Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 7 3 2015 11 25 125 126 EN Bahram Fatolahzadeh School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. 2015 11 24 No Abstract https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/811 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/811/496

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 7 3 2015 11 25 127 135 EN Bahman Poorabbas Professor Alborzi Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Nemazee Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran. Jalal Mardaneh Professor Alborzi Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Nemazee Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran. Zahra Rezaei Professor Alborzi Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Nemazee Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran. Mehdi Kalani Professor Alborzi Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Nemazee Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran. Gholamreza Pouladfar Professor Alborzi Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Nemazee Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran. Mohammad Hasan Alami Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran. Jafar Soltani Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, IR Iran. Ahmad Shamsi-Zadeh Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran. Shahram Abdoli-Oskooi Pediatric Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran. Mohammed Jafar Saffar Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, IR Iran. Abdolvahab Alborzi Professor Alborzi Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Nemazee Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IR Iran. 2015 11 24 Background and Objective: Antibiotic resistance is increasing, especially in healthcare-associated infections causing significant public health concerns worldwide. National information is required to make appropriate policies, update list of essential drugs for treatment, and evaluate the effects of intervention strategies. A nationwide surveillance of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in nosocomial infections was established in Iran in 2008, so that the data obtained through the surveillance would enable us to construct a database. Materials and Methods: Seven major teaching hospitals in Shiraz, Tabriz, Sari, Mashhad, Sanandaj, Ahwaz and Isfahan participated in this study. A total of 858 strains isolated from blood and other sterile body fluids were tested. Identification at the species level was performed with conventional biochemical methods and the API system. Susceptibility tests were done using disk diffusion method. The methicillin-resistance in S. aureus (MRSA) was determined by the oxacillin agar screen plate and respective MIC values were assessed using the E-test strips. The confirmatory disk diffusion methods were applied for phenotypic identification of extended-spectrum β- lactamase (ESBL) production for E. coli and K. pneumoniae, according to CLSI guidelines. Results: Cultivation and re-identification of the strains yielded 858 isolates, consisting of 224 S. aureus, 148 Klebsiella spp., 105 Serratia spp., 146 E. coli, 67 Acinetobacter spp., 38 Enterobacter spp., 95 Pseudomonas spp., 71 P.aeruginosa.35 Stenotrophomonas sp., and 8 other organisms. MRSA was detected in 37.5% of the isolates. No vancomycin-resistant or vancomycin-intermediate resistant S. aureus was detected. With the exception of Acinetobacter and Stenotrophomonas, 85% of the Gram-negative isolates were found to be susceptible in vitro to imipenem. Overall, about 61% of K. pneumoniae and 35% of E. coli isolates were ESBL producing. Conclusion: Multidrug resistant isolates of Gram-negative organisms and methicillin-resistant strains of S. aureus have been detected in many hospitals in this study. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/812 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/812/497

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 7 3 2015 11 25 136 143 EN Somayeh Bagherzadeh-Khodashahri M.Sc. Student, Department of Microbiology, Kerman Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran. Seyed Davar Siadat Department of Mycobacteriology & Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran. Mohammad Rahbar Department of Microbiology, Reference Health Laboratories Research Center, Ministry of Health and Medi- cal Education, Tehran, Iran. Meghdad Abdollahpour-Alitappeh Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran. Farzam Vaziri Department of Mycobacteriology & Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran. Mrjan Rahnamaye-Farzami Department of Laboratory Tecnhnology, Reference Health Laboratories Research Center, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran. Mona Mohammadzadeh Department of Microbiology ,Milad Hospital ,Tehran, Iran. Mehdi Davari Department of Mycobacteriology & Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran. Abolfazl Fateh Department of Mycobacteriology & Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran. Morteza Masoumi Department of Mycobacteriology & Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran. 2015 11 24 Background and Objective: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) is divided into two distinct genotypes, type I and type II, based on the structure of capsular polysaccharides. The capsulation locus of Haemophilus influenzae type b consists of three functionally distinct regions, designated regions 1 to 3. Region III contains hcsA and hcsB genes; however, notable sequence variation in this region can be used to recognize different Hib genotypes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and genotype of the Hib strains isolated from patients with invasive disease in Iran. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 8 pairs of primers were used for identification and serotyping of encapsulated Haemophilus influenzae strains, as well as confirmation of species identification. Additionally, in order to identify the cap- sular genotypes of Haemophilus influenzae type b (type I and II), two additional primer pairs were used to amplify the hcsA gene. Results: Out of 50 isolates of H. influenzae, four were found to be type b. Interestingly, among these 4 Hib isolates, 2 strains belonged to the type-II category. Conclusion: Our study shows that the prevalence of both Hib types I and II seems to be high in Iran. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/813 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/813/498

