Amir Emami

Influenza viral infections among the Iranian Hajj pilgrims returning to Shiraz, Fars province, Iran.

Please cite this paper as: Moattari et al. (2012) Influenza viral infections among the Iranian Hajj pilgrims returning to Shiraz, Fars province, Iran. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(601), e77–e79

Seroprevalence of Anti-Rubella and Anti-Measles IgG Antibodies in Pregnant Women in Shiraz, Southern Iran: Outcomes of a Nationwide Measles-Rubella Mass Vaccination Campaign

Objective Nonimmune pregnant women are at risk of developing congenital rubella syndrome and measles complications. We aimed to identify pregnant women susceptible to rubella or measles in order to determine the need for immunity screening and supplemental immunization in women of childbearing age. Method This seroprevalence survey was conducted by convenience sampling in obstetric hospitals affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (southern Iran). Serum IgG levels were measured by ELISA. Result Mean age of the 175 pregnant women was 27.3±5.3 (range 16 to 42) years. The geometric mean concentration of anti-rubella IgG was 14.9 IU/mL (CI 95%,14.1–15.5), and that of anti-measles IgG was 13.8 IU/mL (CI 95%, 13–14.5). One hundred sixty-eight women (96%) had a protective serologic level (>11 IU/mL) of IgG against rubella, and 143 (81.7%) had a protective level against measles. Except for a significant inverse correlation that was showed by univariate analysis between anti-rubella IgG and the women’s age (P = 0.01), immunity did not correlate with demographic or obstetric characteristics or medical history. There was no significant correlation between anti-rubella and anti-measles IgG levels (P = 0.25). Conclusion Nearly a decade after Iran’s nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign for the population aged 5–25 years, most pregnant women up to 34 years of age had humoral immunity against rubella. We recommend rubella immunity screening or catch-up immunization for women older than 35 years who wish to become pregnant, and measles immunity screening and appropriate vaccination for all women of childbearing age.

Modeling and optimization of antibacterial activity of the chitosan-based hydrogel films using central composite design.

In the present study, hydrogel films composed of chitosan-poly(vinyl alcohol)-gelatin-thyme honey were successfully prepared by casting method, and their anti-bacterial properties were modeled and optimized. Antibacterial properties of the prepared films were analyzed by applying agar diffusion method. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were tested as Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively. In order to obtain the composition of the film with maximum inhibition zone against both above-mentioned bacterial strains, the experiments were designed using response surface methodology based on five-level central composite design with four parameters, including concentrations of chitosan, poly(vinyl alcohol), gelatin, and honey. The results indicated that the prepared samples had good antibacterial activities against these two studied bacteria strains. Response surface method is conducted to develop mathematical models for process responses. Variance analysis on the experimental data shows that inhibition zone can be predicted effectively with quadratic models. In addition, swelling properties and rate of water vapor transmission of the prepared hydrogel films were studied. Due to the successful results, this hydrogel film has an excellent potential to be explored further as a wound healing material.

Prevalence of Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Virus Resistant to Oseltamivir in Shiraz, Iran, During 2012 - 2013.

Background: Oseltamivir has been used as a drug of choice for the prophylaxis and treatment of human influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection across the world. However, the most frequently identified oseltamivir resistant virus, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, exhibit the H275Y substitution in NA gene. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and phylogenetic relationships of oseltamivir resistance in influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses isolated in Shiraz, Iran. Patients and Methods: Throat swab samples were collected from 200 patients with influenza-like disease from December 2012 until February 2013. A total of 77 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 positive strains were identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Oseltamivir resistance was detected using quantal assay and nested-PCR method. The NA gene sequencing was conducted to detect oseltamivir-resistant mutants and establish the phylogeny of the prevalent influenza variants. Results: Our results revealed that A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses present in these samples were susceptible to oseltamivir, and contained 5 site specific mutations (V13G, V106I, V241I, N248D, and N369K) in NA gene. These mutations correlated with increasing expression and enzymatic activity of NA protein in the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses, which were closely related to a main influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 cluster isolated around the world. Conclusions: A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses, identified in this study in Shiraz, Iran, contained 5 site specific mutations and were susceptible to oseltamivir.

Modeling and optimization of the chitosan‐based hydrogel films by using central composite design

In the present study, hydrogel films composed of chitosan-poly(vinyl alcohol)-gelatin-thyme honey were successfully prepared by casting method, and their anti-bacterial properties were modeled and optimized. Antibacterial properties of the prepared films were analyzed by applying agar diffusion method. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were tested as Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, respectively. In order to obtain the composition of the film with maximum inhibition zone against both above-mentioned bacterial strains, the experiments were designed using response surface methodology based on five-level central composite design with four parameters, including concentrations of chitosan, poly(vinyl alcohol), gelatin, and honey. The results indicated that the prepared samples had good antibacterial activities against these two studied bacteria strains. Response surface method is conducted to develop mathematical models for process responses. Variance analysis on the experimental data shows that inhibition zone can be predicted effectively with quadratic models. In addition, swelling properties and rate of water vapor transmission of the prepared hydrogel films were studied. Due to the successful results, this hydrogel film has an excellent potential to be explored further as a wound healing material.

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of CTX-M extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolates in Shiraz, Iran

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to detect the prevalence of the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-encoding CTX-M gene in Escherichia coliisolates. METHODS Phenotypic screening of 376 E. coli isolates for ESBL was conducted using disk diffusion. ESBL-producing isolates were tested using PCR and specific primers. The bla(CTX-M) cluster was identified using the RFLP method, and its genotype was sequenced. RESULTS From 202 ESBL-producing E. coli , 185 (91.5%) possessed CTX-M genes. CTX-M-1 subtypes were found in 98% of the isolates. The bla(CTX-M) gene was identical to CTX-M-15. CONCLUSIONS A high prevalence of CTX-M-1-producing E. coli apparently exists in Shiraz, Iran.

Isolation and molecular identification of Aeromonas wound infection in Iranian burn patients

INTRODUCTION Aeromonas spp. have recently emerged as opportunistic pathogens and only few studies are available regarding the isolation of these bacteria from burn wound infections. This study aimed at isolating Aeromonas as an infrequent cause of infection in this group of immunocompromised patients. METHODS A total of 300 samples were collected from the wounds of burn patients hospitalized in Gotbodin Shirazi Burn Center in a year. The samples were cultured on Aeromonas specific media. The API-E20 kit was used for basic biochemical identification and 16S rRNA and gyrB genes amplification and sequencing was performed. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was determined using the agar diffusion and broth microdilution methods. RESULTS Biochemical tests and the API-20E kit demonstrated five samples of Aeromonas, while, molecular testing confirmed only three. All isolates were resistant to ampicillin-sulbactam, erythromycin, oxacillin and vancomycin. However, they were susceptible to gentamicin, meropenem, nitrofurantoin, chloramphenicol, cephalexin and cefotaxime. Two A. veronii isolates were resistant to sulfamethoxazole.

Titering of 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus hemagglutinin inhibition antibody in nonvaccinated pregnant women in Shiraz, Southern Iran.

Influenza may cause severe complications for pregnant women. In this study antibody response against 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in pregnant women was investigated. This seroprevalance cross sectional and questionnaire based study was conducted using a convenient sampling method. Blood samples of pregnant women were checked for antibodies against 2009 H1N1 influenza virus using hemagglutination inhibition assay. An antibody titer level of ≥ 1:40 dilution was considered as the protective level. 167 (43.60%) of 383 pregnant women who participated in this study had protective antibody levels against this virus. 62 (35.63%) of 3rd trimester, 79 (46.74%) of 2nd trimester, and 21(52.50%) of 1st trimester pregnant women were immune respectively (χ2for trend = 8.20, p < 0.004). Lack of protective antibody level was significantly seen more in pregnant women of 3rd trimester of pregnancy (OR = 2.37, CI = 1.09–5.18). Pregnant women with higher education (OR = 1.67, CI = 1.02–2.73) and those with history of anemia (OR = 2.09, CI = 1.18–3.68) had more immunity. Older women (OR = 0.95, CI = 0.91–0.99) and those with history of psychological diseases (OR = 0.19, CI = 0.05–0.70) had less immunity. Vaccination of pregnant women, especially those who are in the higher trimesters of pregnancy, older, or less educated, against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus should be continued.

878 The Prevalence of Human Bocavirus and Adenovirus in Hospitalized Childeren in Shiraz-Iran

Background Acute respiratory infection is common cause of morbidity and mortality especially during childhood. The most important viral respiratory infection, such as: Influenza viruses, Adeno virus, Respiratory syncytial virus and Bocaviruses are the most common infections in upper and lower respiratory tract diseases. Different studies show Adenoviruses and HBoV are the most important potential respiratory pathogen after influenza virus with the same manifestations. HBoV in the parvovirus family first was detected in 2005 by molecular methods. Aim In this study we tried to evaluate the prevalence of HAdV and HBoV in patients with respiratory tract infection. Materials and Methods In this cross sectional study for two years (2009–2010), 150 nasopharyngeal swabs collected from youth age (≤15) with acute upper respiratory tract syndromes referring to the Shiraz University of Medical Hospitals. Adenoviruses were detected by nested-PCR and bocavirus was detected by usual conventional PCR with specific primers. Results Among the 150 taken samples, 40 samples (27%) was positive for adenovirus and in 1 sample (0.66%) HBoV was amplified which was co-infected with adenovirus. Conclusion The result of this study showed that Adenoviruses have more prevalence in south of Iran compare to influenza viruses during this two years, but Bocavirus has no more prevalence in this region between this groups of patients. Up to the result of this study it has been recommended for optimizing the treatment of this group of patients, other viral respiratory infections must be evaluated.