Molecular typing and prevalence of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase genes in diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from foods and humans in Mashhad, Iran.

AIMS: Present study was aimed to determine ESBL-encoding genes distribution in Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) isolated from animal-source food products and human clinical samples in Mashhad, Iran. The strains were also further studied to analyse genotypic diversity and find genetic relationships between them. METHODS AND RESULTS: The number of 85 DEC strains including 52 and 33 strains isolated from 300 food and 520 human stool samples, respectively. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and repetitive extragenic palindromic-PCR (rep-PCR) typing methods were used to track their genetic relationships. The ESBL-encoding genes prevalence was approximately 70% in both groups of isolates. The blaTEM , blaCTX-M and blaSHV were prevalent in 67·1, 20 and 10·6% of isolates, respectively. The ESBL-positives showed significantly higher resistance rates to gentamicin, co-trimoxazole, tetracycline, aztreonam and chloramphenicol (P < 0·05). Fingerprinting patterns-based dendrograms divided DEC strains into separate clusters irrespective of their sources and pathotypes. In typing field, rep-PCR provided more discriminatory power (Simpson's index of diversity (SID) = 0·925) than RAPD (SID = 0·812). CONCLUSION: Molecular similarity between certain animal-sourced food products and clinical sample strains supported food-borne transmission routes for genotypic elements such as ESBL-encoding genes. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Findings emphasize the importance of resistance issues, the need to improve treatment guidelines and routine surveillance of hygienic measures during food processing.

Neglected antibacterial activity of ethylene glycol as a common solvent.

For the first time, the antibacterial activity of ethylene glycol (EG), a routine frequently used solvent against Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacterium, was assessed. The antibacterial activity of EG against E. coli was measured using colony counting and broth turbidity assays. The influence of EG concentration (1.5-25.0%v/v) and exposure time on the growth of E. coli was investigated. By increasing EG concentration, its antibacterial activity against E. coli increased so that for 24.0% of EG, the bacteria growth was totally inhibited within 4 h. The MIC and MBC values of EG are 18.0 and 24.0%v/v, respectively. Since the ratio of MBC to MIC is less than four, EG acts as a bactericidal agent. Also, a model for the slopes of the linear part of the growth curves was proposed. The SEM images of bacteria cells before and after exposure to EG show that most E. coli were seriously distorted.

Prevalence Determination of m. Hominis and m. Genitalium in the Semen Samples in the Northeast of Iran Using Culture and Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Infertility has recently become a growing social and economic world problem. Genital mycoplasmas, such as Mycoplasma hominis and M. genitalium, are most frequently associated with several adverse effects on men&rsquo;s fertility. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of M. hominis and M. genitalium in the semen samples in thenortheast of Iran. During thiscross-sectional study from February to May, 2018, 100 semen samples were collected from 100 infertile men in Mashhad, Khorasan Razavi province, northeast of Iran. The presence of M. hominis and M. genitalium was detected by cultivation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Multiplex PCR assays. The colony of mycoplasma was confirmed by Diene&rsquo;s stain; moreover, arginine hydrolysis, glucose, and urea utilization were evaluated. The following semen indices were analyzed according to World Health Organization guidelines for semen analysis: color, volume, appearance, liquefaction, viscosity, concentration, pH, leukocyte concentration, progressive motility, morphological normality, motile sperm concentration, functional sperm concentration, sperm motility index, and functional sperm. The gene of 16SrRNA (GPO1&amp; MGSO primers) was used as the target gene of the Mycoplasma genus in PCR assay. Multiplex-PCR was performed with a specific primer for conserved regions in the 16SrRNA gene for M. hominis (RNAH1&amp; RNAH2 primers) and the 140-kDa Adhesion Protein Gene for M. genitalium (MG1 &amp; MG2 primers).According to the results,9 (9%) samples were PCR-positive for Mycoplasma spp , while there were 7 (7%) cases isolated by cultivation. M. hominis was detected in 8 (8%) samples by Multiplex PCR, while there was no evidence for M. genitalium. The mean age scores of all infertile and infected men were obtained at 31 and 30 years, respectively. The study could not show any statistical correlation between mycoplasma infection and abnormal semen parameters. The heterogeneity of mycoplasma prevalence in the reports can be ascribed to differences in geographic areas, the sensitivity of the identification method, condition of the group (fertile/infertile), sample size, and operator proficiency. Various results have been reported in numerous studies conducted on the relationship between mycoplasma infection and abnormal semen parameters.

Prevalence of genital Chlamydia in Iranian males with urethritis attending clinics in Mashhad.

Chlamydia trachomatis is a common cause of sexually transmitted disease which can cause severe consequences. Effective prevention requires knowledge of prevalence of infection in order to target interventions in a cost-effective manner. To determine the prevalence of chlamydial infection in Mashhad, northeastern Islamic Republic of Iran, this study was performed among male patients with urethritis. Urethral discharge was collected from 150 patients. Cell culture was established for diagnosis of Chlamydia in genital specimens. Cell culture showed that 9.3% of patients in this study were infected with Chlamydia. This study provides strong evidence that prevalence of Chlamydia in our region is quite high, which necessitates screening and treatment for the infection.

Contamination of a dental unit water line system by legionella pneumophila in the mashhad school of dentistry in 2009.

BACKGROUND: Dental unit waterline system is considered potential source for contamination with Legionella species. The aim of this study was to determine if contamination of a dental unit water line system by Legionella pneumophila serogroup1 in the Mashhad School of Dentistry occurred in 2009. METHODS: A total of 52 dental units were selected from all clinical departments of the Mashhad School of Dentistry. Samples of water were collected from outlets of water/air spray, high-speed dental hand pieces and water cup fillers. Samples were tested via the ELISA method. RESULTS: At the beginning of the work day, a total of 36.1 percent of dental units were contaminated by Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1. CONCLUSION: Infection control of the dental unit water line system regarding legionella in the Mashhad School of Dentistry is a challenge and engineering controls should be used in contaminated clinics.

Prevalence of genital chlamydia in Iranian males with urethritis attending clinics in Mashhad

Chlamydia trachomatis is a common cause of sexually transmitted disease which can cause severe consequences. Effective prevention requires knowledge of prevalence of infection in order to target interventions in a cost-effective manner. To determine the prevalence of chlamydial infection in Mashhad, northeastern Islamic Republic of Iran, this study was performed among male patients with urethritis. Urethral discharge was collected from 150 patients. Cell culture was established for diagnosis of Chlamydia in genital specimens. Cell culture showed that 9.3% of patients in this study were infected with Chlamydia. This study provides strong evidence that prevalence of Chlamydia in our region is quite high, which necessitates screening and treatment for the infection