Letter
Editorial
Case Report
Introduction:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major public health problem especially in the elderly. The classical interferon/ribavirin regimen was unfavorable for elderly patents due to intolerability and adverse effects. More studies are needed about the safety profile of new direct-acting antiviral (DAA) in the elderly.
Case Presentation:
Here, a case of chronic HCV was described in a 65-year-old female with diabetes and low platelet count. The patient was treated successfully by a combination of sofosbuvir+ ribavirin without major side effects.
Conclusions:
This report highlighted the importance and the safety of this regimen to treat HCV in the elderly.
Research Article
Background:
Free-living amoebas are very abundant in nature, especially in water and soil. Some species of amoebas cause serious and sometimes fatal infections such a keratitis in people with normal and suppressed immune systems. Based on the prevalence of amoebic keratitis in Iran, it is important to consider the free-living amoeba.
Objectives:
The current study aimed to determine the presence of Acanthamoeba and Hartmannella spp. in soil samples of Sari, North of Iran.
Patients and Methods:
A total of 96 soil samples from three areas of Sari were collected to be examined for soil contamination with Acanthamoeba and Hartmannella spp. Soil samples were investigated for the presence of these parasites by Sheather’s flotation technique and Gimsa staining method. The identification of Acanthamoeba and Hartmannella spp. at the genus level in this study was based on distinctive features of double walled cysts.
Results:
Of the 96 studied samples, from different environmental locations in Sari, 38 (39.6%) Acanthamoeba and 5 (5.2%) Hartmannella species were identified.
Conclusions:
The results of the present study revealed that soil resources of these areas were contaminated with opportunistic amoebas such as Acanthamoeba and Hartmannella spp. and this may lead to severe diseases in high-risk people, such as immunocompromised patients.
Research Article
Objectives:
This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of different pathogenic genes in isolates recovered from human stool samples in Rosario, Argentina.
Methods:
A total of 30 isolates were identified as C. jejuni on the basis of morphological and biochemical-based detection. The isolates were screened for the presence of seven pathogenic genes namely fla A, cad F, cia B, cdt B, cgt B, doc C and wla N, which are responsible for expression of adherence, invasion, colonization, chemotaxis and cytotoxin production in C. jejuni .
Results:
The isolates showed a wide variation in the presence of these genes. All the isolates were positive for fla A, cad F and cdt B genes. Of the C. jejuni studied, 40.0%, 23.3%, 20.0% and 6.7% were positive for cia B, doc C, wla N and cgt C, respectively.
Conclusions:
This study provides initial data on the prevalence and distribution of the fla A, cad F, cia B, cdt B, cgt B, doc C and wla N genes in C. jejuni .
Research Article
Background:
Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common in children. The cause of URTIs is usually viral, but parents' attitudes often contribute to inappropriate prescription of antibiotics, promoting antibiotic resistance.
Objectives:
The objective of this study was to study the knowledge and behavior of mothers about antibiotic use in children under six years old with URTI.
Methods:
Ninty-seven mothers with children under six years were evaluated in a semi-kap study about antibiotic use in children under six years old with URTI. Sampling was done with the convenient method. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire.
Results:
The mean age was 30.2 ± 7.2 years. Maternal knowledge was 8.2 ± 2.2 (scores ranged from zero to 12) and their performance was 4.1 ± 1.4 (scores ranged from zero to seven). Mothers had intermediate knowledge and performance. Knowledge was associated with mother and father's education, and mother and father's occupation (P < 0.05), but was not significantly correlated with the number of children. (P > 0.05) also, performance was associated with mother and father's education, and mother's occupation (P < 0.05) but was not significantly correlated with the father's education and number of children (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:
The study findings suggest that mothers' knowledge and practice in the use of antibiotics is moderate, and lower parental education may lead to unnecessary antibiotic consumption and resistance.
Research Article
Materials and Methods:
This study was conducted on 1023 neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in South Sinai governorate hospitals from January 2010 till September 2014. Demographic data of the neonates and the potential risk factors for neonatal septicemia were collected and analyzed.
Results:
The incidence of septicemia in the NICUs of South Sinai governorate hospitals was 8.6% and a mortality rate among sepsis cases (sepsis fatality rate) was about 25%. The percentage of cases with late-onset sepsis (68.2%) was predominant than early-onset sepsis (31.8%). Hospital acquired infections represented 30.7% of the sepsis cases. A multivariate logistic regression analysis for the significant neonatal and maternal risk factors related to neonatal sepsis was performed to explain the interaction between these risk factors and order these risk factors regarding statistical significance. The results showed that the highest effect on sepsis was for rupture of membranes >18 hours then the presence of twin deliveries came next, followed by multipara mothers then normal vaginal delivery came 4th in order followed by male gender, low birth weight babies and preterm neonates which became nonsignificant in this multivariate logistic regression analysis.
Conclusions:
Rupture of membranes > 18 hours, the presence of twin deliveries came next, multipara mothers, normal vaginal delivery came 4th in order, followed by male gender are the most common risk factors for neonatal sepsis in Sinai governorate hospitals, Egypt.
Research Article
Background:
Listeria monocytogenes is the causal agent of listeriosis, a foodborne infection.
Objectives:
Osthole has antibacterial properties, but its mechanisms of action is still unknown.
Materials and Methods:
Two millimoles of osthole was inoculated in the broth culture of Listeria monocytogenes . To study the mechanism of action, the ATP levels of cells were measured.
Results:
Listeria monocytogenes was controlled using 2 mM of osthole. Treatment of L. monocytogenes by 2 mM osthole had no effect on the ATP level.
Conclusions:
Probable mechanism of suppression of energy generation is suppression of the rise in glucose.
Research Article
Background:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is opportunistic bacteria that cause diseases in human beings, animals and plants. It is one of the most important factors of the nosocomial infections in a wide range of patients with immunodeficiency including patients with malignant diseases, cystic fibrosis and burns. Biofilm production is one of the pathogenic factors of these bacteria.
Objectives:
The current study aimed to investigate the effects of a few plant extracts on in-vitro formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm.
Materials and Methods:
Using the rotary system, the extracts of various plants were concentrated and prepared. Standard bacterial strains were provided and growth and biofilm formation of strains were determined using the microtiter plate method.
Results:
Results showed desirable antimicrobial effects of the silver nanoparticles and plant extract on the formation of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm and the highest effect was observed in silver nanoparticles and the lowest inhibitory effects were observed in Bucks beard and Prangos ferulaceae .
Conclusions:
Medicinal plants used in the study decreased the rate of biofilm formation. Since the biofilm formation is one of the pathogenic factors in mucoid strains, further studies will probably help to control the infections using the findings of the current study.
