MEDICAL LABORATORY JOURNAL
Year:2011 | Volume:5 | Issue:1|Papers Count:14

Background and objectives: Genital tract infections are among the most common causes of patients referred to therapeutic centers. Nearly 75% of women suffer from genital Candida infection, at least once in their lifetime. The aim of present study was detection of Candida species causing vaginitis and the evaluation of antimycotic effects of ketoconazol, clotrimazole and fluconazole against Candida species.Material and Methods: In this study, 210 vaginal samples were obtained from the patients suspected of Vaginal Candidiasis. Direct examination and culture were carried out for all specimens to detect the yeast. The isolated yeast species were then identified, using various different tests such as culture on corn meal agar, tween-80, germ tube test, and assimilation test by API 20C kit by using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and microdilution broth, MIC90 and MIC50 of drug were measured and determined their drug resistance.Results: In the present study, 100 yeast colonies were isolated from patients; %80 are C. albicans and the rest are C. parapsilosis (2%), C. tropicalis (6%), C. glabrata (4%), C. krusei (2%), C. guilliermondii (3%), C.stellatoidea (3%). In terms of drug resistance test MIC50 and MIC90 of fluconazole for candida albicans are 5.33 and 35.27µg/ ml, respectively, and for non-albicans candida are 3 and 21.4µg/ml, respectively. Clotrimazole MIC for Candida albicans (MIC50, MIC90) 0.97 and 4.9mg/ml, respectively, and for non-albicans 0.63 and 3.4/ml, respectively. Kectoconazole MIC for Candida albicans 2.43 and 16.45µg/ml, respectively, and for non-albicans 1.12 and 6.6µg/ml, respectively.Conclusion: Clotrimazole has been better than the two other drugs for Candida species on the whole; non albicans species are more sensitive than albicans species in the presence of the drugs used in this study.

Background and objectives: Direct smear microscopy, because of its simplicity, rapidity, low cost and relatively sensitive is a suitable method to detecting pulmonary tuberculosis. This experiment was aimed at determining the best method for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis among three kinds of staining methods: Fluorochrome, Ziehl Neelsen and Tan Thiam Hok.Material and Methods: The sputum specimens (N=714) were obtained from people with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis and identified by three staining procedures. We determined the sensitivity, specificity, and the positive and negative predictive value of them and compared results by growth on Lowenstein-Jensen medium as gold standard.Results: Ninety-three (13%) of 714 sputum specimens were positive in culture method. The sensitivity of Tan Thiam Hok, Ziehl Neelsen and Fluorochrome are 89.2%, 91.3% and 95.6%, respectively, while their specificity and positive predictive value were 100%. Their negative predictive values were 98.3%, 98.7 %, 99.3 %, respectively.Conclusion: We conclude that Ziehl Neelsen can still be a reliable procedure for detecting AFB in sputum specimens because it has the appropriate sensitivity and specificity in comparison with another method of staining.

Background and objectives: Microbial, physical and chemical properties of drinking water, considering type and quantity of the drinking water, are the factors for determining the acceptability of water. The effect of each of the above components on increasing the quality of water or threatening the health of consumers is also considerable. We aimed to investigate the trace amounts of microbial, physical and chemical parameters of drinking water in Gorgan, comparing to national and international standard.Material and Methods: In this cross sectional study, 50 samples were taken, per month, from four pilot stations in urban water network of Gorgan during one year (2009- 2010). We used instant sampling and performed Enumeration of Coliforms in water culture with most probable number (MPN).Samples taken from the stations during the month were investigated in two general categories of device test and heading-meter. All experiments were performed using standard reference method.Results: of 598 water samples 551 (92.2%) have not Coliforms, 47 (7.8%) contain Coliforms and 16 (2.7%) of them have thermo-tolerant Coliforms. Mean water hardness is 413mg/L, based on carbonate calcium. The amount of fluoride about 0.35 mg and the residual chlorine about 0.6 mg is less than national standard amount.Conclusion: The results show that Gorgan water network is, in view of microbial contamination, safe during almost all days. All the tested samples in terms of physical and chemical parameters are in the range of nation and international standards. Hardness of drinking water of Gorgan is one of the highest.

