نشریه میکروب شناسی پزشکی ایران
سال هفدهم شماره 6 (آدر و دی 1402)

 Effective brucellosis treatment necessitates antibiotics that can penetrate macrophages. This study systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at assessing the antibiotic susceptibility profile of Brucella spp. isolated from humans, addressing this critical gap in understanding Brucella infections and their treatment.

 Two authors conducted a systematic search across PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, with no time restrictions, encompassing English studies. Data extraction employed a standardized sheet, with two independent authors, and disagreements were resolved by a third. The data sheet included study characteristics and susceptibility/resistance information for various antibiotics. Statistical analysis involved random effects models, Mantel-Haenszel methods, I2 tests, z-tests, and funnel plots using R and RStudio.

 Based on the pooled susceptibility ratios, among the 630 samples of Brucella spp., 98% (95% CI: 85% - 100%) were susceptible to trimethoprim. Among the 1255 samples of Brucella spp., 82% (95% CI: 54% - 95%) were susceptible to rifampicin. Among the 1344 samples of Brucella spp., 100% (95% CI: 78% - 100%) were susceptible to doxycycline. Among the 942 samples of Brucella spp., 100% (95% CI: 85% - 100%) were susceptible to tetracycline. Among the 893 samples of Brucella spp., 100% (95% CI: 82% - 100%) were susceptible to ciprofloxacin. Among the 906 samples of Brucella spp., 97% (95% CI: 96% - 98%) were susceptible to gentamicin.

 Based on our results, trimethoprim, doxycycline, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin were effective, but rifampicin had lower susceptibility. This informs antibiotic selection for Brucella infections, underscoring its importance in managing the disease.

 Urinary tract infections (UTIs) pose a significant global health threat, primarily attributed to bacteria producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), with limited treatment options available. The specific genotypes of ESBL-producing strains remain largely unexplored in Guilan (northern Iran). Hence, the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of ESBL-producing extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) among hospitalized patients in this area.

 In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 269 isolates were examined phenotypically for ESBL production. All ESBLs producing isolates were screened for the presence of virulence and housekeeping genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers. The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were determined using the disk diffusion method according to the CLSI recommendation.

 Out of the 269 E. coli isolates, 107 cases (39.8%) were identified as producers of ESBLs. Antibiotic susceptibility testing conducted on the ESBL-producing isolates revealed the highest levels of resistance to cefotaxime, ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, cephalothin, cefixime, and ceftriaxone (100.0%). Nalidixic acid exhibited a resistance rate of 91.6%, followed by ceftazidime at 84.1%. On the other hand, the isolates showed the highest susceptibility to imipenem (94.4%), followed by nitrofurantoin (87.9%) and gentamicin (63.9%).

 The frequency of ESBL-producing ExPEC isolated from UTIs is concerning in Guilan. The most suitable antibiotic with the lowest risk of resistance for the patient can be prescribed using the updated susceptibility and resistance patterns of the bacteria.

 Respiratory viruses are the most causative agents of disease in humans, with a significant impact on morbidity and mortality worldwide, mainly in children. The main objective of this work is to study the epidemiology and the etiology of common acute respiratory infections (ARI) among children in the province of Al-Ahsa in Saudi Arabia.

 In the current work, we tested 83 oropharyngeal specimens from December 2021 to June 2022, collected from pediatric patients aged between 1 and 13 years in Al-Ahsa province in Saudi Arabia. Multiplex PCR/RT-PCR was used to detect respiratory viruses, including human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (hRSV-A), Influenza Virus A and B (INFA and INFB), human Adenovirus (hAdV), human Enterovirus (hEV), human Rhinovirus (hRV), human Parainfluenza Virus (hPIV3), and human Bocavirus (hBoV).

 Of 83 oropharyngeal specimens, 58 (69.88%) were positive, with a higher percentage among children ≤ 5 years. hRV and hRSV-A were predominant at 31.33% and 24.1%, respectively, followed by hEV (18.1%), hPIV3 (13.25%), and hAdV (8.43%). Co-infection represented a high percentage, with 25.3% of all samples. hEV was the most virus detected as a co-infection. Noteworthy, respiratory viruses, including hRV, hPIV3, and hAdV increased in spring, while hRSV-A and hEV increased in winter. Rhinorrhea and cough were the most frequent symptoms among patients with positive samples, especially with hRV patients. On the other hand, fever was more prevalent in hRSV-A and hEV patients than in others. Noteworthy, dyspnea/tachypnea was more frequently associated with hPIV3 than other viruses.

