Nocardial infections occur in different organs of the body and are common in immune disorder diseases of individuals. The aim of this study was to assess Nocardia species identification by phenotypic tests and molecular techniques applied to nocardiosis in Iranian patients. In the current study, various clinical samples were collected and cultured on conventional media and using the paraffin baiting method. Various phenotypic tests were performed. For accurate identification at the species level, restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) in the hsp65 and partial 16S rRNA genes and full gene sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene were used. Twenty-seven Nocardia spp. were isolated and analysis of phenotypic tests results showed Nocardia asteroides complex, Nocardia otitidiscaviarum, Nocardia nova, and Nocardia spp. New RFLP patterns of Nocardia strains with hsp65 and partial 16S rRNA genes were obtained. Full gene sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene identified Nocardia cyriacigeorgica, N. otitidiscaviarum, Nocardia farcinica, Nocardia transvalensis, and N. nova. Nocardia infections are rarely reported and this genus is the cause of various illnesses. Accurate identification of Nocardia spp. is important for epidemiology studies and treatment. It should also be noted that some species may have similar RFLP patterns; therefore, full gene sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene is necessary for confirmation.

Background: The genus Nocardia is Gram-positive, aerobic filamentous bacilli and saprophytic micro-organisms that can be isolated from freshwater, salt water, dust and decaying vegetation especially the soil. This study aimed to investigate the several media for to determine a suitable culture media with the ability to better for the isolation of Nocardia from soil. Methods:In this study, 400 soil samples were collected from different areas from Iran. The soil samples were then cultured on the four culture media such as Humic acid vitamin B agar, Paraffin agar, Sabouraud dextrose agar supplemented whit cycloheximide and carbon-free broth containing paraffin rods and incubated at 35°C. All of culture media investigated every 3 days for a month. Colonies suspicious to Nocardia were stained with Gram-stain, acid-fast and partially acid-fast and evaluated for resistance to lysozyme.Results: From 400 soil samples, the number of 62, 10, 28 and 19 strains of Nocardia were isolated by paraffin rods, Humic Acid Vitamin B agar, Paraffin agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar whit cycloheximide, respectively. Most Nocardia strains were isolated using paraffin bait technique. Conclusions:Isolation of Nocardia spp. is enhanced by using the paraffin baiting technique that relies on the selective ability of this micro-organism to metabolize paraffin.

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Background and Objectives: Escherichia coli (E. coli) sequence type 131 (ST131) is associated with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production and fluoroquinolone resistance. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of ST131, ESBL, and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes in the ciprofloxacin-resistant (CIPR ) and ESBL producers from women with UTI. Materials and Methods: The CIP-resistant ESBL producing (CIPR /ESBL+ ) E. coli isolates were screened for ST131-by specific PCR of mdh and gyrB. The ESBL and PMQR genes were screened by single PCR. The ST131 and non-ST131 isolates were selected to determine the mutations of gyrA and parC using PCR and sequencing, and also their genetic background by the Pasteur-MLST scheme. Results: Overall, 55% (33/60) CIPR /ESBL+ isolates were identified as ST131 (94% O25b-ST131). Resistance rate to ampicillin-sulbactam (70%), aztreonam (97%) and gentamicin (61%), the prevalence of aac(6′)-Ib-cr (66%), blaCTX-M-15 (82%), the profile of qnrS+aac(6′)-Ib-cr (30%), and the double mutation in the parC was significantly higher in ST131 than nonST131 isolates. The coexistence of PMQR and ESBL genes was found in more than 50% of ST131 and non-ST131 isolates. ST131 isolates differentiated into PST43 and PST506. Conclusion: Management of women with UTI caused by the CIPR /ESBL+ isolates (ST131) co-harbored PMQR, ESBL, and chromosomal mutations, is important for their effective therapy.

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Background: Commensal extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli isolates in the gut can be the reservoir of virulence factors and resistance genes. Objectives: We investigated the molecular feature, risk factors, and quinolone/fluoroquinolone (Q/FQ) resistance in sequence type 131 (ST131) and non-ST131: ESBL-producing E. coli (EPE) isolates in healthy fecal carriers. Methods: A total of 540 fecal samples and its demographic data were collected from healthy adults in Tehran in 2018. ST131 isolates were identified by MLST analysis, and the characteristics of the virulence factor, phylogenic assay, and Q/FQ resistance genes in ST131 and non-ST131 were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The EPE isolates mainly belonged to the commensal phylogenetic groups A (54.9%) and D (18.1%). The type 1 fimbriae (fimH; 89.6%) gene was the predominant virulence factor, and there was a significant correlation between ferric yersiniabactin uptake (fyuA; 52.9%), aerobactin receptor (iutA; 17.6%), and group II capsule synthesis (kpsMII; 35.3%) with ST131. In Q/FQ-resistant isolates, qnrS (19%) was the predominant gene, and mutations mostly occurred at codon S83 in GyrA The number of mutations in gyrA and parC genes was significantly higher in ST131 isolates than in non-ST131 isolates. There was a significant positive correlation between diabetes, male gender, and living in the south of the city with EPE carriage (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Accumulation of multiple virulence factors and high- level resistance to Q/FQ in some phylogroups (B2 and D), particularly ST131 isolates, require to be considered in detecting resistant isolates in healthy carriers. According to the risk factor for spreading of EPE isolates (diabetes, living in low-income parts of the city, and male gender), the necessary strategies are required to be developed to control the dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant isolates in the community.

Gloydius caucasicus (NIKOLSKY, 1916) is a member of the Viperidae family in Iran. Comprehensive understanding of the toxigenic characteristics of snake venom is important for clinical monitoring of snakebite patients and effective therapy. We compared the toxic activities of venoms and the neutralization capacity of antivenoms produced with venoms from wild adult (WA) with long-term captive adult (LCA) of G. caucasicus in order to obtain more effective antivenom from LCA in therapy, and subsequently protect G. caucasicus from overharvesting for its venom, which poses a real threat of extinction for the species. Our results showed that LD 50 of WA and LCA were 16.8 μg/dose and 17.7 μg/dose, respectively. Lower hemorrhagic and necrotic (p ≥ 0.05), and higher coagulative and edematogenic activities (p ≤ 0.05) were observed in WA compared with LCA venom. Also, captive-born neonates exhibited weaker toxic activities compared with captive adult snakes, which could be an age-related difference. Study data illustrated that effective capacity of LCA antivenom to neutralize the toxic activities of WA viper venom. According to the results, about 0.4–4 μl of LCA antivenom is required to neutralize the toxic activities of 1 μg of WA venom, indicating its efficacy in treatment of snakebites in humans. On this basis, it is recommended that capture of wild snakes for their venom be discontinued to reduce their future extinction risk.

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