فهرست مطالب

Medical Laboratory - Volume:6 Issue: 4, Nov 2019

International Journal of Medical Laboratory
Volume:6 Issue: 4, Nov 2019

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1398/08/10
  • تعداد عناوین: 8
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  • R Amita*, K Vijayalakshmi Pages 234-240
    Background and Aims

    A subgroup of group O individuals called ‘dangerous universal donors’ have immune (IgG) anti A and anti B antibodies which are active at 37˚C and capable of reacting with the red cells and causing lysis. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of dangerous O group among the voluntary donor population and to assess the relation between the degree of haemolysis and the antibody titre.

    Materials and Methods

    Group O donors excepting those with history of transfusion or pregnancy were included in the study. The serum samples were tested for haemolysins as per standard procedure. The degree of haemolysis was graded and strongly haemolytic samples were further characterised for the type of immunoglobulin class after treatment with dithiothretiol. The results were coded and analysed using SPSS software.

    Results

    The age of the donors in this study ranged from 18 to 56 years. Majority were males. The prevalence of dangerous O group in our study population was found to be 10.75%. Within the dangerous O group samples, the titre of anti B IgG antibody was found to be higher than anti A IgG antibody. Titres for both anti A and anti B IgG antibodies ranged from 1:2 to 1:64.

    Conclusions

     A simple screening for donor haemolysins will help in identification of strongly haemolytic samples, which are likely to have high titres of IgG, particularly anti A antibody. This will prevent transfusion of blood containing high titres of immune anti A and anti B antibodies to non O group recipients.

    Keywords: Dangerous O group_Hemolysin_High titre
  • Dele Ohinoyi Amadu, Charles Nwabuisi, Yahaya Usman, Jelili Mustapha, Idris Nasir Abdullahi*, Ademola Popoola Pages 241-250
    Background and Aims

    Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are considered major reservoir for genes encoding antimicrobial resistance. The mechanism of resistance and persistence of UPEC has been attributed to the production of biofilm and Extended Beta Lactamase (ESBL). This hospital-based prospective study determined how biofilm and ESBL production facilitate antibacterial resistance amongst UPEC isolated from catheter urine of patients attending the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

    Materials and Methods

    Urine samples from 113 catheterized inpatients and outpatients were analysed. Female subjects accounted for 47 (41.6%) of the study population. Standard microbiological methods and Analytical Profile Index (API) 20E were used for the isolation and identification of UPEC. Tissue culture plate technique was used to demonstrate biofilm production potentials and double-disc synergy test was used to determine ESBL production.

    Results

    Catheter associated urinary tract infection in this study was 70.8% of samples analysed. Of this, Escherichia coli, 44 (55.0%) was the most predominant. UPEC, biofilm and ESBL production amounted to 38.9%, 81.8% and 27.2%, respectively. ESBL production was significantly associated with degree of biofilm formation (p<0.005). Both strong and moderate biofilm producers showed the same level of resistance to ceftazidime (31.6%). Moderate biofilm producers were 46.7% resistant to cefriaxone. Resistance to Amoxillin-clauvanate significantly occurred in all grades of biofilm producers (p>0.05). Imipenem, however, was the most sensitive with no resistance by the UPEC.

    Conclusions

    ESBL and biofilm production were associated with antibacterial resistance. The incidence of ESBL production amongst biofilm forming UPEC is of great public health concern.

    Keywords: Beta-lactamases, Biofilm, Drug resistance, Uropathogenic Escherichia coli
  • Maryamsadat Mirfarsi, Sedighe Mehrabian*, Elham Siasi Torbati Pages 251-258
    Background and Aims

    Shigellosis is an acute gastroenteritis and Invasion plasmid antigen C (IpaC) is the first effector protein for Shigella invasion of intestinal cells. Among lactic acid bacteria, Bifidobacterium lactis (B. lactis) has received increasing attention for protection of a potential host against gastrointestinal infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory activity of B. lactis against Shigella dysenteriae (S. dysenteriae) harboring IpaC gene strains from clinical specimens.

