Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 12 4 2020 07 31 263 272 Alireza Ebrahimi Mojarad Department of Biology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran Seyed Latif Mousavi Gargaria Department of Biology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran 2020 02 04 2020 07 03 Background and Objectives: In recent years, the prevalence of diseases caused by Vibrio spp. is increasing in the world, and among them species, Vibrio cholerae is the most important Vibrio associated with pandemic and epidemic cholera outbreaks. Therefore, the development of a reliable method for early and accurate detection of V. cholerae for management of diseases is a real need. Aptamers with the ability to detect targets with high specificity and accuracy can be one of the candidates used for the whole cell and thereby V. cholerae detection. Materials and Methods: In this research high-affinity DNA aptamers against with two major serotypes of Inaba (ATCC 39315) and Ogawa (clinical sample) were selected from DNA aptamer library through 12 rounds of Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential (SELEX) enrichment procedure using live cells as a target which monitored with flow cytometry. Results: The binding efficiency and dissociation constant of the isolated aptamers V.ch47 and V.ch27 were 56.4%, 53.3% and 15.404 ± 4.776 pM, 20.186 ± 3.655 pM, respectively. A sandwich Enzyme-linked aptamer sorbent assay (ELASA) was developed with the biotinylated V.ch47 aptamer and our previously developed nanobody anti-Lipopolysaccharides (LPS). We optimized this system with V. cholerae O1 and analyzed their cross reactivity with close physiological bacteria. The threshold of detection was obtained 104 CFU/ml in the sandwich ELASA process. Conclusion: Our results showed that the sandwich ELASA is sensitive enough for the rapid detection of V. cholerae from other bacteria. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2473 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/2473/1251

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 12 4 2020 07 31 364 367 Arun Sachu Department of Microbiology, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla, India Sunil Antony Department of Medicine, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla, India Philip Mathew Department of Critical Care, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla, India Sanjo Sunny Department of Critical Care, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla, India Jency Koshy Department of Medicine, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla, India Vijaya Kumar Department of Medicine, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla, India Renu Mathew Department of Microbiology, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla, India 2019 10 04 2020 07 09 Infections caused by Chromobacterium violaceum are extremely rare but can be relatively fatal in septicemia. We report a case of a 76 year old female who presented with pustules in the skin and later developed into septicemia. She succumbed to the illness despite escalating the antibiotic therapy to meropenem. To the best of our knowledge this is the 16th case report from India. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2350 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/2350/1264

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 12 4 2020 07 31 368 369 Vahid Basirat Department of Gastroenterology, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Seyed Farshad Allameh Department of Gastroenterology, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2020 05 06 2020 05 22 No abstract No abstract  No abstract No abstract https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2623 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/2623/1265

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 12 4 2020 07 31 273 280 EN Marziyeh Gholizadeh Tangestani Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran AND The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran Jafar Alinezhad Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran AND The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran Abdolmohammad Khajeian The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran Somayyeh Gharibi Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Kherad Institute of Higher Education, Bushehr, Iran Mohammad Ali Haghighi Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran AND The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran 2020 03 12 2020 07 08 Background and Objectives: Cholixin (cholix toxin) is a novel exotoxin in Vibrio cholerae identified as an elongation factor II specific ADP-ribosyltransferase which inhibits protein synthesis in the eukaryotic cell. Previous researches have suggested that cholixin probably is an important virulence factor in non-O1/non-O139 V. cholerae (NAG) serotypes that could be related to extra-intestinal rather than intestinal infections. This study was aimed to investigate the frequency and genetic diversity of colixin gene (chxA) in clinical V. cholerae NAG isolates. Materials and Methods: The presence of chxA gene in 44 clinical V. cholerae NAG isolates were screened using PCR through specific primers designed for the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of chxA gene. The five PCR products of chxA gene were sequenced. Results: This study showed that chxA gene presented in 19 V. cholerae NAG isolates. The sequences analysis of 5 out of 19 the partial chxA genes amplicon showed that 4 of them belonged to chxA I and the other one belonged to chxA II subtypes. Two distinct clusters were revealed for these isolates by phylogenic analysis, too. Conclusion: The chxA gene contained high frequency among V. cholerae NAG isolates in Bushehr, Iran. The polymorphism study on RBD of cholixin gene is suggested as an appropriate method for phylogenic characterization of the various chxA gene subtypes. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2525 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/2525/1252

