[Determining the drug susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains to the Pyrazinamide]

Background and Objectives: Pyrazinamide[PZA] is an important first anti tuberculosis medication and PZA resistance can be affect the successful tuberculosis [TB] control program. The aim of this study was to determine the PZA resistance among Mycobacterium tuberculosis[MTB] isolated strains

Materials and Methods: These strains were isolated from foreigners and Iranian patients. 100 MTB strains collected at the reserach center for TB and Pulmonary diseases in Tebriz and for detections of PZA 7H10 agar medium by porportion method was used

Results: Out of 100 MTB strains, 60 isolated strains were resistant to at least one of the main drugs [isoniazid, rifampin, streptomycin, ehambuthol] and 40 isolated strains were susceptible to all of these drugs. One strain[2.5%]from 40 susceptible and 22strains [36%] from 60 MTB resistant strains was found to be resistant to PZA. Out of 21 MDR[Multi Drug Resistant] strains, 11 isolates ere resistant to PZA [57%] The most of the PZA resistant strains were isolated from the foreigner patients [72%]

Conclusion: The rate of PZA resistance among East Azerbaijan province patients is low and the sensitivity test of this drug is not necessary as a routine method for MTB susceptible strains.

[Investigation of genes responsible for vancomycin resistance by Multiplex-PCR among enterococci isolated strains from inpatients and outpatients]

Enterococci have been recognized as clinically important pathogens. Among more than one dozen species of Enterococcus species, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are major pathogens. Vancomycin resistant Enterococci [VRE] strains have been spread worldwide among inpatients and outpatients. This study was designed to study phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of VRE isolates from inpatients and outpatients. Of 193 enterococci isolates, 178 strains were identified as E. faecalis and as 15 E.faecium . Out of 193 isolates strains of enterococci, 22 were detected as VRE. All of these strains were isolated from fecal [6 starins] or clinical samples [16] of hospitalized patients. The PCR revealed VanA genotype in 10 E. faecium and 2 E. faecalis strains, whereas VanB genotype was detected in 5 E.faecium and 5 E.feacalis strains. No VanC genotype was detected among VRE strains. Due to limited published studies in Iran for VRE strains, we are not able tot compare our results with other studies, but our findings showed that VRE strains were isolated from normal flora and clinical samples, on the other hand the VanA genotype is more than VanB among VRE strains

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in north-west of Iran and republic of Azerbaijan: a major public health concern for Iranian people

Republic of Azerbaijan is considered as an area with high prevalence of multidrug resistant tuberculosis. Uncontrolled travelling of Azerbaijanis people to Iran is the issue that needs to be considered as an important issue. This study was conducted on 32 patients with tuberculosis from Baku-Nakhchivan and 48 patients from Iran during 2012 to 2014. Colonies of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were examined after isolating them from patients using proportional method on Lowenstein-Jensen media regarding resistance encounter with Rifampin, Isoniazid and Ethambutol. Among M. tuberculosis isolates belonging to 32 foreign patients; 69%, 72% and 56% of them were resistant to Rifampin, Isoniazid and Ethambutol, respectively [multidrug resistance tuberculosis: MDR-TB: 62.5%]. From 48 isolates of Iranian patients; 8%, 4% and 4% were resistant to Rifampin, Isoniazid and Ethambutol, respectively [MDR-TB: 2.1%]. Resistant strains are common in people from Baku-Nakhchivan. To prevent the transmission of these strains to Iranians, strategies such as; establishing a medical campus in border lines of both countries for clinical examinations and conducting screening tests regarding tuberculosis infection in applicants for entering Iran must be taken in to account