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Aim: Characterization of epidemiologic features of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection is not well defined in Iran. We studied the prevalence of hMPV infection among children who had upper respiratory tract complaints (February–May 2013). Materials & methods: The nasal Dacron swab specimens of 200 children with upper respiratory tract complaints were collected and tested for hMPV by RT-PCR assay. Results: A total of 10% of patients were positive for hMPV. There was no significant difference in symptoms between positive or negative patients for hMPV. However, respiratory symptoms, such as cough, coryza and fever had higher rates in hMPV-positive patients. Conclusion: hMPV may be an important cause of respiratory tract infection in Iranian children.

Aim and objective Infecting around one-third of the world population, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is a serious health-threatening pathogen worldwide. Although TB has been a well-known disease since ancient times and despite the advances in medical sciences, large numbers of patients still died because of TB infection. In 2012, 1.1 million people died as a result of that infection. The development of new drugs is critical for the future control of tuberculosis (TB), and a number of promising compounds are currently in the pipeline at various stages of drug discovery and clinical development. Synthetic antibiotics for MTB treatment brought about the emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XTB). MTB strains that has proved to be a serious challenge to global health; additionally, the long duration of treatment has various side effects. Therefore, the use of herbal medicines as an alternative or compliment to synthetic medicines has a considerable importance. The Miswak plant, which is known as “ Salvadora persica ” of the “Salvadoraceae” family, is traditionally used to ensure oral hygiene among Muslim people in developing countries where it is growing. The antibacterial properties of S. persica originating from various geographic areas have already been reported. The aim of this study is to detect the aquatic extract of S. persica activity on Mycobacterium bovis . Material and method Extraction: 100 ml of boiling water was poured on the stem of this plant, then left at room temperature for 4 h, and then filtered. The crystals were put in a bath for 8 h to get the condensed extract. Phenotyping: The measurements of synthesized mycolic acids in Middlebrook culture showed growth of the bacteria. Therefore, even if the antigenic structures were destroyed, the cell wall did not form; hence the colony growth will be inhibited. Micro dilution assay: Using the lyophilization powder of the M. bovis which was provided by the Pasteur Institute, antimicrobial extract susceptibility tests were performed by broth micro-dilution methods. Result The growth of each sample was examined three times with the following concentrations: 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 mg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentration for each bacteria sample became positive at 10 mg/ml each time, and the results of the first, second and third times are the same. Conclusion As the incidence of M. bovis is increasing throughout the world, this study shows that S. persica has a high antibacterial effect on M. bovis. Other evaluations considering the effects of various herbal extracts as antibacterial agents, as well as in vivo examination of these extracts, are required to provide a natural, cost-effective and viable alternative for the traditionally less-effective antibiotics which are normally used.

Background and Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is one of the most important diseases in infants and children. If there would not be any useful diagnosis and treatment it may be resulted in diseases such as acute renal failure, thrombocytopenia and hemolytic anemia. The aim of this study was to determine frequency of verotoxigenic E.coli isolates in urine of children with (UTIs) in Mofid children Hospital. Methods: During one year from September 2008 to august 2009, urine specimens were taken from children who suspected to UTI admitted to Mofid Children Hospital. E.coli strains that indicated beta hemolytic on sheep blood agar, negative sorbitol fermentation on SMAC (sorbitol macconky agar) and negative motility on SIM were tested by PCR and serologic (VITEC-RPLA kit) methods for detecting toxin genes and production of toxin, respectively. Results: Among 12572 urine specimens were taken from children admitted to Mofid hospital, we isolated 378 E.coli from urine samples which only 9 isolates were EHEC. Only five EHEC strains (55%) which produced vtx genes, were detected by serologic and PCR methods. Conclusion: The prevalence of urinary infections caused by EHEC strains is very significant because it causes aggravating pathologic effects. Thus we suggest rapid method for identification of this bacteria and proper treatment to Inhibition of unwanted complications.