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Introduction: One of the most common causes of encephalitis is due viral infection like herpes simplex. Traditionally, brain biopsy was required for the diagnosis of HSV encephalitis; however, here we report CSF PCR detection for herpes simplex encephalitis which was successfully treated with Acyclovir. Case presentation: A 52 years old female patient brought to emergency department with fever (40°C), constipation, abdominal pain, fatigue, disorientation, agitation, from two days ago. DNA extraction and Real Time PCR was performed on CSF sample for HSV-1/2 and HSV-1 was positive. Also the brain MRI report showed left and basal temporal oppression, left and basal frontal pus. The patient is discharged after 20 days of hospitalization and treatment with acyclovir and normal physiological indexes and had a good clinical and neurologic outcome with resolution of all the symptoms. Conclusion: We would like to emphasize, despite the normal biochemical CSF, imaging results and PCR are convinced evidence of HSV encephalitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Staphylococcus aureus strains exhibiting multiple antibiotic resistances are isolated from most communities and hospital infections. Treatment of patients with these infections has been difficult. The aim of this study was to detect and extract, the egg yolk immunoglobulin Y as a potential source of anti- S. aureus antibody. Methods: Specific IgY was produced by immunizing hens with formalin-killed S. aureus. The specificity of serum`s antibody was confirmed by ELISA method. The antibodies were extracted from egg yolk by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation. Proteins were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Results: Chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY) were raised against S. aureus in the serum after injections. Up to 104 dilution specific antibodies were determined in serum. Conclusion: The results of the ELISA indicates the specificity of the immunoglobulin Y to the target antigen. In order to find a viable alternative to antibiotic treatments, more research must be done on the ability of these antibodies to inhibit the growth of S. aureus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of Shigella species and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in hospitalized children with Shigellosis in Abadan, Iran. Background: Shigellosis is caused by different species of Shigella and one of the most common causes of diarrhea in children. This disease is endemic in many developing countries including Iran. Patients and methods: This prospective cross sectional study was conducted in a teaching hospital in Abadan, Iran during June 2011 to May 2013. Stool specimens were collected from pediatric age group. All isolates were confirmed as Shigella species by biochemical and serologic tests. Antibiotic sensitivity pattern of these isolates was studied by disk diffusion Method. Results: Among all 705 stool samples, 36 (5.1%) yielded Shigella. Of cases, 392 (55.6%) were girl and 313 (44.4%) were boy. The most common Shigella isolates were S. flexneri (n=19, 52.7%) followed by S. sonnei (n=11, 30.5%), S. boydii (n=4, 11.1%) and S. dysenteriae 2(5.5%). Of the Shigella isolates, 47.2% showed resistance to two or more antimicrobial agents. Resistance pattern against various antimicrobials were as follows: trimethoprimsulphamethoxazole (80.5%), ampicillin (63.8%), tetracycline (58.3%), chloramphenicol (33.3%), nalidixic acid (27.7%), and cefixime (16.6%). There was no resistance against ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone. Conclusion: The most common isolates were S. flexneri followed by S. Sonnei. There was no antibiotic resistance against ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone. TMP-SMZ showed highest resistance pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare professionals worldwide have expressed concern over infections by extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) and metallo-ß-lactamase (MBL)–producing bacteria. We evaluated the prevalence of ESBL- and MBL-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTIs) and their antibiotic-resistance profiles at 3 private laboratories in Tehran, Iran. E. coli isolates were mostly susceptible to meropenem (90.4%) and imipenem (90.0%), followed by amikacin (89.0%) and gentamicin (84.7%). Moreover, we detected that, of the E. coli isolates, 67 (22.3%) were ESBL producers and 21 (7.0%) of E. coli isolates were MBL positive via the imipenem-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) combined disc test. This report is the first, to our knowledge, on the prevalence of MBL-producing uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strains in Iran. The antibiotic resistance of E. coli isolates revealed that 122 (40.7%) were multidrug resistant. The high number of antibiotic-resistant and ß-lactamase–producing UPEC strains necessitates further attention and consideration, particularly MBL-producing strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteremia continues to result in significant morbidity and mortality, particularly among neonates. There is scarce data on neonatal bacteremia in among Iranian neonates. In this study, we determined neonatal bacteremia isolates and their antibiotic resistance pattern in neonatal insensitive care unit at Beasat hospital, Sanandaj, Iran. During one year, all neonates admitted to the NICU were evaluated. Staphylococcal isolates were subjected to determine the prevalence of MRS and mecA gene. A total of 355 blood cultures from suspected cases of sepsis were processed, of which 27 (7.6%) were positive for bacterial growth. Of the 27 isolates, 20 (74%) were Staphylococcus spp as the leading cause of bacteremia. The incidence of Gram negative bacteria was 04 (14.8%). The isolated bacteria were resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Maximum resistance among Staphylococcus spp was against Penicillin, and Ampicillin. In our study, the isolated bacteria were 7.5 % Vancomycin and Ciprofloxacin sensitive. Oxacillin disk diffusion and PCR screened 35% and 30% mec a positive Staphylococcus spp. The spectrum of neonatal bacteremia as seen in NICU at Beasat hospital confirmed the importance of pathogens such as Staphylococcus spp. Penicillin, Ampicillin and Cotrimoxazol resistance was high in theses isolates with high mecA gene carriage, probably due to antibiotic selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current study aimed to determine the effect and properties of surface-modified copper doped Cu:ZnO NPs on killing curves of bacterial pathogens. Methods: Preparation of in situ surface-modified copper doped ZnO nanoparticles (Cu:ZnO NPs) was done according to standard procedure. Assay for antimicrobial activity of Cu:ZnO NPs against bacterial pathogens was carried out based on disc diffusion method. Determination of shelf life, thermal and pH stability of antibacterial activity of Cu:ZnO NPs was done and residual activity was determined against the target cultures. Results: FTIR spectra indicate that the nanomaterials synthesized have higher peak intensity compared with reagent grade ZnO. According to the SEM image the nanoparticles synthesized have different size and heterogeneous morphology. 400 ppm of Cu:ZnO NPs gave zones of inhibition with diameters of 9.0 - 16 mm against the target cultures. Amongst the target cultures, Escherchia coli was the most sensitive to the Cu:ZnO NPs inhibition zone diameter 16 mm; whereas, 9 mm wide inhibition zone was obtained against Staphylococcus aureus. The Cu:ZnO NPs was fairly stable for a period of 60 days at room temperature (RT) showing lost of only 20% and 30% antibacterial activity as tested against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. The Cu:ZnO NPs was quite stable at this pH and temperature range tested against both E. coli and S. aureus. Conclusion: Surface-modified copper doped Cu:ZnO NPs have significant potential for their usefulness as antibacterial agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Klebsiella species are of the most common bacteria involved in nosocomial and urinary tract infections. Genetic elements such as class 1 integrons have an important role in the resistance development. In this study, the share of class 1 integrons, the genetic characterization of the integron cassettes and PFGE profiles of the clinical Klebsiella isolates are evaluated in Besat University hospital of Sanandaj, Iran. Methods: Isolates from 17890 clinical specimens were identified by API20E. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and MIC were done for MDR isolates. For investigating class 1 integrons and gene cassettes, PCR by intI1 integrase and 5'-CS/3'-CS were performed. Integrated gene cassettes were analyzed by PCR-RFLP and sequencing. Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis was carried out for studying of clonality outbreak of isolates. Results: Thirty five Klebsiella spp. were isolated and included 29 K. pneumoniae and six K. oxytoca. All the isolates were susceptible to carbapenems while other antibiotics showed high resistant profile. In all Klebsiella spp. PCR for intI1 integrase and 5'-CS/3'-CS were positive (100%). Sequencing for prevalent bands of internal variable regions between 5'-CS/3'-CS showed arr-5, orfD-aacA4 and aad5- dfrA17. PFGE Analysis showed 18 clusters in K. pneumoniae with clonality relatedness in some cases but no relatedness among K. oxytoca isolates. Conclusion: High prevalence of class 1 integron carrying gene cassettes confirms that integron-mediated antimicrobial gene cassettes are important in Klebsiella spp. resistance profile. Clone diffusions of MDR Klebsiella spp. which harbor class 1 integrons have threaten the potential in the resistance development in our clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented about the pattern of genotypes in hepatitis C virus infection in Kermanshah, Iran.