Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 17 3 2025 06 02 348 357 EN Saeedeh Jahedi Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Jahrom University, Jahrom, Iran Safoora Pashangeh Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Jahrom University, Jahrom, Iran 2024 04 21 2025 05 04 Postbiotics, which consist of beneficial compounds produced by probiotic bacteria, have emerged as promising natural preservatives in food applications. This article examines the health-promoting properties of postbiotics and their role in improving food preservation and formulating nutrient-enriched foods. An organized investigation of published works was carried out through key research databases, including ScienceDirect, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, using keywords such as “Postbiotics,” “Biopreservation,” “Food Safety,” “Functional Foods,” “Antimicrobial Activity,” “Anti-inflammatory,” and “Bioactivities”. The findings reveal that postbiotics exert antimicrobial effects through multiple mechanisms, including the production of organic acids, bacteriocins, fatty acids, antimicrobial peptides, hydrogen peroxide, and vitamins. These bioactive substances actively suppress the proliferation of harmful and spoilage-causing microbes, consequently prolonging the preservation period of food items. Furthermore, postbiotics have been integrated into functional foods to modulate the host immune response and mitigate inflammatory conditions. Emerging applications of postbiotics also include their use in active food packaging systems, biofilm eradication, and cosmetic formulations. Although research on postbiotics is advancing, further investigations are required to elucidate the mechanisms of postbiotics and optimize their applications in both clinical and non-clinical contexts. This review emphasizes the potential of postbiotics to enhance food safety, improve nutritional quality, and contribute to overall health promotion. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4740 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4740/1775

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 17 3 2025 06 02 358 365 Mahbubeh Jangi Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Kiarash Ghazvini Department of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Saman Soleimanpour Department of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Mahdis Ghavidel Department of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Gholamreza Hashemitabar Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran 2024 12 14 2025 03 19 Background and Objectives: This research aimed to explore the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strains, as well as to assess their drug susceptibility, specifically in strains isolated from immigrant patients attending the Referral Tuberculosis Laboratory in Mashhad. Materials and Methods: A total of 52 sputum samples isolated from patients were examined utilizing the Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive-Unit Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (MIRU-VNTR). Drug-susceptibility testing against rifampin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) was measured utilizing the proportional strategy. Thereafter, for more examination, Xpert MTB/RIF and multiplex allele-specific PCR (MAS-PCR) was performed to determine RIF and INH-resistance within the Mtb strains. Results: Among 52 Mtb isolates, 2 (3.8%) were resistant to rifampin and one isolate was resistant to both INH and RIF and considered as multidrug-resistance (MDR) isolate. According to MIRU-VNTR, the most prominent genetic-variation patterns of these samples, were related to NEW-1 (n=18, 34.6%), followed by CAS/Delhi (n=17, 32.7%), Haarlem (n=12, 23%), Uganda I (n=2, 3.8%), S (n=1, 1.9%), Beijing (n=1, 1.9%), and unknown (n=1, 1.9%) genotypes. The statistical analysis showed that the estimated percentage of the recent TB-transmission in this study was 0.21%. Conclusion: The result of this study indicated a great diversity of MTBC circulating among Afghan-immigrants which might be one of the reasons for the infection to become active. The relatively high percentage of resistant isolates in the studied population shows the importance of screening the immigrants especially at the entry borders and treatment and follow up of patients, to control TB-incidence in country. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/5198 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/5198/1776

