Infection Epidemiology and Microbiology
Year:2018 | Volume:4 | Issue:4|Papers Count:6

Aims Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is one of the most important causative agents of urinary tract infection (UTI). UPEC isolates persist in the body through biofilm formation. The successful adhesion is the most important step of biofilm formation. Type 1 pili and P fimbriae are bacterial surface appendices, which play a pivotal role in adhesion of UPEC. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of nanocurcumin on the initial adhesion and papG and fimH gene expression in UPEC isolates. Materials & Methods The presence of papG and fimH genes among 60 UPEC isolates was investigated by PCR; 5 potent biofilm producer UPEC strains from patients with UTI were exposed to the sub-minimum inhibitory concentration of nanocurcumin. Expression of the papG and fimH genes was evaluated by real-time PCR. Findings Of the 60 UPEC isolates, biofilm formation was seen in 27 (45%) of isolates, 5 of which produced strong biofilm. The result of PCR assay showed that papG was seen in 57 (95%) of the 60 UPEC isolates and fimH was seen in 58 (96. 6%) of isolates, respectively. Nanocurcumin decreased papG and fimH expression 7 and 8 fold in all 5 isolates, respectively. Conclusion Sub-MIC concentrations of nanocurcumin remarkably decreased the expression of the papG and fimH genes in strong biofilm forming UPEC strains, but nanocurcumin cannot prevent biofilm formation.

Aims The aim of this study was to identify antibiotic resistant patterns and the prevalence rate of carbapenem resistant genes (imp-1, vim-2, kpc) in P. aeruginosa strains isolated from burn patients in Shahid Motahari Hospital of Tehran. Materials & Methods In this study, 63 P. aeruginosa strains were collected from infected patients. Isolates were identified by biochemical tests and specific 16SrDNA PCR. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed by standard Kirby-Bauer method according to the CLSI guidelines. The prevalence of imp-1, vim-2, and kpc genes were assessed by PCR. Findings All of the isolates were confirmed as P. aeruginosa by phenotypic tests and specific 16SrDNA PCR. Totally, 14 antibiotypes were identified. The highest resistance was observed against to tobramycin, gentamicin, amoxi-clavulanic acid, and cefoxitin (100%) and the most sensitivity was shown against colistin (100%). All of the isolates were multidrug resistant (MDR), 100 and 46% were positive for Extended Spectrum β-Lactamases (ESBL) and Metallo-β-Lactamases (MBLs) respectively. The imp-1 and kpc genes were not detected (0%), while vim-2 gene was present in all of the isolates. Conclusion In the current study, the high resistance rate to antibiotics might be due to their overuse for burn patients as a prophylactic or therapeutic agents. Colistin is considered a drug of choice for the treatment of wounds infected by P. aeruginosa in burn patients. In this study, the majority of P. aeruginosa isolates belonged to Antibiotype 1 and possess carbapenemase vim-2. Therefore, to stop this resistance transmission, the prevention and control are apparently essential.

Aims Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the major causes of nosocomial infections. This study aimed at investigating the antibacterial susceptibility and the prevalence of virulence and resistance genes of P. aeruginosa isolated from patients in Tehran, Iran. Materials & Methods In this cross-sectional study, 70 P. aeruginosa isolates from burn infection and cystic fibrosis patients were collected from Shahid Motahari Hospital and Pediatric Medical Center, Tehran, Iran during 2017-2018. Antibacterial susceptibility against eleven antibiotics was determined based on disk diffusion method. Isolates were, then, screened for the presence of virulence and resistance genes by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Findings The highest and lowest antibacterial resistance rates were against ampicillin and meropenem, respectively. The oprI and oprL genes were present in all P. aeruginosa isolates. The prevalence of toxA, exoS, exoU, exoT, and exoY genes in P. aeruginosa isolated from a total of 18 CF patients was 66. 6%, 66. 6%, 22. 2%, 72. 2%, and 77. 7%; and in isolates from a total of 52 burn patients was 84. 7%, 100%, 28. 8%, 73. 07%, and 64. 46%, respectively. VEB, PER, TEM, SHV, and CTX-M genes were found in 0. 0%, 0. 0%, 11. 1%, 16. 6%, and 5. 5% P. aeruginosa isolated from CF patients; and in 0. 0%, 1 1. 9%, 50 96. 1%, 88. 4%, and 40. 3%, P. aeruginosa isolated from burn patients, respectively. Conclusion Generally, selective pressure caused by extensive use of antibiotics can be conducive to the selection of MDR bacteria. Therefore, choosing suitable antibiotic based on precise antibiogram tests can prevent the increase of resistance in bacteria.

