MEDICAL LABORATORY JOURNAL
Year:2013 | Volume:7 | Issue:2 (14)|Papers Count:11

It fights against wide spectrum of bacteria, viruses and fungi and it is a major regulator of iron homeostasis. Today, scientists have made many efforts on the production of hepcidin. Baculovirus expression system is one of the best eukaryotic expression systems for production of recombinant hepcidin and production of the recombinant vector is one of the most important steps in this expression system.Material & Methods: First, the total RNA was separated from HepG2 cell line as a source of hepcidin expression. Then, after synthesis of total cDNA, human hepcidin sequence was amplified, using specific primers by PCR method. Next, hepcidin sequence was cloned into pTZ57R/T vector. After digestion of recombinant vector using ECoRI and BamHI restriction enzymes, recombinant pFastBac HT B vector containing human hepcidin cDNA was produced.Results: Coding sequence of human hepcidin is correctly cloned into pTZ57R/T vector and sub cloning into pFastBac HT B vector is performed successfully. The presence of a clear band near 274 bp resulted from PCR amplification and restriction enzyme are the confirmation of the cloning of human hepcidin.Conclusion: According to our knowledge, the present study is the first work that focuses on recombinant vector containing coding sequence of human prohepcidin. This recombinant vector can be used for human hepcidin production.

Background and Objective: In recent years, the resistance of opportunistic fungal strains to commercially available antifungal agents has been increased. The serious side effects of these compounds on mammalian cells forced the researchers to search for new antifungal substances. Thus we decided to investigate the antifungal properties of silver nanoparticles against Aspergillusfumigatus.Material & Methods: To investigate the antifungal effect of the round silver nanoparticles with 10nm diameter against Aspergillusfumigatus, the diameter of colonies after 8 days as well as the number of colonies in different days was determined, using direct drop test. After that, to measure the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicide Concentration (MFC) values of silver nanoparticles and fluconazole, Micro Dilution Broth method was performed. At the end, the MIC and MFC values of silver nanoparticles were compared to MIC and MFC of fluconazole.Results: The results obtained from direct drop test confirm that the silver nanoparticles can decrease the diameter of fungal colonies in dose dependent manner. The data of silver nanoparticles on the number of colonies in different days shows that the number of colonies increases up to sixth day and then becomes fixed. Based on the results of Micro Dilution Broth method, the MIC and the MFC values of this component are 31.25 and 62.5ppm, respectively.Conclusion: The present study confirms that silver nanoparticles with 10nm diameter have antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigates.

Background and Objective: Hepatitis E virus is one of the most common causes of acute infection in adults. Pregnant and transplant patients are more in risk of HEV infection. Fecal-oral is the main route of HEV transmission but recently transmission by blood transfusion has been observed. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of HEV-Ab in hemodialysis patients in Gorgan, Iran.Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, we investigated 150 hemodialysis patients of Panje Azar hospital in Gorgan. These patients were evaluated for the presence of HEV total Ab by ELISA method.Results: Of 150, 6 patients (4%) are positive for HEV-Ab. There has been no significant relation between anti HEV Ab and variables such as age, gender, ethnicity, duration and number of hemodialysis in a week and (P>0.05).Conclusion: This study, which is the first report from this area, show that the lower prevalence of anti HEV Ab in hemodialysis patients in comparison with pregnant and childbearing age women.

Background and Objective: Soil bacteria, particularly Bacillus genus have the potential of producing a range of bioactive substances with antimicrobial and antifungal properties. They have the ability to produce hundreds of active and effective biologic compound against microorganisms. Therefore, it seems to be a proper candidate in the biocontrol of fungal pathogenesis.Material and Methods: In this study, soil samples were collected from different parts of Gorgan in order to isolate Bacillus and to determine their antifungal activity against T.mentagrophytes. The Isolates that had the highest antifungal effects were analyzed by PCR and 16s rRNA sequencing.Results: Of 54 strains, 14 have antifungal activity. The Isolates, S4 and S12, identified as B.cereus and B.thuringiensis respectively show the highest antidermatofit effect. These isolates based on 16s rRNA sequence analysis show 97% homology with Bacillus cereusstrain KU4 and Bacillus thuringiensisstrain ucsc27.Conclusion: According to the results, it seems that the soil Bacilli have biocontrol potential against dermatophytic agents such as T.mentagrophytes.

Background and Objective: A wide variety of opportunistic pathogens has been detected in hospital surfaces. Among these, Pseudomonas species are one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections, frequently found in hospital environments. The purpose of this study was identification of antimicrobial susceptibility of Pseudomonas spp. isolated from different Section of ShahidRajaeii hospital, Tonekabon.Material and Methods: The samples (460) from different sections of Shahid Rajaeii hospital, were collected between December 2010 and June 2011. The identification of the strains was performed by using biochemical tests and API20NE (Biomerieux), and antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates against different antibiotics was determined by disc diffusion test.Results: Of 460, 61 (%13.26) strains of Pseudomonas are isolated from all the sources. The highest rate of Pseudomonas spp. is recorded in Surgery and ICU, while the lowest in Dialysis ward. Of 61 strains of Pseudomonas, 52 (85.25%) are belonged to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, six (9.83%) to Pseudomonas stutzeri, two (3.28%) to Pseudomonas putida and one (1.64%) to Pseudomonas fluorescens.Conclusion: The environments of the hospital can be the vehicles of Pseudomonas spp.; therefore, both the patients and personnel should have extra attention to their personal hygiene to avoid Pseudomonas infection.

