Prevalence of rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) in Iran: Systematic review and meta-analysis

AbstractBackgroundThe infections due to rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) are becoming an important health problem in many countries in the world. Globally, an increase in RGM infections is being reported from several regions worldwide. However, there is limited information about the prevalence of these kinds of organisms in Iran.MethodsThe relevant data of the prevalence of RGM were retrieved by searching several databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, Iranmedex, and Scientific Information Database. Meta-analysis was performed by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (V2.0, Biostat) software.ResultsThe meta-analyses showed that the Mycobacterium fortuitum (22.7% [95% CI 16.1–30.9]), Mycobacterium abscessus (14.0% [95% CI 6.4–27.8]) and Mycobacterium chelonae (7.6% [95% CI 2.8–18.8]) were the most prevalent RGM among the conducted studies in Iran.ConclusionsThe relatively high prevalence of RGM underlines the need for greater enforcement of infection control strategies. Establishment of appropriate diagnostic criteria and management guidelines for diseases caused by RGM and expanding the number and quality of regional reference laboratories may facilitate more accurate action for prevention and control of this kind of bacteria

The potential efficacy of influenza vaccines in prevention from cardiovascular complications of COVID-19

Cardiovascular complications of COVID-19 are not as common as pulmonary complications, while they could be life-threatening. Also, because there is no prevention strategy with appropriate safety and efficacy for these complications, researchers and clinicians are recommended to evaluate different strategies. Effects of influenza vaccines on reducing inflammatory responses and robust immune system, as well as decreasing probability of SARS-CoV-2/influenza co-infection make it a strategy for prevention from cardiovascular events in patients with COVID-19. We suggest further preclinical and clinical researches be conducted to determine the efficacy of influenza vaccines in the reduction of cardiovascular complications in patients with COVID-19 (10)

Antibacterial Efficacy of Polymer Coated Ceramic Microparticles loaded with a novel combination of antibiotics on the Enterococcus Faecalis Biofilm

Introduction: Nano-technology applied for the local delivery of different agents and/or drugs has made its path to endodontics. In the current study, the antibacterial efficacy of biopolymer-coated ceramic microparticles loaded with a modified combination of triple antibiotics, i.e. Penicillin G, Metronidazole and Ciprofloxacin (PMC), was evaluated against two strains of Enterococcus faecalis (E.faecalis); a standard clinical strain obtained from previously root-filled teeth with persistent periapical lesions, and compared to the most common antimicrobials used in endodontics. Methods and Materials: After synthesis of the polymer-coated microparticles loaded with antibiotics, the 21-day release of antibiotics were evaluated and a stock solution was produced using the maximum released amount of drugs and distilled water. The antibacterial activity of PMC, triple antibiotic paste (TAP), calcium hydroxide (CH), chlorhexidine (CHX) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) against two bacterial strains was determined using “Minimum Inhibitory Concentration” and “Agar Diffusion Test”. Additionally, “Microtiter Plate Assay” was performed to assess anti-biofilm properties. Results: Minimum inhibitory concentration values reported for TAP and PMC were 1/256. PMC showed the maximum diameter of growth inhibition in both strains (33 mm and 35 mm), while CH had the minimum diameters (13 mm and13 mm). Based on microtiter plate assay, TAP showed higher biofilm formation than PMC. Biofilm formation was higher in the standard strain for PMC; however, NaOCl, CHX and CH completely inhibited biofilm formation. Conclusions: Based on the findings of the present study, it could be concluded that PMC and TAP were the most effective medicaments against E.faecalis in its planktonic form; however, none could inhibit its biofilm formation. Further studies using larger sample size and “Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy” are recommended

SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM Analysis in Patients Who Attended a University Hospital During the COVID-19 Epidemic in Iran

