[Plasmid pattern of biofilm producing Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris among clinical isolates in Kerman university hospitals during 2011-2012]

Emergence of biofilm producing Proteus strains created a serious problem in the treatment of catheter-associated urinary tract infections. The aim of this research was to study biofilm production and plasmid pattern of proteus strains associated with Urinary tract infection. A total of 88 strains of Proteus were isolated from samples collected in hospitals of Kerman/ Iran during 2011-2012. The isolates were identified by routin microbiological tests and antibiotic sensitivity tests were carried out by disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] by E-test methods. Biofilm production was studied by microtiter plate method and confirmed by Scanning electron microscope. Plasmids from biofilm producing isolates were detected by alkaline lysis technique. From 88 patients infected by proteus, 58% were female and 42% were male. The most and the least frequent age ranges were respectively 20-29 years old [77.39%] and 60-69 years old. From all isolates, 40.69% [n=59] showed the highest MIC range [16-32 +/- 0.05 micro g/mL] to ceftriaxone whereas, 59% [n=41] exhibited the least MIC range to chloramphenicol [1-4 +/- 0.08 micro g/mL]. Biofilm production was positive for 17% [n=15] of the isolates and 6% [n=6] did not show any biofilm [P

population-based seroepidemiological study on hepatitis E virus in Iran

Little is known about HEV seroprevalence and its determinants in Iran. Considering the fact that Iran is among the countries in which HEV infection is endemic, a large-scale population-based study in this regard is justified. This survey was conducted in 2006 in Tehran and Golestan Provinces, Iran. Stored sera of subjects were tested for serological markers of anti-HEV. The baseline data were recorded in structured questionnaires. Weighted seroprevalence and weighted logistic regression coefficients were calculated. A total of 1423 samples were included. The overall seroprevalence in two provinces was 7.4%. Age with an odds ratio equal to 1.59 [95% CI: 1.26-2.02] and history of traditional phlebotomy with an odds ratio equal to 2.28 [95% CI: 1.13-4.60] were independent predictors of HEV seropositivity. Considering the high rate of HEV seroprevalence in Iran, further studies on the cost-effectiveness of vaccination among vulnerable groups are mandator

Prevalence of non alcoholic steatohepatitis in Iran: a population based study

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/steatohepatitis [NAFLD/NASH] is the most common form of chronic liver disease woldwide and is no longer considered a benign disease. Its prevalence has not been determined in a large-scale population-based study in Iran. A total of 6583 individuals aged 18 to 65 were randomly selected from three geographically distinct provinces in Iran. Blood samples were obtained from each subject and a questionnaire was completed exploring data including self-admitted regular alcohol use. Serums were tested for anti-HCV antibody [anti-HCV], hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis B core antibody. Positive samples for anti-HCV antibody were re-tested and those positive in a repeat ELISA were confirmed by a recombinant immunoblot assay [RIBA] test. Serums were also tested for ALT levels. Subjects with elevated ALT defined as serum ALT >/= 40 IU/L with no history of alcohol consumption and negative HBV and HCV infection were considered as [presumed NASH]. In this study 5589 subjects were analyzed. Two hundred and forty two individuals [4.3%] were diagnosed with elevated ALT levels. Among individuals with elevated ALT, 15 [6.2%] were diagnosed with either hepatitis B or hepatitis C. The overall weighted prevalence of presumed NASH was 2.9%. According to multivariate analysis, male sex, urban lifestyle, and being overweight or obese were significantly associated with [presumed NASH]. Obesity and metabolic syndrome, the most predictive factors of fatty liver disease, are increasing in Iran, therefore the prevalence of NAFLD/NASH and related complications are expected to increase in the future. This population based study gives a crude estimate of the prevalence of NASH around the country. Studies with more accurate surrogates of NASH need to be done. The disparity among different provinces merits special consideration

[Trace back of thalassemic patients with positive HCV markers to their donors in adult thalassemia center]

