Association between major depressive disorder and gut microbiota dysbiosis.

OBJECTIVE: Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects 300 million people globally, with dysbiosis altering the central nervous system potentially having a role in this disorder. Dysbiosis is characterized by a decrease in microbial diversity and an increase in proinflammatory species. The human gut microbiota refers to the trillions of microbes, such as bacteria, that live in the human gut. The purpose of this study was to compare the gut microbiota of patients with MDD with healthy controls. METHODS: This case-control study involved 35 MDD cases and 35 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Stool samples were collected and subjected to quantitative real-time PCR. Four intestinal bacterial phyla (firmicutes, bacteroidetes, actinobacteria, and proteobacteria) were investigated by 16SrRNA analysis. RESULTS: The relative abundance of bacteroidetes to firmicutes in the control and case groups was .66 and 1.33, respectively (P < .05). There were no significant differences in actinobacteria and proteobacteria among those in the MDD group compared to the healthy control group. CONCLUSIONS: Gut microbiota dysbiosis may significantly contribute to the onset of depression, underscoring the importance of understanding the relationship between MDD and gut microbiota. Firmicutes, which produce short-chain fatty acids, are crucial for intestinal health. However, dysbiosis can disrupt the gut microbiota, contributing to depression and impacting the central nervous system.

Risk of type III secretion systems in burn patients with Pseudomonas aeruginosa wound infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is multifactorial and attributed to the production of several cell-associated and extracellular virulence factors including those implicated in adherence, iron uptake, exoenzymes (Exo) and exotoxins. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of type III secretion systems (T3SS) effectors in Iranian burn patients with P. aeruginosa wound infection. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted to identify papers published by Iranian authors in the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar electronic databases during the period of January, 2000 to December, 2018. Publications which met our inclusion criteria were selected for data extraction and analysis by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software. The inclusion criteria were articles that include burn patients with a wound infection caused by P. aeruginosa, and reported the prevalence of aimed exoenzymes. RESULTS: Ten publications were selected out of 15 full-text reviewed articles with the inclusion criteria. Of ten studies, the pooled prevalence of ExoS producing isolates was estimated at 57.1% (95% CI: 40.3-72.5%). Five studies reported the prevalence of ExoU and ExoT, from which, the pooled prevalence of ExoU and ExoT producing isolates was estimated at 51.4% (95% CI: 31.4-70.9%) and 86.4% (95% CI: 48.1-97.8%), respectively. Four studies reported the prevalence of ExoY, from which, the pooled prevalence of ExoY producing isolates was estimated at 79.0% (95% CI: 48.6-93.8%). CONCLUSION: Our results showed a remarkable prevalence of T3SS-positive genotype in patients with burn injuries. These findings provided attractive targets for new therapeutic strategies for burn patients who were infected with cytotoxin-producing P. aeruginosa.

Seroprevalence of cystic echinococcosis in blood donors in Fars province, southern Iran.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most important zoonotic diseases in different geographical areas of the world including Iran. The current study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of human cystic echinococcosis (CE) in healthy blood donors in Fars province, southern Iran. A total of 1068 serum samples were collected from blood donors from five blood service centers of Fars province in south of Iran. Antigen B was prepared from sheep hydatid cyst fluid and collected sera were evaluated for anti-hydatid cyst antibodies, using antigen-B ELISA. Demographic features of the participants were also recorded during the sample collection. Anti hydatid cyst antibodies were detected in sera of 60 out of 1068 blood donors corresponding to overall seroprevalence of 5.6% in this population. Rate of seroprevalence was 6.7% in females and 5.5% in males. The highest rate of infection (8.3%) was found in age group of higher than 50 years old. There were no significant differences between seropositivity to CE and sex, age or place of residence of the participants (P > 0.05). Findings of this study showed that the rate of CE infection in Fars province, southern Iran, is relatively high. Some of these seropositive cases may have active hydatid cyst in their tissues without overt sign or symptoms.

Evaluation of a simple Dot-ELISA in comparison with countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis for diagnosis of human hydatidosis.

BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is caused by the larval stage of cestode parasite Echinococcus granulosus which has a worldwide distribution with variable geographic incidence. The diagnosis of CE is still problematic since the performance of the available serological assays are not reasonably satisfactory. The present study aimed to develop a specific and simple Dot-ELISA system and compare it with currently available countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis (CCIEP) technique for the diagnosis of human CE. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from thirty five pathologically confirmed CE patients, 25 healthy controls, and 12 non-CE patients. The hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) was aseptically obtained from sheep hydatid cysts. Anti-hydatid cyst antibodies in the serum were evaluated by Dot-ELISA and CCIEP. RESULTS: Findings of the study demonstrated a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 89.1% for the Dot-ELISA system. Antibody was detected in 80% of patients by CCIEP while a few of non-CE patients and healthy controls had a positive reaction in this system. A sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 62% was calculated for this system. CONCLUSIONS: Dot-ELISA was found to be more sensitive and specific in detecting anti-hydatid cyst antibodies in CE patient in comparison with CCIEP.

Assessment of Candida species colonization and denture-related stomatitis in complete denture wearers.

Candida species are considered the primary causative agents of denture stomatitis, but their role in colonization and disease in denture wearers remains undefined. In this study, we investigated risk factors associated with progression to Candida-related denture stomatitis in patients using complete dentures, and we genetically identified Candida isolates associated with disease and colonization. We recruited 114 retirement home residents for this study, from whom oral mucosa samples were collected and cultured following oral cavity exams. Morphologic analysis was used to identify potential yeast-positive cultures, which were then characterized further by RFLP analysis. C. albicans was the most frequently recovered species (61; 41.5%), followed by C. glabrata (27; 18.4%), and C. tropicalis (19; 12.9%). In addition, 16 isolates (10.9%) of C. dubliniensis were recovered, which was the first identification of this species in clinical samples from Iran. This study demonstrated a significant association between the duration of denture wear and oral candidiasis. Furthermore, we noted a high prevalence of C. dubliniensis in complete denture wearers.

Serum antigen and antibody detection in echinococcosis: application in serodiagnosis of human hydatidosis.

Diagnosis of hydatidosis is based on immunodiagnostic methods along with radiological and ultrasound examinations. The objectives of the present study were to develop a specific and simple antigen-based ELISA method for diagnosis of hydatidosis and compare it with antibody detection method. The subjects in this study included 89 patients in the following groups: surgically confirmed hydatidosis patients (35 cases), control with other parasitic diseases (29 cases), and healthy controls (25 cases). Hyperimmune serum was raised against hydatid cyst fluid in rabbits. Anti-hydatid cyst IgG was purified by affinity chromatography using protein A column and labeled with horseradish peroxidase. Collected sera were assessed for hydatid cyst antigens and antibody by ELISA. Circulating hydatid antigen was found in 9 out of 35 patients with surgically confirmed hydatidosis. A sensitivity of 25.7% and a specificity of 98.0% were calculated for the antigen detection assay. Antibody detection by indirect ELISA, using antigen B, showed that 94.2% of patients (33 cases) have anti-hydatid cyst antibodies in their serum while cross reaction was noted in a few of non-hydatidosis patients. A sensitivity of 94.2% and specificity of 81.6% were found for the antibody detection assay. Findings of this study indicated that antibody detection assay is a sensitive approach for diagnosis of hydatid cyst while antigen detection assay might be a useful approach for assessment of the efficacy of treatment especially after removal of the cyst.