Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of cuminum cyminum essential oil and extract against bacterial strains isolated from patients with symptomatic urinary tract infection

Background: Many efforts have been done to find effective agents against resistant pathogens. Cuminum cyminum L. [Cumin] is an aromatic plant within the Apiaceae family. It has a variety of purposes and demonstrates antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This study evaluated the activity of C. cyminum extract and essential oil against bacterial isolates which cause urinary tract infection, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus agalactiae, group A streptococci, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus saprophyticus isolated from patients with urinary tract infection

Materials and Methods: Extract was prepared by maceration and essential oil was prepared by hydrodistillation from C. cyminum seeds. The study population was 95 patients with urinary tract infection without malignant diseases, diabetes and immunosupression. After identification of organism, susceptibility testing was carried out by disc diffusion method and MIC values by broth microdilution testing

Results: C. cyminum essential oil can have a better effect on the gram-negative bacteria causing urinary tract infection than gram-positive bacteria. In addition, C. cyminum extract have good activity against both gram- positive and gram-negative bacteria. Our findings also showed that essential oil and extract of C. cyminum has better antibacterial activity on uropathogen isolates than amoxicillin and the difference was significant [P value<0.05] but the activity is not superior to other antibiotics

Conclusion: These results suggest that the essential oil and extract of C. cyminum seeds might be considered as interesting sources of antibacterial components against uropathogenic bacteria

[Comparison of effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra with nalidixic acid and nitrofurantoin on bacteria isolated from urinary tract infections and urinary stones]

Although modern medicine has definite advantages compared with traditional medicine, one of its important problems is overuse of chemical drugs that leads to drug resistance and side effects. This study was conducted to compare effects of Glycyrrhiza glabra with nalidixic acid and nitrofurantoin on bacteria isolated from patients with urinary tract infections and renal calculi. This experimental study was done on 100 patients. Glycyrrhiza glabra extract was taken from the rizhome of 3- or 4- year herb by perculation with methanol 85%. Solvent was vaporized and lyophilized. Antibacterial effects of the herb extract, nitrofurantoin and nalidixic acid were evaluated by two methods of disc diffusion and MIC. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA and paired t- test. In disc diffusion, 100% of Streptococcus and MRSA and 33% of E.coli were susceptible to Glycyrrhiza glabra extract. In testing for MIC, Streptococcus, MRSA, Enterococcus fecalis in 1:128 dilution, and E.coli were susceptible in 1:64 dilution of Glycyrrhiza glabra extract. Klebsiella, Serattia, and Entrococcus facium were resistant. Diameter of no growth of bacteria among gram positive and negative bacteria were significantly different in Glycyrrhiza glabra extract and nitrofurantoin groups [p<0.05], and was non significantly different in nalidixic acid group [p=0.9]. It seems that Glycyrrhiza glabra extract can be used in combination with antibiotics for the treatment of urinary tract infections

[Bacterial agents in patients with conjunctivitis in Labbafinejad hospital in 2006]

Conjunctivitis, one of the most prevalent eye complications, is usually self limited but may result in optical disorders. Classification is based on the cause including bacterial, viral, fungal, allergic or chemical. Considering antimicrobial resistance, determining the exact cause may lead to improved medical therapy. In this descriptive-analytic survey, 92 patients with conjunctivitis, who attended Shaheed Labbafi Nezhad medical center were enrolled. Samples were accurately collected by the physician working in the center and were transported in a sterile condition to the Laboratory of Pediatric Infectious Research Center of Mofid hospital. Determination of mycobacteria, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria was accomplished using standard methods. Data was analyzed using SPSS 13. Samples were obtained from 49 men [61.4%] and 43 women [38.6%], [median age 36.2]. 85% of patients with bacterial conjunctivitis had mucoplurant discharge as a main symptom. 45[58.5%] cultures were positive. Aerobic organisms were isolated from 40 patients [57.1%] and anaerobic ones from 5 [7.1%], of which 4 were mixed with aerobes. No mycobacterium was found. The most common aerobic organism cultured was staphylococcus epidermidis [30%] and the other aerobic ones were: Staphylococcus aureus [12.9%], E coli [7.1%], Bacillus cereus [5.7%], Moraxella catarrhalis [4.3%], Diphteroid [4.3%], Acientobacter baumanii [2.9%], Citrobacter fraundii [2.9%], Staphylococcus oricularis [1.4%], Streptococcus viridans [1.4%], Bacillus subtilis [1.4%], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [1.4%], and Proteus mirabilis [1.4%]. Anaerobic organisms cultured were Peptostreptococcus [4.3%] and Bacteroides fragilis [2.9%]. Since various organisms are responsible for bacterial conjunctivitis, therapeutic strategies should be based on the results of microbiological investigations

Frequency of tuberculous pericarditis in patients with diagnosis of pericarditis

During the past decades the prevalence of tuberculosis [TB] has declined and its prognosis has changed dramatically due to chemotherapy; however, cases of tuberculous pericarditis are still reported worldwide. The study population included 19 men and 11 women aged 12-76 years admitted to the hospital for acute pericardial disease. The diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis was verified based on the adenosine deaminase activity [ADA], culture on Lowenstein-Jensen media, Ziehl Neelsen staining, biopsy of pericardial tissue and evaluation of tuberculin test. Of 30 patients, 13 [43.3%] had tuberculous pericarditis. All of whom had clinical TB manifestations. The culture of pericardial fluid in 6 patients [46%], staining in 3 [23%], and the culture of pericardial tissue in 6 patients [46%] were positive. The caseating granuloma was identified in 46% of cases. Ten case [77%] had positive PPD reaction. All tuberculous pericarditis patients had ADA level of >45U/l. Results have revealed that measurement of ADA level may prove a good screening test for early diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis

Number of live organisms in BCG vaccine and other related factors in tuberculin skin reaction

With respect to the prevalence of tuberculosis in our country, BCG vaccination at birth seems to be an effective means of prevention. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficiency of BCG vaccination and factors influencing the tuberculin skin reaction. The inoculum of live BCG organisms in vaccinated infants was evaluated at birth and the correlation between the amount of CFU and PPD reaction was examined 3 months later. For this purpose, 854 newborn infants were included. PPD induration diameter was measured 72 hours after the tuberculin skin test. Results have revealed that most of the vaccine samples contained more than 3 million live organisms. Vaccines showing more than 3x10[6] live organisms were associated with positive tuberculin skin test in more 93% of cases as compared with 69% positive induration of vaccines with less than 3x10[6] live organisms. Breast-fed infants showed more positive reaction to tuberculin skin test. The number of live organisms in vaccines can play an important role in the size of tuberculin skin reaction