Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 11 6 2020 01 11 448 459 Fatemehsadat Jamzivar Department of Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Masoomeh Shams-Ghahfarokhi Department of Mycology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Mansoor Khoramizadeh School of Iranian Traditional Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Niloufar Yousefi Department of Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Mohammadhassan Gholami-Shabani Department of Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Mehdi Razzaghi-Abyaneh Department of Mycology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran 2019 06 24 2019 10 25 Over the past decades, the incidence of life-threatening fungal infections has increased dramatically in particular among patients with hampered immune function. Fungal infections cause around 1.5 million deaths annually, superior to malaria and tuberculosis. With respect to high toxicity, narrow spectrum of activity and drug resistance to current antifungals, there is an urgent need to discover novel leads from molecules of natural origin especially those derived from plants and microorganisms for antifungal drug discovery. Among antifungal drugs introduced into the clinic, those affecting ergosterol biosynthesis are still superior to other classes and the vital role of ergosterol in fungal growth and development. This review highlights current knowledge about available antifungal agents and further issues on antifungal drug discovery from compounds of natural origin which affect ergosterol biosynthesis. Special attention is made to the fungal sterol C24-methyltransferase (SMT), a crucial enzyme in ergosterol biosynthesis pathway as a novel target for rational drug design. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2231 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/2231/1201

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 11 6 2020 01 11 460 467 Rouhi Afkari Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Resistant Tuberculosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran Mohammad Bokaeian Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Resistant Tuberculosis Institute, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran Soroosh Dabiri Department of Laboratory Sciences, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran Habib Ghaznavi Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran Mohsen Taheri Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, Genetics of Non-Communicable Disease Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran Fereshteh Heidari Tajabadi Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Mehdi Feizabadi Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2019 09 21 2019 11 17 Background and Objectives: Oxalate degrading bacteria and herbal extracts are new strategy for reducing hyperoxaluria. In Iranian traditional medicine, Sankol oral drop is widely used as an antispasmodic drug to reduce stones from urinary tract. This study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effect of oxalate-degrading bacteria and Sankol oral drop in reducing urinary oxalate in rat model. Materials and Methods: Several bacterial strains, including Lactobacillus (4), Bifidobacterium (2) and L. paracasei (2) (very strong in degrading oxalate in vitro) were used in this study. Male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 6). The rats of Group I received normal diet and drinking water + 60% ethanol (positive group). Groups II (negative group), III, IV, V, and VI rats received diet containing ethylene glycol (3%) for 30 days. Groups III rats received Sankol with minimum concentration (7.5 ml/kg/b.w), Group IV rats received Sankol with maximum concentration (9 ml/kg/b.w), Group V rats received Sankol with minimum concentration + probiotic, and Group VI rats received Sankol with maximum concentration + probiotic for 30 days. Results: Treatment with Sankol (maximum concentration) and oxalate-degrading probiotic bacteria significantly reduced urinary oxalate (P = .0001). At the end of treatment period, rats in groups II (negative control) showed a high score of CaOx crystal, while rats in VI groups did not show any CaOx crystal. Conclusion: This is the first study on the simultaneous use of Sankol herbal drop and oxalate-degrading probiotic bacteria that showed a significant reduction in urinary oxalate. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2338 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/2338/1202