 Results demonstrated an important prevalence of acute respiratory infections among children and improved data on the epidemiology of respiratory viruses among children living in Al-Ahsa province in Saudi Arabia.

 Viral infections are associated with augmented morbidity and mortality risk in Hemodialysis (HD) patients.

 In this investigation, we have scrutinized the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), and occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI), in HD patients. In this cross-sectional study, the blood samples and data from 200 hemodialysis patients referred to a dialysis center in Kerman, from January 2022 to March 2023 were collected. Anti-HBV antibodies and HBs Ag were analyzed in the specimens using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All samples were tested for OBI by using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.

 Of the 200 patients considered, 4 (2%) for HBs Ag were positive. Real-time PCR demonstrated OBI in 2 (1%) patients. The majority presence of viral infection was in the age group 50≥ years, self-employment, low education level, and diabetic patients. Furthermore, our study revealed that a higher percentage of HD patients were associated with low educational levels, self-employment, urban residence, and comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension.

 In this study, HBV antigen prevalence was 2%, and OBI prevalence was 1%, indicating a low HBV incidence in HD patients. Our study underscores the importance of lifestyle improvement, increased awareness among lower-educated and lower-skilled individuals, and rigorous disinfection practices in managing risk factors for hemodialysis patients, including HBV and OBI.

 Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the final stage of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN). The microbiome plays a critical role in eye disease and health. Changes in the eye microbiome may be involved in the development of OSSN.

 The sampling for this case-control study involved rolling sterile rayon-tipped swabs on the conjunctival tissue of both patients and controls. The detection of bacterial communities, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus),  Staphylococcus haemolyticus (S. haemolyticus), Corynebacterium spp., and Acinetobacter spp. The study was conducted using the TaqMan quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method, which targets the 16S rDNA gene from bacteria in various samples.

 The results showed that the frequency of Corynebacterium spp. was the same in both the patient and control groups (77.88%). Further, it exhibited the highest copy number compared to other bacteria. In general, a significant difference was observed in the total amounts of P.aeruginosa, S. aureus, and S. haemolyticus among patients, with a P-value < 0.001, additionally, Acinetobacter spp. showed a significant difference with a P-value = 0.004. 88.9% of S. haemolyticus (P=0.002) and 83.3% of P. aeruginosa (P=0.033) were detected in the OSSN group, and no detection of these bacteria was observed in any of the control samples.

 The study found a significant difference in some bacterial strains between patients with OSSN and those without OSSN. Understanding the function and composition of the ocular surface microbiome can provide insights into ocular surface diseases.

 Porphyromonas gingivalis belongs to the phylum Bacteroidota which are non-motile, Gram-negative, rod-shaped, anaerobic, and pathogenic bacteria. It is found in the oral cavities where it is implicated in periodontal disease. This study aimed to isolate and identify Porphyromonas gingivalis from the oral cavities of patients with gingivitis and periodontal disease in Misan Governorate Center, Iraq.

 The samples were collected from 50 patients aged 11-70 years old, including 21 (43%) females and 29 (57%) males. The Gram-negative pathogenic bacterial isolates were found to be the most frequent bacterial population. After incubation of bacteria on blood agar, the plates were examined for small, shiny, coccobacilli, black-pigmented, and mucoid colonies. We also tested the medical sensitivity of some pathogenic bacterial strains against antibiotics such as Cefoxitin, Doxycycline, Ciprofloxacin, and Nalidixic acid.

 The strains showed 100% resistance to the drugs used in the experiment. Periodontitis is caused by heterogeneous endodontic bacteria, which can be identified using species-specific PCR assays. The study successfully identified 100 anaerobic bacteria isolates using Vitek2 and 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The Porphyromonas gingivalis targeted region was found to be related to its ability.

 Identifying and quantifying Porphyromonas gingivalis and other periodontal infections using various methods in plaque samples is crucial. Porphyromonas gingivalis has filamentous components on its cell surface called fimbriae (FimA), which are believed to be crucial for the resistance, colonization, and invasion of the periodontal tissues. The most important cause of gingivitis was found to be Porphyromonas gingivalis bacterial isolation and the age group from 31-70 or more were the most affected by gingivitis and periodontitis. According to the molecular analysis, it was also discovered that the genes of Fimbriae are among the most significant factors that promote the disease of gingivitis and periodontitis.

 The present study investigates the probiotic, antibacterial, technological, and safety properties of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from traditional yogurt in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Iran.