Transfusion transmitted infection is one of the most important transfusion reactions. In this study, we tried to find new cases of HCV in thalassemic patients having referred to Adult Thalassemia Clinic after 1996 and to trace them back for sources of infection. This was a descriptive study in which all patients were studied; census method of data collection was used. Those patients with no test record before 1996 that appeared to be positive in their first test attempt were not considered a new HCV positive case. The new cases were just those whose past negative HCV Ab test results changed into positive in new test. For data analysis, SPSS version 14 was used. Out of 395 file records, 274[69.4%] were thalassemia major, and 110 [27.8%] intermediate. We had 109 HCV positive cases [27.5%] out of whom 21 were those infected after 1996. Out of the latter, 5 had complete medical records by which 54 blood donors were identified; however, only 37 [68.5%] were traced and found to be negative for HCV Ab. Noteworthy that 81% of these safe donors were shown to be repeated donors. Since there had been one or more donors whose donations had been administered to each patient with no possibility for them to be traced, we were not able to prove the transmission of HCV from donors to recipients. Other possibilities including hospital transmission, patient to patient transmission, and transmission by nurses involved in blood administration should be taken into account

Detection of hepatitis B virus DNA [PCR] in HBsAg negative, anti-HBc positive blood donors in Tehran province

The incidence of post transfusion hepatitis has been reduced by blood donor screening for HBsAg, but the HBV infection is still responsible for certain cases of post-transfusion hepatitis world-wide. An estimate of the rate of HBV DNA and anti-HBc positive units is important for evaluation of the need for anti-HBc blood donor screening. In this study, the HBsAg negative blood units were evaluated for anti-HBc and all of anti-HBc positive units were tested for HBV DNA by PCR method. Extra samples were collected from 2000 HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV and RPR-negative blood donors. All of the samples were examined by the approved anti-HBc assay. All anti-HBc positive samples were tested by anti-HBs assays and evaluated for HBV DNA [PCR]. The sensitivity of the HBV DNA [PCR] assasy was estimated to be 300 geq/ml according to VQC proficiency panels. 230 [11.5%] out of 2000 samples were positive for anti-HBc. 179 [77.8%] out of 230 anti-HBc positive samples were HBsAb positive, and 51 [23.2%] HBsAb negative. All 230 samples were assayed for single HBV DNA [PCR] 227 of which came out to be negative for HBV DNA [PCR]. Three blood donors were recalled and new samples from two of whom were collected. These new samples were negative for HBV DNA. Further study for evaluation of HBV DNA in anti-HBc positive blood units with full automatic instruments and usage of blood bags with accessories is strongly recommended

Application and evaluation of PCR in detection of malaria in donors of transfusion centers in Sistan-Baloochestan province in 2002

After hepatitis and AIDS, malaria is the most prevalent transfusion outcome in endemic areas. Presence of asymptomatic carriess of malaria parasites in the endemic areas can be a source of infection in transmission of malaria by blood transfusion. Prevention of malaria caused by blood transfusion depends on screening blood donors and deleting infected blood samples. To screen blood samples, parasitological, serologic and molecular methods have been applied. In this study 120 blood donors in Iranshahr in Sistan-Baloochestan province were tested with different methods of thick and thin blood films, Immuno-Fluorescent Antibody Test [IFAT], and Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR]. The result of all thick and thin blood films were negative. IFAT by using P.vivax antigen and P.falciparum antigen for 38 and 6 donors respectively showed a titre of antibody equal to +/- 1/20-1/320 [17 of the former group and 4 of the latter had a history of malaria infection]. The PCR assay using silica for DNA extraction and using P .falciparum specified primers with sensitivity rate equal to 2-3 parasites per microlitre of blood was negative for all subjects under study. This study showed, although microscopic examination of blood smears was inexpensive and simple, but it is labor-intensive and time-consuming that makes it insensitive for detection of low-level parasitemia in asymptomatic donors and for screening a large number of specimen. IFAT would not always show the real existence of parasites and in spite of simplicity and sensitivity because of its disability to be automated is not suitable for screening a large number of specimen. On the other hand, IF AT in individuals with malaria history and absence of parasites in their blood may be positive for a long period. It was approved that molecular methods such as PCR were more sensitive and more specific than conventional microscopic examination and their great advantage was the ability to detect the infection with low-level parasitemia that may have been distinguished by blood films examination. In the present study, probably because of low number of specimen or limited study duration with PCR method, or probably since parasitemia exiting in the subjects under study was less than 2-3 parasites per microlitre of blood, we were not able to detect positive cases