khatereh kafshdouzan

This study explores the potential of electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) incorporating Eucalyptus camaldurensis extract (ELE) as an innovative wound dressing strategy to address the escalating threat of antibiotic resistance and associated complications in bacterial infections of wounds. The investigation is grounded in the recognition of the antibacterial properties inherent in medicinal plants and the advantageous release characteristics of nanomaterials, particularly electrospun nanofibers that closely mimic the extracellular matrix. Utilizing the electrospinning technique, nanofiber mats were fabricated with hydroalcoholic Eucalyptus camaldulensis extract, and their structural and morphological attributes were comprehensively characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The study employed 60 male Wistar rats, categorizing them into groups treated with PVA/ELE, nitrofurazone, normal saline, and PVA wound dressings. Microbial and histopathological analyses were conducted at specified intervals post-infection. The results unveiled the remarkable antibacterial efficacy of PVA/ELE, as evidenced by a substantial reduction in bacterial count compared to control groups. Furthermore, the PVA/ELE group demonstrated superior wound size reduction, re-epithelization, and collagen deposition, akin to the effects observed in the nitrofurazone group. The findings suggest that PVA/ELE exhibits significant antimicrobial potential and promotes advanced wound-healing processes. Consequently, this electrospun nanofiber formulation, enriched with ELE, emerges as a promising and viable alternative for conventional wound care, offering multifaceted benefits in combating bacterial infections and facilitating wound healing.

Serum levels of vitamin D (VD) are inversely correlated with the incidence or severity of COVID-19. Our study aimed to investigate the effects of inactivated COVID-19 virus (ICoV-19) immunization on vitamin D (VD) levels, as well as biochemical and hematological parameters in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. We randomly divided twenty rats into two groups of ten: the control group (Group I) and the ICoV-19-receiving group (Group II). We administered hydroxide aluminum (HA) and a single dose of ICoV-19 (107 TCID50 of the HB02 strain of COVID-19 virus) subcutaneously to rats in groups I and II, respectively. After three weeks (day 21), we administered booster doses to both groups. Blood samples were collected from the rats of both groups primarily for the experiment and 14 days after the second administration (35th day), and then samples were stored frozen until analysis. We found no significant differences in VD levels between the two groups on day 0, but on day 35, VD levels in group II rats had significantly decreased compared to group I rats (P<0.05). Additionally, group II rats had higher concentrations of fibrinogen, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), and lactate dehydrogenase activity (LDH) than group I rats (P<0.05). Group II rats also showed a significant increase in neutrophils (N %) and neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio (N/L) after 35 days (P<0.05), while lymphocytes (L %) decreased. These findings suggest that vitamin D may play a role in preventing COVID-19 and be a potential candidate for managing and controlling of the disease.

Antibiotic resistance within the poultry sector presents a considerable health concern due to treatment inefficacy and resistance transmission to humans and the environment. The investigation of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) in Escherichia coli, acknowledged for its role in advancing resistance, remains inadequately studied in Iranian poultry. This study aimed to evaluate PMQR gene prevalence as well as to determine correlation between resistance phenotype and genotype in E. coli obtained from poultry colibacillosis.

A collection of 100 E. coli isolates from the viscera of broilers suspected to colibacillosis was assessed. Using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, antimicrobial susceptibility tests were conducted for ofloxacin, nalidixic acid, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and ampicillin. Additionally, PCR was employed to screen for qnrS, qnrB, and aac(6)Ib-cr genes.

Among the analyzed E. coli isolates, 51% demonstrated resistance to at least one of the tested antibiotics, with 17% exhibiting resistance to four different antibiotics. Nalidixic acid displayed the highest resistance rate at 48%, while ampicillin had the lowest at 16%. PMQR genes were detected in 28% of the E. coli isolates, with aac(6′)-Ib-cr being the most prevalent at 14%, followed by qnrB in 13%, and qnrS in 7%.

The study underscores the vital need for careful antibiotic usage in poultry to curb the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The results illuminate the prevalence of PMQR genes and their association with resistance trends in Iranian poultry, forming a pivotal basis for forthcoming approaches to combat antibiotic resistance within the poultry sector.

Prevention, control and eradication of brucellosis in areas where the disease is endemic requires sufficient epidemiological information to apply policies. The present study was conducted with the aim of epidemiological investigation of brucellosis among the ruminant population of Lorestan province. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, all studies related to brucellosis in livestock were analyzed in Lorestan province. The results obtained from this study show that brucellosis has a high prevalence (22%) in three ruminant species (including cows, sheep and goats) of Lorestan province. The highest prevalence of brucellosis in sheep, goat, and cow milk was determined to be 25.6%, 23.5%, and 21.3%, respectively. Brucella abortus is the predominant species in milk obtained from ruminants in Lorestan province. Rev. 1 vaccine strain is excreted to a high extent (7.5%) in sheep and goats' milk. In general, unpasteurized milk is introduced as a threat to public health in Lorestan province. More extensive studies should be conducted, and existing methods of controlling and eradicating brucellosis should be modified.

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and Trueperella pyogenes are two important pyogenic bacteria that cause many annual economic losses worldwide. Currently, antibiotic resistance of these bacteria is on the rise. Early detection of infection with these bacteria is important for controlling the infections caused by these two bacteria.

This study aimed to investigate the contamination of cattle cutaneous abscesses with  Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and Trueperella pyogenes in five large cattle farms around Tehran and propose an accurate method for a rapid detection of these two bacteria.

Out of 60 cows involved in cutaneous abscesses in the summer of 2018, sterile sampling was performed to diagnose the bacterial agent that caused the abscess. Bacteriological examination of the samples was performed using standard biochemical reactions and polymerase chain reaction using specific primers.

Of the 60 samples studied, 25 % (15.60) were isolated as Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and 20 % (12.60) as Trueperella pyogenes. In 55 % of the samples (33.60), both bacteria were present simultaneously. All the samples detected using biochemical reactions were confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction.

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and Trueperella pyogenes are the main causes of cutaneous abscess in cattle farms around Tehran. Because the accurate diagnosis of the cause of abscesses is very important for effective treatment, polymerase chain reaction, based on 16S-23S rDNA and 16S rRNA, can be used to rapidly and accurately detect these bacteria in the early stages of the infection.

Improving the effective factors in the production of broiler chickens is one of the most important goals of the poultry industry in the whole world. Today, natural growth supplements have been introduced to achieve optimal poultry performance, including probiotics and medicinal plants that have been used to improve growth rate or bird health.

This experiment was conducted in a completely random design with 300 Ross 308 broilers to investigate the effects of antibiotics, prebiotics and locust bean gum on performance, carcass characteristics, immune system and blood parameters of broilers. Chickens were distributed in 6 treatments and 5 replications (10 replicates per chick). The experimental groups were as following: 1) the control with basal diet (no antibiotics and no growth stimulator); 2) treatment  with virginiamycin antibiotic (100 mg/kg of diet); 3) treatment  with celmanax prebiotic (25 mg/kg of diet); 4) treatment  with celmanax prebiotic (50 mg/kg of diet); 5) treatment  with locust bean gum (25 mg/kg of diet); and 6) treatment  with locust bean gum (50 mg/kg of diet).

The results showed that seed gum in both doses without affecting the feed intake, the highest weight gain was observed in Salmanax prebiotic treatment in dose of 50 mg/kg. The best feed conversion ratio was observed in Salmanax prebiotic treatment of 50 mg/kg. The percentage of breast was significantly higher with the addition of 50 mg of prebiotics compared to the control group (p<0.05). Fabricius bursa weight and antibody titer produced against Newcastle were significantly increased by adding 50 mg of prebiotics to the diet in compare of control group (p<0.05). Also, the mean concentrations of cholesterol and LDL in Salmanax and mustard seed gum groups at 50 mg levels were significantly lower than the control group.

Although the addition of carob seed gum to broiler diets on yield did not cause a significant difference in carcass characteristics compared to the control, it was more effective than the experimental group containing antibiotics. Due to the positive effects of prebiotics and carob seed gum, it is possible to use these compounds as growth stimulants to eliminate antibiotics from poultry diets.

The transmission of antibiotic resistance through the food chain is one of the major health challenges, worldwide. A combination of essential oils with synergistic or additive effects to enhance the antimicrobial activity, is an applied approach to improve food safety.

