ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Molecular and Phenotypic Characteristics of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi Isolated from Asymptomatic Carrier Background: Salmonella enterica serovar typhi (S. typhi) the cause of the acute febrile disease typhoid fever is the major public health problem in developing countries. Asymptomatic carriers are the main sources of typhoid. The aim of this study was to investigate methods for isolation and identification of S. typhi in asymptomatic carriers. Materials and Methods: Two hundred stool samples were collected from foodstuff workers and distributors. Then culture characterization, biochemical tests, and nested-PCR were done. Results: One hundred and seventy-one (85%) of the total cases were male and the mean age of cases was 35 years. Stool culture yielded bacterial colonies consistent with fecal flora but did not yield S. typhi. In nested PCR technique just one of the 200 samples (0.5%) was positive for the S. typhi capsular gene (vi gene). Conclusion: Due to the improvement in the health status of the country and the low typhoid carriers, it is recommended that efforts be focused on other hygienic issues. http://iem.modares.ac.ir/article-1-9629-en.pdf 2016-07-01 1 4 vi gene Salmonella typhi Carrier state Fatemeh Fallah 1 full professor, Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran. AUTHOR Hossein Godarzi 2 full professor ,Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, IR Iran. AUTHOR Fariba Lahoorpour 3 Department of Pathology and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Para Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran AUTHOR Mojgan Bandehpour 4 Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran AUTHOR Saeed Soleiman–Jahi 5 Cancer Research Center, Cancer Institute of Iran, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, IR Iran AUTHOR Latif Gachkar 6 Infectious diseases and Tropical medicine research center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran. AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Amplification and Cloning of a Gene Encoding a 41 kDa Outer Membrane Protein (LipL41) of Leptospira interrogans Serovar Canicola Background: Leptospirosis has been recognized as an important reemerging infectious disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira spp. A major challenge of this disease is the application of a basic research to improve diagnostic method. Outer membrane proteins of Leptospira are potential candidates that could be useful in diagnosis. Among them the lipL41 is an immunogenic protein which is present only in pathogenic serovars. In order to evaluate genetic conservation of the lipL41 gene, we cloned and sequenced this gene from Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola. Materials and Methods: Following the DNA extraction from the serovar, the lipL41 gene was amplified and cloned into pTZ57R/T vector and transformed into the competent E. coli (Top10). Recombinant clones were confirmed by colony PCR and DNA sequencing. The related sequences were then analyzed and compared with the sequences in the Genbank database. Results: PCR amplification of the lipL41 gene resulted in a 1065 bp PCR product. The PCR based on the lipL41 gene detected all the pathogenic reference serovars of the tested Leptospira spp. It was revealed that in Iran the homology of the lipL41 gene between vaccinal and clinical serovars of Canicola was 100%. It also showed >95.9% homology with other pathogenic serovars in Genbank database, which indicates genetic conservation of this gene. Conclusion: Because of the conservation of lipL41 gene among different strains of Leptospira and its exclusive presence in leptospira, it was revealed that the cloned gene could be further used as a good candidate for developing diagnostic methods such as ELISA and as positive control in diagnostic PCR. http://iem.modares.ac.ir/article-1-7836-en.pdf 2016-07-01 5 7 Cloning Leptospira Outer membrane proteins LipL41 gene Pejvak Khaki 1 National Reference Laboratory for Leptospira, Department of Microbiology, Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran AUTHOR Soheila Moradi Bidhendi 2 National Reference Laboratory for Leptospira, Department of Microbiology, Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran AUTHOR Yung-Fu Chang 3 Department of Population, Medicine and Diagnostic sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA AUTHOR Maryam Sadat Soltani 4 National Reference Laboratory for Leptospira, Department of Microbiology, Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran AUTHOR Kayvan Tadaion 5 Department of Aerobic Vaccine production, Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute, Karaj, IR Iran AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Bacteria Isolated from Different Clinical Infections in Hamadan, Iran Background: The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of the main bacteria which are responsible forurinary tract, blood stream, cerebrospinal fluid, lower respiratory tract, and wound infections in Hamadan province in the west of Iran. Materials and Methods:In this study,a total of 773 urinary tract, 273 blood stream, 13 cerebrospinal fluid, 408 respiratory tract, and 147 wound positive samples were collected from patients who referred toBesat hospital from April 2013 to October 2014.Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by Modified Disk Diffusion Method (MDDM) against different classes of antibiotic. Results: The most common pathogens isolatedfrom urine tract, blood stream, cerebrospinal fluid, lower respiratory tract, and wound infections wereE. coli 425 (54.9%),S. aureus 68 (24.9%),Klebsiellaspp. 