Detection of Metallo-beta-lactamase blaVIM-1 Gene in Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in Mashhad

Introduction: Carbapenems are one of the latest drugs for treatment of threatening infections of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Resistance to these antibiotics is sometimes caused by carbapnmase class B, such as VIM metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) that is growing in the communities. The aim of this study was to detect the of metallo-beta-lactamase blaVIM-1 gene among clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Mashhad. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 70 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected from samples of inpatients at hospitals in Mashhad. Bacteria were identified by conventional biochemical methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was examined in accordance with the Kirby-Bauer method. Metallo-beta-lactamase- producing isolates were identified using a combination disc of imipenem and EDTA. Then, polymerase chain reaction was performed using specific primers to detect blaVIM-1 gene. Results: 25 (35.7%) out of 70 isolated bacteria had metallo-beta- lactamase, which blaVIM-1 gene were detected in the genome of 8 isolates. 65.6% of resistant bacteria to imipenem produced metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL). A higher percentage of MBL- producing isolates were resistant to imipenem, meropenem, carbenicillin and cefotaxime (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the study showed that antibiotic resistance among examined clinical isolates of Paeruginosa was high and VIM-type metallo-beta-lactamase was detected among them. Identification of bacteria with metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) is very important in the prevention and treatment of infections resistant to antibiotics

The dual-inhibitory effect of miR-338-5p on the multidrug resistance and cell growth of hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver cancer: Therapeutic potential of a microRNA A small RNA molecule inhibits the growth of liver cancer cells while also making the cells sensitive to the anti-cancer drugs. These twin effects of the natural microRNA miR-338-5p were discovered by researchers in China, led by Chunzhu Li and Jin Ren at the Center for Drug Safety Evaluation and Research in Shanghai. MicroRNAs control gene activity by interacting with the messenger RNA copies of genes that guide synthesis of the proteins the genes encode. The research identified a gene whose expression miR-338-5p inhibits to restrict the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma – the most common form of liver cancer. This is also one of the most drug-resistant forms of liver cancer. A different gene whose activity miR-338-5p controls to sensitize cells to chemotherapeutic drugs was also identified. Using miR-338-5p to treat liver cancer warrants further investigation