Medical Laboratory Journal
Volume:9 Issue: 2, 2015

Hepatitis delta virus is an imperfect virus with RNA and its activity depends on the presence of hepatitis B virus. This virus can lead to acute and chronic diseases in the liver. This study aimed to detect the hepatitis delta virus in blood donors with positive Hepatitis B Surface Antigens (HBsAg). In this Study، 350 serum samples were obtained from the people infected with hepatitis B blood in Transfusion organization of Shahrekord city، Iran. After extracting RNA by RNA Plus kit and making cDNA، the samples were evaluated by using RT PCR. Of 350، two samples (0. 57%) were infected by HDV. Low prevalence of HDV infection shows that Hepatitis B is being controlled in Shahrekord.

Prevention of medical laboratory errors is a major goal of quality control programs. Hemolyzed specimen is one of the common issues causing medical laboratory errors. Apart from the visual assessment, the measurement of serum hemoglobin concentration can be another method to evaluate the intensity of hemolysis. We aimed to assess hemolyzed serum specimens using two quantitative and qualitative methods. the serum samples (n=890) were evaluated for the presence and degree of hemolysis, using quantitative and qualitative methods. In qualitative method, the samples were investigated visually and in quantitative with the measurement of serum free hemoglobin concentration. Furthermore, the relative frequency of hemolyzed specimens was calculated. the hemolyzed samples were 23.4 % in qualitative and 65.8% in quantitative method. In quantitative, 71.2% of the specimens had mild hemolysis (sfHB<50 mg/dL), 26.8% intermediate (50mg/dL< sfHB <250mg/dL), and 2% high (sfHB >250 mg/dL). The percentage of hemolyzed specimens was higher in intensive care unit than those of other departments (P < 0.05). given that hemolysis in small amount is not detectable visually, we recommend using quantitative method for evaluating hemolyzed specimens.

According to recent changes in diagnostic criteria for diabetes, the harmonization of results obtained from various methods and systems by considering their accuracy and precision is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy, precision and consensus of some routine laboratory glucose kits in comparison with Hexokinase reference method. The participants were 38 diabetic patients with fasting blood sugar (FBS) ≥126 mg/dl, nine prediabetic patients with FBS of 100-125 mg/dl, 15 non-diabetic people with FBS of 60-100 mg/dl and 9 hypoglycemic patients with FBS of ≤60 mg/dl. Their FBS were measured by four routine laboratory glucose kits: Glucose oxidase on BT3000 analyzer with an open system and Hexokinase reference method on a close system (COBAS INTEGRA®400plus analyzer, Roche kit). Accuracy and precision were determined and compared with reference method. Glucose oxidase methods showed a good agreement with the reference method, in Correlation Coefficient>0.99. based on regression analysis, the slope of 1.114 for Pars Azmoon, 1.105 for Bionik, 1.121 for Elitech and 1.087 for Human were reported (P<0.05). Error of the mean for ParsAzmoon was 12.79, for Bionik 10.86, for Elitech 12.58 and for Human were 8.46. Coefficient of Variation showed more imprecision for Bionik and Human kits. given the same almost standard errors, standard devisions and regression analysis, the precision in four methods is the same but in comparison with Hexokinase, reference method has not the accuracy.

It has been proved that plant essential oils have antimicrobial effects. Stachys Lavandulifolia Vachl is a medicinal plant growing wild in many parts of Iran, and is used as a brewed drink to treat some diseases.

Aerial parts of Stachys lavandulifolia Vachl at flowering were collected from the Sabalan mountainous area of Ardabil and its essential oil was extracted using a Clevenger-type apparatus. A GC/MS machine was used to identify the chemical constituents of this Essential oil. We used microdilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Essential oil against Listeria Monocytogenes ATCC19118 bacteria.

Sixteen chemical compounds were identified in this essential oil. Of these, γ-terpinene (28%), Phenol (18.16%), Myrcene (17.87%), and α-Pinen (12.7%) were the major ones. The MIC and MBC of the essential oil for Listeria Monocytogenes bacteria were 600 and 2400 ppm, respectively.

Results showed that the Monoterpene and Sesquiterpene groups are the main constituents of this essential oil having bactericidal effects against Listeria Monocytogenes bacteria.

