Human adenoviruses role in ophthalmic pterygium formation

Background: Ophthalmic pterygium is a common benign lesion of unknown origin and the pathogenesis might be vision-threatening. This problem is often associated with exposure to solar light. Recent evidence suggests that potentially oncogenic viruses such as human papillomavirus and Epstein-Barr virus may be involved in the pathogenesis of pterygia. Expression of specific adenovirus genes such as E1A and E1B, which potentially have many functions, may contribute to their oncogenic activity as well as relevance to cellular immortalization. Objectives: For the first time, we aimed to investigate involvement of adenoviruses in pterygium formation. Patients and Methods: Fifty tissue specimens of pterygium from patients undergoing pterygium surgery (as cases), 50 conjunctival swab samples from the same patients and 10 conjunctival biopsy specimens from individuals without pterygium such as patients undergoing cataract surgery (as controls) were analyzed for evidence of adenovirus infection with polymerase chain reaction using specific primers chosen from the moderately conserved region of the hexon gene. Furthermore, ß-globin primers were used to access the quality of extracted DNA. Data was analyzed using SPSS (version 16) software. Results: Of 50 patients, 20 were men and 30 women with mean age of 61.1 ± 16.9 years ranged between 22 and 85 years. All samples of pterygia had positive results for adenoviruses DNA with polymerase chain reaction, but none of the negative control groups displayed adenoviruses. The pterygium group and the control groups were ß-globin positive. Direct sequencing of PCR products confirmed Adenovirus infection. Conclusions: Adenoviruses might act as a possible cause of pterygium formation and other factors could play a synergistic role in the development. However, further larger studies are required to confirm this hypothesis. © 2015, Kowsar Medical Publishing Company. All rights reserved

GB virus C viremia and anti-E2 antibody response among hemodialysis patients in Gorgan, Iran

Background: GB Virus C is a blood-borne virus and a member of Flaviviridae, like hepatitis C that is distributed globally and puts hemodialysis patients at high risk of developing liver disease. The clinical significance of GBV-C in this population remains unclear

Mutations in pre-core and basal-core promoter regions of hepatitis B virus in chronic HBV patients from Golestan, Iran

Objective(s): It has been reported that the mutation of the pre-core (PC) and basal-core promoter (BCP) may play an important role in the development of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study the PC and BCP mutations were investigated in chronic HBV patients. Materials and Methods: In this study, 120 chronic HBV patients from Golestan, Northeast of Iran who were not vaccinated against HBV, were recruited from the year 2008 to 2012. HBV-DNA extraction from plasma and PCR were performed and positive PCR products were subjected to automated sequencing. Results: One hundred out of 120 (83.3%) patients were HBeAg negative. Comparison of our nucleotide sequences with reference sequence showed high rate mutation in BCP and PC region (96.66%). Frame shift mutation was found in 78 (65%) of patients in BCP region, among them 8 (6.6%) patients showed mutation in PC region. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated high rate of mutations in BCP and PC regions among HBV chronic patients in Northeast of Iran

The efficacy of ethanolic extract of lemon verbena on the skin infection due to Staphylococcus aureus in an animal model

Daily increasing of Staphylococcus aureus resistance to various antibiotics in particular penicillin and Methecilin has led the scientist to look fore new medicines in this area. In an in vitro laboratory studies, it has been demonstrated that ethanolic extract of Lemon verbena can prevent the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. In this study the efficacy of ethanolic extract of Lemon verbena against Staphylococcus aureus skin infection were assessed in an in vivo, in animal model. 200λ of Staphylococcus aureus suspension, were inoculated intradermally on the shoulder of 63 laboratory 20-30 g mice. the mice were divided in to 4 groups, 2 control groups: Negative (without treatment) and positive(treated with Mupirucin) and 2 test groups that treated for 7 days by ointment prepared from ethanolic extract of Lemon verbena (group3), or injection of Lemon verbena solution (group 4). The status of wounds, the rate of recovery was studied and the presence of local pus after dissection of mice on day 8 recorded and compared with each other. The wound appearance in the second day, on the injection site of S. aureus, in Group 1, 4, 3 and 2 were 84.2, 66.7, 46.2 and 23.1%, respectively. In the final day, the lesion still was remained in 78.9, 23.1, 92.3 and 77.7% in groups 1 -4, respectively. The necrotic and wide wounds were more observed in groups 1 and 3 vs two other groups. The results from this investigation indicate that the ointment prepared from ethanolic extract of Lemon verbena is a proper medication to prevent the skin infection by Staphylococcus aureus in early phase. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information

Clinical and epidemiological profile of pandemic influenza a H1N1, H3N2, and type B in the southeast of Caspian sea, Iran

