Hard ticks on domestic ruminants and their seasonal population dynamics in Yazd Province, Iran

Ticks are the main vectors for transmission of different pathogens to human and animals. This survey was carried out distribution of ticks, which infested the domestic ruminants in Yazd Province, central Iran during year 2008-2009. A total number of 30 villages form both mountainous and [20%] plateau[80%] regions of the province were selected randomly. Ticks were colleted from the body of infested animals and transported to the Laboratory of Medical Entomology, School of Public Health, Tehran university of Medical Sciences and then were identified using valid identification key. A total of 583 hard ticks were collected. The ticks were classified into three genera and 7 species including: Hyalomma dromedarii [55.92%], Hyalomma marginatum [13.20%], Hy. anatolicum [9.78%], Hy. detritum [4.98%], Hyalomma asiaticum [3.94%] Rhipicephalus sanguineus [11.84%] and Dermacentor marginatus [0.34%]. The highest seasonal activities occurred in summer. The prevalence of the Ixodidae ticks was more evident in plateaus area in Yazd Province. Among the hosts including: cow, goat, sheep and camel, the ticks that collected from camel was more prevalent. The ratio of male was more than female ticks. Hyalomma dromedarii was the predominant tick species and accounted for 55.92% of the ticks. Some of the collected ticks may play an important role for transmission of vector borne disease to human; therefore, the results of this study will provide a clue for vectors of tick-borne diseases in the region for local authorities for implementation of disease control

Evaluation of antimicrobial resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii to imipenem, ciporofloxacin and ceftazidime using E test

Resistance patterns among nosocomial bacterial pathogens in hospitals may vary widely from country to country at any given point and within the same country over time. Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most important bacterium causes hospital acquired infections. Therefore, surveillance of antibiotic resistance of A. baumannii is necessary, especially in our country which there is no have much data in this field. In a prospective study, strain comprised of a total of 191 recent clinical isolates selected consecutively from clinical infections of separate patients from three University hospitals in Tehran. Minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] of these organisms for imipenem, ciprofloxacin and ceftazidime was determined using E test method according to CLSI guideline. Also, MIC50 and MIC90 percent was calculated for each of these antibiotics. The percentages of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates susceptible to ciprofloxacin and ceftazidime by E test were 55.5% and 44.5%, respectively. The percentage of bacterium susceptible to imipenem by E test was 72.8%. MIC50 and MIC90 of imipenem in E test were 1.5 and > 32, respectively. High antimicrobial resistance against A. baumannii species has been seen in Iran; therefore, it is necessary to implement some approaches for prevention of bacterial spread

Evaluation of the 10th External Quality Assessment Scheme results in clinical microbiology laboratories in Tehran and districts

We evaluated the performance of microbiology laboratories in the 10th run of the external quality assessment scheme [EQAS] in Tehran and districts. Each laboratory was sent 2 species of bacteria for identification. Of the 487 laboratories that participated, 437 returned their findings. While 77.0% and 69.9% correctly identified Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Citrobacter freundii respectively, only 29.8% correctly identified Acinetobacter baumanii, 25.3% identified Enterococcus faecalis and 35.6% identified Enterobacter agglomerans. However 78.7% and 79.5% of the laboratories reported correct -results for susceptibility testing for S. saprophyticus and C. freundii respectively

Buccal cavity protozoa in patients referred to the faculty of dentistry in Tehran, Iran

Buccal cavity as a compound ecosystem has always been ignored in parasitic infection studies; however it seems that studying on mouth and tooth prevalent parasitic infections is of great importance. In this study, from 120 patients of both sexes referred to Faculty of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran, [2001-2002] 240 samples were taken from the plaques and calculus of depth of tooth and gum pockets. Wet-mount technique is regarded as the best and quickest diagnostic method for Trichomonas. tenax while Entamoeba. gingivalis is best diagnosed by Trichrome vitelli staining method using Bovin fixative. 41.7% and 9.2% of the cases were infected by Entamoeba. gingivalis and T.tenax, respectively, while 3.3% were infected by both parasitic protozoa. Infection to mouth amoeba was more prevalent in males at the age of 21-30 yr old while no relation was found between age/sex as to infection with Trichomonas. tenax. Accordingly, a direct relation was found between the frequency of the parasites and some factors such as periodontal tissue condition, degree of gum bleeding and inflammation, gum color and tooth decay