Global Distribution of Human Protoparvoviruses.

Development of next-generation sequencing and metagenomics has revolutionized detection of novel viruses. Among these viruses are 3 human protoparvoviruses: bufavirus, tusavirus, and cutavirus. These viruses have been detected in feces of children with diarrhea. In addition, cutavirus has been detected in skin biopsy specimens of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma patients in France and in 1 melanoma patient in Denmark. We studied seroprevalences of IgG against bufavirus, tusavirus, and cutavirus in various populations (n = 840), and found a striking geographic difference in prevalence of bufavirus IgG. Although prevalence was low in adult populations in Finland (1.9%) and the United States (3.6%), bufavirus IgG was highly prevalent in populations in Iraq (84.8%), Iran (56.1%), and Kenya (72.3%). Conversely, cutavirus IgG showed evenly low prevalences (0%-5.6%) in all cohorts, and tusavirus IgG was not detected. These results provide new insights on the global distribution and endemic areas of protoparvoviruses.

Design and validation of small interfering RNA on respiratory syncytial virus M2-2 gene: A potential approach in RNA interference on viral replication.

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of severe lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children globally and is a significant pathogen of the elderly and immunocompromised. The M2-2 protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is particularly important in regulation of viral RNA transcription and replication that could be a potential anti-viral candidate against RSV infection. In this study, we designed and validated siRNAs that specifically target the RSV M2-2 gene. Four siRNAs targeting different regions of the M2-2 gene were designed using web tool. In-vitro evaluation of silencing effect was performed by using RSV infected Vero cell line. Viral M2-2 linked GFP recombinant plasmid was co-transfected with non-targeted siRNA, Pooled siRNA, siRNA 1, siRNA 2, siRNA 3 and siRNA 4 using synthetic cationic polymer. The silencing effect of M2-2 gene at the protein level was measured both qualitatively and quantitatively by using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Meanwhile, the silencing effect at the mRNA level was assessed by using RT-qPCR. This study showed that all four designed siRNAs can effectively and efficiently silence M2-2 gene. siRNA 2 showed the highest (98%) silencing effect on protein level and siRNA 4 with 83.1% at the mRNA level. The viral assay showed no significant cytopathic effects observed after 6days post-infection with siRNAs. In conclusion, this study showed the effectiveness of siRNA in silencing M2-2 gene both at the protein and mRNA level which could potentially be used as a novel therapeutic agent in the treatment of RSV infection. However, further study is warranted to investigate the silencing effect of M2-2 protein and inhibition of RSV infection.

Antiseptic Resistance in Methicillin Sensitive and Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Some Major Hospitals, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Extensive use of antibiotics and biocide in treatment of patients and cleaning of surfaces and medical equipment has led to the emergence of resistant microorganisms. The current research goals to determine the antiseptics Minimum Inhibitory Concentration value in Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin -resistant Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus) isolates from some major hospitals in Iran and to detect qacA/B, norA , smr and blaZ genes. METHODS: Two hundred isolates of S. aureus including 100 MRSA and 100 MSSA clinical isolates were collected from 4 hospitals in the west of Iran during period 2012 to 2013. Detection of disinfectant resistant genes (qac A/B, smr and norA), antimicrobial resistance genes (mecA and blaZ) and SCCmec typing of MRSA isolates was performed by PCR. RESULTS: MIC of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) in 70% of MRSA and 30% of MSSA strains was 8-16 µg/ml. High level of MIC of citrimide (>2 µg/ml) in MRSA and MSSA isolates was 20% and 5% , respectively. MIC of benzalkonium chloride (BC) in 80% of MRSA and 83% of MSSA isolates was less than 2 µg/ml; only 9% of MRSA had MIC higher than 2 µg/ml. Frequency of antiseptic and antibiotic resistance genes norA, blaZ and qacA/B in MRSA isolates were 83%, 98% and 9%, respectively; while this value for MSSA isolates were 62%, 8% and 0%, respectively. The smr gene was not detected in both MRSA and MSSA isolates. In all biocides high MIC were observed in SCCmec type III and IVc. High frequency of qacA/B gene was found in SCCmec type III,Vc and IVb, which were 66.6% ,22% and 11.1% respectively. CONCLUSION: We found SCCmec types III, Vc was related to high MIC of biocide in MRSA isolates.