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International Journal of Infection - Volume:5 Issue: 3, Jul 2018

International Journal of Infection
Volume:5 Issue: 3, Jul 2018

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1397/04/30
  • تعداد عناوین: 10
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  • Khadije Rezaie Keikhaie, Fatemeh Moshtaghi, Maryam Sheykhzade Asadi, Samira Seyed Nejad, Gholamreza Bagheri * Page 1
    Background
    Urinary tract infection is the second most common cause of infection in the human body. Among bacteria of the urinary tract, Escherichia coli is the most common bacteria causing urinary tract infection.
    Objectives
    The purpose of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility of antibiotics used in the treatment of urinary tract infections through the microdilution method and comparing it with disk diffusion.
    Methods
    E. coli strains were collected from urinary tract infections from patients of Zabol hospital. Antimicrobial resistance pattern was investigated by diffusion and microdilution methods on E. coli strains. DNA extraction was performed using the phenol chloroform method and finally, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out for the OXa gene.
    Results
    The results of this study showed that E. coli was resistant to antibiotics, including amikacin (AN; 42.85%), cefazolin (CZ; 35.71), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (AMC; 35.71%), ampicillin (AM; 35.71%). The results of PCR to detect the OXa gene showed that five strains (35.71%) were carriers of the OXa gene.
    Conclusions
    Antibiotic resistance pattern was different in different regions and also, relative resistance to newer antibiotics is increasing. For this reason, antibiotic resistance patterns are used in experimental and specific treatment of urinary tract infections.
    Keywords: Escherichia coli, Antimicrobial Drug Resistance, Disk-Diffusion Method
  • Narges Nazifi, Mojtaba Tahmoorespur, Mohammad Hadi Sekhavati *, Alireza Haghparast, Mohammad Ali Behroozikhah Page 2
    Brucellosis is a zoonetic disease that is caused by Brucella melitensis, which affects human health and animal husbandry industry. Omp31 is the most exposed outer membrane proteins (OMPs) and is a dominant antigen in smooth strains of B. melitensis, thus it is considered a desirable protein in subunit vaccine against brucellosis disease. Besides, IL-2 acts as a growth and differentiation stimulator of T-cells in cellular immune responses, therefore, it can serve as an adjuvant in subunit vaccines against intracellular pathogens. It seems that chimera scaffold, consisting of some copies of OMP31 experimental epitope region and IL-2, can provide a good immunization. In this regard, these tow fragments are linked together through using rigid linker and splicing overlap extension (SOE) PCR technique. Successful PCR products were TA cloned and then sub-cloned into pET-22b () vector as an expression vector. Recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) as an expressing lineage bacterium and then confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western-blotting analysis. Secondary and tertiary structure prediction of recombinant protein and its immunity characterization were evaluated using in silico process. Further studies on the immunogenicity properties of this protein are expected to be carried out in the future to confirm the results in vivo.
    Keywords: Experimental Epitope, OMP31, IL-2, Expression, Brucellosis, Escherichia coli
  • Jamshid Ayatollahi, Yeganeh Yazdi Yousefi *, Seyed Hossein Shahcheraghi Page 3
    Background
    Pseudomonades are gram-negative, aerobic bacillus bacteria that are mobile and can be found in small numbers in the normal flora of intestine and on the skin of humans. These bacteria can enter the sites with the impaired normal defense to cause diseases. P. aeruginosa in immunocompromised patients, cutaneous membranes injuries, intravenous or urinary catheters, and neutropenia or cystic fibrosis can lead to infections. Pseudomonas is resistant to many antibacterial drugs and their resistance has increased in the last years.
    Objectives
    The aim of this study was to examine the drug resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Yazd, Iran, during 2015 - 2016.
    Methods
    This study was done on 191 positive cultures for P. aeruginosa from May 2015 until May 2016 in Shahid Sadoughi and central laboratories. The questionnaires were filled out through checklists and data were analyzed in SPSS16 using Chi-Square test. In this study, the sensitivity was evaluated according to the type of antibiotics, location of sampling, and the type of the specimens.
    Results
    The bacteria had most sensitivity to imipenem (55%) and then to amikacin (45%). In addition, the highest resistance was to ceftriaxone (100%). The bacterial resistance to other types of antibiotics was as follows: Meropenem (100%), ciprofloxacin (100%), ceftazidime (95%), and cefotaxime (10%). There were no significant differences between antibiotic sensitivities according to the type of specimens while there was a significant difference between antibiotic sensitivities based on the location of the clinic.