Antibiotics are the chemical compounds, which are produced by microorganisms, belong to a larger group of antimicrobial compounds that are used for treatment of infections caused by microorganisms. the isolates of four plant species, Astragalus obtusifolius, Prosopis juliflora, Xanthium strumarium and Hippocrepis unisiliqousa were obtained using Trypticase Soy Agar. First, the purified isolates were screened from the viewpoint of their ability in producing antimicrobial metabolites against three typical microorganisms Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Then, the microbial products were extracted using organic solvent ethyl acetate and their minimum suppression concentration was determined against three strains Candida albicans ATCC 10231، Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 و Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. After 4-7 days of incubation, 104 bacterial samples were isolated from isolates four plants. Out of this number, 26 isolates were antimicrobial producing metabolites by making inhibition zones against three typical microorganisms, after initial screening for production of antimicrobial compounds using agar diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration of ethyl acetate extracts from target microbes were between 125-1000 µg/ml. The results showed that the bacterial extracts of phylosphere produce some compounds with antimicrobial properties.

Neonatal sepsis is a remarkable factor in mortality, morbidity, neonatal and perinatal complications. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the primary cause of invasive disease in infants and pregnant women. This study aimed to determine the relationship between antimicrobial resistance of the bacteria colonized in the vagina and rectum of pregnant women and early neonatal infection. In this prospective study conducted on 282 pregnant women, bacterial sensitivity to ampicillin, cefazolin, erythromycin, vancomycin, gentamicin, amikacin was measured. Furthermore, the relationship between rectal and vaginal colonization of mothers and early neonatal sepsis was evaluated. Of 98 positive rectal cultures, 49 (50%) were Gram-positive cocci and 49 (50%) E.coli. of 143 positive vaginal cultures, 136 (95.1%) were Gram-positive cocci, 7 (4.9%) were E.coli and two were positive GBS. We could find definitive neonatal sepsis. Significant correlation was found between a history of urinary tract infection and the mother's positive rectal culture (P =0. 03). Clinical sepsis in neonates is correlated with positive rectal culture (P =0. 001) and the positive E.coli vaginal cultures is associated with suspected neonatal sepsis (P =0.007). Gram-positive cocci were resistance to ampicillin and gentamicin, and E.coli was resistant to ampicillin, erythromycin and vancomycin. Because of resistance to ampicillin, we recommend cefazolin due to its sensitivity to organisms and safety in pregnancy.

Nosocomial infection is one of the main factors of mortality in hospitals. One of the most important measures to control infection in hospitals is sampling of equipment and culturing the samples. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of gram-negative bacilli obtained from the equipment of the hospital wards. This Descriptive study was carried out on 488 specimens taken from medical and non-medical devices and equipment of various wards, via census sampling. the samples taken by sterile swabs in Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) were inoculated in blood agar and Eosin-Methylene Blue agar, and by biochemical standard tests the isolated colonies were identified. Of 488 isolates, 157 (32.17%) were positive for the presence of gram-negative bacilli. The highest bacterial contamination was related to Enterobacter (37.58%). Of hospital wards, the highest infection related to the surgical wards (19.75%), and the highest contamination is related to laryngoscope blades (12.74%) and ECG sensor device and the monitoring interface (7%). Microbial infection with gram-negative bacilli is an overwhelming condition in hospital equipment.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are the leading nosocomial pathogens in Iran. We aimed at evaluating the resistance patterns of Staphylococcus aureus and enterococci to the antibiotics recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).

Two-hundred forty Staphylococcus aureus and 203 Enterococcus isolated from urine, wound, blood, trachea, stool and other clinical specimens of inpatients and outpatients were obtain from some hospitals in Tehran. Sensitivity of S. aureus to oxacillin, vancomycin, chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin, erythromycin, clindamycin and linezolid were determined by disk diffusion according to CLSI (M100-S22) guidelines. Likewise, sensitivity of enterococci to ampicillin, vancomycin, teicoplanin, tigecycline, linezolid, tetracycline, chloramphenicol and nitrofurantoin was invesditated by the same method.

Of 240 S. aureus isolates, 56%, 46.6% and 40.4%were resistant to oxacillin, erythromycin and clindamycin, respectively. We found one S. aureus isolate with low susceptibility to vancomycin (VISA; 0.5%). All S. aureus isolates were sensitive to chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin and linezolid. Of 203 Enterococcus spp., 47.3%, 24.6%, 9.4%, 85.2%, 11.3% and 4.4% were resistant to ampicillin, vancomycin, teicoplanin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol and nitrofurantoin, respectively. All these isolates were sensitivity to tigecycline and linezolid.

Resistance of S. aureus isolates to oxacillin, erythromycin and clindamycin was significant. Enterococci isolates were remarkably resistant to ampicillin, vancomycin, teicoplanin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol and nitrofurantoin. Given our results, we suggest vancomycin, chloramphenicol, linezolid and nitrofurantoin for S. aureus infections and tigecycline and linezolid as drugs of choice for enterocoocal infections treatment.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major pathogen involved in nosocomial infections. Because of increasing antibiotic resistance of these strains, treatment of these infections has become very difficult. This study aimed to determine the frequency and drug resistance pattern of MRSA isolates from nosocomial infections in hospitals.

the isolates of S.aureus (n= 100) isolated from clinical samples such as: urine, blood, wound, throat, sputum, cerebrospinal fluid, catheter and other purulent discharge from in patients were identified using biochemical tests. MRSA strains were isolated by using agar screening method and then drug resistance pattern of them was determined by disk diffusion method.

Out of 100 S.aureus strains, 65 (65%) were MRSA. Drug resistance of MRSA isolates to most antibiotics were high: penicillin100%, oxacillin 100%, nitrofurantoin 80%, tetracycline 63%, erythromycin 58.4%, gentamicin 46.1%, clindamycin 33.8%, cotrimoxazole 35.3% and ciprofloxacin 26.1%. Also 35 of MRSA isolates were multiple drug resistance (MDR).

The prevalence of MRSA isolates and also their resistance to other antibiotics were high.

Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of food poisoning. Due to the high consumption of fruit and ice cream in summer, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of S. aureus in traditional ice cream and juice in Gorgan, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 25 places selling traditional ice cream and juice in the summer of 2014 in Gorgan, Iran. Results showed that the microbial contaminants in traditional ice cream and juice centers were 56% and 14.28% of S. aureus, 44% and 33.3% of yeast, 28% and 28.57% of B. cereus, 12% and 4.76% of Listeria, 8% and 14.28% of Bacillus subtilis and 4% and 4.76% of Bacillus licheniformis, respectively. The findings of this study indicated a high contamination of traditional ice cream and juice with Staphylococcus aureus and various microorganisms.

Dogs have been introduced as a major reservoir of Leishmania infantum. Concerning the increased sporadic reports of humeral visceral leishmaniasis in Golestan province, we aimed to study seroepidemiology of leishmania infantum in Rural Dogs. this study was conducted in 2012 - 2014 on 150 Serum samples of rural dogs, from 10 districts of Golestan province. The samples were analyzed by ELIZA kit. the frequency of leishmania infantum was 15.3% and it was higher in the dogs aged more than four. There were no differences in Leishmania infantum infection between sexes and seasons. our findings indicate the presence of Leishmania infantum in Golestan Province. Given the presence of positive titer of Leishmania infantum in dogs without clinical signs, we emphasize the main role of rural dogs in transmitting Leishmania infuntum to villagers in the studied area.

Assessment of alimentary tract helminthes of rodents has a great zoonotic importance. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of helminth infections in rodents in Hamadan. a total of 100 rodents trapped from different parts of city were transported to laboratory. After anesthetizing by chloroform, the animals were undergone an operation to isolates the helminthes. The isolates were stained by Carmine and identified at the genus and species levels. Furthermore, age, sex, weight of rodent and size of various organs of body were determined. Totally, 62% of the rodents were infected to intestinal helminthes. All trapped rodents were Rattus norvegicus. Six species of helminthes, including three Nematode (45%), 3 Cestode (51%) and no Trematode were isolated from rodents. The infection rate for different helminthes was as follow: Hymenolepis nana 21%, H. diminuta 29%, Heterakis spomosa 43%, Strongyloides sp. 1% Trichuris muris 1% and Cysticercus fasciolaris 1%. in this area, infection rate of alimentary tract helminthes in the Rattus norvegicus, especially zoonotic helminthes, is relatively high, and the rate of Cestodes is higher than those of Nematodes and Trematodes.

Bioindicators of drinking water are always influenced by physical and chemical factors such as turbidity and chlorine. Considering the assessment of drinking water quality is based on residual chlorine, E.coli, heterotrophic bacteria and turbidity. We aimed to evaluate the effect of pH, chlorine residual and turbidity on the microbial bioindicators. In this descriptive-analytic study, 324 and 32 water samples were collected from rural and urban water distribution network of Aq Qala city in 2013, respectively. All steps were performed according to standard methods. In rural water supply, 5%, 9% and 33% of the samples were contaminated with fecal coliform, fecal streptococcus and the heterotrophic more than 500CFU / ml. In urban network, coliform contamination was not seen and other bioindicators were less than those of rural networks were. Turbidity of above 5 NTU in urban and rural samples was 3 and 9 percent, respectively. Bioindicators had significant relationship with residual chlorine, fecal coliform bacteria with pH and turbidity with heterotrophic bacteria (P ≤0.05). The presence of fecal streptococcus bacteria in some samples without fecal coliform cannot confirm the safety of drinking water. Microbial contamination in the presence of residual chlorine implies that just chlorination is not enough for having healthy water.