Aims The aim of this study was species identification and phylogenic analysis of species of Leishmania isolated from clinical samples. Materials & Methods The samples were collected from patients that were infected from different parts of Iran. After microscopic examination, we used PCR method for amplify the ITS1 (internal transcribed spacer 1) gene. RFLP method (digestion with Apo1 restriction enzyme) and for phylogenetic construction, DNA sequencing of PCR product were used. Findings Two samples from Khorasan province (Mashhad) were Leishmania tropica (L. tropica), while others were Leishmania major (L. major). L. tropica samples are more variable compared with L. major. The molecular sequencing differences between L. major was related to geographical distribution. Based on the results of PCR product in the gel electrophoresis and DNA sequencing for L. tropica and L. major, the DNA sizes were between 350 and 369bp. The RFLP for L. major and L. tropica showed two and one bands, respectively. The sequences for all samples from central parts are the same, but there is difference with the samples isolated from North-East part of Iran. Conclusion The sequences of ITS1 gene of Leishmania major separated from Damghan and Esfarayen are different from other samples. Similarity of DNA sequences of North-East part of Iran of L. major with samples from central parts was 99%. The similarity of two isolates of L. tropica was 96%. The most similarity of Leishmania tropica isolated was 95% with Indian isolate and the most similarity for Leishmania major was 99% with Friedlin strain

Aims Toxoplasma parasites that extracted from different rodents are the same in immunologic and morphological characteristics but different in pathogenic characteristics. We found that the serum levels of ProBNP and Procalcitonin markers are high among these rodents. The aim of this study was the assessment of the serum levels of ProBNP and Procalcitonin markers among the rodents with myocardial toxoplasmosis. Materials & Methods In this study, we collected 286 rodents and extracted 250g of their heart tissues and blood samples to obtain DNA of T. gondii. We detected the positive samples, using the nested PCR method. Then, we examined serum levels of Pro BNP and Procalcitonin markers, using Electro Chemo Luminescence method (ECL) for assessment of myocardial toxoplasmosis in this host. Data analysis was also conducted by the statistical analysis method. This study was performed from January to March 2017, based on the prevalence study. Findings In this study, 68/286 samples of rodents were positive for GRA6 gene and these positive samples had high levels of Pro BNP and Procalcitonin markers that indicated myocardial toxoplasmosis and acute inflammation among these animals. Conclusion In this study, we found that the GRA6 gene was very useful to follow up toxoplasmosis in the rodents of the Golestan province, northeast of Iran. Also, ProBNP and Procalcitonin markers were at high levels in myocardial toxoplasmosis.

Aims Antiviral activity and cytotoxicity effect of methanol and diethyl ether extracts from different parts of sea cucumber (Holothuria leucospilota) against HIV-1 were assessed on human oral epidermoid carcinoma cells (KB) and Human embryonic kidney 293T cells (HEK293T). Materials & Methods Sea cucumber was collected at a depth of 10-30 m of Larak Island (Persian Gulf). Extracts were prepared by diethyl ether and methanol solvents. The antiviral activity of each extract was evaluated by inhibition of single-cycle replicable HIV-1 (SCR HIV-1) p24 Core antigen production in HeLa cells and cellular toxicity of different extracts were assessed, using a cell proliferation XTT kit. Findings Antiviral activity of each extract showed that some concentrations were able to inhibit the replication of HIV-1. Diethyl ether extract of body wall with 2. 79 TI index displayed the highest antiviral activity as well as less cytotoxicity effect. Conclusion This study showed that crude extracts of Holothuria leucospilota, especially methanol and diethyl ether extracts of digestive organs and body wall had good cytotoxicity effect and antiviral activity, respectively.