    Conclusions
    According to the results of this study and resistance changes through the years, it is suggested that drug resistance of these bacteria is investigated periodically.
    Keywords: Pseudomonas, Drug Resistance, Specimen
  • Farimah Sardari *, Leili Alibafghi, Mohadese Shakerian, Reza Bahramabadi Page 4
    Background
    Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguis are two important bacteria of the oral microflora. S. mutans is the most important cause of dental caries and S. sanguis plays an important role in formation of microbial plaque.
    Objectives
    The present study aimed to determine the effect of cigarettes and hookah on thebacterial growth of S. mutans and S. sanguis.
    Methods
    The standard strains of S. mutans (PTCC = 1683) and S. sanguis (PTCC = 1449) were cultured on blood agar and incubated for 48 hours in different environments, including atmospheric air, carbon dioxide, three types of cigarette smoke (Winston, ultralight Winston, and Kent), and fruity tobacco. Then, the diameter of colonies was measured and data was compared using statistical tests, such as one-way ANOVA.
    Results
    Bacterial growth was 80%, 100%, 61%, 48%, and 59% in carbon dioxide, Winston, Kent, Ultralight Winston, fruit tobacco, respectively, for S.mutans (P
    Conclusions
    These findings showed that the growth of S. sanguis was significantly greater than S. mutans in all groups, except in the Winston group.
    Keywords: Cigarette Smoking, Tobacco, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis
  • Fatemeh Abrishami, Ali Golshan* Page 5
    Background
    Although regular blood transfusion partially increases survival in patients with thalassemia, blood transfusion has complications and the most common of them is transfusion transmitted diseases. The current study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of the surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus (HBsAg), antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV), and hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) in patients with β-thalassemia with frequent blood transfusion and also determining risk factors in patients infected with the virus.
    Methods
    The current cross sectional study was conducted on 50 patients with β-thalassemia major referred to Blood Banking Department of Ghaem Hospital affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was employed to measure HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HBc, and Biochemistry AutoAnalyzer device was used to assess the liver enzymes.
    Results
    The current study was conducted on 50 patients with β-thalassemia including 25 males and 25 females within the age range of 2 - 46 years. The mean age was 17 years. According to the results, the prevalence of HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-HBc were 8%, 16%, and 6%, respectively.
    Conclusions
    In the current study, the prevalence of anti-HCV in patients with thalassemia undergoing frequent blood transfusion was high. It showed that more intensive screening on blood donors is needed to diagnose HCV and HBV infections in patients with β-thalassemia major; although, it is needed to confirm the HCV when the serology is positive. It is advised that a technique with high sensitivity and specificity such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) should be used.
    Keywords: Patients with Thalassemia Major, HBsAg, Anti-HCV, Anti-HBc
  • Maryam Soleimani, Najmousaddat Mousavi * Page 6
    Background
    Although urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the common infections, especially among elderly, the gold standard diagnostic method is still bacterial culture. Since large percentages of urine culture are negative, it seems that specialists should pay more attention to other bacteria, such as fastidious bacteria. The aim of this study was to use the method of fastidious bacteria isolation for urine samples of elderly females with negative results for conventional culture.
    Methods
    This study was conducted at Imam Khomeini hospital and fastidious bacteria from urine samples of 1075 females older than 60 years were isolated and identified. Developing changes in culture media and incubation conditions and gas levels led to isolation of fastidious bacteria.
    Results
    After overnight aerobic culturing of 1075 urine samples, 383 cases had positive, 99 cases had low counting, 159 cases had mixed, and 434 cases had negative test results. Among 434 negative cases obtained from these methods, and using fastidious bacteria in this study, 147 subjects had Fastidious bacterial, more than 50% of which was associated with infection symptoms, indicating a significant difference.
    Conclusions
    For the isolation and detection of urinary tract infections in elderly female patients with negative aerobic and night culture results, especially if it was associated with the presence of symptoms, culturing the samples in additional and selective environments with changes in the incubation conditions is necessary in order to isolate bacteria.
    Keywords: Urinary Tract Infection, Fastidious Bacteria, Isolation, Elderly Females
  • Olatunji Matthew Kolawole *, Sylviane Njike Kana Page 7
    Background
    Malaria and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) are among the most common infectious diseases in Nigeria and other developing countries. Their high prevalence as mono-infections brings to the fore their infectious ability as co-infections.
    Objectives
    This study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and effect of HBV and malaria infections on the liver function and hematological parameters in a cohort of subjects both as mono-infections and as co-infections.
