Search

BACKGROUND: Avibacterium paragallinarum causes infectious coryza that is an important disease of chickens associated with an acute upper respiratory infection, growth retardation, marked drop in egg production, reduced hatchability, and increased number of culls. Infectious coryza has been reported from all around the world including Iran where chickens are raised. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to isolate Avibacterium paragallinarum from the suspected cases of infectious coryza in the backyard and commercial layer chickens in three provinces of Tehran, Alborz, and Qazvin in Iran, to characterize the isolates by molecular methods and to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility profile. METHODS: Swab samples from eye secretions and mouth cavity were provided from five commercial laying farms (25 samples) and backyard chickens (20 samples) suspected of infectious coryza in Tehran, Alborz, and Qazvin provinces of Iran. Standard bacteriological and biochemical procedures were performed for the isolation and identification of Av. paragallinarum. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the recovered isolates was determined by the agar disk diffusion method. HPG-2 PCR was used to confirm Av. paragallinarum using the specific primers of N1 and R1, resulting in a 500 bp amplicon. PCR-amplified hmtp210 gene with the amplicon size of 1.6 kb was subjected to sequencing with the standard Sanger sequencing method and phylogenetically analyzed. RESULTS: Three Av. paragallinarum isolates were obtained from all the cultured samples. Antimicrobial sensitivity test revealed that all three isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, oxytetracycline, streptomycin, ampicillin, and colistin while they were susceptible to cephalexin, ceftriaxone, florfenicol, gentamicin, linco-spectin, neomycin, and doxycycline. In phylogenetic analysis, two different genotypes of Av. paragallinarum were found. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, Av. paragallinarum isolates recovered from layer flocks were genotypically closely related to the strains from serovar C while the isolate recovered from backyard chickens was closely related to serovar B strains. Our results showed that the antimicrobial susceptibility is highly variable among the Av. paragallinarum isolates compared to previous studies. Future studies are required to develop better immunogenic strategies and eventually novel vaccine candidates to control the disease and reduce the risk of infection with multidrug resistant Av. paragallinarum isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Razi Institute is the property of Institut Razi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

After half a century, Trichinella infection has been reported in humans following ingestion of wild boar meat hunted in Northern Iran. We have performed a cross-sectional study to evaluate the prevalence of Trichinella spp. infections in wild boar and prevalence of anti- Trichinella antibodies among at-risk individuals for the first time in Iran. Muscle and sera samples were collected from 79 wild boars and 364 at-risk individuals. Trichinella infection has been investigated by artificial digestion and molecular identification (in wild boar muscles) and by serology (in humans). Trichinella larvae were isolated from three wild boars (3.7%; 95% CI, 2.9–4.3). The isolated larvae were identified as T. britovi using CO1 and 5S rRNA gene primers amplification. The percent identity regarding to 5S rRNA gene (98.7–100%) and divergence (0–1.9%) further confirmed the isolates as T. britovi . Of the 364 participants, anti- Trichinella IgG were detected in 8 (2.2%; CI 95%, 1.9–2.4). Risk factors associated with Trichinella infection seropositivity in humans, were hunter being (OR, 13.5; 95% CI, 3.1–59.4; P = 0.003) and high consumption (more than 7 time in a year) of wild boar meat (OR, 17.5; 95% CI, 3.2–93.6; P < 0.001). In conclusion, results of this study emphasized that consumption of wild boar meat could be important source of human trichinellosis as a completely neglected infection disease in Iran. We suggest that the additional studies should be performed in different parts of Iran to further clarify the prevalence of trichinellosis in wild animals to guide the development of appropriate public health interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Bordetella holmesii is associated with a pertussis-like respiratory syndrome in healthy individuals and also a rare cause of septicaemia, endocarditis, pneumonia, and septic arthritis, mostly in immunocompromised patients. Culture technique and real-time PCR are 2 methods used to detect Bordetella spp. Materials and Methods: In this study, 435 nasopharyngeal specimens of patients with suspected whooping cough were checked for the presence of B. holmesii using 2 methods of culture technique and real-time PCR. Results: In this study, we detected hIS1001 and IS481 of B. holmesii in 2 infants suspected of having pertussis-like syndrome. Conclusion: Our observations demonstrate that accurate diagnosis is needed to discriminate between B. holmesii and B. pertussis infections among pertussis cases; otherwise, it could lead to misestimating pertussis rate and vaccine efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Hospital environment is of crucial importance in cross-transmission of opportunistic pathogens to the patients. Nontuberculous mycobacteria have the remarkable capability to withstand the adverse condition of hospital environments and pose a potential threat to the health of patients. The current study aimed to assess the frequency and diversity of mycobacteria in hospital water of a developing country using a combination of conventional and molecular methods. Methods A total of 148 hospital water samples collected from 38 hospitals were analyzed for the presence of mycobacteria using standard protocols for isolation and characterization of the isolates. The conventional tests were used for preliminary identification and Runyon's classification, the