In this study a disperse dye immunoassay method was standardized and evaluated for detection of antibodies against Neospora caninum in cattle. Sera from 150 cattle with a recent history of abortion were collected and tested by commercial ELISA kit and a standardized in-house dye immunoassay system. The positivity rate for the sera used in this study was 34.6% for the disperse dye immunoassay (DDIA) compared to 32% obtained by ELISA kit. This study showed no significant difference between DDIA and ELISA. The results indicated that the DDIA provide an economic, simple, rapid and robust test for detection of N. caninum infection in cattle.
Animals ; Antibodies, Protozoan/*blood ; Cattle ; Cattle Diseases/*diagnosis/parasitology ; Coccidiosis/diagnosis/parasitology/*veterinary ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine/*methods ; Female ; Immunoassay/methods ; Neospora/*immunology ; Staining and Labeling/methods ; Veterinary Medicine/*methods

Background: Wide use of biocidal agents such as benzalkonium chloride (BCC) and chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) in hospitals and non-hospital environments, has raised concerns over the emergence of non-susceptible strains. Efflux pumps are of known main mechanisms in biocide tolerance which have been rarely addressed in enterococci - members of gut microbiota which can cause serious problems particularly in hospitalized patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the susceptibility of enterococci from different sources (clinical and fecal isolates) toward BCC and CHX, and its correlation with efflux associated genes. Also, possible link between biocide tolerance and antibiotic resistance was examined. Materials and Methods: One hundred and four enterococcus isolates including clinical (n = 54) and fecal isolates (n = 50) were studied for susceptibility toward BCC, CHX, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and vancomycin. Twelve efflux associated genes were investigated by polymerase chain reaction assay. Results: In clinical isolates, reduced susceptibility to CHX and resistance to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin were significantly higher than fecal isolates. Vancomycin resistance was associated with increasing minimum inhibitory concentration of CHX. Among all investigated genes, only three ones, efrA, efrB and emeA were detected which were significantly associated with reduced susceptibility to CHX and were more frequent among clinical isolates. Also, high level resistance to gentamicin was significantly associated with the presence of efrA/B as well as with reduced susceptibility to CHX. Conclusion As expected, reduced susceptibility to CHX, was significantly higher in clinical isolates. However, the presence of a vancomycin-resistant enterococci among fecal isolates of healthy people which showed resistance/tolerance to studied antimicrobial agents, was unexpected and highlights the need to investigate other non-hospital environments to avoid dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. Correlation between reduced susceptibility to CHX and high level resistance to gentamicin, substantiates monitoring of biocide tolerance particularly in the healthcare settings to control the establishment of antimicrobial resistant strains.

BACKGROUND: In many developing countries, shigellosis is endemic and also occurs in epidemics and treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates are important. The aims of this study were to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility, prevalence of class 1 and 2 integrons and the clonal relatedness of isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed by disc diffusion method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-sequencing technique was employed for detection and characterization of integrons. The genetic relatedness was evaluated by using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC) PCR. RESULTS: There was a high percentage of resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) (93.7%), ampicillin (AMP) (87.3%), streptomycin (STR) (84.5%) and tetracycline (TET) (78.9%). Multidrug resistant phenotype was seen in 95.1% of total isolates. Most common MDR profile was TMP/SMX/STR/AMP resistant pattern. Among the 142 Shigella spp. analyzed in this study, 28 isolates were positive for class 1 integron with two types of gene cassette arrays (dfrA17/aadA5 = 31.7% and dfrA7 = 3.8%). The class 2 integron was more frequently detected among the isolates (94.7%) with dfrA1/sat1/aadA1 (69.4%) and dfrA1/sat1 (30.6%) gene cassettes. ERIC-PCR results showed 6, 5, 4 and 3 main genotypes among S. flexneri, S. sonnei, S. boydii and S. dysenteriae isolates, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed that multidrug resistant Shigella species with high prevalence of class 2 integron were very common in Iran. In addition, ERIC-PCR patterns showed limited variety of clones are responsible for shigellosis in the region of the study.
Ampicillin ; Clone Cells ; Consensus ; Developing Countries ; Diffusion ; Dysentery, Bacillary ; Genotype ; Integrons ; Iran* ; Methods ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Shigella* ; Streptomycin ; Tetracycline ; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

