mohammad niakan

Traditionally, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTwP or DTaP) as pediatric vaccines are produced from the corresponding inactivated toxins or whole cell pathogenic bacteria of Corynebacterium diphtheria toxin (Tox), Clostridium tetani toxin (TetX) and Bordetella pertussis. There are major concerns in the classic or acellular DTP (DTaP) vaccine production processes from native live sources of bacteria as it may raise concerns on adverse effects and safety issues, complexity of the purifications for each agent as well as costs. Here, we designated recombinant multi-epitope candidate vaccine by vaccino-informatics study to address mentioned issues and to develop a single trivalent fusion protein as potent recombinant DTP vaccine. To follow these goals, stages of immune-bioinformatics were retrieved by means of proteinaceous toxins sequences, predicting secondary/tertiary structure and transmembrane topology, energy minimization and models validation. Then, conformational and linear B cell epitope prediction by several different servers, mapping consensus linear/discontinuous immunogenic regions and constructing synthetic fusion vaccine candidate in respect to optimal immunogenic, physico-chemical properties and highly expression in prokaryote host were achieved. Finally, reverse translation, codon optimization, addition of cloning tags for pet 28a vector and optimizations of physico-chemical characteristics of synthetic trivalent fusion protein were performed. By different hybrid immune-informatics and structural bioinformatics analysis predicted and experimental epitopes finally, 12 new consensus highly immunogenic linear and discontinuous epitopes in Tox, TetX and PTXa proteins were selected. Peptide sequence of these immunogenic regions were as follow; PTXA (AA34-64, AA184-256 and AA98-116), Tox (AA47-76, AA117-159, AA515-557 and AA245-265) and TetX (AA226-249, AA819-844, AA923-967, AA1009-1067 and AA1225-1315). Moreover, the characteristics of recombinant trivalent fusion construct were; 546 residue length, solvable (Grand average of hydropathicity (GRAVY) was -0.475), estimated half-life was >10 hours in Escherichia coli, pI 5.94 (a little acidic), stable protein (The instability index (II) 35.58) as well as thermal stable (Aliphatic index (AI) 71.67). The putative antigenic epitopes from different organisms in a single protein, as in the current study, possibly will improve the protective effectiveness as novel potent, safe, cheap and broad-spectrum vaccines for better prevention of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis infections in future.

Acinetobacter baumannii strains harboring Meallobetalactamases (MBL) pose a significant threat in the context of nosocomial infections. The present investigation was undertaken with the objective of devising a Multiplex PCR methodology for the concurrent detection of MBL genes within A. baumannii strains prevalent in Tehran City, Iran.

Between October 2020 and February 2021, 100 strains of A. baumannii were procured from burn specimens of hospitalized patients at Motahhari Hospital in Tehran. The identification of A. baumannii strains involved conventional biochemical techniques, coupled with confirmation of the presence of the bla OXA-51 gene. Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion test. MBL-producing strains were characterized through a phenotypic approach employing the combined disk test, alongside Multiplex PCR for the simultaneous identification of bla VIM, bla IMP, bla GIM, and bla NDM genes. Statistical analyses were conducted using the chi-square test, with SPSS version 20.0 employed for data processing.

Among 100 strains examined, 96.1% exhibited positivity for MBL, as determined by the combined disk test. The study revealed a predominance of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains, with colistin demonstrating the highest level of sensitivity. The genotypic assay unveiled that Multiplex PCR identified bla VIM, bla NDM, and bla IMP in 20 strains, bla VIM and bla NDM in 30 strains, and exclusively the bla NDM gene in 45 strains. Notably, the Multiplex PCR technique exhibited the capacity to concurrently detect MBL genes (bla VIM, bla IMP, bla GIM, bla NDM) in 2 strains.

The current investigation underscores prevalence of the bla NDM gene within clinical strains of A. baumannii. Furthermore, Multiplex PCR emerges as a robust and highly sensitive technique for rapid discernment of the MBL genes within in A. baumannii strains.

Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most important known causes of hospital infections worldwide that is resistant to many common antibiotics. Efflux pumps are among the main reasons behind resistance in this bacterium.

This study was conducted to investigate the presence of efflux pump genes (adeI, adeJ) in clinical antibiotic-resistant isolates of A. baumannii in Tehran hospitals.

One hundred fifty clinical samples of wounds, urine, sputum, and blood were collected periodically (6 months) from Tehran hospitals. A. baumannii was identified using common biochemical methods. After conducting biochemical tests, the final confirmation of the samples was performed by examining the blaOXA-51-like gene by molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The disk diffusion antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using Mueller Hinton agar growth medium according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines on nine antibiotics. Then the samples were investigated for the presence of adeI and adeJ genes.

Examining the antibiotic resistance of the isolatesshowedthat the resistance level variedfrom48.1% to 98.2%, dependingon the antibiotic type. In this study, isolates showed the highest and lowest resistance to tetracycline and gentamicin, respectively. Also, positive isolates for the presence of adeI and adeJ genes showed the highest resistance to tetracycline, amikamycin, ceftazidime, and ceftriaxone. Isolates that were negative for the presence of these two genes showed the highest sensitivity to imipenem, gentamicin, and ciprofloxacin.

In this study, the correlation of antibiotic resistance test and PCR results showed that the presence of adeI and adeJ genes in the samples significantly increased the resistance to all investigated antibiotics. Therefore, evaluating efflux pumps proves to be useful in identifying antibiotic-resistant strains and appropriate drug treatment. Of course, the role of other factors in creating resistance should not be neglected.

Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative opportunistic pathogen and one of the most important hospital pathogens. Antibiotic resistance helps Acinetobacter baumannii to survive in environments under antibiotic stress and complicates treatment. On the other hand, the excessive use of antibiotics causes destructive effects on body organs. Vaccinium arctostaphylus plant is used in the treatment of mental diseases due to its abundant polyphenols, including flavonoids, which have significant antibacterial properties. This research is the first to determine the antibacterial effect of meropenem and the ethanolic extract of vacinium arctostaphylus plant in combination, and it was done separately on the standard strain of Acinetobacter baumannii in laboratory conditions. Firstly, the antimicrobial effect of meropenem and ethanol extract of vaccinium alone on the standard strain of Acinetobacter baumannii (ATCC19606) was determined by the microdilution method, then the inhibitory concentration for the combination of antibiotic and extract was calculated using the checkerboard method and also the relative inhibitory concentration index was also obtained. The growth inhibitory concentration of this extract along with the antibiotic decreased significantly, and in the combination of extract and meropenem, the concentration of meropenem was 0.0156 µg/mLand the concentration of extract was 0.390 µg/ml. Factorial test was used for the statistical comparison of classification variables, which showed that there is a significant relationship between the increase in extract concentration and also the combination with antibiotics. According to the results of this study, the ethanolic extract of arctostaphylus vaccinium has a synergistic effect on Acinetobacter baumannii with meropenem. Due to the good antimicrobial effect of the vaccinium arctostaphylus with the antibiotic meropenem on the standard strain of Acinetobacter baumannii, they can be used in addition to antibiotics.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most important pathogens causes of hospital infections in the world, which has become resistant to many common antibiotics. Increasing antibiotic resistance in bacteria has increased attention to herbal medicines and natural antimicrobial substances. Due to its metabolites such as thymoquinone, Nigella sativa has various effects, including antibacterial properties. This research was conducted to determine the antibacterial effect of Nigella sativa extract and the cotrimoxazole, as well as the combined effect of these two substances on the standard MRSA strain in laboratory conditions.

In this study antimicrobial effects of Nigella sativa extract and cotrimoxazole separately and together using the checkerboard method on MRSA (ATCC33591) standard strain were investigated by microdilution method and their minimum growth inhibitory concentration (MIC) were determined.

Cotrimoxazole antibiotic at MIC of 5 μg/ml and Nigella sativa extract at 4.687 mg/ml prevented the growth of the target bacteria. When combining both of them were tested, the MIC concentration for both extract and antibiotic combinations was significantly reduced. These values ​​were reduced to 0.292 mg/ml for the extract and 2 μg/ml for the antibiotic.

According to the obtained results, the antibacterial activity of Nigella sativa ethanolic extract and cotrimoxazole have a synergistic effect on MRSA. Thus, we can use the combination both of antibacterial agents for improving the antimicrobial effect.

Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most important causes of nosocomial infections. In this bacteria, several mechanisms contribute to resistance against antimicrobial agents. The present study investigated the prevalence of adeS and adeH genes and the role of efflux pumps in imipenem and colistin-resistant A. baumannii clinical isolates.

This study included 60 A. baumannii isolates collected from medical centers affiliated with the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern was examined using the broth microdilution MIC method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Also, the adeS and adeH genes were amplified by PCR.

The isolates were 100% imipenem-resistant and 86.7% colistin-resistant. All isolates were positive for the 51-blaOXA gene. The adeH and adeS genes were detected in 95% and 80% of the isolates.

The high frequency of adeS and adeH efflux pump genes and the high drug resistance in A. baumannii clinical isolates indicated that adeS and adeH efflux pump genes contribute to antibiotic resistance in this species. Therefore, our results provide essential information about high drug resistance in A. baumannii clinical isolates that can help limit the horizontal and vertical transmission of efflux pump genes in antibiotic-resistant A. baumannii isolates that causes nosocomial infections in susceptible strains.

Mycoplasma hominis (M. hominis) is an important cause of bacterial infections of the genital tract. Macrolides are the first selective agents used to treat mycoplasma infections. However, widespread use of macrolides has led to a rapid and global emergence of macrolide-resistant strains. We evaluated macrolide resistance in M. hominisisolated from endocervical specimens of patients who referred to Ibn Sina Infertility Centre in Tehran, Iran.

In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study, 160 samples of Dacron endocervix  swabs (80 infertile patient samples and 80 healthy controls) were collected and transferred to the laboratory. All samples were cultured in liquid pleuropneumonia-like organisms (PPLO) broth and PPLO agar solid media. After culturing and genome extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using specific primers. Then, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was obtained using the broth microdilution method. The MIC was recorded and reported for all samples positive for M. hominis against erythromycin.

From the 160 endocervical specimens cultured in PPLO agar medium, 19 cases (23.75%) were positive. A total of 35 cases (42.5%) were positive using specific primers of M. hominis species. MIC results from all samples positive for M. hominis were measured against erythromycin. All of the M. hominis samples were resistant to erythromycin.

The results of the present study showed that a significant percentage of infertile women were infected with M. hominis. Also, MIC results from the broth microdilution method indicated that all strains positive for M. hominis were also resistant to erythromycin.

The potential for cancer cells to grow and to metastasize depends on complex interactions between inflammatory signals and pathways, immune cells, and elements of the stromal tissue in which they invade. Related to the nature of many cancers, the probability of recurrence can potentially be quite high for some patients. Immunology, lifestyle modifications, timing of disease, genetics, age, gender, and race are only a handful of ways the likelihood of cancer recurrence can be influenced. The quantity, or density, of certain immunological cells or factors, plays a role in the propagation of cancer cells. Opioids are often used in cancer patients for acute postoperative and chronic pain management. While they can produce significant pain relief, the type of analgesic utilized is important, as it may influence cancer propagation. In this regard, certain opioids have been found to increase T regulatory cells while suppressing NK cell function. Morphine may promote tumor neovascularization and expansion. Fentanyl administration significantly diminishes NK-cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells. In a recent meta-analysis, propofol-based anesthesia improved both cancer-free survival and overall survival. COX inhibitors have also shown promise in persevering cancer immune function, as in literature involving ketorolac and celecoxib. In summary, inhaled anesthesia and opioids may contribute to a pro-tumor metastasis environment also known as cancer propagation; whereas propofol and COX inhibitors may provide a better alternative to reduce cancer recurrence and propagation.

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a leading cause of urinary tract infections becoming resistant against beta-lactams and cephalosporins through different mechanisms, including ESBL production due to the presence of ESBL specific genes, including blaCTX-M and blaTEM. The purpose of the present study was to detect the uropathogenic E. coli strains producing the ESBL.

A total of 100 isolates of uropathogenic E. coli were randomly selected in a period of 6 months and their resistances to a number of antibiotics including amoxicillin, amikacin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ceftizoxime, nalidixic acid, and nitrofurantoin were determined. Then, DDT test was used to detect the presence of ESBL. Finally, the presence of blaCTX-M and blaTEM resistance genes was analyzed by PCR method.

The resistance profile of bacterial isolates to the antibiotics was as follows: amoxicillin: 16.7%, amikacin: 7.8%, gentamicin: 20.3%, ciprofloxacin: 35.5/%, ceftazidime: 35.0%, cefotaxime: 40.0%, ceftriaxone: 41.3%, nalidixic acid: 64.0%, nitrofurantoin: 9.7%, and ceftizoxime: 100%. Of these, 28 isolates (28%) were reported to be resistant to cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and ceftriaxone. In DDT test, 21 ESBL positive cases (21%) were detected. PCR results showed that the presence of blaCTX-M and blaTEM genes in the isolates were 21% and 20%, respectively. 

Regarding the production of ESBL by some E. coli isolates, phenotypic detection of ESBL-producing isolates is routinely suggested in the laboratories. Likewise, the treatment regimen should be selected regarding the ESBL production to avoid treatment failure.

To improve the limitations, many modifications in the resin‑modified glass ionomer (RMGI) composition have been proposed. In this study, we evaluated the effect of different concentrations of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles incorporated into RMGI cement on its physical and antimicrobial properties.

In this in vitro study, ZnO nanoparticles with 0–4 wt.% concentrations were incorporated into RMGI. The following tests were carried out: (a) Antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans tested by disc diffusion method,(b) mechanical behavior assessment by measuring flexural strength (FS) and flexural modulus (FM),(c) micro‑shear bond strength (µ‑SBS), and (d) fluoride and zinc release. Data were analyzed using the statistical tests of ANOVA, t‑test, and Tukey’s HSD post hoc in SPSS V22. The level of significancy was 0.05.

In the disc diffusion method, specimens with 2 wt.% ZnO nanoparticles showed the highest antimicrobial efficacy (P < 0.05). After 1 month of water storage, no significant difference was observed in FS and FM of the samples (P > 0.05). In 2 wt.% ZnO nanoparticles group, µSBS increased in the first 7 days but decreased by 17% after one month, which showed a significant difference with that of the control group. The fluoride release did no change in the ZnO nanoparticle‑containing group compared with the control group at all time intervals.

Incorporation of 2 wt.% ZnO nanoparticles into the RMGI cement adds antimicrobial activity to the cement without sacrificing FS and fluoride release properties, while decreased µSBS.

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is one of the most common etiologic agent of urinary tract infection (UTI). The ability of Escherichia coli to cause UTI is associated with specific virulence determinants, which are encoded by pathogenicity islands (PAIs).

This study aimed to investigate the distribution of PAIs among the UPEC isolates collected from patients with UTIs.

In this study, a total of 100 E. coli isolates were collected from patients with UTIs using standard microbiological methods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the identification of the main PAIs of UPEC according to insertion sites and virulence markers.

In total, PAI IV536, PAI III536, PAI I536, PAI, IICFT073, PAI ICFT073, PAI IIJ96, PAI II536, and PAI IJ96 were detected in 23, 22, 17, 17, 13, 11, 11, and 8% of isolates. PAI combinations were identified in 15% of isolates.

