Herpes Simplex Encephalitis: Successful Treatment with Acyclovir

Introduction: One of the most common causes of encephalitis is due to viral infections, such as herpes simplex. Traditionally, brain biopsy was required for the diagnosis of HSV encephalitis; however, here CSF PCR detection for herpes simplex encephalitis is reported which was successfully treated with Acyclovir.Case presentation:A 52 year old female patient was brought to emergency department with fever (400C), constipation, abdominal pain, fatigue, disorientation and agitation for the last two days. DNA extraction and Real Time PCR was performed on CSF sample for HSV-1/2 and HSV-1 was positive. Moreover, the brain MRI report showed left and basal temporal oppression, together with left and basal frontal pus. The patient was discharged after 20 days of hospitalization and treatment with acyclovir and normal physiological indexes and had a good clinical and neurologic outcome with resolution of all the symptoms.Conclusion:It is worthy to emphasize that despite the normal biochemical CSF, imaging results and PCR are proved evidence of HSV encephalitis.

Protective Activity of Probiotic Bacteria Against Candida albicans: An In Vitro Study

Background: Therapeutic applications of probiotics against human candida infections remain controversial. Candida species are the most common human fungal pathogens that cause both superficial and systemic infection. Given the low number of appropriate and effective antifungal drugs, the continuing increase in the incidence of Candida infections, and increased drug resistance, it is required to explore new and better factors targeting essential biological processes and pathogenic determinants of C. albicans. Objective: In this context, a laboratory study was conducted to investigate the effects of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus on the adherence of C. albicans to the human epithelial cell line known as human epithelial type 2 (HEp-2) cells and the potential protective effects of probiotic bacteria on the infected cells. Materials and Methods: To evaluate the effect of L. acidophilus on the adherence of C. albicans to HEp-2 cells, either yeast cells, probiotic bacteria, or both were added to each well of a 12-well plate, with a coverslip at the bottom, covered with a semiconfluent layer of HEp-2 cells. After 2 hours of incubation, the number of adhered pathogens was counted using light microscopy. In order to determine the effect of C. albicans on the viability of the HEp-2 cells, in the presence and absence of L. acidophilus, MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was conducted. Results: The results revealed that either L. acidophilus strain La5 or C. albicans adhered to the (HEp-2) cells. In addition, cell association of C. albicans with Hep2 cells decreased by up to 80% when probiotic bacteria were added. The most interesting finding was that in the presence of L. acidophilus La-5, a significant decrease was observed in the adhesion of C. albicans to the cell line or cell mortality. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, the use of probiotics is a promising method to decrease the pathogenicity of opportunistic mycoses

Prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium and Mycoplasma hominis isolates among Women with Cervicitis Referred to Karaj Health Care Centers

Background and Objectives: Mycoplasma is a genus of bacteria often found in the normal flora of the mouth, respiratory system and urogenital tract; but potentially pathogenic species also exist which can cause serious respiratory and genital diseases in human including postpartum fever, pelvic inflammatory infections, and pyelonephritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium and Mycoplasma hominis in women who referred to the health centers in Karaj and investigate the susceptibility of M. genitalium strains against Fluoroquinolone antibiotics.Materials & Methods: Endocervical swabs were taken from 200 women with cervicitis. Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAATs) were performed for detecting Mgpa gene in M. genitalium and RNH gene in M. hominis. Mutations in parC and gyrA genes, as well as antibiotic resistance, were studied in positive samples of M. genitalium.Results: 9 M. genitalium and 11 M. hominis positive samples were found among samples obtained from women with cervicitis. Positive samples of M.genitalium were examined for isolating the parC and gyrA genes. Six sequences of these genes were analyzed by MEGA5 software. Mutation in parC gene was observed in one sequence which %16 shows resistance.Conclusion: M. hominis and M. genitalium were detected in 5.5% and 4.5% of samples, respectively. Our findings showed a relatively medium prevalence of M. hominis and M. genitalium in women with cervicitis in Alborz province. The sequencing results of gyrA and parC genes in this study represent the occurrence of mutations which drive fluoroquinolones resistance. Therefore, further studies are necessary in this area and to overcome this problem irregular prescribing limited and antibiotic sensitivity patterns in treatment to be considered

Effect and Properties of Surface-Modified Copper Doped ZnO Nanoparticles (Cu:ZnO NPs) on Killing Curves of Bacterial Pathogens

Background: The current study aimed to determine the effect and properties of surface-modified copper doped Cu:ZnO NPs on killing curves of bacterial pathogens. Methods:  Preparation  of  in  situ  surface-modified  copper  doped  ZnO nanoparticles (Cu:ZnO NPs) was done according to standard procedure.Assay for antimicrobial activity of Cu:ZnO NPs against bacterial pathogens was carried out based on disc diffusion method. Determination of shelf life, thermal and pH stability of antibacterial activity of Cu:ZnO NPs was done and residual activity was determined against the target cultures. Results: FTIR spectra indicate that the nanomaterials synthesized have higher peak intensity compared with reagent grade ZnO. According to the SEM image the nanoparticles synthesized have different size and heterogeneous morphology.  400  ppm  of  Cu:ZnO  NPs  gave  zones  of  inhibition  with diameters of 9.0 – 16 mm against the target cultures. Amongst the target cultures, Escherchia coli was the most sensitive to the Cu:ZnO NPs inhibition zone diameter 16 mm; whereas, 9 mm wide inhibition zone was obtained against  Staphylococcus  aureus. The  Cu:ZnO  NPs  was  fairly stable  for a period of 60 days at room temperature (RT) showing lost of only 20% and 30%     antibacterial  activity  as  tested  against  E.  coli  and  S.  aureus, respectively. The Cu:ZnO NPs was quite stable at this pH and temperature range tested against both E. coli and S. aureus. Conclusion: Surface-modified copper doped Cu:ZnO NPs have significant potential for their usefulness as antibacterial agents

Neonatal Bacteriemia Isolates and Their Antibiotic Resistance Pattern in Neonatal Insensitive Care Unit (NICU) at Beasat Hospital, Sanandaj, Iran

Bacteremia continues to result in significant morbidity and mortality, particularly among neonates. There is scarce data on neonatal bacteremia in among Iranian neonates. In this study, we determined neonatal bacteremia isolates and their antibiotic resistance pattern in neonatal insensitive care unit at Beasat hospital, Sanandaj, Iran. During one year, all neonates admitted to the NICU were evaluated. Staphylococcal isolates were subjected to determine the prevalence of MRS and mecA gene. A total of 355 blood cultures from suspected cases of sepsis were processed, of which 27 (7.6%) were positive for bacterial growth. Of the 27 isolates, 20 (74%) were Staphylococcus spp as the leading cause of bacteremia. The incidence of Gram negative bacteria was 04 (14.8%). The isolated bacteria were resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Maximum resistance among Staphylococcus spp was against Penicillin, and Ampicillin. In our study, the isolated bacteria were 7.5 % Vancomycin and Ciprofloxacin sensitive. Oxacillin disk diffusion and PCR screened 35% and 30% mec a positive Staphylococcus spp. The spectrum of neonatal bacteremia as seen in NICU at Beasat hospital confirmed the importance of pathogens such as Staphylococcus spp. Penicillin, Ampicillin and Cotrimoxazol resistance was high in theses isolates with high mecA gene carriage, probably due to antibiotic selection

Pilus–encoding islets in S. agalactiae and its association with antibacterial resistance and serotype distribution

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a versatile organism which uses multiple virulence factors which bind to the surface of epithelial cells. Pili are one of virulence factors detected in recent years. A total of 90 isolates were collected from invasive and non-invasive isolates among adults throughout 2014-2015. Isolates were serotyped at molecular level based on capsular polysaccharide (cps) serotyping and analyzed for pilus island profiles, scpB gene, and hvgA gene presence. Isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility towards penicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, clindamycin, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, and vancomycin by disk diffusion method and MICs for erythromycin and clindamycin were determined by broth dilution methods. Overall, 4 serotypes were identified, serotype III (68.88%), V (20%), II (10%) and Ib (1.11%) and hvgA gene was detected in 7.7% (n = 7) of the isolates; all were serotype III/ST 17. All isolates were susceptible to penicillin and vancomycin, except one isolate which showed intermediate resistance to penicillin and other complete resistance to vancomycin. Isolates were resistant to tetracycline (98%), erythromycin (25%), clindamycin (22%), moxifloxacin (8%), and levofloxacin (6%). The scpB gene was detected in all isolates, while isolates harbored at least one PI, of which the PI-1+PI-2a was the most frequent combination observed. Our data show the presence of the relation between serotype or pilus genes among clinical isolates of Streptococcus agalactiae. These data are principal to help in designing prevention and treatment strategies for GBS infections in the region

Identification and Extraction of Chicken Egg Yolk Immunoglobulin from Egg by Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Precipitation

Background: Staphylococcus aureus strains exhibiting multiple antibiotic resistances are isolated from most communities and hospital infections. Treatment of patients with these infections has been difficult. The aim of this study was to detect and extract, the egg yolk immunoglobulin Y as a potential source of anti- S. aureus antibody.Methods: Specific IgY was produced by immunizing hens with formalin-killed S. aureus. The specificity of serum`s antibody was confirmed by ELISA method. The antibodies were extracted from egg yolk by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation. Proteins were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).Results: Chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY) were raised against S. aureus in the serum after injections. Up to 104 dilution specific antibodies were determined in serum. Conclusion: The results of the ELISA indicates the specificity of the immunoglobulin Y to the target antigen. In order to find a viable alternative to antibiotic treatments, more research must be done on the ability of these antibodies to inhibit the growth of S. aureus. </div

Salmonella Group B and Gastroenteritis Linked to Consumption of Raw Vegetables: A Case Report

We present a case of Salmonella gastroenteritis due to consumption of raw vegetables and water in the farm field.A 62 year-old female from north of Iran was travelling to Karaj. In the way to Karaj, the patient consumed raw unwashed vegetables from the farm field. After a few hours she complained the gastrointestinal disturbances. She admitted to the emergency department for evaluation of frequent severe watery diarrhea. Stool culture was taken at admission time which found positive for Salmonella group B; which was sensitive to Ceftriaxon, Amikacin, Co-trimoxazole, Nalidoxoc acid, Nitrofurantoin, Piperacillin and Ciprofloxacin. Treatment was initiated with Metronidazole and Ciprofloxacin resulting in rapid improvement of the patient’s symptoms. The patient was discharged after 3 days hospital admission. She has remained well without evidence of recurrence of symptoms during a 2-month follow-up period