Archives of Razi Institute最新文献

In late 2019, a novel viral disease, designated as SARS-CoV-2, emerged in China and rapidly propagated, ultimately resulting in a global pandemic. This virus has had a profound impact on human health and has caused significant financial losses for various societal sectors. Consequently, researchers are endeavoring to expedite the identification and control of this pathogen. The ELISA method has emerged as a valuable tool in the screening of large patient populations during infectious epidemics. In this study, the nucleocapsid protein (NP) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was utilized to measure serum antibodies, which were obtained from the Avicenna Research Institute. The antigen was coated on each well of the plate, followed by the addition of serum samples from medical diagnostic laboratories (positive and negative sera measured by ELISA and PCR). To optimize the ELISA assay, a checkerboard titration was performed for all serum samples and antigens. The ELISA test was an indirect assay that could detect antibodies against NP.Finally, the cut-off, sensitivity, and specificity of the ELISA test were measured. The findings of the study indicated a 95% sensitivity and 92% specificity rate. Additionally, the intra-assay and inter-assay coefficient of variation (CV) values were recorded at 0.263% and 0.41%, respectively. These outcomes substantiate the remarkable precision and reliability of the ELISA test.In summary, the efficacy and precision of our kit in detecting antibodies targeting NP hold considerable promise. This innovative approach enhances diagnostic accuracy and holds significant potential for advancing antibody detection methodologies in the fields of virology and immunology.

Selenium (Se) is a trace mineral that plays a critical role in public health. It is a vital component of numerous enzymes and proteins called selenoproteins, thus affecting a wide range of biological activities. Hashimoto's disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. In addition to being a critical micronutrient for thyroid health, selenium has a direct association with liver health. The objective of this study is to examine the impact of Selenium on lipid factors, thyroid factors (anti-TPO and TSH), and liver enzymes. A double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted, enrolling 40 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in two equal control (placebo) and intervention (Selenium) groups. Participants received 200 micrograms of Selenium over 60 days, with blood samples collected before and after the intervention. The spectrophotometric method was employed to measure total blood catalase, anti-TPO, TSH, malondialdehyde, serum lipid profile, and liver factors. The results were then subjected to statistical analysis. The study revealed a significant decrease in plasma MDA levels in response to selenium consumption. Additionally, a notable increase in hemoglobin levels was observed in the experimental group following the intervention, reaching a statistical significance of P<0.05. However, catalase enzyme, lipid profile components, and liver enzymes in the intervention group remained largely unchanged compared to the pre-intervention and control groups (P>0.05).TSH and anti-TPO levels exhibited a relative decrease in the intervention group (P>0.05). The findings of this study suggest a potential association between selenium consumption and improved serum lipid factors, liver enzymes, anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody, MDA, and HGB levels in individuals diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

The issue of urinary tract infections (UTIs), particularly those stemming from Escherichia coli belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family, has received considerable critical attention and is evaluated as the second most common infection in humans. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), which is virulent, produces extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), as well as being multidrug-resistant (MDR), is considered to be a common growing public health issue worldwide. This phenomenon has been demonstrated to contribute to the escalation of UTIs to more severe states, the diminution in the efficacy of first-line antibiotics, and the consequent escalation in morbidity and mortality rates. The present experiment involved the isolation of 73 Escherichia coli strains from urine specimens, and the antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was evaluated through the disc agar diffusion method. The resistance patterns exhibited by these isolates collectively constitute the underlying basis for MDR. The evaluation of three significant biofilm genes and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in these isolates was conducted using ten typical antibiotic discs. The data was processed using SPSS statistical software, version 25. The investigation revealed that 73 isolates of E. coli were examined, with the pap gene present in 89% of isolates, the fimH gene present in 86.3% of isolates, and the sfa gene present in 69.9% of isolates. Furthermore, the beta-lactamase gene bla_SHV , bla_TEM , and bla_CTX-M gene frequency was found to be 50.7%, 90.4%, and 79.5%, respectively. The results regarding antibiotic resistance patterns elucidated that a significant number of the isolates were resistant to Imipenem, Amoxicillin, and Ampicillin, respectively. This study posits that the rapid emergence of virulent ESBL-producing E. coli strains in such experiments necessitates the implementation of an antibiotic stewardship program, regional surveillance of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms and their associated virulence determinants for the purpose of rational antibiotic selection, or the development of novel UTI treatment strategies that involve the inactivation of essential virulence factors relating to UPECs.

