International Journal of Medical Laboratory

72-89

Authors: Hamid Vaez , Amirhossein Sahebkar , Asad Mohammadi , Mohsen Arzanlou , Arshid Yousefi-Avarvand , Farzad Khademi *

Background and Aims: Several studies have shown that host genetic factors can be associated with the risk of developing Helicobacter pylori infections. Therefore, we evaluated the most prevalent toll-like receptors (TLRs) polymorphisms in Helicobacter pylori positive subjects and their possible role in susceptibility to Helicobacter pylori infections. Materials and Methods: Using related keywords, an independent search in the electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and ISI web of knowledge was performed to collect studies evaluating, until January 15, 2019, polymorphisms in the TLR 1 to 13 genes and their association with susceptibility to Helicobacter pylori infection. A total of 18 articles met our inclusion criteria and thus were included in the meta-analysis. Results: In this meta-analysis, a significantly increased risk of Helicobacter pylori infection was observed in subjects carrying TLR2 rs3804099 (TT vs. CC: odds ratio = 2.209, 95% CI: 1.283-3.804), TLR4 rs4986790 (A allele vs. G allele: odds ratio = 2.987, 95% CI: 1.899-4.697), TLR4 rs4986791 (C allele vs. T allele: odds ratio = 5.469, 95% CI: 13.432-8.713), TLR4 rs4986791 (CC vs. TT: odds ratio = 7.974, 95% CI: 2.682-23.706), TLR4 rs10759932 (TT vs. CC: odds ratio = 3.180, 95% CI: 1.022-9.890), TLR4 rs1927914 (C allele vs. T allele: odds ratio = 8.831, 95% CI: 4.222-18.470), and TLR9 rs352140 (CC vs. CT: odds ratio = 1.878, 95% CI: 1.071-3.290) polymorphisms. Conclusions: This meta-analysis indicated that TLR2 rs3804099, TLR4 rs4986790, TLR4 rs4986791, TLR4 rs10759932, TLR4 rs1927914 and TLR9 rs352140 polymorphisms are associated with increased susceptibility to Helicobacter pylori infections.

102-109

Authors: Vahid Poorshafiei , Vahide Jamshidi , Ameneh Khodarahmi , Mahmood Vakili , Ali Moradi *

Background and Aims: This study aimed to investigate the frequency of Q192R polymorphism and oxidative stress markers in infants with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Materials and Methods: This is a case-control study in which 60 male infants (2-4 months old) with G6PD deficiency along with 60 age- and sex-matched healthy neonates were included. The diagnosis of G6PD deficiency was made by Beutler test by which the G6PD enzyme activity is measured by the fluorescent spot test. The blood samples were taken from all infants, and the sera were isolated for the evaluation of Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and malondialdehyde (MDA) using the spectrophotometric method. Restriction fragment length polymorphism was applied for determination of Q192R polymorphism (rs 662). Results: The frequencies of QQ, QR, and RR genotypes were 55%, 39%, and 6%, respectively in infants with G6PD deficiency while the above genotype frequencies were 45%, 49%, and 6%, respectively in healthy neonates. The frequency of R and T alleles failed to show any significant difference when G6PD deficient infants and healthy neonates were compared. The results indicated PON1 activity and MDA levels being significantly (p<0.05) higher in neonates with G6PD deficiency compared with their healthy counterparts. Conclusion: Contrary to previous studies, it was indicated that the presence of RQ and RR genotypes at Q192R position is associated with decreased activity of PON1 and increased oxidative stress. In this study, no significant differences were found in the genotype and allele frequency of PON1 Q192R polymorphism between the case and control groups. Also, this frequency was not consistent with the results obtained from oxidative stress conditions.

121-127

Authors: Sepideh Gholami Yarahmadi , Saeid Morovvati * , Monireh Raam , Ziba Morovvati

Background and Aims: Azoospermia factor (AZF) region of the Y-chromosome has several genes which are responsible for normal spermatogenesis. Microdeletions of these genes are associated with azoospermia and oligospermia. These microdeletions are too small to be detected by karyotyping. They can be easily identified using polymerase chain reaction. The aim of this study is to determine the frequencies of Y-chromosome microdeletions in azoospermic and oligospermic Iranian infertile men and compare them with other studies in different ethnic groups. Materials and Methods: At first, karyotype analysis was performed in 80 infertile men and 30 healthy age-matched counterparts as control group using standard cytogenetic methods. Second, genomic DNA was extracted from all cases and genetic screening was conducted for Y chromosome microdeletions by multiplex polymerase chain reaction for AZF genes on both infertile and control men using 6 STS markers on the long arm of the Y chromosome. Results: Totally, 49 infertile men were azoospermic and 31 were oligospermic. Y-chromosome microdeletions in the AZFc region were detected in 4 of azoospermic patients. Y-chromosome microdeletions was not detected in any of the oligospermic patients and the control group. Conclusions: This finding recommends that genetic counseling and screening before starting assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilisation and intracytoplasmic sperm injection can prevent unnecessary treatment and transmission of genetic defects to offspring.

138-144

Authors: Fahimeh Nourbakhsh , Vajiheh Nourbakhsh, Samaneh Borooni , Elaheh Tajbakhsh *, Dana Daneshmand

Background and Aims: Based on the results, Staphylococcus aureus is one of the serious infectious agents found in community and hospitals with remarkable potential for high morbidity and mortality around the globe. The present study was carried out for molecular investigation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains and Staphylococcal Chromosomal Cassette mec (SCCmec) phenotypes isolated from the intensive care unit in Hazrat Fatemeh Zahra hospital of Isfahan. Materials and Methods: A total of 76 clinical wound samples were collected from Hazrat Fatemeh Zahra Hospital in Isfahan and evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. The Methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) screening was performed by genotypic and phenotypic methods; also antibiotic resistance pattern was determined by using the disk diffusion method and related genes by PCR. Results: Totally, 53 (69.7%) out of 76 clinical samples were positive for MRSA. Of the 76 MRSA strains, 39 (63.51%) were PVL positive (51.3%). The most commonly infected samples were collected from wounds (40.8%). The most commonly detected antibiotic resistance genes were mecA (89.61%), tetK (88.23%), tetM (49.15%) and msrA (46.93%). Resultantly, it was shown that MRSA has the highest level of resistance against methicillin (98%), penicillin (97.24%), tetracycline (89.64%). It was also revealed that the most commonly detected SCCmec types in the MRSA strains are types II (14.53%) and III (16.82%). Conclusions: In summary, this paper argues that the orderly surveillance of hospital-associated infections and initial management and supervision of the antibiotic resistance patterns are required to control the prevalence of MRSA.