Virulence genes and antibiotic resistance profiles of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine mastitis milk samples.

Background: The increasing importance of antibiotic resistance shows the need for determining indices of the epidemiology of infection. Aims: This study aimed to determine the virulence genes and antibiotic resistance profiles of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine mastitis cases. Methods: A total of 200 cattle were selected based on California Mastitis Test (CMT) results, and the samples were cultured in the laboratory. Grown colonies were examined by conventional phenotypic methods and confirmed using PCR amplification of 16S rRNA gene. The prevalence of the virulence genes was also defined. The results of phenotypic and molecular tests were compared using SPSS software by McNemar test. Then, the confirmed isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility using the disc diffusion method. Results: Of the 200 positive CMT cattle, 24 animals were positive for S. aureus and confirmed using 16S rRNA gene amplification. Statistical analysis showed that the phenotypic and genotypic tests of hemolysin genes were not significantly different (P>0.01). PCR analysis revealed the presence of coa and clfa genes in more than half of the cases. Overall, nine genetic profiles of virulence factors were found among S. aureus isolates. The highest and lowest resistance rates were against penicillin and gentamicin, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings showed a high rate of antibiotic resistance. So, accurate and fast diagnosis and antimicrobial susceptibility tests should be considered before prescribing the drugs.

Immunization with recombinant PlpE of ovine Mannheimia haemolytica isolate provides protection against lethal challenge in mice.

BACKGROUND: Mannheimia haemolytica primarily causes pneumonia leading to heavy morbidity and mortality in domestic livestock world-wide. Recently, outer membrane lipoproteins have emerged as targets for inducing protective immunity against the Pasteurella infection. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate recombinant outer membrane lipoprotein E (PlpE) from the ovine M. haemolytica isolate, as a potential vaccine candidate. METHODS: Recombinant PlpE was constructed using pET26 (b) expression vector in Escherichia coli. Expressed recombinant PlpE was purified and injected subcutaneously to mice. The protection index of the vaccine was evaluated by challenge of mice intraperitoneally. RESULTS: Anti-PlpE antibody responses in the immunized mice was significantly increased in comparison with the control group which in turn, provided effective protection when challenged with strain of virulent M. haemolytica. CONCLUSION: Recombinant PlpE from ovine M. haemolytica isolate had the potential to be used as a vaccine candidate against M. haemolytica infection in sheep flocks.

Estimation of carbon pool in soil, above and below ground vegetation at different types of mangrove forests in Peninsular Malaysia.

This paper evaluated the total carbon stock of mangrove ecosystems in two contrasting sites: a fishing village in Delta Kelantan (DK) and Ramsar sites in Johor Park (JP). In both sites, aboveground carbon was significantly higher than belowground carbon, and stems contained more carbon than leaf and root partitions. The average carbon concentration of individual mangrove species (44.9-48.1%) was not significantly different but the larger biomass of the DK samples resulted in vegetation carbon stock that was higher than that in JP. Season played an important role in soil carbon stock-a pronounced wet season in DK coincided with the dry season in JP. The total carbon pool was estimated to be 427.88 t ha-1 in JP and 512.51 t ha-1 in DK, where at least 80% was contributed by soil carbon. The carbon dioxide equivalent was 1570.32 t ha-1 CO2e (JP) and 1880.91 t ha-1 CO2e (DK).

Maternal complications associated with severe preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: Hypertension disorders are associated with higher rates of maternal, fetal, and infant mortality, and severe morbidity, especially in cases of severe preeclampsia, eclampsia, and HELLP syndrome. The aim of the study was to determine maternal outcomes in pregnant women with severe preeclampsia. DATA SOURCE: The data source consisted of 349 cases with severe preeclampsia. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was undertaken on 349 cases of severe preeclampsia in pregnancy. SETTING/PERIOD: The patients selected for this study were from those who presented at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology during 2007-2009. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 16 software and conducting Chi square and independent sample t tests. Demographic data involving age, parity, gestational age, clinical, and laboratory findings were recorded from the medical files. In addition, delivery route, indications of cesarean delivery, and maternal complications were determined. RESULTS: Of the 349 severely preeclampsia cases, among the 22 cases (6.3 %) who had suffered from eclamptic seizers, 17 cases (77.3 %) were in the age group of 18-35 years (P = 0.351) and 13 cases (59.1 %) in the gestational age group of 28-37 weeks (P = 0.112). One case (0.3 %) was demonstrated to have HELLP syndrome. Placental abruption was obstetric complication in 7.7 % (27 cases). Delivery route was vaginal in 120 cases (34.4 %), while 229 cases (65.6 %) underwent cesarean delivery. The most frequent maternal complication (37 cases) reported was coagulopathy (10.6 %). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that severe preeclampsia and eclampsia are associated with higher rates of maternal severe morbidity and that these two factors still remain the major contributors to maternal morbidity in Iran.