The results showed that PAIs of UPEC are not strain-specific and some strains can carry the PAIs associated with the prototype strains of UPEC simultaneously

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was first experienced in 1938 and had been conducting without anesthesia for 30 years. In this study, the most common indication for ECT was mood disorder (major depressive disorder and bipolar I disorder). We introduce a patient with a history of COVID-19 and suicide who required emergency ECT. Electroconvulsive therapy can be life-saving in patients with suicide history or catatonic schizophrenia. Health workers are at the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak control and must follow health instructions. Aerosol-producing procedures such as suction in anesthesia for ECT may facilitate the transmission of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. When performing aerosol-producing procedures during the pandemic of novel coronavirus, every patient should be considered suspicious.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia. The global increased resistance of M. pneumoniae strains to macrolide (ML) has become a worrisome health problem. The widespread use of these medications has led to increased rate of reported ML-resistant M. pneumoniae (MRMP) throughout the world. This study was aimed to evaluate the resistance of M. pneumoniae against erythromycin due to mutations in the 23S rRNA gene of patients with respiratory infections in Iran.

In this study, 100 samples of throat swab from a patient with respiratory problems were collected. After the cultured of all samples in M. pneumonia-specific PPLO medium, PCR technique was performed with specific primers. Afterwards, the broth micro-dilution MIC assay was employed. Finally, the PCR product of the 23S rRNA gene was sequenced to detect mutations of domain V in 23S rRNA gene of MRMP.

It was found that 17 cases (17%) were positive for mycoplasma genus and six cases (6%) positive for M. pneumoniae species. Also, analysis of the sequence of 23S rRNA gene, revealed that one of the samples had mutations at positions A2431G and G2491A. All positive samples M. pneumoniae with 23S rRNA gene were sensitive to erythromycin.

These use of these antibiotics should be limited to prevent the emergence of MRMP in Iran.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the widespread causes of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Over recent years, the widespread use of macrolides has led to the emergence of macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae (MRMP) resulted from mutations at specific positions of domain V of the 23S rRNA gene.

We collected 100 samples of throat swabs from patients with respiratory infections. After extraction of DNA from bacterial cell cultured in PPLO broth media using Roche kit (Germany), the PCR was performed on specific samples of M. pneumoniae using specific primers for 23S rRNA gene. Afterwards, for positive samples, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the broth microdilution with Clarithromycin. Finally, the PCR product was sequenced to detect mutations related to macrolide resistance in domain V of 23S rRNA.

According to the analysis of the sequenced PCR product of M. pneumoniae 23S rRNA gene using Clustalw2 online software, one of the samples were shown to have a mutation at A2431G and G2491A positions. The MIC measurement also revealed that all isolates were sensitive to Clarithromycin, and there was no macrolide resistance to Clarithromycin in all isolates.

Sequence analysis of the 23S rRNA gene in M. pneumoniae, revealed no macrolide resistance of M. pneumoniae to Clarithromycin. Thus, the use of these antibiotics should be restricted to prevent the development of macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae in Iran.

Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is one of the most important bacteria causing nosocomial infections worldwide. Over the past few years, several strains of A. baumannii have shown antibiotic resistance, which may be due to the activity of efflux pumps. This study was aimed to detect AdeFG efflux pump genes and their contribution to antibiotic resistance in A. baumannii clinical isolates.

A total of 200 A. baumannii clinical isolates were collected from clinical specimens of ulcers, pus, sputum, and blood. All isolates were identified using standard biochemical tests. After identifying and cleaving the genome by boiling, PCR was performed on samples using specific primers. The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were determined by disk diffusion, with and without CCCP efflux pump inhibitor were determined according to CLSI guidelines.

We identified 60 clinical isolates of A. baumannii using biochemical differential tests. Identification of all A. baumannii isolates was confirmed by blaOXA-51-like PCR. According to the results of our study, 98.37% of A. baumannii isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and levofloxacin. PCR results indicated that all 60 A. baumannii isolates contained the AdeF and 76.66% contained AdeG.

the results of this study demonstrated that most of the A. baumannii isolates contained AdeF and AdeG efflux pump genes, and more than 98% of the isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and levofloxacin. This reflected the significant contribution of efflux pumps to the development of resistance to these antibiotics.

