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Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogen, has emerged globally with high morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised individuals and COVID19 hospitalized patients. Five major clades of C. auris have been previously described. The fifth clade is exclusively found in Iran where C. auris isolates are genetically distinct from other clades by > 200,000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms. The origin of C. auris remains unclear, and limited clinical data are available at present regarding clade V infection or colonization. Herein, another case of otomycosis in Iran caused by an isolate of C. auris belonging to the fifth clade is reported. Genotyping revealed that the obtained C. auris isolate from Isfahan clustered with earlier clade V isolates from Babol, cities around 600 km separated, which indicates that C. auris clade V is established in Iran. C. auris is thought to exist more commonly in Iran, given that limited diagnostic capacity in the country has probably curbed the identification of more C. auris cases. Therefore, surveillance of the environment, patients and healthcare facilities in different geographical regions in Iran is urgently required.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a number of biological agents such as extracts from various parts of the plants have garnered remarkable attention recently. The aim of the study was a green synthesis of AgNPs using stems and flowers of Felty germander (Teucrium polium L.). After collection and preparation of the aqueous extract, production of AgNPs was performed. In the study, effect of parameters including AgNO3 concentration (1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 50 mM), aqueous extract (100 µl, 150 µl, 300 µl, 600 µl and 900 µl), pH value (between 0 and 14), incubation time (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min), and temperature (30 °C, 60 °C, and 90 °C) were investigated in the synthesis of AgNPs. The sufficient production was achieved at the room temperature (30 °C), duration of 15 min, pH of 6 and concentration of 7.5 mM of AgNO3. Finally, the antifungal activity of these nanoparticles was also studied on Fusarium oxysporum by colony formation assay. The production of AgNPs was identified by an absorption peak at approximately 450 nm using UV–Visible spectroscopy. According to XRD, DSL, FESEM, and PSA results and analysis of SEM, nanoparticles have almost spherical shape and size of 10 to 100 nm. The SEM images also revealed that the prepared AgNPs are particles with no agglomeration. Furthermore, the TEM images exhibited that the AgNPs were well dispersed and there was no evident aggregation. Absorption peaks at 3391.55, 2917.00, 2848.83, 1640.15, 1384.65, 1243.37, 1069.07 and 614.54 cm−1 were observed for the AgNPs using FTIR analysis. On the other hand, the antifungal analysis revealed that these AgNPs have antifungal activity. For the first time, the biosynthesis of AgNPs was successfully performed using the aqueous extract of Felty germander which is a rapid, inexpensive and safe approach. Furthermore, the resulting AgNPs has antifungal activity.

Background: Drug resistance is a major concern in the treatment of burn wounds. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of silver crystalline nanofibers on the bacteria isolated from burn wounds at Imam Musa Kazim Hospital in Isfahan, Iran and compare the findings with the samples collected from the skin of healthy adults with standard collection bacteria. Methods: Agicoat nanosilver dressing was used as the antibacterial agent. The antibacterial effects of the silver nanoparticle solution and silver crystalline nanofibers were assessed using the well diffusion method. In addition, the macrodilution method was applied to determine the MIC and MBC of the silver crystalline nanofibers. Results: No significant difference was observed in the growth inhibition zone of the silver nanoparticle solution and crystalline nanofibers. Comparison of the effects of silver crystalline nanofibers on wound infection bacteria and healthy skin bacteria (MBC=0.128 mg/ml) were similar although the effects were more significant than the effects of tetracycline. Moreover, the standard bacterial strains were more sensitive to the nanofibers (MBC= 0.032). The antibacterial properties of the silver crystalline nanofibers reduced after the washing process (10 times; P < 0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, the silver crystalline nanofibers had significant antibacterial properties on burn wound infection bacteria.