3 (23%), P. aeruginosa 110 (26.9%), and S. aureus 30 (20.4%) respectively.The overall prevalence of resistance to the antimicrobial agents testedin various clinical specimens is discussed in this study. Conclusion: The high resistancerate was observed in our study to most used antibiotics. Therefore, setting up a comprehensive surveillance systemis need to evaluate the distribution of organisms isolated and their drug resistance pattern over different period of time and place of Iran. http://iem.modares.ac.ir/article-1-7090-en.pdf 2016-07-01 8 13 Antimicrobial susceptibility Clinical infections Hamedan Iran Farzad Khademi 1 Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Department of Medical Bacteriology and Virology, Qaem University Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran AUTHOR Arshid Yousefi 2 Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Department of Medical Bacteriology and Virology, Qaem University Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran AUTHOR Pezhman Karami 3 Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Department of Medical Bacteriology and Virology, Qaem University Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran AUTHOR Kiarash Ghazvini 4 Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Department of Medical Bacteriology and Virology, Qaem University Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran AUTHOR Fahimeh Ghanbari 5 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Bioscience, Islamic Azad University, Falavarjan Branch, Isfahan, Iran AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Microbial Safety of Masske: A Traditional Butter from South of Khorasan, Genetic Similarity of Pathogenic Bacteria Indicators Background: Masske is a traditional Iranian butter made from yoghurt. The first aim of this study was to isolate and identify the nonlactic pathogenic microflora by culture and molecular methods of identification, and the second purpose was to identify genetic similarity of the isolated bacteria in Masske. Materials and Methods: In order to detect pathogenic dominant indicator microorganisms, a number of 150 bacterial isolates from three Masske samples, which may comprise the repetitive isolates and could grow on appropriate media for Staphylococci and E.coli, were classified into 8 groups according to their phenotypic characterization followed by chemical tests. Then 2approximately similar isolates from each group were chosen (total 18 isolates; we selected 3 isolates from 2 groups of eight), and the sequencing of 16S rRNA gene was done for subsequent analysis. Results: Among 18 bacterial isolates, Staphylococcus hominis was the most frequently isolated species during the manufacture of Masske as the presence of this bacterium was confirmed in 14 out of 18 samples. Also, the presence of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli was identical across the samples (for each one, 2 out of 18). Conclusion: Our results based on cultural and molecular methods suggest making some improvements to the hygiene of Masske manufacture due to the high population of minor pathogens. http://iem.modares.ac.ir/article-1-10355-en.pdf 2016-07-01 14 19 Microbial safety Genetic similarity Butter Pathogenic bacteria Fariba Ghiamati Yazdi 1 Department of Food Science and Technology, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran AUTHOR Masoud Yavarmanesh 2 Department of Food science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, IR Iran AUTHOR Morteza khomeiri 3 Department of Food Science and Technology, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran AUTHOR Morteza Mahdavi 4 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, IR Iran AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Susceptibility Evaluation of Aspergillus fumigatus to Silver Nanoparticles Compared with Voriconazole Background: This study was performed to determine antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles (nano-Ag) compared to voriconazole on clinical and standard strains of Aspergillus fumigatus. Materials and Methods: Inhibitory potency of nano-Ag was determined using microtiter broth dilution method. Susceptibility tests were performed against A. fumigatus isolated from BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage) of patients who suffered from respiratory problems and compared with the strain (ATCC: 204305) by broth dilution antifungal susceptibility test of filamentous fungi approved by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M38-A. In addition, cytotoxicity effect of silver nanoparticles was studied on epithelial cell line by MTT assay. Results: From 60 BAL samples the following strains were isolated; A. flavus (n=21), A. niger (n=3), and A. fumigatus (n=1). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) values of nano-Ag were 0.25 and 0.5 μg.mL-1 for standard strain and clinical isolates respectively. The  Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) values of nano-Ag were 0.5 and 1 μg.mL-1for standard strain and clinical isolates respectively. MIC90 values of voriconazole were 0.125 and 0.25 μg.mL-1 for standard strain and clinical isolate respectively. The MFC values of voriconazole were 0.25 and 0 μg.mL-1 for standard strain and clinical isolates respectively. Silver nanoparticles exhibited low cytotoxicity in 0.25 μg.mL-1 concentration. Conclusion: Our results showed high antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles against Aspergillus isolates. Furthermore, the availability of a wide form of nano-Ag structures can be considered as novel agents to decrease fungal burden in medical application. http://iem.modares.ac.ir/article-1-8946-en.pdf 2016-07-01 20 23 Aspergillus fumigatus silver nanoparticles Cytotoxicity Bahareh Bashardoust 1 Department of Medical Mycology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR Iran AUTHOR Shahla Roudbar Mohammadi 2 Department of Medical Mycology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR Iran AUTHOR Maryam Roudbary 3 Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran AUTHOR Fateme Nikoomanesh 4 Department of Medical Mycology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR Iran AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Comparison of the Effect of Metronidazole, Tinidazole, Mango and Blueberry Extracts on Trichomonas vaginalis in Vitro Background: Trichomoniasis is the most common nonviral sexually transmitted human disease that is caused by protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis. Metronidazole