 In this study, 93 E. coli isolated from the viscera of broilers, suspected to colibacillosis, were examined for detection of ESBL by the combined disk method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. CTX-M was detected by PCR. Antibacterial activity of cinnamon and oregano essential oils were studied against bla CTX-M harboring isolates by broth microdilution method and fractional inhibitory concentration index.

 According to the results of this study, 32/93 (34.4%) of tested samples produced ESBL, and 10/32 (31.2%) harbored CTX-M. All the CTX-M producing E. coli investigated by broth microdilution assay, were sensitive to cinnamon and oregano essential oils in the range of 400 to 3200 and 800 up to 1600ppm, respectively. Fractional inhibitory concentration indices ranging from 0.5 to 1.5, suggested synergistic, and additive inhibitory effect of cinnamon and oregano essential oils.

The results of this study indicated that bla CTX-M might be transmitted to humans through chicken meat. The combination of cinnamon and oregano can be suggested as a safe bio-preservative which leads to growth inhibition of antibiotic resistant E. coli. However, further studies should concern the potential interaction between essential oils and food matrices.

Antibiotic resistance transmission through the food chain is considered as a major health challenge. The combination of essential oils (EOs) with synergistic or additive effects regarding enhancing the antimicrobial activity is an applied approach for controlling foodborne pathogens and improving food safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of Cinnamomum camphora (cinnamon) and Syzygium aromaticum (clove) EOs against TEMbla produced by Escherichia coli isolated from poultry colibacillosis.

To this end, 100 E. coli isolated from the viscera of broilers suspected of colibacillosis, were examined to detect the ESBL produced by the combined disk method according to The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). In addition, TEMbla presence was detected by the polymerase chain reaction method. Finally, the antibacterial activity of cinnamon and clove EOs was studied against TEMbla harboring isolates alone and in combination with the broth microdilution method and fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index.

Based on the results, 32/88 (36.3%) of the tested samples produced ESBL and 20/32 (62.5%) were found to harbor TEM. All the TEMbla produced by E. coli investigated by the broth microdilution assay were sensitive to cinnamon and clove EOs in the range of 400 to 1600 and 800 to 3200 ppm, respectively. FIC indices (ranging from 0.56 to 1) suggested their synergistic inhibitory effect on nine isolates and additive inhibitory effect against 11 isolates.

The results of this study indicated that the combination of cinnamon and clove can inhibit the growth of E. coli harboring the TEMbla gene and thus it can be suggested as a safe bio-preservative. However, further studies should be conducted to investigate the potential interaction between the EOs and food matrix components.

The incidence of Campylobacter associated food-poisoning has gradually increased and it is considered to be the major cause of widespread infectious disease of the recent century. Although the poultry are the most important reservoirs and source of transmission of Campylobacter to human, urban wild birds like the ducks with faecal contamination of environment cannot be excluded from being the contributing source of Campylobacter spp. for human and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the faecal contamination of C.jujuni and C.coli in urban ducks in the North of Iran. From March to April 2016, a total of 75 stool samples were collected from urban ducks in Sari, Amol, Ghaem Shahr and Babol, Mazandaran province, Iran to evaluate the presence of Campylobacter spp. using triplex PCR. 16srRNA, mapA and ceuE genes were targeted for Campylobacter spp., C.jujuni and C.coli respectively. 13 of 75 samples (17.33%) were contaminated with Campylobacter spp. Faeco prevalence of C.jujuni and C.coli was 84.6% and 15.4% .The prevalence of C.jujuni was significantly more (p< 0-0.5). The results of this study have shown prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in urban ducks in the North of Iran is relatively high and may be considered a potential risk factor for human Campylobacteriosis in Iran, especially in children

The aim of the present study was to investigate the diagnostic evaluation of milk lactate dehydrogenase (mLDH) and alkaline phosphatase (mALP) activities by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis curve in early lactation of ewes with subclinical mastitis (SCM) and determine the correlation between number of somatic cell count (SCC) and mLDH and mALP activities. A total of 196 udder half milk samples were collected within the first 6 weeks of lambing. The SCM was determined by positive milk bacterial culture and positive California mastitis test (CMT); SCC was determined by fossomatic method and enzyme activities were determined spectrophotometrically. The mLDH and mALP of SCM cases were positively correlated with SCC values. Values of mLDH, mALP and SCC were significantly higher in SCM than non-SCM udder halves. The optimum cut-off points of mLDH and mALP activities for SCM diagnosis were determined at 203.61 (U L-1) and 329.84 (U L-1), respectively. In conclusion, SCC has positive correlation with mALP and mLDH activities in SCM ewes and mLDH and mALP activities could be considered as reliable indicators for intra-mammary inflammation diagnosis.