PCR amplification of hsp 65 gene and sequence analysis of 16S rRNA were applied for the genus and species identification. Results A total of 71 [48%] isolates including 30 rapidly growing and 41 slowly growing mycobacteria were recovered. The three most prevalent species were M. lentiflavum , 28.2%, M. paragordonae, 21.1%, and M. fredriksbergense , 9.8%, followed by M. simiae and M. novocastrense, 7%, M. canariasense and M. cookii like, 5.6%, M. setense, 4.2%, M. fortuitum and M. gordonae, 2.8%, and the single isolates of M. austroafricanum , M. massiliense , M. obuense, and M. phocaicum like. Conclusion The results of our study show that the hospital water resources, drinking or non-drinking can be the reservoir of a diverse range of mycobacteria. This reaffirms the fact that these organisms due to intrinsic resistance to common antiseptic and disinfectant solutions persist in hospitals and create a threat to the patient's health and in particular to those that suffer from weakness of immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes was investigated by biochemical and molecular methods in a total of 201 fish, shrimp, and ready-to-eat seafood samples collected from Iranian supermarkets. Thirty-six samples were also collected from a seafood processing plant. Twenty-one (8.86%) of the total retail and processing plant samples (237) were positive for Listeria spp., confirmed by a simplex PCR assay for the prs gene. Seven (2.95%) of the total samples were also positive for L. monocytogenes . The presence of four virulence-associated genes in the seafood isolates ( inlA , inlC , inlJ , and hlyA ) was examined using PCR and the results were compared with seven clinical L. monocytogenes strains. All virulence genes were detected in six fish isolates. One fish isolate did not show amplification of the inlJ and inlC genes. However, all seven clinical strains were positive for internalin genes. Furthermore, a multiplex PCR assay was employed to evaluate the major L. monocytogenes genoserogroups’ distribution. The results revealed that the serotypes of lineage II are most frequently present in clinical and food isolates. In summary, PCR screening for both the major L. monocytogenes serovars and virulence genes revealed the potential public health risk posed by L. monocytogenes in aquatic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the genetic diversity of Vibrio cholerae isolated from 2012 and 2013 outbreaks in Iran, with regard to their virulence properties. A total of 20 V. cholerae strains were collected from Sistan-Baluchestan province of Iran during 2012 and 2013 outbreaks. Hybridization assays showed the presence of ctx, zot, ace and rstC genes related to CTX and RS1 phages in all of the isolates. PCR assay indicated the concomitant presence of ORFs within RTX (1448, 1451) and TLC (1465, 1469) elements within the genome of the isolates. ERIC-PCR analysis showed four homogeneous profiles among which strains from 2013 outbreak and 72·7% of 2012 outbreak uniformly showed a common ERIC-PCR fingerprint. Ribotyping assay showed a single dominant profile (ribotype A) among 77·7 and 72·7% of isolates recovered from 2013 and 2012 outbreaks respectively. In conclusion, this study reports high degree of homogeneity among isolates from 2012 and 2013 outbreaks in Iran and emphasizes on the primary application of ERIC-PCR to generate fingerprints and differentiate between V. cholerae isolates of clinical origin in a timely manner for epidemiological investigations and source tracking purposes, although ribotyping method was proved to be more discriminatory. Significance and Impact of the Study The clonality of Vibrio cholerae isolates recovered from patients with Afghan nationality during 2012 and 2013 outbreaks in Iran emphasizes on the need for monitoring Iran boundaries. This highlights the demand for a simple, reproducible and time-saving typing method for rapid and reliable assessment of clonal correlation of isolates in outbreaks. In this regard, ERIC-PCR produced results comparable with those obtained by PFGE and ribotyping which is of great significance in public health and source tracking purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pear trees showing pear decline disease symptoms were observed in pear orchards in the centre and north of Iran. Detection of phytoplasmas using universal primer pair P1A/P7A followed by primer pair R16F2n/R16R2 in nested PCR confirmed association of phytoplasmas with diseased pear trees. However, PCR using group-specific primer pairs R16(X)F1/R16(X)R1 and rp(I)F1A/rp(I)R1A showed that Iranian pear phytoplasmas are related to apple proliferation and aster yellows groups. Moreover, PCR results using primer pair ESFYf/ESFYr specific to 16SrX-B subgroup indicated that ' Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum' is associated with pear decline disease in the north of Iran. RFLP analyses using HaeIII , HhaI, HinfI , HpaII and RsaI restriction enzymes confirmed the PCR results. Partial 16S rRNA, imp, rp and secY genes sequence analyses approved that ' Ca. Phytoplasma pyri' and ' Ca. Phytoplasma asteris' cause pear decline disease in the centre of Iran, whereas ' Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum' causes disease in the north of Iran. This is the first report of the association of ' Ca. Phytoplasma asteris' and ' Ca. Phytoplasma prunorum' with pear decline disease worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum tick is widely distributed in many parts of Iran and while the commercial vaccines based on the application of midgut-derived recombinant Bm86 antigen are used for its control, limited information about the efficiency of this vaccination in Iran is available. Herein, with the final aim of evaluation of Bm86-based heterologous vaccination, as the primary step the Bm86 homologue of the H. a. anatolicum (Hao3) from an Iranian isolate was characterized and compared with the commercialized Bm86 and other Bm86 homologoue sequences available in GenBank. Our in silico predictions resulted in the identification