Infection Epidemiology and Microbiology
Year:2021 | Volume:7 | Issue:1|Papers Count:9

Background: Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates are among the most important causes of nosocomial infections and could be classified as health threatening agents. This study aimed to determine the biofilm formation ability and clonal dissemination of S. epidermidis strains isolated from patients and healthy people in Isfahan during 2016 and 2017. Materials & Methods: A total of 139 and 123 suspected colonies of S. epidermidis were collected from different clinical specimens and the arm of healthy people, respectively. The ability to form biofilm was determined using a combination of Congo-red agar (CRA) and microtiter plate (MTP) assays. The presence of genes involved in biofilm formation was also tested by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The susceptibility of all strains to 12 antibiotics was evaluated using the disk diffusion method according to the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Moreover, all biofilm-producing strains were typed using PhenePlate system as well as cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) and accessory gene regulator (agr) locus typing method. Findings: A total of 43 biofilm-producing S. epidermidis strains were identified among 107 and 123 confirmed strains isolated from hospitalized patients and healthy people, respectively; all of which were positive for aap gene, and the presence of ica operon was limited to 86 and 27% of the strains isolated from patients and healthy people, respectively. All the strains showed susceptibility to vancomycin, quinupristin-dalfopristin, and linezolid. Moreover, SCCmec Types III, IV, and V were detected among all methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) strains, and agr Type I was the most frequent one. Among all biofilm-positive strains, 3 common types (CTs) and 7 single types (STs) were determined; CT1 and CT2 were the most common types among the strains isolated from hospitalized patients and healthy people. Conclusion: These findings indicated the presence and persistence of diverse clone types of biofilm-producing S. epidermidis strains with common types of PhP, agr, and SCCmec in the hospital and the community of Isfahan.

Background: Calf scours (diarrhea) in unweaned calves play a major role in economic losses of animal farming industry worldwide. The present study was conducted to investigate and interpret the presence of BRV, BVDV, and Escherichia coli K99 by molecular and serological approaches simultaneously. Materials & Methods: A total of 73 E. coli-negative diarrheic fecal samples were collected from one-week to less than one-month-old calves of Holstein dairy cattle herds of some provinces of Iran during autumn and winter. The samples were directed to antigen detection by ELISA (Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay), RNA extraction by semi-manual approach, and cDNA synthesis for PCR amplification. Findings: Out of 73 calves’ diarrheic fecal samples, 28 (38. 3%) and 1 (1. 36%) were positive for BRV and BVDR by ELISA, respectively. However, 31 (42. 4%) samples were positive for BRV and non for BVDV by RT-PCR. The Kappa coefficient showed significant differences in BRV and BVDR detection between ELISA and RT-PCR methods. The distribution of the BRV-positive samples among bovine diarrheic calves was 80, 52. 6, and 50% in Eslamshahr, Qazvin, and Hamedan, respectively. Conclusion: ELISA and RT-PCR indicated high prevalence rate of BRV in autumn and winter, respectively. The present study results showed that positive cases detected by RT-PCR were more than those detected by ELISA. Further studies are needed to achieve a comprehensive preventive and therapeutic strategy to address diarrhea bovine pathogens.

Background: This study aimed to determine antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract of Matricaria chamomilla (chamomile) against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from clinical specimens. Materials & Methods: The plant samples were collected, and the flowers and leaves were separated and dried completely in the shade. After grinding, extraction was performed using the maceration method. The extracts of both flowers and leaves were dried at 37° C for 24 hrs. About 500 mg of the dried plant extract was dissolved in 10 mL of 5% dimethyl sulfoxide and sterilized by filtration through a 0. 45 μ m membrane filter. For the antibacterial assay, agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods were used. Findings: No inhibitory effect was observed for both extracts against MDR P. aeruginosa isolates in agar well diffusion method. In broth microdilution method, the leaves extract showed inhibitory effect, and its MIC and MBC were determined at 12. 5 and 25 mg/mL concentrations, respectively. The flowers extract showed antibacterial activity against most MRSA isolates. The extract of leaves demonstrated inhibitory effect on 7 MRSA isolates. The MIC and MBC of flowers extract were determined at concentrations of 6. 25 and 12. 5 mg/mL for most MRSA isolates, while MIC and MBC of leaves extract were 12. 5 and 25 mg/mL for a few MRSA isolates, respectively. Conclusion: In this study, the ethanolic extract of chamomile leaves showed antibacterial activity against MDR P. aeruginosa isolates; meanwhile, the flowers extract showed better activity against MRSA isolates.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) cause a wide range of infections in individuals; they are common nosocomial infections that have recently become difficult to treat because of the increased emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. The present study aimed to determine and compare the minimum inhibitory concentration of gentamicin alone and in combination with cetirizine against Escherichia coli strains isolated from hospitalized patients with UTI. Materials & Methods: This study was performed on 76 E. coli strains isolated from a total of 103 samples of patients admitted to three hospitals in Gonbad-e Kavus. Kirby Bauer disk diffusion and broth microdilution tests were used to determine antibiotic susceptibility and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of gentamicin alone and in combination with cetirizine according to CLSI M100-S25 (2015) criteria. Findings: Evaluation of the minimum inhibitory concentration of gentamicin-cetirizine combination against E. coli isolates showed that none were able to grow at a concentration of 8 μ g/mL. The concentration of gentamicin in combination with cetirizine, inhibiting 90% of E. coli isolates (MIC90), was 4 μ g/mL, which was 16 times lower than that of gentamicin alone (MIC90= 64 μ g/mL) (p=. 02). Conclusion: Gentamicin in combination with cetirizine was found to be more potent in inhibiting E. coli isolates than gentamicin alone. Therefore, the results of this study could provide a clear perspective for dealing with drug-resistant pathogens.

