Frequency of Antimicrobial-Resistant Genes in Salmonella enteritidis Isolated from Traditional and Industrial Iranian White Cheeses

Iranian white cheese is one of the most important kinds of cheese produced in large scale with high consumption in the country. This dairy product transmits bacterial pathogens like Salmonella spp. Antibiotic resistant Salmonella are widespread in the world. This study was performed to evaluate the frequency of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella enteritidis and related genes isolated from traditional and industrial Iranian white cheeses. A total of 200 traditional and industrial Iranian white cheeses were collected within Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari province (southwest Iran). After culturing on specific media using standard bacterial tests the Salmonella sp. was isolated. For specific detection of S. enteritidis from other Salmonella strains sefA gene was studied. Finally, the antibiotic susceptibility patterns were investigated. Results showed that 17 % of cheese samples were contaminated by Salmonella and 5.5 % of specimens by S. enteritidis. The frequencies of resistance genes including tetA, tetB, tetC, cat3, and floR in isolated S. enteritidis were 36.4, 54.5, 81.8, 54.5, and 36.4 %, respectively. All isolated S. enteritidis were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime, and ceftazidime (100 %). In addition, most of them were resistance to chloramphenicol (64 %) and susceptible to gentamicin (98 %). The Salmonella contamination was more frequent in traditional Iranian white cheeses (11.5 %) as compared to industrial (5.5 %) samples (p < 0.05). As compared to industrial samples, high level of resistant genes in Salmonella enteritidis isolated from traditional Iranian white cheeses were observed (p < 0.05). Therefore, traditional Iranian white cheeses are important source of Salmonella contamination in the country hence examination of dairy products for the presence of this pathogen is importan

Inequality in the global prevalence of HIV based on the human development index

Introduction: Burden of HIV and AIDS is considerably different among regions and countries of the world. The aim of this study was to assess of inequality in the prevalence of HIV, according to human development index among countries of the world. Methods: In this study the desired outcome was prevalence of HIV, which estimated in 100 countries in 2012. The annual report of UNAIDS was used for prevalence of HIV in countries. Also, we used data for the human development index of the countries from UNDP. We defined inequality of human development index in the prevalence of HIV by using the concentration index. Results: Concentration index for prevalence of HIV among 25-49 years adults was -0.217574 (95 CI: -0.07422, -0.361125). This index indicated the inequality in the prevalence of HIV base on the human development index and concentrating more HIV subjects in poor countries. Also concentration indexes in the prevalence of HIV among young males and females were 0.229920 and -0.200014 respectively. Conclusion: Results of this study emphasized on inequality in the prevalence of HIV and concentration HIV in countries with lower human development index, so the international organization must perform fundamental actions to help these countries, such as prevention, care and treatment programs

Investigation of antibiotic resistance and frequency of Clostridium difficile tcdA and tcdB genes in feces of calves in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province

زمینه و هدف: کلستریدیوم دیفیسیل یک باسیل گرم مثبت و اسپورزا می باشد که قادر به ایجاد بیماری در انسان و حیوانات است. هدف از مطالعه حاضر بررسی فراوانی ژن های ویرولانس و مقاومت آنتی بیوتیکی کلستریدیوم دیفیسیل جدا شده از مدفوع گوساله ها در استان چهارمحال و بختیاری می باشد. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه مقطعی- توصیفی تعداد 150 نمونه مدفوع تازه گوساله جمع آوری و کلستریدیوم دیفیسیل به کمک روش های کشت باکتریایی جداسازی شد. DNA ژنومی باکتری ها با استفاده از کیت استخراج DNA، تخلیص و ژن های tcdA و tcdB با استفاده از روش Multiplex PCR شناسایی گردید. برای بررسی مقاومت دارویی از روش انتشار دیسک به روش Kirby-Bauer استفاده گردید. یافته ها: تعداد 90 نمونه (60) دارای کلستریدیوم دیفیسیل بوده که از این تعداد، 8 نمونه (8/8 ) دارای ژن tcdA و 16 نمونه (7/17) ژن tcdB داشتند. در آزمایش مقاومت آنتی بیوتیکی مشاهده شد که بیشترین میزان مقاومت، به ترتیب مربوط به آنتی بیوتیک های کلیندامایسن (100) و اریترومایسین (90) است و بیشترین حساسیت به ترتیب مربوط به سیپروفلوکساسین (50) و وانکومایسین (20) می باشد. نتیجه گیری: با توجه به نتایج مطالعه حاضر کلستریدیوم دیفیسیل دارای شیوع و مقاومت آنتی بیوتیکی بالا بوده که می بایست با اتخاذ روش های پیشگیری و درمانی مناسب و همچنین محدود کردن استفاده از داروهای ضد میکروبی در انسان و دام از توسعه ی این باکتری و به خصوص سویه های بیماریزا جلوگیری کرد

