فهرست مطالب

Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology - Volume:12 Issue: 2, Feb 2019

Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology
Volume:12 Issue: 2, Feb 2019

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1397/12/10
  • تعداد عناوین: 8
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  • Habibollah Turki, Aboozar Soltani * Page 1
    Background
    Malaria elimination program has been launched in Iran with the technical support of the World Health Organization since 2009. To achieve the goal of malaria eradication, not only all positive cases should be diagnosed and treated promptly but also treated patients might be considered asymptomatic reservoirs in the establishment of the malaria transmission cycle.
    Objectives
    The present study aimed to follow up and monitor malaria-treated cases using sensitive molecular tools, as well as microscopic and rapid diagnostic test (RDT) techniques, in Bashagard district, Hormozgan province, Iran.
    Methods
    This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Bashagard district of Hormozgan province for 12 months from 2015 to 2016. A total number of 208 malaria cases treated according to the national malaria treatment guideline (I.R. Iran, 3rd edition) were randomly selected from databases to be evaluated for Plasmodium infection using microscopic, RDT, and nested-PCR (using 18ssrRNA) techniques.
    Results
    Of the total number of 208 participants in the study, 39.9% were male and 61.1% were male. None of the participants had symptoms of malaria before sampling. Based on the results of microscopic methods, RDT, and molecular analysis for the detection of malaria parasites, no positive malaria treated cases were found.
    Conclusions
    The results of the study showed that a robust malaria surveillance system including screening, diagnosis, timely treatment, and follow-up of treated cases plays an important role in the malaria elimination program to be implemented successfully.
    Keywords: Malaria, Elimination Program, Treated Cases, Plasmodium, Nested-PCR, Iran
  • Farshad Kakian , Milad Shahini Shams Abadi , Behnam Zamanzad , Hasan Najafi , Masoud Amiri , Abolfazl Gholipour * Page 2
    Background
    Klebsiella is one of the Enterobacteriaceae family that causes infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTI), and meningitis. Klebsiella strains are capable of producing enzymes that can degrade the third-generation of cephalosporins known as broad-spectrum beta-lactamase enzymes. The resistance of Klebsiella strains to β-lactam antibiotics is related to the presence of β-lactamase genes.
    Methods
    In this study, 90 isolates of Klebsiella were isolated from two inpatient and outpatient groups, each of them was 45 isolates, which were collected from patients with urinary tract infection in educational hospitals of Shahrekord. The isolates were identified using phenotypic agar diffusion, disc phenotypic confirmation tests, and E-test of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL). The PCR molecular method was used to diagnose and determine the strains containing broad-spectrum β-lactamases.
    Results
    Thirty (66%) inpatients and 8 (17.8%) outpatients had broad-spectrum β-lactamase enzymes. The frequency of β-lactamase OXA-10 genes and PER in inpatients were 90% and 33%, respectively and also in outpatients were 50% and 12.5%, respectively.
    Conclusions
    This study showed that the prevalence of isolated Klebsiella producing broad-spectrum β-lactamases is higher in inpatients in comparison to outpatients. Therefore, the rapid and accurate identification of bacteria and their resistance genes in clinical microbiology labs are highly recommended.
    Keywords: Klebsiella, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration, Extended Spectrum ?-Lactamases, OXA-10, PER Gene
  • Raheleh Miri , Sanaz Ahmadi Ghezeldasht , Vajiheh Mohamadinezhad , Arman Mosavat , Seyed Aliakbar Shamsian , Faezeh Sabet , Seyed Abdolrahim Rezaee *, Payam Sasannejad Page 3
    Background
    Encephalitis is associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity; however, its pathophysiology is yet to be determined.
    Objectives
    A prospective cohort study of patients with clinically diagnosed encephalitis was performed to investigate herpes simplex virus (HSV) or tuberculosis infection in encephalitis patients.
    Methods
    Overall, 114 patients were enrolled according to clinical profile and were tested for the presence of HSV-1 and 2 or tuberculosis using TaqMan real-time PCR method on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
    Results
    Thirty patients were clinically diagnosed with HSV infection, whose CSF samples were sent for HSV qRT-PCR test. The results showed that 10 (33.3%) subjects were HSV-1 or 2-positive. Out of 84 patients who were tested for tuberculosis encephalitis, and tuberculosis qRT-PCR was carried out on their CSF, 3 (3.6%) cases were positive. No significant differences were found in gender and age between HSV or tuberculosis-negative and positive groups. The main symptoms in HSV positive subjects were fever and depressed level of consciousness. No cases of tuberculosis infection were diagnosed in direct CSF smear test.