The present study aimed to remove tetracycline (TET) antibiotic molecule from an aqueous medium using adsorbents prepared from Rhizopus oryzae biomass. The TET adsorption process was discontinuous and the adsorbent biomass was crude and NaOH-sonication–modified Rhizopus oryzae fungi. Specific active surface area for crude and modified Rhizopus oryzae was 10.38 m2/g and 20.32 m2/g, respectively. The results showed that the maximum TET adsorption efficiency was determined at pH 4, temperature 25 °C, initial TET concentration 10 mg/L, contact time 80 min, and biomass quantity 2 g/L. The equilibrium behavior showed that the Langmuir model suitably described the process. The maximum TET adsorption capacity was determined to be 38.02 mg/g and 67.93 mg/g, respectively, indicating that the method of biomass modification promoted the bio-adsorption capacity. A higher correlation coefficient (R2) and lower RMSE for the pseudo-first-order kinetic than other models showed its ability to describe the behavior of TET bio-adsorption. The enthalpy thermodynamic parameter (ΔH°) for the TET adsorption process was determined − 63.847 kJ/mol and − 85.226 kJ/mol for the raw and modified Rhizopus oryzae, respectively. Therefore, it can be suggested that the biomass of Rhizopus oryzae especially the modified version can be effectively used for the TET removal from aqueous environments.

Background and Objectives: In humans, during the recent years, several factors have increased the risk of fungal infections, like broad spectrum antibiotics, immune compromised patients, cytotoxic chemotherapy and transplantations. Among all fungal pathogens Candida species remain the most common cause of invasive fungal infections. The aim of the current study is extraction of lipopeptides from Bacillus atrophaeus HNSQJYH170 isolated from Isfahan, and the study of its antifungal effects against Candida species. Methods: After 72 h of incubation, a cell-free supernatant of Bacillus atrophaeus was collected by centrifugation and acidified by adding HCl. The precipitate obtained was collected by centrifugation and dissolved in the methanol solution (50 ). Then antifungal activity of lipopeptides was evaluated by well diffusion method against Candida species. Also inhibition effect of lipopeptide on germ tube production for Candida albicans was studied. Results: There was no Inhibition zone for Candida species by cyclic lipopeptides. Inhibition of germtube production in %95 of C.albicans cells was showed by Bacillus atrophaeus lipopeptides. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that, although lipopeptides extracted from Bacillus atrophaeus were not able to inhibit Candida spp but inhibition of germtube production in %95 of C.albicans cells was showed. The ability of lipopeptides in inhibition of germtube production in C.albicans was showed, that these compounds can prevent biofilm formation on catheters and other substrate. Therefore, these compounds are important in preventing the invasion C.albicans of mucosal. Keywords: Bacillus atrophaeus, cyclic lipopeptides, Candida

Whereas hospitals have been assumed as the sites for spreading infection at level of world health, therefore, the current descriptive study has been conducted on 248 inpatients and outpatients who were suspected to fungal infection or disease. Samples were collected from several wards along with radiographic and endoscopic analyses in three hospitals, including urine, blood, skin, nail, wound (burning, surgery, eye and injury), lung, phlegm, ascites, bronchoaveolar lavage, (cerebrospinal, abdominal, and knee) fluids, peritoneum, fistula, ear tests and biopsy and sent to reference mycological center. The fungal species were identified by studying their macroscopic and microscopic and using PCR-RFLP technique. Among total studied patients, 180 cases had fungal elements; among which, there were 53 (29%) nosocomial infection and 127 (71%) community-acquired infection cases out of which inpatients and outpatients suffered from fungal diseases. The highest incidence of nosocomial infection belongs to intensive care units (ICU) ward in 16% of patients. The most common isolated fungi were Candida spp. The statistical results of this study suggest nosocomial fungal infections as the most important problems in the course of treatment among hospitalized patients who are more likely to be infected.

