Medical Laboratory Journal
Volume:8 Issue: 3, 2014

Biofilm is a complex microbial community embedded in a self-produced extracellular polymeric matrix. We aimed to study the extent of biofilm formation by S. Areas isolates and its relation to some phenotypic and genotypic criteria. One hundred-fifty strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from Gorgan were studied. Microtiter plate assay method was used for investigation of biofilm formation.The biofilm formation of strains were recorded and its relation to accessory gene regulator (agr) and antibiotic resistance were assessed by X2 test. Eighty-four isolates (56%) were able to form biofilm. The strength of biofilm formation in agr group I was more than that of other groups. The biofilm formation among S. Areas isolated from the wound and urine (both with 75 %) had the highest capability. Methicillin-resistant isolates had a greater ability to biofilm formation. Methicillin resistant isolates had a greater ability to biofilm formation. Given the importance and treatment related problems of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) especially Community Acquired-Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (CA-MRSA), it is a necessity to control or remove the biofilm formation alongside antibiotic treatment.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. Mucosal feeding of myelin basic protein binding to the cholera toxin B subunit can reduce the intensity of the immune response in MS patients. Expression system, the domain composition of the fusion protein, accessibility of two domains, codon adaptation index (CAI) and GC contents are very important for the large scale production of fusion protein. we used DNA2, PSIPRED and ProtParam softwares for designing the best form to produce fusion protein. Moreover, the correct open reading frame of myelin basic protein was also considered. First the coding sequence was verified and then synthesized. For confirmation of the recombinant vector, PCR test was carried out using T7 primers. Finally it was inserted into the cloning site of pET28 expression vector. After coding optimization, the CAI rate was increased from 64 % to 80% and GC content from 41 % to 49%. The presence of a band near 700bp resulted from PCR amplification test demonstrates the correct cloning of recombinant vectors in the cloning site of pET28 expression vector. According to software and experimental analysis, the designed sequence probably in the best form could be used for production of recombinant protein.

Antimicrobial and antiviral effects of Alloe Vera and Stachys inflata have been proved. We aimed to investigate the effects of extract of Alloe Vera and Stachys inflate on the growth of some bacteria to take the place of chemical drugs. the extracts of both plants were prepared by maceration method; different concentrations were prepared using Mueller Hinton agar medium and tested by Disc diffusion. Furthermore, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined by the Microdilution method. The effect of Alloe Vera extract was significant on Staphylococcus aureus. MIC and MBC of Aloe Vera extract on Bacillus subtilis were obtained in 230 and 410 mg/ml, respectively, which were 500 and 714 mg/ml for Haemophilus influenza. The extract of gel of Alloe Vera had no effect on Bacillus subtilis. The extract of leaf and gel of Alloe Vera had an inhibitory effect on Haemophilus influenza and Pseudomonads aeraginosa. The extract of Stachys inflata had an inhibitory effect on Haemophilus influenza, but it did not have any on Pseudomonads aeraginosa. The Extract of Stachys inflata had no effect on Bacillus subtilis, while showing significant effect on Staphylococcus. Among antibiotics, Ofloxacin had an effect on Haemophilus influenza. The extract of both plants did not show any effect on Klebsiella pneumonia. Given the effect of Alloe Vera and Stachys inflata in laboratory conditions, we hope that these extracts will be used instead of chemical substances for making nutritional supplements to control human diseases.

Contamination of environment to lead and copper is rising due to human activities. One of the best methods to remove heavy metals from the environment is bacterial remediation. This study aimed to isolate bacteria and investigate the mechanism of lead and copper bioremediation. Heavy metal resistant bacteria were isolated from contaminated wastewater samples. The isolates with high resistance to lead and copper were selected for further studies and bioremediation was assessed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. To determine the functional groups to remove metals, FT-IR was employed. In addition, plasmid curing was studied to determine the location of the genes that are resistance to heavy metals. Ten bacterial isolates that are resistance to heavy metals were isolated. Among these, MKH3 with the highest remediation activity removed %90 lead and %92 copper from the growth medium. The absorption mechanism of MKH3 indicated that the functional groups such as carboxyl, amide, carbonyl and hydroxyl were most effective for removal of heavy metals from the growth medium. The results revealed that heavy metal resistant genes may be located on plasmid DNA. Furthermore, molecular identification demonstrated that MKH3 was similar to Enterobacterhormaechei with 98% homology. Bacterium isolated from a contaminated site showed the ability to remove a high amount of lead and copper. Thus, MKH3 could be useful for the bioremediation of heavy metals, particularly lead and copper, from industrial wastewater and contaminated sites.

Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) is a plant pathogen that is an important mortality factor in immune-compromised and hospitalized patients. We aimed to Isolate and Characterize the Burkholderia Cepacia Strains from Hospitalized Patients in the Hospitals of West Guilan Province. This study was conducted on 90 saliva and blood samples obtained from patients with blood infection, pneumonia, asthma, patients connected to the monitoring and ventilator systems, and immune-compromised patients in different sections of hospitals such as the pediatrics, internal section, ICU and CCU. Primary screening was performed by cultivating the samples on Burkholderia cepacia selective agar (BCSA); Sensitivity to antibiotics was tested by Kirby-Bauer and Muller-Hinton Agar (MHA); and the separated isolations were recognized by strengthening the gene rec A. Of 90 isolated samples, only one strain suspected B. cepacia was isolated from 24-year old women with asthma. This strain was resistant to bacitracin, pipracillin and ciprofloxacin antibiotics. The incidence of B. cepacia is rare in western part of Guilan province, which is congruent with the results of overall incidence in Iran.

Trichomonas vaginalis is a pathogenic agent known worldwide and affects about 180 million annually. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis in diabetic patients referred to diabetic research center. In this descriptive-analytic study, 215 women referring to the Diabetic Center in Kermanshah Province were investigated for Trichomonas vaginalis. After collecting the data by a questionnaire, the samples were obtained from posterior fornix by sterile swabs and sent for assessing by direct microscopy and Dorset medium. Totally, 1.3 percent of the women were confirmed to be infected with T. vaginalis. The range of blood sugar cannot remarkably affect the prevalence of T. vaginalis. Given the limitations of this study and low prevalence compared to similar studies, we recommend further comprehensive research for better understanding.

Mycobacterium genus includes pathogenic and environmental speciese called non-tuberculous mycobaceria. This article analyzed studies that considered the frequency of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in Iran. The analyses showed non-tuberculous mycobacteria 16 and 28 species isolated in water and soil samples, respectively. The most frequent species in water were M. fortuitum (25.4%) and M. chelonae (25.4%), and in the soil, it was M. fortuitum (19.7%). The most frequent species in human specimens was M. fortuitum. The frequency of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in various clinical samples was different, but in average it was isolated in 1.1% of tuberculosis suspected people that referrd to the healthcare centers.