Sero-prevalence of helicobacter pylori infection in Neyshabur, Iran, during 2010-2015

Backgrounds & Objective: The Helicobacter pylori prevalence has continuously decreased during recent years in Iran. The current study aimed at determining H. pylori prevalence in Neyshabur city, Northeast Iran, during 2010-2015. Methods: The current epidemiologic survey was conducted in Neyshabur from 2010 to 2015 to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection. A total of 11596 participants (3681 male with the mean age of 31.7±6.2 years and 7915 female with mean age of 68.3±4.7 years) were included. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits for the detection of H. pylori and Stat Fax 3200® Microplate Reader (USA) with a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 98% were used. Titers above 12 units were considered positive for IgG, IgA, and IgM (negative 12 U). The Chi-square t test and F test were used to analyze data. Results: The overall IgA, IgG, and IgM seropositive samples among the study participants were 852 (7.2%), 9000 (72.8%), and 1256 (5.2%), respectively. The IgA seropositivity was significantly high among the age group above 51 years, compared with the other age groups. Moreover, the IgG and IgM seropositivity were significantly high among the age groups 41 to 50 and 31 to 40 years respectively, compared with the other age groups. There was no significant difference between male and female cases regarding IgA and IgG seropositive samples, but IgM level was significantly higher among females, compared with that of the male cases. Furthermore, there was no significant alteration in IgA, IgG, and IgM seropositivity during 2010-2014 in Neyshabur. Conclusion: The prevalence of H. pylori in Neyshabur was high in the healthy population. Furthermore, the H. pylori prevalence did not change from 2010 to 2014 in the studied city. Effective approaches to improve health, educational, and socioeconomic status should be implemented to minimize and control H. pylori infection

Measurement of antimicrobial activity of isolated bacteria from the Caspian sea and molecular identification of strains with antimicrobial effect

Introduction: Easy access and wide use of antimicrobial compounds led to the emergence of resistance among microorganisms. Therefore, screening and identifying antimicrobial compound with high effect of microorganisms in different environments is necessary and vital . Using microorganisms for biological aims change them to an important tool to control pathogens. Streptomyces griseus is one of them. The aim of this study is isolation of marine bacteria with antimicrobial effect against gram positive and negative bacteria. Finally, molecular identification of strains with antimicrobial activity. Materials and methods: In this study, 162 strains were isolated from the Caspian Sea .The strains were cultured on special medium and finally antimicrobial activity on references strains as measured. Among them four strains with remarkable antimicrobial activity were identified and selected. The strains were subjected to 16S rDNA PCR sequencing. The strains were submitted to NCBI as new Streptomyces griseus strains. Results: Among 162 strains, 4 strains had the most antimicrobial activity. The result showed, the strains were the most effective on Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive bacteria) and the least effect were observed on Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram negative bacteria). After sequencing, the strains were classified to sterptomyces griseus genu. Discussion and conclusion: In this study, 4 strains with antimicrobial activity were identified. According to the strength of these bacteria for controlling pathogenic bacteria resistant to antibiotic, we can have more pure microorganisms in optimized and controlled conditions for using in pharmaceutical industries and also for the treatment of dangerous pathogenic bacteria

<span style="font-size:15.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language: HI" lang="EN-GB">Identification of new <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Streptomyces griseus</i> strains with potential antimicrobial activity isolated from Caspian Sea</span>

2277-2280<span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family: " times="" new="" roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-bidi-font-family:="" mangal;mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-GB">With the emergence of new antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the global announcement for new antimicrobial agents has initiated. Many scientists have been focused on identification and characterization of novel marine species which produce more potent antimicrobial agents. In this study, 162 strains were isolated from Caspian Sea and analyzed based on antimicrobial activity. Bacteria were grown in wide period of time, 24 h to 20 days, on Muller Hinton Agar medium. Among 162 isolates, 4 strains showed antimicrobial activity to Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus as reference strains. But the maximum effect was observed on Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive bacteria). The positive strains were subjected to 16S rDNA PCR sequencing and the results were BLASTed against the NCBI database to evaluate genetic distribution and bacterial classification. The strains were submitted to NCBI as new Streptomyces griseus strains.</span

In Silico Comparison of Disulfide-Bearing and Disulfide-Free Phytases among Microorganisms

Phytases are degrading enzymes that hydrolyze phytate (myo inositol hexa kis phosphate) to release a series of lower phosphate esters of myoinositol and orthophosphate. Phytase successfully used as an animal feed additive to increase the bioavailability of phosphate from phytic acid in the grain-based diets of poultry and swine. In order to investigate structural relationships between disulfide-bearing phytases and disulfide-free phytases, 9 phytases with resolved three-dimensional (3D) structure were retrieved as pdb and FASFA format from Protein Data Bank server and were analyzed using various tools and software. The results showed that 6 out of 9 phytases carry three or more disulfid bonds while the others lack any disulfide bonds. Our results also demonstrated that there is a remarkable correlation between the presence of disulfide bond and the number of amino acid in each phytase which means the larger enzymes contain three or more disulfide bonds whereas the enzymes containing less than 400 amino acids lack any disulfide bond. Additionally, in order to dig out the structure of phytases, some chemical and physical characteristics of phytases such as aliphatic index (AI), isoelectric pH (PI), amino acids percentage, molecular weights (MW) and 3D structure of phytases were analyzed. Results showed that phytases containing disulfide bonds have some identical characteristic including glycine percentage, AI, and 3D structure rather than disulfide-free phytases do. Moreover, evolutionary surveys by means of alignment studies and evaluations were conducted. Evolutionary analysis represented that phytases with disulfide bond most probably exhibited the same evolutionary course