Background and objectives: Interferon-Gamma and interferon Gamma receptor (IFNγ ⁄IFNγR1) are the main genes associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis. We aimed at studying on interferon-Gamma Gene polymorphism (-56C/T) in people suffered from tuberculosis (TB).Material and Methods: In this case-control study, the subjects were 62 individuals with TB and 74 healthy ones. Genomic DNA was extracted by DNA isolation kit (Roche Corporation), and genotype identification was performed by polymerase chain reaction-Restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Chi square and logistic regression, using SPSS software (version 18), was used to compare genotype and alleles between case and control groups.Results: The frequency of TT genotype in tuberculosis patients and healthy person are 43.5% and 17.5%, respectively. Based on Logistic regression (odd ration 0.148, p=0.0006), there is significant difference between Case and Control. In addition, the frequency of T allele is, in case group, 62.09 % the difference between case and control is significant, based on Logistic regression (odd ratio: 0.418, P=0.028(.Conclusion: It is implied that -56C/T is associated with IFNγR1 promoter in tuberculosis patient. It is found to be associated with increased susceptibility to tuberculosis.

Background and objectives: Candida albicans is a normal flora in skin and mucosa and is not pathogen in normal individuals.The main defence against yeasts, particulary Candida, is phagocytes, but phagocytesis and opsonization are reduced in thalassemia. The aim of this study was the determination of the frequency of Candida albicans and its species in the oral cavity of patients with major thalassemia and normal individuals.Material and Methods: This descriptive–analytic study was conducted on 52 patients with major thalassemia and 104 normal individuals in Hamadan, 2009. The specimens from oral cavity of the patients and control group were taken by sterile swab and then the direct exam and culture of all specimens were done Results: The Candida species in patients with thalassemia are Candida albicans (32.7%), tropicalis (13.5%) glaberata (10.5%), guilliermondii (10.9%) and Krusei (10.9%). In normal individuals, the frequency is 17.3%for albicans, 3.8% for tropicalis, 1% for glaberata and 1%for kefyr.Fifty-nine percent of the subjects' undergone splenctomy and 23% of those with heathy Spleen have Candida in their oral cavity, this differene is statistically meaningful.Conclusion: The results show that suffering from thalassemia and spleenectomy can increase the possibitity of oral infection by Candida species.

Background and objectives: Anaerobic microorganisms, particularly bacteroides play an important role in causing Pulp and preapical diseases that lead to chronic abscess. We aimed at studying anaerobie infections in necrotic teeth having Acute and chronic clinical symptoms.Material and Methods: We examined 28 necrotic teeth of 28 patients for the purpose of anaerobic culture; fifteen cases with acute clinical symptoms and 13 ones with chronic clinical symptoms. In total 38 root canals from 28 teeth were subjected for examination and sampling. The samples were cultured on thioglycolate medium, sent to laboratory and tested in anaerobic condition for identification of bacteria.Results: The results indicate that 76% of isolated bacteria from necrotic canals obligate anaerobes and 24% facultative anaerobes. The most common isolated microorganisms are peptostreptococci, fusobacterium and bacteroides.Conclusion: These results are in agreement with the results of other researchers and it has been determined that bacteroids play an important role in destroying the necrotic teeth's bone. Anaerobic bacteria causing dental infactions are less identified and diagnosed; therefore, dentist and clinical lab should take this into account.

