[Antibacterial effects of Rosmarinus officinalis on methicillin - resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients and foods]

Methicillin-resistant Staphylcoccus aureus [MRSA] is considered a major problem in the world. This strain colonizes nose and causes increased incidence of nosocomial infections, mortality and morbidity. Rosemary [Rosmarinus officinalis] is a herbal medicine widely used all over the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of rosemary essence on MRSA isolated from patients and food. 200 strains of MRSA, 100 from patients and 100 from food samples, were collected and analyzed in Tehran, during the last year. 28 MRSA strains and multi drug resistant [MDR] strains were isolated. The antimicrobial activity of the rosemary essence against different isolates of the microorganism was evaluated by disk diffusion and macro broth dilution methods. MRSA isolates belonged to 25% and 60% of food and clinical samples, respectively. The results showed effective and similar antimicrobial activity of Rosmarinus officinalis on broth clinical and food samples with an inhibition zone of 20mm in diameter. The minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] and minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC] in our study were 1.40 mg/ml and 2.81 mg/ml, respectively. Overuse of antibiotics has led to extensive bacterial resistance to antibiotics, which demonstrates the need for use of new antimicrobial agents. Considering increasing prevalence of MRSA strains and the beneficial effect of rosemary essence on these strains, this essence can be recommended for the treatment of MRSA infections

[ evaluation of probiotic effect of L.acidophilus on the immune responses in BALB/C mice against transplanted tumor derived from breast tissue]

Antitumor effect of lactic acid bacteria have been shown in many studies, this effect maybe due to the immunomodulatory properties of these bacteria. In present work we have studied the effect of Lactobacillus [L] acidophilus on the immune responses of BALB/c mice against transplanted tumor derived from breast tissue. 6-8 week-old in-bred BALB/c mice, each weighing 25-30 g, were used. The mice were divided into two groups each consisted of 9 mice as test and control groups. The L.acidophilus ATCC4356 strain was used in this study. It was inoculated in MRS agar and cultivated overnight under anaerobic conditions then collected and resuspended in PBS. After preparation of proper amount of this suspension it was orally [2.7 x 10[8] CFU/ml] administered to the mice with a gastric feeding 2 weeks before tumor transplantation and 3 weeks after that, with 3 days break and 7 days administration. The control mice received an equal volume of PBS during the study. Results of the present work showed that L. acidophilus can increase the production of immunomodulatory cytokine IL-12 and decrease the TGF-alpha which can suppress immune response. Moreover, the growth rate of tumor in group which received L. acidophilus were decreased and the results of delayed type hypersensitivity [DTH] of this group in 48h were better than control group. The results of our study suggest that daily use of L. acidophilus can regulate immune response with Th1 dominance and may be helpful for cancer immunotherapy, but further studies are needed to investigate the other mechanisms of this effect

[ probiotic effects of Lactobacillus casei in BALB/c mice on the Tumor growth rate bearing breast cancer]

Antitumor effect of lactic acid bacteria [LAB] have been shown in many studies, this effect maybe as a result of immunomodulatory properties of these bacteria. In present work, we have studied the effect of Lactobacillus casei on the tumour growth rate in BALB/c mices bearing breast cancer. 6-8 week-old In-bred BALB/c mice, each weighing 25-30 g, were used. There are two experimental group consisted of 9 mices that they were used as controls in each assay. The L.casei ATCCT 39392 strain used in this study was inoculated in MRS broth and cultivated for a day at 37 °C under anaerobic conditions, collected by centrifugation and resuspend in PBS. After preparation of proper amount of these suspension it was orally administered to the mice with a gastric feeding, Control mice received an equal volume of PBS in duration of study. Results of this study showed that oral administration of L.casei can inhibit the tumour growth and increased the local inflammation in DTH assay as a result of increase in immune responses efficiency. In conclusion oral administration of Lactobacillus casei may regulate immune responses skewed Th1 balance and maybe helpful for cancer immunotherapy, but further studies is needed to investigate the other mechanisms of this effect

[Chemical compounds of essential oil and antibacterial effects of thymus caucasicus]

Thymus, one of the important genus of Labiatae family, have been used since ancient times as folk remedies for some medical treatments. In this study, chemical compositions of essential oil of thymus caucasicus were analyzed and antibacterial effects of fractions were surveryed. Thymus caucasicus [lamiaceae] at the flowering stage were collected, from Ardabil province [No. 41 and 87 at Central Herbarium of Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR]. The essential oil aerial parts of T. caucasicus was collected by Hydrodistillation and Steam distillation method. The essential oils were dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and after filtaration, stored at +4[degree sign] C until tested and GC/MS analyzed. Antibacterial activities of essential oil and fractions of the plant were studied by agar dilution on eight bacterial strains. In hydro and steam distillation essence of T. caucasicus, 44 and 58 compounds were identified, respectively. In vitro antimicrobial activities showed that was positive effect against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Nerolidol was major compound in hydro and steam distillation essential oil of T. caucasicus. In this study, we showed the essential oil and n-butanol fraction of T. caucasicus have lower MIC against tested microorganisms

[Prevalence and antibiotic resistance pattern of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from food stuff]

Staphylococcus aureus is considered to be one of the leading causes of food-borne illnesses. Foodstuff contamination may occur directly from contaminated food-producing animals or may result from poor hygiene during food production processes, or the retail and storage of foods, since humans may carry the microorganism. The number of S. aureus strains that exhibits antimicrobial-resistance properties has increased, together with the potential risk of transmitting the same properties to the human micro flora via food or inducing infections hard to be treated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of S. aureus in various food samples and determination of antibiotic resistance pattern in this isolates. A total of 1047 food samples were analysed from July 2006 to December 2007. To determine the presence of S.aureus, the samples were analysed according to the guidelines of Iran standard instructions [No. 1194]. S.aureus isolates were tested for susceptibility to a panel of 11 antimicrobics using the agar disc diffusion method on Muller-Hinton agar. Of 1047 samples analysed 100 [9.5%] were contaminated with S.aureus. Among these contaminated samples, 31% showed antimicrobial resistance properties to at least one of the antibiotic tested and 15 antibiotypes were determined. According to the observed prevalence of S.aureus strains in food samples and their antibiotic resistance pattern, more attention should be paid in foodstuff industry to prevent contamination and transmission of resistant strains

