Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 9 3 2017 10 22 122 142 EN Najmeh Parhizgari Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Mehdi Gouya The Center for Communicable Diseases Control, Department for Health Affairs, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran Ehsan Mostafavi Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran AND National Reference Laboratory for Plague, Tularemia and Q fever, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Akanlu, Kabudar Ahang, Hamadan, Iran 2017 05 07 Despite development of preventive and controlling strategies regarding infectious diseases, they are still considered as one of the most significant leading causes of morbidity and mortality, worldwide. Changes in humans’ demographics and behaviors, microbial and ecological alterations, agricultural development, international travels and susceptibility to infectious diseases have resulted in increased reports of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) and reemerging infectious diseases (RIDs) in various geographical areas. Because of the various types of geographic properties in Iran, substantial climatic variability, as well as unstable political situations and poor public health conditions in some of neighboring countries, EIDs and RIDs are serious public health problems; among them, zoonotic and drug resistant diseases are the most significant. Hence, this review provides an overview of the significant bacterial, viral and fungal EIDs and RIDs in Iran regarding their epidemiological aspects. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/1346 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/1346/733

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 9 3 2017 10 22 143 151 EN Raghavendra Morubagal Department of Microbiology, JSS Medical College, JSS University, Shivarathreswara Nager Mysore 570015, Karnataka, India Sowmya Shivappa Department of Microbiology, JSS Medical College, JSS University, Shivarathreswara Nager Mysore 570015, Karnataka, India Rashmi Mahale Department of Microbiology, JSS Medical College, JSS University, Shivarathreswara Nager Mysore 570015, Karnataka, India Sumana Neelambike Department of Microbiology, JSS Medical College, JSS University, Shivarathreswara Nager Mysore 570015, Karnataka, India 2017 03 15 2017 06 01 Background and Objectives: Despite improvements in modern diagnosis and therapies, hospital acquired infections remain a leading problem of global health systems. Healthcare workers mobile phones is a reservoir for potential pathogens. Despite the high possibility of being contaminated, mobile phones are rarely clean and are often touched during or after examination of patients and handling of specimens without proper hand washing. The main objective of the present study was to isolate, identify different types of bacteria and their antibiotic sensitivity from mobile phones of healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers. Materials and Methods: Samples were collected aseptically by rolling over the exposed surfaces of the mobile phones inoculated on the agar plates and incubated aerobically. After incubation, plates were examined for growth. Bacteria were identified and antibiotic sensitivity was tested as per standard microbiological procedures. Results: In this study a total of 175 samples were examined, out of which 125 samples were from healthcare workers (HCWs), 50 samples were from non-healthcare workers (non-HCWs). Among the mobile phones of HCW’s from ICUs, Acinetobacter baumannii (36.84%) was the predominant organism isolated followed by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (21.05%). Predominant organism isolated from HCW’s in operation theater theater was MRSA (46.66%). Out of 50 worker’s non-HCWs mobile phones samples cultured, 23 (46.00%) samples yielded growth of six different types of bacteria. Conclusion: Our study reveals that there is definite colonization of bacteria on mobile phones of the HCWs. It is not only capable of transferring message but also disease-producing microbes. In order to reduce incidence of nosocomial infections, there should be implementation of hand washing practices and regulations around the use of mobile telephones in hospital settings. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/1303 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/1303/723

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 9 3 2017 10 22 152 159 EN Zohreh Ahangari Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran Masoud Ghorbanpoor Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran Masoud Reza Seifiabad Shapouri Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran Darioush Gharibi Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran Kiarash Ghazvini Department of Bacteriology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran AND Antimicrobial Resistance Research Center, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran 2017 02 04 2017 09 04 Background and Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the major causes of bovine mastitis, which can be transmitted from animals to humans. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates are more attentive and if not treated promptly, they can cause death. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of methicillin resistance and frequency of selected virulence factors of S. aureus isolates with bovine mastitis milk origin in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran. Materials and Methods: During a two-year period (2014-2015), 75 S. aureus isolates were recovered from referred clinical and sub-clinical bovine mastitis milk samples. The isolates were phenotypically investigated for resistance to cefoxitin by Kirby-Bauer method. DNA were analyzed by PCR for mecA and selected genes that encode the virulence factors. Results: According to the results, the spa, ebpS, fnb, bbp, clfA, clfB, and cna genes were detected in 98.7, 97.3, 97.3, 86.7, 84, 84 and 65.3% of the isolates, respectively. Among the 75 isolates, only one (1.3%) isolate was methicillin-resistant. Totally, 39 isolates (50.7%) had all of these virulence factors except mecA. The results showed that 96% of the isolates had at least the fnb, ebpS and spa genes, signifying the noteworthy role of these genes in the pathogenesis of S. aureus bovine intra-mammary infection in this area. Conclusion: In the present study, the prevalence of mecA was relatively low, possibly indicating that cows do not play a significant role in community-acquired MRSA infection in this area. According to the results, studied virulence factors were somewhat prevalent, bearing in mind the probable risk of transmission of these isolates from cows to humans, especially those that are in close contact with infected cattle. The data presented here can be used for the introduction of a protective vaccine against this infection. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/1280 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/1280/734

