Antiviral Activity of Hatay Propolis Against Replication of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Type 2.

BACKGROUND Propolis is a bee product widely used in folk medicine and possessing many pharmacological properties. In this study we aimed to investigate: i) the antiviral activities of Hatay propolis samples against HSV-1 and HSV-2 in HEp-2 cell line, and ii) the presence of the synergistic effects of propolis with acyclovir against these viruses. MATERIAL AND METHODS All experiments were carried out in HEp-2 cell cultures. Proliferation assays were performed in 24-well flat bottom microplates. We inoculated 1x105 cells per ml and RPMI 1640 medium with 10% fetal calf serum into each well. Studies to determine cytotoxic effect were performed. To investigate the presence of antiviral activity of propolis samples, different concentrations of propolis (3200, 1600, 800, 400, 200, 100, 75, 50, and 25 µg/mL) were added into the culture medium. The amplifications of HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNA were performed by real-time PCR method. Acyclovir (Sigma, USA) was chosen as a positive control. Cell morphology was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS The replication of HSV-1 and HSV-2 was significantly suppressed in the presence of 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL of Hatay propolis. We found that propolis began to inhibit HSV-1 replication after 24 h of incubation and propolis activity against HSV-2 was found to start at 48 h following incubation. The activity of propolis against both HSV-1 and HSV-2 was confirmed by a significant decrease in the number of viral copies. CONCLUSIONS We determined that Hatay propolis samples have important antiviral effects compared with acyclovir. In particular, the synergy produced by antiviral activity of propolis and acyclovir combined had a stronger effect against HSV-1 and HSV-2 than acyclovir alone.

Relationship between the resistance genes to quaternary ammonium compounds and antibiotic resistance in staphylococci isolated from surgical site infections.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of disinfectant resistance genes (qacA/qacB,qacC) and the aminoglycosides resistance genes [(aac(6')aph(2''),aph(3')-IIIa,ant(4')-Ia)] in both S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains (CoNS) isolated from surgical site infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Totally, 130 staphylococcal strains isolated from surgical site infections between January 2012 and February 2013 were included in the study. The PCR technique was employed to verify any presence of methicillin resistance gene (mecA), aminoglycoside resistance genes [(aac(6')/aph (2''), aph(3)-III a ant (4')-1a)], and disinfectant resistance genes (qacA/qacB,qacC) in staphylococci. RESULTS: MecA gene was determined in 58 (44.6%) of 130 staphylococcal isolates. A total of 28 (73.7%) of 38 S. aureus isolates were found to be positive for the mecA gene, and 4 (12.9%) of 31 isolates sensitive to amikacin were sensitive to methicillin. Eighteen (47.4%) of 38 amikacin-resistant S. aureus isolates were found to be positive for qacA/qacB genes and 11 (8.9%) of them were positive for qacC gene. Both mecA and qacA/qacB genes were found to be positive at the same time in 19 amikacin-resistant S. aureus strains. Seven (18.4%) S. aureus isolates were determined to be positive for qacA/qacB and qacC genes. Frequency of qacA/B genes was found to be 47.4% among amikacin-resistant S. aureus strains, while qacC gene was found to be 28.9% (p<0.05). The ratio of qacA/B and qacC genes in CoNS was found to be 37.9% and 20.7%, respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Quaternary ammonium resistance genes were found to be positive at a remarkable ratio in the staphylococcal isolates from surgical wounds. Especially, the high rates of aminoglycosides and methicillin-resistance gene was remarkable in S. aureus isolates. Quaternary ammonium resistance genes were found to be positive.