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 12 4 2020 07 31 281 288 Hamideh Kalateh Rahmani Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Gholamreza Hashemi Tabar Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Mahdi Askari Badouei Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Babak Khoramian Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran 2019 12 29 2020 05 09 Background and Objectives: Escherichia coli is responsible for various enteric and extraintestinal infections in animals and humans. Iron as an essential nutrient, has a proven role in pathogenicity of E. coli. Pathogenic E. coli benefits of having complicated systems for iron acquisition but our current knowledge is limited because of complexity of these systems. In the present study, three multiplex-PCR assays were developed to screen nine different virulence genes related to diverse iron acquisition systems in E. coli. Materials and Methods: The multiplex-PCR systems were designed and optimized in three panels. Each panel includes a triplex-PCR cocktail. The panels are as follow: panel 1: iroN, iutA and fecA; panel 2: fyuA, sitA and irp2; and panel 3: iucD, chuA and tonB. A total of 39 pathogenic E. coli was screened according to the designed multiplex-PCR. Results: In total, the top three frequent genes were tonB (100%), fecA (66.6%) and sitA (58.9%). With the exception of fecA and tonB, comparing the prevalence of genes among different origin of isolates (human, cattle, poultry and pigeon) showed significant associations (P < 0.05). Moreover, the iroN, sitA and iucD genes were significantly prevalent (P < 0.05) among members of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli in comparison with the group of diarrheagenic E. coli. Conclusion: The current multiplex-PCR assays could be a valuable, rapid and economic tool to investigate diverse iron acquisition systems in E. coli for more precise virulence typing of pathogenic or commensal strains. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2431 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/2431/1253

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 12 4 2020 07 31 289 295 Farzad Esavand Heydari Department of Health and Food Quality Control, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran Mojtaba Bonyadian Department of Health and Food Quality Control, Institute of Zoonoses Research, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran Hamdallah Moshtaghi Department of Health and Food Quality Control, Institute of Zoonoses Research, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran Masoud Sami Department of Food Sciences and Technology, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 2019 08 23 2020 06 17 Background and Objectives: Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) causes bloody and non-bloody diarrhea, intestinal infection and extraintestinal complications in humans. This study aimed to isolate and evaluate the prevalence of E. coli O157: H7 and other Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) and identify the virulence genes (stx1, stx2, hly and eaeA) from patients with diarrhea. Also, the antibiotic resistance profile of the isolated strains was evaluated. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 stool samples were collected from patients with acute diarrhea referring to the hospital and clinics in Isfahan County, Iran. Phenotypic tests and PCR assay were used for detection of E. coli O157: H7 and other Shiga toxin-producing E. coli. The presence of virulence genes (stx1, stx2, hly and eaeA) were identified by PCR. The antibiotic resistance profile of the isolates was determined using the agar disk diffusion method. The results were analyzed descriptively by Sigma stat version 4 software. Results: Seventy - eight out of 100 samples (78%) were contaminated with E. coli. E. coli O157 was isolated from five samples (6.4%), of which only two strains (2.56%) were identified as E. coli O157: H7. According to the results, out of two E. coli O157: H7 isolates, one (50%) isolate contained eaeA and two isolates (100%) contained Stx1, Stx2, hlyA genes. Out of three (3.84%) E. coli O157: HN, one of the isolate (33.3%) contained stx1 and, two isolates (66.7%) were positive for hlyA genes. Also, the results revealed that six strains (7.69%) were non-O157: H7 STEC, of which two isolates (33.3%) contained stx1 and four isolates (66.7%) were positive for stx2 and hlyA genes. The results of antibiogram tests revealed that all of the STEC isolates (100%) were sensitive to imipenem followed by kanamycin, gentamicin and nitrofurantoin (91%). High resistance (54.5%) to ampicillin and ciprofloxacin was observed among the STEC isolates. Conclusion: The results of the current study showed that although the prevalence of E. coli O157: H7 was low among patients with diarrhea, the other STEC strains with relative resistance to antibiotics are more prevalent. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2299 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/2299/1254

