Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 10 2 2018 05 28 72 73 EN Mehri Haeili Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran Mohammad Mehdi Feizabadi Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2018 04 22 2018 05 28 No Abstract https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/1719 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/1719/785

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 10 2 2018 05 28 74 81 EN Mansour Goudarzi Department of Medical Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Ashraf Mohabati Mobarez Department of Medical Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Shahin Najar-Peerayeh Department of Medical Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Mohsen Mirzaee Department of Laboratory Sciences, Borujerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Borujerd, Iran 2018 05 18 2018 05 18 Background and Objectives: The antibiotic resistance among Enterococcus faecium strains has increased worldwide. Additionally, biofilm-forming isolates of E. faecium play an important role in human infections. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes between biofilm-producing and non-biofilm-producing E. faecium strains. Materials and Methods: In this study, 228 E. faecium isolates from clinical and environmental specimens were obtained from different wards of hospitals in Lorestan province (Iran). Then, the pattern of antibiotic resistance and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against β-lactams, glycopeptides, aminoglycosides and other common antibiotics was investigated using disk diffusion and agar dilution methods. Biofilm formation was investigated using polystyrene microtiter plates. PCR assay was conducted for antibiotic resistance and biofilm related genes. Pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to determine the clonal spread of isolates. Results: Most of isolates (78%) were resistant to penicillin, but all were susceptible to linezolid and tigecycline. The biofilm-producing isolates were more resistant to β-lactams, glycopeptides and aminoglycosides compared to non-biofilm-producing strains. In biofilm-producing isolates, pilA, pilB, efaAfm and esp were the dominant virulence genes and vanA and pbp5 genes were the dominant resistant genes. PFGE analysis exhibited a similar pattern between the clinical and environmental isolates, suggesting the presence of a common origin of the infection by E. faecium. Conclusion: The results of the antibiotic resistance, biofilm assay, and PFGE analysis suggest that there is a common clone of persistent and biofilm-producing strains of E. faecium, which could rapidly disseminate in patients and the environment. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/1750 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/1750/786

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 10 2 2018 05 28 82 89 EN Hossein Sedaghat 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 Mehrdad Halaji Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Azhar Sallari Jazi Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Sina Mobasherizadeh Nosocomial Infection Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Seyed Rohollah Havaei Department of Endodontics, Dental School, Khorasgan University, Isfahan, Iran Mohammad Emaneini Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Seyed Asghar Havaei Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 2017 10 28 2017 12 26 Background and Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen that can be colonized in the nose and increase the risk of spreading infections in hospitals. The present study aimed at determining the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of S. aureus strains isolated from patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) from a teaching hospital in Isfahan, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 262 nasal swabs and 23 clinical isolates that were collected from a teaching hospital during February and April 2016. Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were performed for selected isolates. Results: Overall, 23% and 18% of healthcare workers and patients were carriers, respectively. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) rate was 13%, 33% and 52% in nasal HCWs, nasal patients, and clinical samples, respectively. The molecular typing of MRSA isolates revealed that the most common SCCmec type is SCCmec type III (88%). The highest rate of resistance was observed against tetracycline and erythromycin, with 48.7%. The most frequently detected toxin genes among S. aureus isolates were hla (99%) and sea (44%), moreover, pvl genes were detected in (40%) of MRSA isolates. The results of MLST showed 7 different sequence types (STs): ST859 (2/9), ST6 (2/9), ST639 (1/9), ST343 (1/9), ST239 (1/9), ST291 (1/9) and ST25 (1/9). Conclusion: Our results revealed that ST clones associated with healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) are actively circulating among nasal carriage in our healthcare setting, and thus, effective infection control policies are needed to reduce nasal carriage in healthcare settings. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/1530 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/1530/788

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 10 2 2018 05 28 90 97 EN Parisa Asadollahi Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Fereshteh Jabalameli Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Reza Beigverdi Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Emaneini Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2017 11 26 2018 03 20 Background and Objectives: Variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) patterns and resistance against three commonly used hospital disinfectants [0.5% (w/w) chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG) and 75% (w/w) alcohol (A), CHG-A; Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) and biguanides (B), QAC-B; and 70% (w/w) isopropanol (ISP) and 0.25% (w/w) QACs, ISP-QAC], as well as frequently used antibiotics, were evaluated among 115 Staphylococcus epidermidis blood isolates recovered from a children’s hospital in Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: Multi-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) was performed using primers targeting 5 VNTR loci on the genome of S. epidermidis isolates. Micro-broth dilution method and detection of qacA/B and smr genes were carried out for evaluating resistance against the disinfectants. Results: Out of the 115 isolates, 115 (100%) and 113 (98.3%) were susceptible to linezolid and quinupristin/dalfopristin, respectively. A total of 55.7% of the isolates were found to be multidrug resistant (MDR). All isolates had MICs of CHG-A and ISP-QAC of 8 folds lower and MIC of QAC-B 6 folds lower than that suggested by the manufacturers. The genes qacA/B and smr were found in 28 (24.3%) and 14 (12.2%) isolates, respectively. MLVA typing of the S. epidermidis isolates resulted in 106 VNTR patterns and 102 MLVA types for the 112 S. epidermidis isolates, considering that 3 were not typeable. Conclusion: MLVA typing of S. epidermidis isolates show a great diversity and that the isolates are still susceptible to the concentrations of disinfectants recommended for use by the manufacturers. In addition, the relatively high percentage of the MDR S. epidermidis isolates could cause MDR infections and act as reservoirs to transfer resistance determinants to S. aureus population. Therefore, it is important that suitable infection control strategies are employed to avoid the distribution of MDR isolates between personnel and patients in this medical centre. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/1563 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/1563/798

