Pasteur Institute of Iran
Journal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
2345-5349
2345-5330
8
2
2020
4
1
Cutaneous and Visceral Leishmaniasis: Parasites, Vectors and Reservoir Hosts in Endemic Foci of North Khorasan, Northeastern Iran- a Narrative Review
40
44
EN
Sadaf
Sabzevari
Vector-borne Diseases Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
sadafsabzevari@gmail.com
Y
0000000150308183
Mehdi
Mohebali
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
N
0000-0002-4164-9514
Ahmad
Hashemi
Vector-borne Diseases Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
N
0000-0003-4191-9673
10.29252/JoMMID.8.2.40
Leishmaniases are tropical diseases caused by various types of intracellular protozoan species of the genus Leishmania. The infection is transmitted to vertebrate hosts by the infective bite of female sandflies. Depending on the location of the parasite in mammalian tissues and Leishmania species, leishmaniasis presents at least three primary clinical forms: visceral (VL), cutaneous (CL), and mucocutaneous (MCL). Iran is one of the significant endemic areas for CL in Asia. Here, we comprehensively reviewed the literature published from 2009 to 2019 and focused on the distribution, clinical aspects, causatives agents, reservoirs, and vectors of CL and VL in different parts of North Khorasan Province, northeast of Iran. North Khorasan Province in northeastern Iran is one of the principal foci of CL, but VL is just known as an endemic parasitic disease in some areas of this province. Based on a comprehensive literature search on studies published from 2009 to 2019, distribution, causatives agents, reservoirs, and vectors of CL and VL in different parts of North Khorasan Province were determined. Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis )ZCL( due to Leishmania major is the main form of CL in this province. The principal animal reservoir hosts of the infection are rodents and Ph. sergenti is the most predominant species. VL, caused by Leishmania infantum, occurs in some parts of the province, and wild canines were confirmed as reservoirs.
Leishmania major, Leishmania infantum, Iran, Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Visceral Leishmaniasis
http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-238-en.html
http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-238-en.pdf
Pasteur Institute of Iran
Journal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
2345-5349
2345-5330
8
2
2020
4
1
The Life and Career of Dr. Rasoul Pournaki, Eminent Researcher of Pasteur Institute of Iran
45
49
EN
Roya
Mohammadpour
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging infectious diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran,
roya.mohammadpour95@gmail.com
N
0000-0003-3697-5646
Ehsan
Mostafavi
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging infectious diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran
mostafaviehsan@gmail.com
Y
0000000346266325
10.29252/JoMMID.8.2.45
Rasoul Pournaki (1921-2008), a prominent researcher, worked with the Pasture Institute of Iran from 1948 to 1978. He served meritoriously to control infectious diseases in Iran. His main research fields were the plague, relapsing fever, and poliomyelitis. He was the Director of Epidemiology and Virology Departments in the Pasteur Institute of Iran. This paper aims to appreciate his scientific contributions in control of infectious diseases by reviewing his notable services and studies.
Plague, Relapsing Fever, Communicable Diseases, Iran, Poliomyelitis
http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-231-en.html
http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-231-en.pdf
Pasteur Institute of Iran
Journal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
2345-5349
2345-5330
8
2
2020
4
1
Antibiotic Resistance among Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates by Detecting blaVIM and blaNDM Genes
50
55
EN
Narjes
Mohammadi Bandari
Department of Biology, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
narjes_bandari@yahoo.com
N
0000000258977530
Hossein
Keyvani
Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
h.keyvani@yahoo.com
N
0000000180541939
Mohammad
Abootaleb
Department of Biology, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran.
mohammad_abootaleb@yahoo.com
Y
0000000154537653
10.29252/JoMMID.8.2.50
Introduction: The emergence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, especially Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, has become a severe concern worldwide. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of blaVIM and blaNDM genes among K. pneumoniae isolates. Methods: One hundred-eighty-one K. pneumoniae isolates were obtained from different clinical specimens of patients hospitalized at Firoozgar hospital, Tehran, Iran. The isolates were identified by standard biochemical tests, and their identity was confirmed by Vitek 2 (bioMérieux, France), a fully automated system for bacterial identification. The isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and screened for ESBL by double-disc synergy test (DDST) and modified Hodge test (MHT) for the detection of carbapenemase. PCR was also used to detect the presence of blaVIM and blaNDM resistance genes in the isolates. Results: The Vitek 2 system confirmed the biochemical test results. The highest and lowest rates of resistance to antibiotics belonged to cefepime (83.9%) and imipenem (55.2%). Eighty-six and 100 isolates showed to produce ESB and KPC by DDST and MHT, respectively. About 71% and 97% of the 100 isolates were positive for blaVIM and blaNDM genes, respectively. Conclusion: The high rate of ESBL- and KPC-producing K. pneumoniae isolates in our hospital setting revealed resistance to conventional antibiotics, which limit our options in choosing appropriate antimicrobials. Although the management of infections associated with these organisms is challenging, it is essential to control such strains to prevent the outbreak.
