mohammad mehdi soltan

The aim of this study was to provide a simple and efficient way of producing IgY antibodies against Escherichia coli and extract that by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation method.

An ti- Escherichia coli antibody was produced in hens by using formalin-killed E.coli and confirmed by ELISA method, applying serum`antibody. The specific IgY was extracted from egg yolk by Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Precipitation and analysed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).

The result of ELISA shows that the IgY titre increased from initial immunization and the high titre (≥0.071) persisted after the first immunization. Heavy chain of IgY with ~68 KDa was observed in the Gel electrophoresis pattern.

The results of the ELISA indicates the specificity of the immunoglobulin Y to the target antigen and the result of SDS-PAGE represented the appropriate extraction method. More research must be done on the ability of these antibodies to inhibit the growth of E.coli.

The variety of sweets along with significant difference level of hygiene in the production, supplies and high potential contamination of sweets ingredients with Escherichia coli, led to investigate the frequency of broad-spectrum beta lactamase strains of E. coli in sweets and determine the presence of SHV, TEM and CTX-M genes. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 150 confectionery samples were collected from traditional confectionery workshops in Yazd. Detection of E. coli strains was carried out by standard biochemical tests and antibiotic susceptibility test was performed using CLSI guidelines. Via combined ESBL disk method on the muller hinton agar medium producing strains were identified. All the ESBL producing strains were evaluated using the PCR test for the existence of SHV, TEM and CTX-M genes. In 30 isolates, (20%) E.coli was obtained. The results of antibiotic susceptibility test showed that the highest and the lowest antibiotic resistance was related to chloramphenicol l (22 isolates, 73.3%) and Imipenem (8 isolates, 26.6%). The results of the combined disk test was showed that only 9 isolates produced ESBL. The molecular analysis on considered genes indicated that 2, 4 and 3 isolates were positive for presence of TEM, SHV, and CTX-M genes, respectively. The prevalence of antibiotic-resistant isolates in traditional Yazd sweets in this study highlights the importance of more observing and control measures in the preparation and distribution of sweets.

The outbreaks of foodborne diseases is a major health problem and occur daily in all countries, from the most to the least developed. This study is the first report of foodborne outbreaks in Iran that carried out from 2006 to 2011. A retrospective, longitudinal study carried out using foodborne disease national surveillance system data from 2006-2011, which have been reported by all provincial health centers to the Center for Communicable Disease Control. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 18 software. Since 2006 to 2011, a total of 2250 outbreaks were reported in Iran. Analyzed data showed that the outbreak rate has increased from 0.07/100000 in 2006 to 1.38/100000 population in 2011. Khuzestan, Kermanshah and Qazvin were three provinces that reported more outbreaks than nationally expected outbreak incidence rate during 2011. Analysis of epidemiological characteristics of foodborne outbreaks during 2011 indicated that the numbers of outbreaks were highest in warm months, e.g. 17.8% of total outbreaks was just reported in August. Females and age group of 16-30 years old were more affected and 55% of cases occurred in rural area. Among 684 human samples which have been tested, E. coli, Shigella, Hepatitis A and Vibrio cholera were predominant etiologic agents respectively. Increasing the detection rate of foodborne outbreaks imply the expansion of surveillance activities and improved primary health care in Iran in recent years. Foodborne disease surveillance system is a new program in Iran that should be continued and strengthened including diagnostic laboratory capacities.

Malaria still remains a public health problem in Iran. There are different vector control interventions such as insecticide spraying. The present study was carried out to determine the susceptibility status of Anopheles stephensi larvae to temephos as a national plan for monitoring and mapping of insecticide resistance Eight different localities in two main malarious provinces were determined as field collecting sites. Mos­quitoes were collected from the field and reared in an insectray. Susceptibility assays were carried out according to the WHO method. The laboratory reared susceptible Beech-Lab strain was used for comparison. Data were analyzed using Probit analysis to determine LC50 and LC90 values. Susceptibility of An. stephensi to temephos indicated that the LC50 ranged from 0.0022 mg/l to 0.0141 mg/l. Although all field strains were susceptible to temephos, considerable variations in temephos resistance ratios of field strains were noticed from all the localities studied in comparison with the susceptible strain. A low level of resistance ratio was noticed in An. stephensi populations except for the Chabahar strain (RR= 4.27 fold). All field-collected An. stephensi populations exhibited homogeneity to the larvicide except for Bandar Abbas and Hormoodar village strains (P> 0.05%). Due to intensive use of temephos in the neighboring countries and occurrence of resistant to this insec­ticide in the main malaria vector in the region, insecticide resistance gene may evolve in the populations of An. stephensi. If temephos be applied as a larvicide it should be used judiciously for resistance management, as rotation strategy.