    Conclusions
    Since infectious encephalitis is a life-threatening problem and tuberculosis and HSV are progressing in the developing countries, health authorities, physicians and researchers should address this problem more seriously
    Keywords: Cerebrospinal Fluid, Herpes Simplex Virus 1, Herpes Simplex Virus 2, Infectious Encephalitis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Iran
  • Mehrab Nejati , Ali Teimori , Reza Taherkhani , Shahram Jalilian , Manoochehr Makvandi * Page 4
    Background
    Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a common cause of mild to acute hepatitis among children and adolescents, worldwide.
    Objectives
    The aim of this study was to investigate the complete sequence of isolated HAV from a child with acute hepatitis.
    Methods
    A serum sample was collected from a child with clinical sign and symptoms of acute hepatitis. Following RNA extraction, the genotype of virus was determined based on sequencing of VP1-2A region of the isolated HAV genome. The whole HAV genome was sequenced by the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers. The size of the complete length of isolated HAV genome, 5UTR (Untranslated Region), and 3UTR were determined. The amino acid sequencing of single polyprotein, including VP1 and VP3 regions, were analyzed using the BioEdit software. To evaluate the isolated HAV genome, phylogenetic tree was conducted to analyze the complete HAV Genome, 5UTR, and VP1-2A regions of the isolated HAV. Simplot and RDP4 analyses were accomplished to confirm recombination in the genome of the sequestered HAV strain in Ahvaz city.
    Results
    The sequestered HAV/Ahvaz/Iran/2015 was recorded with an accession number BankIt 2063303 MG 546669 in GenBank. The complete HAV sequence of the isolated HAV comprised of full length of 7239 nt, 5’UTR 619 nt, 3’UTR 21nt, and an open reading frame (ORF) encoding single polypeptide of 2200 amino acids (6600 nt). The whole sequences of isolated HAV strain Ahvaz/Iran/2015 showed 96% and 95% nucleotide identity with prototype strain HAV 1B isolated from Egypt (96%), South Africa (95%), and HM 175 (95%) strains, respectively. The complete amino acid sequence of the Vp1-2A region of the isolated HAV showed 100% identity with HM175 and 99% identity with isolated HAV from Egypt and South Africa. The detected HAV was identified as HAV genotype 1B. A mutation was observed in the amino acid sequences of VP3 region of the isolated HAV; this mutation showed substitution of isoleucine (I) with Arginine at position 433 amino acid sequence compared with the consensus sequences in amino acid of HM 175 strain. The results of RDP4 showed no evidence of recombination in the isolated strain HAV/Ahvaz/Iran/2015 genome.
    Conclusions
    The isolated HAV was genotype1 B, comprised of full length of 7239 nt, 2200 amino acid. The complete amino acid sequence VP1 region of the isolated HAV showed 100% homology identity with HM175 and 99% with isolated HAV in Egypt, South Africa. A mutation was observed in the amino acid sequences of VP3 region of the isolated HAV, this mutation showed substitution of isoleucine (I) with Arginine at position 433 amino acid sequence compared with the consensus sequences amino acid of HM-175 strain. No evidence of recombination was observed in the isolated strain HAV/Ahvaz/Iran/2015 genome.
    Keywords: Hepatitis A Virus_Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction_Genotype
  • Reza Besharati , Majid Ghafouri , Saghar Safamanesh , Mahsa Khosrojerdi , Kiarash Ghazvini , Sara Nojumi , Toktam Memariani , Hosein Lashkardoost , Amir Azimian * Page 5
    Background
    Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for an increasing number of serious hospital- and community-acquired infections in adults and children. Sepsis caused by S. aureus is one of the major health problems associated with treatment failure in adults; however, its clinical outcomes, the rate of treatment failure, and its molecular epidemiology are poorly understood.
    Objectives
    The objective of this study was to evaluate the molecular epidemiology of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) harboring MRSA strains isolated from children’s blood culture in Bojnurd.
    Methods
    Totally, 58 S. aureus strains were isolated from blood cultures in the major teaching hospital in Bojnurd. After the primary verification of Methicillin resistance by agar screening method, the isolated MRSA strains were confirmed with the detection of the mecA gene. MecA-positive strains evaluated for SCCmec, agr, and toxin profiles. Panton-valentine leucocidin- positive isolates were subjected to be evaluated for spa and sequence type (ST).
    Results
    Our data indicated 53.4% (31) of isolates were MRSA. Twelve (38.7%) of these isolates had PVL gene that 25% (3) of them had tsst-1 gene and 58.3% (7) had etb gene. One (3.2%), 64.5% (20), and 32.2% (10) of these isolates belonged to SCCmec I, III, and IV, respectively. Predominant ST and spa types among PVL positive isolates were ST6 and t304, respectively.
    Conclusions
    We had an uncommon finding because PVL was routinely found in community-acquired MRSA, but in this study we found PVL harboring hospital-associated MRSAs. A notable point about these isolates is that most of them belonged to Asian endemic clones.
    Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin, Panton-Valentine Leukocidin, Sepsis, Child
  • Noha Badr El, Din El, Mashad , Amina Mostafa Abdel Aal , Ahmad Mohamed Elewa , Mohammed Youssef Saad Elshaer * Page 6
    Background
    The frequency of nosocomial yeast infections has increased dramatically in the recent years. They are considered an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised cancer patients. The majority of yeast infections are caused by Candida species. However, species like Trichosporon and Rhodotorula should be considered as possible infectious agents as well.
    Objectives
    This study aimed at determining the prevalence of yeast species, their distribution among patients and the antifungal susceptibility profile at Oncology Center, Mansoura, Egypt.
    Methods
    From December 2016 till November 2017, cancer patients who developed infective episodes two days or more following hospital admission were included in the study. Clinical samples were collected according to the site of infection using standard sterile procedures. Blood samples were cultured using the BACT-ALERT system. Fungal identification and susceptibility testing were performed by Vitek 2 system.
    Results
    Eighty-seven fungal strains were obtained from our patients. A higher isolation rate was observed in urine samples (47.1%) followed by oropharyngeal (24.1%) and blood (21.8%) samples. The majority of the yeast species were Candida albicans (40.2%), C. tropicalis (14.9%), C. parapsilosis (9.2%), C. famata (6.9%) and C. guilliermondii (6.9%). Out of the 87 samples, 8 (9.2%) were resistant to fluconazole, 7 (8.0%) were resistant to flucytosine, 5 (5.7%) were resistant to voriconazole and amphotericin B, and no sample was resistant to caspofungin or micafungin.
    Conclusions
    Vitek 2 system offers a novel method for the early identification and susceptibility testing of different yeast species. It helps to minimize the risk for emergence of resistant species and reduce mortality rates, particularly in cancer patients.
    Keywords: Antifungal Agent, Echinocandins, Candida, Trichosporon, Rhodotorula, Azole
  • Carolina Resendiz_Nava _Yajaira Esquivel_Hernandez _Alejandro Alcaraz_Gonzalez _Pilar Castaneda_Serrano _Gerardo M Nava * Page 7
    Background
    Salmonella surveillance relies on invA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the rapid detection of Salmonella; however, false-positive results have been reported using this method.
    Objectives
    To evaluate the performance and specificity of the published and validated PCR protocols targeting invA gene for the detection of Salmonella.
    Methods
    The performance and specificity of 11 different PCR primer sets were evaluated using Salmonella type strains and Citrobacter spp., Escherichia coli and Serratia spp. isolates recovered during a Salmonella surveillance program.
    Results
    It was revealed that the published PCR protocols using validated primers targeting invA and 16S rRNA genes generated false-positive signals. Importantly, a protocol targeting the ttrA/C genes was able to discriminate Salmonella and non-Salmonella isolates.
    Conclusions
    Detection of Salmonella spp. by means of invA PCR amplification is not reliable. In fact, false-positive results are commonly obtained from Citrobacter, E. coli and Serratia isolates. It is recommended to use other loci, such as ttrA/C genes, for the accurate and reliable detection of Salmonella.
    Keywords: Salmonella, invA, PCR, Detection, Citrobacter, 16S rRNA, ttrA, ttrC
  • Zhu Yang *, Wenqing Yu , Daming Zhou , Hui Liu , Jing Chen , Xianzhong Cheng , Xuexue Huang , Jianchun Xian , Mingdong Ding Page 8
    Introduction
    In spring 2013, an epidemic caused by novel H7N9 virus broke out in Mainland China and caused mild to fatal clinical symptoms in the infected subjects. To further gain knowledge of this virus, authors reported the two human cases of H7N9 infection identified in Taizhou City in 2014. Clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, and interferon-induced transmembrane protein-3 (IFITM3)-rs12252 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis were studied that maybe valuable for early diagnosis and treatment of individuals with H7N9 infection.
    Case Presentation
    The study included two patients infected with H7N9 virus. A 53-year-old, single male (case 1) and a 73-year-old retired male (case 2) were admitted due to fever, cough, short of breath, and progressive respiratory distress. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan examinations revealed ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and pulmonary lesions in the right lung lobe in both patients. Both of them were confirmed to be infected with H7N9 virus based on the results of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by Taizhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). SNP genotyping of IFITM3-rs12252 was performed for the two cases and the results were analyzed, the laboratory test showed that both of the patients carried the T/C genotype. After treatment, the two patients recovered from the H7N9 infection and were discharged in good health condition.
    Conclusions
    The current study results suggested that together with chest images and laboratory test results, IFITM3-rs12252 genotype analysis might help to predict the severity of H7N9 infection that is valuable for the treatment and management of patients with H7N9 infection.
    Keywords: Influenza A Virus_H7N9 Subtype_Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism_IFITM3-rs12252_Clinical Outcomes