[The frequency of class 1 integrons in multi-drug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from clinical samples using polymerase chain reaction assay]

Background and Aim: the development of multidrug resistant [MDR] strains of K. pneumoniae is a matter of great concern and horizontal transfer of integrons is one of the most important factors in the creation of multidrug-resistant [MDR] bacteria. This study was aimed to determine the frequency of class 1 integrons and their gene cassettes among MDR K. pneumonia strains isolated from clinical specimens

Materials and Methods: this cross-sectional study included 181 samples of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from outpatients and hospitalized patients between November 2013 and June 2014. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of isolated samples were determined by disk diffusion method according to the CLSI guidelines. The presence of class 1 integrons and embedded gene cassettes were investigated in MDR strains by polymerase chain reaction assay. Using SPSS 17, statistical analyses were carried out by chi-square [Chi[2]] and Fisher exact tests. P-values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant

Result: of 181 isolated samples, 150 [82.9%] were multidrug resistant. The most and the least resistance rates belonged to ampicillin [98.7%] and imipenem [24%] respectively. Class I integrons were seen in 150 [100%] of MDR isolated samples and 147 [98%] of them contained gene cassettes of five different kinds

Conclusion: we found a high frequency rate of class 1 integrons and embedded gene cassettes in MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae in the hospitalized patients in Kashan which can play an important role in the creation and transmission of antibiotic resistance

Leucocytozoonosis in domestic birds in southwestern Iran: an ultrastructural study

Leucocytozoonosis is a disease of birds caused by obligate intracellular protozoa of the genus Leucoytozoon. We determined the prevalence of Leucocytozoon spp. using light and transmission electron microscopy in domestic birds in southwest of Iran. A total of 825 blood smears from 275 birds were examined for presence of infection. The structure morphology of "Leucocytozoon spp. was studied using light and electron microscopy. Forty-four [16.0%] of the birds were positives for Leucocytozoon. The detected parasite were found in 14 chickens [5.1%], 12 geese [4.3%], 10 ducks [3.6%], and 8 turkeys [2.9%]. The majority of the records were from the northeastern regions. Leucocytozoonosis are distributed in the Lorestan province bird population and electron microscopy can resolve the problem to distinguish between similar species of Leucocytozoon

[Prevalence of Shiga toxin and Intimine genes in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli isolated from urine samples in Lorestan, Iran]

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli [STEC], as one of the most important food-borne pathogen, in human may lead to deadly syndromes, like hemolytic-uremic syndrome [HUS]. Occurrence of HUS following urinary tract infection [UTI] has been previously reported. The aim of this study was to identify stx1, stx2 and eaeA genes in E. coli strains isolated from urine samples in Alashtar [Lorestan, Iran]. A total number of 144 bacterial isolates were collected from three hospitals in Alashtar during a six-month period. One-hundred E. coli isolates were identified using the standard biochemical tests as well as the selective and differential media. The multiplex PCR method was used to evaluate the presence of stx1, stx2 and eaeA genes. Two out of 100 E. coli isolates carried both stx2 and eaeA genes and one isolate [1%] only sxt1gene. Moreover, the three genes were not found in any of the isolates tested. Detection of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli [e.g. O157:H7 and non-O157:H7 serotypes], which may lead to life-threatening syndromes such as HUS, from urine samples is of great importance. Further research in this field using the fast and precise molecular methods is recommended

Prevalence and ultrastructural study of aegyptianella spp. in domestic birds from southwestern area, Iran

Aegyptianellosis is a disease caused by small intraerythrocytic inclusions which is restricted to the area of Africa, Asia and extreme southern Europe. In this study the prevalence of Aegyptianella spp. was evaluated in four genera of domestic poultry in the northern, southern and central regions of Lorestan province from April to September 2008. A total of 275 native adult birds including chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys which were bred in free range pasture condition were used for blood sampling in the rural areas of the regions. Twenty one [7.6%] out of 275 birds used in this study were infected with the organisms. The detected Aegyptianella were found in 7 chickens [33.3%], 2 ducks [9.5%], 7 geese [33.3%], and 5 turkeys [23.9%], respectively. The majority of the records were from the northeastern regions. Therefore, more than one-half of the infected birds with the Aegyptianella species were located in these regions. The structure morphology of Aegyptianella spp. was studied using light and electron microscopy. The results of the study by electron microscopy demonstrated the developmental stage as well as implemented similar and different extra/intra genus

