Does Prolonged Exposure of Environmental Fungi to Ultraviolet Irradiation Change the Pattern of Drug Resistance?
| Author | Ensieh Lotfali | en |
| Author | Behshad Valizadeh | en |
| Author | Reza Ghasemi | en |
| Author | Seyed Amir Hossein Feghhi | en |
| Orcid | Ensieh Lotfali [0000-0001-6709-1320] | en |
| Orcid | Reza Ghasemi [0000-0002-9704-9753] | en |
| Issued Date | 2020-11-30 | en |
| Abstract | Background: The pathogenic and opportunistic fungal species cause life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients. The ultraviolet (UV) germicidal irradiation is a well-known method for inactivating a significant number of microorganisms and has wide application for sterilization. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of ultraviolet C (UV-C) irradiation on the antifungal susceptibility pattern of some filamentous fungi. Methods: The effect of UV-C on the antifungal susceptibility pattern of itraconazole, voriconazole, fluconazole, and amphotericin B against filamentous fungi was examined. Changes in the morphological features of resistant strains following UV-C irradiation were also evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Results: The results revealed a significant decrease in the number of the surviving spores of strains with the prolongation of UV-C irradiation (0 - 10 to 20 min; P < 0.05). Concerning the morphology of resistant Aspergillus spp., the results of scanning electron microscopy showed a significant increase in the length of irradiated hyphae compared to the non-irradiated hyphae (P < 0.05). In addition, colony count showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05). The findings revealed that UV-C radiation exposure could alter the antifungal susceptibility pattern of Aspergillus spp., such as increasing the minimum inhibitory concentration. Conclusions: Aspergillus spp. can cause systemic infections among lab technicians exposed to different doses of radiation. Moreover, this increase in susceptibility pattern can directly affect the duration of treatment. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm.111734 | en |
| Keyword | Ultraviolet Rays | en |
| Keyword | <i>Aspergillus</i> | en |
| Keyword | Drug Resistance | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Does Prolonged Exposure of Environmental Fungi to Ultraviolet Irradiation Change the Pattern of Drug Resistance? | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |