Diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection among pediatric household contacts of Iranian tuberculosis cases using tuberculin skin test, IFN- γ release assay and IFN-γ-induced protein-10

Background: Although the World Health Organization has recommended the diagnosis and prophylactic treatment of latent tuberculous infection (LTBI) in child household contacts of tuberculosis (TB) cases, the national programs in high-burden TB regions rarely implement adequate screening of this high-risk group, mainly because of resource limitations. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of LTBI among pediatric household contacts of TB cases in two high-burden provinces in Iran. Methods: We conducted a cohort study in children who had been in household contact with a TB index. All subjects were assessed for active TB disease. For LTBI diagnosis, tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) were performed at the time of the index TB case diagnosis, as well as, 3, 12, and 18 months, if the first results were negative. In addition, interferon-γ-induced protein-10(IP-10) concentrations were measured for all participants. Results: A total of 230 children were enrolled, who had contact with an index TB case. Three contacts were diagnosed with active TB. According to the TST/QFT-Plus results, 104 (45.2) children were identified with LTBI during our study. Significantly increased IP-10 levels were found in LTBI patients compared to healthy contacts. Accordingly, more than 50 of LTBI contacts and about 10 of healthy contacts were considered as IP-10-positive. Conclusion: This study alarmingly illustrates a high prevalence of LTBI among Iranian children exposed to TB cases. We, therefore, emphasize that the children living in close contact with an infectious TB case should be screened effectively and receive prophylactic therapy. © 2021, The Author(s)

Phytochemical compositions and biological activities of essential oil from Xanthium strumarium L

The chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) from fresh cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.) leaves was investigated by GC-MS. The antimicrobial activity of the EO was tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. Scolicidal activity was assayed against Echinococcus granulosus protoscolices. In total, 34 compounds were identified, accounting for 98.96% of the EO. The main compounds in the EO were cis-\u3b2-guaiene (34.2%), limonene (20.3%), borneol (11.6%), bornyl acetate (4.5%), \u3b2-cubebene (3.8%), sabinene (3.6%), phytol (3.1%), \u3b2-selinene (2.8%), camphene (2.2%), \u3b1-cubebene (2.4%), \u3b2-caryophyllene (1.9%), \u3b1-pinene (1.8%) and xanthinin (1.04%). The antibacterial and antifungal screening of the EO showed that all assayed concentrations significantly inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger (MIC = 0.5 \ub1 0.1, 1.3 \ub1 0.0, 4.8 \ub1 0.0, 20.5 \ub1 0.3, 55.2 \ub1 0.0 and 34.3 \ub1 0.0 \ub5g/mL, respectively). The scolicidal assay indicated that the EO exhibited a significant activity against E. granulosus protoscolices. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the scolicidal activity of X. strumarium. Because of the emergence of antimicrobial drug resistance, the study of new effective natural chemotherapeutic agents, such as the X. strumarium EO, possibly with low side effects, represents a very promising approach in biomedical research

In vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Xanthium strumarium L. extracts on methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus auerus

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The excessive and repeated use of antibiotics in medicine has led to the development of antibiotic-resistant microbial strains, including Staphylococcus aureus whose emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains has reduced the number of antibiotics available to treat clinical infections caused by this bacterium. In this study, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanolic extract of Xanthium strumarium L. leaves were evaluated on methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) spp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antiradical and antioxidant activities X. strumarium L. leaf extract were evaluated based on its ability to scavenge the synthetic 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and by the paired diene method, respectively, whereas the antimicrobial activity was assayed by the disc diffusion method. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were subjected to analysis of variance following an entirely random design to determine the least significant difference at P < 0.05 using SPSS v. 11.5. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The IC50 values of the extract were 0.02 mg/mL and 0.09 mg/mL for the antioxidant and DPPH-scavenging capacity, respectively. X. strumarium extract affected both methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA, though antibacterial activity was more effective on methicillin-susceptible S. aureus spp. The antibacterial and antioxidant activities exhibited by the methanol extract may justify the traditional use of this plant as a folk remedy worldwide

Free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of different parts on Nitraria schoberi L.

This study represents the first report on antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of different extracts of Nitraria schoberi L. (Nitrariaceae). Antioxidant phytochemicals may play a protective role in human, counteracting free radical damage and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to assess the free radical scavenging and antioxidant capacities of N. schoberi fruits, leaves and roots by ad hoc in vitro assays. Aqueous, chloroform and methanol extracts were analyzed. Our results showed that, in general, the maximum free radical and antioxidant activities were measured in the methanol extracts, decreasing from fruits to leaves and roots, thus suggesting that N. schoberi may be considered a novel and effective source of healthy antioxidants and bioactive phytochemicals

Household contact investigation for the detection of active tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis: A comprehensive evaluation in two high-burden provinces in Iran

Background: Systematic evaluation of household contacts of persons with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in low- and middle-income countries is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). This study recruited adult household contacts of diagnosed TB patients in two high burden provinces of Iran to estimate the prevalence and incidence of active disease and latent TB infection (LTBI) among individuals exposed to TB cases. Methods: We conducted a cohort study among adults in household contact with a pulmonary TB index case. All subjects were assessed for active disease through evaluation of symptoms. Tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON®-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) were used to define LTBI. These tests were performed at the time of the index TB case diagnosis and repeated if the previous result was negative, at three-, 12-, and 18-months post recruitment. In addition, interferon-γ-induced protein-10 (IP-10) concentrations were measured in QFT-Plus supernatants for all participants three months after diagnosing the index case. Results: A total of 451 individuals who had close contact with 95 active TB patients were enrolled in this study. Five (1.1) contacts were diagnosed with active TB and 285 (63.2) were identified with LTBI during our study. The incidence rate of LTBI among adult household contacts of TB index cases was 0.44 per person per year. Conclusion: The overall rate of LTBI was high. Systematic screening of all household contacts of pulmonary TB should be expanded in Iran to make the timely achievement of the global end TB strategy feasible. © 2022 The Author