Analyzing pmrA and pmrB genes in Acinetobacter baumannii resistant to colistin in Shahid Rajai Shiraz, Iran Hospital by PCR: First report in Iran

Acinetobacter baumanni is known as a worldwide emerging nosocomial infections and it is classified as one of the six dangerous microorganisms by Diseases Society of America. Multi drug-resistant strains of A. baumannii have been reported in recent decades, which may be a result of the high use of antimicrobial agents. Colistin is the last form of treatment against this organism. The presence of pmrA and pmrB genes in A. baumannii causes the resistance of this organism against Colistin. This cross-sectional study was performed on 100 samples of A. baumannii isolated from ulcer, urinary, respiratory, blood of patients admitted to the intensive care unit of Shahid Rajai Shiraz hospital within a 12- month period. The diagnosis was performed by microscopic and biochemical testing using microgen kits. Determining Colistin resistance was carried out by Diffusion Disc, Colistin antibiotic disc of MAST- England and E-test. The analysis of genes pmrA and pmrB genes was done by PCR. 100 A. baumannii samples were diagnosed out of which using diffusion disk 94 cases were sensitive to Colistin and 6 cases were resistant to it. The E-test results in resistant samples presented an MIC equal to 64 micrograms per milliliter. The PCR results in sensitive and resistant to Colistin samples presented the existence of pmrA and pmrB genes. The results indicated the presence of pmrA and pmrB genes that are the main reason of A. baumannii resistance against the last line of treatment of this organism to Colistin

in vitro comparison of antimicrobial effects of curcumin-based photodynamic therapy and chlorhexidine, on aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

Introduction: Considering the importance of prevention in periodontal diseases and the important role of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in induction and progression of these diseases, the aim of the present in vitro study was to compare the antimicrobial effects of chlorhexidine digluconate [CHX], curcumin and light-emitting diode [LED] laser, on this bacterium

Methods: Antimicrobial activity of curcumin [5 mg/ml], CHX [2%], LED [120 J/cm[2]] and LED + curcumin [120 J/cm[2] + 2.5 mg/ml] against A. actinomycetemcomitans were tested in vitro, using micro-broth dilution test. One-way analysis of variance [ANOVA] and Tukey's HSD tests served for statistical analysis

Results: Regarding the minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC], CHX had a significantly lower MIC than curcumin [P<0.05]. Sorted out by bacterial growth from lowest to highest, were CHX, LED + curcumin, curcumin, and LED groups. All the differences were found to be statistically significant [P<0.05] except for the LED group

Conclusion: We conclude that curcumin is an effective substance in preventing the growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans, whose impact is reinforced when used simultaneously with photodynamic therapy [PDT]

Adverse reactions to Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccination against tuberculosis in Iranian children

PURPOSE: There are considerable variations in the number of adverse reaction reports related to vaccine from different countries. The aim of this study was to review the development of adverse reactions to bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination among hospitalized patients in an Iranian referral hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified hospitalized patients with BCG complications in Pediatric Infectious Disease Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran during January 2007-April 2009. Data on demographics, clinical features, laboratory findings, personal history (including vaccination history), family history, and outcomes were retrieved from medical records. RESULTS: There were 46 cases with BCG complication during the 2 years period. All of the children received vaccination at birth. Twenty-eight patients (61%) were male. The mean age of the patients was 13.5 +/-11.3 months (range, 1 to 52 months; median, 10 months). The majority of children (57%) with BCG complication were less than 1 year old. Among hospitalized patients due to BCG complications, suppurative lymphadenitis was occurred in 28 children (61%) and lymphadenopathy was seen in 9 children (20%). Disseminated BCG was detected in 8 patients (17%) and only 1 child (2%) was presented with abscess. In 7% (n = 3) of children, the family history of BCG complications were positive. CONCLUSION: The most common side effect of the BCG vaccine in our study was suppurative lymphadenitis. Disseminated BCG infection in complications leading to hospitalization in our study was 17%. With regard to the difficulty in implementing such a guideline in settings where BCG is given to all newborns, registration of Iranian primary immunodeficiency disorders (PID) patients would be helpful to increase the awareness of medical community of Iran to investigate underlying disease. In addition, BCG vaccination should postpone in each newborn with a family history of PID until the definite condition has been ruled out.