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 7 3 2015 11 25 144 149 EN Fereshteh Eftekhar Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. Ziaeldin Naseh Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. 2015 11 24 Background and Objectives: Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for up to 10% of nosocomial infections. The emergence and spread of multidrug resistant K. pneumoniae, mostly due to the production of extended-spec- trum β-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemases, is often responsible for antibiotic treatment failure of these infections. We compared the antibiotic resistance profiles, ESBL and carbapenemase production as well as presence of KPC-type genes in burn and non-burn clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae. Materials and Methods: Fifty five clinical isolates were collected from Shahid Motahari (25 burn isolates) and Shariati (30 non-burn isolates) hospitals between August 2011 to January 2012. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined to 12 antibiot- ics using disc diffusion. The phenotypic confirmatory test (PCT) was used to screen for ESBL production. Carbapenemase activity was measured by the modified Hodge test (MHT) and KPC-type carbapenemases were further sought by PCR using specific primers. Results: Both groups were highly resistant to cefotaxime and ceftazidime (>92%). Burn isolates were significantly more resistant to cefepime, amoxiclav, imipenem, meropenem, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin compared to the non-burn strains (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in ESBL production between the two groups. Carbapenem resistance was only observed among the burn isolates (n=5, 9.1%). Five carbapenem-resistant isolates produced carbapenemases. However, none of the isolates harbored the KPC-type genes. Conclusion: Higher rates of drug resistance were observed in burn isolates of K. pneumoniae compared to the non-burn strains. Carbapenemase phenotype was only observed among the burn isolates but KPC-type gene was not detected. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/814 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/814/499

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 7 3 2015 11 25 150 155 EN Shadi Rokhsartalab-Azar Young Researchers and Elite Club, Urmia Branch, Islamic Azad University, Urmia, IR Iran. Reza Shapouri Department of Microbiology, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, IR Iran. Mehdi Rahnema Biologic Research Center, Zanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, IR Iran. Faezeh Najafzadeh Young Researchers Club, Bonab Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bonab, IR Iran. Anvarsadat Kianmehr Department of Medical iotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran. 2015 11 24 Background and Objective: Escherichia coli O157:H7, an emerging pathogen, causes severe enteritis and the extraintestinal complication of hemolytic-uremic syndrome. The goal of this study was to evaluate the conjugate of E. coli O157: H7 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with diphtheria toxoid (DT) as a candidate vaccine in mice model. Material and Methods: LPS from E. coli O157:H7 was extracted by hot phenol method and then detoxified. Purified LPS was coupled to DT with adipic acid dihydrazide (ADH) as a spacer and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDAC) as a linker. The coupling molar ratio of LPS to DT was 3:1. Clinical evaluation of E. coli O157:H7 LPS-DT conjugate was also performed. Results: The conjugate was devoid of endotoxin activity and indicated 0.125 U/ml of D-LPS. Mice immunization with D-LPS DT conjugate elicited fourfold higher IgG antibody in comparison to D-LPS. Also, in vivo protection of mice with conjugate provided high protection against the LD50 of E. coli O157:H7, which indicated a good correlation with the IgG titer. Conclusion: Our results showed that the suggested vaccine composed of E. coli O157:H7 LPS and DT had a significant potential to protect against E. coli infections. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/815 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/815/500

