BackgroundPremature birth is a primary cause of infant mortality and its etiology varies in different countries. Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is a common infectious agent transmitted through sexual contact. The purpose of this study is to investigate the connection between CT infections and preterm birth by meta-analysis.MethodsAll articles published in literature databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, ISI (Web of Science), Biological Abs, IranMedex, SID, and Scopus were investigated. Twenty-four relevant articles, authored betweenm 1998–2014 were analyzed through a random effects model. Heterogeneity of the studies was evaluated by I2 index. The relationship between years of data collection, sample size, and CT infections with preterm delivery prevalence was examined by meta-regression. Data were analyzed with R and STATA [Ver. 12].ResultsThe overall prevalence of CT infections leading to preterm deliveries was estimated to be 0.13% (CI 95%: 0.11–0.16). The prevalence of CT infections leading to preterm deliveries were calculated based on the study method including PCR [0.06 (CI 95%: 0.04–0.09)], serology [0.23 (CI 95%: 0.10–0.35)] and culture [0.17 (CI 95%: 0.10–0.24)]. Analysis indicates that women with chlamydia infections were 2.28 more likely to deliver pre-term in comparison with those who were not infected. It can be concluded that chlamydia infections increase the risks of preterm delivery, OR = 2.28 (95% CI:1.64–3.16).ConclusionsIn regard to the results in numerous studies performed on different continents, this meta- analysis showed a clear association between preterm delivery and prior CT colonization.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12884-018-1868-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background:Mycoplasma infections are suggested as etiology of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of Mycoplasma hominis (M. hominis) infection and spontaneous abortion among pregnant women.Materials and Methods:In this case-control study that was conducted from August 2012 to January 2013, totally, 109 women were included with spontaneous abortion with gestational ages of 10-20 weeks (Cases), and 109 women with normal pregnancy with gestational ages between 20-37 weeks (Controls) in Sanandaj, Iran. Using specific primers and extracted DNA from endocervical swabs, a PCR test was conducted for detection of M. hominis infection in women. For comparison of qualitative and quantitative variables, independent Fisher tests were used and p<0.05 was considered significant.Results:The total frequency of M. hominis infection was 6 (2.75%) in women. The frequency of M. hominis infection was 2 (1.83%) in the case group (spontaneous abortion) and 4 (3.66%) in the control group, respectively. In both case and control groups, no association was seen between M.hominis infection and spontaneous abortion (OR=0. 49, CI 95%: 0.08-2.73, p=0. 683). Conclusion:M. hominis was positive in the genital tract of some pregnant women, but it was not associated with spontaneous abortion. However, to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes in women, foetus and neonate, routine screening and treatment for the genital Mycoplasma is recommended.

ObjectivesMycoplasma genitalium infections are suggested as causes of a number of pathological outcomes in pregnant women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of M. genitalium infections among pregnant women and its association with spontaneous abortion.MethodsIn this case–control study we included 109 women with spontaneous abortion with a gestational age of 10–20 weeks (patients), and 109 women with normal pregnancy with a gestational age of 20–37 weeks (controls) in Sanandaj, Iran. Using specific primers and extracted DNA from endocervical swabs, a polymerase chain reaction was conducted for the detection of M. genitalium infection in both groups.ResultsThe frequency of M. genitalium infection in patient and control groups was one (0.91%) and three (2.75%), respectively. In both control and patient groups using Fisher test, no association between mycoplasma infection and spontaneous abortion was seen.ConclusionM. genitalium may be positive in the genital tract of some pregnant women but was not associated with spontaneous abortion. Further powerful studies with larger sample sizes are needed for the determination of a possible role of M. genitalium in pregnancy outcomes and spontaneous abortion.

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Calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 has been used as an intracanal medicament to targets microbial biofilms and avert secondary infection in the root canal system. This study evaluated the effects of this material on the morphology and physicochemical properties of an established in-vitro biofilm of Enterococcus faecalis. A biofilm of E. faecalis was grown in multichannel plates. The chemicals including Ca2+, OH−, and saturated Ca(OH)2 (ie 21.6 mM) were prepared in order to evaluate which component eradicated or amplified biofilm structure. Various biochemical and microscopic methods were used to investigate the properties of the biofilm. Biofilms treated with Ca(OH)2 absorbed more Ca2+ because of the alkaline pH of the environment and the ions affected the physicochemical properties of the E. faecalis biofilm. A denser biofilm with more cavities and a granular surface was observed in the presence of Ca2+ ions. This resulted in a decrease in the surface-to-biofilm ratio with increases in its biomass, thickness, colony size, and volume. Calcium hydroxide did not destroy E. faecalis biofilms but rather contributed to the biofilm structure. This in-vitro study sheds light on a missing link in the formation of E. faecalis biofilm in which the Ca2+ in Ca(OH)2

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to detect ybtS, entB, mrkD, magA, kfu, iutA, rmpA and K2 genes in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) - and non-ESBL producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. Methods: To this end, 70 K. pneumoniae isolates were selected from hospitals of Kurdistan Province, Iran. The ESBL phenotype was conducted utilizing the disc diffusion technique in accordance with CLSI procedures. Detection of virulence factor genes was performed by the PCR in the ESBL and non-ESBL isolates. Results: Sixty-two (88.6%) isolates of K. pneumoniae were ESBL producers. Further, entB had the most frequency in all the isolates. There were no significant differences between ESBL production and the presence of ybt S, entB, mrkD, magA, kfu, iutA, rmpA and K2 genes and the presence of these genes and variables such as presence of sex, clinical specimen type, and hvKP phenotype among the ESBL and non-ESBL K. pneumoniae isolates. Conclusion: In conclusion, in other studies, K. pneumoniae strains were separated from liver abscesses and the magA gene was frequently present; however, in our study, the K. pneumoniae strains were separated from various clinical specimens and the magA gene had low frequency.

Background: Brucellosis is one of the most prevalent diseases common between humans and animals. It is also called Malta fever, Undulant fever and Mediterranean fever. This disease is spread by consuming milk and its unpasteurized derivatives. Clinical symptoms of brucellosis in humans are fever, chills, headache, muscular pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, joint pain, weight loss, constipation, sore throat, and dry cough. The present study aimed at surveying the seroprevalence of brucellosis in pregnant women and those women who suffered from spontaneous abortion. Methods: This case- control study was conducted in Sanandaj (Iran) in 2016 and included 2 groups of pregnant women: one group included 160 pregnant women and the other included 160 women who suffered from spontaneous abortion. Then, the participants were asked to fill out the questionnaire. After receiving permission from an obstetrician, a 10-cc blood sample was taken from each person to be used in the Rose Bengal, Wright, 2ME, and Coombs tests. Independent samples t test and Chi-square test were used to analyze the data and compare the groups. Results: Mean±SD age of women in the case group was 30.9±7.3 years, while it was 27.74±5.41 years in control women. The Rose Bengal, Wright, and 2ME prevalence for both groups was negative, but the Coombs and Wright tests score was 33 (20.6%) in pregnant women and it was 27 (16.9%) in women who experienced spontaneous abortion. No meaningful relationship was observed between spontaneous abortion and brucellosis (p= 0.39). Conclusion: Even though the present study did not find a meaningful relationship between spontaneous abortion and brucellosis (p=0.39), high brucella seroprevalence rates between both groups of women indicated that screening tests should be considered before gestation as an appropriate therapeutic strategy.

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