Objective: To determine the major changes in the microstructure of Candida albicans (C. albicans) after treatment with Euphorbia hirta (E. hirta) L. leaf extract. Methods: Transmission electron microscopy was used to study the ultrastructural changes caused by E. hirta extract on C.albicans cells at various exposure time. Results: It was found that the main abnormalities were the alterations in morphology, lysis and complete collapse of the yeast cells after 36 h of exposure to the extract. Whereas the control cultures showed a typical morphology of Candida with a uniform central density, typically structured nucleus, and a cytoplasm with several elements of endomembrane system and enveloped by a regular, intact cell wall. Conclusions: The significant antifungal activity shown by this methanol extract of E. hirta L. suggests its potential against infections caused by C. albicans. The extract may be developed as an anticandidal agent.

OBJECTIVETo determine the major changes in the microstructure of Candida albicans (C. albicans) after treatment with Euphorbia hirta (E. hirta) L. leaf extract.

METHODSTransmission electron microscopy was used to study the ultrastructural changes caused by E. hirta extract on C. albicans cells at various exposure time.

RESULTSIt was found that the main abnormalities were the alterations in morphology, lysis and complete collapse of the yeast cells after 36 h of exposure to the extract. Whereas the control cultures showed a typical morphology of Candida with a uniform central density, typically structured nucleus, and a cytoplasm with several elements of endomembrane system and enveloped by a regular, intact cell wall.

CONCLUSIONSThe significant antifungal activity shown by this methanol extract of E. hirta L. suggests its potential against infections caused by C. albicans. The extract may be developed as an anticandidal agent.

Candida albicans ; cytology ; drug effects ; Euphorbia ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry

A retrospective case series was conducted to determine the clinical characteristics and bronchoscopy findings of children with foreign body aspiration in Paediatric Institute, Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Ten boys and two girls were included (range 2-177 months; median 26 months old). They commonly presented with cough (12 / 100%) and difficulty in breathing (9 / 75%). All patients had unilateral auscultatory findings and the commonest radiographic findings were unilateral hyperinflation (7 / 58.3%). The majority of foreign bodies removed was organic (8 / 66.6%) and more frequently found in the left bronchial tree (7 / 58.3%). Major complications were pneumonia (11 / 91.6%) and airway oedema (11 / 91.6%). Eight patients had delayed diagnosis due to parents unawareness (6 / 50%) and missed diagnosis (2 / 16.7%)