BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial peptides with relative length (2-100 amino acids) and positive charge (pure charge (+9)-(+2)) are amphiphilic that isolated from a wide range of animals. Recently, these peptides have been known as a part of innate immune response. Nowadays, more than 500 antimicrobial peptides from animals have been reported. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-Candida effects of cationic peptides derived from Rana ridibunda skin. Methods: In this study, using alcohol-acid technique, peptides of frog’s skin were isolated and purified by Sep-Pack and Sephadex column. Then the anti-Candida activity (Fluconazole Resistance C. albicans, Fluconazole Sensitive C. albicans, and C. glabrata) of the peptides in different concentrations were evaluated. Results: Regarding to statistical analysis, peptides in concentration ranging from 25 to 100 µg/ml had the most anti-Candida activities. In respect to different understudy Candida species, these agents had the less effect on the Fluconazole Resistance C. albicans (p<0.05). Conclusions: The anti-Candida effects of cationic peptide obtained from frog skin are approved in this study.

Candida species are the most common encountered agent of fungal infections. Catheter related infections affect over one million patients in Europe and US annually. Candida species infections are responsible for over 63 % of fungal infections in veterinary practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles in urinary catheter related cystitis and vulvo vaginitis of C.albicans, which is common for human and veterinary medicine is very hard to treat. Thirty healthy adult female Wistar rats were used in the study. The rats were divided into three groups; experimental group with C.albicans inoculation and treatment (n = 10) and positive control group C.albicans inoculations without treatment (n=10) and negative control group with urinary catheter placed without any pathogen inoculation (n=10). Nanobiosilver was administrated after the establishment of infection. Vulvovaginal and urinary bladder tissues collected at necropsy were process for Gomori staining histopathology and electron microscopy. Rats received inoculation exhibited significant outcomes associated with fungal infections compare to negative control rats. Results of control group were between physiological limits. C.albicans was detected in urine samples at 72nd hours after inoculation in experimental group but not observed at 7th day in animals treated with nanobiosilver. In conclusion, due to its safety, efficacy and lack of systemic effects, nanobiosilver could be an excellent alternative for the initial treatment of catheter related candidiasis in veterinary medicine.

Objective: To develop a broad-range 28S ribosomal DNA quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for detection of fungal DNA in equine endometrial samples. Sample: 12 fungal samples from a clinical diagnostic laboratory and 29 samples obtained from 17 mares. Procedures: The qPCR assay was optimized with commercially acquired fungal organisms and validated with samples obtained from the clinical diagnostic laboratory. Subsequently, 29 samples from 17 mares suspected of having fungal endometritis were evaluated via the qPCR assay and via traditional fungal culture and endometrial cytology. Amplicons from the qPCR assay were subjected to genetic sequencing to identify the organisms. Results: The qPCR assay theoretically had a detection threshold of 2 organisms of Candida albicans. Fungal DNA was amplified from all 12 fungal samples from the commercial diagnostic laboratory. Fungal identification by use of genetic sequencing was successful for 34 of 36 amplicons from the 12 samples assayed. A fungal agent was identified via qPCR assay and genetic sequencing in all 12 samples; in contrast, a fungal agent was identified in only 8 of 12 samples via standard fungal culture and biochemical analysis. The qPCR assay detected fungal DNA in samples from 12 of 17 mares suspected of having fungal endometritis. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: A rapid, sensitive, and repeatable qPCR assay was developed for detection of fungal DNA from equine endometrial samples. The qPCR may prove to be clinically useful as an adjunct to microbial culture and cytologic examination to provide identification of fungal organisms in a timely manner.

This study focusing on the importance of Candida albicans growth conditions on SAP8and SAP10 genes expression, as a member of the Secreted Aspartic Proteases superfamily genesthat play a role in the pathogenicity of C. albicans and the effects of this conditions on thepathogenicity of this bacterium in albino mice.Ten pathogenic isolates of C. albicans weregrown on two different conditions using RPMI1640 medium at 37&deg; C for mimic host conditionand on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) at 25&deg; C as in vitro condition. Sets of primers were usedto detect SAP8 and SAP10 genes expression in each condition. Forty BALB/c albino mice wereassigned to groups and inoculated with 1 X 107 cells/mouse of C. albicans grown in the studyconditions as challenge dose. Kidneys, lungs, and liver were collected to study the pathologicalchanges. Data show overexpression of the SAP8 gene in study isolates grown in RPMI1640comparison to the SAP10 gene. Kidneys, liver, and lungs showed pathological lesions at adifferent range of severity, a significant severe lesion in the kidney in mice injected with C.albicans grown in RPMI 1640 medium, while in contrast the significant severe liver and lunglesions were observed in mice injected with C. albicans grown in SDA medium. This studypoints out that the growth condition of C. albicans plays a role in the pathogenicity of thismicroorganism and SAP8 gene related to the infection process in the host.

Candidiasis is a mycosis caused by the mycelial yeast of the Candida genus which is opportunistic pathogen of humans, animals, and birds. Under some conditions such as prolonged antibiotic therapy, overcrowding, and immunosuppression, the opportunistic Candida can cause disease. Chicken candidiasis is sporadically occurred and characterized by unsatisfactory growth, listlessness, roughness of feathers, and death. A case of 23 weeks old layer with history of increased mortality and anemia was submitted to our Lab. At necropsy, the characteristic lesions were observed in the crop and proventriculus. The whitish pseudomembrane, that are peeled easily, was found in the crop. Proventriculus was swollen and the mucosa was covered with hemorrhagic exudate. The histological changes of the affected crop are epithelial hyperplasia, hydropic degeneration, and mycelia formation. Smears made from the necrotic mucosal surfaces of the crop revealed the presence of large number of yeast cells and mycelia. Pure cultures of yeast colonies were obtained from the potato dextrose agar. The yeast cells were identified as Candida albicans by gene sequencing. To our knowledge, this is the first report of candidiasis in chickens with anemia in Korea.

An 8-year-old castrated male Shih Tzu dog (weighing 7.0 kg) presented with anemia and lethargy. Initial diagnosis indicated immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. During therapy, a secondary urinary infection, probably due to the immune suppressive therapy, was diagnosed. Subsequent diagnostic tests, including urinalysis and urine culture, indicated candidal cystitis. Despite ketoconazole therapy for candidal cystitis, the dog died suddenly. A Candida albicans infection was confirmed upon postmortem evaluation. Prolonged immunosuppressive therapy might be the cause of this infection. This is the first case report describing a Candida albicans urinary tract infection accompanied by hemolytic anemia in a dog in Korea.