Title: An evaluation of opportunistic fungi in the broncho alveolar lavage samples

Abstract:

Opportunistic fungi are a constantly evolving group of pathogens that When the immune system cannot raise an adequate response, they are activated, begin to multiply, and soon overwhelm the body's weakened defenses. This study was performed to evaluate the amount of opportunistic fungi in BAL samples of diverse group of patients by interpreting the results of the study based on direct examination and culture methods. After receiving patients’ consent forms, and biography,a total of 120 BAL samples was taken by a pulmonary physician, and a part of the sample transferred to mycology laboratory for microbial examinations. From each BAL sample, 100 µl was cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and for microscopic observation the sample was centrifuged and two smear was prepared from the sediment using Giemsa staining and 10% KOH. Yeast cells were counted on SDA and Direct smears were precisely examined for presence of yeasts or pseudohyphae, pneumocystis and filamentous fungi. The etiologic agents were identified by standard morphological and molecular Methods.

Biography:

Parvin Dehghan has her expertise in medical mycology for about 30 years in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Her educational and professional background is on pathogenic fungi particularly Candida and Aspergillus with antifungal sensitivity tests. She is associate professor and teaching Medical mycology for different under graduate and post graduate students. More than 30 MSc students have completed their theses under her supervision. More than 50 articles about fungal infections have been published by her in reputable journals.