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 9 3 2017 10 22 160 168 EN Morteza Vahedi Department of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Urmia Branch, Urmia, Iran Nima Hosseini-Jazani Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran Saber Yousefi Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran Maryam Ghahremani Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran 2016 02 13 2017 02 02 Background and Objectives: Staphylococcus epidermidis produces biofilm by extracellular polysaccharides, causing bacterial adherence to different surfaces. Anti-microbial effects of nickel nanoparticles on some bacterial strains such as S. aureus and Escherichia coli have been determined in limited studies. The aim of the present study is to examine the inhibitory effect of nickel nanoparticles on biofilm formation using clinical isolates of S. epidermidis and its hemolytic effect on human red blood cells. Materials and Methods: Twenty two S. epidermidis isolates were collected and identified by standard microbiological methods. Microtiter plate method was used to determine the biofilm production in bacterial isolates . The amounts of biofilm formation by isolates in the presence of 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 1 mg/mL concentrations of nickel nanoparticles were measured. Hemolytic activity of different concentrations of nickel nanoparticles was measured on human RBC suspensions. Results: Twenty isolates were strong, and two isolates were moderate biofilm producers. Biofilm formation significantly decreased in the presence of 0.05, 0.1, and 1 mg/mL of nickel nanoparticles (p<0.05). Although in the presence of 0.01 mg/mL of nickel nanoparticles, decrease in biofilm formation was observed but it was not statistically significant (p=0.448). Slight hemolytic activity was seen in the presence of nickel nanoparticles. Conclusion: In this study, the ability of biofilm production was demonstrated for all clinical isolates of S. epidermidis. On the other hand, the lowering effects of nickel nanoparticles on biofilm formation were observed. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/915 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/915/726

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 9 3 2017 10 22 169 173 EN Malihe Kheradmand Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran Somayeh Jalilian Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran Amirhooshang Alvandi Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran Ramin Abiri Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran 2016 05 25 Background and Objectives: Clostridium difficile is the leading cause of nosocomial diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. The prevalence of C. difficile infection differs in various geographical areas. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of C. difficile isolates and the prevalence of cdd3, tcdA and tcdB genes in beef samples in Kermanshah Province. Materials and Methods: One hundred ground beef samples were randomly collected from the butchers of Kermanshah province during March 2014 to March 2015. Following alcohol shock, minced meat samples were incubated in a specific culture medium for 5 to 7 days. The suspicious colonies were analyzed by biochemical tests and frequency of C. difficile and cdd3, tcdA and tcdB genes was assessed by PCR using specific primers. Results: In total, 30% samples were positive for C. difficile and all the isolates harbored Cdd3 gene. Combined dual-gene frequency of A+B+, A-B+ and A+B- strains in the positive were 0%, 3.3%, and 26.6% respectively, while 21 samples (70%) were non-toxigenic (A-B-). Conclusion: In this study, the presence of C. difficile in beef as a source of contamination was confirmed. It was also shown that the incidence of C. difficile in ground meat was relatively higher than many other studies. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/1039 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/1039/735

