Avicenna Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infection
Volume:10 Issue: 4, Dec 2023

The increasing resistance of bacteria to different classes of antibiotics has become an important public health concern. This study was aimed at the effectiveness of the antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles and propolis (AgNPs@propolis) on bacteria.

A hydroalcoholic extract of propolis was used for prepare of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs@propolis). The characteristics, anti-bacterial effect and cell toxicity of AgNPs@propolis were examined in vitro.

The size of the synthesized nanoparticles was 32 to 85 nm. The AgNPs@propolis had no toxic effect up to a concentration of 200 μg/mL. Compared to AgNPs and propolis, AgNPs@ propolis showed a greater inhibitory effect on the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. propolis as a natural substance has an inhibitory effect on the growth of bacteria.

Green synthesis of AgNPs@propolis has a low toxic effect on the cell and has a high effect in inhibiting the growth of various bacteria.

Water and foodborne disease outbreaks continually present formidable challenges to healthcare systems, leading to morbidity, mortality, and substantial economic losses. Investigating and reporting these outbreaks play a pivotal role in effectively controlling and mitigating future occurrences. This study endeavors to scrutinize an outbreak of water contamination in Mariyanaj, Hamadan, Iran, employing the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) comprehensive 10-step framework.

In this descriptive study, we meticulously adhered to the WHO outbreak investigation and reporting guidelines, systematically progressing through each step to investigate and report the outbreak. Symptom/exposure samples, involving two samples per symptomatic individual, were collected and sent to the Center for Disease Control’s laboratory for examination. Additionally, we executed a case-control study (Step 7) to discern the root cause of the outbreak.

The outbreak affected 919 individuals among 12115 residents of Mariyanaj city, with a male prevalence of 57.7%. The most impacted age group was 10-14 years. Predominant symptoms included abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Through meticulous field investigations and the case-control study, the contaminated water source was identified. Human samples exhibited Escherichia coli and norovirus as the most prevalent pathogens, with E. coli also detected in water samples.

Despite advancements in outbreak investigation and reporting systems, the utilization of a standardized step-by-step approach proves more effective in identifying and managing outbreaks. The consistent monitoring of drinking water quality, particularly in times of water crises, emerges as a crucial factor in significantly preventing waterborne diseases.

 TRC (Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus, and cytomegalovirus [CMV]) infections during pregnancy can lead to serious sequelae in the uterine fetus. Prenatal testing, which includes screening and diagnosis of antibodies to TRC infections, is one of the most important aspects of prenatal care recommended during pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of TRC infections in pregnant women who attended the antenatal clinic in Yazd province in central Iran.

 For this purpose, 8355 sera samples were obtained from pregnant women attending the central laboratory of Yazd province in central Iran and subjected to screening for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibodies against TRC using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Of these, 4,245, 2,190, and 1,920 pregnant women were screened for anti-Toxoplasma, rubella, and CMV, IgG, and IgM antibodies, respectively.

 The results revealed that 77.4% (1695/2190) and 78.1% (1500/1920) were positive for anti-rubella and anti-CMV IgG antibodies, and n.o seropositive was detected for anti-rubella and -CMV IgM antibodies. For anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, 20.85% (885/4245), 9.54% (405/4245), and 12.01% (510/4245) were positive for IgG, IgM, and both IgG-IgM antibodies, respectively. In addition, our findings showed the high prevalence of chronic TRC infections and a low recently acquired Toxoplasma infection in pregnant women.

 Our findings confirmed the high prevalence of chronic TRC infections and a low recently acquired Toxoplasma infection in pregnant women. Hence, observing personal behavioral practices (the source of infection and hygienic measures) are recommended to women at reproductive-age in general and seronegative pregnant women in particular.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic helminth infection that has great health and economic importance worldwide. Iran is considered one of the endemic areas of this parasitic infection. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of human CE in Baneh, west of Iran.

From March to May 2022, 460 individuals who attended health centers in Baneh were tested for the anti-Echinococcus immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The data were analyzed by Chi-square and binary logistic regression tests.

Fourteen (3.04%) participants (95% CI: 1.49–4.59%) had the anti-Echinococcus IgG antibody. The average (±standard deviation) age of participants was 40.9 (16.8) years, and most of them belonged to the age group of 35–49 years (33.9%) with the highest rate of infection (4.5%). In terms of other demographic variables, seropositivity to CE was higher in women (3.8%) and people who lived in rural areas (5.1%), were housewives (3.6%), and were illiterate (4%) (P>0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that only keeping dogs at home was a risk factor for CE (adjusted odds ratio: 31.407; 95% CI: 5.343–184.590%; P<0.001).