Escherichia coli bacteria often causes infections in the gastrointestinal tract and other parts such as the urinary tract. Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen that causes infections in the skin, upper respiratory tract, and many parts of the body. In recent years, resistance to these bacteria has become one of the medical problems of antibiotics. Flowering herbs from the past are used to treat genital and gastrointestinal tract infections, and traditional herbal remedies are used to treat prostatic inflammation, gastric and intestinal ulcers, and lungs, kidneys and bladder problems. Hypericum perforatum is used to relieve the cough, symptoms of common cold, sputum, and healing wounds and injuries. Artemisia absinthium is beneficial for the treatment of arthritis, and inflammation of the spleen and hepatitis and the lavender plant is antiseptic. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial effect of the extracts of these plants. In this study, the antimicrobial effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the above-mentioned plants on standard bacteria were studied. Methanolic and aqueous extracts were performed using standard methods. Serial dilution of the extracts was prepared. The extracts were then concentrated in water bath. Determination of hypersensitivity was done by disc diffusion method for each extract and the findings were analyzed. The results of this study showed that the alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Artemisia absinthium on Escherichia coli and Achilles millefolium aqueous extract on Staphylococcus aureus have the highest effect. The antimicrobial effect of the aqueous extract of Ruta graveolens and alcoholic extract of Artemisia absinthium was more than the others. The widespread use of antibiotics and drug resistance has led to more attention to medicinal plants. Some plants extracts have a significant antimicrobial effect. The plants studied in this study had an inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains. It can be hoped that with further investigation of the various forms of the extracts, effective and safe drugs were obtained to control the bacteria.

Atypical pneumonia is an upper and lower respiratory tract infection. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of atypical pneumonia caused by M. pneumonia by culture and molecular PCR methods in Tehran.

In the present study, 102 samples of throat swab were collected from patients with respiratory infections. All samples were cultured in liquid PPLO Broth And solid PPLO agar media (1% glucose and 20% horse serum). The PCR technique with specific primers was implemented after culture and genome extraction through phenol-chloroform technique.

In this study, 27 (26.47%) colonies of Mycoplasma were isolated on PPLO agar medium. Using specific primers, it was found that 33 samples (32.4%) were positive in terms of Mycoplasma genus and 14 samples (13.7%) were positive for the presence of M. pneumonia.

Mycoplasma pneumonia is a pathogen that causes respiratory tract infections in humans. Molecular PCR method is a quick and sensitive technique that has higher sensitivity and specificity than other methods. The obtained results may contribute to the specific treatment of some patients with symptoms of respiratory infections.

Nanoparticles have been introduced as novel antimicrobial agents because of their properties that are different from their bulk properties. Present study was aimed to investigate antimicrobial activity of silver nitrate and zinc oxide nanoparticles against three main bacteria responsible for nosocomial infections, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii. Solutions of nanoparticles were prepared at various concentrations (31.5-4000 ppm) in a serial method. Disks with various concentrations of nanoparticles were then placed on bacterial cultures for 24 hours and diameter of inhibition was measured after 24 hours of exposure to nanoparticle in incubator. Using a diagram without statistical analysis, diameters of inhibition were compared between various concentrations and kinds of bacteria. Analysis of variance was used to compare the diameter of inhibition between bacteria based on a variety of nanoparticles regarding their concentration. Nanoparticles of zinc oxide made an inhibitory diameter of 13.6 mm at highest concentration to 7 mm at lowest concentration of nanoparticle for S. aureus. For this bacterium, silver nitrate nanoparticle had a larger inhibitory diameter (16.33 mm to 8.67 mm). Zinc oxide nanoparticle did not have an inhibitory effect on P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii. The maximum inhibitory diameter of silver nitrate nanoparticle on P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii was measured 13.33 mm and 22.67 mm for P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii, respectively. For both bacteria, inhibitory area reached to zero at a concentration of 125 ppm. Inhibitory areas of silver nitrate were significantly greater than those for zinc oxide (p<0.001). In summary, silver nitrate nanoparticles have greater antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles was restricted to gram-positive bacteria.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the most important pathogens causing human respiratory tract infection; especially in community-acquired pneumonia (responsible for 10 – 40% of these infections).The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Mycoplasma pneumonia in patients with respiratory infections from Mostafa Khomeini and Khatam hospitals, by culture and molecular methods. In this study, 100 samples of throat swab from patients with respiratory infections were collected. All samples were cultured in PPLO broth and PPLO agar. After culture and genomic DNA extraction, PCR was carried out using specific M. pneumoniae primers. In this study, 14 (14%) colonies of Mycoplasma were isolated on PPLO agar medium. Using specific primers, 17 samples (17%) were detected as Mycoplasma genus and 6 samples (6%) were confirmed to be M. pneumoniae species. Based on the results of this study, For the detection of M. pneumoniae among the respiratory infections cases PCR is a highly reliable and sensitive method compared to the culture media. Using specific primers, PCR can confidently detect and separate infectious agents even in the genesis and species level.

The presence of the resistant bacteria in different wards of hospitals and problems which are thereby made by these organisms in treating patients specify the necessity to identify this type of bacteria and their antibiotic resistance pattern. In this cross-sectional study, the resistance related to 60 samples of the isolated Acintobacter baumanii was gathered from three different hospitals of Tehran and they were studied in relation to six new antibiotic groups. Antibiotic sensitivity of the selected samples were also measured based on the disk diffusion method, and then it was reviewed by the CLSI table. The studied data were finally examined using the software SPSS 16 and Reference tests. The study findings showed that piperacillin-tazobactam antibiotic has the minimum rate of sensitivity with 86.7% resistance, and with 30% resistance, a combination of ampicillin-sulbactam is of the maximum sensitivity. In this study, strains isolated from the patients showed a high resistance as compared to three antibiotics, and they were placed in species resisted to some drugs. Treating such infections can be considered as a great challenge to physicians.

Anaerobic Gram negative bacteria are the main cause of periodontal destruction. It has been shown that Myrtus communis have anti-bacterial activity on Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the antibacterial effect of aquatic and methanolic extract of Myrtus communis on some of the oral Gram-negative bacteria. The antibacterial effect of aquatic and methanolic extracts of Myrtus communis was determined using disk diffusion method at different concentrations from 10 to 500 mg/ml. The diameter of inhibition zones were determined. The MIC was defined using the standard broth macrodilution method. The results of the study were reported descriptively. The aquatic extract of Myrtus communis from 20 to 500 mg/ml had antibacterial effect on Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia. The methanolic extract from 10 to 500 mg/ml had antibacterial effect on A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis and P. intermediate. The MIC was achieved at 10 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml for aquatic and methanolic extracts of Myrtus communis on A. Actinomycetemcomitans, P. Gingivalis and P. Intermediate, respectively. Aquatic and methanolic extracts of Myrtus communis had antibacterial effect on P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. intermediate. Most concentrations of aqueous extract were effective on bacteria, so, providing an alcoholic extract, that is a time consuming and costly method, does not seem necessary.

Treatment of multi-drug-resistant strains of pneumonia with common antibiotics in renal patients is ineffective and physicians are compelled to use Colistin for such cases.

This study was conducted to assess the mortality, length of stay, and renal damages in the treatment of multi-drugresistant pneumonia with Colistin among multiple trauma patients admitted to the emergency department and transferred to the ICU.

This retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2011 and 2016. 102 multiple trauma (MT) patients with multidrug-resistant strains of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) admitted to the emergency department then transferred to the ICU were assessed. All patients received Colistin according to their weight. Renal damage was evaluated according to the RIFLE criteria. The mortality and the length of stay were assessed. In order to statistically analyze the data, SPSS version 23 software was used to conduct t-test and chi-square test.

Out of 102 patients, 55 (54%) died and 50 (49.1%) developed acute renal failure; 64 cases had no hypertension. Patients according to the RIFLE index were assessed: Risk (11.01%), Injury (14%), Failure (18%), Loss (6%), and End-stage renal disease. The prevalence and prognosis of acute kidney injury in multiple trauma patients treated with Colistin were significantly correlated with drug dosage, body mass index, and use of corticosteroids (when assessed using relevant scoring systems, P < 0.05).

