Isolation and identification of Legionella pneumophila from drinking water in Basra governorate, Iraq

This study in Iraq investigated the occurrence of Legionella. Pneumophila in different drinking-water sources in Basra governorate as well as the susceptibility of isolates to several antibiotics. A total of 222 water samples were collected in 2008-2009: 49 samples from water purification plants [at entry points, from precipitation tanks, from filtration tanks and at exit points], 127 samples of tap water; and 46 samples from tankers and plants supplying water by reverse osmosis. The findings confirmed the presence of L. pneumophila in sources of crude water, in general drinking water supplies and drinking water tankers. Of 258 isolates 77.1% were serotype 1 and 22.9% serotypes 2-15. All examined isolates displayed drug resistance, particularly to ampicillin, but were 100% susceptible to doxycycline. The prevalence of L. pneumophila, especially serogroup 1, is a strong indicator of unsuitability of drinking water and requires appropriate action

Isolation and identification of Mycobacterium avium complex and other nontuberculosis mycobacteria from drinking-water in Basra governorate, Iraq

This study aimed to determine the occurrence of Mycobocterium avium complex and other nontuberculous mycobacteria in drinking-water in Basra governorate, Iraq and their susceptibility to several antibiotics and the effect of 0.5 mg/L of chlorine on their survival. A total of 404 samples of drinking-water were collected from 33 different districts of the governorate from November 2006 to August 2007. Filtered samples were incubated for 7 days or less in a monophasic-biphasic culture setup of tuberculosis broth and Lowenstein-jensen agar. The 252 isolates were identified as M avium complex [21], M. marinum [15], M. kansasii [30], M. simiae [20], M. szulgai [19], M. xenopi [16], M. malmoense [11], M.fortuitum [37], M. chelonae [50] and M. abscessus [33]. Isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility as well as their ability to tolerate chlorine at a concentration of 0.5 mg/L The presence of these pathogenic bacteria in drinking-water renders the water unfit for human consumption

Isolation and identification of Helicobacter pylori from drinking water in Basra governorate, Iraq

The mode of the transmission of Helicobacter pylori infection remains poorly understood. A total of 198 samples of drinking water from 22 districts of Basra governorate were collected during the period October 2006 to July 2007. The concentration of residual chlorine was measured and the numbers of total and faecal coliforms were counted. On modified Columbia urea agar, 469 bacterial cultures were obtained, of which 173 isolates were identified. Only 14 isolates were Helicobacter spp., of which 10 were H. pylori [2.0% of the total isolates]. These isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility as well as ability to tolerate chlorine at 0.5 mg/L. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence of H. pylori in treated municipal drinking water

Primary isolation and detection of Helicobacter pylori from dyspeptic patients: a simple, rapid method

The study aimed to develop a rapid and simple method for the primary isolation and detection of Helicobacter pylori from dyspeptic patients. Mucosal antral biopsy specimens were obtained from 136 consecutive dyspeptic patients diagnosed with peptic ulcer by endoscopy at Basra General Hospital, Iraq. From histopathological examination of biopsies, H. pylori was detected in 81 [59.6%] peptic ulcer patients. For bacterial culture, specimens were cultured in parallel on 2 media: the nonselective classic Columbia agar and the selective modified Columbia urea agar [MCUA]. MCUA showed a higher isolation rate than classic Columbia agar [67.6% versus 44.1% of patients], and the results were obtained faster [24 hours versus 5-7 days] with more clear-cut identification

Profile of community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia cases admitted to Basra General Hospital, Iraq

Over an 18- month period 485 throat swabs and sputum samples were taken from patients admitted to Basra General Hospital, Iraq, with a clinical diagnosis of pneumonia. Most patients [94.0%] had community- acquired pneumonia; 29 [6.0%] had hospital- acquired pneumonia. Patients aged

Stage 4S neuroblastoma, a disseminated tumor with excellent outcome

To review the clinical features and outcome of all cases of stage 4S neuroblastoma treated at our center. We retrospectively reviewed the files of all patients [n=75] with neuroblastoma treated at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between 1986 and 2005. We studied the clinical features and outcome of patients with stage 4S neuroblastoma. Six patients [8%] were confirmed to have stage 4S neuroblastoma. Three were boys with a median age at diagnosis of 4.5 months [range 28 days - 11 months]. Four patients required no intervention. The remaining 2 patients were treated with chemotherapy due to progressive hepatomegaly and respiratory distress. No patient required radiotherapy or surgical intervention. With a median follow up of 4 years [range 9 months - 15.5 years], all patients are alive and well. Two patients continue to have a residual abdominal mass, while complete resolution occurred in the others. Stage 4S neuroblastoma is a special tumor that carries excellent prognosis. Spontaneous regression may occur and intervention is only required in symptomatic patients

single step method for rapid isolation and identification of Mycoplasma pneumoniae

A simple monophasic-diphasic culture set-up was developed to provide efficient isolation and identification of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The set-up consisted of a slant medium, the bottom covered with 1 mL of broth, establishing a diphasic solid-liquid environment at the bottom of the test tube surmounted by a monophasic solid one. The specimen was directly inoculated into the liquid phase, mixed, and tilted once or twice to cover the upper slanted portion prior to incubation. The method had several advantages over other techniques including rapid results, elimination of transport medium, and use of two separate environments to accomplish both the detection and identification of M. pneumoniae

inhibitor of Staphylococcus aureus exfoliative toxin

We describe here an inhibitor of Staphylococcus aureus exfoliative toxin. The toxin was extracted from an S. aureus strain isolated from a case of staphylococcus scalded skin syndrome. The activity of the toxin was compared in tryptic soy broth and brain heart infusion broth. Both supported growth of S. aureus but the culture filtrate of brain heart infusion broth lacked exfoliative toxin activity. Furthermore it appeared to contain a substance that neutralized the action of exfoliative toxin. This suggests the possibility of a treatment for staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome and bullous impetigo