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Med J Tabriz Uni Med Sciences. 2024;46(4): 443-452.
doi: 10.34172/mj.2024.046
  Abstract View: 211
  PDF Download: 98

Mycology

Original Article

Molecular Identification of Fungal Species Isolated from the External Surfaces of Ants Caught from Educational Hospitals in Babol City (2021-2022)

Fatemeh Zamani 1 ORCID logo, Jalal Jafarzade 2 ORCID logo, Ali Heidarpour 3, Mojtaba Taghizadeh Armaki 4 ORCID logo, Firoozeh kermani 4 ORCID logo, Mohsen karami 4* ORCID logo

1 Medical student, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
2 Faculty of Medical Sciences, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
3 Faculty of Health, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
4 Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
*Corresponding Author: Email: karami158@yahoo.com

Abstract

Background. Since the ants play a key role in transmitting microorganisms, it is important to identify the fungal species isolated from the external surfaces of ants caught from hospitals. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the fungal species isolated from the external surfaces of ants caught from Babol hospitals.

Methods. Ants were collected by trapping inside sterile tubes and were washed with normal saline for 20 seconds. Then, 100 µL of the resulting solution was cultured in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) medium and incubated for one week at 35C°. Macroscopic, microscopic, and RFLP-PCR molecular techniques were employed to confirm the grown isolates.

Results. A total of 79 fungal isolates including 47 isolates of hyaline fungi (59.49%) and 32 isolates of black fungi (40.51%) were obtained from 63 captured ants. Out of 47 cultured fungi, 15 fungi (31.91%) were Aspergillus niger and 15 (31.91%) were A. flavus, 12 (25.53%) were A. fumigatus and 5 isolates were Penicillium (10.63%).

Conclusion. Taking into account the increasing number of immunocompromised patients, outbreak of COVID-19 in recent years, and numerous reports about the invasive fungal diseases among COVID-19 patients, it was found necessary to control the ants as carriers of these organisms.

Practical Implications. It was necessary to control these insects effectively in order to prevent the increasing prevalence of the fungal diseases among the hospitalized people.


How to cite this article: Zamani F, Jafarzade J, Heidarpour A, Taghizade Armaki M, Kermani F, Karami M. Molecular Identification of Fungal Species Isolated from the External Surfaces of Ants Caught from Educational Hospitals in Babol City (2021-2022). Med J Tabriz Uni Med Sciences. 2024;46(4): doi: 10.34172/mj.2024.046. Persian.
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Submitted: 09 Aug 2023
Accepted: 25 Nov 2023
ePublished: 03 Sep 2024
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