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 11 6 2020 01 11 468 477 Ibrahim Taher Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia Abdulrahman Almaeen Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia Hassan Aljourfi Department of Medicine,College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia Eyad Bohassan Department of Medicine,College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia Ahmed Helmy Department of Tropical Medicine & Gastroenterology, Assiut University Hospitals, Assiut, Egypt Eman El-Masry Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia Baraka Saleh Department of Microbiology, Microbiology Laboratory, Prince Mutaib Hospital, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia Nawaf Aljaber Department of Microbiology, Microbiology Laboratory, Prince Mutaib Hospital, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia 2019 10 06 2019 11 30 Background and Objectives: Urinary tract infections are common health problem affecting millions worldwide. Antibiotic resistance among uropathogens (Ups) is prevalent in many countries. In the absence of any available data in the region, this hospital-based study investigated the pattern, frequency and susceptibility of Ups at Prince Mutaib Bin Abdulaziz Hospital, Aljouf Region, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A retrospective assessment of UPs and their antibiotics susceptibility was conducted from January 2017 to December 2017 using the fully automated Vitek2 system (BioMérieux, France). Results: Among the 415 uropathogens isolates, the most prevalent bacteria were Gram-negatives comprising 137 (51%) E. coli; 46 (17.2%) Klebsiella spp.; 30 (11.2%) Pseudomonas spp.; 25 (9.3%) Proteus spp.; 14 (5.2%) Acinetobacter baumanii and 16 (5.9%) others. On the other hand, Enterococcus spp. were predominant among Gram-positive isolates representing 54 (36.7%), 47 (32.0%) Staphylococcus spp., 22 (15.1%) Streptococcus spp., and 13 (8.8%) S. aureus, and 11 (7.5%) others. Gram-negative Ups showed multidrug resistance towards the majority of the tested antimicrobials (ampicillins, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, fosfomycin, aztreonam, and nitrofurantoin). While high resistance patterns by Gram-positives was also seen against cephalosporins, penicillins, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, erythromycin and tetracycline. Conclusion: The observed widespread multidrug resistance clearly warrant implementing stricter control measures, local guidelines of antimicrobials usage, and continuous epidemiological surveys at hospitals and communities. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2351 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/2351/1203

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 11 6 2020 01 11 478 487 Hossein Norouzian Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Katouli Genecology Research Centre, School of Health and Sport Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Queensland, Australia Nader Shahrokhi Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Shahram Sabeti Deapartment of Pathology, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Pooya Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Saeid Bouzari Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran 2019 07 31 2019 09 22 Background and Objectives: B2 and D have been mentioned as the most common phylogenetic groups among uropathogenic Escherichia coli. However, there is still controversy about the importance of these phylo-groups. This study was conducted to investigate the probable relation between these groups and antibiotic resistance patterns of E. coli isolates derived from urine and feces of the patients with acute or recurrent UTI. Materials and Methods: 10 isolates were recovered from urine and feces samples of patients with different phases of UTI in whom E. coli was causative pathogen. Biochemical fingerprinting was performed to classify the isolates and select their appropriate representatives. Phylogenetic grouping was performed using multiplex PCR, and antibiotic resistance was determined by disk diffusion method. Results: Five-hundred-sixty E. coli isolates were derived from 56 UTI patients (27 acute, 29 recurrent). Among them, 261 isolates were selected using biochemical fingerprinting. All the isolates were sensitive to imipenem and nitrofurantoin. Compared to other phylo-groups, the isolates in group D showed considerably different frequencies in acute vs. recurrent phase of UTI, in urine vs. stool samples, in males vs. females, and in- vs. out-patients. They were more resistant to the antibiotics (except norfloxacin), and in contrast to others, this was seen more in acute UTI, especially in urine samples. Multi-drug resistance pattern was also meaningfully higher in group D. Conclusion: Although phylo-groups B2 and D of E. coli bacteria are more responsible for UTI, group D isolates seem to be more resistant and probably more virulent, even than the ones from group B2. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2272 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/2272/1204

