Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 15 5 2023 10 11 601 608 Nesma Mohamed Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt Mohamed Alrawy Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt Reem Makbol Department of Tropical Medicine & Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt Arafat Mohamed Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt Shimaa Hemdan Department of Medical Biochemistry, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt Noha Shafik Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt 2023 06 08 2023 08 24 Background and Objectives: The type VI secretion system (T6SS) was identified as a novel virulence factor in many Gram-negative bacteria. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of the T6SS genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae-causing different nosocomial infections, and to study the association between T6SS, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation in the isolated bacteria. Materials and Methods: A total of fifty-six non-repetitive K. pneumoniae isolates were collected from different inpatients admitted at Sohag University Hospital from September 2022 to March 2023. Samples were cultured, colonies were identified, and antimicrobial sensitivity was done by VITEK® 2 Compact. Biofilm formation was checked using Congo red agar method. T6SS genes, and capsular serotypes were detected by PCR. Results: Fifty-six K. pneumoniae isolates were obtained in culture. 38 isolates (67.86%) produced biofilm and 44 (78.57%) were positive for T6SS in PCR. There was a significant association between the presence of T6SS and resistance to the following antibiotics: meropenem, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin. All biofilm-forming bacteria had T6SS, with significant differences towards T6SS -positive bacteria. There was no significant association between T6SS, and the presence of certain capsular types. Conclusion: The T6SS-positive K. pneumoniae has greater antibiotic resistance, and biofilm-forming ability which is considered a potential pathogenicity of this emerging gene cluster. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4255 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4255/1605

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 15 5 2023 10 11 609 615 EN Fatemeh Ghanbarinasab Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran Mehri Haeili Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran Somayeh Nasiri Ghanati Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran Mohaddeseh Moghimi Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran 2023 06 20 2023 08 13 Background and Objectives: Klebsiella pneumoniae is increasingly developing resistance to last-resort antibiotics such as carbapenems. This study aimed to investigate the dissemination of common carbapenemase encoding genes among 48 clinical isolates of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP). Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by broth dilution and disc diffusion methods. The phenotypic evaluation of carbapenemase production was performed by using Modified Carbapenem Inactivation Method. Presence of carbapenemase encoding genes blaKPC, blaNDM, blaOXA-48-like, blaIMP, and blaVIM was screened by PCR. Results: Overall, carbapenemases were produced in all CRKP isolates. The blaOXA-48-like and blaNDM were the most prevalent genes detected among all and 66.6% (n=32) of CRKP isolates respectively. The blaVIM was detected in only one isolate co-harboring NDM and OXA-48-like carbapenemases. The blaKPC and blaIMP genes were not identified in any of the isolates. While tigecycline was the most active agent against CRKP isolates with low resistance rate (4.1%), high rate of resistance was observed to colistin (66.6%), amikacin (79%) and most of other tested antimicrobials. Conclusion: Our results revealed predominant prevalence of OXA-48-like and NDM carbapenemases among CRKP clinical isolates. High rate of resistance to last-resort agents such as colistin among CRKP isolates is a source of great concern. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4277 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4277/1606

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 15 5 2023 10 11 616 624 Samane Mohebi Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Zahra Golestani-Hotkani Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy Maryam Foulad-Pour Clinical Research Development Unit, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Peivand Nazeri Clinical Research Development Unit, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Fahimeh Mohseni Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Zahra Hashemizadeh Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Zahra Moghani-Bashi Clinical Research Development Unit, Shahid Bahonar Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Naser Niksefat Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Sanaz Rastegar Medical Mycology and Bacteriology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Maryam Khajedadian Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Zahra Lotfian Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Hossein Hosseini-Nave Medical Mycology and Bacteriology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran 2023 03 16 2023 10 11 Background and Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the distribution of genes encoding integrons, extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) in E. coli isolated from UTIs, as well as the genetic diversity among the isolates. Materials and Methods: E. coli isolates were recovered from the patients with UTI in Kerman Iran. Antibiotic susceptibility was done according to CLSI guidelines. The presence of ESBL genes and integrons was evaluated using PCR. PCR and sequencing were applied for the evaluation of cassette content of integrons. Genotyping of the isolates was performed by multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). Results: Imipenem was the most effective antibiotic, while the highest resistance was observed to streptomycin. In total 40.2% of isolates were ESBL producers. Of 69 integron-positive isolates, 59 only had class I integrons, 4 only had class II integrons and 6 had both types. The most common gene cassette found within class I integrons was dfrA17-aadA5 (n=27). The E. coli isolates were divided into 16 MLVA clusters. Conclusion: The current study demonstrated the simultaneous presence of class I integrons and ESBLs involved in the resistance of UPEC isolates to antibacterial agents. Our finding also revealed that the E. coli isolates belonged to diverse clones. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4157 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4157/1607

