Molecular identification of multiple drug resistance (MDR) strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Isoniazid and rifampin are the first -line drugs against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Resistance to these important drugs is a serious threat to human public health. Therefore, this study aimed at molecular detection of resistance to these valuable drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 111 non - duplicated clinical samples including sputum and Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were collected from patients referred to the Ardabil Health Center between 2017 and 2020. The samples were first examined by microscopic method, then their DNA was extracted using the boiling method. Specific primers and MAS-PCR method were employed for the detection resistance to isoniazid and rifampin drugs and identification of MDR strain. RESULTS: of 111 specimens, 15.3% belonged to NTM. In total, the resistance rate to isoniazid and rifampin was 17% and 27% respectively while the resistance rate to isoniazid and rifampin among NTM was 61.54% and 38.46%. CONCLUSION: In our study, the prevalence of resistance to isoniazid and rifampin among Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex(MTC) and non-tuberculous mycobacteria(NTM) was investigated using the MAS-PCR method. This work highlighted the high anti- tuberculosis resistance rate among NTM compared to MTC strains.

Spatio-temporal analysis and determination of the ecological niche model of Giardia Lamblia (Lambl, 1859) in Ardabil province, northwestern Iran.

Intestinal parasites have a serious health problem and frequently infect children in poor urban areas in developing countries. Some types of Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba and Giardia are amongst the most prevalent ones. The aim of this study was explore the distribution pattern of intestinal parasites and the ecological niche of Giardia lamblia in Ardabil Province. This was retrospective cross-sectional study, the officially registered statistics of health centers and hospitals in Ardabil University of Medical Sciences from January 2017 to December 2019 were used. The Kriging interpolation analysis was run to detect the high-risk areas of the disease in the province (P < 0.05) by ArcGIS10.4.1 and to construct the ecological niche model of the G.lamblia parasite, analyzed by Maxent3.3 software. Totally of 238 cases of intestinal parasite were reported during the study period, 77.7% of which were males and 22.3% females. Seven types of intestinal parasites were prevalent with G.lamblia species (79.4%) being the most and Entamoeba histolytica species (4%) the least prevalent one. There was one hotspot in the province in the center with an incidence risk of 41-45.5%. The most important climate and environmental factors affecting the ecological niche of G.lamblia are Bio16, Bio3, and the NDVI. G.lamblia is the most prevalent intestinal parasite in Ardabil Province; moreover, one important hotspots was also detected in the province that can provide useful information regarding the management and control of this parasite.

Seroprevalence of Human Hydatidosis in Ardabil Province, North-West of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Cystic Echinococcosis is considered a cosmopolitan cyclozoonotic parasitic infection. This study aimed at evaluating the seroprevalence of human hydatidosis using ELISA test and find the role of mutable factors such as age, sex, occupation, residency in the broadcast of the parasites in rural Ardabil Province, North-West of Iran. METHODS: The study population was 950 asymptomatic individuals selected randomly from urban and rural populations of Ardabil province, North-West of Iran by randomized cluster sampling in 2019-2020. Immunoglobulin G antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus spp. were analyzed by ELISA test. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and Multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: Overall, 42 (4.4%) of the participants had anti E. granulosus antibodies in this region. High titer antibodies were most prevalent in people age group of >70 yr old, rural areas, females and people having history of contact with dog that showed significant difference. There was no significant association between the presence of Echinococcus antibodies and sex, occupation, having history of eating unwashed vegetable. CONCLUSION: This is the first description of the seroprevalence of E. granulosus infection in the population in Ardabil Province, North-West of Iran. Obtained rate of hydatidosis approves the importance of diagnosing human cystic echinococcosis in these regions and it is expected that the authorities be careful to screen the disease.

Echinococcus contamination ratio and its related risk factors in Moghan plain, northwest of Iran.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Alveolar and cystic echinococcosis (AE and CE) are caused by the larval stages of Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus, respectively. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of human AE and CE diseases among the tribes, livestock breeders, and farmers in Moghan plain, northwest of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Screening of hydatid cystic fluid antigen (HCF-Ag) was done by enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) kit. Briefly, HCF-Ag was collected, and the prevalence of the disease was evaluated using specific antigens for AE and CE (Ag-5, Ag-B, and Em2+) and questionnaires. A total of 2453 serum samples were randomly collected from normal populations of five different areas of Moghan plain. The serology was evaluated using ELISA kit and specific antigens for AE and CE. RESULTS: Of the 2453 serum samples, 36 were positive for AE (1.46%). The infection rate was higher in males than females (1.94% vs. 0.94%). The age group of 4-19 years had the lowest and 40-59 years had the highest infection rate (0.2% vs. 2.5%). Among CE-positive serum samples, 178 samples were positive to Ag-5 (7.3%) and 167 samples were positive to Ag-B (6.8%). CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that the highest infection rates were in the Borran and Eivazlou regions, and the lowest level of infection was for Parsabad area of Moghan plain. In areas with higher contamination, the risk factors associated with CE and AE were the water quality, the method of washing vegetables, and occupational and hydatid disease knowledge of the inhabitants.

Effect of Methylsulfonylmethane Pretreatment on Aceta-minophen Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats.

OBJECTIVE(S): Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a sulfur-containing compound found in a wide range of human foods including fruits, vegetables, grains and beverages. In this study the effect of MSM pretreatment on acetaminophen induced liver damage was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were pretreated with 100 mg/kg MSM for one week. On day seven rats were received acetaminophen (850 mg/kg, intraperitoneal). Twenty-four hours later, blood samples were taken to determine serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Tissue samples of liver were also taken for the determination of the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA); total glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity together with histopathological observations. RESULTS: High dose of acetaminophen administration caused a significant decrease in the GSH level of the liver tissue, which was accompanied with a decrease in SOD activity and increases in tissue MDA level and MPO activity. Serum ALT, AST levels were also found elevated in the acetaminophen-treated group. Pretreatment with MSM for one week was significantly attenuated all of these biochemical indices. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that MSM pretreatment could alleviate hepatic injury induced by acetaminophen intoxication, may be through its sulfur donating and antioxidant effects.