Bioindicators of drinking water are always influenced by physical and chemical factors such as turbidity and chlorine. Considering the assessment of drinking water quality is based on residual chlorine, E.coli, heterotrophic bacteria and turbidity. We aimed to evaluate the effect of pH, chlorine residual and turbidity on the microbial bioindicators. In this descriptive-analytic study, 324 and 32 water samples were collected from rural and urban water distribution network of Aq Qala city in 2013, respectively. All steps were performed according to standard methods. In rural water supply, 5%, 9% and 33% of the samples were contaminated with fecal coliform, fecal streptococcus and the heterotrophic more than 500CFU / ml. In urban network, coliform contamination was not seen and other bioindicators were less than those of rural networks were. Turbidity of above 5 NTU in urban and rural samples was 3 and 9 percent, respectively. Bioindicators had significant relationship with residual chlorine, fecal coliform bacteria with pH and turbidity with heterotrophic bacteria (P ≤0.05). The presence of fecal streptococcus bacteria in some samples without fecal coliform cannot confirm the safety of drinking water. Microbial contamination in the presence of residual chlorine implies that just chlorination is not enough for having healthy water.

Bioindicators of drinking water are always influenced by physical and chemical factors such as turbidity and chlorine. Considering the assessment of drinking water quality is based on residual chlorine, E.coli, heterotrophic bacteria and turbidity. We aimed to evaluate the effect of pH, chlorine residual and turbidity on the microbial bioindicators. In this descriptive-analytic study, 324 and 32 water samples were collected from rural and urban water distribution network of Aq Qala city in 2013, respectively. All steps were performed according to standard methods. In rural water supply, 5%, 9% and 33% of the samples were contaminated with fecal coliform, fecal streptococcus and the heterotrophic more than 500CFU / ml. In urban network, coliform contamination was not seen and other bioindicators were less than those of rural networks were. Turbidity of above 5 NTU in urban and rural samples was 3 and 9 percent, respectively. Bioindicators had significant relationship with residual chlorine, fecal coliform bacteria with pH and turbidity with heterotrophic bacteria (P ≤0.05). The presence of fecal streptococcus bacteria in some samples without fecal coliform cannot confirm the safety of drinking water. Microbial contamination in the presence of residual chlorine implies that just chlorination is not enough for having healthy water.

Due to the unique absorption and antibacterial properties of nanoparticles, their use in water and wastewater treatment to remove bacteria is spreading. This research aimed to study the effect of silver nanoparticles in the removal of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from industrial sewage. after preliminary studies, field studies including sampling of industrial wastewater was conducted. First, Fecal Coliform, total coliform and Enterococcus faecalis of industrial Sewage were measured by standard methods of microbiology, then the effect of concentrations of 500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.25, 15.62, 7.81, and 3. 9 PPM of isolated nanoparticles serial dilution method on Enterococcus faecalis and standard (PTCC 1339) was determined. Next, and the turbidity of tube (OD), which represents growth of bacteria, was read at 600 nm with a spectrophotometer. After that, all tubes were cultured on solid medium and the results were analyzed using SPSS 22. fecal and total coliform contamination of industrial Sewage from slaughter and textile plant were approved and Enterococcus faecalis was isolated. The growth of isolates and standard bacteria was not controlled by any of these concentrations. None of the concentrations was able to remove the bacteria but the increase of concentration led to higher effect of nanoparticles, and in accordance with the type of bacteria, it was different, but the difference was not statistically significant. Although silver nanoparticles, according to the concentration, affect the Streptococcus faecalis, they cannot completely remove bacteria. Therefore, the economic factors and other involved factors need to be considered in the application of nanoparticles.

Oral candidiasis is a common opportunistic infection in diabetic patients. Candida albicans is colonized on different oral surfaces such as tongue, palate, dental caries and plaques. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Candida albicans in the mouth of diabetic patient. This cross - sectional study was conducted on 120 diabetic patients. After completing the questionnaire, the saliva samples were obtained and cultured on sabouraud agar medium containing 0.005% chloramphenicol. For final diagnosis, Germ tube test and Sugar absorption test (with API 120 kit) were used. Of 120 patients, 61 (50.8%) were positive for Candida. Candida infection rate was relatively higher in older patients and in women. The rate was significant in the patients using dentures (P< 0.001) and the ones keeping on smoking (P <0.038). The infection in the patients with type II diabetes was higher than the cases with Type I. Given the high prevalence of Candidiasis and Candida colonization in the mouth of diabetic patients, it is a necessity to identify and treat these infections in order to prevent further complications.