Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology
Year:2010 | Volume:3 | Issue:3 (S.N. 8)|Papers Count:8

Introduction and objective: Bacterial virulence factors are important in determining disease outcome. The initial stage of colonization is binding of Helicobacter pylori to one of the gastric epithelial cells surface receptors, the Lewis b blood group antigen binding adhesion, babA. Heterogeneity among H. pylori strains in presence and expressing the bab A gene may be a factor in the variation of clinical outcomes among H. pylori-infected people. We investigated the presence of babA in clinical H. pylori isolates and their correlation with different diseases in Iran.Materials and methods: In the present study 81 positive culture samples out of 177 biopsies examined for the presence or absence of babA gene which were detected by PCR method. DNA extracted from 81 Helicobacter positive specimens, 44 chronic active gastritis, and 27 duodenal and 10 non-cardia gastric cancers.Results: We had 58 (71.6%) positive samples for babA and 23 samples were negative (28.4%) by PCR method. Relative frequency of babA genotype of H. pylori isolated from gastric biopsies of patients with chronic active gastritis duodenal ulcer, and non-cardia gastric cancer were 68.2%, 74.1% and 80%, respectively.Conclusion: In our study, there was not significant correlation between the babA genotype and chronic active gastritis and duodenal ulcer (P=0.673) but significant correlation with non-cardia gastric cancer (P<0.001). Our results showed that the prevalence of babA genotype corresponds with the report from Asian countries but not with European and Latin America results.

Introduction and objective: Methyl tert-butyl Ether (MTBE) has been used in gasoline as a lead substitute. It is introduced into various environmental compartments during the production, distribution, use and storage of oxygenate-blended fuels. Nano filtration, widely developed over the past decade, is a promising technology for the treatment of organic and inorganic pollutants. The aim of the present research was to study the efficiency of MTBE removal by collaboration of a nanofilter and fungi.Materials and methods: In an experimental time of two hours and MTBE initial concentration of 20ml/ml, we investigated the effect of cell biomass, nanofilter and their collaboration on MTBE removal. Removal of MTBE was assayed with UV spectrum at 200-600 nm using chemical oxygen demand (COD) Hach reagent. The obtained blue green colour was measured by a turbidity measurement as (OD at 600 nm) in a UV-visible spectrophotometer against blank. The reduction of blue green colour showed the removal of MTBE.Results: Phanerochate chrysosporium had positive growth on mineral salt media and MTBE as the only carbon sources, but Aspergillus did not grow on this media however produced small amount of formaldehyde from MTBE. The results have showed that the MTBE removal by P. chrysosporium (5mg/ml), Nano filter (1cm2/ml) and P. chrysosporium with Nano filter were 53%, 47% and 91%, respectively.Conclusion: The focus of this study was to recommend a new technique based on application of nanotechnology for bioremediation of MTBE as a complementary treatment system after preliminary treatment due to its high MTBE removal efficiency.

Introduction and objective: Monitoring of the antimicrobial susceptibilities provides information about pathogenic organisms isolated from patients, and assists in choosing the most appropriate empirical antimicrobial therapy. This study tried to determine frequency of extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) positive and multidrug resistance pattern in Gram-negative uropathogenic bacteria.Materials and methods: In this study, 310 Gram-negative uropathogen were investigated. Combined disk test was used as a screening test for ESBL production. Disk diffusion method was performed for antibiotic susceptibility testing.Results: Isolated bacteria were as follow: 226 (72.9%) Escherichia coli, 76 (24.5%) Klebsiella pneumoniae, 3 (1%) Citrobacter spp. 2 (0.6%) Proteus mirabilis and 3 (1%) Pseudomonas spp. ESBL production was observed in 88 (28.4%) of all isolates, 29.2% of E. coli isolates and 28.9% of K. pneumonia. The most and least resistance were seen in the case of ampicillin (98.4%) and ceftazidime (24.2%), respectively. Resistance to six antibiotics or more was seen in 104 isolates (33.5%).Conclusion: In the present study, relatively high frequency of ESBL production and multidrug resistance were seen in uropathogens. To avoid treatment failure and choose either empirical or direct therapy by physicians, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and ESBL production monitoring are recommended in patients with urinary tract infection (UTI).