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 11 6 2020 01 11 488 495 Appikatla Bhavana Department of Microbiology, GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India Pilli Kumari Department of Microbiology, GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India Nitin Mohan Department of Microbiology, GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India Vijayalakshmai Chandrasekhar Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India Payala Vijayalakshmi Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India Rongala Manasa Department of Community Medicine, GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India 2019 01 01 2019 05 24 Background and Objectives: The association between bacterial vaginosis and urinary tract infection (UTI) in pregnant women is at a greater risk comparatively than patients with bacterial vaginosis or UTI. Bacterial vaginosis and asymptomatic UTI both pose risk for mother and fetus. Early diagnosis and treatment can save the life of both. The present investigation was aimed to find out the magnitude of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women with noticeable bacterial vaginitis attending antenatal outpatient and inpatient of a tertiary care hospital and to identify the organisms causing it. Materials and Methods: A total of 117 antenatal women from different age and parity groups with different gestational ages were included in the study. The samples were subjected to standard microbiological techniques for identification of microorganisms. While performing Per speculum examination, vaginal secretions were collected from the posterior fornix. Swabs from the posterior fornix were tested for pH using litmus paper. A wet mount and Gram smear was made and examined for the presence of bacteria, polymorphs and clue cells indicating bacterial vaginosis. Amsel’s criteria and Nugent scoring system were applied for diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated bacteria was performed using Kirby-Bauer method. Results: Bacterial vaginosis infection rate (62.3%) was common in the present study followed by asymptomatic UTI (n=60, 51%). It was also observed that asymptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) with Bacterial vaginosis prevalent rate was 49 (41.8%) in the current study. Conclusion: Bacterial vaginosis was more common than asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women. It is recommended that antenatal health care facilities should incorporate screening of vaginitis among pregnant women to prevent the complications of pregnancy. And those women with Bacterial vaginosis should be screened for UTI. Proper use of antibiotics should be encouraged, abuse of antibiotics should be in check. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/1992 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/1992/1205

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 11 6 2020 01 11 496 501 Roghayeh Teimourpour Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran Behnam Babapour Microbiology Laboratory, Bu-Ali Hospital, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran Majid Esmaelizad Department of Biotechnology, Central Laboratory, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, Iran Mohsen Arzanlou Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran Hadi Peeri-Doghaheh Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Aterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran Amir Tukmechi Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran 2023 04 05 2023 08 06 Background and Objectives: Instead of antibiotics, propolis is a promising alternative for treating bacterial diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of propolis ethanol extract (PEE) on Yersinia ruckeri (Y. ruckeri), a fish pathogen, by examining its impact on the cell wall, cytoplasmic membrane, and gene expression. Materials and Methods: The effect of propolis on the bacterial cell wall, membrane, and DNA using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was investigated. Its effect on the NAD+/NADH ratio, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as well as the expression of a virulence factor (yrp1) was also determined. Results: It was demonstrated that PEE has multiple antibacterial mechanisms against Y. ruckeri involving cell wall damage, membrane lysis, and a decrease in gene expression. Conclusion: The obtained results indicated that the mode of propolis action against Y. ruckeri is both structural and functional, while others showed propolis only could inactivate bacteria in a structural way. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4179 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4179/1597

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 15 4 2023 08 27 541 549 EN Mehrdad Rabbani-Esfahani Department of Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran Lida Ghaderi Department of Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran Parisa Shali Laser and Plasma Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran Alireza Ghassempour Department of Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran Seyed Iman Hosseini Faculty of Physics, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran Atousa Aliahmadi Department of Biology, Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran 2022 07 13 2023 08 06 Background and Objectives: Plasma radiation is a widely used technique for sterilization or decontamination in various industries, as well as in some healthcare settings such as dentistry. The primary aim of this study was to assess the potential of plasma radiation to create a new population of Staphylococcus aureus cells with distinct characteristics that could lead to novel healthcare challenges. Materials and Methods: A homemade non-thermal plasma apparatus was applied and the effects of plasma treatment on S. aureus ATCC25923 was assessed. Plasma radiation was applied under controlled conditions to ensure that some bacterial cells remained viable. The treatment was repeated 10 times, with each round followed by a recovery phase to collect any surviving bacterial cells. To assess the potential changes in the bacterial population, we examined the antibiotic susceptibility pattern, micro-structural characteristics using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and total protein profile using the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) technique. Results: The experimental results revealed slight variations in the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of certain cell wall agents (imipenem, cephalothin, and cefepime), as well as in the MALDI-TOF spectra. However, no changes were observed in the SEM images. Conclusion: The insufficient application of non-thermal plasma in bacterial decontamination may lead to physiological changes that could enrich or select certain subpopulations of S. aureus. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/3814 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/3814/1598