Background: Timely diagnosis of influenza virus is important because this virus can cause severe illness. The 2009 pdmH1N1 influenza virus spread rapidly throughout the world as the first infectious pandemic of the 21st century. Objectives: The aim of this study was the investigation of clinical and epidemiological figure of influenza virus A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and Influenza B infection among patients with respiratory syndrome in Golestan province, Southeast of Caspian see, Iran. Methods: This prospective, cross sectional study took place since November 2010 through March 2014. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs were taken from patients with respiratory syndrome in virus transport medium and were extracted with High Pure Viral RNA Extraction Kit. Real time PCR were performed according to the CDC recommended protocol. Results: A total of 790 suspected cases were assessed; pandemic A H1N1, A/H3N2, and influenza B virus were confirmed in 25 cases (3.2), 21 cases (2.7), and 22 (2.8), respectively. The greatest number of confirmed cases occurred in the age group of 25 to 34 years. There was no significant association between positive cases and age, sex, residency, and clinical symptoms. Conclusions: The prevalence of pandemic Influenza viruses in recent years has caused financial losses as well as mortalities around the world. This shows the importance of the rapid diagnosis of common serotypes in our society. Using real-time RT-PCR is recommended for the early diagnosis and the rapid identification of the individuals infected with pandemic influenza virus. © 2017, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Is Epstein-Barr virus associated with pterygium?

Background and Objective: Pterygium is a fibrovascular lesion of the ocular surface with unknown origin, decrease in the vision. This study was done to evaluate the possible role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the formation of pterygia. Methods: This case-control study was done on 50 tissue specimens of pterygium from the patients who underwent pterygium surgery as the case group and 10 conjunctival biopsy specimens of individuals without pterygium including the patients whom underwent cataract surgery, as controls. The evidence of EBV infection was tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: EBV was detected in three (6%) patients with pterygia. EBV was not detected in controls. There was not any significant correlation between pterygium and the presence of EBV. Conclusion: According to this study, EBV virus is not associated with pterygium formation

Minimum inhibitory concentration of silver nanoparticle against Staphylococcus aureus and its relation with Methicillin resistance and bacterial source of isolation

Background and Objective: The rise of antibiotic resistance particulary Methicillin resistance in pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus is found to be an emerging threat to human health especially in hospitals. Heavy metal nanoparticles such as Ag used for inhibition of this bacterium. This study was done to determine of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) Ag nanoparticle against Staphylococcus aureus which isolated in Gorgan, north of Iran and its relation with Methicillin resistance and source of bacteria. Methods: In this descriptive – analytical study, the MIC Ag nanoparticle in 183 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus by microdilution method was determined. 30 isolates, based on mecA gene was considered as MRSA. Samples were collected from patients, nose of healthy carriers and foods. Compare the MIC of isolates based on Methicillin resistance, source of the bacteria and resistance to other antibiotics were assessed. Results: Out of 183 samples MIC was varied from 1 to 16 µg/ml, and mean±std was 2.9±1.89 µg/ml. MIC mean of silver nanoparticles in isolated from foods were 2±0.7, isolared from healthy carriers were 4.1±2.4 and from patients were 3.4±2.1 µg/ml and were statically significant (P<0.05). MIC mean of silver nanoparticles in MSSA isolates are 3.9±2.3 and in MRSA isolates are 2.4±1.4 µg/ml that were statically significant (P<0.05). MIC mean of gentamycin resistant isolate were lower than sensitive one. But between MIC of silver nanoparticles and other antibiotics resistance was not significant statistically. Conclusion: There is a relation between silver nanoparticle MIC, source of sample isolation, Methicillin and gentamycin resistance. Since MIC of silver nanoparticles on isolates of Methicillin resistant is low, the possibility of its use in the control of MRSA in hospital infections can be considered as a prime attention the Gentamycine

The Role of Genital Mycoplasmas in Preterm Labor

Background: Growth of Mycoplasma in genital tract can cause problems such as infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and preterm labor. This study was designed to evaluate the role of these bacteria in preterm labor among individuals in Gorgan city which is located in north of Iran.Methods: The study included 100 women with complaints of pain in preterm labor before 37 weeks of pregnancy (case group) and 100 women with term labor (control group) who were referred to Shahid Sayyad Shirazi Teaching Hospital in Gorgan city, north of Iran. Vaginal swabs, collected from all of these women, were evaluated for genital Mycoplasma sp. by molecular method using specific primers with polymerization chain reaction (PCR). The comparison of results was done by conducting X2and p&lt;0.05 was considered significant. Results: Genital Mycoplasma was detected in 78 cases (39) of 200 vaginal samples. Genital Mycoplasma colonization rates in the preterm and term samples were 60 and 18, respectively, with relative risk of 2.05 (1.78-2.37) (p=0.001). The proportion of Ureaplasma parvum (44 and 15), Ureaplasma urealyticum (11, 3), and Mycoplasma homins (5, 0) was significantly higher in women with preterm birth (PTB) than term labor. No cases of Mycoplasma genitalum were detected in this study. Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between presence of genital Mycoplasma in vaginal secretion and the risk of preterm labor. © 2022 Avicenna Research Institute. All rights reserved