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 12 4 2020 07 31 296 304 EN Sherein Elgendy Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt Sherine Aly Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt Rawhia Fathy Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt Enas Deaf Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt Naglaa Abu Faddan Department of Pediatric Medicine, Assiut University Hospitals, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt Muhamad Abdel Hameed Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology Unit, Assiut University Hospitals, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt 2020 05 23 2020 06 14 Background and Objectives: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has become a significant healthcare-associated infection throughout the world and is particularly important in developing countries. This study aimed to investigate clinical characterization and risk factors related to toxigenic C. difficile infection in adult and pediatric patients, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Also, to evaluate different diagnostic methods for rapid detection of C. difficile associated diarrhea (CDAD) in Egypt. Materials and Methods: Stool samples were collected from 95 pediatric patients and 37 adult patients suffering from antibiotic associated diarrhea and were subjected to direct toxin immunoassay and culture on cycloserine/cefoxitin/fructose agar. The presence of tcdA and tcdB genes was tested by PCR. Results: Toxigenic C. difficile was isolated from pediatric and adult patients at a rate of 17.89% (17/95) and 27% (10/37) respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of direct PCR from stool are (100%, 100% and 82.4%, 100%) in adult and pediatric samples respectively. The susceptibility of C. difficile to vancomycin and metronidazole were found to be 66.7% and 48.2% respectively. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus, prior antibiotic treatment, hematological malignancy on chemotherapy, malnutrition, neut 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. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2068 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/2068/1142

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 11 2 2019 05 30 151 159 Brigitta Corebima Department of Neonatology, Child Health Division, Faculty of Medicine Brawijaya University, Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia Rinawati Rohsiswatmo Department of Neonatology, Child Health Division, Faculty of Medicine University of Indonesia, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia Pramita Gayatri Department of Gastrohepatology, Child Health Division, Faculty of Medicine University of Indonesia, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia Sanjay Patole Department of Neonatal Paediatrics, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Perth, Australia 2019 03 20 2019 05 10 Background and Objectives: Human β-defensin-2 (hBD-2) is an essential antibacterial peptide involved in innate immunity and is expressed in breast milk and intestinal mucosa. The aim of this study was to investigate fecal hBD-2 levels and gut microbiota in preterm neonates with different feeding patterns. Materials and Methods: This study was cross-sectionally designed and included 44 preterm neonates categorized into four groups as follows: breast milk only, breast milk predominant, formula milk predominant, formula milk only. The study was conducted at the Neonatology Ward, National Center Hospital Cipto Mangunkusumo, Jakarta from November 2016 to April 2017. hBD-2 levels were measured by ELISA. Intestinal bacteria were quantified by qPCR. Results: hBD-2 levels were significantly different between groups (one-way ANOVA, p=0.004) and the highest value of hBD-2 was found in the formula milk predominant group (344.87±61.2 ng/mL). hBD-2 levels were positively correlated with feeding pattern (Spearman correlation test, p=0.009, r=0.391). There were no significant differences in the total number of specific intestinal microbiota (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Klebsiella) among groups (one-way ANOVA, p>0.05). Interestingly, the formula milk only group had the highest amount of Klebsiella compared with other groups. hBD-2 levels were not correlated with the quantity of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Klebsiella (Pearson correlation test, p>0.05). Conclusion: hBD-2 levels were significantly higher in the formula milk predominant group compared with the breast milk only group. Gut microbiota patterns showed that Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were higher in the breast milk only group, while Klebsiella was higher in formula milk group, although this difference was not statistically significant. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2073 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/2073/1156