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 17 3 2025 06 02 366 375 Sherief Shebeena Department of Microbiology, Aarupadai veedu Medical College and Hospital, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (DU), Kirumampakkam, Puducherry, India Latha Ragunathan Department of Microbiology, Aarupadai veedu Medical College and Hospital, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (DU), Kirumampakkam, Puducherry, India Kavitha Kannaiyan Department of Microbiology, Aarupadai veedu Medical College and Hospital, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (DU), Kirumampakkam, Puducherry, India Thiyagarajan Sanjeevi Department of Medical Biotechnology, Aarupadai veedu Medical College and Hospital, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (DU), Kirumampakkam, Puducherry, India Pramodhini Subramanian Department of Microbiology, Aarupadai veedu Medical College and Hospital, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (DU), Kirumampakkam, Puducherry, India Aravind Sasi Department of Microbiology, Aarupadai veedu Medical College and Hospital, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (DU), Kirumampakkam, Puducherry, India Jaishma Rajni Department of Microbiology, Aarupadai veedu Medical College and Hospital, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (DU), Kirumampakkam, Puducherry, India Jenifer Raj Department of Microbiology, Aarupadai veedu Medical College and Hospital, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (DU), Kirumampakkam, Puducherry, India Mohamed Asarudeen Department of Microbiology, Aarupadai veedu Medical College and Hospital, Vinayaka Mission’s Research Foundation (DU), Kirumampakkam, Puducherry, India 2025 02 11 2025 04 01 Background and Objectives: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) (UPEC) accounts for 70-95% of community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) and a significant proportion of nosocomial UTIs. This study aimed to characterize the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of E. coli isolates from symptomatic UTI patients and evaluate their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based observational study was conducted at Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry, India, from August 2022 to April 2024. A total of 106 UPEC isolates were obtained from symptomatic UTI patients. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed using the Kirby-Bauer method, and virulence genes (hlyA, fimH, papC) were detected using PCR. Results: The mean age of patients was 49.7 years, with a female predominance (69.8%). Diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbidity (29.2%). Fever (60.4%) and dysuria (38.7%) were the most common symptoms. AST showed high susceptibility (>90%) to amikacin, nitrofurantoin, meropenem, and piperacillin/tazobactam, while >60% resistance was observed to cefotaxime and ceftazidime. Phenotypically, 30.2% of the isolates produced mannose-resistant hemagglutinins, and 17.9% produced hemolysin. ESBL production was found in 46.3%. Biofilm production was moderate in 65.1%, weak in 30.2% and strong in 4.7% and significantly correlated with multidrug resistance (p<0.05). Genotypically, 80.2% had fimH, 51.9% had papC and 20.8% had hlyA. papC was associated with reduced cefotaxime susceptibility (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study highlights the significance of phenotypic and genotypic characterization in understanding UPEC virulence and resistance patterns, and emphasizes the need for targeted empiric therapy to improve UTI management. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/5293 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/5293/1777

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 17 3 2025 06 02 376 381 Hatem Sahib Abed Department of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran Seyed Masoud Hosseini Department of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran Zainab Mohammed Jassim Department Applied Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology, Al -Qasim Green University, Babylon, Iraq 2024 12 06 2024 12 20 Background and Objectives: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is one of the most common causes of hospital-acquired infections. It is associated with high morbidity and healthcare costs, especially when appropriate antibiotic treatment is delayed. Antibiotic selection for patients with P. aeruginosa infections is challenging due to the bacteria's inherent resistance to many commercially available antibiotics. This study investigated antibiotic-resistance genes in isolated bacteria, which play a key role in disease pathogenesis. Materials and Methods: 100 samples out of the 140 samples collected from urinary tract infections (UTIs) cases between December 15th, 2022, and April 15th, 2023, were included in the study. Identification of bacterial isolates was based on colony morphology, microscopic examination, biochemical tests, and the Vitek-2 system. Antibiotic resistance genes; Aph(3)-llla, ParC, Tet/tet(M), and aac(6´)-Ib-cr were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The obtained results were based on bacterial identifications of 81 clinical samples. Only 26 (32%) of these isolates were P. aeruginosa, 21 (26%) were Escherichia coli, and 18 (22.2%) were other bacteria. These isolates were used to detect four genes including tet(M), Aph(3)-llla, Par-c, and aac(6´)-Ib-cr. Four types of primers were used for PCR detection. The results showed that 11/14 (78.57%) carried the tet(M) gene, 10/14 (71.42%) carried the Aph(3)-llla gene, 14/14 (100%) carried the Par-c gene, and 10/14 (71.42%) of the isolates carried the aac(6´)-Ib-cr gene. The biofilm formation examining the esp gene, showed that 9 (64.28) isolates carried this gene. Conclusion: The inability of antibiotics to penetrate biofilms is an important factor contributing to the antibiotic tolerance of bacterial biofilms. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/5181 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/5181/1778

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 17 3 2025 06 02 382 389 Samira Natoubi Department of Nursing, Higher Institute of the Nursing Professions and Technical Health of Casablanca, Laboratory of Health, Care and Sustainable Development, Casablanca, Morocco Rim Jamal Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University Hassan I, Settat, Morocco Nezha Baghdad Medical Laboratory, Provincial Hassan II Hospital, Delegation of the Health Ministry, Settat, Morocco 2024 12 08 2025 05 03 Background and Objectives: Crystalluria refers to the occurrence of crystals in urine resulting from urinary supersaturation, which disrupts the balance between factors that promote and those that inhibit crystal formation in urine. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of crystalluria, identify crystal types, determine associated comorbidities, and assess links with bacterial urinary tract infections in outpatients at Hassan II Hospital in Settat. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from January 2022 to May 2023 at Hassan II Hospital. Urine samples from patients suspected of urinary tract infections, who underwent cytobacteriological urine examinations, were analyzed. Results: Among 1,025 urine samples, 22.04% showed crystalluria. The mean age of patients was 51.3 with a standard deviation of 18.1 years. The most common crystal types were calcium oxalate (46.4%), uric acid (23.5%), urates (15.1%) and struvite (9.3%). Comorbidities including, diabetes, kidney failure, prostatitis, and nephrotic syndrome was associated with urinary crystal formation. The prevalence of urinary tract infections in patients with urinary crystals was 10.6%. Struvite crystals were specifically associated with bacterial infections, especially with Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii, Citrobacter koseri, and Enterobacter cloacae. Conclusion: Monitoring urinary crystals is essential for preventing the formation of kidney calculi and crystal-associated infections, especially in high-risk individuals. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/5186 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/5186/1779

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 17 3 2025 06 02 390 396 Reena Rajan Department of Microbiology, Vinayaka Mission's Kirupananda Variyar Medical College and Hospitals, Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation (Deemed to be University), Salem, Tamil Nadu, India Gopinathan Sasikala Department of Microbiology, Annapoorana Medical College & Hospitals, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India 2025 01 26 2025 03 20 Background and Objectives: High-dose of carbapenems and combination therapies with new β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors and polymyxin B/tigecycline have been considered for treatment of carbapenem resistant Enterobacterales infection. The research was conducted to evaluate the in vitro potency of aminoglycosides, ceftazidime/avibactam/aztreonam and tigecycline against isolates of Enterobacteriaceae with multiple carbapenemase enzymes. Materials and Methods: 42 genotypically confirmed carbapenem resistant Enterobacterales (twenty-nine NDM producers, nine NDM and OXA-48 producers, three NDM and VIM producers and one NDM combined with VIM and OXA 48 producer) were included. Minimum inhibitory concentration for carbapenems, aminoglycosides and tigecycline was determined by Vitek 2. Ceftazidime/avibactam/aztreonam synergy was observed by disk diffusion methodology. Results: The in vitro efficacy of aminoglycosides was observed against Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates with NDM and VIM genes. Low tigecycline susceptibility was observed among Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) isolates with NDM and OXA-48 genes. Ceftazidime -avibactam/aztreonam combination displayed good in vitro activity against dual carbapenemase producers of E. coli isolates (NDM with OXA-48 and NDM with VIM genes) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (combination of NDM, VIM and OXA-48 genes). Conclusion: Ceftazidime/avibactam/aztreonam, aminoglycosides and tigecycline displayed in vitro activity against dual carbapenemase producers of E. coli and K. pneumoniae. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/5262 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/5262/1780

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 17 3 samples, Gram negative bacteria were the most prevalent in 1939 (65.6%) samples followed by Gram positive bacteria in 418 (14.1%) and Candida spp. in 269 (9.1%) samples. In gram negative bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli) was the most prevalent bacteria isolated from 1070 samples (55.2%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae in 397 samples (20.5%). In Gram positive bacteria, Enterococcus spp. was the most common bacteria in 213 samples (51%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus in 120 samples (28.7%). Amikacin was the most sensitive drug (91%) for Gram negative bacteria. Gram positive bacteria were most susceptible to linezolid (97%-100%). Conclusion: The generation of a hospital tailored antibiogram is essential for the effective management of infections and countering antibiotic resistance. By adopting antimicrobial stewardship strategies by deeper understanding of sensitivity patterns, we can effectively combat antibiotic resistance. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4736 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4736/1691

