Prevalence and molecular characterization of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes isolated from fish, shrimp, and cooked ready-to-eat (RTE) aquatic products in Iran

The prevalence of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes was investigated by biochemical and molecular methods in a total of 201 fish, shrimp, and ready-to-eat seafood samples collected from Iranian supermarkets. Thirty-six samples were also collected from a seafood processing plant. Twenty-one (8.86) of the total retail and processing plant samples (237) were positive for Listeria spp., confirmed by a simplex PCR assay for the prs gene. Seven (2.95) of the total samples were also positive for L. monocytogenes. The presence of four virulence-associated genes in the seafood isolates (inlA, inlC, inlJ, and hlyA) was examined using PCR and the results were compared with seven clinical L. monocytogenes strains. All virulence genes were detected in six fish isolates. One fish isolate did not show amplification of the inlJ and inlC genes. However, all seven clinical strains were positive for internalin genes. Furthermore, a multiplex PCR assay was employed to evaluate the major L. monocytogenes genoserogroups' distribution. The results revealed that the serotypes of lineage II are most frequently present in clinical and food isolates. In summary, PCR screening for both the major L. monocytogenes serovars and virulence genes revealed the potential public health risk posed by L. monocytogenes in aquatic products. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd

Dermatomycoses among Students in a School Dormitory in Semnan

Background: Dermatomycoses are a major public health problem. Tinea cruris is a form of Dermatomycoses.Tinea cruris is a common infection in the groin area, genitals, pubic area, perineum and perianal skin.The purpose of thisstudywas to investigate the cutaneous fungal infections among students in a school dormitory. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 110 male students dormitory aged between 18 to 28 years.From the specimens obtained, direct preparations were made using %10 potassium hydroxide and cultured on sabouraud dextrose agar containing 0.05 mg/ml chloramphenicoland 0.5 mg/ml cycloheximide (Scc). Identification of fungi was performed according to morphologic and microscopic growth of the colonies and using slide culture method. Results: 17 people out of 110 individuals were diagnosed with cutaneous fungal infections. Six people were diagnosed with dermatophytosis. All cases of dermatophytosis were Tinea cruris. Epidermophyton floccosum, the anthropophilic species, was only isolated dermatophyte.The prevalence of Tinea cruris was 5.5% and the Prevalence of Pityriasis versicolor was 4.5%. Conclusion: The most important source of transmission of anthropophilic dermatophyte species was by men to men.The results of this study is similar to most other studies in Iran and other countries. In addition to treatment, other necessary steps should be applied in order to prevent infection and reduce the risk of pathogens.

برپایی بیمارستان صحرایی؛ گزارشی از یک مانور آمادگی مواجهه با بلایا

Numerous disasters such as earthquake, flood, tsunami, and war bring about broad crises that cause numerous physical, mental and psychological damages. Iran is also prone to various disasters and needs to be equipped for their management. The aim of this brief report is sharing the experience gained by facing the limitations in establishing a field hospital and emphasizing the need to take necessary measures for being properly equipped in facing probable problems arising at times of disaster. Based on the findings of the present study, not giving enough budget to holding maneuvers for preparing against disasters, shortage of proper tents for establishing a field hospital, mismanagement of volunteers, problems in preparing food for the staff, security problems, and difficulties in holding discipline were among the most important problems arising in establishing a field hospital in this maneuver. حوادث متعددی مثل زلزله، سیل، سونامی و جنگ سبب بروز بحران های فراگیر می گردند که سبب آسیب های جسمی، روحی و روانی متعددی می شوند. کشور ما ایران نیز در معرض انواع بلایای طبیعی می باشد و لازم است که آمادگی لازم برای مدیریت هر یک از این موارد بحرانی کسب شود. هدف از ارائه این گزارش کوتاه انتقال تجربه حاصل از مشکلات بوجود آمده در برپایی بیمارستان صحرایی و لزوم اتخاذ تدابیر لازم برای آمادگی کافی و مناسب در مقابل مشکلات احتمالی در مواقع بحران می باشد. بر اساس یافته های مطالعه حاضر، عدم تخصیص بودجه های مصوب جهت برپایی مانورهای آمادگی در برابر بلایا، کمبود چادر های مناسب برپایی بیمارستان صحرایی، مدیریت غیر صحیح نیروهای انسانی داوطلب، مشکلات پشتیبانی در زمینه تغذیه پرسنل و نقایص موجود در زمینه مباحث امنیتی و کنترل نظم منطقه از مهمترین مشکلات موجود در زمینه برپایی یک بیمارستان صحرایی در مانور مذکور بودند

Immunization with Bivalent Flagellin Protects Mice against Fatal Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pneumonia

Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections present a major challenge to healthcare systems worldwide because they are commonly associated with high morbidity and mortality. Here, we demonstrate the protective efficacy of type a and b flagellins (bivalent flagellin) against acute fatal pneumonia in mice. Mice immunized intranasally with a bivalent flagellin vaccine were challenged by different flagellated strains of P. aeruginosa in an acute pneumonia model. Besides the protective effect of the vaccine, we further measured the host innate and cellular immunity responses. The immunized mice in our study were protected against both strains. Remarkably, active immunization with type a or b flagellin significantly improved survival of mice against heterologous strain compared to flagellin a or b antisera. We also showed that after an intranasal challenge by P. aeruginosa strain, neutrophils are recruited to the airways of vaccinated mice, and that the bivalent flagellin vaccine was proved to be protective by the generated CD4+IL-17+ Th17 cells. In conclusion, bivalent flagellin vaccine can confer protection against different strains of P. aeruginosa in an acute pneumonia mouse model by eliciting effective cellular and humoral immune responses, including increased IL-17 production and improved opsonophagocytic killing

Targeting Listeria monocytogenes consensus sequence of internalin genes using an antisense molecule

As an intracellular pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes can enter host cells where it can replicate and escape detection and eradication by the host immune response making the clearance of infection very challenging. Furthermore, with the advent of antimicrobial resistance, the need for alternative targets is inevitable. Internalin proteins are crucial to this bacterium as they contribute to bacterial entry to the systemic circulation. In this study, we targeted a highly conserved region of these proteins by an antisense sequence that was covalently conjugated to the cell penetrating peptides (CPP) to overcome the challenging delivery barriers. Then, we evaluated the efficiency of this construct in vitro. We also assessed the antigenicity, cytotoxicity, and probability of apoptosis induction by this construct. The studied CPP-PNA inhibited bacterial growth and suppressed the mRNA expression of internalins in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, at all studied concentrations, CPP-PNA significantly reduced the invasion rate of L. monocytogenes in the examined cell lines. Moreover, different concentrations of CPP-PNA did not have a significant antigenic, cytotoxic, and apoptotic properties compared to the control. These results suggest the effectiveness of CPP-antisense in targeting the mRNAs of internalins for various research, therapeutic and preventive purposes. However, additional research is required to evaluate the potency, safety, and pharmacokinetics of this compound for the prevention and treatment of listeriosis

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Prolonged ICU Stay After Adult Cardiac Surgery

Background: The anticipation of the length of ICU stay would enable physicians to provide reliable information for better treatmentmethods. There are several risk factors for prolonged ICU stays after cardiac surgery in the related studies.Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the possible factors contributing to the prolonged ICU stay in a referral heart center.Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, 515 adult patients admitted to ICU after cardiac surgery in Madani heart center inTabriz (since March to September 2014) were divided into 2 short and prolonged ICU stay groups. ICU stays more than 3 days wereconsidered prolonged. Various risk factors were compared between the two groups.Results: A total number of 64.9% of the patients were in the prolonged ICU stay group and 35.1% had a short stay. Among35 potentialrisk factors, some were significant factors affecting the length of ICU stay (age, type of surgery, previous cardiac surgery, a high doseof inotropes support, duration of surgery, length of CPB and aortic clamp time, arrhythmia in ICU, and re-operation).Conclusions: We can reduce ICU stay using the correction of high levels of serum creatinine before surgery, improvement of functionalclass with drug treatment, shortening of CPB and aortic cross clamp times, adequate hemostasis with surgeon and morecorrection of the coagulation status of the patient by the anesthesiologist at the end of the surgery

Epidemiological burden of Listeria monocytogenes in Iran

Objective(s): Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogenic bacteria causing the infection listeriosis, which possibly affects all people, particularly immunocompromised persons and pregnant women. This microorganism can be found in several processed foods, dairy products, raw milk, meat and fish products, seafoods, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. This review discusses about the epidemiological significance, incidence, contamination routes of L. monocytogenes in different products and current data about listeriosis in the Iran. Materials and Methods: For accessing to relevant articles and studies, a search was done in main databases and also, almost all Iranian published articles were studied in this field. Results: Outbreaks of listeriosis have been reported in many parts of the worldwide, however there is scanty data about the prevalence of listeriosis in Iran. Accordingly, as a result of high incidence of L. monocytogenes in women with bad obstetric history or history of abortions, diagnosis procedures for detection of L. monocytogenes and timely treatment was suggested. Conclusion: In spite of low incidence of infection in the past, increased interest for lightly preserved and/or ready-to-eat (RTE) food products has recently led to increasing of L. monocytogenes prevalence which has become a public health concern. Subsequently, further researches about the prevalence of L. monocytogenes and also antibiotic susceptibility testing is needed to enable the detection of the contaminated foods, as well as ensures the effective treatment. © 2018, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Accuracy of detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae in clinical laboratories by using phenotypic and molecular methods

Introduction: Streptococcus pneumoniae, is one of the most important bacterial pathogens and a member of viridians streptococci group. Accurate identification and differentiation of this form of bacteria from other relative streptococci, is the base of epidemiological study of this type of organism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae in clinical laboratories in Tehran, by using phenotypic and genotypic methods. Materials and Methods: A total number of 110 isolates, identified as pneumococci by some clinical laboratories in Tehran, were collected between March 2010 to May 2012.After isolating the colonies, biochemical identification tests by optochin susceptibility (Mast) and bile solubility (direct method) methods were performed. After DNA extraction, PCR was performed to define lytA gene as a molecular identification for Streptococcus pneumonia. Results: After re-identifying the isolates, fifty of them were determined as true pneumococci, and other remaining sixty isolates were identified as: three gram negative coccobacilli, seven non alpha hemolytic streptococci, and fifty Viridans streptococci. Most of misidentifications were related to respiratory and eye infecting streptococci. Unlike non pneumococcal isolates, all 50 pneumococcal isolates were positive for lytA gene. Conclusion: There was 55 error in detection of pneumococci in this study. The use of optochin susceptibility test as the sole detection tool and also lack of supplemental tests and proper quality controlling, are the main causes of failure in diagnosing pneumococci in Iran. Misidentifications may result in incorrect epidemiological data gathering, unnecessary treatment, and false increased antibiotic resistance reports for this organism. Regarding the high incidence of inaccuracies in defining this specific type of microorganism, we suggest the presence of a clinical microbiologist in the hospital laboratories to perform the right diagnostic tests and quality controlling would be essential. © 2015, Semnan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Effect of public interventions through dialogue with officials and training of civil service personnel on improving the condition of collecting, transportation and rubbish repelling in Semnan (2004-2005)

زمینه و هدف: زباله اصطلاحاً به فضولات جامد، نیمه جامد یا مایعی گفته می شود که ظاهراً به درد نخور بوده و دور ریخته می شوند. زباله ها به سه دسته زباله های خانگی، بیمارستانی و صنعتی تقسیم می شوند که قسمت اعظم مواد زائد شهری را زباله های خانگی تشکیل می دهند. مدیریت حل مشکل زباله اصولاَ شامل سه قسمت جمع آوری، حمل و نقل و دفع زباله می باشد. چگونگی برنامه ریزی و مدیریت حل مشکل زباله های خانگی امروزه یکی از مسائل و معضلات مهم بهداشتی جوامع شهری می باشد. طی بررسی که توسط گروه مردمی آزاد پایگاه تحقیقات جمعیتی سمنان در سال 1383 از وضعیت مدیریت زباله های خانگی شهر سمنان به عمل آمد، متاسفانه هر سه مرحله جمع آوری، حمل و نقل و دفع زباله های خانگی از نظر رعایت نکات بهداشتی و استاندارد های مربوطه دچار مشکل بود. یافته های تحقیقات قبلی نشان داده است که این گونه مشکلات چند بعدی، بدون جلب مشارکت فعال تمامی طرفهای درگیر قابل حل نمی باشد. لذا با توجه به ساختار مناسب پایگاه های تحقیقات جمعیتی در انجام پژوهش های مشارکتی مبتنی بر جامعه، این مطالعه با هدف بهبود وضعیت زباله شهر سمنان از طریق گفتگو و تعامل با مسئولین مربوطه اجرا گردید. روش بررسی: برای انجام مداخلات مردمی در زمینه بهبود وضعیت زباله شهر سمنان، ابتدا با تشکیل جلسات گروهی مردمی، نیازهای مورد مداخله از طریق بحث متمرکز گروهی شناسائی گردید و نیز با کمک مردم از طریق مشاهده و جمع آوری مستندات محیطی ازقبیل تهیه فیلم و عکس از معضلات جمع آوری، حمل و نقل و دفع زباله شهری اقدام شد. سپس مطابق مشکلات موجود، مداخلات بر دو محور گفتگو و تعامل با مسئولین ذیربط و آموزش کارکنان خدمات شهری، طراحی و اجرا شد. در محور اول با دعوت از مسئولین سازمان های ذیربط طی جلسات متعدد، مشکلات موجود بصورت منطقی و مستدل با مشارکت جمعی (مردم، مسئولین، نیروهای دانشگاهی و افراد کارشناس و ذینفع) در محیطی دوستانه از طریق بحث متمرکز گروهی مورد بحث و بررسی قرار گرفت و تا رسیدن به نتایج ملموس تشکیل جلسات مورد پیگیری مستمر قرار گرفت. در محور دوم، نکات بهداشتی به تمامی کارکنان خدمات شهری سمنان آموزش داده شد. یافته ها: قبل از مداخلات، موارد جمع آوری، حمل و نقل و دفع زباله در شهر سمنان، از نظر بهداشتی مشکل داشت. پس از مداخلات، نتایج نشان داد رعایت نکات بهداشتی در حمل و نقل و دفع زباله تغییر و بهبود یافته است. نتیجه گیری: گفتگو و تعامل نیروهای مردمی با مسئولین شهری می تواند نتایج پر باری در بهبود وضعیت بهداشتی شهر و سلامت جامعه داشته باشد

Prevalence, and virulence determination of listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from clinical and non-clinical samples by multiplex polymerase chain reaction

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, and virulence factors of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from various samples by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (MPCR). Methods: A total of 617 isolates were obtained and MPCR was employed for detection of the inlA, inlC, and inlJ genes. Results: L. monocytogenes was detected in 46 (7.45) of the 617 specimens. inlA, inlC, and inlJ were detected in 100, 76.26, and 71 isolates, respectively. Conclusions: This study validated MPCR in the analysis and rapid detection of L. monocytogenes. The role of the genes in pathogenesis of the strains can also be affirmed. © 2016, Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical. All rights reserved