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Since the description of Nocardia ignorata in 2001 (1), 4 respiratory isolates in Europe and 3 corneal isolates in India have been reported (2,3). Among the respiratory isolates, only 2 [...]

Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MLEE) was used to examine genetic relationships at 17 enzyme loci among Australian clinical isolates and reference strains identified as Mycobacterium intracellulare. MLEE was found useful for the genetic analysis of M. intracellulare isolates and related mycobateria. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was also applied to selected isolates from the electrophoretic types containing multiple isolates.

Seven hundred and fifty nonreplicated clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were collected from five hospitals during March 2007 to May 2009. Forty-one isolates (5.46%) were characterized as multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa (MDRPA). PCR assays were used to detect class 1 integrons. Amplifications of internal variable regions (IVRs) of class 1 integrons revealed three different arrays (0.8, 1.3, and 1.7 kb) with different distributions in clinical isolates. The amplified IVRs were sequenced and three gene cassette arrays including aadB (0.8 kb), aadA6–orfD (1.3 kb), and blaOXA10 –aacA4 (1.7 kb) were identified. In conclusion, we confirmed the high prevalence of class 1 integons with limited diversity of gene cassette arrays in MDRPA clinical isolates found from five hospitals. This is the first report showing gene cassette contents of class 1 integrons in P. aeruginosa isolates in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is the causative agent of paratuberculosis or Johne's disease in ruminants. Its role in triggering autoimmunity, including type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), has been reported in recent years. Due to the high contamination rate of MAP in Iran's livestock and the increasing outbreak of T1DM, we investigated this association in a small group of patients with T1DM in Iran. Methodology: Blood samples of 29 T1DM patients and 29 healthy control subjects were tested through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies against MAP3865c and ZnT8 homologous epitopes and the presence of MAP DNA. Blood samples were also cultured in mycobacterial growth indicator tubes and Herrold's egg yolk medium containing mycobactin J. Results: The results of ELISA showed a significant difference between T1DM patients and healthy group. IS900 was also detected in 51.72% of T1DM patients but in none of the control group. None of the samples grew in culture media. Conclusions: Due to the presence of MAP DNA and antibodies against MAP peptides in a significant number of T1DM patients compared with healthy control subjects, we may consider MAP as a possible trigger of T1DM in Iran. This indicates that exposure to MAP occurred in the positive subjects. Identifying the sources of contamination and routes of MAP transmission to humans seems necessary to prevent and reduce the burden of MAP infection in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brucellosis, a major health problem in developing countries, is a multisystem infection with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. Hematological complications, ranging from an intravascular coagulopathy to mild homeostasis disorders (such as gammopathy), have been reported in brucella infection. These signs and symptoms may lead to misdiagnosis of brucellosis with other hematological diseases., Case: A 65-year-old male whose occupation was shepherding was referred to our hospital as a known case of multiple myeloma with continuous fever, muscle weakness, and night sweating after taking 2 courses of chemotherapy. The laboratory diagnosis of multiple myeloma had been based on the observation of a high percent of plasma cells in the bone marrow aspiration. At follow- up, the result of patient's fever workup, with 2 sets of blood cultures, was positive for Brucella melitensis. Isolated brucella was confirmed as B. melitensis by 16S rRNA sequencing. Brucellosis serologic test was performed by agglutination test and positive results were obtained. The patient was discharged with the cessation of fever and general improvement after the end of the parental treatment phase of brucella bacteremia., Conclusions: Brucella infection may cause a severe disease, mimicking a primary hematological disease, which could complicate the correct diagnosis. In brucellosis cases, due to the wide range of symptoms, in addition to cultivation and serological methods, molecular methods should also be used to prevent inappropriate diagnosis and additional costs., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Oxacillin resistance was present in 99 of 277 (36%) consecutive Staphylococcus aureus isolates collected from hospital patients in Tehran during a 15-month period (January 2004-March 2005). The majority of isolates (77/99 = 78%) had been cultured from wounds or blood. The staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of 99 methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains were determined. Disk diffusion and agar dilution methods were used to determine the susceptibility of isolates to antimicrobial agents as instructed by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The presence of mecA and SCCmec types was determined by PCR and multiplex PCR. All MRSA isolates were susceptible to vancomycin (MIC90

Objectives: In spite of growing evidence indicating the benefits of probiotics, the effects of different dietary oils on intestinal microflora and probiotics have not been elucidated. This study aimed to examine the effects of different dietary oils on intestinal microflora in an experimental model of colitis., Methods: Eight-week mice were fed isocaloric diets varying only in fat composition for 4 weeks. The oils used were fish oil, canola oil, safflower oil, and chow diet containing beef tallow. Colitis was induced by intracolonic administration of acetic acid on day 21. The inflammation and fecal microflora and serum lipid profiles were evaluated 1 week after induction., Results: Inflammation was highest in the chow diet group followed by safflower, canola, and fish oil fed groups, respectively. The number of fecal bacteroideceae was greater, whereas the number of fecal bifidobacteria was lower in mice fed beef tallow than the other ones. In addition, fish oil reduced the plasma level of triacylglycerole significantly., Conclusion: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can affect intestinal microflora increasing the number of probiotics. PUFAs might be recommended in addition to probiotics for the prevention and/or maintenance treatment of colitis.