BACKGROUND: In many developing countries, shigellosis is endemic and also occurs in epidemics and treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates are important. The aims of this study were to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility, prevalence of class 1 and 2 integrons and the clonal relatedness of isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed by disc diffusion method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-sequencing technique was employed for detection and characterization of integrons. The genetic relatedness was evaluated by using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC) PCR. RESULTS: There was a high percentage of resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) (93.7%), ampicillin (AMP) (87.3%), streptomycin (STR) (84.5%) and tetracycline (TET) (78.9%). Multidrug resistant phenotype was seen in 95.1% of total isolates. Most common MDR profile was TMP/SMX/STR/AMP resistant pattern. Among the 142 Shigella spp. analyzed in this study, 28 isolates were positive for class 1 integron with two types of gene cassette arrays (dfrA17/aadA5 = 31.7% and dfrA7 = 3.8%). The class 2 integron was more frequently detected among the isolates (94.7%) with dfrA1/sat1/aadA1 (69.4%) and dfrA1/sat1 (30.6%) gene cassettes. ERIC-PCR results showed 6, 5, 4 and 3 main genotypes among S. flexneri, S. sonnei, S. boydii and S. dysenteriae isolates, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed that multidrug resistant Shigella species with high prevalence of class 2 integron were very common in Iran. In addition, ERIC-PCR patterns showed limited variety of clones are responsible for shigellosis in the region of the study.
Ampicillin ; Clone Cells ; Consensus ; Developing Countries ; Diffusion ; Dysentery, Bacillary ; Genotype ; Integrons ; Iran* ; Methods ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Shigella* ; Streptomycin ; Tetracycline ; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

In September 2017, an outbreak with high mortality, which showed the typical signs of ND, occurred among a flock of more than 2000 Eurasian collared doves in Konarak, southeast of Iran. A confirmed pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 strain was isolated from the brain tissues of the dead doves. The isolate, which was called Pigeon/Iran/Konarak/Barin/2017, was classified as a highly velogenic NDV. Complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolate belonged to subgenotype XXI.2, which has never been reported from Iran before. The isolate had the highest homology (96.15%) with early 2010s Italian isolates.Further studies will be required to understand the diversity better.

OBJECTIVETo determine the helminth parasites of Anas crecca (A. crecca) in one of proper refuges of Iran, Fereydunkenar.

METHODSA total number of one hundred thirty-six gastrointestinal tracts of green-winged teal (A. crecca) were collected from Fereydunkenar, Mazandaran province during September and October 2011. The gastrointestinal tracts were examined for helminth infection.

RESULTSThe total infection rate was 70.50% (96) that 68.96% (40) of males and 71.79% (56) of females shown helminthes infection. The examined A. crecca harbored one species of Nematoda, Cestoda and two species of Digenea which were as following: Contracaecum larvae (from stomach wall), Diorchis stefanskii (D. stefanskii) (from small intestine), Hypoderaeum conoideum (from small intestine) and Notocotylus attenuatus (N. attenuatus) (from caecum), respectively. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of infection between examined males and females ducks in Hypoderaeum conoideum, D. stefanskii and N. attenuatus (P>0.05) whereas a significant relationship was observed between males and females in Contracaecum larvae (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBased on the results of the present study, we conclude that A. crecca plays a prominent role in transmission of mentioned parasites. In addition, this is the first report of Contracaecum larvae, D. stefanskii and N. attenuatus from A. crecca in Iran.

