Expression of virulence factor genes in co-infections with Trueperella pyogenes isolates and other bacterial pathogens; an in vivo study

Trueperella pyogenes is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen causing several infectious diseases, including metritis, mastitis and abscesses in domestic animals such as dairy cattle. Several virulence proteins are released by T. pyogenes strains contributing to the pathogenic and causing disease potential of this pathogen. So far, many aspects of T. pyogenes pathogenesis are unknown. In this study, expression levels of plo, fimA, nanH and cbpA genes encoding pyolysin, fimbriae, neuraminidase and collagen-binding protein, respectively in T. pyogenes isolated from totally 15 metritis, mastitis and cutaneous abscesses convenience samples in response to co-culture with other pathogens including E. coli, St. dysgalactiae, S. aureus, F. necrophorum and L. plantarum strains in mice study model have been investigated. We found that expression levels of plo, fimA, nanH and cbpA genes in T. pyogenes isolates in response to co-culture with F. necrophorum and E. coli were significantly increased; however, no significant changes was seen in the level of expression of these genes in the isolates in response to co-culture with St. dysgalactiae and S. aureus. Notably, expression of all virulence factor genes was suppressed in T. pyogenes in response to co-culture with L. plantarum. We observed that L. plantarum might be used to prevent infectious diseases caused by T. pyogenes

Study of cultured rainbow trout contamination with Streptococcus iniae and Lactococcus garvieae in some fish markets of Tehran and Karaj(orginal reserch article)

Streptococcosis is one of the economically important diseases in the aquaculture industry particularly in rainbow trout aquaculture causing remarkable annual losses. Streptococcosis is known as a zoonotic disease causing morbidity and mortality in some consumers. In this study the status of farmed rainbow trout contamination with Streptococcus iniae and Lactococcus garvieae was assessed. For this reason, during summer months, 64 apparently diseased trout were sampled from fish markets of Tehran and Karaj. Gram staining was performed on grown colonies and then gram-positive cocci were further characterized using biochemical and PCR assays. The obtained results showed that 56.23% (36 samples) of the samples were infected with the both bacterial pathogens. The prevalence of S. iniae and L. garvieae were 32.8 % (21 samples) and 23.43% (15 samples), respectively. The highest and lowest prevalence rate of S. iniae was observed in the samples of Karaj (15.62%) and Kahrizak (0%) markets, respectively. In the case of L. garvieae, the highest and lowest rates were obtained in Karaj/Kahrizak (7.81%) and Meidan-Nabi (1.56%) markets, respectively. The results revealed that in some markets, the prevalence of streptococcosis and lactococcusis in cultured rainbow were relatively high. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct further trials

Detection of Methicillin-Resistance Gene in Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Traditional White Cheese in Iran

Background & Aims of the Study: Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is considered as a major pathogen in public health concern. The objectives of this study were to firstly determine antibiotic sensitivity among Staphylococcus aureus isolated from traditional Iranian white cheese during 2015 from Hamedan province of Iran; and secondly to estimate the presence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Materials &Methods: This cross-sectional study was done by collecting 120 Iranian white cheeses (traditional and industrial) which were available in different markets; and tested for the presence of S. aureus by culture methods. The obtained isolates were subjected to disc diffusion antimicrobial susceptibility tests followed by PCR detection of the mecA gene. Results: Out of 120 examined cheese samples, 19 samples (31.67%) were contaminated with S. aureus. The highest rate of antibiotic resistance was observed for penicillin, as all of the 19 isolates (100%) were found to be resistant to this antibiotic using disk diffusion method. Three out of 19 S. aureus isolates (15.7%) were phenotypically resistant to methicillin (disk diffusion), while 4 (21.05%) of them were genotypically confirmed as MRSA strains. Furthermore, none of the isolates were found resistant to vancomycin. Conclusion: The results of the study confirm the presence of methicillin resistant strains of S. aureus in Iranian white cheese. It should be considered to constitute a potential health risk for consumers, suggesting usage of more stringent hygiene measures