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 7 3 2015 11 25 156 160 EN Tahereh Gholamhosseini-Moghaddam Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. Mehrnaz Rad Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. Seyed Fazlollah Mousavi Department of Bacteriology and Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran. Kiarash Ghazvini Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Faculty of Madicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 2015 11 24 Background and Objectives:  Many surface proteins are implicated in nasopharyngeal colonization and pathogenesis of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Some of these factors are candidate antigens for protein based vaccines. New vaccine designs focus on the surface proteins (e. g., pspA and pspC) and also cytolysin, and pneumolysin. In this study, 3 key virulence genes, lytA, pspC, and rrgA, which encoded surface proteins, were detected among S. pneumoniae isolates. Materials and Methods: A total of 260 nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from healthy children under 6 years old attending day care centers in Mashhad, Iran. Isolates of S. pneumoniae were confirmed by optochin susceptibility and colony appearance and also by PCR for cpsA gene. The presence of lytA, pspC, and rrgA genes were also detected by PCR. Results: A total of 59 isolates were confirmed as S. pneumoniae. Among these isolates, 50 (84.74%), 19 (32.20%), and 2 (3.38%) were positive for lytA, rrgA, and pspC genes respectively. The presence of these genes among S.pneumoniae isolates were as follows: 1) rrgA, lytA, pspC (1 isolate), 2) rrgA, lytA(17isolates), 3) pspC (2 isolate), 4) lytA (50 isolates). Conclusion: cpsA gene was specific for detection of S. pneumoniae isolates which were colonized in nasopharynx. The lytA gene was the most frequent gene among the S. pneumoniae isolates, and combination of rrgA, lytA was the most observed pattern. Thus, it is important for future monitoring of vaccine formulation in our country. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/817 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/817/501

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 7 3 2015 11 25 161 167 EN Seyed Asghar Havaei Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Behnaz Assadbeigi 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. Nafiseh Sadat HoseiniVirology Department, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Niloofar Neisi Virology Department, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Mojtaba Rasti Virology Department, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Sara Abasifar Virology Department, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Hasan Soltani Virology Department, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Samaneh Abbasi Virology Department, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Hadis Kiani Virology Department, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Hamide Mehravaran Virology Department, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Azarakhsh Azaran Virology Department, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Toran Shahani Virology Department, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran 2016 07 05 2017 01 26 Background and Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major public health problem worldwide. Replication and persistence of HCV genome have been described in the liver tissue as well as B cells lymphocyte. Several investigations have reported that long-term persistence of HCV in B cells may result in Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This study was aimed to determine frequency of HCV RNA in histological tissues obtained from patients suffered from Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Materials and Methods: 52 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks including 23 (44.3%) Hodgkin and 29 (55.7%) Non-Hodgkin samples were collected and five micrometer sections were prepared. RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized. Two consecutive Nested RT-PCR assays were carried out for detection of HCV 5’ UTR and core gene. RT-PCR products were sequenced and aligned to construct HCV phylogenic tree to evaluate the homology of sequences in comparison to the reference sequences retrieved from Genbank. Results: Overall, 6 Non-Hodgkin (20.6%) and 3 Hodgkin lymphoma (13.04%) samples showed positive PCR results for both 5’ UTR and HCV core RNA via nested PCR (P<0.469). Sequencing results revealed that all detected HCV RNA samples belonged to the genotype 3a. Conclusion: Despite low prevalence of HCV infection in Iran, high frequency of HCV RNA genotypes 3a (17.3%) has been found in patients with Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. To improve treatment regimens, screening of HCV RNA in patients suffered from Hodgkin or Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is recommended which can be done through highly sensitive molecular means before and after immunosuppression status.   https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/1063 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/1063/681

