Sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations of biocides induced biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

It is clear that biofilm formation causes many serious health-care problems. Interestingly, sub minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of some biocides can induce biofilm formation in bacteria. We investigated whether sub-MICs of Savlon, chlorhexidine and deconex®, as biocidal products, can induce biofilm formation in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To determine MICs and biofilm formation, we performed microtitre plate assays. All three biocides induced biofilm formation at sub-MICs; Savlon was the most successful antiseptic agent to induce biofilm formation among P. aeruginosa isolates. Deconex had the best inhibition effect on planktonic cultures of P. aeruginosa isolates. We concluded that sub-MICs of Savlon and deconex could significantly induce biofilm formation.

A newly emerged focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in South-western Iran.

Leishmaniasis is rising in many countries, including Iran, due to climate change, refugee crises, urbanization and etc. The aim of this study was to explore the epidemiology, extent and identity of Leishmania species in a newly emerged focus in Abdanan County, Ilam Province, South-western Iran. This study was performed as a descriptive cross-sectional study by a systematic house-to-house approach. The Leishmania species was identified by RFLP-PCR and sequencing. Altogether, 46799 individuals consisting of 22907 (48.9) female and 23892 (51.1%) male were interviewed and physically examined for the presence of skin lesions. Overall, the incidence rate was 0.34% (n = 160). All age groups were affected and the incidence rate was the highest in <10 years of age group (0.49%) and the lowest in >50 years old individuals (0.15%), although there was no significant difference regarding the sex and age. The majority of patients had one lesion (47.5%) on hands (56%) and most of the cases occurred in Abdanan city (%54) in summer. Based on the RFLP-PCR analysis, all the Leishmania isolates were L. major of single genotype. A newly emerged focus of zoonotic CL caused by L. major occurred in South-western of Iran. Multiple risk factors created this epidemic area. Further studies on the vector and reservoir are crucial needed to provide evidences to select the prophylactic and therapeutic measures for future control strategies.

Unexpectedly high occurrence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus isolates from raw milk in Ilam, Western Iran.

Raw milk contains diverse nutritional components that provide a suitable medium for spoilage and the growth of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Unpasteurized milk consumption by a large number of people can threaten health and increase public concerns. In this study, sixty-two raw cow’s milk samples were collected from the dairy farms of Ilam, Western Iran. All samples were collected in sterilized containers and were transferred via ice boxes to the laboratory. Isolates were then identified by standard methods. Totally, 88.7% (n=55) of samples were contaminated. Our study also showed that Escherichia coli had a high prevalence among isolates (43: 69.4%), while Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella planticola showed the lowest prevalence (1: 1.6%). Staphylococcus aureus was also detected in 17.7% (n=11) of samples. The raw milk microbial contamination is complex. Some of the microorganisms threaten public health via different traits, therefore it is recommended that raw milk consumption should be avoided.

Effect of different host plants on nutritional indices of the pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera.

Nutritional indices of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on different host plants including chickpea (cultivars Arman, Hashem, Azad, and Binivich), common bean (cultivar Khomein), white kidney bean (cultivar Dehghan), red kidney bean (cultivar Goli), cowpea (cultivar Mashhad), tomato (cultivar Meshkin) and potato (cultivars Agria and Satina) were studied under laboratory conditions (25 ± 1 °C, 65 ± 5% RH, 16:8 L:D). Third instar larvae reared on potato Agria showed the highest efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) and efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) (50.800 ± 0.104% and 13.630 ± 0.016%, respectively). Approximate digestibility (AD) values of the fourth instar larvae were highest (92.651 ± 0.004%) and lowest (57.140 - 0.049%) on chickpea Azad and potato Agria, respectively. The fifth instar larvae fed on tomato Meshkin and white kidney bean Dehghan had the highest consumption index (CI) (3.717 ± 0.091) and relative consumption rate (RCR) (1.620 ± 0.074), respectively. Whole larval instars showed the highest ECI and ECD values on potatoes Satina (14.640 ± 0.014%) and Agria (21.380 ± 0.015%), respectively, and the lowest of both values on tomato Meshkin (ECI: 5.748 ± 0.002% and ECD: 7.341 ± 0.002%). The results of nutritional indices and the cluster analysis indicated that tomato Meshkin was an unsuitable host for feeding of H. armigera.

Digestive proteolytic and amylolytic activities and feeding responses of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on different host plants.

Digestive proteolytic and amylolytic activities and feeding responses of fifth instar larvae of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) on different host plants including chickpea (cultivars Arman, Hashem, Azad, and Binivich), common bean (cultivar Khomein), white kidney bean (cultivar Dehghan), red kidney bean (cultivar Goli), cowpea (cultivar Mashhad), tomato (cultivar Meshkin), and potato (cultivars Agria and Satina) were studied under laboratory conditions (25 +/- 1 degrees C, 65 +/- 5% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 [L:D] h). Our results showed that the highest protease activity in optimal pH was on cultivar Dehghan (8.717 U/mg) and lowest one was on Meshkin (3.338 U/mg). In addition, the highest amylase activity in optimal pH was on cultivar Dehghan (0.340 mU/mg) and lowest was on Meshkin (0.088 mU/mg). The larval weight of fifth instar H. armigera showed significant difference, being heaviest on Binivich (125.290 +/- 5.050 mg) and lightest on Meshkin (22.773 +/- 0.575 mg). Furthermore, the highest and lowest values of food consumed were on Goli (362.800 +/- 27.500 mg) and Satina (51.280 +/- 4.500 mg), respectively. In addition, the lowest values of prepupal and pupal weight were on Meshkin (32.413 +/- 0.980 and 41.820 +/- 1.270 mg, respectively). The results indicated that tomato (Meshkin) was unsuitable host for feeding fifth instar larvae of H. armigera.

Comparison of peri-implant bone loss and survival of maxillary intrasinus and extrasinus implants after 2 years.

OBJECTIVE: Low quality of the bone and insufficient bone due to the size of the sinus and resorption of the alveolar ridge decrease the long-term survival of implants in the posterior maxilla compared to other regions of the jaws. Surgical procedures to increase bone volume make it possible to place implants longer than 8 mm. In this situation sinus elevation makes it possible to place implants. We intend to evaluate peri-implant bone loss and survival of implants placed in elevated sinuses after 2 years and to compare with implants placed in the native posterior maxilla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five implants placed in sinuses that had been reconstructed with Bio-Oss and healed after 9 months were compared with 30 implants placed in the posterior maxilla without any surgery. The groups were compared using probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, Plaque Index and bone loss immediately after implant placement surgery and 2 years postoperatively. The criterion for implant survival was presence or absence of the implant in the oral cavity, which was recorded in relevant forms in both groups. RESULTS: Three implants were lost; one in control and two in grafted sinuses. No significant differences were observed in the survival rates. In general, the mean bone loss around intrasinus and extrasinus implants was not significantly different. In the same context, no differences were observed between bleeding on probing, Plaque Index and probing pocket depths of two groups (P=0.397, P=0.637 and P=0.224, respectively). CONCLUSION: The survival and bone loss around intrasinus and extrasinus implants are similar.