Molecular characterization of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from hospital-acquired infections in Ilam, Iran.

OBJECTIVE: This research study was undertaken to investigate antimicrobial resistance patterns and the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). The study focuses on common microorganisms responsible for HAIs and explores emerging challenges posed by antimicrobial drug-resistant isolates. METHODS: A comprehensive analysis of 123 patients with HAIs, hospitalized in surgical department and intensive care unit (ICU) at Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ilam, Iran, was conducted over a six-month period. Pathogenic bacterial isolates, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA), were isolated and subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing. RESULTS: The study findings revealed a significant prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates, of which 73.3% were MRSA. Notably, 6.7% of S. aureus isolates exhibited resistance to vancomycin, indicating the emergence of VRSA. Respiratory infections were identified as the most prevalent HAI, constituting 34.67% of cases, often arising from extended ICU stays and invasive surgical procedures. Furthermore, patients aged 60 and above, particularly those associated with MDR, exhibited higher vulnerability to HAI. CONCLUSIONS: This research sheds light on the intricate interplay between drug resistance and HAI, highlighting the imperative role of rational antibiotic use and infection control in addressing this critical healthcare challenge.

The Recovery of an Elderly Woman with Asthma and Diabetes from COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 has caused a great deal of fear in different communities. In this study, we reported the recovery of a diabetic elderly woman with a history of asthma from COVID-19 infection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 61-year-old woman was hospitalized due to dyspnea and low blood O2 saturation and was later diagnosed with COVID-19, as confirmed by PCR. The patient had a history of asthma and diabetes and used salbutamol and Atrovent spray. She also had a history of hospitalization at one month prior to the current admission. Despite all these, COVID-19 was successfully managed, and she was discharged with a good clinical condition after the improvement of respiratory complications. CONCLUSION: Despite having an advanced age and underlying diseases (diabetes and asthma), the recovery of this elderly woman shows that even such patientscandefeatCOVID-19 as long as the disease is not progressed to advanced phases and appropriate therapeutic measures are taken. By reporting such cases, it is possible to give people hope and motivation and reduce their fear of the disease.

Cúrcuma em combinação com os regimes de terapia tríplice melhora o estresse oxidativo e as alterações histopatológicas em gastrite crônica associada à infecçäo por Helicobacter pylori / Curcumin in combination with triple therapy regimes ameliorates oxidative stress and histopathologic changes in chronic gastritis-associated helicobacter pylori infection

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) gastric infection is a main cause of inflammatory changes and gastric cancers. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was finding the effects of curcumin on oxidative stress and histological changes in chronic gastritis associated with H. pylori. METHODS In a randomized clinical trial, patients were divided into two groups: a standard triple therapy group and triple therapy with curcumin group. Endoscopic and histological examinations were measured for all patients before and after 8 weeks. RESULTS Triple therapy with curcumin treatment group significantly decreased malondialdehyde markers, glutathione peroxides and increased total antioxidant capacity of the gastric mucosa at the end of study compared to baseline and triple regimen groups. In addition, the oxidative damage to DNA was significantly decreased in triple therapy with curcumin group at the end of study compared to baseline and compared to triple therapy (P<0.05 for both). Triple therapy group in combination with Curcumin significantly decreased all active, chronic and endoscopic inflammation scores of patients compared to the baseline and triple therapy group (P<0.05 for both). The eradication rate by triple therapy + curcumin was significantly increased compared to triple therapy alone (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Curcumin can be a useful supplement to improve chronic inflammation and prevention of carcinogenic changes in patients with chronic gastritis associated by H. pylori.

RESUMO CONTEXTO A infecção gástrica pelo Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) é principal causa de alterações inflamatórias e de câncer gástrico. OBJETIVO O objetivo deste estudo foi encontrar os efeitos da cúrcuma no estresse oxidativo e as alterações histológicas na gastrite crônica associada ao H. pylori. MÉTODOS Em um estudo randomizado clínico experimental, pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: um grupo de terapia tríplice padrão e outro com terapia tríplice com e cúrcuma. Exames endoscópicos e histológicos foram analisados para todos os pacientes antes e depois de 8 semanas de tratamento. RESULTADOS A terapia tríplice com grupo de tratamento de cúrcuma diminuiu significativamente os marcadores de malondialdeído, de peróxidos de glutationa, com aumento da capacidade antioxidante total da mucosa gástrica ao final do estudo em comparação com grupos de regime basal e tríplice. Além disso, o dano oxidativo ao DNA diminuiu significativamente em terapia tríplice com grupo de cúrcuma no final do estudo em comparação com a linha de base e comparado à terapia tríplice (P<0,05 para ambos). No grupo de terapia tríplice em combinação com cúrcuma houve diminuição significativa de todas os escores ativos de inflamação crônica e endoscópica dos pacientes em relação ao grupo de terapia de base e tríplice (P<0,05 para ambos). A taxa de erradicação por terapia tríplice + cúrcuma aumentou significativamente em relação à terapia tríplice isolada (P<0,05). CONCLUSÃO A cúrcuma pode ser um complemento útil para melhorar a inflamação crônica e prevenção de alterações cancerígenas em pacientes com gastrite crônica associada ao H.pylori.

CURCUMIN IN COMBINATION WITH TRIPLE THERAPY REGIMES AMELIORATES OXIDATIVE STRESS AND HISTOPATHOLOGIC CHANGES IN CHRONIC GASTRITIS-ASSOCIATED HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) gastric infection is a main cause of inflammatory changes and gastric cancers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was finding the effects of curcumin on oxidative stress and histological changes in chronic gastritis associated with H. pylori. METHODS: In a randomized clinical trial, patients were divided into two groups: a standard triple therapy group and triple therapy with curcumin group. Endoscopic and histological examinations were measured for all patients before and after 8 weeks. RESULTS: Triple therapy with curcumin treatment group significantly decreased malondialdehyde markers, glutathione peroxides and increased total antioxidant capacity of the gastric mucosa at the end of study compared to baseline and triple regimen groups. In addition, the oxidative damage to DNA was significantly decreased in triple therapy with curcumin group at the end of study compared to baseline and compared to triple therapy (P<0.05 for both). Triple therapy group in combination with Curcumin significantly decreased all active, chronic and endoscopic inflammation scores of patients compared to the baseline and triple therapy group (P<0.05 for both). The eradication rate by triple therapy + curcumin was significantly increased compared to triple therapy alone (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Curcumin can be a useful supplement to improve chronic inflammation and prevention of carcinogenic changes in patients with chronic gastritis associated by H. pylori.

Multiple brain tuberculomas in a 32-year-old woman with chronic headache.

Tuberculosis (TB) has re-emerged in the two past decades as a major health problem worldwide. Presently, more than 2 billion people (one third of the world population) are infected with TB, of which approximately 10% will develop the clinical disease. The incidence of central nervous system (CNS) TB is related to the prevalence of TB in the community, and it is still the most common type of chronic CNS infection in developing countries. We describe a 32-year-old woman, who presented with chronic headache, followed by gaze palsy and decreased level of consciousness. The disease was diagnosed through TB PCR of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Anti TB drugs and corticosteroid were started for her and she responded successfully to treatment. We conclude that TB of CNS should be considered in patients with chronic headache, particularly in endemic regions because its diagnosis may be missed.