Isolation and serotyping of endemic leptospires of west and central regions of the flat areas of Guilan province

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis which is more widespread in the tropical and semi tropical regions, and is endemic in the flat area of Guilan province, north of Iran. Surface waters are sources of saprophytic and carier animals are reservoirs of pathogenic agent. In each endemic region only a limited number of pathogenic serovars are common, and characterization of them is a very important step in detecting the main reservoirs of the disease. This study is performed to isolate endemic leptospires from rice farms, irrigation canals, and rivers of west and central parts of the area, which accounted for a significant annual incidence of the disease. In this cross-sectional study, 500 specimens were taken from 13 cities of the area, between May to September of 2007. One ml of each water sample was inoculated in EMJH liquid medium with 200 micro g/ml 5-flurouracil after filtration by 22 micro m syringe filter. All speciments were incubated in 30°C for 3 months and were checked by darkfield microscope every 2 weeks. All positive samples were characterized by using 30 types antisera. One hundred thirteen of 500 specimens were positive. Saprophytic serogroups were Andamana and Semaranga, belonging to biflexa species. Pathogenic serogroups were icterohaemorrhagiae, pomona, canicola and pyrogenes [interrogans Specie], hardjobovis and sejroea [Borgpeterseni specie], grippotyphosa [Kircshneri]. Pathogenic species were common in the rice paddies and saprophytic species were common in the rice farms, rivers and irrigation canals, respectively. It seems that higher frequency of pathogenic serogroups in rice farms is due to high traffic of animals and rodents, and the long time stay of water in the farms. Isolation of saprophytic serogroups in all types of surface waters was expected. Increasing farmers' knowledge about the ways of the disease transfer, and avoiding of unprotected contact with surface waters might help with decreaseing the incidence of the disease in the area

[Detection of plasmodium vivax by nested PCR in marious areas of western north of Iran]

Malaria is one of the most important parasitic diseases in tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world and kills a large number of People annually. Diagnosis of the disease is preformed by microscopic and molecular methods. This study has been designed for detecting of latent/sub-patent infection caused by plasmodium vivax in individuals with history of vivax malaria without any clinical signs by means of microscopic and molecular methods. In this descriptive study, the blood samples of 38 individuals from Parsabad [Ardabil province] and Kaleiber [East Azarbayejan province] has been collected one year after primary diagnosis of vivax malaria and effective treatment of the diseases, based on the standard country's protocol, as well as upon primary microscopic detection of thin and thick blood smears. They were assessed by Nested-PCR method in Pastor Institute of Iran. All samples were negative by microscopic method; we found one vivax positive case via Nested-PCR. Microscopic examination is a selective and standard method in malaria diagnosis. Due to the probability of existence of latent/sub-patent infection in endemic areas and microscopic misdiagnosis of thin and thick blood smears and epidemiologic importance of malaria diagnosis, the use of molecular methods such as Nested-PCR in individuals with history of vivax malaria to detect any latent/sub/patent infection seems to be beneficial

Partial sequence analysis of merozoite surface protein-3 alpha gene in plasmodium vivax isolates from malarious areas of Iran

Approximately 85-90% of malaria infections in Iran are attributed to plasmodium vivax, while little is known about the genetics of the parasite and its strain types in this region. This study was designed and performed for describing genetic characteristics of plasmodium vivax population of Iran based on the merzoite surface protein-3 alpha gene sequence. Through a descriptive study we analyzed partial P. viva merozoite surface protein-3 alpha gene sequences from 17 clinical P. vivax isolates collected from malarious areas of Iran. Genomic DNA was extracted by Q1 Aamp DNA blood mini kit, amplified through nested PCR for a partial nucleotide sequence of PvMSP-3alpha gene in P. vivax. PCR-amplified products were sequenced with an ABI Prism Perkin-Elmer 310 sequencer machine and data were analyzed with clustal W software. Analysis of PVMSP-3alpha gene sequence demonstrated extensive polymorphisms, but the sequence identity between isolates of same types was relatively high. We identified specific insertions and deletions for the types A, B and C variants of vivax in our isolates. In phylogenetic comparison of geographically separated isolates, there was not a significant geographical branching of the parasite populations. The highly polymorphic nature of isolates suggests that more investigations of the PvMSP-3alpha gene are needed to explore its vaccine potential

Diversity of merozoite surface protein-3beta gene of plasmodium vivax isolates from Iran