 After serial dilution, culture was carried out in MRS culture media with 19 distinct rods bacteria. The gram-positive and catalase-negative LAB isolates were identified using Gram Staining, catalase, H2S, Indole, Motility and Oxidase biochemical assays, carbohydrate fermentation patterns, and 16S rDNA analysis. Then their probiotic potential (resistance to stomach acid and bile salt, hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation and co-aggregation, adherence capacity, and safety analysis) was evaluated.

 It was found that LAB strains belonged to Seven species belonging to five genera, including L. plantarum, L. brevis, L. rhamnosus, L. paracasei, L. casei, L. fermentum, and L. jensenii. After three hours of incubation at pH 2, strains lost 3–6 log units with L. rhamnosus strain IDC-D21 and L. paracasei strain DBR-D20, showing the most resilience to low pH and simulated GIT juices. The L. rhamnosus strain IDC-D21 and L. plantarum strain LRO-7 strains had the highest and lowest hydrophobicity (34.8 and 25.6%), respectively. Besides, the L. rhamnosus strain IDC-D21 had the highest degree of auto-aggregation (17.29%), followed by the L. paracasei strain DBR-D20 (14.28%). Also, the L. rhamnosus strain IDC-D21 showed the highest co-aggregation degree (19.07%).

 According to the research findings, L. rhamnosus strain IDC-D21 is recommended for application as a coculture in the dairy industry. Indeed, it has the best probiotic and technical features.

 Effective dermatophytosis treatment necessitates antibiotics, which can harm the body's health. This systematic review study aims to evaluate the susceptibility profile of dermatophytes to plant extracts, and to address this critical gap in understanding resistance and treatment of dermatophytes.

 Eriobotrya japonica seeds were collected, ground, and extracted, and then GC-MS analysis was performed to detect secondary compounds. Then, treatments of the plant extract (Ethanol) were made at a concentration (300, 150 and 75 mg/mL) with a control treatment (-) and a control treatment (+) containing a medicinal antifungal (Nystatin), treating it against dermatophytes and indicating the rate of inhibition for each isolate of dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentographytes, Microsporum canis, Trichophyton verrucosum, Trichophyton quinckeanum, Epidermophyton, Trichophyton simii, Trichophyton interdigitale, and Fusarium).

 The seed extract significantly inhibited dermatophyte growth at 300 mg/mL concentration, with percentage inhibition growth ranging from 100% to 96.56%, compared to concentrations at 150 and 75 mg/mL, with percentage inhibition growth ranging from 97.27% to 86.66% and from 93.66% to 79.84%, respectively. The results of GC-MS analysis indicated that the ethanol seeds extract of loquat has a lot of active chemical compounds, including twenty-five phytoconstituent compounds that are distinguished in the extract of seeds with E. japonica L. In addition, the high area percentages revealed in each extract were Propylene glycol monooleate 5.03%, D-Mannitol or DL-Glucitol 5.67%, Beta-sitosterol 5.70%, n-hexadecanoic acid 14.53% and 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (Z, Z)- 22.85%.

 Based on our results, the ethanolic extract of the loquat plant was effective in inhibiting the growth of most dermatophytes to a significant extent, but the Fusarium genus was less sensitive. This is useful in choosing plant extracts in treating dermatophytes, which confirms their importance and their containment of beneficial active compounds.

 Hydatid cyst is caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. This zoonotic disease causes fatalities and economic losses worldwide. Surgical and chemical treatments may be harmful or ineffective. This study evaluated ultrasonic waves and albendazole sulfoxide's synergistic effect on hydatid cyst protoscolices.

 Echinococcus protoscolices from the livers of naturally infected sheep were separated into four groups. One group was exposed to 12.5 and 25 µg/mL albendazole sulfoxide for 24 hours. Another group was exposed to ultrasonic waves for 5, 9, 12, and 18 seconds at the intensities of 5, 15, and 25 w/cm2, respectively. Another group was affected by ultrasound after 24 hours of Albendazole sulfoxide exposure. A control group was considered in each case. Mortality was assessed for each group and subgroup by observing protoscolices under a light microscope after adding 0.1% eosin. The data were analyzed in SPSS 23.

 Ultrasound had a greater effect on the protoscolices’ mortality than albendazole sulfoxide and the lethality was associated with intensity (F = 64.467, P=0.001) and exposure duration (F=179.932, P=0.001). Ultrasound and albendazole sulfoxide together were more effective than either alone (P=0.037), resulting in 100% death in all subgroups impacted by the combination.
Ultrasound alone can quickly destroy hydatid cyst protoscolices. Also, the synergistic effects of ultrasonic waves and albendazole sulfoxide make it possible to accomplish total protoscolices death with lower dosages of albendazole sulfoxide and shorter duration and lower intensity of ultrasonic irradiation.