Klebsiella pneumoniae, beta-Lactamases, Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae
http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-248-en.html
http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-248-en.pdf
Pasteur Institute of Iran
Journal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
2345-5349
2345-5330
8
2
2020
4
1
A Survey of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Ticks of Shahr-e Ray, Iran, 2016-2017
56
59
EN
Pedram
Talaie
Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran
pedram.talaie@yahoo.com
N
0000-0001-7815-7540
Mohammad Mehdi
Sedaghat
Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
sedaghmm@tums.ac.ir
N
0000-0002-1365-0796
Ehsan
Mostafavi
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
mostafaviehsan@gmail.com
N
0000-0002-1997-517X
Zakiyeh
Telmadarraiy
Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
N
0000-0002-6975-9571
Mehdi
Rouhani
Department of Microbiology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
Kia.rohani@gmail.com
N
0000-0001-8956-5072
Mostafa
Salehi-Vaziri
Research Centre for Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Department of Arboviruses and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (National Reference Laboratory), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran.
mostafavaziri1985.2@gmail.com
Y
0000000188928505
10.29252/JoMMID.8.2.56
Introduction: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral zoonosis with a considerable fatality rate. The virus is mainly transmitted to humans and animals through the bites of infected hard ticks belonging to the genus Hyalomma. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CCHFV in ticks in Shahr-e Ray city, one of the meat supplier counties in Tehran Province, Iran. Methods: A molecular survey was carried out on collected ticks from sheep in slaughterhouses and husbandries of Shahr-e Ray city, during 2016-17. The ticks were identified using taxonomic characteristics, and the presence of CCHF virus RNA was investigated using an RT-PCR amplifying a 536 bp of the small segment of the viral genome. Results: The results of this study showed that the Hyalomma ticks were the dominant species in Shahr-e Ray slaughterhouses and husbandries. In none of the assayed ticks, RT-PCR detected CCHFV RNA. Conclusion: A considerable tick infestation with members of genus Hyalomma, among sheep in Shahr-e Ray slaughterhouses and husbandries, indicates the vulnerability of this county of tick-borne infections outbreaks such as CCHF. Therefore, applying acaricides and other preventive strategies should be adopted to control the tick population in Shahr-e Ray.
Crimean-Congo Hemor-rhagic Fever Virus, Tick, Iran
http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-253-en.html
http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-253-en.pdf
Pasteur Institute of Iran
Journal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
2345-5349
2345-5330
8
2
2020
4
1
Immunogenicity of the Recombinant Cryptococcus neoformans HSP70, a Potential Candidate for Developing an ELISA Kit
60
64
EN
Shima
Safaei
Department of Pathobiology, School of Paraveterinary Sciences, BU-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran.
shimasafaei@yahoo.com
N
0000-0002-2646-4132
Hossein
Rezvan
Department of Pathobiology, School of Paraveterinary Sciences, BU-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran.
h.rezvan@basu.ac.ir
Y
0000000293280245
Roohollah
Fateh
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
rfateh@gmail.com
N
0000-0002-2073-5552
Mohammad
Khalifeh Gholi
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
mkhgh2000@gmail.com
N
0000-0003-0474-2477
10.29252/JoMMID.8.2.60
Introduction: Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated fungal pathogen that causes life-threatening meningoencephalitis in immunocompromised patients. This yeast secretes several potent immunogenic proteins by secretory vesicular mechanisms, such as HSP70 chaperone. Methods: The PCR-amplified HSP70 gene was cloned into a PET-28a(+) expression vector. The purified recombinant HSP70 (rHSP70) was evaluated by western blotting using an anti-His Tag-HRP antibody and then used for immunization of a rabbit. The serum of the immunized rabbit was tested against the whole lysate of C. neoformans in ELISA. Results: The antibodies in the rabbit’s serum recognized lysate of C. neoformans yeast. The highest antibody levels were achieved after the third booster injection. Conclusion: The rHSP70 showed to be a reliable candidate for the designing and development of an ELISA kit for early detection of cryptococcosis, and to screen a large number of specimens.
Cryptococcus neoformans, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Heat Shock Protein 70KD
http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-246-en.html
http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-246-en.pdf
Pasteur Institute of Iran
Journal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
2345-5349
2345-5330
8
2
2020
4
1
Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Host Pattern-Recognition Receptors Show Association with Antiviral Responses against SARS-CoV-2, in-silico Trial
65
70
EN
Hossein
Teimouri
Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
hosseinteimouri94@gmail.com
N
Amirhosein
Maali
Pasteur Institute of Iran
maali.amirhosein@gmail.com
Y
0000000206993010
10.29252/JoMMID.8.2.65
Introduction: Coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) can be detected by host pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) expressed in inherent immune cells. The polymorphisms in PRRs leads to different recognizing and immune responses against viral infections. Methods: Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of PRRs, minor allele frequency (MAF), and their geographical distribution were obtained from the Ensembl genome database. Interaction between the common polymorphic forms of PRRs (including TLR3, TLR7, RIG-1, and MDA-5) and SARS-CoV-2 virus genome (dsRNA) were predicted using the hybrid protein-RNA docking algorithm HDOCK server. Also, the global distribution of common SNPs and their MAFs were statistically analyzed using SPSS, ver.16. Results: The wild-type TLR3 and TLR3 SNP rs73873710 had the same docking energy score (-330.48 kcal/mol), and had lower docking energy scores compared to the other two SNPs, rs3775290 and rs3775291 (-301.42 and -295.81 kcal/mol, respectively). TLR7 SNP rs179008 had a higher docking energy score (-423.03 kcal/mol), comparing to the wild-type TLR7 (-445.46 kcal/mol). Also, there was a statistically significant direct relationship between MAF of TLR3 SNP rs3775290 and rs3775291 with SARS-CoV-2 prevalence (P=0.021 and P=0.023, respectively) and prevalence/population ratio of COVID-19 (P=0.026 and P<0.001, respectably). Conclusion: Wild-type TLR3 and TLR3 SNP rs73873710 can recognize the SARS-CoV-2 dsRNA genome through a better performance compared to TLR3 SNP rs3775290 and TLR3 SNP rs3775291. Therefore, our in-silico study established that PRRs SNPs are associated with antiviral responses against SARS-CoV-2.
COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Pathogen-Associated, Molecular Pattern Molecules
http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-250-en.html
http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-250-en.pdf
Pasteur Institute of Iran
Journal of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
2345-5349
2345-5330
8
2
2020
4
1
Seroprevalence of Visceral Leishmaniosis in Stray Dogs of Hamedan, West of Iran in 2018
71
75
EN
Jamal
Gharekhani
Central Veterinary Laboratory, Iranian Veterinary Organization, Hamedan, Iran
gharekhani_76@yahoo.com
N
0000-0001-5882-8861
Mahdi
Pourmahdi Borujeni
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran Uiversity of Ahwaz
pourmahdim@gmail.com
N
0000-0002-8450-2993
Alireza
Sazmand
Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
Alireza.Sazmand@basu.ac.ir
Y
0000000284502993
10.29252/JoMMID.8.2.71
Introduction: Canine zoonotic visceral leishmaniosis (VL) caused by Leishmania infantum has been reported from 20 out of 31 provinces in Iran. In 2013, 3.95% of dogs in Hamedan Province showed anti-L. infantum antibodies by indirect ELISA method. In 2018, we reevaluated L. infantum infection among stray dogs in the same region. Methods: From June to November 2018, blood sera from 180 stray dogs in Hamedan and the outskirts were examined for the presence of anti-L. infantum antibodies using the same ELISA kit employed in the previous study. Results: The ELISA detected anti-L. infantum antibodies in blood sera of 19 dogs (10.56%, 95% CI: 6.18–14.94). Infected dogs were significantly older than non-infected dogs (p=0.048) with an odds ratio of 1.02 (p=0.02) between age and infection, implying that the odds of infection increased 2% with each month of age. Seropositivity rate was 11.21% in females and 11.11% in males with no significant difference between the two sexes (p=1). The odds of infection in female dogs were 1.01 compared to that in males. Conclusion: The seroprevalence rate of L. infantum infection in stray dogs in this study showed an increase compared with 2013 (10.55% vs. 3.95%). An increase in antibodies against L. infantum in dogs of Hamedan and the presence of competent vectors for transmission of the parasite in the region makes the transmission of VL possible. Further PCR-based studies are required to confirm the infection in the infected dogs in sand flies.
Leishmania infantum, ELISA, Epidemiology, Canine, Zoonosis, One-Health
http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-252-en.html
http://jommid.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-252-en.pdf