Plasmodium vivax malaria accounts for approximately 88% of malaria cases in Iran. There is limited information on genetic diversity of P. vivax in the country and a need to develop and apply an effective vaccine against the disease is necessary. Among many potential candidates, MSP -3beta gene is promising target. This study was designed and carried out to determine the variation of this gene as genetic marker in population of malarious areas of Iran. Blood sample of 85 P. vivax isolates from four southern and east-southern provinces of the country assessed for polymorphism of PvMSP-3beta gene by PCR/RFLP method. Based on the size of PCR product of the gene, 7 genetically different types of parasite has been distinguished. Two alleles were simultaneously visible in 19% of the cases. Results from PCR/RFLP analysis of PvMSP-3beta gene showed at least 15 allelic groups. Multiple infections have been found in 2.4% of the cases. PvMSP-3beta gene was highly diverse in P. vivax isolates of malarious areas of Iran, and can be a suitable marker for population genetic studies of P. vivax. More investigations on PvMSP-3beta genes are needed to reveal genetic structure of P. vivax in Iran

[ antibacterial effects of 20 herbal plants on methicillin resistant and sensitive s.aureus in Golestan provience]

Staphylococcus aurues is on important cause of community and hospital- aquired infections. Caused by methicillin or oxacillin- resistant s.aureus [MRSA] are mainly nosocomial and are increasingly from many countries word wide. Many attempt have been made by the reasearchers to find new compounds as a subsitute for this antibiotics. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of alcoholic extracts of 20 medical plants species of Golestan provience on clinical and standard strains of MRSA and MSSA and comprative and detect the best medical plant. In this study the compounds of the plant were extracted by percolation method and the effect of ethanolic extract of 20 Iranian medical plants against methicillin resistant and methicillin sensitve strains were assessed by disc diffusion method and each test were repeated 3 times and mean inhibition zone were recorded and then, the minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] of the extracts, that show good inhibition zone in disc diffusion method, was determined by the micro broth dilution method. The results of antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extracts of 20 plants revealed that, the ethamlic extracts of 8 plants have the best effect on strains and the maximum mean inhibition zone was 22.4 mm and the lowest MIC of plants was 0.01 mg/ml. The result of this study indicate that, ethanolic extract of Eucalyptus. Global, Peganum.hermla, Punica.granatum, Berberis.vulgaris, Ttamarixaphylla, Nnigella.sativa, Hypericum.perforatum AND, Artemisia. Herbaalba have the best antibacterial effect against MRSA andMSSA. The result obtained from these plants might be considered sufficent for further study

Typhoid fever: an epidemiologic survey of suspected cases referred to diagnostic laboratories in Rasht, 2002-2003

Typhoid fever has been endemic in Iran throughout its history. This Study was conducted in response to the rising number of cases reported from Rasht [capital of Gilan province in northern Iran]. we performed a descriptive study on 2031 suspected cases referred to city's diagnostic laboratories in 2002 and 2003. A [definite] diagnosis was defined as Vidal test titers rising 80-fold or more over a period of one week, or a positive bacteriologic test. We completed questionnaires for the definite cases, and used the EPI-INFO computer package to analyze the data. The serologic prevalence was 3.94%, and 25% of the seropositive individuals had positive bacterial cultures. The geometric mean of the reciprocal titers [GMRT] was 1: 1 80. The prevalence was the same in both sexes and among all age groups. Factors showing a statistically significant relationship with prevalence include occupation [the greatest frequency was seen in housewives], education level, place of residence, and source of drinking water. We conclude that high prevalence rates coupled with the ecological conditions in this area could favor the occurrence of salmonellosis outbreaks: the issue requires more extensive research for further clarification

[Comparative study of chronic congenital toxoplasmosis and re-infection in an animal model [MICE]]

Toxoplasma gondii is a coccidian parasite and has, as intermediate hosts, many warm-bloodedanimals, including mammals and birds. Congenital toxoplasmosis is one of the most important infectiousdiseases seen in fetuses and infants born from mothers infected with Tox.gondii during pregnancy. Congenitalinfection, which may occur if a mother is infected for the first time during pregnancy, is often serious, resultingin abortion or severe neurological and ophthalmological disorders. Information on human cases of neonataltoxoplasmosis makes it unquestionable that Toxoplasma crosses the placenta and invades the fetus in utero ineach of the two cases.Tox. gondii infection in newborn rat litters was detected by a bioassay and parasitological method. Ratlitters were billed and where possible, separated from their mothers in order to prevent feeding. Their tissueswere separately homogenized in normal saline or PBS and inoculated intraperitoneally in 3 mice. The tissuesused for bioassays were brain, hearts, lungs, livers, and spleen of pups, which were killed on the day of birth. Inaddition, control infected rat were sacrificed and their different tissues were evaluated for parasite burden at eachtime point of reinfection and chronic infection.Data in the occurrence of congenital transmission from chronically infected mother rats given similarlygraded inoculums of the RH strains [1[106 to 5[106] presented that none of the 36 pups was infected withTox.gondii. The occurrence of congenital transmission in rats reinfected with Toxoplasma shows that none ofthe 14 pups was infected with Tox.gondii. Rats were reinfected intra- peritoneally with 1[106 parasite at 1,2and 4 months after primary infection, respectively.Thus, this study demonstrated that Rats chronically infected with Tox.gondii, have immunitycapable of protecting their embryos from congenital infection, even if they are reinfected during pregnancy andthe immunity systems of these mothers can fully protect the fetus from such infections

