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Background: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the most significant human pathogens that causes various sorts of diseases and invasive infections. Recently, due to the resistance of this bacterium to several medications, it has become difficult to treat infections caused by it. The use of biological compounds to control infections might be a solution to this challenge. This study aimed to investigate the influence of kojic acid (KA) on the expression of some virulence factors of S. aureus. Methods: Clinical samples were collected from hospital sources. The standard diagnostic test and molecular techniques were used to identify S. aureus strains. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of KA were determined according to guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The expression levels of α-hemolysin (hla) and enterotoxin A (sea) genes were measured in the presence and absence of KA using a real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. The obtained data were analyzed using standard statistical methods in SPSS software (version 16) and Prism GraphPad software. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant in the comparative data. Results: The results indicated that the values of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of S. aureus after KA treatment were 512 μg/mL. As a result, the expression of the hla gene was decreased 9 fold and the expression levels of the sea gene were decreased 2.7 fold. Conclusions: In this study, the desirable effects of KA on S. aureus strains were observed. In conclusion, the application of KA potentially reduces the virulence factors of S. aureus. These promising results can breathe hope in the fight against pathogenic S. aureus strains by repressing their virulence factors.

Abstract Streptococcus agalactiae has different virulence factors, from which the capsule has the most significant role in the pathogenesis of this organism. We aimed to investigate the distribution of more prevalent capsular genes among different Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) types of S. agalactiae isolated from pregnant women. A total of 106 isolates were collected from 420 vaginal and rectal swabs obtained from pregnant women. The specimens were transferred using Todd Hewitt Broth and were cultured on a blood agar containing antibiotics. The S. agalactiae isolates were identified by the standard microbiological and biochemical tests. The genomic DNAs of S. agalactiae isolates were extracted using an extraction kit. Then, the PCR method was used to detection of the capsular genes. Moreover, The RAPD PCR was used to genotyping of the isolates. The colonization rate of the pregnant women was 25.23%, and there was a statistically significant correlation between the weeks of gestation and the probability of colonization (p-value

Background and purpose: Emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) among Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from pregnant women and the presence of polysaccharide capsules in these strains play a significant role in pathogenicity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of antibiotic resistance, multidrug resistance, and Ia and Ib capsular types in these strains. Materials and methods: Vaginal samples were transferred to Todd-Hewitt Broth medium. After 24 hours, they were inoculated on the blood agar medium, and then the bacteria were identified using standard methods. The antibiotic resistance pattern of the isolates was determined by the disk agar diffusion method. Then, the bacterial DNA was extracted and the capsular genes were identified using PCR method. Results: The prevalence of colonization in pregnant women was 23.25%. Tetracycline with 94.33% resistance rate was the least effective drug, while 78.3%, 81.13% and 83.01% of the isolates were non-susceptible to ofloxacin, erythromycin and quinupristin-dalfopristin, respectively. Also, 78.3% of the isolates were sensitive to penicillin. Meanwhile, 94 (88.7%) isolates were MDR, while 20 (18.86%) isolates and 32 (30.18%) isolates had the Ia and Ib capsular types, respectively. Conclusion: Penicillin is a suitable drug for prophylaxis in high-risk pregnant women in this region. The high prevalence of MDR strains indicates the lack of proper management of antibiotics. In addition, the high prevalence of capsular types Ib and Ia, especially in MDR strains, shows the importance of these serotypes for designing capsular vaccines.

Abstract Background The antibiotic resistance of genital tract colonizing Streptococcus agalactiae in pregnant women is increasing. We aimed to determine the antibiotic resistance genes of different clonal types of this bacterium in pregnant women. Methods Four hundred twenty non-repeated vaginal and rectal specimens were collected from pregnant women and were transferred to the laboratory using Todd Hewitt Broth. The samples were cultured on a selective medium, and the grown bacteria were identified by standard microbiological and biochemical tests. Antimicrobial resistance pattern and inducible clindamycin resistance of the isolates were determined using the disk agar diffusion method. The genomic DNAs of S. agalactiae strains were extracted using an extraction kit, and the antibiotic resistance genes and RAPD types were detected using the PCR method. Results The average age of the participants was 30.74 ± 5.25 years. There was a significant relationship between the weeks of pregnancy and the number of positive bacterial cultures (P-value