    Materials and Methods

    Sixty stool samples of patients with bloody diarrhea were collected from three teaching hospitals in Tehran and subjected to further analysis for the identification of Shigella colonies by biochemical tests. DNA was assessed for IpaC gene by polymeraese chain reaction (PCR). Furthermore, IpaC gene expression analysis by real-time PCR was carried out to investigate whether probiotic B. lactis can inhibit the invasion phenotype of S. dysenteriae induced by IpaC.

    Results

    Analysis of gene expression in S. dysenteriae harboring IpaC gene strains showed the expression of IpaC gene in treated S. dysentery with B. lactis being much lower than that of non-treated group (p<0.000). The results revealed that B. lactis at the concentration of 500 μg/ml bears strong inhibitory activity on the growth of S. dysenteriae by decreasing IpaC expression.

    Conclusions

    Our results revealed the positive role of B. lactis in reducing the expression of the ipaC gene and inhibition of epithelial cell invasion by S. dysenteriae. Therefore, probiotics can be used as a complementary biotherapeutic agent in severe Shigella infection.

    Keywords: Bifidobacterium lactis, Diarrhea, IpaC, Real time PCR, Shigella dysenteriae
  • Tooran Nayeri Chegeni, Fatemeh Ghaffarifar*, Majid Pirestani, Fariba Khoshzaban, Abdolhossein Dalimi Asl, Nahid Maspi Pages 259-265
    Background and Aims

    Amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba are unicellular amphizoic opportunistic pathogens that may cause fatal granulomatous encephalitis, eye keratitis, amebic pneumonitis and skin nodules as well as abscesses in humans and animals. Acanthamoeba keratitis is caused by trauma to the eye, contaminated cleaning solutions and the use of contact lenses. The aim of the present study was to identify the genotypes of Acanthamoeba in all patients with a clinical diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis referring to eye clinic in Tehran using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

    Materials and Methods

    In this study, samples were collected from 35 patients who had referred to the eye clinic and were cultured on 1.5% non-nutrient agar. DNA was extracted, and then PCR amplification was performed using genus specific primers. Sequencing analysis and basic local alignment search tool search were conducted to determine the genotypes. Phylogenetic tree was generated using maximum likely algorithm in phylogenetic program MEGA version 6.

    Results

    Eight cases were positive for Acanthamoeba using genus specific primer pairs. All specimens were reported as genotype T4.

    Conclusions

    Determination of genotypes showed all isolates belonging to genotype T4; this abundance may be due to its higher prevalence in the environment or its greater virulence. However, further analysis of clinical and environmental samples is necessary to clarify this property.

    Keywords: Acanthamoeba, Genotyping, Keratitis, PCR
  • Ameneh Takesh, Mahnaz Fatahinia*, Ali Zarei Mahmoudabadi Pages 266-274
    Background and Aims

    The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of three medicinal plant extracts on fungi with three methods and to compare methods.

    Material and methods

    This study examined the antifungal properties of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and Nafe Venus (Umbilicus intermedius boiss) extracts against fungi including, Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Mucor spp., Stemphylium spp., Drechslera spp., Alternaria spp., Cladosporium spp., and Aureobasidium pullulans. Furthermore, 17 candida isolates including, C. albicans, C. glabrata and C. dubliniensis were tested. In the present study two methods of disc diffusion method, agar wells diffusion method were used for assay. Then, the mixing with culture medium method was used for assessment of the antifungal activity of extracts against Alternaria sp.(as black mold), A. terreus (as hyaline mold) and C. albicans (as yeast) to compare methods as well.

    Results

    No fungi were susceptible to extracts in disc diffusion method and agar wells diffusion method. But, this study showed that in mixing with culture medium method, cumin extract has valuable anti-fungal property and Umbilicus intermedius boiss has the inhibitory properties against the black fungi. Furthermore, it is found that mixing with culture medium method is more efficient than disc and agar well diffusion methods. Alternaria sp. and C. albicans were susceptible and resistant to all extracts.

    Conclusions

    it is found that mixing with culture medium method is more efficient than disc and agar well diffusion methods and inhibitory potency of the extracts varies according to the type of extraction and their concentration.