Background and Objective: Having knowledge about the potential risks and the usage of safety equipment in laboratories can decrease the risk of occupational exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predisposing factors for occupational exposure and to assess the usage of safety equipment among personnel of medical diagnostic laboratories in Birjand.Material and Methods: In this descriptive analytic study, all staff of laboratories was assessed by using a questionnaire including demographic data, type of accidental exposures and the use of protective equipment. Using SPSS software, we analyzed the data.Results: Of 110, 84 (76%) have at least one accidental exposure to patients’ specimens in that 55% of accidents are related to sample preparation step. In 82% of contacts, carelessness is the underlying cause of exposure. Gown, glove, fume hood and mouth mask are routinely used by 97%, 48%, 34%, 1% of personnel, respectively. Nearly all of (97%) personnel were vaccinated against hepatitis B and 78% of them have performed routine blood test for detecting any infections.Conclusion: The results of current study show that accidental exposures to patients’ samples are common among personnel of medical diagnostic laboratories. The level of preventive education and the rate of safety equipment usage are low; therefore, we recommend planning of some training sessions to persuade the personnel for using safety equipment.

Background and Objective: Intestinal parasites, esp. giardiasis are the most common gastrointestinal infection disorders in the world, especially in north of Iran. The aim of present study was to determine the prevalence of parasitic infections in the stool samples of the people living in the central areas of Mazandaran province.Material and Methods: In this descriptive study, 4223 human fecal samples were randomly collected from different areas in different seasons in the central regions of Mazandaran province, from Oct 2009 to Sept 2010. The Samples were assessed by direct smear and formalin-ether method. We analyzed the data by using Chisquare and T test.Results: Of 4223 stool samples, 75 (17.9%) have at least one type of parasite. The rate of infection with intestinal protozoan is 15.9% including 8.1% with B. Hominis, 6.4% with G. lamblia, and 1.9% with intestinal worms (S. stercolaris and Strongyloides larvae).The prevalence rate is 6.1% in rural, 5.9% in urban and 5.8% in mountainous areas. Considering the seasons, the prevalence in the urban area in summer (4.39%), rural area in spring (32%) and mountainous area in fall (28%) are reported. Statistically no significant differences between different regions and seasons have been observed (P>0.05).Conclusion: Based on the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections, especially in the central part of Mazandaran province in different seasons, early diagnosis and treatment of the patients and public health promotion could be effective to prevent and control these infections in north of Iran.

Background and Objective: Nowadays, downsizing the government to have an effective and flexible organization is considered to be government’s top priority in the world and outsourcing is one of the ways to achieve this goal. Accordingly, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences has delegated some of its hospitals' duties to the private sectors. The present study has been carried out to assess the performance of outsourced clinical laboratories.Material and Methods: This Descriptive Evaluation study was carried out during 6 month (May 2011 till February 2012). The data was collected by two questionnaires with close-ended questions and one with open-ended questions, and analyzed by Wilcoxon, using SPSS software.Results: There is an improvement in outsourcing laboratory services. For example, increase in the number of tests (32%) and in the type of tests (37%).Consequently, increase of hospital income (51%). The number of personnel is decreased and their responsibility and behavior are improved.Conclusion: Overall, it seems that outsourcing laboratory program could achieve its major goals such as: Absorbing non-governmental resources in both administrative and financial aspects, omitting extra expenditure, acquiring benefits, and upgrading productivity of laboratories.

Background and Objective: Cercarial dermatitis (CD) or swimmer’s itch is a hypersensitive reaction to the skin penetration of avian and herbivorous schistosomes, esp. genus Trichobilharzia. Owing to presence of both intermediate and final host of this parasite in North of Iran, we aimed at determining the prevalence of CD among paddy-field workers in central areas of Mazandaran Province.Material and Methods: To perform this descriptive-cross sectional study, we refer to bird refuges of migrating water and Paddy-field around manmade ponds of Babol, Sari, Ghaemshahr and Savadkoh districts. The Hand and foot of the farmers were examined clinically for detection of infected people and their signs and symptoms were recorded on a sheet of paper.Results: Based on the results, 77.5 % of the workers suffer from CD. All of them are males and the majority of them are indigenous.Conclusion: High prevalence of Cercarial dermatitis among paddy-field workers led to a health dilemma. Thus, by increasing awareness of farmers, implementing suitable approaches, controlling the disease and sanitizing the contaminated areas can promote health situation.

Background and Objective: The vast clinical testing process often is performed to diagnose the origin of the fever. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of abnormal paraclinical findings of the neonates with fever.Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 109 randomly selected febrile neonates admitted to Amir-Kabir Hospital, 2010. Blood, Cerebro Spinal Fluid (CSF) and Urine samples were sent to laboratory and the results were analyzed by Chi-Square test, using SPSS software.Results: Blood culture of 19 cases (17.43 %) is positive. None of the CSF samples are gram positive and also show the sign of Meningitis.Conclusion: With regard to the high rate of positive blood culture, it seems that the use of blood culture in febrile neonates is important for diagnosis.