Preparation, Physicochemical Characterization and Performance Evaluation of Gold Nanoparticles in Radiotherapy

Purpose: The aim of the present study was preparation, physicochemical characterization and performance evaluation of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in radiotherapy. Another objective was the investigation of anti-bacterial efficacy of gold nanoparticle against E. coli clinical strains. Methods: Gold nanoparticles prepared by controlled reduction of an aqueous HAuCl4 solution using Tri sodium citrate. Particle size analysis and Transmission electron microscopy were used for physicochemical characterization. Polymer gel dosimetry was used for evaluation of the enhancement of absorbed dose. Diffusion method in agar media was used for investigation of anti-bacterial effect. Results: Gold nanoparticles synthesized in size range from 57 nm to 346 nm by planning different formulation. Gold nanoparticle in 57 nm size increased radiation dose effectiveness with the magnitude of about 21 %. At the concentration of 400 ppm, Nano gold exhibited significant anti-bacterial effect against E. coli clinical strains. Conclusion: It is concluded that gold nanoparticles can be applied as dose enhancer in radiotherapy. The Investigation of anti-bacterial efficacy showed that gold nanoparticle had significant effect against E. coli clinical strains

Fosfomycin, a therapeutic option for infections produced by multiple drug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae

Due to the increasing prevalence of infections caused by resistant bacteria and especially multiple drug resistance Enterobacteriaceae, availability of alternative effective antibiotics is restricted. The goal of this study was to investigate the susceptibility profile of multiple drug resistance and extensively drug resistance Enterobacteriaceae isolated from various clinical samples to fosfomycin. A total of 303 non-duplicate Enterobacteriaceae isolates were collected. Identification and susceptibility testing were done according to standard microbiological procedures and the Kirby-Bauer test, respectively. Of all isolates, 272 (89.8%) and 26 (8.6%) were detected as multiple drug resistance and extensively drug resistance strains, respectively. The most effective antibiotic (98%) was fosfomycin, when compared with other antibiotics against multiple drug resistance and extensively drug resistance Enterobacteriaceae isolates. In this study, we find high levels of resistance to commonly used antibiotics. However, fosfomycin can be a good option for treating multiple drug resistance Enterobacteriaceae

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

Virulence and Antimicrobial Resistance in Enterococci Isolated from Urinary Tract Infections

Purpose: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common nosocomial infection among hospitalized patients. Meanwhile, most frequent infections involving enterococci affect the urinary tract. The aims of this study were to investigate the susceptibility pattern of isolated enterococci from UTI and the prevalence of virulence genes. Methods: The study used enterococci isolated from urinary tract infections obtained from 3 university teaching hospitals in Northwest Iran. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the strains was determined using the disc diffusion method. Multiplex PCR was performed for the detection of genus- species specific targets, and potential virulence genes. Results: Of 188 enterococcal isolates, 138 (73.4%) and 50 (26.6%) were Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed high resistance to amikacin (86.2%), rifampicin (86.2%) and erythromycin (73.9%), irrespective of species. In total, 68.1% were positive for gelE, and 57.4%, 53.2%, 56.4%, and 52.1% of isolates were positive for cpd, asa1, ace, and esp, respectively. Conclusion: The study revealed that most of UTI isolates were multidrug resistance against the antibiotics tested and antibiotic resistance was more common among E. faecium isolates than E. faecalis. A significant correlation was found between UTI and the presence of gelE among E. faecalis strains (p < 0.001)

The Detection of Fosfomycin-Modifying Enzymes (fos) in Uropathogenic Enterobacterale, Azerbaijan, Iran

