0·921 and 0·859) adjusted by including 0, 12·5, 25 and 38% of glycerol in the medium mixture. Aspergillus niger growth was significantly reduced at low fungicide concentration (1 ,mol), and at reduced aw. The spore germination was prevented with either higher fungicide concentration (>10 ,mol), or low aw in the medium (aw < 0·921). The two ecological determinants (fungicides and aw) showed a significant impact on A. niger survival in the medium (P < 0·0001). Itraconazole is more effective than amphotericin B in controlling A. niger contamination in the agar medium. Conclusion:, Adjustment of aw (with 12·5% of glycerol) in combination with 1 ,mol of itraconazole can effectively prevent A. niger growth in the SDA cultural medium. Significance and Impact of the Study:,Aspergillus niger contaminations have frequently affected the quality of insects produced from mass rearing facilities. Low aw in combination with low fungicide concentration has the potential to become one of the most cost-effective management strategies to prevent A. niger contamination in insect artificial diets. The effect of fungicides and low aw in artificial diets on insect biology needs to be further examined. [source]


    Oral yeast carriage in patients with advanced cancer

    MOLECULAR ORAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2002
    A. N. Davies
    The aim of this study was to investigate oral yeast carriage amongst patients with advanced cancer. Oral rinse samples were obtained from 120 subjects. Yeasts were isolated using Sabouraud's dextrose agar and CHROMagarÔ Candida, and were identified using a combination of the API 20 C AUX yeast identification system, species-specific PCR and 26S rDNA gene sequencing. Oral yeast carriage was present in 66% of subjects. The frequency of isolation of individual species was: Candida albicans, 46%; Candida glabrata, 18%; Candida dubliniensis, 5%; others, <,5%. The increasing isolation of non- Candida albicans species is clinically important, since these species are often more resistant to antifungal drugs. Oral yeast carriage was associated with denture wearing (P = 0.006), and low stimulated whole salivary flow rate (P = 0.009). Identification of these risk factors offers new strategies for the prevention of oral candidosis in this group of patients. [source]


    Protein kinase A subunits of the ascomycete pathogen Mycosphaerella graminicola regulate asexual fructification, filamentation, melanization and osmosensing

    MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2006
    RAHIM MEHRABI
    SUMMARY As in many fungi, asexual reproduction of Mycosphaerella graminicola in planta is a complex process that requires proper differentiation of the infectious hyphae in the substomatal cavities of foliar tissue before pycnidia with conidia can be formed. In this study, we have investigated the role of the cAMP signalling pathway in development and pathogenicity of this pathogen by disruption of the genes encoding the catalytic (designated MgTpk2) and regulatory subunit (designated MgBcy1) of protein kinase A. The MgTpk2 and MgBcy1 mutants showed altered phenotypes in vitro when grown under different growth conditions. On potato dextrose agar (PDA), MgBcy1 mutants showed altered osmosensitivity and reduced melanization, whereas the MgTpk2 mutants showed accelerated melanization when compared with the M. graminicola IPO323 wild-type strain and ectopic transformants. MgTpk2 mutants also secreted a dark-brown pigment into yeast glucose broth medium. In germination and microconidiation assays, both mutants showed a germination pattern similar to that of the controls on water agar, whereas on PDA filamentous growth of MgTpk2 mutants was impaired. Pathogenicity assays showed that the MgTpk2 and MgBcy1 mutants were less virulent as they caused only limited chlorotic and necrotic symptoms at the tips of the inoculated leaves. Further analyses of the infection process showed that MgTpk2 and MgBcy1 mutants were able to germinate, penetrate and colonize mesophyll tissue, but were unable to produce the asexual fructifications, which was particularly due to inappropriate differentiation during the late stage of this morphogenesis-related process. [source]


    Biotype stability of Candida albicans isolates after culture storage determined by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA and phenotypical methods

    MYCOSES, Issue 6 2010
    Katia Leston Bacelo
    Summary Typing methods to evaluate isolates in relation to their phenotypical and molecular characteristics are essential in epidemiological studies. In this study, Candida albicans biotypes were determined before and after storage in order to verify their stability. Twenty C. albicans isolates were typed by Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), production of phospholipase and proteinase exoenzymes (enzymotyping) and morphotyping before and after 180 days of storage in Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and sterilised distilled water. Before the storage, 19 RAPD patterns, two enzymotypes and eight morphotypes were identified. The fragment patterns obtained by RAPD, on the one hand, were not significantly altered after storage. On the other hand, the majority of the isolates changed their enzymotype and morphotype after storage. RAPD typing provided the better discriminatory index (DI) among isolates (DI = 0.995) and maintained the profile identified, thereby confirming its utility in epidemiological surveys. Based on the low reproducibility observed after storage in SDA and distilled water by morphotyping (DI = 0.853) and enzymotyping (DI = 0.521), the use of these techniques is not recommended on stored isolates. [source]


    Differential diagnosis of denture-induced stomatitis, Candida, and their variations in patients using complete denture: a clinical and mycological study

