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Aims: According to the worldwide development of antibiotic resistance in recent years, the tendency of using herbal medicine has grown and plants derived antibacterial substances have found many applications in controlling microorganisms. Thyme (Zataria multiflora Boiss.) is one of the medicinal herbs which its pharmaceutical and antibacterial effects have been a matter of research and debate in recent years. This research aimed to study antibacterial effects of Zataria multiflora Boiss. essence against 8 standard pathogenic bacterial species. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, the essential oil was extracted by steam distillation using Clevenger apparatus. Using broth micro-dilution testing, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of thyme essential oil were determined against 8 standard pathogenic bacterial species. Each exam was repeated three times. The results were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using one-way ANOVA and Tukey statistical tests. Findings: The average of MIC for Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil showed a significant difference among 8 different bacterial species (p<0.001). The highest growth inhibitory effect was found against Bacillus cereus and the least one was against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There was no significant difference among the averages of MBCs (p=0.073). Conclusion: Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil has significant antibacterial effect. Keywords Zataria multiflora Boiss. [Not in MeSH] Oils, Volatile [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68009822] Anti-Bacterial Agents [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68000900] Microbial Sensitivity Tests [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/68008826]

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Aims: Considering the existence of fungal contamination and the close contact of dentists with the oral cavity of their patients, the question raised here is whether addressing the dental profession can be considered a risk factor for oral candidiasis with Candida albicans? This study aimed at investigating the relationship between dentistry and oral colonization of Candida albicans.
Materials & Methods: This case-control study was conducted among 72 individuals in Birjand, Iran in 2016; they were selected by random sampling method and divided into 2 groups: The case group consisted of 35 dentists working in Birjand and the control group consisted of 37 non-medical personnel of Birjand University of Medical sciences. The samples were obtained from rear surface of the tongue and salivary secretions. Individuals with positive culture results were considered Candida albicans oral carriers. The data were analyzed by SPSS 18 software, using Chi-square and Fisher exact tests.
Findings: Although the number of positive culture results in Candida albicans oral carriers (17.1%) was twice more than in control group (8.1%), there was no significant difference between two groups (p>0.05)
Conclusion: The dentists are at risk of contamination and oral colonization of Candida albicans not more than what non-medical personnel are.