Seroepidemiology of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and 2 in Northern Iran

Herpes simplex virus [HSV] type 1 and 2 are common infectious agents worldwide. Data on prevalence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection are limited in Asia, especially in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HSV type 1 and 2 based on age, gender, marital status, education, living area, job, symptoms and history of disease variables. The study population included 800 randomly selected persons from laboratories in Gilan Province, Iran, from 2010 to 2011. Demographic data gathered by a well-designed questionnaire and for serological studies, blood samples were collected and centrifuged. ELISA HSV-1, 2 and HSV-2 specific ELISA kits were used to determine IgG type specific antibodies in sera samples. Person's chi-square test was applied to compare HSV-1 and HSV-2 seropositivities. HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgG antibodies wrere positive in 467 [58.4%] and 28 [3.5%] subjects, respectively. There was significant correlation between age, marital status, job, symptoms, history of disease and HSV seroprevalence [P<0.05]. Our findings were in agreement with prior studies in which HSV-1 infections was more prevalent than HSV-2 and seropositivity increased with age

[Distribution of capsular serotypes in group B streptococci clinical]

Group B Streptococci [GBS] or Streptococcus agalactiae is one of the most common causes of sepsis and meningitis in neonates and of invasive diseases in pregnant women. It can also cause infectious disease among adults with underlying medical conditions like immunocompromised individuals. Polysaccharide capsule is an important virulence factor. Nine GBS serotypes [Ia, Ib, II to VIII] based on capsular polysaccharide antigens have been described. Distribution of capsular serotypes varies over time and by geographic location. The aim of this study was to detect the capsular serotype distribution in GBS clinical isolates based on genotyping of cps-gene cluster and to determine the predominant serotypes of GBS. In this cross sectional study a total of 50 GBS strains were isolated from various clinical sources including: urine, vagina, semen and urethral secretions. GBS was identified by Gram stain, catalase test, CAMP test and also resistance to 0.04 U Bacitracin and SXT disks. DNA was extracted from all the isolates using the wizard SV Genomic DNA Purification system, Promega, USA. The capsular serotype of the isolates was assigned by using a specific-two Multiplex PCR assay. For statistical analysis, Chi-square method was used. SPSS V.13 was also used. In the 50 GBS isolates, the predominant serotypes were III with 25 isolates [50%] and serotype V with 8 isolates [16%]. Seven isolates [14%] belonged to serotype Ia and 7 isolates [14%] belonged to serotype II, respectively. Serotypes Ib, IV, VI, VII and VIII were not found and 3 strains were classified as nontypeable. Based on the results of this study, serotypes III and V were the predominant serotypes in GBS clinical isolates

[Survey of drug resistance due to extended spectrum beta-iactamases in klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from hospitalized patients]

Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most important and prevalent bacterium isolated from clinical cases especially from hospitalized patients. Recent studies have focused on multiple drug resistant Kpneumoniae strains. In this survey, drug resistance in clinical isolates was studied with special reference to extended spectrum b-lactamase. A total of 303 Kpneumoniae strains isolated from hospitalized patients were initially surveyed for drug resistance by disc diffusion method. The resistance of the isolated strains to different antibiotics was determined by E-test. b-lactamase production was tested with nitrocephin discs and extended spectrum b-lactamase assays were performed with double disc synergy tests. From the total of 303 Kpneumoniae isolates tested, 62, [20.4%], showed multi drug resistance, [MDR]. All of these MDR strains were positive for nitrocephin test, indicating b-lactamase production. Double disc synergy tests results showed production of extended spectrum b-lactamase in all MDR isolates. Detection of 20.4% MDR strains, especially extended spectrum b-lactamase, from K. pneumoniae isolated from hospitalized patients, emphasizes the potential dangers of the widespread usage of extended spectrum cephalosporins. It also necessitates conduction of a wider study to determine the nationwide incidence of K. pneumoniae

Antagonistic action of watermelon juice probioticated using different strains of lactobacilli against salmonella typhimurum

The aim of this study was to compare the antimicrobial activity of watermelon juice probioticated using different strains of lactobacilli against Salmonella typhimurium. Probioticated watermelon juice was produced using four strains of lactobacilli [Lactobacillus casei, L. acidophillus, L. fementum and L. plantarum]. The watermelon juice was pasteurized for 30 minutes at 63°C and was inoculated with a 24 h culture of individual lactobacilli and incubated at 37°C. All of the lactobacilli were capable of growing in watermelon juice and reached a cell density of 10[8] CFU/ml after 48 h incubation at 37°C. Overnight culture of S. typhimurium was added to probioticated watermelon juice and reduction of the viable cells were assayed, on bismuth sulfite agar medium for 24 h. Antimicrobial activities of the lactobacilli cells against the test strain of Salmonella were also determined by measuring the diameter of growth inhibition zone in agar spot test. All of the lactobacilli could inhibit growth of S. typhimurium with L. casei being the most potent. S. typhimurium was totally eradicated in probioticated watermelon juice after 2-6 h. The probioticated watermelon juices could differ in their antagonistic activities against Salmonella which could be due to the metabolite secreted by the lactic acid bacteria specially type of organic acids

[Culture and antibiogram of aerobic bacteria cousing chronic otitis media in Zanjan]

Chronic Otitis Media [COM] remains one of the most common childhood chronic infectious diseases worldwide. This study was carried out to determine the organisms inducing COM and their drug resistance patterns in Zanjan. This cluster cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 patients suffering from COM in the age range of 18-45. COM specimens were obtained in operating room and then cultured on 4 different media. Following the diagnostic tests and identifying the bacteria, their susceptibility to antibiotics was assessed. The most common isolated bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa [24.7%], Staph ylococcus aureus [17.6%] and Proteus spp [15.2%]. The results of bioassay tests for isolated bacteria were as follows: Pseudomonas aeruginosa had the highest resistance to cefixime and co-trimoxazol [100%]. The highest resistance of Staphylococcus Aureus was to co-trimoxazol [70%] and cefixime [50%]. Regarding the multi-bacterial etiology of COM and high prevalence of antibiotic resistance, identification of causative bacteria and bioassay test prior to any therapeutic procedure seams necessary

Genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from TB patients with spoligotyping

Spoligotyping was applied to investigate the prevalence of all genotype in M. tuberculosis isolates. The associated risk factors among patients with different nationalities residing in Iran were also determined. In this analytic cross-sectional study a total of 439 patients that referred to the NRITLD, the referral tuberculosis center in Iran; have been registered during March 21[st]' 2003 to March 21[st] 2004. The isolated Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains have been characterized by performing susceptibility tests against four first-line antituberculosis drugs and were then subjected to spoligotyping characterization. T-test and chi-square were used for analysis of the data. Spoligotyping of M. tuberculosis strains resulted in 140 different patterns that divided into 9 clades. One hundred twenty two [87.1%] of these spoligotype isolates were unique and reported for the first time. The remaining 18 [12.8%] spoligotype patterns were previously reported from other geographical regions of the world. Haarlem family was most prevalent than other genotype. Interestingly, 6.3% of the strains belonged to the Beijing family. The MDR [multi drug resistance], double and triple resistance were seen in group I of evolutionary scenario. Antibiotic resistances were higher in those isolated from the Afghani patients [p<0.001]. The other risk factors such as sex and age were also contributing factors to the diseases state. The results showed that multi drug-resistance was more prevalent in bacteria isolated from Afghani TB patients residing in Iran. In addition, spread of M. tuberculosis strains belonging to the Beijing family among Iranian patients has to be considered seriously. It is also important to undertake studies to identify which factors are the most significant to consider in tuberculosis control program