    Keywords: Antifungal, Cumin, Ginger, Medicinal plants, Umbilicus intermedius boiss
  • Fahimeh Nourbakhsh, Samaneh Borooni, Elaheh Tajbakhsh* Pages 275-287
    Background and Aims

    Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggers production of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokines. Nowadays Silybum marianum has been shown to treat liver and gall bladder disorders, especially to protect the liver against poisoning from various toxins. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the protective effect of silymarin on LPS-induced liver toxicity in male Wistar rat.

    Materials and Methods

    Totally, 40 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n=10 in each): The animals were treated with silymarin for two weeks before the biochemical tests. Apoptosis was assessed by evaluating the amount of proteins in liver tissues by western blotting.

    Results

    LPS induced hepatotoxicity as evidenced by histopathological damages and biochemical abnormalities. Data showed that malondialdehyde level significantly increases in the liver of LPS-treated rats. Destructive effects of LPS on histopathological and biochemical parameters were improved. LPS also increased expression of Bax/Bcl2 ratio and activation of caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9. Western blot analysis showed silymarin treatment inhibiting apoptosis stimulated by LPS in the liver (p<0.001).

    Conclusions

    The results of this research demonstrated that silymarin can exert protective effects against toxic effects of LPS in rat liver. Anti-inflammatory drug can play a protective role in attenuating the liver inflammation induced by LPS injection.

    Keywords: Apoptosis, Liver inflammation, LPS, Oxidative stress, Silymarin
  • Somayeh Saadi*, Seyed Mahdi Tabatabaei, Zahra Hooshmandi, Somayeh Salehizadeh Pages 288-295
    Background and Aims

    This study aimed to investigate the amount of Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in patients' urine with Gram-positive cocci infections

    Materials and Methods

    The microbial culture was prepared from 100 urine samples and the results were recorded. The genus and bacterial were species identified and an antibiogram test was conducted to investigate their resistance. Human Lipocalin /NGAL enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test was used. To analyze the data, Tukey and One Way ANOVA tests were used.

    Results

    The highest mean of NGAL in the patient group was related to the men's category with 8.77, and the gender had a significant impact on the mean of NGAL. White blood cells has a significant impact on the mean of NGAL (p<0.05). The negative significance of the mean value also indicates the amount of NGAL being higher in the patient group.

    Conclusions

    These data suggest a relationship between the amount of NGAL with white blood cells value in patients who present urinary infection of Gram-positive cocci. NGAL value plays an important role as an adjuvant and surrogate marker in early diagnosis of urinary tract infections and acute renal damage in line with microbiological investigations.

    Keywords: Antibiogram, Gram-positive cocci, NGAL, Urinary tract infection
  • Hussein Khani, Mahdi Ghorbani*, Farshad Nojoomi, Alireza Mohebbi Pages 296-301
    Background and Aims

    Currently, many efforts are directed toward functional Hepatitis B virus (HBV) treatment. This is achievable by suppression of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) secretion. In this regard, use of natural products has been the areas of interest by scientific communities.

    Materials and Methods

    Dried Honey Bee venom was extracted for assessing its anti-HBsAg secretion potential. Hepatoma cell-derived PLC/PRF/5 was propagated in complete medium. The cell line was treated by a serial dilution of Bee venom. Cell cytotoxicity (IC50) was measured by MTT colorimetric assay at three post-treatment times. HBsAg secretion was evaluated from PLC/PRF/5 supernatant treated by under-cytotoxic concentrations of Bee venom by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

    Results

    The results indicated that dried Bee venom extract is able to reduce secretion of HBsAg from the cell line with Selectivity Index (SI) of eight. Reduced levels of HBsAg were in dose-dependent manner and it was in its lower concentrations at 8 ppm after 12 hr post treatment. The IC50 was observed to be 63.78 ppm.

    Conclusions

    The Bee venom has anti-HBV activity. The way we used under-cytotoxic concentration of Bee venom, the HBsAg secretion was restored after 24 hr post treatment. Furthermore, mechanism of action of Bee venom in reducing HBsAg level needs to be further investigated.

    Keywords: Anti-HBsAg, Bee venom, Chronic HBV infection, Natural product