Objective To investigate the healing effects of two herbal preparations. Methods For this purpose, 106 wistar rats were divided into 9 groups including a control, eucerine, phenytoin, Urtica dioica (U. dioica) (2%), U. dioica (5%), Sambucus ebulus (S. ebulus) (2%), S. ebulus (5%), combination (2%), and combination (5%) groups. The control group remained untreated, the eucerin and phenytoin groups were considered as the negative and positive controls respectively, and the remaining groups received different concentrations of the ointments. Full thickness wounds were made. The healing process of the wounds was investigated on day 7, 14 and 21 of the experiment. Several factors including the number of fibroblasts, new vessel formation (angiogenesis), thickness of the granulomatous tissues (GT), and the overlying epithelium were analyzed. Results Among the studied groups, all of the treatment groups were significantly different from the control, eucerin, and phenytoin groups in a positive manner with regard to all studied factors (P ≤ 0.05). However, the best results were observed with the S. ebulus (2%) and the combination 2% groups (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions Topical ointments prepared from the extracts of U. dioica and S. ebulus and their combination possess strong wound healing properties. It is postulated that a synergistic effect may exist between the two extracts since the combination 2% showed better results than the sole extracts.

Objective: To study genetic bases and morphology of pili in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). Methods: PCR and sequencing were used to investigate two related pili, Mtp and Flp genes in clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis. The primers were designed and PCR program were set for whole genes amplification. PCR products of the two genes from all isolates were sequenced by an applied biosystems apparatus and the results were analysed by online software. In the other hands, harvested cells from fresh cultures of isolates were undergoing specific sample preparation for sectional and negative staining for transmission electron microscopy. Results: Electrophoresis revealed two specific bonds of 361 bp for Mtp and 150 bp for Flp genes and confirmed primer and PCR conditions designing. There were not any mutations in sequencing results of Mtp and Flp in comparison with reference sequence. Transmission electron microscopy examination revealed two distinct types of pili in the isolates as a bundle-forming pilus and rope-like pilus. From total investigated cells, 10% harbored pili in their structure. Conclusions: Two genes of pili in all clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis were conserved and two morphological types of pili were detected. We proposed that by targeting pili proteins by a suitable inhibitor, it could affect the pathogenesis especially in resistant forms.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major public health problem and its occurrence is markedly increasing in developed and developing countries. However, few studies have investigated the use of natural products to treat obesity. The effects of taking a combination of oxymel and Zataria multiflora Boiss. (ZM), herein referred to as Zataria oxymel (ZO), on obesity, lipid profile and insulin resistance have not yet been studied. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the effects of oxymel and ZO on obesity, lipid profile and insulin resistance. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: In this randomized, controlled, triple-blind trial, overweight patients were randomly divided into three groups and received doses of study compounds twice per day for twelve weeks. Group A received 0.75 g ZM in 10 mL oxymel in each treatment; group B received 1.5 g ZM in 10 mL of oxymel in each treatment and group C (control) only received 10 mL of oxymel in each treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anthropometric parameters, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and hip circumference, were measured at the time of registration. Blood tests were carried out at the beginning and once again at end of the study. Blood parameters included fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin levels, serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase). Serum creatinine was also measured at the beginning of the project and in monthly intervals for three months. The homeostasis model assessment index was calculated as fasting insulin (μIU/mL) × FBS (mg/dL)/405. RESULTS: The results showed that patients receiving ZO experienced significant reduction in waist circumference in groups A, B and C, respectively (P < 0.001) but no significant change in BMI. Group A also experienced reduction in hip circumference (P = 0.01). Groups B and C had reduction in the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (P = 0.05 and P = 0.01, respectively), with no significant reduction in FBS. No effect on lipid profile, liver enzymes or serum creatinine was observed in the three groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, treatment with ZO and oxymel reduced insulin resistance, and waist and hip circumferences in overweight patients. Nonetheless, the traditional Persian use of ZO as a beverage to improve the anthropometric indices in overweight individuals still requires further research with a larger sample size. TRIAL REGISTRATION Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Code IRCT20171220037976N1.