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 16 4 2024 08 14 484 489 Mehmet Yildiz Department of Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye Merve Buyukkoruk Department of Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye Seyma Arslan Department of Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye Ulas Gokalp Department of Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye Hasan Bostanci Department of General Surgery, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye Kursat Dikmen Department of General Surgery, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye Cagri Buyukkasap Department of General Surgery, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye Hasan Ozger Department of Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye Murat Dizbay Department of Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Türkiye 2024 04 07 2024 06 27 Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in biliary samples, MDR-bacteria risk factors, and the relationship between MDR-bacteria positivity and some clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted between May 2018 and May 2023, including patients over the age of 18 who had positive culture results in biliary samples. The frequency of MDR-bacteria in biliary samples was evaluated. Risk factors for MDR bacteria were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses. MDR and non-MDR groups were compared inappropriate empirical antibiotic treatment, total antibiotic treatment duration, length of stay, and in-hospital mortality. Results: 342 microorganisms were isolated from 202 patients. Escherichia coli was the most commonly (37.2%) isolated Gram-negative microorganism, and Enterococcus spp. was the most commonly (70.2%) isolated Gram-positive microorganism. The incidence of MDR microorganisms was 42.3%. Gastrointestinal malignancy (OR: 1.96; 95% CI, 1.03-3.71) and previous antibiotic use (OR: 2.26; 95% CI, 1.09-4.68) were independent risk factors for MDR-bacteria. In the MDR group, inappropriate empirical antibiotic treatment (56.6% vs. 41%, p = 0.091), total antibiotic treatment duration (13 vs. 8 days, p = 0.054), length of stay (24 vs. 15 days, p = 0.001), and in-hospital mortality (27.3% vs. 22.3%, p = 0.416) were higher compared to the non-MDR group. Conclusion: MDR-bacteria positivity is associated with inappropriate antibiotic treatment, prolonged hospitalization, and increased mortality. Screening, antibiotic prophylaxis, and empirical treatment approaches should be carefully performed in patients with malignancy and recent antibiotic use, which are significant risk factors for MDR-bacteria. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4697 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4697/1692

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 16 4 2024 08 14 490 496 EN Pegah Ardi Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Roshanak Daie Ghazvini Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Seyed Jamal Hashemi Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Food Microbiology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammadreza Mobayen Burn and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran Abolfazl Pourheidari Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical sciences, Rasht, Iran Sadegh Khodavaisy Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mahdi Abastabar Invasive Fungi Research Center, Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Zahra Rafat Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran 2024 03 10 2024 05 18 Background and Objectives: Fungal burn wound infections (FBWIs) are one of the most disastrous complications in burn patients. The present study investigated the incidence and the species distribution of fungal agents isolated from burn lesions and reviewed the feautures, underlying conditions, and outcomes of patients. Materials and Methods: The wounds were swabbed and cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar with chloramphenicol medium. Fungal identification was performed using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and beta-tubulin sequencing. Results: A total of 380 swab specimens were obtained. Of these, 101 patients (26.75 %) were positive in culture. Among the 101 positive cases, most isolates were from males (n= 68, 67.33%) and most of them were over 30 years old. Flame (n=38, 37.63%) was the predominant cause of burns, and previous history of ICU admission (n=35, 34.66%), presence of central venous catheter (n=25, 24.75%), and diabetes mellitus (n=17, 16.83%) were the main underlying conditions. Candida parapsilosis complex (n=36, 35.64%), and Pichia kudriavzevii (C. krusei) (n=8, 7.92%) represent the most commonly isolated species Also, 2 out of 101 patients (2%) died. Conclusion: In the present study, non-albicans Candida species were much higher frequent than C. albicans with most cases associated with Candida parapsilosis complex. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4632 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4632/1693

