ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Increasing drug resistance is an important factor in the complexity of tuberculosis (TB) control. The identification of disease transmission type, recurrence of a previous infection, or new transmission of the disease is the key factor in the control of TB. In this study, we aimed to identify the genetic diversity of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in Isfahan province of Iran through the mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing method based on 24 loci. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 300 isolates obtained from a variety of clinical specimens, 18 drug-resistance M. tuberculosis clinical isolates (resistant to a single drug to more than one drug) were collected between 2013 and 2015 from regional TB reference laboratory in Isfahan. All drug-resistance M. tuberculosis isolates were typed by 24-locus MIRU-VNTR typing. RESULTS: The highest percentage of isolates, 38.8%, belonged to the East-Asian lineage (lineage 2), while the lineages Indo-Oceanic (lineage 1), East-African-Indian (lineage 3), and Euro-American (lineage 4) represented 5.5%, 22.2%, and 33.3%, respectively. Among the 33.3% (6/18) Euro-American strains, the Latin American- Mediterranean and Ural sub-lineage were 22.2% (4/18) and 11.1% (2/18), respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that the lineages of drug-resistant M. tuberculosis isolates in Isfahan province of Iran are similar to those reported in the Eastern Mediterranean region (indicative of the epidemiological relationship between the countries in the region). Continued molecular monitoring is important as it has been proposed that the genetics and evolutionary backgrounds of drug-resistant M. tuberculosis strains may have an impact on the transmissibility profile.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a group of opportunistic pathogens and these are widely dispersed in water and soil resources. Identification of mycobacteria isolates by conventional methods including biochemical tests, growth rates, colony pigmentation, and presence of acid-fast bacilli is widely used, but these methods are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and may sometimes remain inconclusive. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The DNA was extracted from NTM cultures using CTAB, Chelex, Chelex + Nonidet P-40, FTA® Elute card, and boiling The quantity and quality of the DNA extracted via these methods were determined using UV-photometer at 260 and 280 nm, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the heat-shock protein 65 gene with serially diluted DNA samples. RESULTS: The CTAB method showed more positive results at 1:10-1:100,000 at which the DNA amount was substantial. With the Chelex method of DNA extraction, PCR amplification was detected at 1:10 and 1:1000 dilutions. CONCLUSIONS: According to the electrophoresis results, the CTAB and Chelex DNA extraction methods were more successful in comparison with the others as regard producing suitable concentrations of DNA with the minimum use of PCR inhibitor.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIM: Several types of the hepatitis C virus (HCV), with variations in different parts of the genome, have been isolated from different regions of the world. Based on heterogenic sequences in the isolated genome, HCV is classified into different genotypes and subtypes. Data on distribution of HCV genotypes in a certain region could be important to patient management. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the distribution of HCV in Mashhad, Northeast Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 103 patients with HCV infections in Mashhad. Among the participants, at least 22 (21.4%) were intravenous drug users. HCV seropositivity was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and was confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. HCV-positive samples were selected for HCV genotyping using genotype specific primers. RESULTS: Of 103 subjects, 43 (41.7%) and 34 (33.0%) had genotypes 1a and 3a, respectively. Other genotypes including 1b, 2a, 2b, 3b, and 5a were found in 4 (3.9%), 1 (1.0%), 3 (2.9%), 4 (3.9%), and 1 (1.0%), respectively. Coinfections with 2 genotypes were also observed in 11 (10.7%) patients. Genotyping for 2 (1.9%) of 103 samples did not produce any results. CONCLUSION: Genotypes la and 3a were found to be the most prevalent HCV genotypes in Mashhad, Iran.
Subject(s)
Genotype , Hepacivirus/genetics , Hepatitis C/virology , Adult , Coinfection/virology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Humans , Iran , Male , Middle Aged , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) by enteric bacteria continues to be a major problem in hospitals and community. ESBLs producing bacteria cause many serious infections including urinary tract infections, peritonitis, cholangitis and intra-abdominal abscess. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ESBLs producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria isolated from clinical samples of patients attending Imam Reza and Ghaem University Hospitals, Mashhad, Northeast of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During 2009 and 2010, 82 strains of E. coli and 78 strains of K. pneumoniae were isolated from out-patients and hospitalized patients and they were examined by Oxoid combination disk test and PCR methods. RESULTS: We found that 43.9% of E. coli and 56.1% of K. pneumoniae produced ESBLs. The frequency of SHV and TEM among the ESBLs producing isolates were 14.4% and 20.6%, respectively. Ratios of ESBLs positive isolates from out-patients to hospitalized patients were 24/33. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the prevalence of ESBLs producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae is high in both study groups (out-patients and hospitalized patients). Therefore it seems that continuous surveillance is essential to monitor the ESBLs producing microorganisms in hospitals and community.