Escherichia coli is a typical occupant of the enteric system of vertebrates. Some E. coli strains are related to urinary tract infections (UTIs) in human. E. coli strains are divided namely to the four phylogenetic groups, A, B1, B2, and D. Some investigations have indicated the relationship between phylogenetic characteristics and pathogenicity of E. coli. Thus, determining the phylogeny of unknown E. coli strains may be useful in predicting the pathogenesis.
In the present study, we aimed to compare the distribution of E. coli phylogroups in human UTIs and wild bird feces as a possible source of infection for human in a cross-sectional survey.
A total of 264 E. coli isolates were obtained from human UTIs and feces of wild birds around and phylogenetic determination was carried out using the Clermont Triplex-PCR technique.
Our results showed that phylogenetic group B2 strains were the most prevalent in UTI cases (47.2%) followed by group D (30.2%). Group B1 contained 32.5% of the isolates in feces of wild birds, followed by group A (27.5%). There was a significant difference in E. coli phylogeny between hosts so that groups B2 and D were more prevalent in human UTIs and groups B1 and A in wild birds. Also, when comparing the phylogroups within a host, group B1 showed a higher rate in wild birds than in human UTIs.
Although the majority of isolates from wild birds belonged to nonpathogenic phylogenetic groups B1 and A, further research seems to necessary to assess the exact relation of wild birds as pathogen sources for human by genotyping E. coli strains via high throughput genotyping assays.

Wound infection has become a major medical problem in recent years. This is usually caused by Gram-positive bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus. Since antimicrobial resistance to current drugs has critically been developed in these causative microorganisms, substitution medicine has become one of the main interests within researchers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the healing activity of Origanum vulgare against surgical wounds infected by S. aureus. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups. Excisions were created surgically on the animals’ skin and then infected with S. aureus. Group 1 was treated with an extract of O. vulgare while Group 2 was untreated. Wound biopsy specimens were collected on Days 5, 10 and 16 and analyzed. Results showed that the hydroxyproline content in the treatment group was significantly higher in various post wounding days. The mean of hexosamine in the treated group was higher than in the control group. Protein content increased gradually in Day 10. Results of histopathological studies showed moderate to intense granulation tissue formation and neovascularization in the treated group on Day 10. Furthermore, the histopathological studies showed that intense matrix formation and collagen fiber deposition occurred in treatment group on Day 16 post wound, while intense granulation tissue formation was the prominent feature in control group. The present study has demonstrated that the ethanol extract of O. vulgare contains properties that accelerate wound healing activities compared to control group.

Colibacillosis is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world that causes multimillion-dollar annual losses. In order to evaluate molecular epidemiology of some virulence associated factors in Escherichia coli, isolated from poultry, the presence of iut A, iss, hly F, omp T, iro N, afa, sfa (S)and pap G (II) were investigated by multiplex PCR assay. Two hundred thirty four Escherichia coli isolated from avian colibacillosis (APEC) and fifty four fecal E. coli isolates from the feces of apparently healthy birds (AFEC) were investigated for presence of some virulence associated genes by two panel of multiplex PCR. Statistical analysis was performed using |c 2 test. the p-value was |£|0.05. Among 234 E. coli strains associated with colibacillosis and 54 AFEC strains, 85% of isolates were positive for at least one of the virulence gene. The three most prevalent genes in E. coli isolated from colibacillosis were hly F (77.3%), omp T(73%) and iss (68.2%). Iut A, iro Nand pap G (II) were detected in 157 (67.4%), 152 (65.2%) and 41(17.6%) respectively. None of isolates harbored sfa (s) and afa genes. Several combination patterns of virulence genes were detected. Combination of hly F, omp T (70.8%) was the most prevalent pattern. the prevalence of iss, hly F, omp T, iro N genes in APEC isolates was significantly more than AFEC strains and probably these genes play an important role in the pathogenesis of APEC strains.