[ antibiotic resistance pattern of staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients in quaem university hospital during 2009-2011]

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen. Due to the high prevalence of S. aureus infections and increasing resistance to antibiotics, physicians have been facing problems in choosing an appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of antibiotic resistance among S. aureus clinical isolates in Quaem university hospital between 2009 and 2011. In this study 100 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were identified in laboratory from different specimens. The specimens were collected and examined by standard diagnostic methods. Determination of S. aureus sensitivity to antibiotics was performed using standard disc diffusion method. The antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria were reported according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute [CLSI] manual with sensitive [S], intermediate [I] and resistant [R]. Among antibiotics tested, Staphylococci isolates were highly resistant against Penicillin 97%, followed by, Oxacillin 63% Erythromycin 57%, Cephalexin 43% Clindamycin 33% Vancomycin 20%. Our results are similar to the reports from many other parts of Iran. According to this study, resistance pattern among Staphylococcus aureus strains was widespread in Quaem hospital. The implication of this high resistance is that Staphylococcus aureus infections should be treated with more precaution and not with Penicillin and other ineffective antibiotics

[Frequency of beijing genotype in mycobacterium tuberculosis strains isolated from tuberculosis patients in city of Mashhad]

The Beijing genotype is one of the most important strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis involving outbreaks of tuberculosis in various parts of the world. Unsought regarding Beijing genotype in Iran, is the reason this study is undertaken in order to evaluate the frequency of this genotype in Mashhad. This descriptive study was carried out on 113 M.tuberculosis Specimens isolated from patient with pulmonary tuberculosis in hygienic centers, located at Ghaem and Imam Reza hospitals in the City of Mashhad. In this study, Beijing genotypes were detected with PCR-based method, and spoligotyping. Results were processed with descriptive statistics and CI was evaluated. Beijing genotype was detected in 8 specimens of all the 113 isolated M.tuberculosis strains [7.1%, CI 95%, 2.36-11.84]. Out of 8 isolated specimens, 5 isolates belonged to Afghan patients and 3 specimens were isolated from Iranian patients. Out of 8 patients that were infected with Beijing genotype, 2 patients were male and 6 patients were female. Although the rate of Beijing family is low in Iran, in comparison to other Asian countries, however, one needs to adopt a suitable policy in order to prevent its spread

Evaluation of some acaricide agents against hard ticks

Two hundred and ninety four engorged female ticks were collected from 4 different geographical regions for assessment of tick resistance against acaricide compounds. The 15-21 day- old larvae have been tested in accordance with FAO recommended larvae packet test. Resistant factor for each region was calculated by LC50 and LC99. Minimum LC50 [0.008] and, Maximum LC50 [0.024] for Amitraz were seen in arid and northern regions with resistant factor equal 3. Minimum LC50 [0.001] and, Maximum LC50 [0.003] for Cypermehtrin were seen in mountainous and southern costal regions with resistant factor equal 3. Minimum LC50 [0.003] and Maximum Lc50 [0.014] for Diazinon were seen in the northern and arid regions with resistant factor equal 4.7. In comparison with Probit test results; the applied concentrations denote Amitraz and Cypermethrin at recommended concentration do not slay 100% of the larvae in the northern and arid region. However Diazinon can slay all the larvae even at concentrations lower than the recommended doses

[Goiter survey and urinary iodine concentration in 7-10-year-old children, Mazandaran province, 2001]

Iodine deficiency disorder [IDD] is a worldwide health problem. Parts of Iran, such as Mazandaran, had been known as endemic areas for goiter. IDD was accepted as a priority health problem in our country and a National IDD Council was formed in 1989. This study was performed to evaluate the National IDD Council program in 2001 among 7-10-year-old children in Mazandaran province. In this cross sectional study, 1200 children [M/F ratio=1], aged 7-10 years, were selected and grading of goiter was performed in accordance to the WHO criteria. Urinary samples were obtained from 120 children and urinary iodine was measured using digestion method. Total prevalence of goiter was 4%. The median urinary iodine was 16.5 microg/dl.82% had urinary iodine of more than 10 microg/dl, while 3.3% had urinary iodine levels of <5 microg/dl. None of the candidates has urinary iodine of less the 2 microg/dl. There was no significant difference between sexes and urban or rural areas. Results have revealed that the total prevalence of goiter has significantly decreased among children in Mazandaran province, meanwhile, urinary iodine concentration of children has reached to WHO approved rate. Thus, Mazandaran province could be classified among [iodine-deficiency-free] areas in Iran

