Microbiology
Farzad Mohammadi Ebli; Zoheir Heshmatipour; Khadijeh Daneshjou; Seyed Davood Siadat
Abstract
Background & Objective: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pyogenes are among the most important causes of infection in human. Inventing rapid methods to identify these species can help in providing appropriate and effective treatment options. Therefore, the current ...
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Background & Objective: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pyogenes are among the most important causes of infection in human. Inventing rapid methods to identify these species can help in providing appropriate and effective treatment options. Therefore, the current study aimed to develop a multiplex touch-down PCR method to identify rapidly the aforementioned species patients' sputum samples, simultaneously.Methods: A total of 50 sputum samples of patients with respiratory infections resistant to treatment were collected. After DNA extraction and primer design, the complete capsule (CAP) region II, capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis (cpsA) and the structural regulator of transcription (spy) genes were amplified for detecting H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes by multiplex touch-down PCR.Results: Among 50 samples prepared from patients with different diseases, 27 samples were positive for amplified genes. The frequency of presence of pathogens in the collected samples included 14% H. influenzae, 20% S. pneumoniae and 20% S. pyogenes. Also, in some patients, the simultaneous presence of two or three pathogens were observed.Conclusion: In general, it can be concluded that the PCR touchdown method developed in the present study is an effective and fast method for the simultaneous identification of H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae and S. pyogenes pathogens in clinical samples of patients.
Novin Nikbakhsh1; Masomeh Bayani; Sepideh Siadati
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Sputum smear staining for acid-fast bacilli is initial approach to the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) but more than 50% of cases are sputum smear-negative. This study was aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) guided bronchoalveolar ...
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Background and Objectives: Sputum smear staining for acid-fast bacilli is initial approach to the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) but more than 50% of cases are sputum smear-negative. This study was aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) guided bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in patients suspected to have tuberculosis. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was carried out on 290 sputum smear-negative patients who were clinically suspicious for PTB in 2006-12. All patients were subjected to FOB andBAL, then BAL specimens stained and cultured. Results: Of the 290 patients, 173 cases (59.7%) were men and 117 cases (40.3%) were women with the age of 52.6±19.1 years (ranged 20-76 years). Of the total 290 BAL specimens, 110 specimens (38%) were positive for acid-fast bacilli. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV was 60%, 91%, 89% and 64%, respectively. Also, LR+ and LR- was 64.6% and 0.44%, respectively. Conclusion: FOB guided BAL is a reliable, rapid and useful method for establishing the diagnosis of smear negative PTB with minimal complications.
Ghasem Azimi; Hesam Amini; Niosha Andalibi
Volume 5, Issue 1 , January 2010, , Pages 18-21
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Apoptosis of eosinophils is of significant value in assessing the airway inflammation in patients with asthma. Our purpose was to investigate the degree of expression of the Bcl-2 protein in sputum eosinophils during acute asthma exacerbation and its relationship with ...
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Background and Objectives: Apoptosis of eosinophils is of significant value in assessing the airway inflammation in patients with asthma. Our purpose was to investigate the degree of expression of the Bcl-2 protein in sputum eosinophils during acute asthma exacerbation and its relationship with exacerbation severity. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in Mostafa Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran in March 2008. Sputum was obtained from 15 asthmatic patients and 13 healthy subjects as a control group. Number of eosinophils was counted and Bcl-2+ eosinophils were stained using immunocytochemistry. Results: Sputum eosinophils and Bcl-2+ eosinophils were significantly higher in patients with acute exacerbation than controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: Bcl-2 prolongs survival and decreases apoptosis of airway eosinophils during acute asthma exacerbation. Eosinophil apoptosis and inhibition of Bcl-2 represent a target for new and effective therapeutic strategies of asthma.