In vitro study of the effect of clotrimazole incorporation into silicone soft liner on fungal colonization

Candidal colonization on soft liners is important in the development of pathogenesis, such as denture stomatitis. It has heen reported that combining anti-fungal agents into soft liners might be used in treatment and prevention of denture stomatitis. The aim of this in-vitro study was to determine whether incorporating Clotrimazole [C] into the silicone soft liner [S], would inhibit the growth of C. albicans when the specimens are stored in distilled water and washed daily with wet cotton. Experimental specimen disks incorporated with Clotrimazole [Sc[1], Sc[30], Sc[60] and without Clotrimazole [S[1], S[30], S[60]] into the soft liner [no = 8] were fabricated aseptically against the polyester film to produce a smooth surface. The treated and control disks were stored in distilled water for 1, 30 and 60 days and washed daily with wet cotton. For fungal growth assessment, they were inoculated with C .albicans suspension. The disks were rinsed and sonicated in sterile water to remove surface organisms. The attached yeast was measured by inoculation of the yeast suspension on Sabouraud's agar. The data were compared using two-way ANOVA. The mean colony forming units [CPU] per mm[2] for the specimens without Clotrimazole after water storage and washing with wet cotton for 1, 30 and 60 days was 6.5X10[6], 5.8X10[6] and 6.1X10[6], respectively. CPU for specimens with Clotrimazole decreased significantly to 2.6X10[6] and 3.9X10[6] and 4.6X10[6] after 1, 30, and 60 days, respectively. In comparison to those of the control disks, Clotrimazole in treated disks was effective in inhibiting C.albicans growth significantly following storage in water for 2 months [P < 0.05]. The addition of Clotrimazole significantly reduced C.albicans growth to the surface of the silicone soft liner. The samples continued to inhibit the fungal growth when they were washed daily with wet cotton for 2 months

effects of veterinary services on technical efficiency of dairy farms in Iran: a DEA approach

The aim of this study is to investigate the context by which veterinary services may affect technical efficiency [TE] of Iranian dairy farms. A data envelopment analysis [DEA] was applied to a random sample of 840 dairy farms from six provinces across Iran to estimate regional frontier and metafrontier production functions and also to calculate corresponding TE of these farms. The relationship between the levels of veterinary services and TE scores were then examined using correlation analysis, t-test, and analysis of variance [ANOVA]. The results indicated that mean technical efficiency estimated based on the regional frontier production function for selected provinces varies between 0.720 and 0.867 while ranges between 0.445 and 0.595 when evaluated based on the metafrontier production function. Also, our findings showed that veterinary services have a positive effect on TE scores. This implies that TE can be improved by utilizing higher levels of veterinary services. Furthermore, access to more suitable veterinary services was recognized to be a major determinant of technical operation as was the case in Tehran

Accuracy of oestrus detection in cows and its economic impact on Shiraz dairy farms

No report has been published on the economical losses associated with errors in oestrus detection in cows under Iranian intensive dairy management. The following study was carried out to determine the accuracy of oestrus detection by farmers using artificial insemination in Shiraz dairy farms. Milk samples were collected from 179 Holstein milking cows at the time of artificial insemination. Milk progesterone concentration was determined using a commercial radio-immunoassay kit. It was assumed that a milk progesterone concentration greater than or equal to 3 ng/ml indicated the presence of active luteal tissue and that all animals in oestrus had a concentration less than 1 ng/ml. Results of the present study showed that error in oestrus detection was higher in dairy herds with more than 85 milking cows compared to that of the smaller size herds [14.4 vs 7.3%; x[2] = 2.59; P = 0.1]. Five out of 11 herds [45%] had an oestrus detection error higher than 10 percent while in the remaining six herds the oestrus detection error varied from 0 to 7.1%. Based on the assumptions and calculations made in the present study, the net cost of one day delay in conception for a cow producing 25 litres milk in peak lactation was calculated at 40591.98 Rials [4.51 $US] when conception is delayed from 85 to 100 days post-calving, increasing to 60120.89 Rials [6.68 $US] per day if conception occurred at 146 to 175 days post-calving