Avicenna Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Year:2019 | Volume:6 | Issue:3|Papers Count:5

Dear Editor, Bacteremia is a serious condition for hospitalized patients and delays in treatment can increase length of stay, hospital costs, and mortality rate, as it can trigger more serious events such as septic shock, occasionally with multiple organ failure, and death (1). With regard to the fact that bacteremia is the complication of a critical illness, it occurs in approximately 5% of all patients admitted to ICUs owing to the paucity of new antimicrobials in the industry pipeline, and the emergence of strains resistant to recent antimicrobials (2). The prevalence of multidrug resistant microorganisms is constantly growing, despite various strategies for their prevention, and this is a concern for health professionals. One of the common bacterial pathogens present in the bloodstream infections (BSIs) in our region is Staphylococcus aureus (3, 4). Overcoming methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infections is an obstacle due to the resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics...

Background: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that affects the gastrointestinal tract and the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells is generally one of the suitable methods for treating cancer. Salmonella typhi induces apoptosis by activating the caspase pathway. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on a standard strain and the bacteria were cultured on an SS-Agar medium. Then, sonication was used to isolate bacterial proteins and ZellBio was utilized to determine the concentration of such proteins. In addition, 1 million cells per well were cultivated in the cell culture plate in order to treat the cell line with bacteria and to examine the expression of the Bax and Bcl-2 genes. Then, RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized after 24 hours of incubation. The Bax and Bcl-2 genes were expressed by Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The findings confirmed the role of Salmonella typhi proteins in inducing apoptosis in a pancreatic cancer cell. In other words, the concentration of 10 mg Salmonella typhi proteins increased the expression of the Bax gene while reducing the expression of the Bcl-2 gene. Conclusions: Overall, bacterial treatments have unique mechanisms for treating cancer. For example, bacteria can specifically target the tumors, actively penetrate into the tissue, and potentially form a controlled form of toxicity. Accordingly, further studies are recommended to investigate the role of bacteria, especially Salmonella in the treatment of cancer cells.

Background: Beta-lactamases are the most important factors in the resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics among gram-negative bacteria, especially Escherichia coli. Today, the prevalence of infections caused by extendedspectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs)-producing E. coli is increasing, as one of the emerging health problems worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of blaSHV (sulfhydryl variable β-lactamase), blaTEM (temoneira β-lactamase), and blaCTX (cefotaximase β-lactamase) genes in E. coli isolated from urinary tract infections (UTIs). Methods: In this study, 3192 midstream urine samples collected from Babol and Qaemshahr counties, Mazandaran province (Iran) were cultured on eosin methylene blue and blood agars. An antibiotic susceptibility test was performed to determine ESBL-producing E. coli isolates using the combined disk method. Finally, the ESBLs were evaluated for the presence of blaSHV, blaTEM, and blaCTX genes by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Results: Of the 3192 cultured urine samples, 192 isolates were identified as E. coli by the IMViC and biochemical tests. In addition, the ESBL producers were detected in 45 (28/12 %) out of 192 E. coli isolates by the doubleblind synergism test. The PCR of the 45 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates demonstrated that the blaTEM was the most abundant gene (89%), followed by blaCTX-M (27%) and blaSHV (20%). Eventually, the co-existence of blaSHV, blaCTX-M, and blaTEM was detected in 3 (7%) isolates. Conclusions: Due to the high prevalence of ESBL-producing uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) in the studied region, future studies are recommended to perform phenotypic or genotypic tests to detect ESBL-producing isolates in laboratories to select appropriate antibiotics for treating UTIs.

Background: Antibiotic resistance transmission through the food chain is considered as a major health challenge. The combination of essential oils (EOs) with synergistic or additive effects regarding enhancing the antimicrobial activity is an applied approach for controlling foodborne pathogens and improving food safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of Cinnamomum camphora (cinnamon) and Syzygium aromaticum (clove) EOs against TEMbla produced by Escherichia coli isolated from poultry colibacillosis. Methods: To this end, 100 E. coli isolated from the viscera of broilers suspected of colibacillosis, were examined to detect the ESBL produced by the combined disk method according to The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). In addition, TEMbla presence was detected by the polymerase chain reaction method. Finally, the antibacterial activity of cinnamon and clove EOs was studied against TEMbla harboring isolates alone and in combination with the broth microdilution method and fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index. Results: Based on the results, 32/88 (36. 3%) of the tested samples produced ESBL and 20/32 (62. 5%) were found to harbor TEM. All the TEMbla produced by E. coli investigated by the broth microdilution assay were sensitive to cinnamon and clove EOs in the range of 400 to 1600 and 800 to 3200 ppm, respectively. FIC indices (ranging from 0. 56 to 1) suggested their synergistic inhibitory effect on nine isolates and additive inhibitory effect against 11 isolates. Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that the combination of cinnamon and clove can inhibit the growth of E. coli harboring the TEMbla gene and thus it can be suggested as a safe bio-preservative. However, further studies should be conducted to investigate the potential interaction between the EOs and food matrix components.

Background: Prevention of brucellosis in humans is based on the vaccination of animals. Given that Rev. 1 vaccine is one of the most effective vaccines for preventing and controling brucellosis in sheep and goats, the present study was conducted to evaluate and compare humoral immune responses of sheep against Razi Institute and Spanish (CZV) Rev. 1 brucellosis vaccines. Methods: To do the study, 6 sheep were prepared and divided into 2 groups, and blood samples were then collected on day zero. The animals of each group were subcutaneously vaccinated with one dose of Razi Institute and Spanish (CZV) Rev. 1 vaccines followed by collecting blood samples on days 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 post vaccination. Sheep serum samples were then tested using Rose Bengal, Wright, and 2-Mercaptoethanol assays and the data were statistically analyzed. Results: The results showed that the highest titers of Wright and 2-Mercaptoethanol tests were observed 30 days after vaccination. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between humoral immune responses of sheep vaccinated with either Razi Institute or Spanish (CZV) Rev. 1 vaccines (P > 0. 05). Conclusions: Given the similar results of both vaccines in stimulating the humoral immune system in the target species and the indigenous Razi vaccine production technology, as well as its lower price compared to the imported one, this native vaccine can certainly be used for immunizing livestock in our country. This can ensure the country’ s independence, boost national vaccine production, and prevent the outflow of currency.