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 8 6 2017 03 03 395 400 EN Shiv Chatterjee St Stephen Hospital, Delhi, India Ankush Sharma St Stephen Hospital, Delhi Shilpee Chowdhury St Stephen Hospital, Delhi, India Sushil Chumber St. Stephen Hospital, Delhi. Mandeep Kaur St Stephen Hospital, Delhi Ras Bage St Stephen Hospital, Delhi Nittin Parkhe St Stephen Hospital, Delhi Uma Khanduri St Stephen Hospital, Delhi 2015 10 18 2017 01 18 Background and Objectives: A single reactive IgG anti-Dengue virus ELISA test in the absence of IgM antibodies or NS1 antigen may denote current infection or past exposure to the virus. To determine whether IgG index value can be used to identify true current dengue infection we conducted a prospective observational study. Materials and Methods: Suspected dengue patients (n =1745) were tested in their first specimen by MAC-ELISA, GAC-ELISA and NS1 antigen ELISA. Patients with MAC-ELISA and NS1Antigen non-reactive but GAC-ELISA reactive results (n =57) in their first test were followed up and repeated sampling was asked for IgG index values were calculated according to the manufacturer’s instruction and classified as: low (2.2-2.5), medium (2.5-4.0) and high (>4.0). Results: 16 out of 57 patients (28.1%) had low IgG Index value whereas 26 cases (45.6%) were categorized as medium and 15(26.3%) were classified as patients with high IgG index. Nine patients with paired reactive serology or antigen positive status were categorised as serologically confirmed dengue fever, 11 patients as not dengue with categorical evidence of other infections while the rest 37 casas with clinical, radiological and laboratory parameters suggestive of dengue but no serological confirmation as possible dengue. Among confirmed, possible and non-Dengue cases, 33.3, 32.4 and 0.0% had high Index value in comparison with 22.2, 29.7 and 27.3% showing low Index values, respectively. Conclusion: Our results suggested a high IgG response in favour of true dengue infection than past exposure while no conclusions should drawn from a low or medium reactive GAC-ELISA results in the absence of IgM antibodies and NS1 Ag.   https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/729 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/729/682

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 8 6 2017 03 03 401 409 EN Seyedeh Sedigheh Hosseini Department of Medical Mycology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. Mohamad Hossein Yadegari Associate Professor, Department of Medical Mycology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Masoumeh Rajabibazl Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine , Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences ,Tehran, Iran AND School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ezzat Allah Ghaemi Professor, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran. 2016 05 16 2016 08 28 Background and Objectives: Secreted Aspartyl Proteinase (SAP) is one of the main virulence factors in the pathogenesis ofCandida. This enzyme is encoded by a family of at least ten genes. Among these genes, the role of SAP1-3 in mucosal infections is evident. This study aimed to investigate the expression of SAP1-3 genes of Candida albicans isolates after treatmentwith Echinophora platyloba extract, carvacrol and caspofungin drug. Materials and Methods: Vaginal samples of 68 women with suspected vaginitis were obtained and cultured. Canida albicansspecies were identified using phenotypic and genotyping methods. Spectrophotometry was used to investigate thepresence of SAP protein in the vaginal samples, and SDS-PAGE was used to confirm its protein composition. Real-timePCR was performed to ascertain the effects of subinhibitory concentrations of Echinophora platyloba extract, carvacrol andcaspofungin on the expression of SAP1-3 genes before and after treatment. Results: C. albicans was found as the abundant species (59.6%), and different amounts of SAP were present in all vaginalsamples, which were higher than Candida krusei strain. The protein composition of SAP in C. albicans samples was estimatedwith the approximate molecular weight of 45 kDa. mRNA levels of total SAP in FLU-resistant isolates (P=0.01) were morethan those of FLU-susceptible isolates (P=0.07). The findings indicated that carvacrol is effective in reduction of SAP1-3 expression with a particular effect against FLU-resistant isolates. Conclusion: Carvacrol contains an essential oil (carvacrol); therefore, it