Enterobacteriaceae is the most common agent of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Multidrug resistant (MDR) and XDR (extensively drug-resistant) Enterobacteriaceae in UTIs have increased in the world. The present study aimed to study the fosfomycin resistance frequency and the fosfomycin resistance genes among Enterobacteriaceae isolated from UTIs. The urine was collected and cultured in the standard protocol. To determine the susceptibility testing to fosfomycin in 211 isolates, agar dilution and disk agar diffusion methods were used. MDR was nonsusceptibility to at least one agent in three or more antimicrobial categories. The fosfomycin resistance genes were also evaluated by PCR. The frequency of resistance to fosfomycin was in 14 (6.6%) and 15 (7.1%) isolates by the disk agar diffusion and MIC assays, respectively. However, the MIC50 and MIC90 existed at 8 μg/mL and 16 μg/mL, respectively. The MDR was found in 80%. The frequencies of fosfomycin resistance genes were 5 (33.3%), 3 (20%), 2 (13.3%), 1 (6.6%), and 1 (6.6%) for fosC, fosX, fosA3, fosA, and fosB2, respectively. The fosB and fosC2 were not found. A low resistance rate to fosfomycin is observed. Fosfomycin is still one of the most effective and valuable alternative antibiotics against MDR Enterobacteriaceae isolated from UTIs in our region

Antimicrobial Activity of Chlorhexidine, Peracetic acid/ Peroxide hydrogen and Alcohol based compound on Isolated Bacteria in Madani Heart Hospital, Tabriz, Azerbaijan, Iran

Purpose: The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of chemical agents on the clinical isolates in Madani Heart Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Methods: The minimum bactericide concentration (MBC) of disinfectants including chlorhexidine (Fort), peracetic acid (Micro) and an alcohol based compound (Deconex) on selected bacteria at various dilutions were determined by the standard suspension technique. Results: MBC of Micro, Fort and Deconex were 2-128 mg/L, 2-64 mg/L and 4 - 32 mg/L, respectively. The Gram negative bacteria were more resistance to disinfectant relation to Gram positive bacteria. Conclusion: The results showed that these agents are able to eradicate the bacteria and they can be used lonely

Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus in Patients with and without Coronary Artery Diseases at Madani Heart Center, Iran

&quot;nInflammation plays a major role in coronary artery disease (CAD). Currently, it is unclear, whether Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is associated with the risk of the atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti- CMV antibodies in CAD and non CAD patients undergoing artery bypass surgery. Sera from 157 patients who underwent coronary angiography were tested for CMV by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at Madani Heart Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Our study population was 58.6% male and 41.4% female, with an age range of 38 to 86 years. The prevalence of CMV positivity tended to be higher in coronary artery diseases patients than in those without non coronary artery diseases (83.2% versus 63.6%) (P= 0.01). This analysis demonstrated that CMV seropositivity may be a risk factor for CAD in the present study population

Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus in Patients with and without Coronary Artery Diseases at Madani Heart Center, Iran

Inflammation plays a major role in coronary artery disease (CAD). Currently, it is unclear, whether Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is associated with the risk of the atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti- CMV antibodies in CAD and non CAD patients undergoing artery bypass surgery. Sera from 157 patients who underwent coronary angiography were tested for CMV by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at Madani Heart Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Our study population was 58.6% male and 41.4% female, with an age range of 38 to 86 years. The prevalence of CMV positivity tended to be higher in coronary artery diseases patients than in those without non coronary artery diseases (83.2% versus 63.6%) (P= 0.01). This analysis demonstrated that CMV seropositivity may be a risk factor for CAD in the present study population

Antibacterial Effects of Azerbaijan honey on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm

Background and Aim: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunist pathogen.  The infections due to biofilm are difficult to eradicate with current antimicrobial agents. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of the honey against 40 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates.  Materials and Methods:  To assess antimicrobial activity, the MIC and MBC assays were used. Antibiofilm activity of tested honey evaluated using the MTP, Congo Red Agar, and tube methods. Results: The initial screening demonstrated that 40 of 80 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were biofilm- producer. The honey exhibited a significant antibacterial activity against the planctoninc form of Pseudomonas aeruginsa.  The MIC of Polak, Baboneh and Yonjeh honeys against Pseudomonas aeruginsa were 6.25-25, 12.5-25, and 12.5-25% w/v, respectively. The results indicated that the tested honey also had significant antibiofilm activity. Conclusion: Antibacterial effects of honey are observed in both planctonic and biofilm forms. However, higher concentrations of honey have needed to inhibit biofilm. These findings indicate the potential antimicrobial of Azerbaijan honey and, it can be used in the treatment of bacterial infections diseases due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa