Protein A of Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogenic factor whose encoding gene, spa, shows a variation in length in different strains. In this study the spa gene variation in S. aureus isolated from healthy carriers and patients was studied, We also compared this variation among MRSA with MSSA strains. 208 strains of Staphylococcus aureus which we were isolated from Gorgan, north of Iran were studied, 121 cases from patients and 87 cases from healthy carriers, 59 out of them were MRSA and 149 MSSA. Samples DNA were extracted and amplified by specific primer of spa gene. In 4 (3.8%) strains of them no spa gene was detected, and 10.6% had a dual band (1200 and 1400 bp). In strains with one band, the length of spa gene differed from 1150 to 1500 bp. The most prevalent length was 1350–1400 bp (37%). The frequencies of short spa bands (1150–1200 bp) in patients strains were significantly higher. In 4 (3.8%) strains of them no spa gene was detected, and 10.6% had a dual band (1200 and 1400 bp). In strains with one band, the length of spa gene differed from 1150 to 1500 bp. The most prevalent length was 1350–1400 bp (37%). The frequencies of short spa bands (1150–1200 bp) in patients strains were significantly higher. The spa gene length of 1350–1400 bp in MSSA was more than in MRSA strains (P < .05). The average length of spa in isolated strains from urinary tract infections was more than others. It is concluded that the length of spa gene depends either on resistance to Methicillin or the source of S. aureus isolation.

Stachys L. (Lamiaceae) exhibits a great range of variation with cosmopolitan distribution. An area extremely rich in taxa including 34 species has been introduced in Iran. This study documents the genetic diversity and morphological variations of 48 accessions from fifteen Stachys species and two subspecies belonging to six sections. All of the specimens were collected from natural habitats in Zagros region of Iran. In order to evaluate morphological variations, 21 characters were used. Eleven ISSR primers with DNA samples of leaves were applied to assess the genetic variations among species and populations of the Stachys genus. Based on the results, from the eleven primers screened, nine primers produced reproducible bands. The highest percentage of polymorphism included 100% in section Aucheriana. Analysis of molecular variance revealed a high proportion of gene variation (42%) among populations within species. In total sections, the UPGMA clustering dendrogram genetically detected different groups. Based on the morphological analysis, each section was definitely positioned. A high genetic diversity and polymorphism was found among Stachys accessions belonging to each section. Based on the findings, the germplasm diversity was due to the wealth genetic resources in the central Zagros region which are important in plant breeding and gene conservation purposes. In addition, morphological and ISSR molecular markers are useful to display the diversity in Stachys genus.

Nosocomial infections are one of the most common causes of death in hospitals. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of gram-negative bacilli isolated from the equipment in hospital wards of the Golestan province, in the year 2015. In this cross-sectional study in 2015, 1980 samples from medical and nonmedical equipment and surfaces were collected from the wards of 13 teaching hospitals, in the Golestan province. Samples were inoculated into eosin methylene blue agar and blood agar culture media and isolated colonies were identified by standard biochemical tests. The obtained results were then analyzed using SPSS 22 software and χ2 test. Among 1980 isolated samples, 601 samples (30.35%) were infected with gram-negative bacilli while Enterobacter aerogenes (37.27%) was responsible for most of the contaminations. The highest rate of infection was observed in the intensive care unit (33.1%), and the highest level of contamination in the medical equipment was associated with laryngoscope and its blade (10.48%), as well as ECG sensor and its monitoring connector (6.65%). Meanwhile, phone (6.32%) and patients’ beds and linen (5.15%) had the highest level of contamination in the nonmedical equipment. Considering the high rates of gram-negative bacilli contamination in the hospital wards of the Golestan province, thorough hand washing as the main action for disinfection and sterilizing the equipment, as well as performing periodic cultivation alongside the use of standard guidelines for prevention and control of nosocomial infections, are recommended to reduce the level of contamination.

Context: COVID-19 results in an imbalance between procoagulant and anticoagulant homeostatic mechanisms that could be complicated with thrombotic events. In β-thalassemia patients, the presence of comorbidities, iron overload, adrenal hypofunction, splenectomy, and chronic hypercoagulable state might increase the susceptibility to COVID-19 and its severity. Evidence Acquisition: The search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases for the key terms of β-thalassemia/thalassemia and COVID-19 until July 2021. Results: The survey of published observational studies (mostly multicenter and case reports) indicated a lower prevalence of COVID-19 in β-thalassemia patients compared with the general population, as well as mild to moderate COVID-19 in these patients, especially in those without comorbidity. β-Thalassemia children were susceptible to COVID-19 but with less severity compared to adults. There is no report of pulmonary embolism and thrombotic events in β-thalassemia patients with COVID-19; however, coagulation abnormality and pulmonary microembolism have been found in these patients. Conclusions: Findings could be interpreted by the presence of high hemoglobin F (HbF) levels, the advantage of hydroxyurea (HU) therapy, splenectomy, and iron chelation therapy in these patients. However, due to the low sample size and studying mainly young patients, the results should be interpreted with caution, and it still needs more studies with a larger sample size to confirm these findings.