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 16 4 2024 08 14 497 508 Mahdi Asghari Ozma Student Research Committee, Baqiytallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hamideh Mahmoodzadeh Hosseini Applied Microbiology Research Center, Biomedicine Technologies Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Hossein Ataee Applied Microbiology Research Center, Biomedicine Technologies Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Seyed Ali Mirhosseini Applied Microbiology Research Center, Biomedicine Technologies Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2024 04 19 2024 07 17 Background and Objectives: The most common cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea is Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), which causes severe and recurring symptoms. The increase of antibiotic-resistant C. difficile requires alternate treatments. Postbiotics, metabolites produced by probiotics, fight CDI owing to their antibacterial capabilities. This study aims to evaluate the antibacterial, antibiofilm, and anti-toxigenic potential of postbiotics in combating CDI. Materials and Methods: GC-MS evaluated postbiotics from Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus plantarum. Disk diffusion and broth microdilution determined C. difficile antibacterial inhibition zones and MICs. Microtiter plates assessed antibiofilm activity. MTT assay evaluated postbiotics anti-viability on HEK293. ELISA testing postbiotic detoxification of toxins A and B. Postbiotics were examined for tcdA and tcdB genes expression using real-time PCR. Results: The most identified B. bifidum and L. plantarum postbiotic compounds were glycolic acid (7.2%) and butyric acid (13.57%). B. bifidum and L. plantarum displayed 13 and 10 mm inhibition zones and 2.5 and 5 mg/ml MICs against C. difficile. B. bifidum reduced biofilm at 1.25 mg/ml by 49% and L. plantarum by 31%. MTT assay showed both postbiotics had little influence on cell viability, which was over 80%. The detoxification power of postbiotics revealed that B. bifidum decreased toxin A and B production more effectively than L. plantarum, and also their related tcdA and tcdB genes expression reduction were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Postbiotics' ability to inhibit bacterial growth, biofilm disruption, and toxin reduction makes them a promising adjunctive for CDI treatment and a good solution to pathogens' antibiotic resistance. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4733 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4733/1694

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 16 4 2024 08 14 509 514 EN Kiana Shirani Department of Infectious Diseases, Nosocomial Infection Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Milad Hajihashemi Department of Infectious Diseases, Immunodeficiency Diseases Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Ashkan Mortazavi Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Alireza Assadi Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Azar Baradaran Department of Pathology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Behrooz Ataei Department of Infectious Diseases, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Hossein Badei Department of Infectious Diseases, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 2024 04 28 2024 05 24 Background and Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 is a newly discovered viral infection. It’s still unclear how antibodies react in infected individuals, and there is not enough evidence to support the clinical use of antibody examination. This study evaluates the diagnostic value of serologic tests for diagnosing COVID-19. Materials and Methods: 32 patients for whom serologic testing was performed within 7 to 21 days from symptom onset and whether they were diagnosed with COVID-19 by both PCR and lung HRCT as gold standard tests at the same time, were included in the study. Results: Serologic tests (IgM / IgG) compared to PCR and lung HRCT scan to diagnose COVID-19, were 89.3% specific and 59.6% sensitive. Positive predictive value (PPV) was 95% and negative predictive value (NPV) was 37%. The diagnostic accuracy index of the serologic test was 0.745 (CI 0.651-0.838) (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Serologic testing can be a complementary alternative for SARA-CoV-2 nucleic acid RT-PCR, although it cannot replace it completely. IgG/IgM combo test kits and RT-PCR together can give more insight into the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4758 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4758/1695

