[Detection of ethambutol-resistant mycobacterium tuberculosis strains by MAS-PCR method and comparison with proportion]

Ethambutol [EMB] is one of the first - line drugs used for anti-tubercular therapy but resistance to this medicine is developed in many parts of the world. EMB resistant strains commonly have embB mutations. Purpose of this research was detection of EMB-resistant Mycobactercium tuberculosis strains isolated from patients by MAS-PCR method and comparison with Proportion procedure. One hundred and twenty M. tuberculosis strains were isolated from patients with tulerculosis in Tabriz TB research center. Susceptibility testing to EMB was performed by the Proportion method. DNA was isolated from cultivated cells by SDS-proteinase K modified method. Isolated DNA was used as the template for PCR reaction. One hundred and sixteen strains were susceptible to EMB and 4 [3.33%] strains were resistant to EMB. All EMB resistant strains were multidrug-resistant. The MAS-PCR method was used to evaluate of mutation in the embB306 codon. Mutation was seen at the embB306 codon in all resistant strains to ethambutol. The results showed that MAS-PCR method can be used as a simple and rapid procedure for detecting EMB-resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains

[Nasal carriage rate of staphylococcus aureus in hospital personnel and inpatients and antibiotic pattern of isolated strains from nasal and clinical specimens in Tabriz]

Staphylococcus aureus is known as an important pathogen causing a variety of bacterial infections. Treatment of this bacterium with antibiotics has led to antibiotic-resistance, especially against methicillin [MRSA] and more recently rare resistance against vancomycin [VISA and VRSA]. MRSA strains compared to MSSA strains are resistant to most of the antibiotics in routine use. Aims of this study were to determine nasal carriage rate of S. aureus in hospital personnel and inpatients and to determine antibiotic-resistance patterns in the above mentioned isolates in the same hospitals. Staphylococcus aureus isolates collected from nose of 460 hospital personnel and inpatients [160 strains] and from clinical specimens [46 strains] in Imam Khomeini and Children medical centers in a 6 month period were studied in 2005. Antibiotic sensitivity of the collected strains were tested against 13 antibiotics used in routine treatment of S. aureus infections. Oxacillin agar was also used to screen for MRSA. Our results showed 34.7% nasal carrier rate for S. aureus in hospital personnel and patients studied. Seventy seven isolates were able to grow on oxacillin agar, indicating 37.4% MRSA strains. MRSA strains were also resistant to 4-11 antibiotics tested in this study, but MSSA strains, which were resistant to penicillin G [100%], mainly showed sensitivity to other test antibiotics. All of the MRSA and MSSA strains were sensitive to vancomycin. Generally, the resistance to methicillin was higher in clinical isolates compared to isolates recovered from nose [p< 0.001]. In this study, all of the test isolates were sensitive to vancomycin, which necessitates more caution in using this valuable antibiotic. Screening of hospital personnel and in-patients will better control the incidence of this important bacterium and use of molecular methods in detection of them, especially screening for mecA gene will provide some measures in control of hospital acquired infections

Effects of varicocelectomy on sperm parameters and fertility rate

Varicocele is one of the infertility factors in men and has negative effects on sperm parameters. Using varicocelectomy that is the most effective method for treatment of varicocele, there will be significant improvement in sperm parameters. The purpose of this study was to survey sperm parameters before and after varicocelectomy and fertility rate after surgery. This interventional study was done on 118 infertile couples from 2003 to 2004 that referred with male factor and varicoceles disease to Fatemeh Zahra infertility center. The sperm parameters were compared before and after varicocelectomy and the pregnancy results were compared with each other. The type of varicoceles was unilateral in 72 persons [61%] and bilateral in 46 [39%]. The mean number [ +/- SD] of sperm reached from 42.3 +/- 26.9 millions before surgery to 48.4 +/- 27.1 million after surgery. Also, sperm motility reached from 50.8 +/- 18 percent to 54.8 +/- 17.9 percent and round cells reached from 1.9 +/- 4.7 to 0.6 +/- 3.3 percent that this process is meaningful in each three cases [p<0.007]. The mean normal morphology of sperms showed an increase after surgery but wasn't meaningful. After varicocelectomy, the rate of pregnancy was seen in 42% of persons that increased to 48.3% in persons who used different methods of ART. According to the results of this study, varicocelectomy can increase sperm parameters. Also, with increasing normal sperm morphology, almost half of the operated persons experienced their fertility