is the selective drug in trichomoniasis treatment. However, the reported cases show an increasing trend of drug resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mango and blueberry extracts on T. vaginalis. Materials and Methods: T. vaginalis was cultured axenically in TYM (Trypticase Yeast Extract) medium supplemented with 10% bovine serum. The effect of mango and blueberry extracts at 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1000 μg.mL-1 on T. vaginalis was studied after 24 and 48 hours. The final numbers of parasite with a hemocytometer and Trypan blue were recorded. Then the value of IC50 [Half maximal inhibitory concentration] and the lethal percent were calculated. In the present study, the metronidazole was used as positive control. The IC50 value of metronidazole and tinidazole were calculated in the concentrations of 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16 and 0.32 μg.mL-1. Results: The final results confirmed the significant effect of all mango and blueberry extracts concentrations on the reduction of parasite numbers (P-value<0.05(. The extract concentrations of 1000 μg.mL-1 had the most significant effect on T. vaginalis growth inhibition after 24 hours. The IC50 values of mango and blueberry extracts, metronidazole, and tinidazole were calculated as 118.3, 60.74, 0.042 and 0.02 μg.ml-1 respectively. Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, the different concentrations of mango and blueberry extracts have significant anti  Trichomonas vaginalis activities. It is suggested  carrying out further studies on suitable animal models. http://iem.modares.ac.ir/article-1-294-en.pdf 2016-07-01 24 27 Mangifera Blueberry plant Inhibitory concentration 50 Trichomonas vaginalis Metronidazole Tinidazole Zeynab Baharvandi 1 Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR Iran AUTHOR Javid Sadraei 2 Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR Iran AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Seroprevalence of HCV Infection among Health Care Workers in Two Teaching Hospitals, Tehran, Iran Background: Health care workers (HCWs) are at the risk of the acquisition of occupational transmissible diseases. Controversial results have been reported about hepatitis C virus (HCV). The main objective of the recent study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of HCV and its relationship to the occupational history and exposure of HCWs in two teaching hospitals in Tehran-Iran. Materials and Methods: A seroprevalence survey of HCV was conducted using serum samples obtained from 1400 HCWs in two teaching hospitals during 2012. The samples were screened by ELISA for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies. Results: In none of the participants the HCV antibody was detected. Needle stick injury was significantly higher among nurses. Younger HCWs with a shorter professional life had more frequent needle stick injury (p<0.001). Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HCV in HCWs was considerably lower than that reported in the general population, and needs to be evaluated on a larger scale. http://iem.modares.ac.ir/article-1-10075-en.pdf 2016-07-01 28 30 HCV Health Care Workers Seroprevalence Iran Mahshid Talebitaher 1 Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran Infectious diseases department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran. AUTHOR Sahar Rismantab 2 Internal medicine department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran. AUTHOR Siamak Khaleghi 3 Gastroenterologist, Internal medicine department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. AUTHOR Hossein Keyvani 4 Department of virology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran-Iran. AUTHOR Mitra Barati 5 Pediatric infectious diseases research center, Infectious diseases department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran-Iran. AUTHOR siamak Soltani 6 Forensic medicine department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran-Iran. AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Strains and the Staphy‌lococcal Cassette Chromosome mec Types in Iran Background: Staphylococcus aureus can cause infections with a wide spectrum of illnesses ranging from benign skin infections to bloodstream infection leading to mortality. Antimicrobial resistance especially methicillin resistance in S. aureus (MRSA strains) is currently problematic. The emergence of MRSA infections has developed in both the healthcare and the community settings.  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MRSA and SCCmec types in Iran according to the previously published studies.     Methods: For this review, the terms of MRSA, Iran, methicillin, mecA and SCCmec types were searched in searching engines including Google scholar, PubMed, SciVerse, and Scopus. Data from veterinary sources were excluded. Data were analyzed with Graph Pad Prism 6 considering meta-analysis section. Results: Among several studies and approximately of 1810 results, the prevalence of MRSA was determined as approximately 56.5%. In the year of 2015 and 2016, results exhibited a higher prevalence of MRSA (62.2%) compared to 2013 and 2014, although not exceeded from 46% in healthy individuals. Moreover, among the SCCmec types, the SCCmec Type III has been reported as the predominant type (60.48%) followed by Type IV (21.2%), Type I (17.72%), Type II (17.12%), and Type V (0.56%).  Conclusion: According to previous data, the prevalence of MRSA is increasing in Iran. However, it may be different for each year depending on several reasons. Moreover, the SCCmec Type III is the predominant type in the country. The SCCmec Type IV has also emerged in CA-MRSA isolates. http://iem.modares.ac.ir/article-1-10977-en.pdf 2016-07-01 31 34 Iran Staphylococcus aureus Methicillin resistance Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec types Abdolmajid Ghasemian 1 Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR Iran AUTHOR Mohsen Mirzaee 2 Department of Laboratory Sciences, Boroujerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Boroujerd, IR Iran AUTHOR