In Silico Comparison of Disulfide-Bearing and Disulfide-Free Phytases among Microorganisms

Phytases are degrading enzymes that hydrolyze phytate (myo inositol hexa kis phosphate) to release a series of lower phosphate esters of myoinositol and orthophosphate. Phytase successfully used as an animal feed additive to increase the bioavailability of phosphate from phytic acid in the grain-based diets of poultry and swine. In order to investigate structural relationships between disulfide-bearing phytases and disulfide-free phytases, 9 phytases with resolved three-dimensional (3D) structure were retrieved as pdb and FASFA format from Protein Data Bank server and were analyzed using various tools and software. The results showed that 6 out of 9 phytases carry three or more disulfid bonds while the others lack any disulfide bonds. Our results also demonstrated that there is a remarkable correlation between the presence of disulfide bond and the number of amino acid in each phytase which means the larger enzymes contain three or more disulfide bonds whereas the enzymes containing less than 400 amino acids lack any disulfide bond. Additionally, in order to dig out the structure of phytases, some chemical and physical characteristics of phytases such as aliphatic index (AI), isoelectric pH (PI), amino acids percentage, molecular weights (MW) and 3D structure of phytases were analyzed. Results showed that phytases containing disulfide bonds have some identical characteristic including glycine percentage, AI, and 3D structure rather than disulfide-free phytases do. Moreover, evolutionary surveys by means of alignment studies and evaluations were conducted. Evolutionary analysis represented that phytases with disulfide bond most probably exhibited the same evolutionary course

Recent Emergence and Re-Emergence of Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever and Q Fever Zoonotic Diseases: Major yet Ignored Infectious Diseases Worldwide

The continuing emergence or re-emergence of vector-borne zoonotic Q fever (caused by Coxiella burnetii) and Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF, caused by Orthonairovirus) include indispensable extraordinary threat around the world. Low infectious dose and long-term environmental residence are major risks. Wildlife and domestic livestock act as hosts or reservoirs of the CCHF virus and ticks are carriers. The disease also poses a threat to public health services owing to its epidemic potential, high case fatality ratio (up to 40%) as well as difficulties in treatment, prevention, and control. Q fever is another zoonotic febrile disease mainly affecting workers involved in farming livestock. The causative agent of Q fever causes abortion in livestock. The pathogen is shed in large numbers in the waste of infected animals (amniotic fluids and placenta during parturition) and is transmitted by inhalation of contaminated aerosols. Vaccination is the most effective way of protecting against Q fever. The main way to prevent Q fever is to avoid contact with animals, especially while animals are giving birth, or consumption of unpasteurized milk and contaminated dairy products. Due to the increasing importation of livestock to meet the growing demand for dairy and meat products, new diseases are likely to be introduced. In our growing globalized world, where trade between countries increases, it is necessary to conduct more research on zoonotic diseases and to monitor any possible disease introduction to new areas. A continuing surveillance program and pathogen testing are important in tracking the emergence of new pathogens

Occupational leptospirosis as an underreported disease in high-risk groups: implications for prevention and control measures

Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonotic disease with no particular or verified symptoms, which has been underreported as an occupational infection.Leptospirainterrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae andL. interrogansserovarGrippotyphosaare the two major pathogenic serovars. Professionals who are in constant contact with animals and their residues, in water supply, rice mill, slaughtering houses, hospital sanitary places, strawberry picking, construction works, agriculture working, forest working and food industry are at highest risk. Factors related to occupational, environmental, and recreational aspects and the presence of wild reservoirs of leptospirosis will be discussed in this concise review. Noticeably, lack of early identification, international travelling, skin wounds, sanitary and washing habitations after contact with animals, delay in treatment, and unhealthy behaviors of adolescents contribute to the disease. Hence, public education for people's awareness is essential. For instance, farmers, students, forest keepers, veterinary surgeons or veterinarians, and abattoir workers should take care by wearing cloth, such as long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt, and simple gloves to hinder the infection acquisition through skin. For people engaged in water sports, covering skin abrasions with waterproof dressings and wearing protective clothing can prevent disease transmission. However, there is no same control strategy applicable to all epidemiological wards universally. Furthermore, ecoepidemiological and cultural characteristics should be well recognized. Copyright (C) 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. Keywords:leptospirosis; occupational diseases; risk factors; zoonose