Causative agents and antimicrobial susceptibilities of urinary tract infections in the northwest of Iran

SummaryBackgroundThe empirical therapy of urinary tract infections (UTI) relies on the predictability of the agents causing UTI and knowledge of their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.MethodsIn a prospective study undertaken over a 14-month period, 5136 samples from patients suspected of having a UTI were analyzed, of which 676 were culture-positive. Isolated bacteria were identified by standard tests, and antibiotic susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion method.ResultsAccording to our results, Escherichia coli was the most common etiological agent of UTI (74.6%), followed by Klebsiella spp (11.7%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (6.4%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.2%). Analysis of the frequency of isolated bacteria according to the age of the patients revealed that Klebsiella infections are more prevalent in the older age groups (>10 years) and Pseudomonas infections are more prevalent in children and the elderly (<9 years and >60 years). Results of antimicrobial susceptibility analysis for E. coli, as the most prevalent cause of UTI, to commonly used antibiotics are as follows: amikacin (97.8%), gentamicin (97%), ciprofloxacin (94%), nitrofurantoin (87.1%), nalidixic acid (93.7%), trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (48.2%), cephalexin (76%), and ampicillin (6.9%).ConclusionsThe results show that the antimicrobial resistance patterns of the causes of UTI are highly variable and continuous surveillance of trends in resistance patterns of uropathogens is important

Efecto inhibidor de Lactobacillus aislado de la cavidad oral contra patógenos bacterianos y su efecto en la promoción de la salud

Aims: To determine the inhibitory effect of oral Lactobacillus against bacterial pathogens and investigate correlation between presence of Lactobacillus strains and health promotion. Method: One hundred saliva samples were collected from oral cavity of domestic dairy consumers and were investigated for the isolation and identification of Lactobacillus strain by conventional culture and sequencing of 16SrRNA. Furthermore, well diffusion assay was performed to determination of antibacterial activity of Lactobacillus strains against bacterial pathogens including Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella sonnei, Shigella dysenteriae, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. Finally, association between health condition and isolation of Lactobacillus were investigated and obtained data using questionary form were analysed by chi-square test. Results: Thirty Lactobacillus strains recovered from 100 hundred saliva samples. The most common isolated strain was L. gasseri (n=18) and followed by L. vaginalis (n=3) and L. salivarius (n=3). All Lactobacillus strains demonstrated antibacterial activity against at least one of the investigated pathogens. However, the strongest results were obtained by L. vaginalis against K. pneumonia. The correlation between the presence of thirty Lactobacillus strains and health promotion not found. However, only L. gasseri species has significant positive impact on health in their hosts (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Only some Lactobacillus species have a positive impact on health promotion. Despite of weak activity against the investigated pathogens, L. gasseri has a positive impact on the mental problem (intense anger and depression) of their hosts.Objetivos: Determinar el efecto inhibidor del Lactobacillus aislado de la cavidad oral contra patógenos bacterianos e investigar la correlación entre la presencia de cepas de Lactobacillus y la promoción de la salud. Método: se recolectaron cien muestras de saliva de la cavidad oral de consumidores de productos lácteos y se investigó el aislamiento e identificación de la cepa de Lactobacillus mediante cultivo convencional y secuenciación de 16SrRNA. Además, se realizó un ensayo de difusión en pocillos para determinar la actividad antibacteriana de las cepas de Lactobacillus contra patógenos bacterianos que incluyen Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella sonnei, Shigella dysenteriae, Enterococcus faecalis y Enterococcus faecium. Finalmente, se investigó la asociación entre el estado de salud y el aislamiento de Lactobacillus y se obtuvieron los datos utilizando el cuestionario mediante la prueba de chi-cuadrado. Resultados: Se aislaron treinta cepas de Lactobacillus de 100 muestras de saliva. La cepa aislada más común fue L. gasseri (n = 18), seguida por L. vaginalis (n = 3) y L. salivarius (n = 3). Todas las cepas de Lactobacillus demostraron actividad antibacteriana contra al menos uno de los patógenos investigados. Sin embargo, los resultados más fuertes fueron obtenidos por L. vaginalis contra K. pneumonia. No se encontraron correlación entre la presencia de algunas de las treinta cepas de Lactobacillus y la promoción de la salud. Sin embargo, solo la especie L. gasseri tuvo un impacto positivo significativo en la salud de sus hospedadores (P <0,05). Conclusión: solo algunas especies de Lactobacillus tienen un impacto positivo en la promoción de la salud. A pesar de la actividad débil contra los patógenos investigados, L. gasseri tiene un impacto positivo en el problema mental (ira intensa y depresión) de sus huéspedes

Evaluation of Relationship between Lichen Planus and HCV Antibody

Background and aims. Lichen planus is a relatively common chronic mucocutaneaous disease with an unknown cause, and is considered a manifestation of cell-mediated immune response. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and its subgroups have been associated with lichen planus in different geographic locations. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of HCV antibody in patients with lichen planus in northwest Iran. Materials and methods. This descriptive analytical study included 30 patients with cutaneous lichen planus, 30 patients with oral lichen planus, and 30 healthy individuals as controls. Anti-HCV test was run for all the subjects. Descriptive statistics as well as chi-square test, to compare means in the three study groups, were applied to the data using SPSS 14.0 computer software. Results. Age and sex differences between the groups were not significant. No statistically significant differences were observed in anti-HCV test results between the groups (P = 0.50). Conclusion. No statistically significant relationships were observed between lichen planus and HCV antibody in the studied samples

Evaluation of Relationship between Lichen Planus and HCV Antibody

Background and aims. Lichen planus is a relatively common chronic mucocutaneaous disease with an unknown cause, and is considered a manifestation of cell-mediated immune response. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and its subgroups have been associated with lichen planus in different geographic locations. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of HCV antibody in patients with lichen planus in northwest Iran. Materials and methods. This descriptive analytical study included 30 patients with cutaneous lichen planus, 30 patients with oral lichen planus, and 30 healthy individuals as controls. Anti-HCV test was run for all the subjects. Descriptive statistics as well as chi-square test, to compare means in the three study groups, were applied to the data using SPSS 14.0 computer software. Results. Age and sex differences between the groups were not significant. No statistically significant differences were observed in anti-HCV test results between the groups (P = 0.50). Conclusion. No statistically significant relationships were observed between lichen planus and HCV antibody in the studied samples

Acute Q fever in febrile patients in northwestern of Iran

<div><p>Background</p><p>Q fever is an endemic disease in different parts of Iran. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of acute Q fever disease among at-risk individuals in northwestern Iran.</p><p>Methodology</p><p>An etiological study was carried out in 2013 in Tabriz County. A total of 116 individuals who were in contact with livestock and had a nonspecific febrile illness were enrolled in the study. IgG phase II antibodies against <i>Coxiella burnetii</i> were detected using ELISA.</p><p>Principal findings</p><p>The prevalence of acute Q fever was 13.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.0, 21.0%). Headache (87.5%) and fatigue and weakness (81.3%) were the dominant clinical characteristics among patients whit acute Q fever. Acute lower respiratory tract infection and chills were poorly associated with acute Q fever. Furthermore, 32% (95% CI: 24, 41%) of participants had a history of previous exposure to Q fever agent (past infection). Consumption of unpasteurized dairy products was a weak risk factor for previous exposure to <i>C</i>. <i>burnetii</i>.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>This study identified patients with acute Q fever in northwestern of Iran. The evidence from this study and previous studies conducted in different regions of Iran support this fact that Q fever is one of the important endemic zoonotic diseases in Iran and needs due attention by clinical physicians and health care system.</p></div

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern and Prevalence of Extended-Spectrum beta-Lactamase Genotypes among Clinical Isolates of Acinetobacter baumanii in Tabriz, North-West of Iran

Background: Multidrug resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumanii strains have emerged as novel nosocomial pathogens threatening patients' lives, especially in intensive-care units (ICU). Various types of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are involved in conferring resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, making their genotypic characterization an essential prerequisite to take proper preventative measures

Levels of IgG phase II antibody titers in patients with acute Q fever.

<p>Levels of IgG phase II antibody titers in patients with acute Q fever.</p

To resist and persist: Important factors in the pathogenesis of Bacteroides fragilis

Bacteroides fragilis is a most frequent anaerobic pathogen isolated from human infections, particularly found in the abdominal cavity. Different factors contribute to the pathogenesis and persistence of B. fragilis at infection sites. The knowledge of the virulence factors can provide applicable information for finding alternative options for the antibiotic therapy and treatment of B. fragilis caused infections. Herein, a comprehensive review of the important B. fragilis virulence factors was prepared. In addition to B. fragilis toxin (BFT) and its potential role in the diarrhea and cancer development, some other important virulence factors and characteristics of B. fragilis are described including capsular polysaccharides, iron acquisition, resistance to antimicrobial agents, and survival during the prolonged oxidative stress, quorum sensing, and secretion systems

Frequency (%) of risk factors in acute Q fever patient and a history of infection with Q fever.

<p>Frequency (%) of risk factors in acute Q fever patient and a history of infection with Q fever.</p

Levels of IgG phase II antibody titers in patients with acute Q fever.

<p>Levels of IgG phase II antibody titers in patients with acute Q fever.</p