[Seroprevalence of hepatitis C infection and associated factors in addicts imprisoned at Khezrabad prison, Sari]

Though incarcerated populations are at a high risk of developing hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection, prisoners are not routinely screened for HCV infection. Approximately, 1 in 4 of the nearly 2 million prisoners in the U.S. is infected with HCV. Injection drug abusers are currently the main risk group. Among intravenous drug abusers over the world, the prevalence of HCV varies from 50-90% with an annual incidence of 10-30%. Prisons are a high risk environment for hepatitis C infection because of high incidence of drug abuse and high risk sexual activities. Serologic evidences show that HCV infection is present in one out of every three prisoners. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis C infection and its associated factors among addicted prisoners in Khezrabad prison of Sari. This was a cross - sectional study done in September 2001 at the Khezrabad prison for addicts in Sari. 312 addicts participated in the study and were selected by simple random sampling method. Their blood samples were tested by third generation enzyme immunoassay [EIA-3: sensitivity 100%, specificity 100%] at Sari's blood transfusion center. The data was collected via a questionnaire and interview. 230 prisoners [74%] completed the questionnaires. Associated factors of Hepatitis C infection were compared in 82 anti-HCV positive addicts [the affected group] and 148 anti-HCV negative addicts [the unaffected group]. There were no significant differences about confounding variables between the two groups. Statistical analysis was done by chi[2], t test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Of the 312 addicted prisoners, 96 [30.8%] were anti-HCV positive. Major associated factors with Hepatitis C infection in the affected group included; duration of addiction [mean 174 months], duration of imprisonment [mean 48 months], methods of drug usage [injection 82% and intranasal 44%], length of alcohol consumption for more than five years [60%], tattooing [66%], shared usage of needles [31%] and razors [53%], multiple sexual partners [>74%] and the type of drugs [especially heroin 90% and hashish. 64%] [p<0.05] On multivariate logistic regression analysis, significant independent risk factors for HCV infection included tattooing [OR 100, 95% CI], multiple sexual partners[OR4.97,95%CI]and history of surgery[OR 6.23,95% CI ] . Hepatitis C infection is highly prevalent in addicted prisoners and high risk and unsafe behaviors are the main factors of contamination

Antimicrobial effect of different extracts of Nerium oleander L on standard and clinically isolated microorganism

In folk medicine, Nerium oleander L is used as cardiotonic, diuretic and as local in treating fungal infections. In this research the antimicrobial and antifungal effects of Nerium oleander was studied. In this study, aqueous, methanol and chloroform extracts were prepared by maceration and soxhelet methods. Different concentrations of each extract were applied on standard and nosocomial microorganisms by agar dilution, disk and cylinder plate methods. Microorganisms such as S. aureus, P. aerogenosa and C. albicans were taken from blood, feces, spinal fluid, wound, vagina and so on. Cloxacillin, gentamicin and clotrimasol were used as positive controls. The results showed that, among extracts, methanol extract had significant antimicrobial and antifungal effects, which was comparable to that of standard antibiotics. Chloroform extract showed no effect. Effect of methanol extract on microorganisms was as follow; 500 mg/100 ml of extract was equal to 1mg/100ml cloxacillin on S. aureus and 2mg/100mI gentamicin on P. aerogenosa respectively. 2g/100ml of extract was equal to 0.4mg/100mI clotrimasol on C. albicans. The methanol extract of Nerium oleander exerts significant effect compare to standard drugs

Antimicrobial activity of garlic extract against shigella

Some beliefs suggest that garlic is an excellent natural antimicrobial drug that can be considered as an alternative form of treatment or prophylaxis in gastrointestinal infections. The purpose of this study is to determine quantitative antimicrobial activity of garlic against Shigella by detecting the MIC. Garlic extracts were obtained and dilution susceptibility assay was used to determine the antibacterial properties of these extracts. All tested isolates of Shigella were susceptible to garlic extracts, and no one showed resistance to garlic extracts. These and many other research works propose garlic as a strategy for a low-cost intervention with few side effects and complete lack of resistance for prophylaxis and remedy of shigellosis in populations at high risk, particularly where antibiotic resistance and the risk of reinfection are high