Background: Emergence and prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a major universal health concern, limiting therapeutic options. Methods: In the North side of Iran, during the years 2015 to 2017, a total number of 37 MRSA isolates, including 19 clinical isolates from hospitalized patients and 18 colonizing isolates from health care workers were identified from three hospitals, in Gorgan, North of Iran. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed using the disk diffusion method and E-test. The presence of virulence and antibiotic resistance determinants were evaluated by PCR. The genotypic characterization was further analyzed using multi-locus sequence, spa, SCCmec, and agr typing.Results: The frequency of MRSA among S. aureus isolates was 38.14% (37/97). The most frequent S. aureus resistant isolates were found to be obstinate against penicillin (98%) and gentamicin (82.5%). Additionally, the lowest resistance rates were found against daptomycin (0%), vancomycin (2.7%), and quinupristin-dalfopristin (5.4%). All MRSA isolates were susceptible to daptomycin with MIC50/MIC90 of 0.25/0.5 µg/ml. One isolate belonging to the ST239-SCCmecIII/t037 clone (MIC≥16μg/ml) was resistant to vancomycin. All but one isolate that shares the ST22-SCCmec IV/t790 strain were positive for both tsst and pvl genes. The most predominant MRSA isolates (27%) were associated with the ST239-SCCmec III/t037 clone; and followed by ST239-SCCmec III/t924 (16.2%).Conclusions: In our study, circulating MRSA strains were genetically diverse with a high prevalence of the ST239-SCCmecIII/t037 clone. These findings emphasize the need for future and continuous surveillance studies on MRSA to prevent the dissemination of multidrug resistance and existing MRSA clones in an effective manner.

No abstract

<b><i>Objectives:</i></b> Emergence and prevalence of methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA) have become a major universal health concern, limiting therapeutic options. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total number of 37 MRSA isolates, including 19 clinical isolates from hospitalized patients and 18 colonizing isolates from health care workers were identified from 3 hospitals, in Gorgan, North of Iran. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed using the disk diffusion method and E-test. The presence of virulence and antibiotic resistance determinants were evaluated by PCR. The genotypical characterization was further analyzed using multi-locus sequence, <i>spa</i>, staphylococcal cassette chromosome, <i>mec</i> (SCC<i>mec)</i>, and <i>agr</i> typing. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The frequency of MRSA among <i>S. aureus</i> isolates was 38.14% (37/97). The most frequent <i>S. aureus</i> resistant isolates were found to be obstinate against penicillin (98%) and gentamicin (82.5%). Additionally, the lowest resistance rates were found against daptomycin (0%), vancomycin (2.7%), and quinupristin-dalfopristin (5.4%). All MRSA isolates were susceptible to daptomycin with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)50/MIC90 of 0.25/0.5 μg/mL. One isolate belonging to sequence type 239 (ST239)-SCC<i>mec</i>III/t037 clone (MIC ≥16 μg/mL) was resistant to vancomycin. All but 1 isolate that shares ST22-SCC<i>mec</i> IV/t790 strain were positive for both <i>tsst</i> and <i>pvl</i> genes. The most predominant MRSA isolates (27%) were associated with ST239-SCC<i>mec</i> III/t037, and ST239-SCC<i>mec</i> III/t924 (16.2%) clones, subsequently. In our study, circulating MRSA strains were genetically diverse with a high prevalence of ST239-SCC<i>mec</i> III/t037 clone. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> These findings emphasize the need for future and continuous surveillance studies on MRSA to prevent the dissemination of existing multidrug resistance MRSA clones in an effective manner.

Contamination of hatching eggs with pathogenic microorganisms decrease hatchability and may cause a financial loss in industrial bird production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological status of a commercial ostrich farm and its relationship to the hatchery management. Microbial sampling was done from the organs of two dead embryos, cloacae of seven newly hatched chicks and one mature female ostrich, the content of five infertile eggs, the incubation room and incubator machines, the ingredients of diet, and the shell surface of 62 eggs which were laid during a reproductive season. Various selective and differential media included MacConkey agar, blood agar, Sabouraud's dextrose agar, nutrient agar, and PPLO agar, etc. were used for isolation and identification of the microorganisms. Different types of fungi and bacterial contamination were found on the shell surface of the eggs, which Gram-positive bacilli were isolated in 74% of these eggs (46/62). From the organs of two dead embryos Gram-positive bacilli, Gram-positive cocci, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Rhodotorula spp., Helminthosporium spp., and Aspergillus nidulans were isolated. Most of the ingredients of the diet contained Mucor spp. and a wide range of bacterial species. Finally, the effect of applying the formaldehyde gas was evaluated by McNemar's test, that results showed this method was very useful for reduction of microbial load of the eggshell in a high rate contamination. Comparison of microbial communities isolated from dead embryos and the egg-shells' surface showed that microorganisms in different parts of the farm could lead to contamination of the eggs which penetrated into the eggs. So implementing sanitation and disinfection of hatching eggs for improvement of hatchability rate is recommended.