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 15 5 2023 10 11 625 630 Nabi Jomehzadeh Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran Khadijeh Ahmadi Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran Nazanin Ataee Department of Biology, Kavian Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad, Iran Maryam Afzali Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedicine, Mashhad Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran 2023 02 05 2023 04 24 Background and Objectives: An increase in the antibiotic resistance of Shigella isolates has caused major global challenges in antimicrobial therapy. Knowledge of local antibiotic resistance trends is essential for selecting appropriate antibiotic treatment regimens. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of efflux-mediated tetracycline resistance (tet) and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (qnr) genes among Shigella isolates. Materials and Methods: This survey investigated 91 Shigella isolates, obtained from children with acute diarrhea. The isolates were identified using standard biochemical tests and confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Besides, the susceptibility of isolates to six selected antibiotics was assessed by the disk diffusion method. All tetracycline-resistant and nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin resistant strains were screened for tet and qnr genes by a multiplex PCR assay. Results: According to the results of antibiotic susceptibility tests, the highest level of antibiotic resistance was related to tetracycline (80.2%) and doxycycline (78.1%), respectively. All isolates were sensitive to tigecycline. The PCR results showed that 40.6%, 3.1%, 21.8%, 61.6% and 28.7% of the isolates carried qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, tetA, and tetB genes, respectively. None of the isolates contained tetC and tetD genes. Conclusion: The current findings revealed that tetA and qnrA genes might play a key role in conferring tetracycline and quinolone resistance. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4115 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4115/1608

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 15 5 2023 10 12 631 641 Reza Khaltabadi Farahani Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; Department of Molecular, Central Veterinary Laboratory, Iranian Veterinary Organization, Tehran, Iran Mina Ebrahimi-Rad Department of Biochemistry, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Nader Shahrokhi Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Amir Hossien Khaltabadi Farahani Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arak University, Arak, Iran Seyed Ali Ghafouri Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Maryam Rezaei Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Safoora Gharibzadeh Department of Epidemiology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Arash Ghalyanchi Langeroudi Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of the Veterinary Medicine, University Tehran, Tehran, Iran Parastoo Ehsani Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran 2023 01 18 2023 10 12 Background and Objectives: Antibiotic resistance is an indicator of the passively acquired and circulating resistance genes. Salmonella Gallinarum significantly affects the poultry food industry. The present study is the first study of the S. Gallinarum biofilm in Iran, which is focused on the characterization of the S. Gallinarum serovars and their acquired antibiotic resistance genes circulating in poultry fields in central and northwestern Iran. Materials and Methods: Sixty isolates of S. Gallinarum serovar were collected from feces of live poultry. The bacteria were isolated using biochemical tests and confirmed by Multiplex PCR. Biofilm formation ability and the antibacterial resistance were evaluated using both phenotypic and genotypic methods. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: According to Multiplex PCR for ratA, SteB, and rhs genes, all 60 S. Gallinarum serovars were Gallinarum biovars. In our study, the antibiotic resistance rate among isolated strains was as follows: Penicillin (100%), nitrofurantoin (80%), nalidixic acid (45%), cefoxitin (35%), neomycin sulfate (30%), chloramphenicol (20%), and ciprofloxacin (5%). All isolates were susceptible to imipenem, ertapenem, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, and ceftazidime+clavulanic acid. All sixty isolates did not express the resistance genes IMP, VIM, NDM, DHA, blaOXA48, and qnrA. On the other hand, they expressed GES (85%), qnrB (75%), Fox M (70%), SHV (60%), CITM (20%), KPC (15%), FOX (10%), MOXM (5%), and qnrS (5%). All S. Gallinarum isolates formed biofilm and expressed sdiA gene. Conclusion: Considering that the presence of this bacteria is equal to the death penalty to the herd, the distribution of resistance genes could be a critical alarm for pathogen monitoring programs in the region. This study showed a positive correlation between biofilm formation and 50% of tested resistance genes. Also, it was found that the most common circulating S. gallinarum biovars are multidrug-resistant. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4091 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4091/1609

