Browsing by Author "Badiee, Parisa"

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Determining the Incidence of Aspergillosis After Liver Transplant
(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2010-09) Badiee, Parisa; Shakiba, Elaheh; Nikeghbalian, Saman; Malekhosseini, Seyed Ali; Alborzi, Abdolvahab
Objectives: Aspergillus has become an increasingly frequent cause of life-threatening opportunistic infections in liver transplant recipients. This study seeks to determine the incidence of invasive aspergillosis in liver transplant recipients using routine and molecular methods in a teaching hospital in Shiraz, the unique center for liver transplant in Iran. Materials and Methods: Four hundred eight recipients who underwent liver transplant were followed for Aspergillus infections by microscopic examination, culture, and nested polymerase chain reaction. Blood samples were cultured by bedside inoculation to BACTEC medium. Results: The female-to-male ratio was 151:257 (mean age, 29.6 years; mean hospitalization, 26 days). Sensitivity and specificity of the nested polymerase chain reaction was 92.8% and 94%. Aspergillosis was detected in 19 recipients (4.6%) by routine and molecular method (4 proven, 10 probable, and 5 possible) of whom 12 recipients died (63.2%). Conclusions: This study found the incidence rate of invasive aspergillosis as an uncommon complication of liver transplant recipient cases but associated with poor outcomes. The rate is consistent with those reported in previous studies, but molecular assay that is more-sensitive and specific was used in the present study.
Early Diagnosis of Systemic Candidiasis in Bone Marrow Transplant Recipients
(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2010-06) Haddadi, Pedram; Badiee, Parisa; Alborzi, Abdolvahab; Vojdani, Reza; Shakiba, Elaheh; Rasouli, Manoochehr; Ravanfar, Paria
Objectives: Systemic candidiasis, are common infections during the neutropenic phase. The aim of this study was to identify quantitative Candida species ribosomal DNA using TaqMan technology for diagnosing candidiasis and monitoring them during hospitalization. Materials and Methods: During the prospective, cross-sectional study, from September 2006 to September 2007, a total of 375 clinical blood specimens were collected from 35 patients with hematologic disorders once a week pretransplant and posttransplant. Patients were evaluated for systemic candidiasis during hospitalization. Cultures from the throat, urine, feces, and sputum, along with sonography and computerized tomographic scans, were done when patients were febrile and not having a response to antibiotics. All samples were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol, and direct, microscopic examination was performed. Blood samples were cultured by bedside inoculation into BACTEC medium at 35°C for 7 days. Clinical blood specimens were evaluated for Candida infections using the TaqMan-based PCR assay. Results: Of the 35 recipients, 6 had multiple samples that were TaqMan-positive with Candida species probe, 3 had 1 PCR positive-result in their blood samples, and the 26 recipients showed negative results. Fungal rDNA was found in 2 patients before and after transplant. All 6 patients with systemic candidiasis had microbiologic and/or radiologic evidence of Candida infections. Conclusions: It seems that TaqMan-based PCR assay can serve as an accurate method for diagnosing and monitoring Candida infections. This is the first report of its kind that shows Candida infections can be present in the blood of the bone marrow transplant candidates, so closer observation of the recipients who are neutropenic and receive immunosuppressive drugs seems warranted to improve their chances for survival.
Fungal Infections in Solid Organ Recipients
(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2005-12) Badiee, Parisa; Kordbacheh, Parivash; Alborzi, Abdolvahab; Zeini, Farideh; Mirhendy, Hossein; Mahmoody, Mahmood
Background: Fungal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality after organ transplantation. The incidence of these infections has increased considerably over the last decade. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of fungal infections, to identify the most common fungal pathogens, and to determine the associated risk factors in solid organ recipients. Methods: One hundred twenty renal and 50 liver recipients were transplanted at the organ transplant unit of Nemazi Hospital in Shiraz, Iran, from September 2004 to August 2005 and were followed for fungal infections for at least 6 months. On admission to the hospital, all patients were evaluated for fungal colonization by mouth, vagina, urine, and rectal swabs cultured in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. Samples of sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, urine, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), pleural tap, and tissue biopsy were evaluated by direct microscopic examination and were cultured for any clinical signs of fungal infections. Results: Fifty-four kidney recipients (45%) had Candida colonization in different sites of their bodies. Fungal infections presented in 13 of 120 recipients (10.8%). Five recipients had invasive fungal infections (3 had fungal pneumonitis and 2 had severe esophagitis), and 8 patients had cutaneous and mucocutaneous infections. All of the recipients with invasive fungal infections were colonized with Candida, and 2 of them died. Forty-two (84%) liver recipients had Candida colonization in different sites of their bodies. Fungal infections presented in 6 liver recipients. In 4 patients, invasive fungal infections occurred (2 fungal pneumonitis, 1 meningitis, and 1 severe esophagitis), 2 patients showed mucocutaneous infections. Three recipients with invasive fungal infections had Candida colonization. The mean time to diagnosis was 70 days after transplantation. The most common etiologic agent for fungal infections was Candida albicans. Conclusions: Renal and liver recipients with Candida colonization are at high risk for fungal infections and therefore, control of fungal colonization in liver and renal transplant candidates would reduce the risk of invasive fungal infections after transplantation.
Invasive Fungal Infection in Renal Transplant Recipients Demonstrated by Panfungal Polymerase Chain Reaction
(Başkent Üniversitesi, 2007-06) Badiee, Parisa; Kordbacheh, Parivash; Alborzi, Abdolvahab; Malekhoseini, Seyed Ali
Objectives: Invasive fungal infections following renal transplant are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. This study reports our experience using molecular assay to diagnose invasive fungal infections in renal graft recipients. Patients and Methods: One hundred twenty patients who had undergone renal transplant at the Organ Transplant Unit of Nemazi Hospital in Shiraz, Iran, between September 2004 and January 2006 were followed up for fungal infections for 6 months following transplant. Blood samples were cultured by bedside inoculation to BACTEC fungal medium. Whole blood specimens were collected prospectively once per week and were evaluated for any invasive fungal infections using panfungal polymerase chain reaction and polymerase chain reaction–enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The female-to-male ratio was 44.2% to 55.8%, the mean age of the recipients was 34.7 years, and the mean length of hospitalization was 10.92 days. Results: The sensitivity and specificity for proven and probable infections were 80% and 95.6%, respectively. Using panfungal polymerase chain reaction– enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, 4 recipients were diagnosed as having invasive fungal infections. The etiologic agents were C. albicans in 3 patients, and C. albicans and A. fumigatus in 1 patient. The mean interval of polymerase chain reaction–enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay positivity in blood samples before clinical signs was 27 days (range, 7-60 days). Conclusions: Polymerase chain reaction–enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay may improve early diagnosis of invasive fungal infections; however, correlating the results of polymerase chain reaction–enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with clinical outcomes in renal transplant recipients will require further evaluation.