Introduction: Artemisia dracunculus L. (Tarragon) is one of the plants that uses as meal and remedy for a long time, and possesses many medicinal properties. In traditional medicine also has mentioned to its beneficial properties. A number of researches through in vitro and in vivo studies showed the pharmacological properties of this plant. This study was done for determining the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of A. Dracunculus L. on some hematological parameters among mice. Materials and methods: In this study, 40 male mice were divided into five groups: a control, a placebo, and three treatment groups that were injected with 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg doses of hydro-alcoholic extract of tarragon every other day for 20 days. At the end of injections, the levels of WBC, RBC, lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils were measured. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. Results: The obtained results showed that there was no significant difference in amounts of WBC, RBC, and monocytes in the treatment groups in comparison with the control group. Lymphocytes showed significant decrease in groups of 100 and 200 mg/kg doses than the control group. The level of neutrophils showed significant increase in two treatment groups (100 and 200 mg/kg) than the control group. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the hydro-alcoholic extract of tarragon stimulates the production of neutrophils in this study which can be used as an immunostimulating agent.

The deep bark canker of the walnut is a serious threat to walnut plants that had an increasing verge since recent years. This disease is caused by Brenneria rubrifaciens bacteria. Therefore, this research was carried out with an aim to identify the deep bark canker agent. The suspected samples having symptoms were collected from the bark and branches of walnut trees. After purification, the phenotypic and biochemical specification of separations was assessed. Even the genetic diversity of pathogen population was conducted with BOX-polymerase chains reaction (PCR) technique and BOXAIR primer. Based on the phenotypic and biochemical specifications, 30 isolates were identified as B. rubrifaciens. In PCR reaction, the specific amplicons of size 537 and 671 bp in the case study strains were amplified via specific primer pairs. The present study is a prime report on outbreak of this disease in Iran and bacterial pathogenicity evidence of B. rubrifaciens on fruit in the world.

Purpose MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the progression of breast cancer (BC). miR-9 has been reported to be correlated with either favorable or unfavorable events in BC. This study was aimed to evaluate the expression level of miR-9 in human breast tissues, including benign and malignant tumor samples and also healthy tissue. Materials and methods The expression level of miR-9 was analyzed in 10 normal breast tissues, 30 malignant, and 30 benign breast tumor tissue samples using RT-PCR and qPCR. In addition, bioinformatics assessment upon miR-9 functionality in BC cells was performed. Results and discussion The miR-9 expression level was downregulated in tumor tissues, including benign and malignant compared to the healthy tissue was observed (P value, < 0.0001; fold change, -1.37). In addition, miR-9 expression level was reduced in benign tumors compared with malignant tumors (P value, < 0.0001; fold change, -1.35). Moreover, according to the AUCs (area under curve) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, miR-9 showed significant capability for distinguishing benign from healthy, malignant from healthy, benign from malignant, and tumor from health tissues. Furthermore, pathways in cancer, p53 signaling pathway, and focal adhesion were manifested by computational analysis as miR-9 related signaling pathways which have logical association with experimental observations. Conclusion In conclusion, downregulation of miR-9 in benign tumors vs healthy tissue and its overexpression in malignant tumors vs benign tumors suggest paradoxical functionality for this miRNA. Our results shed additional information on controversial expression pattern of miR-9 depending on different progression level of BC.

Background: Candida albicans, an opportunistic pathogen, causes disseminated infection in immunocompromised host. Artemisia dracunculus L. (Tarragon) is a plant used as meal and remedy for a long time, and possesses some medicinal characteristics. Its pharmacological properties have been shown in a large number of in-vitro and in-vivo studies. Objectives: Regarding the antifungal activity, widespread secondary metabolites, and proved biological activities of tarragon, this study aimed to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of A. dracunculus L. on C. albicans infection in mice. Methods: The mice were divided into six groups including a normal control group, a placebo group, and three treatment groups receiving 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg doses of hydroalcoholic extract via intraperitoneal (ip) injection followed by inoculation with C. albicans. A control+ group, inoculated only with C. albicans, was also employed. After all treatments, the mice were killed by cervical decapitation and the concentration of C. albicans was measured in the liver and kidney homogenates. Results: The results showed a significant decrease in C. albicans concentration in the liver and kidney homogenates in the treatment groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: It can be concluded that hydroalcoholic extract of A. dracunculus L. improves C. albicans infection in mice as a result of possessing antifungal effects.

