@article {575, title = {Performance of Chromogenic Media for Candida in Rapid Presumptive Identification of Candida Species from Clinical Materials}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {7}, year = {2015}, month = {June 2015}, pages = {s69-s73}, type = {Short Communication}, chapter = {s69}, abstract = {

Background: In perspective of the worldwide increase in a number of immunocompromised patients, the need for identification of Candida species has become a major concern. The development of chromogenic differential media, introduced recently, facilitate rapid speciation. However, it can be employed for routine mycology workup only after an exhaustive evaluation of its benefit and cost effectiveness. This study was undertaken to evaluate the benefit and cost effectiveness of chromogenic media for speciation of Candida clinical isolates. Materials and Methods: Sputum samples of 382 patients were screened for the presence of Candida spp. by Gram stain and culture on sabouraud dextrose agar. Candida species were identified using Gram stain morphology, germ tube formation, cornmeal agar with Tween-80, sugar fermentation tests and morphology on HiCrome Candida differential agar. All the Candida isolates were inoculated on HiCrome Candida agar (HiMedia, Mumbai, India). Results: The sensitivity and specificity of HiCrome agar for identification of Candida albicans were 90\% and 96.42\%, respectively whereas sensitivity and specificity of carbohydrate fermentation test were 86.67\% and 74.07\%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity values of HiCrome agar for detection of C. albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Candida glabrata were above 90\%. Conclusions: We found HiCrome agar has high sensitivity and specificity comparable to that of the conventional method. In addition, use of this differential media could significantly cut down the turnaround time as well as cost of sample processing.

}, keywords = {Candida, Chromogenic differential agar, Presumptive identification}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.150528}, author = {MV Pravin Charles and Arunava Kali and Noyal Mariya Joseph} } @article {435, title = {Serum Total Aantioxidant Capacity in Oral Carcinoma Patients}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {7}, year = {2015}, month = {June 2015}, pages = {184-187}, type = {Original Article }, chapter = {184}, abstract = {

Context: Oxidative stress is a major determinant in carcinogenesis and serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) indirectly reflects the level of oxidative stress. Although oral cancer is the third most frequent cancer in Indian population, there are no standard noninvasive marker for early detection and monitoring therapeutic response in oral cancer patients. Aims: This study was carried out to investigate implications of serum TAC in oral cancer by evaluating pre- and post-operative levels in oral cancer patients. Settings and Designs: It was a prospective single blinded study. Subjects and Methods: Serum TAC was measured using ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay. Pre- and post-operative values were estimated and compared in 30 oral cancer patients who underwent surgery. Statistical Analysis Used: Paired t-test was used to compare pre- and post-operative values. Results: Compared to the normal value, both pre- and post-operative serum TAC were significantly low in oral cancer patients. However, there was no statistically significant difference between pre- and postoperative levels. Conclusions: In this study, low mean serum TAC was detected in oral cancer patients. However, its diagnostic and prognostic significance in oral cancer needs further investigation.

}, keywords = {Cancer Marker, Oral cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Total Antioxidant Capacity}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.150513}, author = {K. S. Rathan Shetty and Arunava Kali and K. S. Rachan Shetty} }