Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Staphylococcus aureus Strains Isolated from Hospitalized Patients in Tehran, Iran

Abstract Staphylococcus aureus is a major bacterial pathogen that causes different community-and hospital-acquired infections. Over time, strains of S. aureus have become resistant to different antibiotics including penicillinase-resistant penicillins. Having data on the local antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of this pathogen is necessary for selection of appropriate antibiotics for empirical treatment of infections due to it. To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from hospitalized patients in Tehran, Iran, In a prospective cross-sectional study performed at Imam Khomeini Hospital, samples were collected from hospitalized patients and were cultured. All positive cultures which yielded S. aureus underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar. The results were interpreted after 24 hours of incubation at 37 °C. A total of 160 clinical isolates of S. aureus were collected. Most isolates were obtained from blood (29%). The overall susceptibility of isolated S. aureus strains to antimicrobial agents was 100% for vancomycin, 49.4% for amikacin, 43.8% for gentamicin, 36.8% for co-trimoxazole and tetracycline, 36.3% for cefazolin, 30.6% for cephalexin, 24.4% for oxacillin, 23.8% for erythromycin, and 3.1% for penicillin. Other than vancomycin, none of the tested antibiotics are appropriate for empirical treatment of serious S .aureus infections in our area

Frequency of HIV Infection among Sailors in South of Iran by Rapid HIV Test

Information on the prevalence and risk factors for HIV infection among sailors is scarce. The aim of this seroprevalence study was to evaluate the frequency of HIV infection among sailors in south of Iran using rapid HIV test. The study included 400 consecutive participants in Lengeh, Shahid Rajaie, and Shahid Bahonar ports in south of Iran in May 2010. We observed only one case (0.25%) of HIV infection in this sample of sailors. While prevalence appears low at present, we recommend periodic HIV serosurveillance with detailed behavioral measures for this population in the future

Effect of HCV on lipids profile of HIV patients

Abstract Background: There is a high prevalence of HCV-HIV co-infection. In this group of patients increase of insulin resistance and lipodystrophy has been discovered but still sufficient data about the lipid profile has not been performed. In this research we tried compare the lipid profile changes between HIV-HCV patients with HIV and HCV mono infected patients that came to Imam Khomeini consult center of behavioral diseases clinic and also the hepatitis clinic during 2008-2010. Methodes: This study was an analytical, cross sectional one and was done through comparison of three groups :HIV, HCV, and HIV/HCV. Each group contained of 30 patients. Results: Demographic variables such as age, behavioral attitudes, family history of cardiovascular diseases and hyperlipidemia did not have any difference between the 3 groups. The researcher also compared the parameters of liver disease including AST, ALT, and platelet between the aforementioned groups and found no significant difference among them.Moreover, when TG, Cholesterol, LDL, and HDL was compared between the groups it was found that the mean total of cholesterol and LDL decreased in the HIV/HCV group (p=.001).In addition, the 3 groups were also compared by the dyslipidemia criteria. (TG ≥ 200 mg/dl, cholesterol ≥ 240, HDL <40). When the 3 groups were compared by the dyslipidemia criteria it resulted in no significant difference between the 3 groups. Conclusions: Although HIV-HCV coinfected patients had lower mean cholesterol and LDL in comparison to the other two groups nevertheless no significant difference was found from the critical level of lipid profile between the 3 groups. Furthermore it was found that HCV can cause a decrease in cholesterol and LDL when it is accompanied by HIV. Keywords:HIV,HCV,dyslipidemi

Effect of HCV on lipids profile of HIV patients

Abstract Background: There is a high prevalence of HCV-HIV co-infection. In this group of patients increase of insulin resistance and lipodystrophy has been discovered but still sufficient data about the lipid profile has not been performed. In this research we tried compare the lipid profile changes between HIV-HCV patients with HIV and HCV mono infected patients that came to Imam Khomeini consult center of behavioral diseases clinic and also the hepatitis clinic during 2008-2010. Methodes: This study was an analytical, cross sectional one and was done through comparison of three groups :HIV, HCV, and HIV/HCV. Each group contained of 30 patients. Results: Demographic variables such as age, behavioral attitudes, family history of cardiovascular diseases and hyperlipidemia did not have any difference between the 3 groups. The researcher also compared the parameters of liver disease including AST, ALT, and platelet between the aforementioned groups and found no significant difference among them.Moreover, when TG, Cholesterol, LDL, and HDL was compared between the groups it was found that the mean total of cholesterol and LDL decreased in the HIV/HCV group (p=.001).In addition, the 3 groups were also compared by the dyslipidemia criteria. (TG ≥ 200 mg/dl, cholesterol ≥ 240, HDL <40). When the 3 groups were compared by the dyslipidemia criteria it resulted in no significant difference between the 3 groups. Conclusions: Although HIV-HCV coinfected patients had lower mean cholesterol and LDL in comparison to the other two groups nevertheless no significant difference was found from the critical level of lipid profile between the 3 groups. Furthermore it was found that HCV can cause a decrease in cholesterol and LDL when it is accompanied by HIV. Keywords:HIV,HCV,dyslipidemi

Cytomegalovirus Retinitis After Initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy

Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), despite a reduced viral load and improved immune responses, may experience clinical deterioration. This so called "immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS)" is caused by inflammatory response to both intact subclinical pathogens and residual antigens. Cytomegalovirus retinitis is common in HIV-infected patients on ART with a cluster differentiation 4 (CD4+) counts less than 50 cells/mm3. We reported a patient with blurred vision while receiving ART. She had an unmasking classic CMV retinitis after ART

Cervical Transverse Myelitis After Chickenpox in An Immunocompetent Patient

Varicella-zoster viruses complications involving the CNS are estimated to occur rarely, transverse myelitis after Varicella-zoster virus in most patients is characterized by an abrupt onset of progressive weakness and sensory disturbance in the lower extremities , like other viruses. We describe the case of 17 year-old boy who experienced cervical transverse myelitis after chickenpox with inability to walk and with urinary retention. He was not treated with any medication but complete revovery has been occured

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Staphylococcus aureus Strains Isolated from Hospitalized Patients in Tehran, Iran: Staphylococcus aureus susceptibility pattern

Staphylococcus aureus is a major bacterial pathogen that causes different community- and hospital-acquired infections. Over time, strains of S. aureus have become resistant to different antibiotics including penicillinase-resistant penicillins. Having data on the local antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of this pathogen is necessary for selection of appropriate antibiotics for empirical treatment of infectionsdue to it. To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from hospitalized patients in Tehran, Iran, In a prospective cross-sectional study performed at Imam Khomeini Hospital, samples were collected from hospitalized patients and were cultured. All positive cultures which yielded S. aureus underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the Kirby-Bauerdisk diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar. The results were interpreted after 24 hours of incubation at 37 °C. A total of 160 clinical isolates of S. aureus were collected. Most isolates were obtained from blood (29%). The overall susceptibility of isolated S. aureus strains to antimicrobial agents was 100% for vancomycin, 49.4% for amikacin, 43.8% for gentamicin, 36.8% for co-trimoxazole and tetracycline, 36.3%for cefazolin, 30.6% for cephalexin, 24.4% for oxacillin, 23.8% for erythromycin, and 3.1% for penicillin. Other than vancomycin, none of the tested antibiotics are appropriate for empirical treatment of serious S .aureus infections in our area

Outcome of TB in HIV patients treated with standard regimen

Background: HIV infection reduces the immune system and is the most significant factor in the spread of TB in recent years and one of the causes of death in HIV -seropositive patients. TB is the most commonly diagnosed opportunistic infection and the most frequent direct cause of death among HIV infected patients. The HIV infection can accelerate progression of TB infection to active TB disease. Among patients with active TB, those with HIV co-infection have the greatest risk for relapse. Regardless of increasing rate of TB and HIV in Iran, we decided to s urvey outcome of TB in HIV positive patients who treated with standard regimens in the years 2003-2012. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on HIV-positive patients with TB referred to Behavioral Diseases Consultation Center and Infectious Diseases Ward of Imam Khomeini Hospital from 2003 to 2012. Outcome was defined as failure, relapse and mortality. Moreover, the relationship between outcomes and number of CD4, co-trimoxazole and antiretroviral intake, type of TB and AIDS defining illness was studied. Results: This study had 135 patients, 8 (5.9%) were females and 127 (94.1%) were males. The mean age of the patients was 40.14+10.02 and the most way to catch HIV in this study was intravenous drug user. There were 3 (2.22%) cases of failure, 15 ( 11.1%) relapse , and 21 ( 15.8%) deaths. Antiretroviral therapy, AIDS defining illness, type of TB and co-trimoxazole intake did not soley affect relapse. CD4 level was the most effective variables in relapse [ Hazard ratio: 0.392 (0.11-1.4); Relative Risk: 0.809 (0.593-1.103) (P=0.068) ]. However, regard to CI95%, the impact of CD4 on relapse is not significant and antiretroviral intake was the most important and effective variable in increasing their survival. Hazard ratio: 0.137 (0.141-0.45); Relative Risk: 0.686 (0.513-0.918) (P=0.001) Conclusion: Overall, receiving antiretroviral was the most important factor influencing the outcome of patients