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 16 4 2024 08 14 515 523 Ridhima Jasrotia Department of Microbiology, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab, India Isha Kashyap Department of Pathology, Swastik Diagnostic Laboratory, Dogra Hall, Jammu, India Jyotsna Suri Department of Pathology, Govt.Medical College, Jammu, India Chirag Chopra Department of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab, India Atif Wani Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab, India Nazli Tizro Department of the Environment, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and ResearchBranch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Abhineet Goyal Department of Biotechnology, School of Sciences, Sanjeev Agrawal Global Educational University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India Reena Singh Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab, India 2024 04 21 2024 07 17 Background and Objectives: Cervical cancer global burden is highly skewed towards poor countries primarily due to lack of awareness, poor screening, and low uptake of prophylactic vaccines. The purpose of our study is to educate and raise awareness among young girls and women about the importance of cervical screening and HPV vaccination. Materials and Methods: The present study, conducted from January 2023 to December 2023, focused on students, teachers, housewives, and healthcare professionals in the Jammu region to assess their awareness of cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine. HPV DNA testing was carried out using the Truenat Real-Time PCR method at Swastik Diagnostic Laboratory, Jammu. Results: Knowledge of cervical cancer, awareness of the HPV virus, and the vaccination status of women were assessed in survey. In the HPV screening test, out of 2,400 women, 106 tested positive for HPV. Among these 106 women, 19% had a high viral load (Ct < 20), 11% had a low viral load (25 ≤ Ct < 30), indicating a low relative concentration of HPV viruses, 40% had a medium viral load (20 ≤ Ct < 25), and 30% had very low viral loads (Ct ≥ 30). Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of routine cervical screenings, such as Pap smears and HPV tests, for the early detection of cervical cancer. There is an urgent need to implement cervical cancer screening and vaccination programs in the Jammu region. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4739 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4739/1696

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 16 4 2024 08 14 524 535 Mohammed Jasim Mohammed Shallal Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Thi-Qar, Thi-Qar, Iraq Hind Nasser Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Thi-Qar, Thi-Qar, Iraq Alaa Abdul Hassen Naif Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Thi-Qar, Thi-Qar, Iraq 2024 02 06 2024 07 10 Background and Objectives: Herpes zoster, or shingles, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which initially presents as chickenpox in children. VZV is a global health concern, especially in winter and spring, affecting 10-20% of adults over 50 and posing a 30% risk for the general population. This study used PCR to detect VZV, confirming results with duplicated DNA samples and identifying 234 bp fragments by targeting the gpB gene. Materials and Methods: This study examined 50 herpes zoster cases from October 2020 to April 2021, involving 30 males and 20 females aged 10 to 90, diagnosed by dermatologists. Data were collected via a questionnaire. PCR detected VZV by amplifying the gpB and MCP genes from skin lesion samples. Six positive 234-bp PCR products were sequenced at Macrogen Inc. in Seoul, South Korea. Results: Six DNA samples with 234 bp amplicons were sequenced, showing 99-100% similarity to human alpha herpesvirus sequences in the gpB gene. NCBI BLAST matched these sequences to a reference (GenBank acc. MT370830.1), assigning accession numbers LC642111, LC642112, and LC642113. Eight nucleic acid substitutions caused amino acid changes in the gpB protein: isoleucine to threonine, serine to isoleucine, and threonine to Proline. These variants were deposited in NCBI GenBank as gpB3 samples. Conclusion: The study found high sequence similarity to known VZV sequences, identifying six nucleic acid variations and eight SNPs. Notable amino acid changes in the gpB protein were deposited in NCBI GenBank as the gpB3 sample. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4599 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4599/1697

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 16 4 2024 08 14 536 544 Aliakbar Jadidi Student Research Committee, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran Abdolmajid Ghasemian Noncommunicable Diseases Research ‏Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran Abbas Abdollahi Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran Tannaz Abbasi-Dokht Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran Esmail Abdollahzadeh International Sturgeon Research Institute, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Rasht, Iran Rasoul Baharlou Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Cancer Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran 2024 01 10 2024 07 11 Background and Objectives: The consumption of contaminated poultry meat is considered as a significant route of campylobacteriosis transmission. Lactic acid is a disinfectant agent with bactericidal effects on Campylobacter spp. The purpose of this study was to assess the low concentrations of lactic acid effect and different temperatures on the transcriptomic responses of Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) adhesion and virulence-associated genes including peb4, ciaB, cdtA, cdtB, and cdtC. Materials and Methods: The samples were incubated at 10°C and 22°C for 48 h upon exposure to 30% and 60% lactic acid. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of lactic acid was also determined. Then, gene expression was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Lactic acid had lower MIC and MBC levels at lower temperature. The utilization of both levels of lactic acid significantly reduced the expression of peb4, ciaB, cdtB, and cdtC genes over 48 h of incubation at 22°C. However, no significant difference was found in the expression of the cdtA gene between 10 and 22°C at 30% lactic acid. Conclusion: These results highlight the potential of low-concentration lactic acid in the downregulation of adhesion and virulence-associated genes as well as reduction of C. jejuni pathogenicity. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4560 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4560/1698