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 15 5 2023 10 12 642 653 Ni Nengah Dwi Fatmawati Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia Gede Ngurah Rsi Suwardana Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia Ida Ayu Gde Wahyudevi Dharmika Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia Ni Made Adi Tarini Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia I Nengah Sujaya Department of Public Health and Pre Zargar Iranian Center for Endodontic Research, Research Institute of Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mahmoud Amin Marashi Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Hengameh Ashraf Department of Endodontics, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Rene Hakopian Iranian Center for Endodontic Research, Research Institute of Dental Sciences, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Peyman Beigi Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 2017 08 02 2019 05 24 Background and Objectives: Bacterial agents are commonly accepted as the main etiology of endodontic infections. A significant proportion of oral bacteria cannot be cultured using existing methods. Since diversity and abundance of bacterial species are different in different populations, the present study was aimed to identify effective microorganisms in persistent endodontic infections in Iranian patients based on culture and molecular biology methods using sequence analysis of 16S rDNA gene. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with previous failure of endodontic treatment were enrolled in the study. After isolation and disinfection of the tooth surrounding area with 3% sodium hypochlorite and 30% hydrogen peroxide, sampling from the root canals was carried out using two sterile Hedstrom files and two sterile paper points, and then the specimens were transferred to the microbiology laboratory in thioglycolate transport medium so that they undergo aerobic-anaerobic culture, PCR, and 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Results: Of 30 patients (15 women and 15 men), 15 patients had radiographic lesions smaller than 5 mm and other 15 patients had radiographic lesions larger than 5 mm. The mean age of patients was 40.20 ± 13.76 years. A total of 26 patients were asymptomatic. Only four patients had clinical signs such as pain and percussion sensitivity and Tannerella forsythia was the most common bacterium found in this group of patients. 13 bacterial species were found in 11 different genus, one virus strain and one fungus strain. From 30 studied specimens, Enterococcus faecalis was the most common microorganism with prevalence rate of 63.63%. Conclusion: This study showed the type and prevalence of effective bacteria in secondary/persistent endodontic infections in Iranian patients. E. faecalis is the most commonly found microorganism in Iranian patients. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/1450 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/1450/1139

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 11 2 2019 05 30 129 136 Kolsoom Shafiei Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran AND Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Manoochehr Makvandi Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran AND Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Ali Teimoori Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Alireza Samarbafzadeh Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran AND Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Gholamreza Khataminia Department of Ophthalmology, Imam Khomaini Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Shahram Jalilian Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran AND Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Niloofar Neisi Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Kimia Makvandi Department of Ophthalmology, Imam Khomaini Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Mehrdad Sadeghi Haj Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran 2018 12 04 2019 04 26 Background and Objectives: Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis is an extremely frequent ophthalmological disease caused by various serological subtypes of human adenovirus (HAdV) worldwide. Adenoviruses serotypes 8, 11, 19, 37 frequently cause epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC). This study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of adenovirus serotypes in patients with EKC in Ahvaz , Iran. Materials and Methods: Eighty- eight ocular swabs were collected from patients with EKC. The specimens were analyzed for detection of adenovirus by standard PCR. The PCR products were further sequenced and analyzed to determine the serotypes. Results: The study population consisted of 49/88 (55.7%) males and 39/88 (44.3%) females. Among them 25 (51.02%) males and 22 (56.41%) females were positive for HAdV serotype 8 (p= 0.488). Overall forty-seven (53.4%) samples were positive for AdV serotype 8 while forty- one patients (46.59%) were negative for the adenovirus serotypes. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed predominanance of HAdV 8 with high prevalence of 53.4% among patients with Keratoconjunctivitis. Forty- one patients (46.59%) were negative for adenovirus. Still, the role for other related viruses such as enteroviruses need to be investigated in patients with EKC. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/1975 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/1975/1140

