[Molecular identification of Salmonella Infantis isolated from backyard chickens and detection of their resistance genes by PCR]

This study aims at molecular identification of Salmonella Infantis isolated from backyard chickens and the detection of their antibiotic resistance genes. A total of 46 Salmonella-suspected samples isolated from backyard chickens of northern Iran were collected. Serotyping was done by the traditional method and then confirmed by PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates against 13 antimicrobial agents was determined by the standard disk diffusion method. There were 44 samples identified as Salmonella. Serotyping results showed that all 44 isolates belonged to serogroup C1 and serovar Infantis. The most resistance observed was to tetracycline and doxycycline [100%], chloramphenicol [79%] and florfenicol [72%]. The floR, catI, tetA and tetG genes were used for the detection of florfenicol chloramphenicol and tetracycline resistance. In order to identify the phenotypic resistance in strains which showed resistance genes by PCR, colony PCR and culture on plates each containing antibiotic was performed simultaneously. All the Salmonella Infantis resistant to florfenicol and chloramphenicol harbored floR and catI. None of the Salmonella resistant to tetracycline carried tetA or tetG. The result of colony PCR and culture in antibiotic medium confirmed the results of PCR and indicated phenotypic resistance in these samples.

Malaria in Mazandaran, Northern Iran: passive case finding during 1997-2012

Malaria is one of the most important parasitic diseases in tropical and temperate regions. The aim of this study was to determine the trend of malaria in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran during 1997-2012. This retrospective study was conducted from 1997 to 2012. The population's study was individuals who registered at health centers of Mazandaran Province. Peripheral blood smear were prepared for each case, stained with Giemsa and examined by light microscope. In addition to demographic data, other parameters including Slide Positive Rate [SPR], Annual Parasite Incidence [API] and Annual Blood Examination Rate [ABER] were analyzed. In total, 844 cases of malaria were reported. Plasmodium vivax was predominant species with 821 cases [97.4%]. The number of malaria cases increased from 1997 to 2005 and then decreased to 3 cases in 2011. Some cities had not reported any cases during last three years. The highest infection rate, 163[20.07%], was seen in 2001-02. The SPR had the highest value [0.54%] in 2004-05. The maximum API and ABER were observed in 2001-02 and 1997-98. 641[75.9%] of cases were imported from hyperendemic areas such as Afghanistan and South-eastern Iran and 94 [11.1%] malaria patients were recorded as introduced cases. The highest infection rate of malaria [21.3%] was seen in Babolsar. Extensive malaria control should be continued to Mazandaran to become malaria-free region and in prevention of re-introduction stage