Background and objectives: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important etiological agents of hospital and community acquired infections. The enterotoxins and toxin shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1) are among the most common virulent determinants of this bacterium. They are also wellknown for their super-antigenic properties. The incidence of TSST-1 producing strains is also very alarming. The aim of this investigation was to survey the prevalence of TSST-1 gene in the clinical isolates of S. aureus recovered from hospitalized patients in Shohada hospital of Tabriz, Iran.Material and Methods: During one year period, 1454 specimens obtained from hospitalized patients were investigated. After doing Isolation and purification, the isolates were identified by routine bacteriological methodologies.Their antibiotic susceptibility patterns were determined by agar disk diffusion method. Following genomic DNA extraction by boiling method, the presence of TSST-1 gene was analyzed by PCR.Results: A total 100 S. aureus isolates were recovered (6.87%). Antibiogram results indicate that all of the isolates are sensitive to linzolid; 83% of them are resistant to meticillin. The prevalence rate of TSST-1 gene in the isolates is 20%.Conclusion: The high prevalence of TSST-1 gene in studied S. aureus strains and their circulation in the community can have a potentially alarming effect on general health of community.

Background and objectives: Infection stones are the directly due to persistent or recurrent infection with Urease producing bacteria. They may be exacerbated by urinary obstruction or stasis. Also, some drug components like ciprofloxacin can be the cause of stone formation. We aimed at studing antibiotic resistance of bacteria isolated form kidney stones and Urinary tract infection (UtI).Material and Methods: This descriptive study, during 2008-2010, we obtained kidney stones and urine of 45 patients under gone nephrolithotomy in shahid Beheshti hospital of Babol, Iran. The stones were transferred to microbiology Lab in a strile Condition, after grinding, cultured on Blood Agar and Eosin-Methylene Blue (EMB) media. In Addilion, urin Samples were cultured on the for mentioned media. The Positive cultures were qualitatively evaluated and then, antibiogram was done by using Kirby Bauer method.Results: The resulte show that 10 kidney stone specimens and 8 urine samples were infected by bacteria, mostly by E.coli. In one stone sample and two urine samples, we can isolate more than one bacterium. The bacteria isolated in the stone and urine samples of six patients was the same? We could find two cases of staphylococcus inurine and one in stone culture. The bacteria isolated from stone are resistance to oflaxacin (80%), which is higher than that to the other antibiotics.Conclusion: Based on the results, there is no relationship between the kind of kidney stone and type of bacteria. Further study needs to be done to prove this relation.

Background and objectives: Helicobacter pylorus is a Gram- negative bacterium causing diseases such as peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. In this research, we determined the level of three types of antibody IgG, IgM and IgA in ordinary people of Izeh.Material and Methods: After collecting blood samples from 263 cases, the serum were obtaind and using the ELISA method the amount of IgG, IgM and IgA, against Helicobacter pylori measured.Results: Eleven samples (4.3%) out of 263 casese are positive for IgM anti-Helicobacter pylori. The frequency of IgA and IgG is 28 (10.6%) and 201 (76.4%), respectively.Conclusion: Based on results more than 70% of people in Izeh have Anti-Helicobacter pyloriantibody in their serum, which is higher than that the other studied in Iran and also than developed countries.

Background and objectives: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is one of the most well-known disease in the world.It is not only A heaththrapeutic problem but also with politic, social, cultural and economic aspects. Paying attention to high-risk groups such as Lab staff is important. We decided to study and compare the knowledge of public and private Laboratories staff.Material and Methods: This cross sectional study, descriptive-analytic, was conducted on 350 personnel of private laboratories and educational centers of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, 2011.We collected Information by using a questionnaire including three parts of demographic characteristic questions, questions about knowledge in different fields of AIDS and those related to the performance of personnel. The results were reported as tables and graphs and analyzed by ANOVA, t-test and square.Results: The data, in different areas of AIDS, in public and private laboratories are similar and the difference statistically is not significant. Regarding to symptoms and treatment, the knowledge of privale Lab staff is higher than stste ones and this difference is significant (P=0.01).As a whole, the results show the knowledge of staff about the transmission modes (92.7%), the pathologic agent (99.2%), at risk people (61.2%) and preventive measure (53.1%).both group have good practice in wearing gloves and using disposable syringes. Regarding to disposing infectious waste material, private and state center practice are 92.6% and 77%, respectively.Conclusion: Based on the result, the knowledge relating to preventive procedures and at risk people of AIDS is not enough. Therefore; it is a necessity to hold in service training for Lab staff, stressing on disposing infectious waste materials.