Background Candida spp. has been considered as the agents of acute and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. Objectives The aim of current study was the evaluation of antifungal activity of Echinops cephalotes (Leaves and stem, manna) plant against species of Candida isolated from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis. Materials and Methods In this research study identification of clinical isolates (50 cases) was inducted to the species level by means of conventional mycological methods, morophology on corn meal agar and chromogenic agar, germ tube production and biochemical methods. Antifungal activity of the ethanolic, methanolic and aqueous extracts of E. cephalotes was studied against isolated Candida using agar well diffusion and microdilution methods. Results Candida spp. which isolated from patients was C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis. The inhibition zone of ethanolic extract was 16.6, 13.3, 14, and 22 mg/mL respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for most the cases were 15.6 mg/mL. The inhibition zone of aqueous extract was 16.8, 16.7, 15 and 15 mg/mL respectively. MIC for most the cases were 15.6-31.2 mg/mL. The inhibition zone of methanolic extract was 15.4, 13.2, 12 and 18 respectively. MIC for most of the cases was 7.8 mg/mL. Among the different extracts, ethanolic extract has the highest and aqueous extract has the lowest anti-Candida activity. Ethanolic, methanolic and aqueous extracts of trehala manna did not show any antifungal activity. Conclusions This research is the first study on antifungal activity of E. cephalotes. Hence, this plant may be used further as medicinal plant against Candida spp.

Objective: Evaluation of the effect of using a topical hemostatic agent named “ChitoHem®” on different factors on patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography. Methods: The present blind, randomized, controlled study included 124 patients randomly divided into 2 groups. In the treatment group following femoral sheath removal, ChitoHem® powder and in the control group conventional hemostatic procedure was applied. Results: In the treatment group, time to hemostasis, ambulation, and the use of sandbag were significantly shorter compared with the control group, respectively (4.6 ± 1.3 vs 12.4 ± 4.4 minutes, 3.5 ± 2.7 vs 23.0 ± 1.73 hours and 1.6 vs 98.4%; P < .05). There were no significant differences in hematoma formation and re-bleeding between the 2 groups. Conclusion: It was exhibited ChitoHem® topical hemostatic powder used on treatment patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography was statistically superior at reducing the time to hemostasis and ambulation as well as the use of sandbags compared with manual compression in control group.

Background:: Acute infectious diarrhea is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Objectives:: The objective of this study was to characterize antimicrobial resistant diarrheagenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from diarrheic children in Tehran, IR Iran. Patients and Methods:: In total, 550 stool samples from diarrheic pediatric patients, aged less than 60 months, were collected and immediately transferred to the laboratory. Isolation and identification of E. coli strains was done using bacteriological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion technique. Multiplex PCR was used to detect aadA1, tetA, tetB, dfrA1, qnr, aac (3)-IV, sul1, blaSHV, CITM, cat1, and cmlA antibiotic resistance genes. Results:: From the total of 550 fecal samples examined, 154 samples (28%) were positive for diarraheagenic E. coli. High rates of antibiotic resistance were seen against penicillin ﴾100%), ampicillin ﴾89.6%﴿ and tetracycline ﴾83.1%﴿. Resistance against ciprofloxacin was low ﴾28.6%﴿. The prevalence of different resistance genes in the studied strains varied from 96.10% for aadA1 gene to 40.25% for sul1 gene. The frequencies of aadA1, tetA, tetB, dfrA1, qnr, aac(3)-IV, sul1, blaSHV, CITM, cat1, and cmlA genes were 96.10%, 85.06%, 84.41%, 51.94%, 72.07%, 54.54%, 40.25%, 57.79%, 90.25%, 59.74% and 60.38%, respectively. Conclusions:: Our results indicated that antibiotic resistance is increasing in diarraheagenic E. coli strains in Iran. It is imperative to develop strategies for prevention and control of resistant organisms. Changes in patterns of resistance against commonly used antibiotics in Iran indicate that an applied surveillance system and introduction of guidelines for appropriate antibiotic prescription are necessary.

Herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) is the main cause of genital herpes infection. Its prevalence is increasing worldwide and varies widely with generally higher rate in developing than developed countries and urban than rural areas. Identification of glycoprotein G (gG-2) from HSV-2 as type-specific antigen have been helpful in development of reliable and accurate type-specific serological methods. For determination of the genetic relationship of HSV-2 glycoprotein G gene (gG) in Iran with those in other countries, DNA fragment of 1100 bp corresponding to gG from six HSV-2 strains have been isolated from human infected sera samples in Iran, it was amplified in PCR system and was sequenced for determining nucleotide sequence and compared with identified nucleotide sequence of this gene in other countries. The results indicated the presence of 0.3 to 9.5% variability in gG gene in six sequenced samples in Iran. A comparison made on gG gene in Iran with other countries show 0.3 to 14.3% variability in this gene. The greatest sequence similarity exists between sequences of gG in Iran and Sweden (EU018098 and EU018128) with a sequence similarity of 99.7% and the least relationship exists between sequences of gG gene of HSV-2 in Iran and USA (DQ236139) with a similarity of 85.7%. Key words : Herpes simplex virus type-2, gG gene, phylogenetic relationship, Iran.

The present study was carried out in an attempt to detect the distribution of antibiotic-resistant genes of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from human infections and bovine mastitis. mecA, msrA, msrB, aacA-D, tetK and tetM genes were selected in order to detect the distribution of antibiotic-resistant genes by multiplex PCR technique. According to the biochemical analysis and detection of 16S-rDNA by PCR method, 108 isolates of 300 human infections samples and 18 strains from 150 bovine mastitis milks were recognized as S. aureus. Distributions of antibiotic-resistant genes in human isolates were as follows: (85.18%) mecA, (46.29%) msrA, (49.07%) msrB, (33.33%) aacA-D, (80.50%) tetK and (66.66%) tetM and in bovine mastitis, isolates were seen to be ranging from: (22.22%) mecA, (66.66%) msrA, (77.77%) msrB, (33.33%) aacA-D, (55.55%) tetKand (50.00%) tetM, respectively. Results indicated that all S. aureus strains have one or more of the antibiotic-resistant genes. Also, multiplex PCR technique is a fast, practical and appropriate technique for determining antibiotic-resistant genes. Hence, it was possible that the treatment and the right antibiotics were used. Key words: Antibiotic-resistant genes, bovine mastitis, human infections, multiplex PCR,Staphylococcus aureus.

Background Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections with global expansion. These infections are predominantly caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Methods Totally, 123 strains of Escherichia coli isolated from UTIs patients, using bacterial culture method were subjected to polymerase chain reactions for detection of various O- serogroups, some urovirulence factors, antibiotic resistance genes and resistance to 13 different antibiotics. Results According to data, the distribution of O1, O2, O6, O7 and O16 serogroups were 2.43%, besides O22, O75 and O83 serogroups were 1.62%. Furthermore, the distribution of O4, O8, O15, O21 and O25 serogroups were 5.69%, 3.25%, 21.13%, 4.06% and 26.01%, respectively. Overall, the fim virulence gene had the highest (86.17%) while the usp virulence gene had the lowest distributions of virulence genes in UPEC strains isolated from UTIs patients. The vat and sen virulence genes were not detected in any UPEC strains. Totally, aadA1 (52.84%), and qnr (46.34%) were the most prevalent antibiotic resistance genes while the distribution of cat1 (15.44%), cmlA (15.44%) and dfrA1 (21.95%) were the least. Resistance to penicillin (100%) and tetracycline (73.98%) had the highest while resistance to nitrofurantoin (5.69%) and trimethoprim (16.26%) had the lowest frequencies. Conclusions This study indicated that the UPEC strains which harbored the high numbers of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes had the high ability to cause diseases that are resistant to most antibiotics. In the current situation, it seems that the administration of penicillin and tetracycline for the treatment of UTIs is vain.