[Potential role of green salt [Dalar] in fascioliasis in animal model]

Introduction: Green salt [known as Dalar by local people] is one of the favorable traditional flavors in Northern provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran. It is made of native plants [water grasses], which commonly grow at the edge or in water resources particularly the ones providing suitable conditions for Fasciola parasite. The consumption of green salt may cause Fascioliasis

Objective: This Study was Conducted to determine the Possibility of Fasciola Transfer From Consumption of green Salt in animals

Materials and Methods: The Fasciola life cycle was established in two aquariums by simulating field conditions such as light, pH and heat followed by growing in them two native water grasses known as Khalvash and Chochagh by local people. To do this the snail Golba truncatula was first adapted to aquariums conditions and then the Fasciola hepatica eggs were introduced to one of them. Green salts were prepared from plants grown in both Metacecaria-infested and Metacercaria-free aquariums and were force fed to two groups of rabbits. Besides, Metacercaria-infested green salt was treated with vinegar and was force-fed to another group of rabbits. A group was also left as control. The rabbit's feces were examined for Fasciola eggs with modified methods of Kato and Telman. The sera from all groups were checked by CCIE and the billiary ducts of rabbits were searched for adult worms

Results: All the rabbits fed with plants grown in Metacercaria -infested aquarium turned positive by all the deployed methods including examination of feces for Fasciola eggs, CCIE and examination of billiary ducts for adult worms while the ones fed with plants grown in Metacecaria-free aquarium were negative. The group fed with vinegar-treated green salt was also negative

Conclusion: The non-treated green salt contaminated with Fasciola Metacecercaria can cause Fascioliasis, while treating it with vinegar can prevent the infection

[Isolation of helicobacterpylori with PCR method from oral aphthous of patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis in Rasht in 2002]

Introduction: recurrent aphthous stomatitis [RAS] is a disorder, which is characterized by ulcers restricted to oral mucousa. Regarding the inspection of histological similarities between peptic ulcers and recurrent oral aphthous and the response of RAS to the broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment such as tetracycline and the identified role of H.pylori in peptic ulcers, the possibility of bacterial involvement in the progression of oral aphtous ulcers has been suggested. Hence, there are limited evidence available for colonization of H. pylori and its probable role in induction of oral aphthouse ulcers

Objective: we aimed to distinguish the probable presence of H.pylori in brushed sample of oral aphthous ulcers by PCR method

Materials and Methods: in this study, we sampled the oral aphtous ulcers with the toothbrush in patients with RAS. PCR which is a very precise and sensitive technique for isolation of H. pylori in ulcer samples of recurrent aphthous stomatitis and in samples from other parts of the oral cavity. Serologic tests such as ELISA were also done in all patients for determination of IgG antibody. Both PCR and ELISA were done in all patients. Evaluated patients were people presenting to the laboratory with the diagnosis of RAS, from the beginning of 2001 till the end of 2002

Results: study patients were between 18 to 60 years old and the average age among them was 32/38 +/- 11/30. 26 patients [52%] had positive ELISA test and we obtained H.pylori DNA in one patient [2%] in a total of 50 evaluated patients

Conclusion: according to the results of this study, H. Pylori DNA can't be found in aphthous ulcers of these patients, even in those with positive anti H. Pylori, anti body [IgG] results. And it is probable that these bacteria aren't involved in oral recurrent aphthous ulcers

Preliminary rodent control program in Bandar Abbas, Southern Iran, 1984

A general rodent control program was carried out in Bandar Abbas in the Persian Gulf [15 Sep-22 Oct 1984]. Researches on the variety of the rodents and their parasites were done and Zincphosphide and Comatetralil baits were used for in-doors and out-doors. Results obtained showed that these campaigns were successful