Blastocystis spp. is a zoonotic anaerobic parasite that has been identified in the large intestine of humans and many vertebrates. It is predominantly encountered in individuals with frequent contact with animals. The present study aims to identify the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. and its common genotypes in children with clinical symptoms of diarrhea in the city of Zahedan, located in the southeast of Iran. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 60 children under ten years of age with gastrointestinal symptoms, especially diarrhea. Following the collection of samples, stool samples were subjected to direct stool testing for the initial diagnosis. Following this, a microscopic diagnosis was made, after which DNA was extracted and a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test with a small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene target was performed. The PCR products were then purified and sequenced. The resulting nucleotide sequences were then subjected to a thorough review using Chromas biotechnology software version 2.4 and CLC genomic work bench software 11. The alignment of the nucleotide sequences was subsequently facilitated by utilizing the BLAST database, and these sequences were then compared with the reference genotypes of Blastocystis spp. that are stored within the gene bank. The genotyping of the sequences was conducted using CLC genomic work bench software 11, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA7 software with the Neighbor-Joining statistical method, which applied the Kimura 2-parameter method. Out of the 60 cases that were examined, 5 children (8.33%) were found to be positive by direct microscopic and PCR tests, where a 500 (479) bp fragment in the SSU-rRNA target was detected. Subsequent genetic analysis identified four distinct subtypes, including subtypes 1, 2, 3, and 5. The percentage of nucleotide identity with the sequences in the gene bank was found to be between 93 and 100%. Given the presence of subtypes 3 and 5 in the study and the evidence of their zoonotic nature, it can be concluded that examining parasite dynamics and epidemiological principles can be effective in the control strategy.

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that provides conditions for host invasion due to various virulence factors and plays a role in causing various infections. The pathogenicity of these bacteria may vary depending on the host's susceptibility. This study investigates the sensitivity of S. aureus strains isolated from clinical samples to methicillin and vancomycin, and it evaluates the presence of resistance, virulence and toxin-producing genes, and their expression level in the methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA), and vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) isolates. A cross-sectional study was conducted, encompassing 502 S. aureus isolates obtained from diverse infections over the course of a year. The methicillin and vancomycin sensitivities of the isolates were ascertained by disk diffusion and microdilution broth methods, respectively. The presence of genes associated with resistance, adhesion, and toxin production was subsequently investigated through the implementation of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodology. The expression levels of virulence and resistance genes were detected in resistant and sensitive isolates using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Among the 502 S. aureus isolates, 168 (33.6%) were identified as MRSA. Furthermore, a total of six isolates (1.2%) were identified as VRSA, and two isolates (0.4%) were identified as VISA. The distribution of virulence and resistance-related genes varied among the isolates. The results of the gene expression study demonstrated that the expression levels of the majority of the studied genes were significantly higher in resistant isolates (MRSA and VRSA) compared to sensitive isolates. It is imperative to acknowledge that VRSA and MRSA are regarded as grave hazards to human health. The present study underscores the necessity for enhanced sanitary measures to more effectively control this hospital pathogen, particularly in light of the presence and expression of genes encoding virulence factors in S. aureus isolates.

In December 2019, an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown etiology was reported in Wuhan, China. The virus, known as SARS-CoV-2, is contagious and infects the lower respiratory tract. Since various coherent research needs to be conducted in Iran to detect mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 S gene, the present study was conducted to determine the sequence, mutation pattern, and phylogenetic evaluation of this gene. To this end, 120 positive samples were included in the study to evaluate the complete S gene sequence by Reverse transcriptase-PCR.Subsequent to the sequencing process, the gene assembly, blasting, mutation analysis, and phylogenetic analysis were performed using MEGA-X.A total of 161 mutations were observed in the S gene sequences of Iran. The results of the phylogenetic tree showed that all the S gene sequences of Iranian samples were divergent from the Wuhan strain and had the most similarity to it and also alpha variants. 161 nonsynonymous variations were found along the complete coding S gene with a high frequency of A262T, D614G, and P863H, which were embedded in HVR1, HVR2, and HVR3, respectively. The majority of highly variable fragments have been identified in the loop secondary structure of protein. In the present study, the predominant variants (predominantly alpha variants) and mutations were observed to be in parallel with the evolution of the virus and its fitness. A comprehensive overview of the genetic mutation of the first three waves of SARS-CoV-2 in Iran was provided, which could be used to make significant decisions and take effective measures in future pandemics to develop vaccines, kits and effective therapeutics.

The formation of bacterial biofilm on surfaces associated with food processing is of particular concern. Due to the health concerns associated with the production of biofilm on food-related surfaces and the increase in antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic bacteria, the present study aimed to investigate the anti-biofilm effects of oregano, spearmint, and thyme extracts against biofilms of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157: H7, and Salmonella typhimurium. Spearmint, oregano, and thyme plants were freshly prepared, dried, and ground. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the plants were extracted by soaking. The amount of phenolic compound of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts was evaluated by spectrophotometric method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extracts were determined. The biofilm inhibition and destruction by the extracts were studied using the microdilution method. The results showed that the highest amount of phenolic compounds among ethanolic and aqueous extracts belonged to oregano and thyme extracts, respectively. The results also showed that the lowest effective concentration of the extracts on L. monocytogenes was by thyme aqueous extract with MIC and MBC of 1.8 and 2%, respectively, and for oregano ethanolic extract was 1.2 and 1.4%. The most significant biofilm inhibitory effect on L. monocytogenes, S. typhimurium, and E. coli O157: H7 was observed for thyme aqueous extract and oregano ethanolic extract. The results of the present study indicate that aqueous and ethanolic extracts of spearmint, oregano, and thyme plants have inhibitory and disruptive effects on biofilm formation by pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, these natural antimicrobial compounds can be used to control and prevent biofilm formation in the food industry.