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 9 3 2017 10 22 174 185 EN Shiv Chatterjee Department of Laboratory Diagnostic Services, St Stephen Hospital, Delhi, India Ankush Sharma Department of Laboratory Diagnostic Services, St Stephen Hospital, Delhi, India Shilpee Chowdhury Department of Medicine, St Stephen Hospital, Delhi, India Sushil Chumber Department of Laboratory Diagnostic Services, St Stephen Hospital, Delhi, India Ras Bage Department of Medicine, St Stephen Hospital, Delhi, India Nittin Parkhe Department of Radiology, St Stephen Hospital, Delhi, India Uma Khanduri Department of Laboratory Diagnostic Services, St Stephen Hospital, Delhi, India 2015 10 19 2017 08 24 Background and Objectives: Yearly epidemics of Dengue fever occur post-monsoon in India’s capital, Delhi. A prospective observational study was conducted during the outbreak months to understand the epidemiology and outcome of this infection and its economic impact. Materials and Methods: Febrile hospitalized (n=219) patients with dengue fever diagnosed by a combination of MAC-ELISA, GAC-ELISA and NS1Antigen-ELISA were enrolled. Epidemiologic (including economic) parameters, clinical, radiological and laboratory manifestations were noted and patients followed up over the period of hospital stay. Patient management means and outcome were recorded and analysed. Results: As per WHO-2009, 153 (69.9%) and 27 (12.3%) patients were classified as dengue with warning signs and Severe Dengue respectively while according to WHO-1997 guidelines 39 (17.8%) and 18 (8.2%) patients were classified as DHF and DSS respectively. 216 patients were from the city while three were travellers; hospitalization was more frequent among the young and male gender. Fever, vomiting, aches and abdominal pain were the most common troublesome manifestations; classical dengue triad was present in 55 (25.1%) patients; hemorrhagic, neurologic and mucocutaneous manifestations were present in 44 (20.1%), 8 (3.7%) and 70 (32%) patients. Ascitis, pleural effusion, and Gall bladder wall oedema was found in 53 (24.2%), 31 (14.1%) and 45 (20.5%) patients respectively. Mortality was 1.4% (3 deaths); in addition there was an intra-uterine fetal death; mean expenditure per patient during the illness was US$ 377.25. Conclusion: Dengue virus infection results in immense morbidity and substantial mortality. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/733 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/733/728

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 9 3 2017 10 22 186 194 EN 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 Univeogy, Gauhati Medical College, Assam, India. Jasmin Halim Hussain Department of Microbiology, Gauhati Medical College, Assam, India. 2015 10 16 Background and Objectives: Bacterial vaginosis is a risk factor for obstetric infections, various adverse outcomes of pregnancy and pelvic inflammatory disease. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in women attending Gynaecology Outpatient Department (O.P.D) and sexually transmitted disease (S.T.D.) clinic and to assess the role of Gardnerella vaginalis as an etiological agent of bacterial vaginosis. Materials and Methods: Two hundred women attending Gynaecology O.P.D and S.T.D. clinic with symptoms suggesting lower genital tract infection were included in the study. pH of the vaginal discharge was measured and three high vaginal swabs were collected. Bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed using Amsel’s criteria and Nugent’s method. Gardnerella vaginalis was isolated and identified by standard methods. Results: Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis using Amsel’s criteria and Gram stain scoring method was found to be 51.5%and 49% respectively. Gardnerella vaginalis was isolated in only 8.7% cases of bacterial vaginosis. Conclusion: Our study showed a relatively high prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in the population under study. Women attending various healthcare facilities should be screened and treated properly to prevent recurrence. Low isolation rate of Gardnerella vaginalis may be attributed to factors like poor viability and fastidiousness of the organism to grow in various media. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/363 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/363/140

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 6 6 2014 12 15 415 420 EN Reza Golmohammadi Department of Medical Microbiology and Health Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Ramezan Ali Ataee Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Gholam Hossein Alishiri Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Reza Mirnejad Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Ali Mehrabi-Tavana Health Management Research Center & Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Davoude Esmaieli Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2015 10 16 Background and Objectives: Mycoplasma arthritidis mitogen (MAM) superantigen has been shown to induce chronic arthritis, which resembles human rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a rodent model. However, its role as a causative agent in human RA is not well understood yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of MAM superantigen gene in the synovial fluid (SF) of RA patients. Materials and Methods: The MAM superantigen gene a reference was synthesized based on GenBank Data base (Gene ID: 6418105). Specific primer pairs were designed and PCR amplification was performed for MAM superantigen gene detection. A total of 133 SF samples of RA patients were assayed. The PCR products were subjected to sequencing and were descriptively analyzed. Results: The results of the PCR product sequencing showed the method has objective applicability and accuracy. The sensitivity of the PCR reaction for the reference DNA template was 1ng/ml. The PCR results assay of the 133 SF samples raveled that, 9.7% and 22.5% of them were positive for the MAM superantigen gene and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae), respectively. Conclusion: In this study, two Mycoplasma genomes were detected with increased frequency in RA SF patients’ samples. This finding appears to be a promising instrument in the etiological diagnostic of RA patients and could also lead to improved treatment selection. Further research on the other Mycoplasma species present in the SF of RA patients is essential. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/362 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/362/139

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 6 6 <