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 11 2 2019 05 30 160 165 Hassan Ghorbani-Choboghlo Department of Medical Mycology, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Donya Nikaein Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Ali-Reza Khosravi Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Reza Rahmani Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Zohreh Farahnejad Department of Medical Mycology, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2018 12 25 2019 02 02 Background and Objectives: Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in an adequate amount, confer a health benefit on the host through the gut. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a widespread yeast found in nature. This microorganism has been used as a probiotic agent in recent years. In this study, the effect of microencapsulation on survival rate of S. cerevisiae var. boulardii in the simulated gastrointestinal tract medium and the impact of microencapsulated S. cerevisiae var. boulardii on some serum biochemical factors in a rat model was evaluated. Materials and Methods: 30 male wistar rats were divided into three groups (control, rats receiving microencapsulated S. cerevisiae var. boulardii, and rats receiving S. cerevisiae var. boulardii alone). The probiotic was gavaged at a dosage of 2 gr/kg BW for 8 weeks. Blood was collected from rats at the end of the treatment period and biochemical factors were measured using Mancompany kits. Results: The results showed a significant increase in viability of microencapsulated S. cerevisiae var. boulardii in comparison with free S. cerevisiae var. boulardii (p<0.05). Weight of rats in probiotic treated groups was significantly higher in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, probiotic treatment reduced mean levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, free blood sugar and liver enzymes in rats. Conclusion: Microencapsulation could increase the survival rate of yeast probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract; however, more studies are needed for better understanding of the exact effect of microencapsulation on probiotics’ function. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/1878 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/1878/1146

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 11 2 2019 05 30 166 176 Hajar Mohammadi-Barzelighi 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 Bita Bakhshi Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Bahram Daraei Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Sharareh Moghim Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Hossein Fazeli Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 2019 01 24 2019 04 26 Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of recombinant Azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa against different bacterial species. Materials and Methods: The azurin gene was cloned in the pET21a vector. The pET21a-azurin construct was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21. The recombinant Azurin was expressed and purified using affinity chromatography and confirmed by Western blotting. The cytotoxicity of rAzurin was assessed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of rAzurin with different concentrations were determined by micro-broth dilution and crystal violet methods, respectively. The effect of rAzurin on bacterial species was statistically analyzed by t- test and spearman correlation. Results: The identity of purified protein was confirmed by blotting and distinguished as a 14 kDa band on 15% SDS-PAGE. The IC50 of rAzurin on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (PBMC) was determined as 377.91±0.5 µg/mL in 24 h. Vibrio cholerae and Campilobacter jejuni displayed the most sensitivity to rAzurin (27.5 and 55 μg/mL, respectively) and the highest resistance (220 μg/mL) was displayed by P. aeruginosa and E. coli. The MIC for other species was 110 μg/mL. The Minimum Biofilm Inhibition Concentration (MBIC) was determined as 220 μg/mL for Salmonella enterica and V. cholerae, 300 μg/mL for Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri and P. aeruginosa and 440 μg/mL for the other species. The antimicrobial effect of rAzurin on bacterial species were significant (p value<0.05) and correlation coefficient was negative. Conclusion: The rAzurin appears to be an appropriate choice and a new strategy for prevention of bacterial infection. It inhibits bacterial growth and biofilm formation and candidates as antimicrobial peptides. https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/view/2017 https://ijm.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijm/article/download/2017/1159

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Microbiology 2008-3289 11 2 2019 05 30 177 180 EN Latief Mooduto Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia Dian Wahjuningrum Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia Agatha Prita A Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia Cecilia Lunardhi Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia