Abstract

Background and Objective: Swimming pools, which are recreational places, can cause transmission of bacterial diseases, fungal and parasitic infections due to direct contact with various groups of people. We aimed to determine and compare the common microbial indicators in the water of pools and Jacuzzis in Golestan province.

 Material and Methods: the samples were obtained from eight indoor pool and Jacuzzi in Golestan province from July to December 2010, to evaluate the biological and physiochemical parameters.

Results: The residual chlorine in the pool and Jacuzzis was 74.3 % and the 41.1 %, respectively, and the difference was significant; the pH level was 70.4 % and 78.1 %, respectively; the mean of turbidity was 17.8 %, and 9.8 % and the difference was not significant. The samples contaminated with total coliform in the pool and Jacuzzi, respectively, were 4.3 % and 15.2 % and with E. coli were 1.3 % and 11.2 %.

Conclusions: The higher contamination of Jacuzzi is related to the higher temperature and turbidity of water, and more exposure of swimmer with water and less recirculation of Jacuzzi water. The high turbidity, lack of desired residual chlorine and choliform contamination are the main problems of swimming pools and Jacuzzi in Golestan province.

Keywords: Biological indicators, Microbial, Pool, Golestan Province.

Abstract

Background and Objective: Bacterial infections are of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in ICU patients with underlying immunodeficiency. This study aimed to determine the frequency of microorganisms in patients admitted to the ICU of Panje Azar Hospital in Gorgan.

Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the patients admitted in three wards, each having at least 48, of ICU in Panje Azar Hospital in Gorgan. All microbial cultures requested by patients' physician were recorded.

Results: In ICU positive cultures were 53.9%.  The number was 16 for Staphylococcus coagulase negative,  15 for  Enterococci  , 11 for Yeast, 11 for E.Coli, 9 for Enterobacter  , 8 for streptococcus, 5 for staphylococcus aureus. The highest  percentage was related to coagulase-negative staphylococci (16.5%) and the lowest to Alcaligenes, Diphtheroids, Acremo bacteria , Serratia with one positive case.

Conclusions:  the incidence of bacterial contamination in ICU patients compared to other parts of country is not different significant.  While it is far from world standard, it is essential that many efforts be done to reduce the level of infection.

Keywords: ICU; Microorganisms; Panje Azar Hospital.

Abstract

       Background and Objective: Paratuberculosis is a chronic granulomatous enteritis of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). this study aimed to characterize the genome of the MAP 316F strain.

      Methods: The MAP 316F strain was subjected to the PCR-F57 and PCR-IS900 experiments in order to ensure its identity as MAP. This was followed by application of the Thibault genotyping system consisting of eight loci including 292, x3, 25, 47, 3, 7, 10 and 32. Required genomic material for all experiments was prepared using the simple method of boiling. Gel electrophoresis findings related to the typing PCRs were backed by sequencing of amplification products.

      Results: In PCR amplification, eight products with the size of 300, 298, 350, 217, 208, 203, 803 and 649 bp were detected at 292, X3, 25, 47, 3, 7, 10 and 32 loci, holding 3, 2, 3, 3, 2, 2, 2 and 8 copies of TRs at these loci, respectively.

      Conclusion: This genomic pattern is matched with that of the MAP 316F vaccine strain from the French Merial company and also the MAP K10 fully-sequenced strain.

       Keywords: Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, Genomics, Genotyping techniques, Strain

ABSTRACT

        Background and Objective: One of the main tasks of clinical microbiology laboratories is to determine antibiotic resistance profiles in common pathogens and ensure the selection of effective antibiotics for certain infections. The aim of this study was to compare the methods of disk diffusion, broth microdilution and modified Hodge test in Escherichia coli isolates from urinary tract infection and diarrhea for susceptibility testing against beta-lactam antibiotics in Kerman, Iran.

        Methods: In this study, 432 E. coli isolates were collected from diarrhea (216 isolates) and urinary tract infection samples (216 isolates). The antibiotic susceptibility testing methods of disk diffusion, broth microdilution and modified Hodge test were performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.

      Results: The findings of disk diffusion method showed that resistance to cefotaxime, ceftazidime, aztreonam, cefepime and imipenem was 51.15%, 30.55%, 24.30%, 15.27% and 1.85%, respectively. In the disk diffusion test, 51.15% of the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic, all of which were later evaluated by the broth microdilution method. Moreover, 52.94%, 17.19%, 13.12% and 0.90% of the isolates were resistant to cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefepime and imipenem, respectively. All of the isolates were evaluated for the production of carbapenemase enzyme by the modified Hodge test and none of the isolates were found as positive.

       Conclusion: This study shows that performing carbapenem tests is very challenging, and laboratories are recommended to use secondary and independent antibiotic susceptibility tests such as modified Hodge test to confirm the carbapenem-resistant results.

ABSTRACT

        Background and Objective: Lactic acid bacteria are Gram-positive, catalase-negative, nonsporulating, either rod- or coccus-shaped bacteria that have beneficial effects on their hosts by producing antimicrobial substances such as lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, bacteriocins and biosurfactants. Bacteriocins are antimicrobial peptides that are produced by bacteria and can inhibit the growth of other bacteria.

       Methods: In this experimental study, bacteriocin production by Lactobacilli as known probiotic strains was evaluated in different physicochemical conditions. Antagonistic activity was evaluated using quantitative method of Microscale Optical Density Assay (MODA). After neutralization of acid and treatment with various enzymes, temperature, pH and NaCl conditions, the antimicrobial activity of culture supernatant fluid of Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. plantarum was investigated against pathogenic Proteus.

       Results: The culture supernatant fluid of Lactobacilli was sensitive to proteolytic enzymes with relatively good stability to temperature. The antimicrobial activity was also present due to production of bacteriocin under different NaCl conditions (1 to 4% NaCl) and pH range of 5 to 8.

        Conclusion: It seems that the antimicrobial liquid of Lactobacillus strains contains bacteriocin, which shows antimicrobial effects against pathogenic strains of Proteus. To investigate further this effect, some complementary studies should be performed.

Background and Objective: Considering the increasing tendency of public towards green consumption and the dangers of artificial additives, this study aimed to assess antibacterial activity of essential oils of Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Mentha piperita L., Zataria multiflora Boiss and Thymus vulgaris against three important pathogenic and spoilage bacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Erwinia carotovora and Escherichia coli).

• After obtaining the essential oils from Magnolia Co., their antimicrobial activity was assessed using broth microdilution method by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC50, MIC90) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). All experiments were performed in triplicate and the data were analyzed using the GraphPad software and Duncan's new multiple range test.
• All essential oils showed antimicrobial activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Increasing the concentration of essential oils from 0.01% to 4% (v/v) significantly enhancing the antibacterial activity. The statistical calculations and comparison of data showed that the essential oils of C. zeylanicum and Z. multiflora performed better compared to  the other two essential oils, due to having lower values of MIC50 (≤0.1%), MIC90 (≤0.4%) and MBC (≤1%) (P <0.05).
• Considering the high antimicrobial activity of essential oils of C. zeylanicum and Z. multiflora, they can be used as effective food additives with fewer side effects. However, further studies are being conducted on the effectiveness of essential oils on the growth of other microorganisms and their results will be published soon.
• Essential Oils, Antimicrobial, Pathogenic Bacteria, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, Zataria Multiflora Boiss.

ABSTRACT

        Background and Objective: Lavandula stoechas is a species of native and permanent plants in Golestan province that belongs to the family Lamiaceae. L. stoechas has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of various diseases. The aim of this study was to extract essential oil using steam distillation method from the flowers of L. stoechas collected from Jahan-nama region in the Golestan province, and evaluate its antibacterial activity.

        Methods: Steam distillation (Clevenger) and GC-MS system were used to separate volatile oils and identify the essential oil components, respectively. Two methods of disk diffusion and broth micro dilution were used to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of L. stoechas essential oil. Six bacterial species including Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus sp., Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were tested.

       Results: The essential oil yield was 0.28%. The main components were camphor (71.86%), 1, 8-cineole (4.08%), linalool (3.77%) and borneol (3.19%). The essential oil showed no inhibitory effect on P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis, while it had different inhibitory effects on other bacteria. S. aureus and Bacillus sp. showed the highest sensitivity with inhibition zone diameter of 32 and 29 mm, respectively.

        Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the essential oil of L. stoechas has high inhibitory and antimicrobial activity particularly against Gram-positive bacteria, which may be due to the presence of 71.86% camphor in its composition.

ABSTRACT

        Background and Objective: Microalgae are a group of algae that produce biochemical products consisting of a wide range of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins that are commercially valuable. Interest in microalgal cultivation is currently blossoming globally. Species of Dunaliella are found in freshwater, euryhaline habitats of all continents, oceans including the Dead Sea and even the salt lakes of the Antarctic. This study investigates the effect of different salinity levels on β-carotene production by Dunaliella sp.

       Methods: Water samples from a hyper-saline lake (the Maharlu Lake in Shiraz) were cultured in modified Johnson media. The β-carotene content was measured after the samples were treated with different salinities (1, 2 and 3M NaCl).

         Results: The cell count and β-carotene content of Dunaliella sp. samples ranged between 0.46×10⁶ to 2.12×10⁶ cell.mL^-1 and 0.15 to 9.98 pg.cell^-1, respectively. At the end of the experiments, the mean maximum cell content (1.78×10⁶ cell. mL^-1) and the highest mean β-carotene content (7.41 pg. cell^-1) were obtained at 2 and 3M NaCl concentrations, respectively.

       Conclusion: Salinity of the medium might affect the quantity and composition of carotenoids in Dunaliella sp. isolates. Alteration of the culture medium’s salinity to 3M NaCl significantly increases the accumulation of β-carotene and total carotenoids in Dunaliella sp. isolates.

       Keywords: Dunaliella, Microalgae, Maharlu Lake, β-carotene.

ABSTRACT
          Background and Objectives: Many aromatic plants from the genus Satureja have been used in traditional medicine in north of Iran. This study aimed to determine the ecological requirements for the growth of Satureja mutica Fisch. & C.A. Mey, and evaluate antioxidant and antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract of S. mutica collected from North Khorasan Province, Iran.
         Methods: Aerial parts of S. mutica were collected in blooming stage. Ecological requirements and the traditional uses of the plant were recorded. Ethanol extract of the plant was prepared by maceration. Antioxidant capacity of the extract was measured by three methods of total antioxidant capacity, reducing power and 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, and then compared with standard antioxidants (butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene). Antibacterial activity of the extract was studied against nine Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by agar dilution method and determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs).
         Results: S. mutica is the most common wild aromatic annual herb in north slob and sunny areas around mountains of Bojnord (1020-1300 m). The ecological features of this region are as follows: annual rainfall 308 mm, average temperature 11.5 oC, semi dry cold climate in the sandy clay loam soil, Ec=0.7 desizimence, and pH= 7.30. Ethnopharmacological data showed that this plant has been widely used by rural people as an anti-infective, antispasm and sedative agent that could treat rheumatic pain, migraine, toothache and diarrhea. The ethanol extract of S.mutica had relatively high antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 11.2 mg/ml. The extract also had high antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus cereus and Enterococcus faecalis, with inhibition zone diameters ranging between 15.1±0.5 and 27.7±0.8 mm and MIC values of 60, 68, 53 and 83 mg/ml, respectively.
         Conclusion: It can be concluded that the extract of S. mutica has favorable antibacterial and antioxidant activity, which could be used as natural anti-microbial agent for treatment of some infection diseases.
          Keywords: Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Bojnord, Ecological Requirements, North Khorasan, BHT, BHA.

ABSTRACT
       Background and Objective: This descriptive study aimed to evaluate the presence and frequency distribution of mosquito species in the city of Port Sudan, Sudan.
       Methods: After collection of 500 adult mosquitoes from different sectors of the city Port Sudan, they were classified using the morphological keys for identification of mosquitoes.
       Results: Overall, 230 Culex quinquefasciatus (46%) were detected in the eastern, central and southern sectors of the city. Culex sitiens (14.2%) were detected only in the central sector. Aedes aegypti (32.2%) were detected in all three sectors. Anopheles funestus (6.6%) were detected in the central and southern sectors.
      Conclusion: Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypi are prevalent in all sectors of the city, while Cx. sitiens is prevalent only in the central sector. An. funestus is abundant in the central and southern sectors.
       Keywords: Culicidae, Morphological and Microscopic Findings, Eastern Sudan.