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 16 4 2024 08 14 545 551 EN Narges Golab Department of Microbiology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran Pejvak Khaki Department of Microbiology, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran Majid Tebianian Department of Immunology, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran Majid Esmaelizad Department of Biotechnology, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran Naser Harzandi Department of Microbiology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran 2023 09 25 2024 07 16 Background and Objectives: Leptospirosis is an infectious zoonotic disease that can result in severe complications. It is widespread, especially in hot and humid climates such as the northern region of Iran. The immune responses to leptospirosis are multifaceted. Lipl41 is an outer membrane protein that is expressed during infection and is highly conserved among pathogenic species. This makes it a good candidate for diagnosis and induction of specific immune responses. The aim of the present study was to evaluate immune responses against recombinant Lipl41 in mice. Materials and Methods: After immunizing of different groups of mice with recombinant Lipl41 (rLipl41), the levels of specific antibodies and cytokine profiles interferon-gamma/ interleukin-4 (IFN-γ/IL-4) were measured. Results: The results revealed that rLipl41 showed a significant increase in antibody levels compared with the control groups (P< 0.05). Although the level of IL-4 in the groups that received Lipl41 was similar to that in the other control groups, the IFN-γ levels showed a significant increase (P<0.05). Conclusion: It has been concluded that recombinant Lipl41 protein could strongly stimulate specific immune responses and be considered a potential candidate for vaccine development and diagnostic research. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4409 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4409/1699

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 16 4 2024 08 14 552 559 Shahriar Keyhani Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Mohammad Yousef Alikhani Infectious Disease Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Amin Doosti-Irani Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Research Center for Health Sciences, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Leili Shokoohizadeh Infectious Disease Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran 2023 11 12 2024 07 06 Background and Objectives: Today, medicinal plants and their derivatives are considered to reduce the prevalence of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Mentha longifolia essential oil on oqxA efflux pump gene expression and biofilm formation in ciprofloxacin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 clinical strains of K. pneumoniae resistant to ciprofloxacin were studied. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of M. longifolia essential oil and its synergistic effect with ciprofloxacin were determined using the microbroth dilution method and the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) method. Minimum biofilm inhibition concentration (MBIC) of M. longifolia essential oil was detected. The effect of essential oils on the expression level of the oqxA gene was detected by Real-time PCR. Results: M. longifolia essential oil showed inhibitory activity against ciprofloxacin-resistant strains of K. pneumoniae. When M. longifolia essential oil was combined with ciprofloxacin, the MIC was reduced 2-4 times. In 28% of the strains, M. longifolia with ciprofloxacin showed a synergistic effect. M. longifolia essential oil reduces the strength of biofilm formation and alters the biofilm phenotype. A significant decrease in oqxA gene expression was observed in all isolates after treatment with M. longifolia essential oil. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it was observed that supplementing M. longifolia essential oil can help reduce ciprofloxacin resistance and inhibit biofilm formation in fluoroquinolone-resistant K. pneumoniae strains. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4480 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4480/1700

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 16 4 2024 08 14 560 568 EN Ardalan Ghiaee Shamloo Department of Medical Mycology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Hossein Zarrinfar Allergy Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Mahmoud Reza Jaafari Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Mohammad Hossein Yadegari Department of Medical Mycology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 2023 08 04 2024 06 28 Background and Objectives: Candida parapsilosis is the second most common species causing infectious diseases and can lead to biofilm resistance. This study aims to adjust and synthesize a liposomal compound of Nigella sativa and evaluate its antifungal properties against C. parapsilosis isolates. Materials and Methods: The liposomal formulation of N. sativa was optimized through the utilization of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), particle size analysis, zeta potential measurement, and UV-visible spectrophotometry. Furthermore, an MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay was conducted on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The antifungal efficacy was evaluated in accordance with the M27-A3 guideline. Results: The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of N. sativa oil and the liposomal formulation on C. parapsilosis isolates ranged from 128 to 8 µg/mL and from 250 to 31.25 µg/mL, respectively. The MIC50 and MIC90 values of N. sativa oil and the liposomal formulation were 125, 187, and 32, 96 µg/mL, respectively. The viability percentage of cells treated with the liposomal formulation and free N. sativa oil was 91% and 85%, respectively. Conclusion: The cytotoxicity of free N. sativa was significantly reduced when using nanoliposomes. The liposomal form of N. sativa showed greater antifungal properties compared to the free N. sativa extract against C. parapsilosis isolates. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4344 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4344/1701

