Elaheh Ferdosi | University of Tehran (original) (raw)

Papers by Elaheh Ferdosi

Journal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Introduction: Proteus spp. are opportunistic members of Enterobacteriaceae, accounting for 10% of... more Introduction: Proteus spp. are opportunistic members of Enterobacteriaceae, accounting for 10% of urinary tract infections and other primary clinical infections. They produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) that can confer resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility, molecular characteristics, and genetic relationship of ESBL-producing Proteus spp. clinical isolates in Babol, Northern Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, out of 112 clinical samples, 30 Proteus spp. isolates were identified via specific biochemical assays. According to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines, antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated using disc diffusion and agar dilution methods, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect blaTEM and blaSHV genes. Results: The resistance rate to tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole was highest by disk diffusion and agar dilution. Multiple drug-resistant (MDR) isolates were 86% and 60% in disk diffusion and agar dilution assays. Seven (23.3%) isolates had the blaTEM genes and 18 (60%) blaSHV. Conclusion: ESBL-producing Proteus spp. was highly prevalent, and the blaSHV was the most common resistance contributing gene. These findings and relatively high resistance to ampicillin demand more care in prescribing antibiotics. Also, the high prevalence of MDR isolates in patients infected with ESBL-producing Proteus spp. requires continuous surveillance.

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

Background: A combination of bioceramics and polymeric materials has attracted the research commu... more Background: A combination of bioceramics and polymeric materials has attracted the research community’s interest in bone tissue engineering. These composites are essential to support cell attachment, proliferation, and osteogenesis differentiation, which are vital as a classic strategy in bone tissue engineering. In this study, NiFe2O4/ZnO-coated poly L-Lactide (PLLA) was employed as a scaffold to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation capability of human adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs).Material and methods: The electrospun PLLA nanofibers were fabricated, coated with nanocomposite (NiFe2O4/ZnO), and evaluated by the water contact angle (WCA), tensile test, attenuated total reflectance fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Then, the osteogenic differentiation potential of hAMSCs was assessed using NiFe2O4/ZnO-coated PLLA compared to tissue culture plastic (TCP) and a simple scaffold (PLLA) in vitro conditions.Results: T...

Background A combination of bioceramics and polymeric materials has attracted the research commun... more Background A combination of bioceramics and polymeric materials has attracted the research community's interest in bone tissue engineering. This composite is essential to support cell attachment, proliferation and osteogenesis differentiation, which are vital as a classic strategy in bone tissue engineering. In this study, NiFe2O4/ZnO-coated poly L-Lactide (PLLA) was employed as a scaffold to evaluate the osteogenic differentiation capability of human Adipose tissue-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hAMSCs). Material and methods The electrospun PLLA nanofibers were fabricated, coated with nanocomposites(NiFe2O4/ZnO) and evaluated by the water contact angle, tensile test, ATR-FTIR and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Then, the osteogenic differentiation potential of hAMSC was evaluated in vitro using NiFe2O4/ZnO-coated PLLA compared to tissue culture plastic (TCP) and a simple scaffold (PLLA). Results The adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of AMSC were supported by the ...

Journal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 2020

Introduction: Integronsare are mobile genetic elements which play an essential role in the distri... more Introduction: Integronsare are mobile genetic elements which play an essential role in the distribution of antibiotic-resistant genes among bacteria. This study aimed to investigate the Class I integron in Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates and its association with multiple drug resistance (MDR). Methods: We obtained 30 K. pneumoniae isolates from patients admitted to the ICU at Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Babol City, Mazandaran province, Iran. Different classes of antimicrobials were used to determine the resistance pattern. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect the int1 gene of the class I integrons. We also investigated the suitability of the two pairs of primers for the detection of the intl gene. Results: Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed 90% resistance to ceftizoxime, cefotaxime, and cefepime, 88.6% to cefazolin, gentamicin, ticarcillin, and ceftriaxone, 83.3% to imipenem, 60% to ciprofloxacin, 56.6% to ofloxacin, and 36.6% to amikacin. The PCRs with two pairs of primers, one designed previously and the other in this study, detected int1 in 36.6% and 60% of samples, respectively. Conclusion: The int1 gene was of high prevalence (60%) in K. pneumoniae isolates. This factor could play a significant role in the spread of MDR strains. Also, failure to adhere to essential points in the design of the primer can lead to the production of primers with low specificity and efficiency, which reduces the proper identification of antibiotic resistance genes.