Allergy and cancer are immune-mediated diseases that present substantial clinical challenges, and immunotherapy, which exploits the immune system for therapeutic intervention, holds immense potential in their management. This review scrutinises the immunotherapeutic landscape of allergic diseases and cancer, emphasising their shared immunological underpinnings and therapeutic implications. Allergy manifests as exaggerated immune responses to innocuous antigens, culminating in inflammation and tissue damage. The therapeutic objective in the context of allergy is to induce immune tolerance to allergens, thereby alleviating symptoms and improving disease outcomes. Conversely, cancer employs multifaceted immune evasion mechanisms to evade immunosurveillance and propagate malignancy. Immunotherapeutic strategies in cancer endeavour to reinvigorate antitumor immunity and eradicate neoplastic cells. A notable development in this field is the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors as a cornerstone in cancer immunotherapy, unleashing the immune system's potential to recognise and eliminate malignant cells. This review elucidates the intricate immunological mechanisms underlying allergy and cancer pathogenesis and delineates the diverse immunotherapeutic strategies employed in each context. It underscores the convergence of immunological principles and clinical applications in shaping the therapeutic landscape of allergic diseases and cancer. By synthesising fundamental immunology with clinical insights, immunotherapy offers transformative prospects for personalised medicine, as evidenced by recent advancements, including immune checkpoint blockade and adoptive cell therapy, which have revolutionized the treatment paradigm in cancer.

The occurrence of histamine, or scombroid food poisoning, can be attributed to the ingestion of elevated levels of histamine in fish, resulting in physiological disturbances in humans.Given that the Persian Gulf is a primary anchovy fish food source, it is plausible that the fish may be contaminated with high histamine levels.Consequently, this study was undertaken to examine alterations in histamine levels, microbial and chemical characteristics in Persian Gulf anchovies subjected to two industrial and traditional drying methods, and to contrast the disparities between these methods. The experimental design involved the collection and preparation of samples, followed by the measurement of peroxide value (PV), total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), microbial tests, sensory evaluation, and the quantification of histamine using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).The findings of the present study demonstrated that the levels of histamine increased during the drying process. The findings revealed that the traditional method did not yield higher histamine levels than the industrial method, with the amount of histamine reported as 3215 mg/kg in fresh fish, 766 mg/kg in traditional dried samples, and 764 mg/kg in industrial dried samples, respectively. Moreover, no significant difference was observed in the measured histamine levels between the two drying methods (P>0.05). However, a significant decrease in histamine levels was observed in fresh fish samples in comparison to both drying methods (P<0.05).Conversely, a significant variation in the levels of TVB-N was detected among the samples (P<0.05), with the highest levels observed in samples subjected to the traditional method and the lowest levels detected in fresh fish samples. Furthermore, a significant difference was observed in the amount of PV of the samples (P<0.05).The findings of this study suggest that the measurable concentration of histamine in fish products may vary depending on several factors, including fishing methods, fishing season, fish size, temperature and type of drying process, rate of histamine production, and the decomposition rate during preparation and drying.

Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) has been identified as a prevalent infectious agent that is frequently reported from patients in hospital intensive care units (ICUs). Annually, multi-drug-resistant (MDR) isolates pose a significant clinical challenge. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of antiseptic resistance genes and the level of resistance to quaternary ammonium and biguanide compounds in A. baumannii isolates obtained from patients of north Khorasan province. All obtained A. baumannii isolates were examined for in The presence of genes that encode for resistance to antiseptics, including qacE, qacEΔ1, and blaOXA-23, was investigated. The broth microdilution method was utilized to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) against antiseptic compounds. The study found that the majority of A. baumannii infections were observed in ICU patients (n=63, 84%). MDR and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) phenotypes were present in 53.2% and 46.7% of cases, respectively. Among 75 isolates, 48 (64%) had at least one resistance gene, including 24 (32%) isolates with only the qacE gene and 5 (6.7%) isolates with the qacEΔ1 gene. Furthermore, the coexistence of the qacE and qacEΔ1 genes was observed in nine (25.3%) isolates. Statistically significant differences were identified in the mean minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG) between isolates with and without antiseptic resistance genes (81.4 µg/ml versus 27.9 µg/ml, P=0.001). The heightened minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) levels exhibited by A. baumannii isolates against antiseptic agents constitute a significant medical concern. The presence of antiseptic-resistant genes and elevated MIC levels against antiseptic agents in MDR and XDR A. baumannii underscores the imperative for comprehensive monitoring of all A. baumannii isolates in hospital settings to ensure efficacious infection control measures.