Background:     Feline haemotropic mycoplasma are a group of pleomorphic bacteria causing hemolytic anemia along with anorexia, lethargy, dehydration, weight loss and in many cases sudden death in infected animal. However, there is a limited data on the prevalence of these organisms in Iranian cats.

 Methods:    We investigated the presence of feline haemotropic mycoplasma and probable risk factors for these infections among 60 ectoparasite-infested stray cats in southeast of Iran using PCR assay.

 Results:     The overall prevalence of haemotropic mycoplasma was estimated 18.3%. Pallor mucous membrane, anorexia, weight loss and splenomegaly were the most common signs and the infection rate was significantly higher in symptomatic cats in comparison with apparently healthy ones (P = 0.001). Age, gender and hematological alterations were not significantly associated with infection status while the level of BUN, creatinine, total protein and globulin were significantly higher among infected animals.

Background:   Chitosan is unbranched polysaccharide composed of D-glucosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. Chitosan, derived from shrimp shell, has broad antimicrobial properties against Gram-negative, Gram-positive bacteria and fungi.

 Methods:  Chitosan was extracted from shrimp shell and studied for cell entrapment and anti-bacterial properties. The hydrogel chitosan was used as the beads for cell entrapment and chitosan beads were designed to deliver cells and nutrients. These data confirmed with flow cytometric analyses.                

 Results:   Experimental results exhibited that internal diffusion through the chitosan matrix was the main mechanism for whole gelation by TPP (Tri-polyphosphate). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for chitosan against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was 16 and 32 μg/ml respectively.

Background:  Nosocomial infections are considered as health issues that affect developed and poor countries. These infections can be transmitted to patients through hospital environment and equipments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Gram-negative bacilli in the environment and the equipments of hospitals in the East of Golestan province in 2015. 

Methods:  In this study, 770 samples were collected using sterile swabs from the environment and equipments which were in use in different units of six teaching hospitals located in the East of Golestan province. The collected samples were then identified by standard biochemical tests. 

Results:   Of the total samples, 249 samples (32.33%) were contaminated with Gram-negative bacilli with the most number of contaminations were Enterobacter aerogenes (37.75%) at the Department of Surgery (18.07%).  Among the medical equipments and surfaces, the highest level of contamination was observed in laryngoscope and its blades (10.44%), suctions (7.23%), and EKG sensors and monitoring connectors (7.23%). Telephone handset (5.22%) and patients’ bed (5.22%) had the highest rate of contamination with Gram-negative bacilli in the non-medical equipments. 

Background:  Sequence-based identification of various microorganisms including Archaea, Bacteria, Cyanobacteria, Diatoms, Fungi, and green algae necessitates an efficient and reproducible genome extraction procedure though which a pure template DNA is yielded and it can be used in polymerase chain reactions (PCR). Considering the fact that DNA extraction from these microorganisms is time consuming and laborious, we developed and standardized a safe, rapid and inexpensive miniprep protocol.

 Methods:  According to our results, amplification of various genomic regions including SSU, LSU, ITS, β-tubulin, actin, RPB2, and EF-1 resulted in a reproducible and efficient DNA extraction from a wide range of microorganisms yielding adequate pure genomic material for reproducible PCR-amplifications.

 Results:   This method relies on a temporary shock of increased concentrations of detergent which can be applied concomitant with multiple freeze-thaws to yield sufficient amount of DNA for PCR amplification of multiple or single fragments(s) of the genome. As an advantage, the recipe seems very flexible, thus, various optional steps can be included depending on the samples used.

Background:    Although, nontuberculous mycobacteria can cause disease in different organisms, they usually are not reported in most countries because scientists in general consider them as non-pathogens. But, increasing nontuberculous mycobacteria diseases occurrence has changed this belief. Nevertheless, there is no meta-analysis review about prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria in Iran. 

Methods:   Any data about prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria in clinical specimens in Iran were retrieved by searching data bases such as Pub Med, MEDLINE, and Iranian data bases. Then the meta-analysis was performed by comprehensive meta-analysis software (CMA). 

Results:    The meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria in the clinical specimens in Iran was 1.3%. In the studies that had sample size less than 300, and in studies conducted after 2004, the prevalence was higher. Also, the prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria was higher in the West of Iran. In this study, the most prevalent rapid-growing mycobacterium was Mycobacterium. fortuitum and  most prevalent slow-growing mycobacterium was M. simiae with the prevalence 44.2% and 14.3%, respectively.

Background:  A large number of plants are used for treatment of diseases because of their antimicrobial activities. This study aims to investigate the antimicrobial effects of some plants on the food pathogenic bacteria.

 Methods: Plant extracts were obtained using the rotary system, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by diluting method against bacteria was determined.

 Results:  Results showed that the lowest MIC of the Peganum harmala was 3.1 ppm and the highest inhibitory concentration was 6.25 ppm for inhibiting the Vibrio cholerae.

Background:    Staphylococcus epidermidis is an important agent for nosocomial infections in infants and people with permanent prostheses. Its increased resistance to antibiotics has created a serious challenge for healthcare system. This study was conducted to determine the pattern of antibiotic-resistance of S. epidermidis isolates from clinical samples.

Methods:   During nine months, 251 clinical samples isolated from strains of S. epidermidis were examined. Following identification of isolates, their antibiotic sensitivity was determined using disc diffusion method. Resistance to vancomycin was assessed using agar screening method, and its MIC values were measured using episilometry (Etest). Methicillin-resistant gene (mecA) was traced using PCR. Results:    A total of 120 S. epidermidis strains were isolated from the 251 clinical samples, mostly associated with urine samples. In this study, 95 isolates (79%) were found resistant to cefoxitin, 66 (55%) to vancomycin, and 94 (78.33%) to multiple drugs. In molecular assessment, 37 isolates (54.41%) contained mecA gene, of which, 32 isolates showed resistance to vancomycin. 

Background:    Salmonellosis is an infectious and a food-borne disease of humans and animals. The initial source of the infection is the intestinal tracts of birds and other animals. Apparently healthy animals can become subclinical carriers and persistently shed Salmonella in their feces which can act as a reservoir for the pathogen. The aim of this study is to detect the carriers of Salmonella among apparently healthy sheep and goat flocks of Bushehr and Lorestan provinces, Iran.

Methods:    A total of 389 fecal samples were aseptically collected from the rectum of apparently healthy sheep and goat flocks of Bushehr and Lorestan provinces. Bacteriological culture was conducted using selenite cystine, Rappaport–Vassiliadis, brilliant green and xylose lysine deoxycholate agar. Suspected colonies were inoculated in to TSI, peptone water, Simmon’s Citrate, Urea medium and MRVP. Sero-groups were detected by antisera.             

 Results:    Two samples from 189 samples (1.05%) were positive for Salmonella in Bushehr province. Salmonella abortusovis and Salmonella typhimurium were detected following serotyping. No Salmonella carriers were detected in Lorestan province.

Conclusion:    As the rate of carriers of Salmonella was low, the risk of food-borne salmonellosis due to consumption of small ruminant's meat is low, especially in the condition of well cooked meat. Since S. abortusovis was detected, strategies of prevention and control of abortion due to this agent must be taken to reduce the economic losses. Moreover, the presence of S. typhimurium is a hazard to public health and people who have close contact to sheep and goats.