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 10 2 2018 05 28 98 103 EN Sarah Ismail Department of Biotechnology, University of Baghdad, AL Mansour City, Baghdad, Iraq Suhad Saad Mahmoud Department of Biotechnology, University of Baghdad, AL Mansour City, Baghdad, Iraq 2018 01 30 2018 04 08 Background and Objectives: Multidrug resistance and in particular, carbapenem resistant Gram-negative bacteria is spreading worldwide at an alarming rate. Among the clinically significant carbapenemases, the New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) is one of the most formidable. NDM efficiently hydrolyses β-lactams and is the last-resort among carbapenems. Hence, therapeutic options for NDM producer bacteria become restricted to a handful of antibiotics. The present study was undertaken to detect the prevalence of the blaNDM-variants Metallo β- lactamases (MBLs) among isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa recovered from various clinical samples of hospitalized patients in Baghdad, Iraq. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 isolates of Gram-negative bacteria obtained from various clinical samples were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing by the disc-diffusion method against meropenem (10 µg), imipenem (10 µg), doripenem (10 µg), polymyxin B (10 µg), colistin (10 µg), amikacin (30 µg), gentamicin (10 µg), aztreonam (30 µg), ciprofloxacin (5 µg), levofloxacin (5 µg), ofloxacin (5 µg), cefepime (30 µg), ceftazidime (30 µg), piperacillin-tazobactam (100\10 µg), tigecycline (15 µg) and tetracycline (10 µg). The results were interpreted according to the guidelines suggested by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute. Presence of blaNDM was detected by PCR and it was confirmed by DNA sequencing of the gene present in the isolates that exhibited carbapenem resistance. Results: In the present study, four isolates of P. aeruginosa carried the blaNDM, three isolates harboured blaNDM-1 and one isolate harboured blaNDM-2. All isolates were resistant to imipenem and meropenem. The blaNDM-1 carrying isolates remained susceptible to colistin and β-lactamase inhibitors piperacillin-tazobactam. Conclusion: We are reporting emergence of the P. aeruginosa carrying the blaNDM-variant, which exhibited resistance to imipenem and meropenem for the first time in Iraq. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/1642 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/1642/790

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 10 2 2018 05 28 104 110 EN Fariba Asgharpour Faculty of Para-Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Seyed Mahmoud Amin Marashi Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran Zahra Moulana Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran 2017 09 18 2018 02 10 Background and Objectives: Multidrug resistant Salmonella strains have been observed around the world in recent years. Many mechanisms contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes. This study aimed at determining the distribution and transmission of class 1, 2 and 3 integrons among MDR Salmonella isolates collected from a selection of chicken broilers in the north of Iran. Materials and Methods: PCR assays were used to detect genes for tetracyclines (tetA, tetB and tetG), chloramphenicol (cat1 and floR), and streptomycin (strA). Also, the presence of class 1, 2 and 3 integrons in all MDR isolates was evaluated using specific primers for the integrase genes of integrons intI1, intI2 and intI3. Results: Class 1, 2 and 3 integrons were present in 36%, 42% and 4% of the MDR isolates, respectively. Out of the tetracyclines resistant isolates, 47 (100%) and 5 (10.6%) carried tetA, tetB genes, respectively, while no isolate was positive for the tetG gene. All 36 chloramphenicol- resistant strains carried floR and cat1 genes. Nine (18%) Salmonella Infantis isolates harbored the strA gene, conferring resistance to sterptomycin. Conclusion: This study found a high frequency of antimicrobial resistance genes among Salmonella isolates; therefore, management strategies are needed to prevent food-borne diseases caused by MDR Salmonella from food supplies. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/1503 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/1503/791

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 10 2 2018 05 28 111 116 EN Katayon Berjis Mirza Koochak Khan Infertility Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mahdieh Ghiasi Department of Pharmacology, Razi Drug Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Study of seminal infection among an infertile male population in Qom, Iran, and its effect on sperm quality Sareh Sangy Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Islamic Azad University Of Qom, Qom, Iran; Avay Mahd Cell Iranian Company, Health Technology Development Center of Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran 2016 10 06 2018 01 07 Background and Objectives: There are very few analysis tools to examine seminal fluid specimens, so bacterial infections on male infertility has always been the subject of discussion. These infectious processes lead to deterioration of spermatogenesis, impairment of sperm function, and/or obstruction of the seminal tract. In this study, we aimed at determining the role of bacterial infection on semen parameters including motility, count and normal morphology in 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.