Antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinical samples by disk diffusion and PCR methods

Background and Objective: Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to antibiotics is one of the major global health problems in human societies. Thus, evaluation of pattern of antibiotic resistance in its different strains is very important. This study was carried out to evaluate the antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinical samples by disk diffusion and PCR methods

Methods: In this laboratory- descriptive study, 50 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus to be identified from clinical specimens. Methicillin resistance was examined using PCR and antibiotic susceptibility of isolates was tested by disk diffusion method

Results: 50 isolates were resistant to methicillin, ampicillin and penicillin. The resistance of isolates to erythromycin, Gentamicin, Clindamycin and Ciprofloxacin were 48%, 34%, 34%, 34%, respectively. The PCR method showed that 98% of Methicillin Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolates carried the methicillin resistant gene

Conclusion: This study indicated that 98% isolates harbor mecA genes and more resistant to methicillin related mecA genes

[Diazinon alters sex hormones, Interferon-gamma, Interleukin-4 and 10 in male Wistar rats]

Agricultural toxins including organochlorine and organophosphorus families cause damages in the various tissues in humans. Diazinon is a non-systemic organophosphate insecticide. This study was carried out to determine the effect of Diazinon on sex hormone, interferon gamma, interleukin-4 and 10 in male rats. In this experimental study 24 adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups. Three experimental groups were received Diazinon 5 days per week for one month at 0.3, 3 and 30 mg/kg/bw intraperitoneally, while controls received nothing. Seven days after the last injection, blood samples were obtained and the serum testosterone, FSH, LH, interferon gamma, interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 were measured. Serum level of Interleukin-10 significantly increased in experimental group [30 mg/kg/bw of Diazinon] compared to controls [P<0.05]. Serum level of Interleukin-10 significantly decreased in 0.3 mg/kg/bw and 3mg/kg/bw of Diazinon groups compared to controls [P<0.05]. Interleukin-4 level was only significant in the group receiving 30 mg/kg/bw of Diazinon [P<0.05]. Reduction in interferongamma level was not significant between control and experimental groups. FSH significantly reduced in the three experimental groups in comparison with controls [P<0.05]. Testosterone level was significantly increased in experimental groups compared to control [P<0.05]. Diazinon increases interleukin-10 and testosterone and reduces FSH hormone in the rat

Effect of 3,4 Methylendioxy Meth Amphetamine on hepatocyte and liver enzymes Wistar Rats

Ecstasy [3,4 Methylendioxy Meth Amphetamine [MDMA]] exerts destructive effects on body organs particularly on the nervous system. The current study was carried out to measure the adverse effects of MDMA on hepatocyte and liver-specific enzymes. In this experimental study, 50 male Wistar rats were randomly divided in equal numbers into 5 groups: control, sham, experimental 1, 2, and 3. Animals in the experimental groups were received, intraperitoneally 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg of MDMA, respectively. The sham group were received normal saline but the control group was not subjected to any injection. Serum samples were collected and levels of three enzymes under study: alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] were measured. The sections from the liver tissue were prepared counting the hepatocytes. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and One-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD tests. Data indicated the levels of all three enzymes had been elevated in the animal groups that received MDMA and that the increase was statistically significant compared to sham and control groups [P<0.05]. Also, in experimental groups the number of hepatocyte were reduced in comparison with controls [P<0.05]. This study showed that the MDMA significantly increased ALT, AST, ALP and reduced the number of hepatocytes and these effects are dose depended

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in children and teenagers in Tabriz, Iran

Seroepidemiologic studies in developing countries show a high rate of Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] infections in children, in contrast to developed countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of H. pylori in children and teenagers in Tabriz, northwest of Iran. In this prospective study 44 children and teenagers were randomly selected to study serum IgG against H. pylori using ELISA method. Our results indicated the presence of IgG in 83.5% of test subjects [83.7% in females and 83.4% in males]. In the 2-5 years age group 71.7% were IgG positive and this percentage increased by age, i.e., 95.2% recorded as IgG positive in the 14-18 years age group [p<0.05]. Considering the risk factors in relation to H. pylori infection, an increasing number of family members [above 3 persons] showed a statistically significant difference [p<0.05], while other factors such as economical situation of the family, educational level of parents and lack of a private room for children in the family didn't show significant differences [p>0.05]. In general, our findings indicate that the prevalence of H. pylori in Tabriz, like other developing countries is high from early age and increases further by age. More studies are needed to clarify the reasons for this high prevalence