of seven epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains, one hydrophobic transmembrane region, one leader sequence and several glycosylation sites within the structure of both Hao3 and Bm86 proteins, which suggested the pattern of extracellular membrane-bound glycoproteins with the role of regulation in cell growth for both proteins. Moreover, while the nucleotide and amino acid sequences corresponding to Bm86 homologue showed a high level of conservation among the Iranian isolates (Hao3, Hao3-1 and Hao3-2, more than 99%), the Hao3 amino acid sequence had a homology of around 89%, 64% and 65% with that of Indian, Australian and Argentinean isolates, respectively. This indicated a considerable variation between commercial Bm86 antigen and H. a. anatolicum Bm86-like protein of Iranian and Indian isolates. Taking together, these results imply that the efficiency of commercial Bm86-based vaccine against the Iranian H. a. anatolicum may be under the question and indicates the value of the development of Hao3-based recombinant vaccines and further planning for their in vivo evaluation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Esca is a very important and destructive disease of grapevine in many grapevine producing countries. Several groups of fungi have been reported from grapevines with esca disease symptoms; however,Phaeoacremoniumspecies are the main hyphomycete fungi involved in this disease. In recent years, esca disease symptoms with consequent decline disease have frequently been observed in vineyards of north-western Iran. Nevertheless, the involvement ofPhaeoacremoniumspp. with esca disease symptoms in this region remains unknown. During 2008–2010 growing seasons, wood samples were collected from vines showing typical esca disease symptoms such as interveinal leaf chlorosis with subsequent necrosis and various types of internal wood deterioration in north-western parts of Iran. A total of 44Phaeoacremonium-like hyphomycetes were recovered from sampled materials. Fungal isolates were subjected to tentative morphological identification and were further characterised by using sequenced data from ITS-rDNA and β-tublin gene. Phylogeny inferred using sequence data from ITS-rDNA region and β-tublin gene revealed thatPhaeoacremonium aleophilumandP. mortoniaetogether withSarocladium strictum(syn.Acremonium strictum) are associated with esca disease symptoms in this region. The pathogenicity ofPhaeoacremoniumspp. andSarocladium strictumwere verified by the inoculation of cutting root and stems under greenhouse conditions. Isolates ofP. aleophilumandP. mortoniaewere the most virulent based on the length of vascular necrosis on woody stems that followed bySarocladium strictum. This is first study on the pathogenicity ofSarocladium strictumon grapevine worldwide and the first report on the occurrence ofP. mortoniaeon grapevines in north-western Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Journal of Medical Mycology / Journal de Mycologie Médicale is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, previously named as Pseudomonas or Xanthomonas maltophilia, is an important nosocomial pathogen. Aim: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of S. maltophilia in Iranian hospitals and its susceptibility to available antimicrobial agents. Setting and design: A cross-sectional study in Imam Khomeini Hospital affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: All blood specimens were sent to the laboratory for blood culture and biochemical analysis. One hundred samples were positive for S. maltophilia. We used disk diffusion and E-test in order to determine minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ceftazidime and co-trimoxazole as the first line antibiotics for S. maltophilia. The tests were performed and interpreted according to the guidelines of Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Statistical analysis: Chi-square test and Kappa measurement of agreement were applied as appropriate. Results: S. maltophilia was the most frequent pathogen (895 specimens; 38.9%) isolated from the samples which were mostly from emergency ward (780 specimens; 33.9%). Ceftazidime MIC50 and MIC90 were 2 and 32 μg/ml, respectively (sensitive ≤8 μg/ml and resistant ≥32 μg/ml according to CLSI guideline). MIC50 and MIC90 for co-trimoxazole were 0.5 and 2 μg/ml, respectively (sensitive ≤2 μg/ml and resistant ≥4 μg/ml according to CLSI guideline). Conclusion: S. maltophilia is the most frequent pathogen in our hospital with a high susceptibility to both ceftazidime and co-trimoxazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alfalfa is believed to have originated in north-western Iran and has a long history of coexistence with its bacterial symbiont Sinorhizobium in soils of Iran. However, little is known about the diversity of Sinorhizobium strains nodulating Iranian alfalfa genotypes. In this study, Sinorhizobium populations were sampled from eight different Iranian sites using three cultivars of Medicago sativa as trap host plants. A total of 982 rhizobial strains were isolated and species were identified showing a large prevalence of Sinorhizobium meliloti over Sinorhizobium medicae. Analysis of salt tolerance demonstrated a great phenotypic diversity. The genetic diversity of the Sinorhizobium isolates was analysed using BOX-PCR and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-PCR. Patterns of BOX-PCR fingerprinting were statistically analysed with AMOVA to evaluate the role of plant variety and site of origin in the genetic variance observed. Results indicated that most of the total molecular variance was attributable to divergence among strains isolated from different sites and cultivars (intrapopulation, strain-by-strain variance). Moreover, the analysis showed the presence of two geographic populations (west and north-west), indicating that the effect of the site of origin could be more relevant in shaping population genetic diversity than the effect of cultivar or individual plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]