Background: Serological studies can demonstrate pathogen circulation in regional populations and reflect public health measures' effectiveness during different pandemic phases. By late November 2021, coinciding with the third pandemic wave, the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibodies among the Iranian population was 32.63%. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the Iranian population's seroprevalence during the fifth pandemic wave by analyzing donated blood samples. Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on Iranian blood donors referred to all 31 main provincial capitals between August 2021 and September 2021. The participants selected through quota sampling were asked to complete a questionnaire on socio-demographics and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related information. Also, SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibodies were measured in serum samples using SARS-CoV-2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The seroprevalence was weighted based on the gender and age groups of the population and then adjusted for test performance. Results: Totally 3,339 blood donors participated in this study. The overall population-weighted seroprevalence adjusted for test performance was 52.67% (95% confidence interval (CI): 50.14 - 55.21). Seroprevalence was higher among participants with a high school diploma (55.45%, 95% CI 50.61 - 60.29), a positive history of close contact with COVID-19 patients (65.23%, 95% CI 60.83 - 69.63), and previous positive COVID-19 PCR tests (86.51%, 95% CI 82.32 - 90.7). Conclusions: More than half of the study population was exposed to SARS-CoV-2, indicating a 1.7-fold increase in the seroprevalence between late November 2020 and mid-September 2021. Our finding illuminated the pattern of Iran's fifth wave of the pandemic.
背景:血清学研究可以证明病原体在区域人群中的传播，并反映在不同大流行阶段公共卫生措施的有效性。到2021年11月下旬，与第三波大流行相吻合，伊朗人口中SARS-CoV-2刺突IgG抗体的血清阳性率为32.63%。目的:本研究旨在通过分析捐献的血液样本，评估伊朗人口在第五波大流行期间的血清阳性率。方法:在2021年8月至2021年9月期间，对所有31个主要省会城市的伊朗献血者进行了基于人群的横断面研究。通过配额抽样选出的参与者被要求填写一份关于社会人口统计学和2019冠状病毒病(COVID-19)相关信息的问卷。采用SARS-CoV-2酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)试剂盒检测血清样品中的SARS-CoV-2刺突IgG抗体。根据人口的性别和年龄组对血清患病率进行加权，然后根据测试表现进行调整。结果:共有3339名献血者参与本研究。经检测结果调整后的总体人口加权血清阳性率为52.67%(95%置信区间(CI): 50.14 - 55.21)。高中学历(55.45%，95% CI 50.61 ~ 60.29)、与COVID-19患者有密切接触史(65.23%，95% CI 60.83 ~ 69.63)和既往COVID-19 PCR检测阳性(86.51%，95% CI 82.32 ~ 90.7)的参与者血清阳性率较高。结论:超过一半的研究人群暴露于SARS-CoV-2，表明在2020年11月下旬至2021年9月中旬期间，血清阳性率增加了1.7倍。我们的发现阐明了伊朗第五波流感大流行的模式。
{"title":"Serological Profile of SARS-CoV-2 in Unvaccinated Blood Donors: A Nationwide Study During the Fifth Wave of the Pandemic in Iran","authors":"Fahimeh Ranjbar Kermani, Peyman Eshghi, Mahtab Maghsudlu, Sedigheh Amini-Kafiabad, Amir Teimourpour, Mahmoud Reza Pourkarim","doi":"10.5812/jjm-135768","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-135768","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Serological studies can demonstrate pathogen circulation in regional populations and reflect public health measures' effectiveness during different pandemic phases. By late November 2021, coinciding with the third pandemic wave, the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibodies among the Iranian population was 32.63%. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the Iranian population's seroprevalence during the fifth pandemic wave by analyzing donated blood samples. Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on Iranian blood donors referred to all 31 main provincial capitals between August 2021 and September 2021. The participants selected through quota sampling were asked to complete a questionnaire on socio-demographics and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related information. Also, SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibodies were measured in serum samples using SARS-CoV-2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The seroprevalence was weighted based on the gender and age groups of the population and then adjusted for test performance. Results: Totally 3,339 blood donors participated in this study. The overall population-weighted seroprevalence adjusted for test performance was 52.67% (95% confidence interval (CI): 50.14 - 55.21). Seroprevalence was higher among participants with a high school diploma (55.45%, 95% CI 50.61 - 60.29), a positive history of close contact with COVID-19 patients (65.23%, 95% CI 60.83 - 69.63), and previous positive COVID-19 PCR tests (86.51%, 95% CI 82.32 - 90.7). Conclusions: More than half of the study population was exposed to SARS-CoV-2, indicating a 1.7-fold increase in the seroprevalence between late November 2020 and mid-September 2021. Our finding illuminated the pattern of Iran's fifth wave of the pandemic.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":"94 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135691304","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohadeseh Radmehr, M. Moghbeli, H. Ghasemzadeh-moghaddam, A. Azimian, A. van Belkum