The use of a scoring system in the intensive care unit, determining those patients requiring Colistin, and adjusting the dosage of this drug for treatment of MT patients with multi-drug resistant strains of HAP are vital. Creatinine levels must be carefully monitored.

Anaerobic bacteria are the main cause of periodontitis. It has been shown that green tea and black tea have antibacterial effect. The aim of this study was to determine he antibacterial effect of Iranian green tea and black tea against Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia.

Aqueous and methanolic extracts of Iranian green tea and black tea at concentrations ranging from 10 to 500 mg/ml were tested against standard strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans (ATCC 33384), P. gingivalis (ATCC 33227) and P. intermedia (ATCC 25671) using agar disk diffusion, broth microdilution and determination of minimum inhibitory concentration.

P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. intermedia were sensitive to the methanolic extract of Iranian green tea at concentrations of 100-500 mg/ml, 10-500 mg/ml and 50-500mg/ml, respectively. P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. intermedia were sensitive to the methanolic extract of Iranian black tea at concentrations of 200-500 mg/ml, 20-500 mg/ml and 200-500 mg/ml, respectively. In addition, P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. intermedia were sensitive to the aquatic extract of Iranian green tea at concentrations of 200-500mg/ml, 100-500 mg/ml and 200-500 mg/ml, respectively.

The aquatic and alcoholic extracts of Iranian green tea and black tea have antibacterial activity against A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. intermedia and P. gingivalis. Therefore, incorporation of Iranian black tea as an effective native herb could be beneficial for prevention of oral cavity diseases.

Various modes of mechanical ventilation have different effects on respiratory variables. Lack of patients’ neuro-ventilatory coordination and increasing the work of breathing are major disadvantages in mechanically ventilated patients..
This study is conducted to compare the respiratory parameters differences in Adaptive support ventilation (ASV) and synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) modes in neurosurgical ICU patients..
In a crossover study, patients under mechanical ventilation in neurosurgical ICU were enrolled. The patients alternatively experienced two types of ventilations for 30 minutes (adaptive support ventilation and synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation). The respiratory parameters (tidal volume, respiratory rate, airway pressure, lung compliance, end-tidal carbon dioxide, peripheral oxygenation and respiratory dead space), hemodynamic variables, every 10 minutes and arterial blood gas analysis at the end of each 30 minutes were recorded. Results were compared and analyzed with SPSS v.19..
Sixty patients were involved in this study. In ASV mode, values including peak airway pressure (P-peak), end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2), tidal volume and respiratory dead space were significantly lower than SIMV mode. Although the mean value for dynamic compliance had no significant difference in the two types of ventilation, it was better in ASV mode..
ASV mode compared with SIMV mode can lead to improve lung compliance and respiratory dead space..

Macrolide, lincosamide and streptogramin type B (MLSB) antibiotics are important in the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections and existence of isolates with ability to resist against MLSB antibiotics is worrisome.
In this cross sectional study, 101 S. aureus isolates were collected from patients of five selected hospitals in Tehran over a period of five months. Disk diffusion tests and differentiation between constitutive and inducible resistances were carried out by D-test. The presence of mecA, msrA, ermA and ermC genes were detected using PCR or multiplex PCR.
Out of 101 S. aureus isolates, 58 (57.4%) were methicillin resistant and 57 (56.4%) expressed resistance to erythromycin. The prevalence of constitutive MLSB (cMLSB), inducible MLSB (iMLSB) and MS (Negative) phenotype in all erythromycin resistant isolates were 71.9, 26.3 and 1.7%, respectively. Out of all the erythromycin resistant isolates, 57.8% harbored both ermA and ermC genes which possessed constitutive resistance. 8.7% of the isolates contained ermA gene alone which possessed inducible resistance with D phenotype and 5.2% of isolates just contained ermC gene which had inducible resistance with D phenotype. msrA gene was detected in 3.5% of the erythromycin resistant S. aureus isolates with constitutive resistance. None of the genes were detected among MS phenotypes.
In this study, most of S. aureus isolates carried both ermA and ermC genes and there was a significant relationship (P value ≤ 0.05) between different resistance phenotypes and erm genes.