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 15 4 2023 08 27 550 556 Mohammad Dalvand Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Seyed Ali Mirhosseini Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Kiumarss Amini Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Saveh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Saveh, Iran Soghra Khani Department of Biochemistry, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran Hamideh Mahmoodzadeh Hosseini Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Kowsar Mansoori New Hearing Technologies Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2023 01 18 2023 08 06 Background and Objectives: In the present study, the anti-biofilm activity of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Nisin was investigated on biofilm-forming abilities of Staphylococcus epidermidis strains and the expression of the biofilm-associated genes. Materials and Methods: In this study, the standard strain of L. rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) and Nisin were used to assess their anti-microbial and anti-biofilm effects on S. epidermidis (RP62A). Results: The MIC and MBC analysis showed that Nisin at 256 μg/mL and 512 μg/mL, and L. rhamnosus GG at 1×107 CFU/mL and 1×108 CFU/mL have anti-microbial activity compared to the negative control respectively. L. rhamnosus GG bacteria and Nisin inhibited the biofilm formation of S. epidermidis based on optical density of at 570 nm (P <0.001). The relative mRNA expression of aap, icaA, and icaD genes was significantly reduced compared to the negative control after treating S. epidermidis with sub-MIC of Nisin (0.44, 0.25 and 0.6 fold, respectively) (P>0.05). In addition, the relative expression of aap and icaA genes, but not icaD (P>0.05), was significantly lower than the negative control (0.62 and 0.7 fold, respectively) (P>0.05), after exposure to the sub MIC of L. rhamnosus GG. Conclusion: Nisin and L. rhamnosus GG exhibit potent activity against biofilm-forming abilities of S. epidermidis and these agents could be utilized as an anti-biofilm agents against S. epidermidis infections. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4089 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4089/1599

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 15 4 2023 08 27 557 564 Melika Khanzadeh Tehrani Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Hossein Yazdi Recombinant Vaccine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Reza Pourmand Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Biotechnology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2023 04 23 2023 08 06 Background and Objectives: The increasing number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus persuade the need for preventive measures. Glucomannan is a polysaccharide choice for developing immunological strategies. This study aimed to investigate changes in gene expression and phagocytic activity of macrophage cells in the presence of glucomannan. Materials and Methods: The effect of different concentrations of glucomannan (25, 50, and 100 µg/mL) on the phagocytic activity of macrophage cells was measured using the colony count method. The expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) genes was evaluated by Real-Time PCR. Results: The concentrations of glucomannan significantly reduced the bacterial Colony-Forming Unit (CFU) and increased the phagocytic activity of macrophage cells. The maximum effect of glucomannan on iNOS and TNF-Α genes expression was 100 µg/mL. Conclusion: Glucomannan should be considered an adjuvant that stimulates the immune system. It may increase the expression of TNF-α and iNOS genes and the phagocytic activity of macrophage cells against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4199 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4199/1600

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 15 4 2023 08 27 565 573 Fatemeh Rasti Student Research Committee, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran Elahe Ahmadi Medicinal Plants Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran Mojdeh Safari Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Abbas Abdollahi Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran Saha Satvati Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran Razie Ranjbar Noncommunicable Disease Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran Mahmoud Osanloo Department of Medical Nanotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran 2023 06 02 2023 08 10 Background and Objectives: This study aimed to develop a natural nanoemulsion with antibacterial and anticancer properties. Materials and Methods: The chemical composition of the Origanum majorana essential oil was investigated using GC–MS analysis. Besides, the successful loading of the essential oil in the nanoemulsion was confirmed using ATR-FTIR analysis. Moreover, nanoemulsion’s anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities were investigated. Results: Terpinen-4-o1 (46.90%) was identified as the major compound in the essential oil. The nanoemulsion with a 149 ± 5 nm droplet size and zeta potential of -11 ± 1 mV was prepared. The cytotoxic effect of the nanoemulsion against A-375 human melanoma cells (IC50 = 139 µg/mL) showed significantly more potency than A-549 human lung cancer cells (IC50 = 318 µg/mL). Interestingly, growth of Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and E. coli (Gram-negative) bacteria after treatment with 4800 µg/mL of nanoemulsion were obtained at 12 ± 2 and 6 ± 1%, respectively. However, the IC50 value of nanoemulsion against E. coli (580 µg/mL) was not significantly different (P > 0.05) from S. aureus (611 µg/mL). Conclusion: A straightforward preparation method, high stability, and multi-biological effects are the main advantages of the prepared nanoemulsion. Therefore it could be considered for further investigation in vivo studies or complementary medicine. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4247 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4247/1601