Background: Multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates are of clinical concern. Objectives: To determine the distribution of antiseptic resistance genes and the associated level of phenotypic antiseptic resistance against quaternary ammonium compounds and biguanide compounds, we studied MDR and XDR P. aeruginosa isolates collected from different infections among patients from a single hospital. Methods: Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were investigated in 2020 for in vitro susceptibility to benzethonium chloride (BTC), benzalkonium chloride (BKC), and chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against these antiseptic agents were determined using broth microdilution. Also, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-mediated detection of qacE, qacEΔ1, and blaOXA-23 genes was used. Results: Isolates were largely non-clonal according to their phenotypical and genotypical non-similarity (35 overall data-combination types detected). Most P. aeruginosa infections occurred in intensive care unit (ICU) patients (n = 43, 61.4%). Extensively drug-resistant and MDR phenotypes were detected in 20% and 12.6%, respectively. Among the 70 isolates retained, 53 (75.7%) harbored at least one resistance gene, comprising 11 (20.7%) isolates with solely the qacEΔ1 gene; seven (13.2%) isolates harbored the qacE gene. Both the qacE and qacEΔ1 genes were detected simultaneously in 35 (66%) isolates. The mean MICs for BTC (24.0 versus 10.56 µg/mL), BKC (46.1 versus 17.22 µg/mL), and CHG (107.7 versus 29.4 µg/mL) were statistically significantly higher among antiseptic resistance gene harboring isolates than in other isolates without such genes. Conclusions: The significantly increased MICs against antiseptic agents among antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates highlight the importance of monitoring such increases and implementing effective infection control.
背景:铜绿假单胞菌的多重耐药(MDR)和广泛耐药(XDR)是临床关注的问题。目的:为确定耐药基因的分布及其对季铵盐和双胍类化合物的表型耐药水平，对同一医院不同感染患者中收集的耐多药和耐广药铜绿假单胞菌进行了研究。方法:对2020年分离的铜绿假单胞菌进行对苯并氯铵(BTC)、苯并氯铵(BKC)和二光酸氯己定(CHG)的体外药敏试验。用肉汤微量稀释法测定了对这些抗菌剂的最低抑菌浓度。同时，采用聚合酶链反应(PCR)介导的qacE、qacEΔ1和blaOXA-23基因检测。结果:根据其表型和基因型的非相似性，分离物大部分是非克隆的(检测到35个总体数据组合类型)。大多数铜绿假单胞菌感染发生在重症监护病房(ICU)患者(n = 43, 61.4%)。广泛耐药表型和耐多药表型分别占20%和12.6%。在留存的70株分离菌中，53株(75.7%)携带至少一种耐药基因，其中11株(20.7%)只携带qacEΔ1基因;7株(13.2%)含有qacE基因。35株(66%)分离株同时检测到qacE和qacEΔ1基因。BTC (24.0 vs 10.56µg/mL)、BKC (46.1 vs 17.22µg/mL)和CHG (107.7 vs 29.4µg/mL)的平均mic在携带抗菌耐药基因的分离株中显著高于其他未携带此类基因的分离株。结论:耐药铜绿假单胞菌对抗菌药物的mic显著升高，强调了监测这种增高和实施有效感染控制的重要性。
{"title":"High Prevalence of Antiseptic Resistance Encoding Genes and Reduced Phenotypic Antiseptic Susceptibility Among Antibiotic-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates","authors":"Mohadeseh Radmehr, M. Moghbeli, H. Ghasemzadeh-moghaddam, A. Azimian, A. van Belkum","doi":"10.5812/jjm-135911","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-135911","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates are of clinical concern. Objectives: To determine the distribution of antiseptic resistance genes and the associated level of phenotypic antiseptic resistance against quaternary ammonium compounds and biguanide compounds, we studied MDR and XDR P. aeruginosa isolates collected from different infections among patients from a single hospital. Methods: Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were investigated in 2020 for in vitro susceptibility to benzethonium chloride (BTC), benzalkonium chloride (BKC), and chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against these antiseptic agents were determined using broth microdilution. Also, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-mediated detection of qacE, qacEΔ1, and blaOXA-23 genes was used. Results: Isolates were largely non-clonal according to their phenotypical and genotypical non-similarity (35 overall data-combination types detected). Most P. aeruginosa infections occurred in intensive care unit (ICU) patients (n = 43, 61.4%). Extensively drug-resistant and MDR phenotypes were detected in 20% and 12.6%, respectively. Among the 70 isolates retained, 53 (75.7%) harbored at least one resistance gene, comprising 11 (20.7%) isolates with solely the qacEΔ1 gene; seven (13.2%) isolates harbored the qacE gene. Both the qacE and qacEΔ1 genes were detected simultaneously in 35 (66%) isolates. The mean MICs for BTC (24.0 versus 10.56 µg/mL), BKC (46.1 versus 17.22 µg/mL), and CHG (107.7 versus 29.4 µg/mL) were statistically significantly higher among antiseptic resistance gene harboring isolates than in other isolates without such genes. Conclusions: The significantly increased MICs against antiseptic agents among antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates highlight the importance of monitoring such increases and implementing effective infection control.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46966195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Seyed Mohammad Amin Alavi, Saman Bahrami, Elham Kavousi, N. Saadati, M. Najafian