Background: The world is facing a new coronavirus that causes a respiratory infection called COVID-19.Therefore, there is an increasing request for antibody tests in recovered individuals since they want to evaluatetheir immunity against SARS-CoV-2 reinfection.Materials and Methods: In our study, we had 1000 blood samples from patients admitted to the Ghiassi Hospital,Tehran, Iran, or were asked to perform serological SARS-COV-2 IgM and IgG tests by their physicians werecollected. The antibody levels were assessed via the ELISA assay method using S and N antigens during variouswaves of the COVID-19 epidemic in Iran.Results: The highest IgG level (2.77) compared to the average (with 95% confidence) is observed in patientsinfected in the third wave, which is confirmed by the ANOVA test. The mean IgM concentration in the secondwave was equal to 0.77 and more than the IgM level in the third wave and the beginning of the fourth wave,which was confirmed by the ANOVA test.Conclusion: Detection of SARS-COV-2 IgG, IgM has significant potential for evaluating the severity andprognosis of COVID-19. In addition, all seroepidemiology data in each community can help HealthCommissions for controlling this pandemic. These data also can be used for epidemiological modeling andassessing the prevalence of COVID-19 immunity in society

Evaluation of medical error status in various wards of Shohadaye Ashayer Hospital, Khorramabad, Iran

Abstract: Medical errors are known as the most important challenges that healthcare systems in all countries are encountered to them. To provide security and safety for patient is one of the major items in the health care systems. Confessing medical errors imposed on patient and education system is found to be an important aspect of medical ethics and care in turn lowers incidence of errors. Given the importance of identifying and reporting occurred medical errors, the present research aimed to assess medical errors in hospital wards of Shohadaye Ashayer Hospital Khorramabad so that findings of this research can inspire us to incorporate medical errors as a very important subject in the curriculum of medical students and finally physicians can do best examination and treatment with minimal or no errors and inaccuracies. The present research is descriptive in nature which lasted from April to March 2015. Statistical population (subjects) included employees and supervisors, nurses, staffs, lab safety facilitator, pharmacy safety facilitator, surgery room personnel, equipment and personnel in the hospital wards, including the emergency department, men surgery, women surgery, operating room, orthopedics, internal medicine ward, neurology, laboratory room, surgery, infectious, ophthalmic, reception, pharmacy and CCU hospital in Shohadaye Ashayer Hospital- Khorramabad. © 2009-2016, JGPT

Nosocomial Infections Caused by Drug-Resistant Bacteria in a Referral University Hospital, Tehran, Iran

Background: The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens associated with hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) is a major public health problem worldwide. Although being drug resistance is common in some countries and rare in others, the extent of this condition is not precisely known in most parts of Iran.Materials and Methods: Clinical specimens from patients who had been in the hospital for at least 48 hours were included in this study. The pattern of antibiotic resistance was determined by disk diffusion method as recommended by the Clinical Laboratory and Standards Institute (CLSI).Results: Of 11164 patients that were investigated, 369 (3.3%) had nosocomial infections. The most frequently isolated organisms from all sites of infections were Acinetobacter species (14.2%), Escherichia coli (13.7%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.9%). Among the Gram-negative bacilli, Acinetobacter spp was mostly resistant to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxon, co-trimoxazole and centamicin, while P. aeruginosa was frequently resistant to ampicillin/sulbactam (87%). Imipenem and piperacillin/tazobactam were the most active antimicrobials against gram-negative microorganisms whereas vancomycin was the antimicrobial agent most consistently active against the Gram-positive cocci.Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens associated with nosocomial infection in Tehran, Iran. Using proper diagnostic criteria as well as administering more effective treatment may limit the frequency of drug-resistant bacteria associated with HAIs.

Cytotoxic Activity of Nisin on Human Cancer Cell Lines: A Systematic Review

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Nisin consists of various and uncommon amino acids as an antimicrobial protein synthesized by the Lactobacilli genus. The current systematic review aimed to evaluate the anticancer activity of Nisin, an antibacterial peptide, on different human cancer cell lines. We searched PubMed/Medline and Embase databases to detect the studies addressing the cytotoxic activity of Nisin on human cancer cell lines. Our study was conducted following the "PRISMA" guideline. Of 202 potentially relevant articles, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included for further analysis. The results revealed that Nisin has different levels of anticancer activity on human cancer cell lines. The outcomes of our review indicate that some cancer cell lines, such as cell skin carcinoma (A431), Melanoma cells (A375), and colorectal cancer cell lines (LS180), are strongly affected by the anticancer properties of Nisin. In contrast, the anticancer effect of Nisin on others like Human promyelocytic leukemia (HL60) is lower. Nisin shows significant anticancer effects in different cancer cell lines. Utilizing Nisin simultaneously with other antitumor agents can enhance its anticancer features and efficacy. Further studies, especially in vivo assay and clinical trials, are recommended to achieve more accurate results in this field