Introduction and objective: Fungal contamination of various foodstuffs and agricultural commodities is a major problem in the developing countries; therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the mycoflora of pistachio and peanuts from retailers and dried fruit retail shops of Sari, Iran.Materials and methods: A total number of 100 peanut and pistachio kernel samples in two consumption forms (dry roasted and raw) were collected from retailers and dried fruit retail shops in Sari city. Samples were analyzed for the presence of fungi by culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar media.Results: Fungi were detected in almost 70% of the samples. The genus Aspergillus was the most predominant isolate from peanut (70.5%) and pistachio (62.7%) kernel samples. Among the species of Aspergillus, A. flavus was the most frequently isolated species in the collected samples. A. flavus also had the highest contamination mean value in dry roasted and raw form of peanut and pistachio kernels.Conclusion: Because of the isolation of high percentage of A. flavus as the main aflatoxins producer in nature we recommend also the need of good storage practices in order to prevent the occurrence of aflatoxins in peanuts and pistachio.

Introduction and objectives: According to National Program against Brucellosis (NPB), diagnosis is based on serological tests (Wright>1/80 and 2 ME>1/20) in the presence of clinical finding. Regarding the lack of laboratory facilities in rural areas, diagnosis of the disease is faced with some difficulties. We conducted this study in order to present clinical criteria for the diagnosis of illness in limited resource area.Materials and methods: In a retrospective study, a total of 109 medical records of admitted brucellosis patients in three educational hospitals in Ahvaz south-west of Iran, from 2005 to 2007 were studied. By using the offered clinical criteria (OCC) (three major, or one major and three minor, or five minor) and NPB guidelines, patients were rediagnosed. Major criteria are animal close contact, fever and joint involvement. Minor criteria are sweating, headache, weight loss, chills and malaise. Finally the results of two diagnostic methods were compared in SPSS 16 software using chi-square and Fishers exact test. Differences with P<0.05 were considered significant.Results: The most common findings were occupational exposure (75.22%), arthralgia (92.66%), fever (78.97%), sweating (65.13%), headache (56.8%), weight loss (51.37%), malaise (54.12%) and chills (45.8%). Of total 109 brucellosis, 84 (77.1%) were rediagnosed as brucellosis by NPB and 91 (82.5%) by OCC. No significant difference (P=0.57) was observed between the two methods in diagnosis of brucellosis.Conclusion: Our offered clinical criteria are as effective as the Iranian NPB guidelines in the diagnosis of brucellosis. These clinical criteria may be useful in rural and limited resource area of Iran.

Introduction and objective: Today cutaneous fungal infections of man include a wide variety of disease. Malassezia are normal flora of skin and cause pityriasis versicolor and foliculities under suitable conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the antifungal effects of chloroformic, methanolic and aqueous extracts of henna leaves on Malassezia.Materials and methods: One hundred grams of dried and powdered henna leaves were extracted using distilled water, methanol and chloroform solvents, separately. The used solvents were removed under reduced pressure. The extracts with different concentrations were mixed mycobiotic agar and covered with a layer of olive oil. In each tube, skin scales of patients with pityriasis versicolor were inoculated. In order to study the inhibitory effects of each henna extracts, the culture tubes were kept at 37oC for about 14 days and the growth of Malassezia colonies were checked every 3, 7 and 14 days after culture.Results: Results have shown that chloroformic extract of henna at 3 and 4 (V/V%) completely inhibit the growth of Malassezia. Methanolic extract of henna at 0.25 and 3 (V/V%) inhibit the growth of Malassezia. Aqueous extract of henna at 0.25, 0.5, 4 (V/V%) completely inhibit the growth of Malassezia. Miconazole nitrate as standard antibiotic in almost all concentrations has completely inhibitory effect on Malassezia.Conclusion: The results demonstrated that henna has antifungal activity against Malassezia. In addition aqueous extract is more effective on Malassezia than methanolic and chloroformic extracts.

We report a 39 year-old patient who presented with chest pain, malaise, lassitude, anorexia, weight loss, fever, chills, productive coughs, pleural pain in the left thorax area and septic empyema without hemoptysis. Laboratory investigations’ including tuberculosis (TB) skin test by PPD, HIV, HBV and HCV serologic tests were negative. The CBC showed anemia and leucocytosis. The ESR was elevated and he had hypoalbuminaemia. Both chest radiograph and high-resolution CT scan showed miliary infiltrates and diffused reticulonodular lung lesions. He was diagnosed with miliary tuberculosis (MTB) via direct staining, PCR and culture from open window region washing sample but not from broncoalveolar lavage. He was treated with antituberculosis drugs.

Cutaneous mycoses are the most important fungal diseases and more prevalent in the world. Dermatophytosis and pityriasis versicolor are two main diseases that theirs incidence is related to geographic region, climate and animal husbandry techniques.