International Journal of Medical Laboratory

241-250

Authors: Dele Ohinoyi Amadu M.Sc., Charles Nwabuisi M.Sc., Yahaya Usman M.Sc. Jelili Olaide Mustapha M.Sc., Idris Nasir Abdullahi, Ademola A Popoola FWACS

Background and Aims: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are considered major reservoir for genes encoding antimicrobial resistance. The mechanism of resistance and persistence of UPEC has been attributed to the production of biofilm and Extended Beta Lactamase (ESBL). This hospital-based prospective study determined how biofilm and ESBL production facilitate antibacterial resistance amongst UPEC isolated from catheter urine of patients attending the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Urine samples from 113 catheterized inpatients and outpatients were analysed. Female subjects accounted for 47 (41.6%) of the study population. Standard microbiological methods and Analytical Profile Index (API) 20E were used for the isolation and identification of UPEC. Tissue culture plate technique was used to demonstrate biofilm production potentials and double-disc synergy test was used to determine ESBL production. Results: Catheter associated urinary tract infection in this study was 70.8% of samples analysed. Of this, Escherichia coli, 44 (55.0%) was the most predominant. UPEC, biofilm and ESBL production amounted to 38.9%, 81.8% and 27.2%, respectively. ESBL production was significantly associated with degree of biofilm formation (p<0.005). Both strong and moderate biofilm producers showed the same level of resistance to ceftazidime (31.6%). Moderate biofilm producers were 46.7% resistant to cefriaxone. Resistance to Amoxillin-clauvanate significantly occurred in all grades of biofilm producers (p>0.05). Imipenem, however, was the most sensitive with no resistance by the UPEC. Conclusions: ESBL and biofilm production were associated with antibacterial resistance. The incidence of ESBL production amongst biofilm forming UPEC is of great public health concern.

259-265

Authors: Tooran Nayeri Chegeni Ph.D., Fatemeh Ghaffarifar ٭ Ph.D. Majid Pirestani Ph.D., Fariba Khoshzaban Ph.D. Abdolhosein Dalimi Asl Ph.D., Nahid Maspi Ph.D.

Background and Aims: Amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba are unicellular amphizoic opportunistic pathogens that may cause fatal granulomatous encephalitis, eye keratitis, amebic pneumonitis and skin nodules as well as abscesses in humans and animals. Acanthamoeba keratitis is caused by trauma to the eye, contaminated cleaning solutions and the use of contact lenses. The aim of the present study was to identify the genotypes of Acanthamoeba in all patients with a clinical diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis referring to eye clinic in Tehran using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Materials and Methods: In this study, samples were collected from 35 patients who had referred to the eye clinic and were cultured on 1.5% non-nutrient agar. DNA was extracted, and then PCR amplification was performed using genus specific primers. Sequencing analysis and basic local alignment search tool search were conducted to determine the genotypes. Phylogenetic tree was generated using maximum likely algorithm in phylogenetic program MEGA version 6. Results: Eight cases were positive for Acanthamoeba using genus specific primer pairs. All specimens were reported as genotype T4. Conclusions: Determination of genotypes showed all isolates belonging to genotype T4; this abundance may be due to its higher prevalence in the environment or its greater virulence. However, further analysis of clinical and environmental samples is necessary to clarify this property.

275-287

Authors: Fahimeh Nourbakhsh Ph.D., Samaneh Borooni M.Sc. Elaheh Tajbakhsh *Ph.D.

Background and Aims: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggers production of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory cytokines. Nowadays Silybum marianum has been shown to treat liver and gall bladder disorders, especially to protect the liver against poisoning from various toxins. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the protective effect of silymarin on LPS-induced liver toxicity in male Wistar rat. Materials and Methods: Totally, 40 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n=10 in each): The animals were treated with silymarin for two weeks before the biochemical tests. Apoptosis was assessed by evaluating the amount of proteins in liver tissues by western blotting. Results: LPS induced hepatotoxicity as evidenced by histopathological damages and biochemical abnormalities. Data showed that malondialdehyde level significantly increases in the liver of LPS-treated rats. Destructive effects of LPS on histopathological and biochemical parameters were improved. LPS also increased expression of Bax/Bcl2 ratio and activation of caspase 3, caspase 8 and caspase 9. Western blot analysis showed silymarin treatment inhibiting apoptosis stimulated by LPS in the liver (p<0.001). Conclusions: The results of this research demonstrated that silymarin can exert protective effects against toxic effects of LPS in rat liver. Anti-inflammatory drug can play a protective role in attenuating the liver inflammation induced by LPS injection.

296-301

Authors: Hussein Khani M.Sc., Mahdi Ghorbani *Ph.D., Farshad Nojoomi Ph.D. Alireza Mohebbi M.Sc.

Background and Aims: Currently, many efforts are directed toward functional Hepatitis B virus (HBV) treatment. This is achievable by suppression of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) secretion. In this regard, use of natural products has been the areas of interest by scientific communities. Materials and Methods: Dried Honey Bee venom was extracted for assessing its anti-HBsAg secretion potential. Hepatoma cell-derived PLC/PRF/5 was propagated in complete medium. The cell line was treated by a serial dilution of Bee venom. Cell cytotoxicity (IC50) was measured by MTT colorimetric assay at three post-treatment times. HBsAg secretion was evaluated from PLC/PRF/5 supernatant treated by under-cytotoxic concentrations of Bee venom by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The results indicated that dried Bee venom extract is able to reduce secretion of HBsAg from the cell line with Selectivity Index (SI) of eight. Reduced levels of HBsAg were in dose-dependent manner and it was in its lower concentrations at 8 ppm after 12 hr post treatment. The IC50 was observed to be 63.78 ppm. Conclusions: The Bee venom has anti-HBV activity. The way we used under-cytotoxic concentration of Bee venom, the HBsAg secretion was restored after 24 hr post treatment. Furthermore, mechanism of action of Bee venom in reducing HBsAg level needs to be further investigated.