    Methods
    Blood samples from 200 febrile patients were collected and analyzed for the presence of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and malaria infection. Hematological parameters and liver function tests such as bilirubin, albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were carried using automated systems. Malaria parasite test was carried out using CareStart TM while HBsAg detection was done using MonolisaTM immunoassay. Descriptive statistics were carried out to ascertain the relationship between the prevalence of the infections and these parameters.
    Results
    62 (31.0%) subjects were positive for malaria parasite infection while 138 (69%) were negative. There were no significant changes in the hematological parameters of the subjects with respect to the prevalence of malaria. In addition, 38 (19.0%) subjects were found to be positive for HBsAg and 162 (81.0%) were negative. Of all the liver function tests carried out, only alkaline phosphate was found to be significantly affected (P value = 0.003) by the prevalence of HBsAg. The results further revealed that co-infection among the subjects significantly affected the hematological parameters such as Neutrophils (P value = 0.0134), lymphocytes (P value = 0.0002), eosinophils (P value = 0.0367), and white blood cells (P value = 0.01), as well as liver function indices such as ALT (P value = 0.001), ALP (P value = 0.001), bilirubin (P value = 0.01), and conjugated bile (P value = 0.021).
    Conclusions
    Individuals with HBV and malaria co-infection tend to have a higher level of changes in their disease conditions compared to those with mono-infections. Hence, there is a need for continuous monitoring of individuals presenting with febrile illnesses in the areas where HBV and malaria infections are co-endemic.
    Keywords: Hepatitis B virus_Malaria_Mono-infection_Co-infection_Nigeria
  • Ujjwala Nitin Gaikwad *, Silpi Basak, Priti Kulkarni, Suvarna Sande, Swati Cahavan, Gargi Mudey, Nilima S. Tankhiwale, Ramesh P. Fule, Nitin R. Gaikwad Page 8
    Background
    The continuous education of healthcare workers (HCW) is considered as one of the key components of infection control programs. Since nurses are the frontline healthcare staff; their optimal and periodic training in basic infection control practices is essential.
    Objectives
    The current study aimed at assessing the pre-existing knowledge and evaluating the effectiveness of one day educational activities to improve the knowledge regarding infection control practices.
    Methods
    A whole day educational activity comprising didactic lectures and hands-on training on routine infection control practices was conducted for a group of 34 nursing staff. Cognitive gain was assessed using a pre-validated, pre- and posttest questionnaire. The participants’ perceptions of the entire educational activity were scored based on a five-point Likert scale.
    Results
    The average percentage of test score increased significantly from 19.71% (pretest score: 3.94 ± 2.3) to 76.69% (posttest score: 15.33 ± 2.4). The class-average normalized gain was 0.7097 (70.97%). The mode rating score of the participant’s perception increased from 3 (good) to 4 (very good).
    Conclusions
    Educational intervention had a significant impact on the improvement in the knowledge of nursing staff. Similar periodic interventions should be encouraged to facilitate the learning of HCWs on the best infection control practices.
    Keywords: Hospital Acquired Infections, Nursing Staff, Educational Intervention, Infection Control
  • Sepehr Navid, Masoud Keikha * Page 9
    Introduction
    Mycobacterium absessus is one of the important pathogens of rapidly growing mycobacteria, which can cause various infections in humans. Non-tuberculosis pulmonary infection is similar to pulmonary tuberculosis and can be misdiagnosed as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In this study, a case of pulmonary infection of M. abscessus is reported in healthy patients with previous pulmonary tuberculosis from Iran.
    Case Presentation
    The patient was a 85 year-old woman admitted to a hospital due to productive cough, dyspnea, fever, night sweats, weigh lost, hemoptysis, chest pain, anorexia, vomiting, and hematuria who had the history of pulmonary tuberculosis. According to clinical manifestation, laboratory examination, chest X-ray, and presence of acid-fast bacilli in direct smear, reactivation of tuberculosis was assumed and anti-TB chemotherapy was started; however, the patients’ symptoms were not improved. The causative agent was isolated from the sputum samples of the patient and identified as Mycobacterium abscessus by using phenotypic tests and molecular method. According to the antibiotic susceptibility results, the patient was treated with linezolid, amikacin, and cefoxitin after two weeks.
    Conclusions
    This is the first report of pulmonary infection caused by M. abscessus in patients with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis in Iran. Therefore, for the purpose of patient management, final diagnosis and appropriate treatment, non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) should be identified to the species level.
    Keywords: Tuberculosis, hsp65, Mycobacterium abscessus
  • Viroj Wiwanitkit * Page 10