Additional file 1: Figure S1. Sensitivity of minimal detectable rate of LAMP test in compare with... more Additional file 1: Figure S1. Sensitivity of minimal detectable rate of LAMP test in compare with PCR. (A); the minimal detectable rate of Brucella DNA in PCR technique is 100 fg / μl, (B); detection of 10 fg / μl bacteria genome in LAMP test. M; 100 bp DNA size marker (SinaClon Bioscience Co, Iran), C- (negative control).

Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, 2010

Introduction: Cerumen is known as ear wax, produced regularly by cerumen and lipid secretary glan... more Introduction: Cerumen is known as ear wax, produced regularly by cerumen and lipid secretary glands. Regarding the effect of Mazandaran province's humid weather on the prevalence of pathogenic microorganisms, this study was performed to determine the bacterial flora of the ear in patients with acute otitis externa and its comparison with healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, cerumen was collected and cultured from 40 patients with clinically diagnosed acute otitis externa and 80 healthy controls. The data were finally analyzed using SPSS. Results: In the study group, Staphylococcus aureus (20.8%), Bacillus (18.9%) and Pseudomonas (11.3%) and in the control group Staphylococcus epidermidis (38.7%) and Diphtheroid (22.4%) were the most common bacteria, respectively. Conclusion:

Iranian Journal of Neonatology IJN, 2013

Introduction: Infantile colic is one of the most common problems in the family in few weeks after... more Introduction: Infantile colic is one of the most common problems in the family in few weeks after birth. Pathophysiology of colic has not been explained yet. The aim of this study was to compare the intestinal microflora in colicky and non-colicky infants. Materials and Methods: Seventy breastfed infant aged 15-60 days were enrolled in this study and divided into two groups of 35 colicky and non-colicky according to Wessel’s criteria. Stool sample were cultured on selective media. Lactobacillus species were defined by specific tests. Difference in the normal flora between two groups was analyzed by SPSS 16, t-test and a P-value less than 0.05 was considered being significant. Results: Among 35 colicky and non-colicky infant, 15 and 20 culture positive lactobacilli were detected respectively. Lactobacillus (LB) acidophilus grew in 7 (20%) non-colicky infants and none of colicky infants. (P=0.02). Conclusion: Absence of LB acidophilus in colicky infants may predispose growth of other ...

Journal of Acute Disease, 2017

Objective: To assess the relation between acute gastrointestinal disease and Helicobacter pylori ... more Objective: To assess the relation between acute gastrointestinal disease and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections. Methods: Over the 18-month period, a total of 323 patients referred to three hospitals in Babol (north of Iran) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. H. pylori status (rapid urease test), endoscopic findings in the patients, personal habits (smoking or alcohol intake) and administration of drugs, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were analyzed using standard Chi-square test and multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Results showed that acute gastric ulcer patients had a significant association with alcohol (P=0.001, OR=6.183), opium (P=0.022, OR=2.823), smoking (P=0.016, OR=2.579) and NSAIDs (P=0.046, OR=2.071). However, patients with in acute duodenal ulcer have a significant association with opium (P=0.023, OR=2.326) and alcohol (P=0.003, OR=3.888). As well as, gastric cancer had significant association with alcohol (P<0.05, OR=6.937), smoking (P=0.012, OR=2.738), family history (P=0.005, OR=4.380) and gender (P≤0.05, OR=5.103). Conclusions: Current investigation shows that H. pylori infection, alcoholism, male gender, age and family history have an additive impact on the incidence of gastric cancer. In addition, alcoholism, opium usage, NSAIDs and family history have more impact on the incidence of acute gastric ulcer and acute duodenal ulcer in patients.

African Journal of Microbiology Research, Jan 14, 2015

Acute phas testing bloo disease. Th urine samp of north I polymorphi interrogans was used b lepto... more Acute phas testing bloo disease. Th urine samp of north I polymorphi interrogans was used b leptospira i 10 (9%) blo sensitivity o

Dental research journal, 2013

One of the causative factors in development of dental caries is microorganisms. Two species of Mu... more One of the causative factors in development of dental caries is microorganisms. Two species of Mutans streptococci including Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are associated with dental caries in human beings. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of S. mutans and S. sobrinus in saliva of children with different caries activity and ability to form biofilm and acid susceptibility of these microorganisms. This analytical case-control study was performed on 83 preschool children, 4-6 years old. Children were divided into two groups including 41 caries-active and 42 caries-free children. Non-stimulated saliva samples were collected and culture and polymerase chain reaction techniques were used. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test, Chi-square, ANOVA, and Kappa tests. S. mutans and S. sobrinus were found in 65% and 21.6% of the samples respectively. S. mutans was isolated from 75.6% of caries-active and 54.8% of caries-free children. Figures for ...

Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, 2001

Nucleic acid amplification was performed for five loci in the cag pathogenicity island (PAI) of H... more Nucleic acid amplification was performed for five loci in the cag pathogenicity island (PAI) of Helicobacter pylori (comprising cagA , the cagA promoter region, cagE , cagT , and the left end of cag II [LEC]), and gastric inflammation in patients was evaluated. Of 204 H. pylori isolates from Japanese patients (53 with peptic ulcer, 55 with gastric cancer, and 96 with chronic gastritis), 197 (96.6%) were positive for all five loci. Two isolates (1%) were negative for all five loci, and five isolates (2.4%) were positive for only cagA and LEC. These latter seven isolates were all from patients with mild chronic gastritis. Neutrophil infiltration in gastric mucosa was significantly milder in patients infected with partially or totally deleted-PAI strains than in those with intact-PAI strains. The cagE gene was a more accurate marker of an intact cag PAI than the cagA gene, and cagE seemed to be more useful in discriminating between H. pylori strains causing different rates of disease p...

Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic nosocomial bacterium, especially in infect... more Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic nosocomial bacterium, especially in infection wards and among patients with burns. The present study addressed the molecular investigation of the gene cassettes of Class I integrin (intI) and its relationship with multiple drug resistance in clinical samples of P. aeruginosa isolated from Babol hospitals in north of Iran. Objectives: This study aimed to detect the frequency of intI and gene cassettes in the clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa. Methods: In this study, from 75 clinical samples, 30 strains were identified using specific biochemical methods. After determining antibiotic susceptibility using disk diffusion and agar dilution, the frequency of the intI gene and its gene cassettes were determined using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Results: The highest resistance rate was observed for cefotaxime, ampicillin, and nitrofurantoin using disk diffusion and agar dilution methods. The molecular analyses revealed t...

Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology, 2013

Background: Antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as one of the most important pathoge... more Background: Antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as one of the most important pathogens commonly implicated in nosocomial infections, has been increased in recent years, moreover the presence of integrons and the associated resistance gene cassettes is well established. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to ascertain the presence and spread of class 1 integrons amongst environmental isolates of P. aeruginosa from Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as well as its association with drug resistance. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 33 P. aeruginosa, isolated from different places and devices used in ICU at Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Babol, north of Iran, from 2008 to 2009. Antibiotic susceptibility profiles and minimum inhibitory concentration against 12 antibacterial agents were performed by micro dilution and disk diffusion methods. The detection of class 1 integron was performed by the PCR method. The demographic and microbiological data between the integron positive and negative isolates were compared with SPSS software. Results: Thirteen of 33 (39.4%) of P. aeruginosa had intl gene, among which 24.2% were characterized as multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa (MDRPA) on the other hand, 15.2% showed intermediate or complete sensitivity. No significant differences were seen between the presence of integron gene and resistance to the antibiotics except for ofloxacin. Most resistance was observed in cefepime (100%) and the lowest to ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin (42.5%). Conclusions: The result of this study showed a high prevalence of class 1 integron gene in most P. aeruginosa strains isolated from different parts of the environment and equipment used in ICU. The role of these transferable genetic agents has been proven in the creation of resistance. So, the environmental bacteria represent a reservoir for dissemination of clinically relevant multidrug-resistant antibiotics and should be taken under control to reduce the appearance or distribution of these antibiotic resistant agents.

International journal of molecular and cellular medicine, 2012

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most important pathogens that causes nosocomial infections a... more Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most important pathogens that causes nosocomial infections and shows high level of antibiotic resistance. Integrons are one of the transposable elements in bacteria and their role in antibiotic resistance has been well demonstrated. The aim of this study was a molecular characterization of the integron genes and the determination of the resistance or sensitivity pattern to ceftizoxime, cephizoxim. cephotaxim, amikacin, ofloxacin, imipenem, cefepime, ticarcillin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, cefazolin and ceftriaxone antibiotics in P. aeruginosa strains isolated from Intensive Care Units (ICU), Shahid Beheshti Hospital, North of Iran. This cross-sectional study was performed from 2011 to 2012. Totally, fifty four P. aeruginosa strains were isolated from ICU at Shahid-Beheshti hospital, Babol, North of Iran. The bacteria were diagnosed based on mobility, pigment production, growth in 42(0) C, oxidase and catalase tests. PCR analysis was carried out t...

Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine, 2017

Background: Staphylococcus aureus (s. aureus) nasal carriers, particularly the healthcare staff c... more Background: Staphylococcus aureus (s. aureus) nasal carriers, particularly the healthcare staff can be considered as a potential source for the spread of resistant strains. The aim of this study was to determine the molecular characterization of S. aureus strains isolated among the staff nasal carriers in one of the teaching hospitals in Babol. Methods: A total of 120 nasal swabs were taken from the staff of Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital Babol during 2016. The antibiotic resistance pattern was performed by disc diffusion method for 13 antibiotics, including cefoxitin, cephalothin, teicoplanin, vancomycin, daptomycin, oxacillin, amoxicillin, amikacin, linezolid, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, erythromycin, rifampin, according to the CLSI 2015. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect mecA and pvl genes. Finally, the different SCCmec types were determined by multiplex- PCR method. Results: Among the 120 collected specimens, 40(33.3%) S. aureus isolates were approved. 28(70%) of s...

Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 2021

In recent years, different acquired resistance mechanisms, including transposons, bacteriophages,... more In recent years, different acquired resistance mechanisms, including transposons, bacteriophages, plasmids, and integrons have been identified as involved in the spread of resistance genes in bacteria. The role of integrons as mobile genetic elements playing a central role in antibiotic resistance has been well studied and documented. Integrons are the ancient structures that mediate the evolution of bacteria by acquiring, storing, disposing, and resorting to the reading frameworks in gene cassettes. The term integron describes a large family of genetic elements, all of which are able to capture gene cassettes. Integrons were classified into three important classes based on integrase intI gene sequence. Integrons can carry and spread the antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria and are among the most significant routes of distribution of resistance genes via horizontal transfer. All integrons have three essential core features. The first feature is intI, the second one is an integ...

Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases, 2016

Background: Wolbachia are common intracellular bacteria that infect different groups of arthropod... more Background: Wolbachia are common intracellular bacteria that infect different groups of arthropods including mosquitoes. These bacteria modify host biology and may induce feminization, parthenogenesis, male killing and cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). Recently Wolbachia is being nominated as a bio-agent and paratransgenic candidate to control mosquito borne diseases. Methods: Here we report the results of a survey for presence, frequency, and phylogenetic congruence of these endosymbiont bacteria in Culex pipiens populations in Northern, Central, and Southern parts of Iran using nested-PCR amplification of wsp gene. Results: Wolbachia DNA were found in 227 (87.3%) out of 260 wild-caught mosquitoes. The rate of infection in adult females ranged from 61.5% to 100%, while in males were from 80% to 100%. The Blast search and phylogenetic analysis of the wsp gene sequence revealed that the Wolbachia strain from Iranian Cx. pipiens was identical to the Wolbachia strains of supergroup B p...

Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine, 2015

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases and Es... more Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases and Escherichia coli is its common cause. The aim of this study was to assess the resistance patterns of E.coli in urinary tract infections and to determine the susceptibility of E.coli to commonly used antimicrobials and also to evaluate the options for empirical treatment of UTI. Methods: This study was conducted in the Ayatollah Rouhani Teaching Hospital of Babol Medical Sciences University in North of Iran. Between January of 2013 to December 2013, antimicrobial susceptibility tests were done by disk diffusion and microdilution method. Growth of >=105 cfu/ml was considered as positive urine test. Ten commonly used antibiotics were examined for susceptibility test. Data and the results were collected and analyzed. Results: E.coli grew in 57 urine samples. Imipenem, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin were the most sensitive antibiotics at 87.7%, 87.7% and 78.9% respectively. Whereas, cotrimoxazole,...

Iranian Journal of Microbiology, 2018

Background and Objectives: Clostridium difficile is responsible for 15–25% of nosocomial antibiot... more Background and Objectives: Clostridium difficile is responsible for 15–25% of nosocomial antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) cases and all cases of pseudomembranous colitis. C. difficile has two major virulence factors, toxin A (enterotoxin) and toxin B (cytotoxin). The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of C. difficile strains in patients with diarrhea in Babol’ hospitals with toxigenic culture and PCR assay. Materials and Methods: One hundred stool specimens were taken from diarrheal patients in hospitals of the city of Babol. All patients had a history of antibiotic use. The samples were cultured on CCFA medium. In the next stage, toxigenic culture was performed for isolated C. difficile strains. Then, PCR assay was used to identify gdh, tcdA and tcdB genes among isolated C. difficile strains. Results: From the 100 stool samples, eight (8%) samples were positive in C. difficile culture. In toxigenic culture, two (2%) of these strains had cytopathic effects on Vero ...