ABSTRACT
       Background and Objective: MiRNAs are small RNAs that are expressed in most eukaryotes, and can regulate gene expression by attaching to the 3’ end of target mRNA. MicroRNA-101 (miR-101) post-transcriptional regulation is important for host-virus interactions. In addition, miR-101 has a tumor suppressive role in liver cancer and metastasis, and induces apoptosis in tumor cells. We examined miR-101 expression in patients with chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated cirrhosis and healthy individuals.
       Methods: The study was performed on 108 whole blood samples (36 samples from each group) collected in EDTA tubes. RNA was extraction by RNX-plus kit according to the manufacturer’s protocol. Finally, miRNA expression was evaluated using relative real time PCR.
         Results: A 2.4-fold increase was observed in miR-101 expression in patients with chronic hepatitis B, while there was a 3.5-fold increase in miR-101 expression in patients with HBV-associated cirrhosis compared with healthy controls (P=0.003). MiR-101 overexpression in patients with HBV-associated cirrhosis was more notable that in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
         Conclusion: According to the results, evaluating miR-101 expression may predict disease progression from chronic hepatitis B to HBV-associated cirrhosis.
         Keywords: MicroRNAs, Chronic Hepatitis B, Liver Cirrhosis, MiR-101.

ABSTRACT
       Background and Objective: Nanobacteria are nanometer-scale particles with different shapes, which have been a subject of debate in modern microbiology. They belong to a proposed class of living organisms, specifically cell-walled microorganisms with a size much smaller than the generally accepted lower limit for life. Since some microorganisms are able to continue growth at high temperatures, we aimed to isolate thermophilic bacteria from Gheinarcheh hot spring in Ardabil (Iran) and identify the characteristics of these microorganisms.
       Methods: Microbial mats were found in cultures from Gheinarcheh hot spring in North West of Iran. Synthetic media were prepared and used for isolation of protease-producing thermophilic bacteria, and identification of the features of microbial mats. Cultures were incubated at temperature range of 60-120 oC. Scanning electron microscopy, DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction were used to further identify characteristics of the microbial biofilms.
        Results: Microbial biofilms of nanoparticles were detected in our samples. Growth of the bacteria increased at all temperatures tested. Results of scanning electron microscopy showed nano-sized particles in the scale of 60 nm. No band was visible in gel electrophoresis of polymerase chain reaction products.
Conclusion: This study is the first to report the presence of hyperthermophilic nanobacteria in Iran.
      Keywords: Nanobacteria, Hyperthermophile, Microbial Mat.

ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: The resistance of gram-negative bacteria to antibiotics has become a serious problem, which imposes a significant increase in treatment costs. Klebsiella pneumoniae is an important nosocomial pathogen from the Enterobacteriaceae family. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and pattern of antibiotic resistance in K. pneumoniae strains isolated from clinical samples.
Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed on 150 K. pneumonia strains isolated from different clinical samples such as urine, sputum, blood, ulcers, lung secretions and abdominal abscess. Antibiogram test was performed using the disk diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer). Minimum inhibitory concentration of amikacin, tobramycin and gentamicin was determined via the E-test for 50 strains with high resistance rates.
Results: In this study, the highest rate of resistance was observed against carbenicilin, ceftriaxone, cefepime and streptomycin. K. pneumonia isolates were most frequent in urine and sputum samples. In the E-test, the highest rate of resistance was observed against gentamicin, tobramycin (16µg/ml) and amikacin (64µg/ml).
Conclusion: Based on our results, tigecycline, netilmicin, kanamycin and amikacin are the most effective antibiotics for the treatment of K. pneumoniae infections.
Keywords: Klebsiella pneumoniae, antimicrobial resistance, E-test method