Classical and molecular methods for evaluation of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women with tubal factor infertility

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease, especially among young women worldwide. The aim of this study was comparison to evaluate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in woman with tubal infertility by means of PCR and cell culture techniques. Fifty-one women with confirmed TFI were enrolled in this study in [avicenna infertility Clinic] between January 2010 and January 2011. Cervical swab and cytobrush specimens were collected from each patient by gynecologists and sent to laboratory in transport media. Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in samples was performed using PCR and bacteria culture in MacCoy cell line. The data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test and independent t-test. Statistical significance was established at a p-value <0.05. A significant relation was observed between increased the age of first intercourse and chlamydial infection. Six [11.7%] samples had positive PCR result, whereas cell culture results were positive in only 2 [3.9%] samples. A significant relation was also identified between the duration of infertility and infection [p<0.05] by PCR versus cell culture method. The results showed that PCR is a rapid method, compared to cell culture for detecting Chlamydial organism. It also became clear that the age at first intercourse is important to predict the likelihood of Chlamydia trachomatis

[Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium in semen samples of infertile men using multiplex PCR]

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the world, but the effect of this infection on male fertility is still controversial. Despite reports of interaction between Mycoplasma genitalium and sperm, this pathogen in semen samples of infertile men is less studied. We studied, the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium infection in infertile men. Among attending Avicenna Infertility Center, 120 men who had abnormal semen analysis tests were selected and the samples were taken. After detailed analysis of semen quality, DNA was extracted from each sample by chelex. Samples were evaluated for these two pathogens by multiplex PCR. Results were statistically analyzed. Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium was detected in 23/3% and 12/5% of the samples, respectively. Although, Mycoplasma genitalium infection rises by increasing [P=0.640] and decreasing in age of first sexually activity [P=0.203], and also positive cases of Chlamydia trachomatis infection showed increase regarding age increase [P=0.619] and age decrease in first sexually activity [P=0.511], but these differences were not statistically significant. All in all, regarding to the increased prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection compared with the only similar study in Iran and high prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium infection in infertile men, this assessment was done. A multiplex PCR protocol rapidly and simultaneously identify these organisms in comparison with uniplex from clinical samples. Based on our results screening for Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium infection among infertile men seems to be valuable

Antimicrobial effect of nano-zinc oxide and nano-chitosan particles in dental composite used in orthodontics

Incidence of white spots due to demineralization of enamel and gingival problems is an unacceptable result of orthodontic treatment. Plaque accumulation and bacterial biofilm growth are responsible for these phenomena. The resin-based dental composites used as bonding agents in orthodontics play a major role in mentioned problems. As recent researches assert the antimicrobial effects of chitosan [CS] and zinc oxide [ZnO] nanoparticles [NPs], it seems that adding these nanoparticles to the composite can be beneficial in reducing the number and function of microorganisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of ZnO-NP and CS-NP-containing orthodontic composite. Antibacterial effectiveness of ZnO-NPs and CS-NPs was assessed in four groups against Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis and Lactobacillus acidophilus grown both planktonic and as a biofilm on composites. One group as the unmodified control group and three groups consisting of three different concentrations of ZnO-NPs and CS-NPs mixture: 1%, 5% and 10% [1:1 w/w]. 10[8] CFU/ml microorganism suspensions were provided with spectrophotometer. Biofilm formation was quantified by viable counts. Disc agar diffusion [DAD] test was carried out to determine antimicrobial effects of nanoparticles by measuring the inhibition diameter on brain heart infusion agar plates. Finally,viable counts of microorganisms on days 3, 15 and 30 were collected for the antimicrobial effects of eluted components from composite discs. In biofilm formation test, a reduction in bacterial counts was observed with 10% nanoparticle-containing composites compared with their unmodified counterpart. In the DAD test only 10% nanoparticle-containing specimens showed statistically significant inhibition. The only noticeable datain eluted component test was on day 30 for 10% nanoparticle-containing discs, inhibiting L. acidophilus. It seems that a mixture of ZnO-NPs and CS-NPs has induced an antibacterial activity in resin composite; especially in 10% weight concentrations which was significantly higher than other groups

comparative study of antimicrobial activity of ProRoot MTA, Root MTA, and Portland cement on Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of ProRoot MTA [PRMTA], Root MTA [RMTA] and Portland cement [PC] at their clinical concentration [70 mg/25 microL] against Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans [Aa] one of the prominent periodontal [pocket] microorganisms. Agar diffusion test on Blood Agar with Hemin and Vitamin K [BAHV] was employed in this study. The microorganisms were seeded on the BAHV by spreaders. Small holes, 6 mm in diameter, were made in the BAHV by removing agar. PRMTA, RMTA and PC were placed into the wells immediately after manipulation. The plates were incubated in anaerobic atmosphere at 37°C for 72 h and the zones of inhibition were measured. In the agar diffusion test PRMTA, RMTA and PC against Aa showed zones of inhibition. Analyzing the antimicrobial activity of PRMTA, RMTA and PC according to paired one-way ANOVA and Post Hoc Test [Turkey's test] analysis showed a statistically significant difference [P<0.05] between PRMTA, RMTA and PC. RMTA showed the largest zone of inhibition [29 mm] against Aa. There was no difference in the zones of inhibition between the 48 and 72 h time periods. In this in vitro study PRMTA and RMTA presented similar antimicrobial activity against Aa