Background: COVID-19 infection is a contemporary global concern with serious ramifications. This disease is caused by a virus belonging to the Coronaviridae family named SARS-CoV-2. Immunologic and physiologic changes during pregnancy make pregnant women more susceptible to viral infection, especially COVID-19. Objectives: The present study aimed to identify the clinical manifestations, radiologic findings, indications for cesarean delivery, underlying conditions, and the critical outcome of mothers and newborns regarding COVID-19 women who had cesarean sections and terminated pregnancies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the mortality and morbidity rates of 98 women with terminated pregnancies infected with COVID-19 at the time of their cesarean delivery. The demographic, clinical, and pregnancy data were collected from Razi Teaching Hospital between March 2020 and March 2021 and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Results: The mean age was 31.31 ± 7.16, and the mean gestational age was 36.45 ± 3.334 weeks. The most prevalent cause of cesarean section was fetal distress (28%), followed by preeclampsia and meconium aspiration. The most common symptoms were sore throat, cough, fever, nausea, diarrhea, and weakness; moreover, hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus were the most predominant underlying diseases. The mean duration for hospitalization was 5.21 ± 4.584 days, the maternal death rate was 5.1%, and the neonatal death rate was 2%. Conclusions: The majority of women infected with COVID-19 had cesarean sections and terminated pregnancies in the third trimester. This highlights the need for better care and education for mothers in this period. The body mass index (BMI) level and obesity are strongly associated with COVID-19 severity. Furthermore, healthcare workers should pay more attention to underlying diseases during pregnancy.
{"title":"Determination of COVID-19 Mortality and Morbidity in Women Who Had Cesarean Sections and Terminated Pregnancies","authors":"Seyed Mohammad Amin Alavi, Saman Bahrami, Elham Kavousi, N. Saadati, M. Najafian","doi":"10.5812/jjm-133839","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-133839","url":null,"abstract":"Background: COVID-19 infection is a contemporary global concern with serious ramifications. This disease is caused by a virus belonging to the Coronaviridae family named SARS-CoV-2. Immunologic and physiologic changes during pregnancy make pregnant women more susceptible to viral infection, especially COVID-19. Objectives: The present study aimed to identify the clinical manifestations, radiologic findings, indications for cesarean delivery, underlying conditions, and the critical outcome of mothers and newborns regarding COVID-19 women who had cesarean sections and terminated pregnancies. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the mortality and morbidity rates of 98 women with terminated pregnancies infected with COVID-19 at the time of their cesarean delivery. The demographic, clinical, and pregnancy data were collected from Razi Teaching Hospital between March 2020 and March 2021 and analyzed using SPSS version 24. Results: The mean age was 31.31 ± 7.16, and the mean gestational age was 36.45 ± 3.334 weeks. The most prevalent cause of cesarean section was fetal distress (28%), followed by preeclampsia and meconium aspiration. The most common symptoms were sore throat, cough, fever, nausea, diarrhea, and weakness; moreover, hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus were the most predominant underlying diseases. The mean duration for hospitalization was 5.21 ± 4.584 days, the maternal death rate was 5.1%, and the neonatal death rate was 2%. Conclusions: The majority of women infected with COVID-19 had cesarean sections and terminated pregnancies in the third trimester. This highlights the need for better care and education for mothers in this period. The body mass index (BMI) level and obesity are strongly associated with COVID-19 severity. Furthermore, healthcare workers should pay more attention to underlying diseases during pregnancy.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45332731","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ebrahim Rezazadeh Zarandi, H. Hakimi, R. Bahramabadi, M. Zare-Bidaki, M. Ramezani, Ali Shojaei, A. Khodayari, Maryam Fatemipour, Morteza Khademalhosseini, S. Assar
Background: The frequency of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli strains among clinical isolates has been steadily increasing, leading to limited treatment options. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the antibiotic sensitivity of E. coli and the frequency of ESBL isolates among both out-patients and in-patients. Methods: A total of 390 E. coli isolates were received at the Ali-Ebn-e-Abitaleb Hospital laboratory in Rafsanjan. The antibiogram, as well as the phenotypic and genotypic detection of ESBL isolates, were conducted using Kirby-Bauer, combination disk confirmatory, and polymerase chain reaction tests, respectively. Results: Of all the E. coli isolates, 45.6% exhibited ESBL production. Among these isolates, 46.1% were obtained from hospital wards, while 42.5% were from outpatients. Meropenem and imipenem displayed sensitivities of 97.2% and 93.3%, respectively, whereas amikacin and nitrofurantoin showed sensitivities of 89.7% and 85.6%, respectively, for all isolates. Notably, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, cefixime, ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, and nalidixic acid demonstrated high resistance rates, surpassing 50%. ESBL-producing isolates were more frequently observed in blood samples (65%) and wounds (60%) compared to other tested isolates. Approximately 8.6% of isolates carried a single type of ESBL gene, while 38.5% carried multiple ESBL genes. Conclusions: The data indicate a prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli isolates among both out-patients and in-patients, with some of them acquiring two or three types of ESBL enzymes. As a result, their ability to hydrolyze antibiotics has increased, leading to their higher occurrence in clinical samples.
{"title":"Frequency of Extended-spectrum Beta-Lactamases-Producing Escherichia coli Among Out- and In-patients in Rafsanjan City, Iran","authors":"Ebrahim Rezazadeh Zarandi, H. Hakimi, R. Bahramabadi, M. Zare-Bidaki, M. Ramezani, Ali Shojaei, A. Khodayari, Maryam Fatemipour, Morteza Khademalhosseini, S. Assar","doi":"10.5812/jjm-133216","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-133216","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The frequency of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli strains among clinical isolates has been steadily increasing, leading to limited treatment options. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the antibiotic sensitivity of E. coli and the frequency of ESBL isolates among both out-patients and in-patients. Methods: A total of 390 E. coli isolates were received at the Ali-Ebn-e-Abitaleb Hospital laboratory in Rafsanjan. The antibiogram, as well as the phenotypic and genotypic detection of ESBL isolates, were conducted using Kirby-Bauer, combination disk confirmatory, and polymerase chain reaction tests, respectively. Results: Of all the E. coli isolates, 45.6% exhibited ESBL production. Among these isolates, 46.1% were obtained from hospital wards, while 42.5% were from outpatients. Meropenem and imipenem displayed sensitivities of 97.2% and 93.3%, respectively, whereas amikacin and nitrofurantoin showed sensitivities of 89.7% and 85.6%, respectively, for all isolates. Notably, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, cefixime, ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, and nalidixic acid demonstrated high resistance rates, surpassing 50%. ESBL-producing isolates were more frequently observed in blood samples (65%) and wounds (60%) compared to other tested isolates. Approximately 8.6% of isolates carried a single type of ESBL gene, while 38.5% carried multiple ESBL genes. Conclusions: The data indicate a prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli isolates among both out-patients and in-patients, with some of them acquiring two or three types of ESBL enzymes. As a result, their ability to hydrolyze antibiotics has increased, leading to their higher occurrence in clinical samples.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46547822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mozhdeh Safari, Robab Rafiei Tabatabaei, H. Abtahi, A. Alimoradian, S. Fahimirad
Background: The treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections has become a public health crisis due to the extensive development of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been introduced as promising naturally-derived antimicrobial alternatives to antibiotics. LL-37 and oncorhyncin II are 2 AMPs with notable proven antibacterial effects. Objectives: This study aimed to produce recombinant LL-37 and oncorhyncin II and investigate their synergistic effects on S. aureus (ATCC25923). Methods: The synthetic genes of LL-37 and oncorhyncin II were individually ligated into the pET32a expression vector. Transformed pET32a was introduced into Escherichia coli BL21 as an expression host. The protein expression and purification steps were optimized, and the biological effectiveness of the peptides was evaluated by assessing the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), time-kill, and growth kinetic tests against S. aureus. Results: The MIC assay confirmed the effective antibacterial performances of LL-37 and oncorhyncin II against S. aureus at 30.6 and 47.93 µg/mL, respectively. The peptides’ synergistic activity was validated by the checkerboard method. A combination of LL-37 and oncorhyncin II at 2 × MIC showed a sharp decline of the viable cells with over 3-time reductions in log 10 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL within the first 5 hours. The growth kinetic results confirmed the high effectiveness of the peptides’ combination in eliminating the bacterial inoculum turbidity by 50% reduction during the first hour of exposure. Conclusions: The produced recombinant LL-37 and oncorhyncin II showed effective antimicrobial function against S. aureus. The synergistic performance of the peptides was repeatedly confirmed through checkerboard, time-kill, and growth kinetic assays.
