Evaluation of human papillomavirus type 16 viral load and genome physical status in Iranian women with cervical disease.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the viral load and physical status of the human papillomavirus 16 (HPV-16) genome in non-cancerous, precancerous and cancerous cervical lesions. METHODS: Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to determine HPV-16 E2 and E6 viral load in 132 cervical specimens. E2/E6 viral load ratio was used to determine the physical status of HPV-16 genome. RESULTS: E2 gene viral load was a significant (P < 0.001) predicting biomarker in differentiating non-cancerous from precancerous and cancerous samples. E6 gene viral load was significantly different between the groups (P < 0.001). The specificity and sensitivity of E2 and E6 in distinguishing SCC samples were 100% and 95% respectively. CONCLUSION: HPV-16 viral load measured through E2 and E6 genes is a reliable indicator of lesion type.

Biology-Oriented Drug Synthesis (BIODS) Approach towards Synthesis of Ciprofloxacin-Dithiocarbamate Hybrids and Their Antibacterial Potential both in Vitro and in Silico.

A novel series of ciprofloxacin-dithiocarbamate hybrids 7a - 7l were designed, synthesized, and evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. A significant part of the title compounds showed considerable antibacterial activity against Gram-positive species. The most potent compound against Gram-positive bacteria was 2-chloro derivative 7h and the most potent derivative against Gram-negative bacteria was 3-chloro compound 7i. In vitro antibacterial evaluation of compound 7h against clinically isolated bacteria methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) showed that this compound acted better than ciprofloxacin against the latter bacteria. Docking study of compound 7h in the active site of S. aureus DNA gyrase revealed that this ciprofloxacin-dithiocarbamate derivative interacted with the main components of the active site of the enzyme.

Bacterial Otitis Externa in Patients Attending an ENT Clinic in Babol, North of Iran.

BACKGROUND: Acute otitis externa, an inflammatory condition of the external auditory canal, is a common clinical problem in general medicine. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the etiology of otitis externa in patients from the Mazandaran province, north of Iran, which has a humid climate, as humidity can affect the prevalence of pathogenic microorganisms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 116 patients with otitis externa. Two sets of samples were collected from their ears; one set was used for slide preparations, and the other for microbial culturing. After culturing, the microorganisms were identified by conventional methods. RESULTS: Patients between 35 and 44 years of age were most frequently affected (25.00%) by otitis externa (average age, 43.87 ± 18.08 years). Moreover, women (54.31%) were more frequently affected than men (45.69%). Upon direct investigation, Gram-positive bacilli were the most commonly identified microorganisms (22.41%). Furthermore, Bacillus spp. and coagulase-negative staphylococci (22.41% and 19.83%, respectively), were the organisms most frequently identified from cultures of otitis externa samples. CONCLUSIONS: Direct examination and culture showed that a mixed infection of fungi and bacteria is the most common cause of otitis externa. The present study revealed that Bacilli spp. were the most abundant bacteria isolated from patients with otitis externa. Thus, it is recommended that both organisms should be considered as etiologic agents in protocols for treatment of otitis externa.

Frequency of class 1 integron in Escherichia coli strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infections in north of iran.

BACKGROUND: Due to the importance of antibiotic resistance in E.coli and the possible role of integrons in creating of resistance, this study was performed to survey of class 1 integron in E. coli strains and their resistance to three routinely used antibiotics. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 100 strains of E. coli were isolated from patients with Urinary tract infection. After diagnosis of bacteria, genomes were extracted. Then, presence of integron class 1 was evaluated by using PCR. Antibiotic susceptibility testing method, the micro dilution broth was performed according to the standard CLSI2010. Data were analyzed using SPSS16 software. RESULT: Out of the total number of 100 E. coli cases, 22 cases (22%) had class 1 integron. Resistance against cotrimoxazol, cefixime and ciprofloxacin antibiotics were 67%, 34% and 34% respectively. In 22 E. coli cases positive for integron class1 gene, resistance against three antibiotics were 100%, 95.45% and 90.90% respectively, which is statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Resistance level against antibiotics in samples containing class 1 integron were significantly higher than those lacking this gene, which may be confirm the present of class 1 integron in creation of clinical strains with resistance to this antibiotics. Using suitable antibiotics may be preventing transmission of resistance genes through integrons.

Effect of milk and yogurt on streptococcus sobrinus counts and caries score in rats.

BACKGROUND: An anti-cariogenic diet containing probiotics can be effective in caries prevention. This animal study compared the effects of milk and yogurt on Streptococcus sobrinus counts and caries score. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 male rats were infected with S. sobrinus (27,607) and divided into three groups. Group A and B received 200 mL of milk and 100 g of yogurt per day, respectively, and a control group received 2.5 mL of NCP number 2 diet twice daily for 21 days. After killing the animals, their lower left jaws were removed and sonicated to quantify the colonies of S. sobrinus. Dental caries was scored using Keyes technique. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon-Signed Rank tests. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean (±standard error of the mean) of S. sobrinus colonies in the milk, yogurt and control groups were determined at 119666.67 (±20733), 46416.666 (±12846) and 163,250 (±33493), respectively. Microbial counts decreased in the yogurt group compared with the milk and control groups (P = 0.004 and P = 0.000; respectively). There were significant differences between caries scores of smooth surfaces in the milk and yogurt groups compared with the control group (P = 0.000 and P = 0.000, respectively). Both milk and yogurt significantly reduced caries score of fissured surfaces compared with controls (P = 0.004 and P = 0.000, respectively). CONCLUSION: Considering the limitations of this study, yogurt administration reduces S. sobrinus counts. In addition, yogurt and milk regimens reduce the caries scores of smooth and fissured surfaces.

Frequency, biofilm formation and acid susceptibility of streptococcus mutans and streptococcus sobrinus in saliva of preschool children with different levels of caries activity.

BACKGROUND: One of the causative factors in development of dental caries is microorganisms. Two species of Mutans streptococci including Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are associated with dental caries in human beings. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of S. mutans and S. sobrinus in saliva of children with different caries activity and ability to form biofilm and acid susceptibility of these microorganisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This analytical case-control study was performed on 83 preschool children, 4-6 years old. Children were divided into two groups including 41 caries-active and 42 caries-free children. Non-stimulated saliva samples were collected and culture and polymerase chain reaction techniques were used. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test, Chi-square, ANOVA, and Kappa tests. RESULTS: S. mutans and S. sobrinus were found in 65% and 21.6% of the samples respectively. S. mutans was isolated from 75.6% of caries-active and 54.8% of caries-free children. Figures for S. sobrinus were 29.2% and 14.3% respectively. Acid susceptibility of microorganisms isolated from saliva was 87.43 in caries-active children and 94.30 for caries-free children. Biofilm formation of microorganisms in caries-active and caries-free children was 0.77 and 0.73, respectively. CONCLUSION: Frequency of S. mutans in caries-active children was significantly higher than caries-free children, but the difference in frequency of S. sobrinus was not significant. Acid susceptibility of microorganisms in caries-active children was significantly lower, but the ability to form biofilm was not significantly different in two groups.