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Background: Different Escherichia coli phylogenetic groups, such as A, B1, B2, and D, have four functional groups – adhesins, microcins, toxins, and capsules – which can cause urinary tract infections (UTIs). A phylogenetic group with a high virulence content becomes a worldwide health concern. Resistance to antimicrobial agents increasingly complicates the management of E. coli extraintestinal infections, as a major source of illness, death, and increased health care costs. The aim of this study was to determine the virulence content and the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of different uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) phylogenetic groups in Ahvaz, Iran. Methods: Phylogenetic groups, virulence-associated genes (VAGs), and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were detected by molecular and phenotypic methods in a total of 232 clinically well-characterized E. coli strains, isolated from two collections of patients with hospital-acquired (HA) and community-acquired (CA) UTIs. Results: Our results revealed that among 232 UPEC strains, the most frequent phylogenetic group was phylogroup D (58%) with the greatest content in virulence factors, including kpsM (23%), neuA (76.3%, capsule), cnf (29.6%, toxin), and Pap (54.8%, adhesin). Phylogroups D and, to a lesser extent, B2 were the most drug-resistant phylogroups. In addition, phylogroup D was responsible for the majority of HA (64.7%) and CA (48.4%) infections. Conclusion: Among UPEC strains causing UTIs, different phylogroups, through different VAGs, could cause severe infection. Knowledge about the distribution of the four functional groups and VAGs belonging to these phylogroups would significantly help to confine and prevent the development of lethal infection caused by these strains.

Legionella species are widespread in natural water sources and man-made aqueous environments, as well as fresh-water. The present study was conducted owing to the lack of research regarding the prevalence of Legionella spp in the water sources of Ahvaz city in southwest Iran. In this study the macrophage infectivity potentiator (mip) gene sequencing was used for identification of various Legionella species isolated from different water sources. In this study, 144 water samples were collected and inoculated on the buffered charcoal-yeast extract (BCYE) agar and modified Wadowsky-Yee (MWY) medium. The DNA was extracted from positive cultures. The Legionella species were confirmed by amplifying a 654 bp fragment of the 16S rRNA gene. The mip gene of all isolates were amplified by PCR and purified for sequencing. The mip gene sequences were analyzed by jPHYDIT software version 1. The results showed a 13.9% (20/144) prevalence of Legionella spp. in water sources of Ahvaz city, southwest Iran. Analyzing of the mip gene sequences showed, out of 20 Legionella isolates, 13 isolates (54.1%) were positive for L. pneumophila, 5 isolates (20.8%) were positive for L. worsleinsis, one isolates for each one of L. dumoffi and L. fairfieldensis, (4.1%). According to our research, the occurrence of Legionella spp in water sources could be a hazard for the health systems especially in the hospitals. The regular monitoring of these water sources by health planners may therefore be useful for decreasing the risk for Legionella spp. infections.

Our results emphasize the importance of a valuable guide in identifying resistance trends and selecting appropriate antibiotic.

Objectives: One of the most important factors for suitable materials for pulp therapy is biocompatibility. Two histopathologic methods of Cox and Federation Dentaire International (FDI) were used to evaluate inflammation. In Cox method, density of inflammatory cells, tissue reactions like fibrosis, vascular responses like congestion and fibrin extravasation have been used to evaluate inflammatory reactions. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of pathologists’ interpretations using two different methods. Study design: Three pathologists observed the degree of inflammation in 225 histopathologic sections. These sections showed inflammation in subcutaneous connective tissue of rats adjacent to polyethylene tubes, filled with white or gray mineral trioxide aggregate. Empty tubes served as controls. Samples were harvested after 7-, 15-, 30-, 60-, and 90-days. All pathologists examined the sections under a light microscope (Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany) at ×400 magnifications. Chi-Square test was used to evaluate the difference between inflammation grades when one pathologist used two methods. Cohen’s Kappa value was used to measure agreement of three pathologists to recognize the degrees of inflammations when using one of the methods. Results: There were no significant differences between the two methods when one of the pathologist used these methods to report the degree of inflammation (p=0.054). However, two other pathologists reported significant differences between two methods (p=0.005, p=0.001). In the FDI method, there was an acceptable agreement between first and second, and first and third pathologist in terms of the degree of inflammation, and intermediate agreement existed between the second and third pathologist. With the Cox method, no agreement among the pathologists could be found. Conclusion: The results of three pathologists in terms of rating inflammation with the FDI method showed better agreement than with the Cox method. Therefore, FDI method is more reliable than the Cox method to evaluate inflammation. Key words: Biocompatibility, connective tissue, infammation, mineral trioxide aggregate.

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an emerging zoonosis disease that is endemic in the northwestern and southern part of Iran. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and laboratory findings of the children with VL hospitalized at Children Medical Center Hospital (CMC), Tehran, Iran. Methods: A retrospective study was performed based on studied medical records of children with a final diagnosis of VL from 2011 to 2016. For each patient’s demographics, clinical laboratory findings and treatment were examined. Results: The clinical features of 17 children were examined and the most frequent symptoms were fever (94.1%, n=16), pallor, loss of appetite (76.5%, n=13), splenomegaly (82.4%, n=14) and hepatomegaly (58.8%, n=10). The most frequent laboratory abnormalities were hematological including anemia (94.1%, n=16), leukopenia (52.9%, n=9) and thrombocytopenia (70.5%, n=12). In order to detect anti-Leishmania antibodies, DAT was performed in 11 patients and 82% of them were positive (titers ≥ 1: 3200). In addition, rK39 was used in 9 cases and 7 children (78%) had positive results. Direct parasitology revealed the presence of amastigotes of Leishmania in bone marrow aspirate (BMA) stained by Giemsa stain in 9 patients (69%, among 13 children). Conclusion: Leishmaniasis is a regional disease therefore management and control of disease, particularly in an endemic area, as well as detection of new emerging foci are recommended.

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