{"title":"Evaluation of the Synergistic Effect of LL-37 and Oncorhyncin II Recombinant Proteins on Staphylococcus aureus Under In Vitro Conditions","authors":"Mozhdeh Safari, Robab Rafiei Tabatabaei, H. Abtahi, A. Alimoradian, S. Fahimirad","doi":"10.5812/jjm-133963","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-133963","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections has become a public health crisis due to the extensive development of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been introduced as promising naturally-derived antimicrobial alternatives to antibiotics. LL-37 and oncorhyncin II are 2 AMPs with notable proven antibacterial effects. Objectives: This study aimed to produce recombinant LL-37 and oncorhyncin II and investigate their synergistic effects on S. aureus (ATCC25923). Methods: The synthetic genes of LL-37 and oncorhyncin II were individually ligated into the pET32a expression vector. Transformed pET32a was introduced into Escherichia coli BL21 as an expression host. The protein expression and purification steps were optimized, and the biological effectiveness of the peptides was evaluated by assessing the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), time-kill, and growth kinetic tests against S. aureus. Results: The MIC assay confirmed the effective antibacterial performances of LL-37 and oncorhyncin II against S. aureus at 30.6 and 47.93 µg/mL, respectively. The peptides’ synergistic activity was validated by the checkerboard method. A combination of LL-37 and oncorhyncin II at 2 × MIC showed a sharp decline of the viable cells with over 3-time reductions in log 10 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL within the first 5 hours. The growth kinetic results confirmed the high effectiveness of the peptides’ combination in eliminating the bacterial inoculum turbidity by 50% reduction during the first hour of exposure. Conclusions: The produced recombinant LL-37 and oncorhyncin II showed effective antimicrobial function against S. aureus. The synergistic performance of the peptides was repeatedly confirmed through checkerboard, time-kill, and growth kinetic assays.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48649279","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Community-acquired urinary tract infection is among the most common infections in older adults. Regardless of age, the most frequently detected causative microorganism is Escherichia coli. In parallel with the increase in antibiotic use, the frequency of community-acquired extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli (ESBL-E. coli) has reached critical levels. The use of empirical antibiotic therapy is determined by assessing patient-based risk factors. Therefore, knowing the risk factors and the frequency of antimicrobial resistance can guide the treatment to shape the treatment. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the risks and resistance frequencies to guide the empirical treatment selection for ESBL-E. coli-associated urinary tract infection (UTI) in elderly patients. Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort study. It was carried out between 2011 - 2019. Escherichia coli growth of ≥ 105 colony-forming units (cfu)/mL in urine culture was included in 815 patients aged 65 and over who applied to outpatient clinics. Results: Two hundred and sixty (31.9%) of the patients had ESBL-E. coli. In ESBL-E. coli, antimicrobial resistance rates were highest (100%) for penicillins + β-lactamase inhibitors. The lowest resistance rates were determined for carbapenems, aminoglycosides, phosphonic acid, and nitrofurantoins. Risk factors for ESBL-producing bacteria were determined. These were the presence of benign prostatic hypertrophy, antibiotic use in the last three months, history of UTI in the last year, urinary catheter uses in the last year, male gender, and hospitalization in the last year (P < 0.05). The only independent risk factor was a history of UTI in the last year, which increased the risk of ESBL by 2.8 times. Conclusions: Carbapenems can be chosen as parenteral options, and phosphonic acids and nitrofurantoin as oral options for empirical antibiotic treatment, especially in patients with a history of UTI in the past year.