Background: This study was designed to investigate the frequency and tissue distribution of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) in turkeys with respiratory syndrome in Isfahan province. Materials & Methods: Totally, samples were taken from the trachea, lung, air sac, infraorbital sinus, hock joint, blood of heart, brain, liver, spleen, intestine, and kidney of 30 turkey flocks. After DNA extraction, a 787 bp fragment of 16S rRNA gene of ORT was amplified. Findings: The PCR results revealed that 53% of turkeys were infected by ORT. The results showed that although ORT was mainly found in the respiratory tract, it could be systemic and infect some other organs, including the joints, brain, liver, spleen, and blood of heart, but could not infect the intestines and kidneys. Conclusion: Due to the lack of a clear pattern in tissue distribution of ORT among clinical samples, it seems that other factors play a role in ORT tissue distribution, such as dose, route, type of infection, and probably prevalent serotype.

Background: Cryptosporidium is one of the most important pathogenic parasites in poultry because it is a zoonotic parasite, and birds and other infected animals could be a potential threat to public health. The main purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of Cryptosporidium infection in domestic fowl in Shahrekord by PCR method. Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 110 fecal samples were collected from fowls referred to the Veterinary Clinic of Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord Branch. After DNA extraction, the samples were examined by PCR, and the frequency of infection in different genders and seasons was analyzed by SPSS statistical software. Findings: Out of 110 samples, %13. 64( 15) samples were positive for Cryptosporidium. The rate of Cryptosporidium infection in the females was %12. 85 and in the males was %15. The results also showed that there was no statistically significant difference between two sexes (male and female) regarding the prevalence of Cryptosporidium, while the frequency of infection in cold seasons (%22. 22) was significantly higher than in warm seasons (%7. 69). Conclusion: Fowls could be considered as one of the important reservoirs of Cryptosporidium infection for humans.

Background: In Iran, the first cases of SARS-CoV-2 disease were detected with the death of 2 people in Qom city. Then other cases were reported in Markazi, Tehran, and Gilan provinces, and after that the disease spread to all 31 provinces of the country. Materials and Methods: All data used in this study were collected from the reports of the National Committee on COVID-19 Epidemiology in the Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Iran. To investigate the effect of traveling between neighboring provinces, a spatial rate smoothing method was used, showing the impact of neighborhood on the disease prevalence. Also, to investigate the relationship between population density and disease prevalence, spatial regression was used at a significance level of 5%. Findings: Based on the estimated spatial rates, the disease prevalence rates changed in many provinces compared to the raw prevalence rates. Population density was also found to be directly related to the disease prevalence, so that with increasing population density, the disease prevalence rate increased (p <. 001). Conclusion: It seems that case finding process should be done actively in all provinces of Iran regardless of administrative borders. Provinces should also be classified in terms of the disease transmission risk according to population density of patients, which may indicate the probability of contact between individuals.

Background: In late December 2019, a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2, as the causative agent of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pneumonia, began to spread from Wuhan, China. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is currently threatening the world’ s public health and so far, no specific and effective treatment has been found for the disease. Due to the physiological changes in the body of pregnant women during pregnancy, the occurrence of infection in pregnant women could affect the health of both mother and her fetus. The present paper aimed to study the findings related to the effects of coronavirus on pregnant women and their fetuses during pregnancy, diagnostic methods, care protocols in pregnant women, and postpartum care. Methods: The information included in this review was extracted from articles, published protocols, and valid statistics. In this study, articles indexed in Latin databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Embase, Scopus), clinical protocols, and reports of reputable health organizations from January to august 2020 were reviewed using a combination of the following keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, pregnant woman, and pregnancy. Conclusion: Due to the global prevalence of this virus, protocols and health care should be applied for pregnant women in accordance with other people. It is also necessary to take preventive measures at the community level. In this regard, the management of pregnant women with COVID-19 infection is of particular importance during the pandemic period of the disease. However, more extensive studies are required to validate these principles. This review summarized the precautions that should be taken before and after delivery.

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative pathogen that is highly resistant to antibiotics. This bacterium can cause severe systemic infections, especially in hospitalized patients. Recently, antimicrobial-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has become a life-threatening pathogen in Iran and around the world. Materials & Methods: In this study, several Iranian and English databases were systematically searched to find all original and review articles investigating the prevalence of imipenem resistance in their sample size, while mentioning the source of clinical isolates, as well as the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance genes. Findings: Among genes, blaOXA-23 with a prevalence of 31% to 100% was responsible for global outbreaks of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and was presented in most of the hospital isolates. Our meta-analysis also revealed that 74. 2% of Acinetobacter baumannii were resistant to imipenem in 122 clinical studies. Conclusion: Our study highlighted a rapid increase in the rate of imipenem resistance in clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii in Iran. The need for periodic antibiotic care system programs to monitor the administration and use of antibiotics.