The p53 codon 72 polymorphism and association to prostate cancer in Iranian patients

Tp53 is an important tumor suppressor gene, which induces cell growth arrest or apoptosis when subjected to cytotoxic stimuli. Association has been reported between various cancers and p53 codon 72 polymorphism. Our objective was to investigate the possible association between p53 at codon 72 for Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro and Pro/Pro allele polymorphisms in blood samples from 187 prostate cancer patients and 185 controls in southwest Iran by nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of p53 exon 4 and digestion with BstUI restriction enzyme and the DNA fragments were then resolved by electrophoresis in 2% agarose gel. The frequencies of Arg/Arg, Arg/Pro and Pro/Pro genotypes were 39.57% (74/187), 52.41% (98/187) and 8.02% (15/187), respectively, in the cases with prostate cancer, and 27.03% (50/185), 60% (111/185) and 12.97% (24/185), respectively in the healthy controls. Statistically, analyzed and combined results showed there was a significant difference in the frequency of the Arg/Arg genotype and Arg allele between prostate cancer cases and control (p&gt;0.001). These findings suggest that p53 Arg/Arg genotype could be a risk factor for the development of prostate cancer among patients in southwest Iran.Key words: Prostate cancer, suppressor gene (p53) codon 72, polymorphism, Iran

The prevalence of transfusion-transmitted virus (TTV) infection in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C in southwest of Iran

Transfusion-transmitted virus (TTV) is an unenveloped circular single-stranded DNA virus with a diameter of 30 to 32 nm that was first described in 1997 in Japan. TTV was detected in various populations without proven pathology, including blood donors and in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of TTV DNA in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C in southwest Iran. Viral TTV-DNA was studied in 442 samples (202 with HBV, 138 with HCV and 102 controls) collected from southwest of Iran. All the extracted serum DNA was amplified by TTV ORF1 gene specific primers using the semi nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. TTV DNA was detected in the serum of 8.9 and 10.8% patients with chronic hepatitis B and C, respectively. The prevalence of TTV-DNA in the serum of the 102 controls was 2.9%. The results showed significant relationship of TTV with HBV and HCV in patients from T test examination (P &lt; 0.01). The prevalence of TTV-DNA in Iranian hepatitis B and C patients was rather high when compared with those of other countries. To control and prevent  the distribution of TT-virus, examination of the blood and blood products seems necessary.Key words: Transfusion-transmitted virus (TTV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), ORF1 gene, semi nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Iran

Molecular identification of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale in turkeys in Isfahan province of Iran

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) is a gram negative, pleomorphic, rod shaped and non-motile bacterial pathogen mostly known to cause respiratory tract infections in turkeys. Ornithobacteriosis is an infectious disease of avian species that has been reported in almost all countries around the world. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of ORT in turkeys in Isfahan province of Iran. DNA was extracted from 375 collected tracheal swabs and lungs samples and amplified by ORT 16S rRNA gene specific primers using the PCR technique. ORT DNA was detected in 75 samples (19.93%) of broiler turkeys in Isfahan province of Iran. The results of this study demonstrated the widespread of ORT in broiler turkeys and confirmed that infection with ORT have a high prevalence in Iran.Key words: Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT), turkey, polymerase chain reaction, Iran

Kappa-casein gene polymorphism in Holstein and Iranian native cattle by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)

Caseins amount to nearly 80% of the protein output in cow milk. Caseins are biologically important proteins and they are also a raw material for the cheese making industry. The aim of this study was to identify kappa-casein genotype in Holstein and Iranian native cattle. DNA was extracted from 457 blood samples of 247 Holstein and 210 native cattle for identification and genotyping of kappa-casein gene by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay using HindIII and TaqI restriction endonucleases. The PCR product of the specific primer K-F and K-R gives the 379 bp specific band. Digestion of 379 bp fragment by restriction endonuclease HindIII generated two fragments of 156 and 223 bp. Result of the cut with this enzyme indicate there genotypes AA, AB and BB in the samples. Also, the amplified DNA (379 bp) from the samples remained undigested by TaqI restriction enzyme. These findings suggest that BB genotype could be a good factor for increase of fat and protein content of milk.Key words: Polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), kappa-casein gene, genotyping, Holstein, native cattle

Epidemiology of urinary tract infection and antibiotic resistance pattern of E. coli in patients referred to Imam Ali hospital in Farokhshahr, Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari, Iran

زمینه و هدف: عفونت دستگاه ادراری یکی از شایع ترین عفونت های بیمارستانی است که الگوی مقاومت آنتی بیوتیکی آن در مناطق گوناگون متفاوت است. هدف این مطالعه تعیین فراوانی عوامل باکتریال ایجاد کننده عفونت ادراری و الگوی حساسیت و مقاومت آنتی بیوتیکی اشرشیاکلی (E. coli) در مراجعین سرپایی به مجتمع بیمارستانی امام علی(ع) فرخشهر بود. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی تحلیلی، در یک مدت 5 ماهه (بهمن1390 تا خرداد 1391) از تعداد 848 نفر بیمار مشکوک به عفونت ادراری مراجعه کننده به بیمارستان امام علی(ع)، نمونه ادرار جمع آوری شد. پس از جدا سازی عامل عفونت، با روش Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute آزمون حساسیت به آنتی بیوتیک انجام شد. داده ها با استفاده از آزمون آماری مجذور کای تجزیه و تحلیل شدند. یافته ها: از میان 848 نمونه واجد شرایط، نتیجه آزمایش کشت ادرار 74 نفر (72/8) مثبت بود. باکتری E.coli با 52 مورد (27/70) و باکتری استافیلوکوکوس با 15 مورد (27/20) شایع ترین باکتری‌های جداسازی شده بودند. از 52 نفر آلوده به باکتری E.coli 34 نفر (38/65) زن و 18 نفر (62/34) مرد بودند. بر اساس نتایج آنتی بیوگرام بیشترین موارد مقاومت، به ترتیب مربوط به آنتی بیوتیک آمپی سیلین (71/85)، نالیدیسیک اسید (78/78) و سیپروفلاکسین (51/46) بود. از سوی دیگر، بیشترین حساسیت مربوط به آنتی بیوتیک های نیتروفورانتوئین (30/92)، آمیکاسین (67/66) و جنتامایسین (50/62) بود. بیشترین موارد عفونت در رده ی سنی بالاتر از 47 سال مشاهده گردید. نتیجه گیری: آمپی سیلین و نیتروفورانتوئین به ترتیب دارای بیشترین میزان مقاومت و حساسیت آنتی بیوتیکی بوده اند و براساس نتایج بدست آمده، درمان تجربی با آمپی سیلین در اکثر بیماران مبتلا به عفونت ادراری مناسب نیست

Occupational risk factors among Iranian farmworkers: a review of the available evidence.

Farming is one of the most important components of most economies. No comprehensive picture exists of the health status of Iranian farmers and the work-related hazards that affect them. We aimed to determine the gaps in the current knowledge regarding the occupational health of Iranian farmworkers. Electronic databases including Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase, as well as national databases including the Scientific Information Database, MagIran, and Barakat Knowledge System, were searched for articles published through March 2017. All epidemiologic studies regarding the occupational health of farmworkers in Iran were reviewed, regardless of their design, language, time of publication, and location. Of the 86 retrieved articles, 39 studies were ultimately analyzed. Most studies were conducted in Fars, Kerman, and Mazandaran provinces. According to the results of this review, chemical, physical, and biological hazards, along with work-related injuries, may be the main factors threatening the health of farmworkers. The unsafe use of pesticides was related to male infertility, eye and digestive complications, pesticide poisoning, pesticide absorption, hematological changes, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Chemical hazards (e.g., the unsafe use of pesticides), physical hazards, injuries, and biological hazards (e.g., work-related infectious diseases) threaten the health of Iranian farmworkers. Moreover, farmworkers lack adequate knowledge about the occupational hazards they face and the relevant risk factors