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 11 2 2019 05 30 137 144 Alpha Athiyyah Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia Herwina Brahmantya Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia Stephani Dwiastuti Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia Andy Darma Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia Dwiyanti Puspitasari Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia Dominicus Husada Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia Reza Ranuh Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia Anang Endaryanto Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia Ingrid Surono Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Bina Nusantara University, Jakarta, Indonesia Subijanto Sudarmo Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia 2019 03 28 2019 05 16 Background and Objectives: HIV enteropathy may cause disruption of the intestinal barrier, leading to a loss of CD4+ T cells, increased intestinal permeability, and microbial translocation. Lactobacillus plantarum IS-10506 has the ability to improve gut barrier function. This study investigated the effect of L. plantarum IS-10506 on a number of biomarkers of enteropathy-related damage in HIV-infected paediatric patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ARV). Materials and Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 2-18 year-old children, diagnosed as HIV infected according to the WHO 2007 criteria who had received ARV for ≥ 6 months. Subjects were excluded if ARV therapy was discontinued or the patients took probiotics ≥ 2 weeks prior to the study or during the study period. Subjects were randomized into a probiotic group and placebo group. The probiotic group received L. plantarum IS-10506 2.86 × 1010 cfu/day for 6 days. Blood lipopolysaccharide (LPS) level, serum CD4+ T cell count, serum CD8+ T cell count, CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio, and faecal sIgA level were assessed as biomarkers. Results: Twenty-one subjects completed this study. The blood LPS level decreased significantly in the probiotic group (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in absolute CD4+ T cell count, percent CD4+ cells, absolute CD8+ T cell count, CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio, or faecal sIgA. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion: The probiotic L. plantarum IS-10506 reduced the blood LPS level but showed no effect on the humoral mucosa and systemic immune response in HIV-infected children undergoing ARV therapy. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2077 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/2077/1141

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 11 2 2019 05 30 145 150 EN Reza Ranuh Department of Child Health, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia Alpha Athiyyah Department of Child Health, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia Andy Darma Department of Child Health, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia Vitria Risky Department of Child Health, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia Wibi Riawan Department of Biomolecular Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia Ingrid S. Surono Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Bina Nusantara University, Jakarta, Indonesia Subijanto Sudarmo Department of Child Health, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia 2019 03 14 2019 05 24 Background and Objectives: Microbial communities residing in the gut play a major role in the communication between the gut and the brain through neural, immune, and hormonal routes. Changes in abundance of beneficial intestinal bacteria can affect health of individuals. Conversely, drugs, disease, diet and other factors can alter the gut microbiome. However, there is limited information on the effect of exogenous factors on gut microbiota. In this study, we investigated whether a beneficial bacterium, the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum IS-10506, can stimulate the gut–brain axis using Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The animals were divided into two groups: one received L. plantarum IS strain 10506 supplementation, while the control group received no treatment. Activation of the gut–brain axis was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis of intestinal and brain serotonin (5-HT) and brain neurotrophin (NT), serotonin transporter (5-HTT), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Results: The results showed that BDNF (p< 0.000), NT (p< 0.000007), and 5-HTT (p< 0.000007) expression was upregulated in the brain along with intestinal 5-HT (p< 0.000) level in rats treated with L. plantarum strain IS-10506 relative to the control group. Conclusion: The probiotic L. plantarum IS-10506 stimulates the gut–brain axis and can potentially promote brain development and function. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2068 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/2068/1142

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 11 2 2019 05 30 151 159 Brigitta Corebima Department of Neonatology, Child Health Division, Faculty of Medicine Brawijaya University, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia Rinawati Rohsiswatmo Department of Neonatology, Child Health Division, Faculty of Medicine University of Indonesia, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia Pramita Gayatri Department of Gastrohepatology, Child Health Division, Faculty of Medicine University of Indonesia, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia Sanjay Patole Department of Neonatal Paediatrics, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Perth, Australia 2019 03 20 2019 05 10 Background and Objectives: Human β-defensin-2 (hBD-2) is an essential antibacterial peptide involved in innate immunity and is expressed in breast milk and intestinal mucosa. The aim of this study was to investigate fecal hBD-2 levels and gut microbiota in preterm neonates with different feeding patterns. Materials and Methods: This study was cross-sectionally designed and included 44 preterm neonates categorized into four groups as follows: breast milk only, breast milk predominant, formula milk predominant, formula milk only. The study was conducted at the Neonatology Ward, National Center Hospital Cipto Mangunkusumo, Jakarta from November 2016 to April 2017. hBD-2 levels were measured by ELISA. Intestinal bacteria were quantified by qPCR. Results: hBD-2 levels were significantly different between groups (one-way ANOVA, p=0.004) and the highest value of hBD-2 was found in the formula milk predominant group (344.87±61.2 ng/mL). hBD-2 levels were positively correlated with feeding pattern (Spearman correlation test, p=0.009, r=0.391). There were no significant differences in the total number of specific intestinal microbiota (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Klebsiella) among groups (one-way ANOVA, p>0.05). Interestingly, the formula milk only group had the highest amount of Klebsiella compared with other groups. hBD-2 levels were not correlated with the quantity of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Klebsiella (Pearson correlation test, p>0.05). Conclusion: hBD-2 levels were significantly higher in the formula milk predominant group compared with the breast milk only group. Gut microbiota patterns showed that Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were higher in the breast milk only group, while Klebsiella was higher in formula milk group, although this difference was not statistically significant. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2073 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/2073/1156

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 11 2 2019 05 30 160 165 Hassan Ghorbani-Choboghlo Department of Medical Mycology, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Donya Nikaein Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Ali-Reza Khosravi Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Reza Rahmani Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Zohreh Farahnejad Department of Medical Mycology, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2018 12 25 2019 02 02 Background and Objectives: Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in an adequate amount, confer a health benefit on the host through the gut. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a widespread yeast found in nature. This microorganism has been used as a probiotic agent in recent years. In this study, the effect of microencapsulation on survival rate of S. cerevisiae var. boulardii in the simulated gastrointestinal tract medium and the impact of microencapsulated S. cerevisiae var. boulardii on some serum biochemical factors in a rat model was evaluated. Materials and Methods: 30 male wistar rats were divided into three groups (control, rats receiving microencapsulated S. cerevisiae var. boulardii, and rats receiving S. cerevisiae var. boulardii alone). The probiotic was gavaged at a dosage of 2 gr/kg BW for 8 weeks. Blood was collected from rats at the end of the treatment period and biochemical factors were measured using Mancompany kits. Results: The results showed a significant increase in viability of microencapsulated S. cerevisiae var. boulardii in comparison with free S. cerevisiae var. boulardii (p<0.05). Weight of rats in probiotic treated groups was significantly higher in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, probiotic treatment reduced mean levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, free blood sugar and liver enzymes in rats. Conclusion: Microencapsulation could increase the survival rate of yeast probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract; however, more studies are needed for better understanding of the exact effect of microencapsulation on probiotics’ function. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/1878 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/1878/1146

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 11 2 2019 05 30 166 176 Hajar Mohammadi-Barzelighi Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Bahram Nasr-Esfahani Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Bita Bakhshi Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Bahram Daraei Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Sharareh Moghim Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Hossein Fazeli Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 2019 01 24 2019 04 26 Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of recombinant Azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa against different bacterial species. Materials and Methods: The azurin gene was cloned in the pET21a vector. The pET21a-azurin construct was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21. The recombinant Azurin was expressed and purified using affinity chromatography and confirmed by Western blotting. The cytotoxicity of rAzurin was assessed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of rAzurin with different concentrations were determined by micro-broth dilution and crystal violet methods, respectively. The effect of rAzurin on bacterial species was statistically analyzed by t- test and spearman correlation. Results: The identity of purified protein was confirmed by blotting and distinguished as a 14 kDa band on 15% SDS-PAGE. The IC50 of rAzurin on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) was determined as 377.91±0.5 µg/mL in 24 h. Vibrio cholerae and Campilobacter jejuni displayed the most sensitivity to rAzurin (27.5 and 55 μg/mL, respectively) and the highest resistance (220 μg/mL) was displayed by P. aeruginosa and E. coli. The MIC for other species was 110 μg/mL. The Minimum Biofilm Inhibition Concentration (MBIC) was determined as 220 μg/mL for Salmonella enterica and V. cholerae, 300 μg/mL for Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri and P. aeruginosa and 440 μg/mL for the other species. The antimicrobial effect of rAzurin on bacterial species were significant (p value<0.05) and correlation coefficient was negative. Conclusion: The rAzurin appears to be an appropriate choice and a new strategy for prevention of bacterial infection. It inhibits bacterial growth and biofilm formation and candidates as antimicrobial peptides. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2017 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/2017/1159

Tehran University of Med