Background and purpose: About 50% of infertility in couples is related to male factors and oxidative stress is one of the main causes of infertility in men. Hydrogen peroxide has an adverse effect on male reproductive system due to its free radicals. Spirulina and phycocyanin are known to have antioxidant properties and can modify stressors. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 36 adult male rats were randomly divided into six groups to receive the following: water and normal food, phycocyanin solution (300 mg/kg), spirulina (500 mg/kg), hydrogen peroxide solution (0.5%), hydrogen peroxide in drinking water (0.5%) + phycocyanin (300 mg/kg), and hydrogen peroxide in drinking water (0.5%) + spirulina (500 mg/kg). Weighing and dissection of testicles were performed for histological study and sperm evaluation. Results: Hydrogen peroxide had negative effects on testicular tissue, leading to significant decrease in sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology compared with the control group (P

Abstract Background Non Helicobacter pylori gastric Helicobacters (NHPGHs) are associated with a range of upper gastrointestinal symptoms, histologic and endoscopic findings. For the first time in Iran, we performed a cross-sectional study in order to determine the prevalence of five species of NHPGHs in patients presenting with dyspepsia. Methods The participants were divided into H. pylori-infected and NHPGH-infected groups, based on the rapid urease test, histological analysis of biopsies, and PCR assay of ureA, ureB, and ureAB genes. The study included 428 gastric biopsies form dyspeptic patients, who did not receive any treatment for H. pylori. The samples were collected and sent to the laboratory within two years. H. pylori was identified in 368 samples, which were excluded from the study. Finally, a total of 60 non-H. pylori samples were studied for NHPGH species. Results The overall frequency of NHPGH species was 10 for H. suis (three duodenal ulcer, three gastritis, and four gastric ulcer samples), 10 for H. felis (one gastritis, three duodenal ulcer, and six gastric ulcer samples), 20 for H. salomonis (four duodenal ulcer, five gastritis, and 11 gastric ulcer samples), 13 for H. heilmannii (three gastritis, five duodenal ulcer, and five gastric ulcer samples), and 7 for H. bizzozeronii (zero gastric ulcer, two duodenal ulcer, and five gastritis samples). Conclusions Given our evidence about the possibility of involvement of NHPGHs in patients suffering from gastritis and nonexistence of mixed H. pylori infection, bacteriological testing of subjects negative for H. pylori becomes clinically relevant and important. Our findings suggest H. salomonis has the highest rate among the NHPGH species in Iranian dyspeptic patients.

Background and Aims: Helicobacter pylori is the main cause of various gastroduodenal diseases. It is estimated that app roximately, more than half of the adult population in developed countries and 90% of people in developing countries infected with H. pylori. H. pylori infection may be related to Genetic of virulence factors and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to assess of frequency cagA and vacA genes of H. pylori isolated from patients with Gastrointestinal Disorders. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study carried out on 120 patients with gastrointestinal diseases in Gorgan city in 2017. (40 patients of gastric cancer, 40 patients of peptic ulcer, 40 patients of without cancer and ulcer). After genomic DNA extraction PCR was carried out using specific H.pylori primers. Results: Overall, 120 H.pylori strains were isolated. The frequency of cagA was %67.5 in gastric cancer, %60 in peptic ulcer and %45 in patiens without ulcer and gastric cancer. Also frequency of vacA gene was detected %55 in gastric cancer, %40 in peptic ulcer and %27.5 in patiens without ulcer and gastric cancer. Conclusion: Based on our findings it seems that the cag A and vac A genes were virulence among H. pylori isolated from studied patients. The frequency of cagA and vacA genes H. pylori were than in gastric cancer and peptic ulcer patients.

Background and Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of nosocomial infections. The ability of S. aureus to form biofilm and acquire antimicrobial resistance has made this organism a major health problem. In this study, we investigate the biofilm-forming ability of S. aureus isolates from clinical samples. Methods: Sixty S. aureus isolates from clinical specimens were collected from the 5th Azar Hospital of Gorgan (Iran) in 2018. The isolates were identified using conventional methods including Gram staining and biochemical tests (catalase and coagulase). Biofilm formation by S. aureus isolates was evaluated using a microplate-based method. Results: Of 60 S. aureus isolates, 47 (78.3%) strains were identified as biofilm-forming and 13 (21.7%) strains were non-biofilm-forming. Conclusion: The high prevalence of biofilm-producing S. aureus isolates in the 5th Azar hospital of Gorgan could pose a major health challenge with serious consequences for hospitalized patients. Therefore, it is crucial to disinfect and sterilize hospital surfaces and equipment effectively to minimize the risk of contamination and spread of bacteria in the hospital settings. Keywords: Biofilms, Staphylococcus aureus, sample.