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 16 4 2024 08 14 569 575 EN Reza Ahmadi Department of Clinical Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Farnoosh Arfaee Department of Clinical Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Shahram Jamshidi Department of Internal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Pejman Mortazavi Department of Basic Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Mahmoud Jamshidian Department of Basic Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 2024 01 25 2024 06 19 Background and Objectives: Helicobacters are gastric and enterohepatic and live in the gut. The role of enterohepatic Helicobacters as intestinal pathogens is uncertain, while stomach Helicobacters are well-known. The prevalence of Helicobacter species in cat feces helps us understand their impact on cat health and human disease transmission. This study used PCR to identify Helicobacter spp. in feces samples from healthy and diarrhoeic cats, independent of the reason. The study also compared intestinal and stomach Helicobacter species. Materials and Methods: PCR analysis was performed on fecal samples from 40 cats, with 20 cats having diarrhea and 20 cats showing no symptoms. The PCR analysis aimed to detect Helicobacter's presence using a method that identifies the bacteria through the 16S rRNA gene. Results: The diarrhoeic group had a greater prevalence of infection (17:9 ratio), with an overall 65% infection rate detected. Cats that were older than 2 years showed a higher incidence of disease. H. canis had the highest occurrence rate (69.2%), followed by H. bilis, H. bizzozeronii, and H. salomonis. Significantly, H. pylori, H. felis, and H. heilmannii were not reported. Conclusion: H. canis was the predominant species found in both healthy and diarrheic cats, indicating the need for more investigation. The detection of the gastric species H. salomonis and H. bizzozeronii further complicates the classification. This highlights the complex nature of Helicobacter infections in cats, emphasizing the need for further investigation to guide the development of preventative measures and treatment techniques for both veterinary and public health purposes. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4588 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4588/1702

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 16 4 2024 08 14 576 583 Mojtaba Mohammadzadeh Vazifeh Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Faculty of Basic Sciences and Advanced Technologies in Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran Gazelle Safavi Haas Department of Clinical Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Nakisa Sohrabi Haghdoost Department of Pathobiology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Ghazal Aftab Department of Clinical Medicine, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 2023 07 21 2024 02 25 Background and Objectives: The ocular surface is perpetually exposed to the external environment, rendering it susceptible to microbial contamination. The ocular surface microbiota consists of non-pathogenic microorganisms that inhabit the conjunctiva and cornea. This study's objective was to extensively review the prevalence of bacterial and fungal organisms in the conjunctiva of healthy and diseased cats. (Herpes- and Calici-infected groups). Materials and Methods: The current study was performed on 240 cats that had visited veterinary health centers (Tehran, Iran) for examination. Sterile swabs from each cat's eyes were investigated for microbiological assessment. After sample collection, viral pathogens (Herpes and Calici viruses) were isolated and identified using the PCR method. The ages of the investigated group were 3.76, 3.93, and 4.15 months. Results: The highest frequency of bacteria in the normal, Herpes-infected/Calici-infected, and Herpes/Calici-infected groups were associated with Staphylococcus intermedius and Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus intermedius, respectively. In addition, it was found that the high prevalence of fungal microorganisms in the isolated samples was related to yeasts, Aspergillus (Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger), and Penicillium species. Conclusion: Bacterial prevalence was significantly higher in all groups than the prevalence of fungi in the eyes of cats. The statistical comparison between the study groups regarding microbial and fungal frequency showed that significant differences were found between them, such that the frequency was higher in all disease groups, against the control group. In addition, a significant relation was observed between the Herpes-infected and Calici-infected groups regarding microbial and fungal prevalence. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4314 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/ind