Direct contact with dogs is the main method of CE transmission. Therefore, public health education and the deworming of dogs can be effective in preventing and controlling CE.

 Trichomonas infection is a common sexually transmitted infection, and concerns about drug resistance to this infection are increasing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of Pelargonium quercetorum extracts on Trichomonas protozoans.

 One isolate of Trichomonas vaginalis was subjected to susceptibility testing against ethyl acetate, n-hexane, and aqueous extracts of P. quercetorum using the microtiter plate method. The minimum lethal concentration (MLC) of the extracts was measured in comparison with metronidazole under aerobic conditions.

 All extracts had antiprotozoal activities against Trichomonas. After 48-hour exposure, the most antitrichomonal activity of the extracts belonged to the ethyl acetate, with an MLC of 250 µg/mL, followed by the n-hexane (500 µg/mL) and aqueous (25 mg/mL) extracts in comparison with metronidazole, with an MLC of 3.1 µg/mL.

 The results of this study indicated that P. quercetorum has potential properties against Trichomonas protozoans, although further studies are needed to evaluate the antiprotozoal activity of its components.

 Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common hospital- and community-acquired pathogens. This bacterium has different virulence factors, and today’s reports show that the prevalence of methicillin resistance in S. aureus is increasing in different regions of the world.

 This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on 60 hospital samples. First, biochemical tests were conducted on the samples to separate and confirm the genus of S. aureus. After the enrichment and isolation of bacteria and extraction of the DNA of mec-A and lukS/F-PV genes, they were evaluated by multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCR).

 In this study, 20 isolates of S. aureus were obtained from a total of 60 samples. In these 20 S. aureus isolates, the frequency of the lukS/F-PV gene was reported in 12 isolates, and the frequency of the mecA gene was reported in 8 isolates, of which 4 isolates had both genes.

 According to the results, the identification of genes related to the severity of the disease and antibiotic resistance can play an effective role in the identification of the antibiotic-resistant population and subsequent planning to deal with antibiotic resistance. In addition, multiplex PCR, as a low-cost and specific method, was used to identify infectious agents of pathogens related to their virulence.

 Antibiotic resistance is an escalating global health concern, with carbapenems, potent last-line antibiotics, facing increasing resistance and potentially dire consequences. This scoping review sought to consolidate data on carbapenem resistance in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patient cohorts as the intricate relationship between HIV and antibiotic resistance remains inadequately understood.

 We employed a scoping review methodology and conducted a comprehensive search across Google Scholar, Scopus, Cochrane, and PubMed, utilizing specific search terms related to carbapenem resistance and HIV. We extracted and analyzed data, encompassing study design, geographic location, number of HIV-infected participants, CD4 cell counts, specimen types, cultured organisms, carbapenem susceptibility, and comparisons between HIV-infected and uninfected cohorts.

 This review encompassed 15 studies, involving 2365 HIV-infected participants, primarily employing cross-sectional designs, with nine studies conducted in African countries. The most frequently analyzed specimens included urine, stool, and sputum, with Escherichia coli emerging as the most frequently cultured organism. Commonly used carbapenem drugs included imipenem, meropenem, and ertapenem, with varying susceptibility patterns. Imipenem and meropenem exhibited sensitivities exceeding 80%, except for one study with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which demonstrated 73% sensitivity. Ertapenem displayed fluctuating sensitivities ranging from 58% to 100% for different bacterial organisms. Only one study reported the colonization of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) in HIV-infected patients, with HIV status not significantly influencing CRE carriage. When comparing HIV-infected and uninfected cohorts, four studies found no substantial impact of HIV status on carbapenem resistance.

 In the context of the HIV burden and opportunistic infections, carbapenem resistance demonstrated relatively consistent patterns across most studies comparing HIV-infected and uninfected cohorts. However, the presence of CRE among HIV-infected individuals raises concerns regarding nosocomial infections. The limited reporting of CD4 counts in the included studies necessitates further exploration of potential associations with immune status. E. coli, frequently cultured in these studies, exhibited varying resistance patterns, and the impact of HIV on these patterns remains uncertain. Carbapenem susceptibility displayed variability among different organisms, underscoring the nuanced nature of resistance. As such, this scoping review serves as a foundation for comprehending carbapenem resistance in HIV-infected populations but underscores the necessity for more comprehensive research in this field.