Investigation of antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence factor genes in Trueperella pyogenes isolated from clinical mastitis cases of dairy cows

Trueperella pyogenes is an opportunistic pathogen causing important diseases including mastitis and metritis in domestic animals such as dairy cows leading to prominent economic losses in food production industry. The aim of this study was to investigate bacterial species, antimicrobial susceptibility, and presence of virulence factor genes and genotyping of T. pyogenes isolates associated with summer mastitis cases from 22 different farms around Tehran, Iran. Fifty-five percent of dairy cows with clinical mastitis symptoms was infected by T. pyogenesis indicated that this pathogen is the most important contributor to clinical mastitis in dairy cows in the present study. A significant correlation was illustrated between presence of virulence factor genes of isolated pathogen, biochemical patterns, and the utter infected types. Multidrug resistance susceptibility observed between isolates indicated the important need for prudent use of antimicrobials in treatment of mastitis caused by T. pyogenes and increased concerning of consumer health associated with recent problems of antimicrobial resistance. The categorization of isolates was implemented into seven different clonal related types by COX-PCR at 80% of similarity cutoff with significance relationship to clonal types, CAMP test result and sampling time and biochemical profile. Regarding to the results obtained at the present study, T. pyogenes can be considered as an important typically cause of purulent and acute form of clinical bovine mastitis and loss of dairy productivity. Further studies with more sample size and high-throughput omic methods in various sampling time and areas are suggested for study of this pathogen precisely. KEYWORDS antimicrobial susceptibility, dairy cow, Trueperella pyogenes, virulence factor gen

Quality Assessment of Clinical Education in Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences from the Perspective of Clerkships and Interns in 2019

Background and purpose: Acquisition of basic skills and professionalism in medicine depends on the quality and quantity of education in clinical settings. This study aimed at assessing the quality of clinical education in different departments of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Materials and methods: This descriptive study was conducted in medical clerkships and interns (n=175). The participants were selected via census sampling in 2019. Data were collected using a checklist based on clinical education standards of Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Written comments from clerkships and interns on the compliance of morning report training programs, clinical trainings, clinical rounds, grand rounds, journal club, and clinical skills center with clinical training standards were received. Data analysis was performed in SPSS V16. Results: The morning report program and clinical skills center program had the highest (85.1%) and lowest (72.2%) scores in clinical education. We observed significant differences between these scores and the scores for other clinical programs (P>0.05). The quality of all clinical education programs was similar according to men and women. The clerkship and interns had different ideas about the status of all clinical education programs except in the morning report program and the clerkship were more satisfied with clinical education programs. Conclusion: From the students' point of view, the morning report program was of acceptable quality, but the clinical training programs, club journal, grand rounds, and clinical skills center had some drawbacks. Training workshops for clinical professors is recommended to enhance the standards of clinical training programs

Complete genome sequence of Trueperella pyogenes strain Arash114, isolated from the uterus of a water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Iran

Objective: Trueperella pyogenes has been considered a major causative agent of metritis, abortion, and death in a broad range of domestic and wild animals, including cattle, swine, sheep, goats, camels, buffalo, deer, antelopes, reptiles, and birds. Data description: Here, we report the complete chromosome sequence of Trueperella pyogenes strain Arash114, isolated from the uterus of a water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) died due to the infection caused by this pathogen. The genome assembly comprised 2,338,282 bp, with a 59.5% GC content. Annotation of the genome showed 46 tRNA genes, 6 rRNA, 1 CRISPR and 2059 coding sequences. Also, several genes coding for antimicrobial resistance such as tetW and virulence factor including plo, nanH, nanP, cbp and 4 fimbrial proteins were found. This study will advance our knowledge regarding the metabolism, virulence factors, antibiotic resistance and evolution of Arash114 strain and serve as an appropriate template for future researches. Keywords: Complete genome sequencing; Trueperella pyogenes; Uterus infection; Water buffalo