Recent emergence of the enteropathogens, yersinia enterocolitica and aeromonas in children with abdominal pain and acute diarrhoea

Yersinia enterocolitica [Y .ent.] and Aeromonas are emergent human enteropathogens that cause in children gastroenteritis, abdominal pain and pseudoappendicitis syndrome. We have conducted this study on 100 children 50 children with diarrhea [group I] and 50 children with abdominal pain [group II]. Two samples were taken; stool samples which were examined physically and bacteriologically and sera which were tested by agglutination test for detection of antibodies against Y. ent. 0: 3 and 0:9. Y. ent. was isolated in 3 out of 50 patients in group I [6%] and in 2 out of 50 patients in group II [4%] with overall prevalence [5%]. The rapid enrichment method was as sensitive as the cold method but it is more advantageous as it takes shorter time. There was insignificant difference between traditional and the automated methods in the identification of Y. ent. Biotyping of the isolated strains showed that 60% is of biogroup 4, 20% of biogroup 2 and 20% of biogroup 3.The agglutination test showed that Y. ent. 0:3 is more prevalent in our locality. The isolated Y.ent. strains were sensitive to most of non beta-lactam antibiotics except trimethoprim while 100% of Y. ent. isolates were resistant to ampicillin, flucloxacillin and ticarcillin. Aeromonas was isolated in 2% of children with acute diarrhoea. We recommend to extend the study on a wide scale and to evaluate ELISA and PCR as rapid diagnostic methods of yersinosis. Also we recommend to subject food handlers and blood donors for testing for Y .ent

Seroprevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection in pregnancy

This study aims to determine the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies among pregnant women admitted to Antenatal Care Unit, Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt and to identify the risk factors for the disease among those women and their husbands. Screening of pregnant women for anti-HCV antibodies by ELISA second generation, HBsAg and anti-HIV antibodies Risk factors for HCV infection among those women and their husbands were recorded. This study indicates that the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies among 767 pregnant women was 13.69%, HBsAg 2.35% and no cases of anti-HIV antibodies were encountered. The most important risk factors for HCV infection were surgical operations [60.95%], bilharziasis [27.62%] and blood transfusion [22.86%]. Husbands risk factors included travelling abroad [37.14%] and surgical operations [12.38%]. No risk factors were identified in 16.19% of women and 55.24% of their husbands. The prevalence of anti HCV antibodies [13,69%] is higher among pregnant women presenting to Mansoura university Hospital than those reported by other Studies. Schistosomiasis and husband travelling abroad were two important risk factors for HCV infection

Antiphospholipid antibodies in patients with bilharzial pulmonary hypertension

This study was conducted on 21 patients having bilharzial pulmonary hypertension [BPH], 15 patients with BHS without pulmonary hypertension and 10 healthy subjects as a control group. The patients and controls were subjected to full clinical examination, abdominal ultrasound, plain chest X-ray electrocardiogram, echocardiography with Doppler and analytic methods including some liver function tests, CBC, ESR, coagulation profile, serum creatinine, urine and stool analysis, immunological tests for schistosomiasis [IHA], rectal snip, liver biopsy for pathological diagnosis of bilharziasis for most cases, ACL [IgG and IgM] and ANA. It was found that there was significant increased numbers and percentage age of positive cases of [both IgG and IgM] ACL and ANA in the group of BPH versus control and BPH versus BHS. There was significant correlation between ACL, ANA and ESR in the studied groups. It was concluded that there is an association between both ACL and ANA and the presence of pulmonary hypertension in the patients suggesting a possibility of an autoimmune process contributing to the development of pulmonary hypertension in bilharzial patients

Possible implication of hepatitis E virus in rupture of esophageal varices

This study comprised 70 hospitalized patients with ruptured esophageal varices and 20 subjects as controls. The patients were subgrouped functionally into 27 compensated patients and 43 decompensated patients according to signs of parenchymatous decompensation of the liver. The decompensated group was further subdivided into chronic [34 patients] and acute [9 patients]. Etiologically, based on clinical, serological sonographic and pathological criteria, they were subdivided into pure bilharzial [31], pure posthepatitic [15] and mixed bilharzial/posthepatitic [24]. All groups were subjected to thorough clinical examination, fiberoptic endoscopic examination, abdominal ultrasound and serological tests for HBV, HCV and HEV. Routine investigations as urine and stool analysis, CBC, serum creatinine, some liver function tests and rectal snip. Liver biopsy was done if the hemostatic condition permitted

Immunological aspects of some vascular thrombotic disorders

The study included 30 patients with primary venous thrombosis and 10 patients with primary pulmonary hypertension. The patients were selected after careful clinical evaluation, appropriate investigations and exclusion criteria mentioned in the study. 20 healthy subjects were taken as control group. IgG and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies were measured in all patients as well as control group. It was found that significant increase in IgG and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies in both groups of patients compared to control and in patients with pulmonary embolism compared to those without. Also, more significant elevation to IgG than IgM anticardiolipin antibodies in both groups of patients was found. 6.6% of control group had elevated IgM fraction of anticardiolipin only, while none of them had elevated IgG fraction. Anti cardiolipin antibodies may be involved in the pathogenesis of primary venous thrombosis and primary pulmonary hypertension