{"title":"Antimicrobial Resistance Rates and Risk Factors for Extended-spectrum beta-Lactamase-producing Escherichia coli-associated Urinary Tract Infections in Older Outpatients in East Anatolia from 2011 - 2019","authors":"S. Şahin, O. Karaşahin, P. Tasar","doi":"10.5812/jjm-132890","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-132890","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Community-acquired urinary tract infection is among the most common infections in older adults. Regardless of age, the most frequently detected causative microorganism is Escherichia coli. In parallel with the increase in antibiotic use, the frequency of community-acquired extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli (ESBL-E. coli) has reached critical levels. The use of empirical antibiotic therapy is determined by assessing patient-based risk factors. Therefore, knowing the risk factors and the frequency of antimicrobial resistance can guide the treatment to shape the treatment. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the risks and resistance frequencies to guide the empirical treatment selection for ESBL-E. coli-associated urinary tract infection (UTI) in elderly patients. Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort study. It was carried out between 2011 - 2019. Escherichia coli growth of ≥ 105 colony-forming units (cfu)/mL in urine culture was included in 815 patients aged 65 and over who applied to outpatient clinics. Results: Two hundred and sixty (31.9%) of the patients had ESBL-E. coli. In ESBL-E. coli, antimicrobial resistance rates were highest (100%) for penicillins + β-lactamase inhibitors. The lowest resistance rates were determined for carbapenems, aminoglycosides, phosphonic acid, and nitrofurantoins. Risk factors for ESBL-producing bacteria were determined. These were the presence of benign prostatic hypertrophy, antibiotic use in the last three months, history of UTI in the last year, urinary catheter uses in the last year, male gender, and hospitalization in the last year (P < 0.05). The only independent risk factor was a history of UTI in the last year, which increased the risk of ESBL by 2.8 times. Conclusions: Carbapenems can be chosen as parenteral options, and phosphonic acids and nitrofurantoin as oral options for empirical antibiotic treatment, especially in patients with a history of UTI in the past year.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45873033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: The evidence has shown the relationship between the microbiota of the face and several skin conditions. However, for rosacea patients, the changes in the facial skin microbiota still remain unknown. Objectives: This study was performed to explore the correlation between the facial skin microbiota and rosacea and analyze and characterize the facial skin microbiota of rosacea patients in comparison to healthy controls using 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. Methods: A total of 27 rosacea patients and 25 healthy controls were matched. The DNA was extracted from participants’ skin swabs taken from the nose, chin, forehead, and bilateral cheeks. The V3V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced using Illumina MiSeq technology. The diversity of the face skin microbiota was examined using alpha and beta diversity. Utilizing linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe), the quantitative study of biomarkers in the two groups was carried out. Clusters of orthologous groups and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes function predictions were made at the genus level utilizing phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states. Results: The alpha diversity of the facial skin microbiota increased significantly in rosacea patients, and beta diversity showed substantial differences between the rosacea and healthy control groups. The facial skin microbiota community structure changed in rosacea patients; however, the dominant strains were the same as in healthy controls, both being Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The LEfSe demonstrated that Xanthomonas, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas were enriched in the rosacea patients; nevertheless, Corynebacterium, Finegoldia, and Peptoniphilus were enriched in the healthy controls. The rosacea patients showed significantly decreased expression in the pathways of membrane transport, carbohydrate metabolism, metabolic diseases, amino acid transport and metabolism, carbohydrate transport and metabolism, transcription, and inorganic ion transport and metabolism. Conclusions: The facial skin microbiota diversity and community structure changed, and the expression of several metabolic pathways was downregulated in the rosacea patients in comparison to the healthy controls, which might outline new strategic methods for the surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment of rosacea.
{"title":"Analysis and Characterization of the Facial Skin Microbiota in Rosacea","authors":"Junying Li, Peng Cao, Quanzhong Liu, Weifeng Yao, Zhenhua Nie, Litao Zhang","doi":"10.5812/jjm-132246","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-132246","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The evidence has shown the relationship between the microbiota of the face and several skin conditions. However, for rosacea patients, the changes in the facial skin microbiota still remain unknown. Objectives: This study was performed to explore the correlation between the facial skin microbiota and rosacea and analyze and characterize the facial skin microbiota of rosacea patients in comparison to healthy controls using 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. Methods: A total of 27 rosacea patients and 25 healthy controls were matched. The DNA was extracted from participants’ skin swabs taken from the nose, chin, forehead, and bilateral cheeks. The V3V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced using Illumina MiSeq technology. The diversity of the face skin microbiota was examined using alpha and beta diversity. Utilizing linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe), the quantitative study of biomarkers in the two groups was carried out. Clusters of orthologous groups and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes function predictions were made at the genus level utilizing phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states. Results: The alpha diversity of the facial skin microbiota increased significantly in rosacea patients, and beta diversity showed substantial differences between the rosacea and healthy control groups. The facial skin microbiota community structure changed in rosacea patients; however, the dominant strains were the same as in healthy controls, both being Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The LEfSe demonstrated that Xanthomonas, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas were enriched in the rosacea patients; nevertheless, Corynebacterium, Finegoldia, and Peptoniphilus were enriched in the healthy controls. The rosacea patients showed significantly decreased expression in the pathways of membrane transport, carbohydrate metabolism, metabolic diseases, amino acid transport and metabolism, carbohydrate transport and metabolism, transcription, and inorganic ion transport and metabolism. Conclusions: The facial skin microbiota diversity and community structure changed, and the expression of several metabolic pathways was downregulated in the rosacea patients in comparison to the healthy controls, which might outline new strategic methods for the surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment of rosacea.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43993806","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maryam Erfaninejad, E. Aboualigalehdari, M. Fatahinia
Background: Since common drug therapies cannot eradicate Candida biofilm, extensive studies are required to develop more effective antifungal compounds and identify their mechanism of action against Candida biofilm. Peganum harmala L. is a traditional medicinal plant, the seeds of which have been used to treat various diseases. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the anti-biofilm mechanisms of P. harmala extract (PHE) and the expression of CAT1, EFG1, and BCR1 genes involved in oxidative stress response and biofilm formation in Candida albicans. Methods: Anti-biofilm activity of PHE was evaluated by crystal violet assay to determine biofilm formation on 33 C. albicans isolates. Finally, a real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze the effect of PHE on the expression of CAT1, EFG1, and BCR1 genes in C. albicans. Results: This study determined the minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of 15 isolates in concentrations between 0.49 - 3.9 μg/mL of P. harmala extract. Statistical analysis showed that the exposure of C. albicans biofilm to PHE significantly reduced the expression of CAT1 mRNA in C. albicans isolates (P = 0.0068). However, no significant difference was observed in the expression of EFG1 and BCR1 genes. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that PHE significantly decreased CAT1 expression in C. albicans cells treated with the herbal extract. PHE is likely to accumulate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by reducing CAT1 expression and disrupting the pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance that leads to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and can cause damage to cellular components and eventually destroy C. albicans biofilm.
{"title":"Effect of Peganum harmala Extract on Biofilm and Involved Gene Expression in Biofilm Production of Candida albicans","authors":"Maryam Erfaninejad, E. Aboualigalehdari, M. Fatahinia","doi":"10.5812/jjm-132692","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-132692","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Since common drug therapies cannot eradicate Candida biofilm, extensive studies are required to develop more effective antifungal compounds and identify their mechanism of action against Candida biofilm. Peganum harmala L. is a traditional medicinal plant, the seeds of which have been used to treat various diseases. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the anti-biofilm mechanisms of P. harmala extract (PHE) and the expression of CAT1, EFG1, and BCR1 genes involved in oxidative stress response and biofilm formation in Candida albicans. Methods: Anti-biofilm activity of PHE was evaluated by crystal violet assay to determine biofilm formation on 33 C. albicans isolates. Finally, a real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze the effect of PHE on the expression of CAT1, EFG1, and BCR1 genes in C. albicans. Results: This study determined the minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of 15 isolates in concentrations between 0.49 - 3.9 μg/mL of P. harmala extract. Statistical analysis showed that the exposure of C. albicans biofilm to PHE significantly reduced the expression of CAT1 mRNA in C. albicans isolates (P = 0.0068). However, no significant difference was observed in the expression of EFG1 and BCR1 genes. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that PHE significantly decreased CAT1 expression in C. albicans cells treated with the herbal extract. PHE is likely to accumulate hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by reducing CAT1 expression and disrupting the pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance that leads to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and can cause damage to cellular components and eventually destroy C. albicans biofilm.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48634881","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
R. Sharififar, K. Heidari, Mahdi Mazandarani, Narges Lashkarbolouk
Background: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease with different clinical symptoms. Its early diagnosis is essential to prevent severe complications. Due to the limitations of serological diagnostic methods, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method has become important in the diagnosis of the disease. Objectives: Our study aimed to evaluate the PCR method in patients with suspected brucellosis and compare it with serological tests. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 90 febrile patients with clinical features of brucellosis who were examined by an infectious disease specialist. A total of 90 serum samples were collected from the suspected brucellosis patients admitted to the hospital and were analyzed by serological (Rose Bengal) and PCR tests. Then, each method's results were recorded and compared with each other. Results: According to serological test results, 45 samples were negative, and 45 were positive. Then, among the serology-positive patients, all had positive PCR results. However, 40 out of 45 patients had a positive PCR test in serology-negative patients. According to this study, the sensitivity of PCR in diagnosing human brucellosis with the serology-positive test is 100%, and with the negative serology test is 88.9%. Therefore, the sensitivity of PCR is higher than that of serology tests in patients, which was 50% in this study. Conclusions: The PCR test can be a valuable diagnostic method for patients with negative serologic test results.
{"title":"Comparison of the Polymerase Chain Reaction Method with Serological Tests in the Diagnosis of Human Brucellosis","authors":"R. Sharififar, K. Heidari, Mahdi Mazandarani, Narges Lashkarbolouk","doi":"10.5812/jjm-128698","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-128698","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease with different clinical symptoms. Its early diagnosis is essential to prevent severe complications. Due to the limitations of serological diagnostic methods, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method has become important in the diagnosis of the disease. Objectives: Our study aimed to evaluate the PCR method in patients with suspected brucellosis and compare it with serological tests. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 90 febrile patients with clinical features of brucellosis who were examined by an infectious disease specialist. A total of 90 serum samples were collected from the suspected brucellosis patients admitted to the hospital and were analyzed by serological (Rose Bengal) and PCR tests. Then, each method's results were recorded and compared with each other. Results: According to serological test results, 45 samples were negative, and 45 were positive. Then, among the serology-positive patients, all had positive PCR results. However, 40 out of 45 patients had a positive PCR test in serology-negative patients. According to this study, the sensitivity of PCR in diagnosing human brucellosis with the serology-positive test is 100%, and with the negative serology test is 88.9%. Therefore, the sensitivity of PCR is higher than that of serology tests in patients, which was 50% in this study. Conclusions: The PCR test can be a valuable diagnostic method for patients with negative serologic test results.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42169585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Soltani, Mehrdokht Sadrkhanloo, G. Siri, A. Zakeri, Mohammad Saeid Emadi, A. Tabibzadeh, M. Didehdar, A. Farahani
Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 progression depends on multiple factors, including the compromised immune system and underlying diseases. HSV-1 reactivation in SARS-CoV-2 infection, more likely in patients with pneumonia and immunodeficiency, may be potentially life-threatening and implicate the prognosis. Case Presentation: We report two COVID-19 cases presenting ocular and neurological manifestations suspicious for HSV-1 encephalitis. Conclusions: Our study showed HSV-1 ocular manifestation among two COVID-19 cases. So, the recurrence of HSV-1 infection probably is related to immune responses during COVID-19 pathophysiology.
{"title":"HSV-1 Infection Among COVID-19 Cases with Ocular and Neurological Manifestations","authors":"S. Soltani, Mehrdokht Sadrkhanloo, G. Siri, A. Zakeri, Mohammad Saeid Emadi, A. Tabibzadeh, M. Didehdar, A. Farahani","doi":"10.5812/jjm-135251","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-135251","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 progression depends on multiple factors, including the compromised immune system and underlying diseases. HSV-1 reactivation in SARS-CoV-2 infection, more likely in patients with pneumonia and immunodeficiency, may be potentially life-threatening and implicate the prognosis. Case Presentation: We report two COVID-19 cases presenting ocular and neurological manifestations suspicious for HSV-1 encephalitis. Conclusions: Our study showed HSV-1 ocular manifestation among two COVID-19 cases. So, the recurrence of HSV-1 infection probably is related to immune responses during COVID-19 pathophysiology.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":" 21","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41253427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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