    MYCOSES, Issue 3 2009
    Saadettin Da, istan
    Summary Denture-induced stomatitis usually occurs in persons who wear a complete or a partial denture. Among the many aetiological and predisposing factors, Candida spp. are believed to play an important role in the initiation and progression of the infection. Seventy cases who attended the clinics of the Dental Faculty, University of Atatürk, Turkey were investigated from the viewpoint of denture-induced stomatitis. After questioning the patients for their personal information, they were examined clinically and smears were obtained from lesions of the palatal mucosa and the contiguous denture surface by calcium aliginate swabs, and inoculated onto Sabouraud dextrose agar supplemented with 1% chloramphenicol, and CHROMagar Candida. Individual yeast species were identified by a germ tube test, development of blastospores, chlamydospores and pseudohyphae and assimilation tests employing the commercial kit API 20C AUX system. According to the results obtained, 70% of the cases had denture-induced stomatitis, and in 68% of them mycological culture results were positive. Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated fungus (68.75%). On the other hand, fungal growth was much more pronounced in the cultures made from the inner surface of the dentures. In conclusion, this study showed that candidal infections are not the predisposing factor in the occurrence of denture-induced stomatitis, but they play a major role, as also some other factors, especially those related with dentures. [source]


    Prevalence and phenotypic evaluation of Candida dubliniensis in pregnant women with vulvovaginal candidosis in a university hospital in Ankara

    MYCOSES, Issue 1 2007
    E. Us
    Summary Candida dubliniensis is very similar to Candida albicans in terms of genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. As the hormonal milieu of the vagina during pregnancy, characterised by a lack of maternal cell-mediated immunity, enhances Candida colonisation and serves as a risk factor for symptomatic expression, investigation into the isolation of C. dubliniensis in vaginal discharges of pregnant women with vulvovaginal candidosis was made. A total of 77 Candida isolates obtained from 60 patients positive for vulvovaginal candidosis collected from 218 pregnant women were investigated for C. dubliniensis subsistence. In total 41 Candida species phenotypically identified as C. albicans on the basis of a positive germ tube test and carbohydrate assimilation tests were screened for the presence of C. dubliniensis. Phenotypic tests for differentiation of C. dubliniensis from C. albicans, such as growth at 42 and 45 °C on Sabouraud dextrose agar, appearance on CHROMagar and colony morphology on Cornmeal,Tween-80 agar and Staib agar were carried out. Only one strain (2.43%) was phenotypically identified as C. dubliniensis. According to our study, a combination of at least five phenotypic methods is necessary for an exact diagnosis of C. dubliniensis. Large-scale studies of pregnant women are required to discover the aetiological importance of this yeast. [source]


    Effects of temperature on germination and hyphal growth from conidia of Ramularia rhei and Ascochyta rhei, causing spot diseases of rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum)

    PLANT PATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2006
    Y. Zhao
    Rhubarb leaf and petiole spot disease, caused by Ramularia rhei and Ascochyta rhei, has gradually become more noticeable in the UK field crop. Conidial germination and subsequent colony growth of R. rhei and A. rhei were investigated under in vitro conditions on potato dextrose agar and in vivo on leaf discs. Results indicated that the two fungi responded differently to temperature. Ramularia rhei was better adapted to temperatures , 25°C, with an optimum around 20°C, whereas A. rhei was more adapted to temperatures , 15°C, with an optimum > 25°C. Overall, conidia of R. rhei germinated and subsequent colonies grew at greater rates than those of A. rhei on leaf discs at temperatures , 25°C. These results indicated that it is important to identify the causal agent of leaf and petiole spot diseases in rhubarb field crops in order to estimate disease risks accurately. [source]


    Susceptibility of Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis to Chitosan, Chlorhexidine gluconate and their combination in vitro

    AUSTRALIAN ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 1 2009
    N. V. Ballal mds
    Abstract The aim of the present study was to analyse the sustain release of Chlorhexidine with Chitosan and to investigate the antimicrobial activity of 2% Chlorhexidine gel, 2% Chitosan gel and their combination against Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis. Sustain release of Chlorhexidine with Chitosan was determined using UV spectrophotometer. Then the inoculae of these organisms were used to make the lawn culture on sabouraud's dextrose agar and blood agar plates. Wells were prepared in these lawn cultures and filled with 2% Chlorhexidine gel, 2% Chitosan gel and their combination. The agar plates were incubated overnight at 37°C and the zone of inhibition was examined after 48 h. Release of Chlorhexidine with Chitosan was better than plain Chlorhexidine release. Combination of Chlorhexidine and Chitosan showed maximum inhibitory zone for C. albicans (25.2 mm) and E. faecalis (26.0 mm). Plain Chlorhexidine gel showed intermediate inhibitory zone for C. albicans (20.6 mm) and E. faecalis (21.4 mm) and plain Chitosan gel showed minimum inhibitory zone for C. albicans (16.6 mm) and E. faecalis (11.0 mm). Carbopol which served as control did not have any antimicrobial effect. The present study suggests that 2% Chlorhexidine gel in combination with 2% Chitosan gel has the highest antimicrobial effect against C. albicans and E. faecalis compared with 2% Chlorhexidine gel or 2% Chitosan gel alone. [source]