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 15 4 2023 08 27 574 584 EN Parisa Mohammadi Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran Leila Shokrzadeh Department of Biology, Shandiz Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad, Iran Masoumeh Bahreini Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Samira Behdani Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran 2022 10 09 2023 08 06 Background and Objectives: The present study was to evaluate the microbial diversity inhabiting biodeteriorated precious manuscripts of the Holy Quran placed in one of the repositories of the Library of Astan Quds Razavi (AQR), and its relation to the air microbial diversity. Materials and Methods: Three non-invasive sampling methods, culture-based techniques, and molecular identification were used to investigate the microorganisms involved in deterioration. To investigate the air microbial quality and its role in the destruction of the repository objects, air samples were taken from six different points inside the repository. Biomodeling studies were designed to verify the impact of microbial isolates. Results: 14 fungal isolates were obtained from three deteriorated ancient Quran manuscripts. The most frequently isolated fungi from the different substrates were Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. In the air, the prevalence across fungal genera was rather uniform. 30 species of the identified bacteria were collected from three manuscripts. The results obtained in the present study showed that the bacterial species from different genera belonged to three phyla: Proteobacteria (n = 2), Actinobacteria (n = 4), and Firmicutes (n = 24). The paper strips were artificially colonized by Aspergillus sp., Penicillium chrysogenum, and Talaromyces diversus producing spots which were visible to the naked eye. In the scanning electron microscopy images, the colonization of the selected organism was observed. Conclusion: The characteristics of paper inoculated artificially with these microbial isolates confirmed their deteriorating effects. Based on molecular identification, the similarity of fungal and bacterial species isolated from both substrates and air samples suggest the direct relationship between microorganisms from the air and those isolated from the manuscripts. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/3929 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/3929/1602

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 15 4 2023 08 27 585 593 Manoochehr Makvandi Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Mohammad Rashno Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Ebrahim Faghihloo Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Shahram Bagheri Department of Pathology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Saeed Hesam Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Habibollah Mirzaei Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Ali Ramezani Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran 2023 02 25 2023 08 06 Background and Objectives: Breast cancer is currently the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm in women worldwide. There is evidence that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection may play a key role in breast cancer aggressiveness, but results are conflicting across studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of the HPV viral genome in benign and malignant breast tissue samples and its clinicopathological characteristics of cancer. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 100 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) of breast cancer and 100 blocks of non-cancerous breast tissue were selected as a control group from the pathology department of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz from 2020-2022. The presence of HPV was detected using nested PCR including MY09/11 primers and sequencing were performed for virus genotyping. Results: The present study enrolled 100 subjects each in two cancer and control groups with a mean age of 52.81±13.23 and 35.77±11.65, respectively. The risk of cancer in HPV-infected patients is almost 5 times higher than in HPV-negative individuals, it is not statistically significant (OR =4.99, 95% CI 0.35 to 72.15, p=0.238). The prevalence of HPV in the cancer and control groups was 7% and 1%, respectively and HPVs detected in two groups were of the HPV 16 genotype. Although the chance of ER and PR expression, lymphvascular involvement, perineural invasion, and higher tumor grade was higher in HPV-positive subjects than in HPV-negative subjects, this was not statistically significant (OR>1, p>0.05). Conclusion: Based on studies reporting the existence of sequences of different high-risk HPV types (oncogenes) in breast cancer tissues, this study confirmed the hypothesis of a possible infectious cause in the development of breast cancer. So far, however, the results have been controversial and inconclusive. Further studies with large sample sizes are needed to demonstrate the link between HPV and breast cancer. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/4139 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/4139/1603

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 15 4 2023 08 27 594 600 EN Negin Mesgar Saravi Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center (MCBRC), Hemoglobinopathy Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Faegheh Aghajani Thalassemia Research Center, Hemoglobinopathy Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Ahmad Najafi Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center (MCBRC), Hemoglobinopathy Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Rezvan Khajavi Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center (MCBRC), Hemoglobinopathy Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran Zahra Rahmani Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran