Medical Laboratory Journal

Antibacterial activity of cinnamon extract against gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial pathogens isolated from patient samples

Manasa Sireesha Devara

Background: Medicinal plants have played crucial roles in the traditional health care system since the origin of mankind. Among them, cinnamon is used not only as a spice in food but also as a substance with many health-beneficial effects. The aim of the present study was to identify the antibacterial activity of cinnamon bark extract against bacterial isolates from patient pus samples that might help treat infections.
Methods: The antibacterial potential of cinnamon bark extract in both ethanol and methanol against 6 bacterial isolates obtained from pus samples received in the Microbiology Laboratory was identified by agar well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) using standard techniques.
Results: By agar well diffusion, the highest inhibitory activity of ethanol and methanol extracts of cinnamon was shown by Staphylococcus aureus, followed by coagulase-negative Staphylococci. The lowest inhibitory effect was shown by Proteus mirabilis. The ethanol extract of cinnamon MIC and MBC ranged from 6.25 mg/mL to 12.5 mg/mL and 12.5 mg/mL to 50 mg/mL. The methanol extract of cinnamon MIC showed a value of 12.5 mg/mL, and the methanol extract of MBC ranged from 12.5 mg/mL to 50 mg/mL against all bacterial isolates of the present study.
Conclusion: Staphylococcus aureus is sensitive to the alcoholic extract of cinnamon bark, but its effect is less than that of the selected antibiotic.

Maternal and fetal outcomes among antenatal women with hypothyroid disorders in a tertiary care center

Thivyah Prabha

Background: Thyroid disorders are the most common cause of endocrine dysfunction among women of childbearing age. It is well-established that hypothyroid dysfunction can have significant adverse effects on pregnancy and fetal development. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of thyroid disorders among antenatal women and assess the maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant women with hypothyroid disorders.
Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the antenatal clinic of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in association with the Biochemistry Department. After obtaining written informed consent, antenatal women aged 18-40 years were included in this study, regardless of their gestational period. Venous blood samples were collected from the antecubital vein, and thyrotropin, free triiodothyronine (free T3), and free thyroxine (free T4) levels were measured. Hypothyroid antenatal women were monitored throughout their pregnancies to evaluate maternal and fetal outcomes.
Results: Among the participants in this study, 149 antenatal women had thyroid disorders, with a prevalence rate of 12.6%. Subclinical hypothyroidism, overt hypothyroidism, subclinical hyperthyroidism, and overt hyperthyroidism were observed in 6.9%, 3.2%, 1.8%, and 0.7% of cases, respectively. Maternal complications included oligohydramnios (5.8%), preeclampsia (13.3%), and preterm delivery (5%), while fetal complications included low birth weight (20.8%), hyperbilirubinemia (9.1%), and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions (13.3%).
Conclusion: A high prevalence (12.6%) of thyroid disorders, particularly hypothyroidism (10.1%), among pregnant women, emphasizing the importance of routine thyroid testing for all antenatal individuals.

Rapid and direct detection of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 by Real-Time PCR method in clinical specimens

Hamid Reza Joshaghani

Background: Herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are a common cause of dermal, oral, and genital infections worldwide. Rapid diagnosis of infected patients will prevent transmission to uninfected individuals. Therefore, this study aimed to detect HSV-1 and HSV-2 by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in patients from Golestan, Iran.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 645 suspected HSV patients hospitalized in the health centers of Golestan Province were selected between 2015 and 2020. Demographic data were collected, and DNA was extracted from the samples. Detection of HSV-1 and HSV-2 was performed by RT-PCR.
Results: Of the 645 samples tested by RT-PCR, 9 samples (1.39 %) were found to be positive for HSV-1/HSV-2, and the rest of the samples (98.6%) were negative. Of the 9 positive samples, 8 cases (88.8%) were HSV-1, of which 7 cases (77.7%) were from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and 1 case (12.5%) from the vagina. HSV-2 was seen only in 1 vaginal specimen (11.1%).
Conclusion: Early diagnosis of these viral infections is very important as it can lead to early treatment and avoid further symptoms and even death. Thus, molecular approaches can provide an option for quicker diagnosis.

Association between toxoplasmosis and COVID-19 infection: A cross-sectional study

Seyedmousa Motavallihaghi

Background: COVID-19 is a respiratory disease pandemic and a major global health problem that can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Previous studies have shown an inverse link between toxoplasmosis and COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the association between COVID-19 and toxoplasmosis infection.
Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, samples were taken from 360 patients, 50% of whom were men and 50% were women. Of the patients, 180 were determined to be COVID-19-positive by the ELISA kit, and 180 were in the control group. Some demographic characteristics, such as sex, age range, and occupation, were also recorded.
Results: This study was conducted on 180 COVID-19-positive patients, of whom 26.7% were in the 16-30-year age group, 25.1% were self-employed, and 31.7% had anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. Among the 180 control patients, 21.1% had antibodies for T. gondii. Of the 57 patients who were co-infected with both COVID-19 and toxoplasmosis, men had higher infection rates (63.2%) than women (36.8%). There was a significant relationship between co-infections with COVID-19 and toxoplasmosis with occupation, but not with age.
Conclusion: The study found that people with toxoplasmosis infection have a 1.73 times higher risk of contracting COVID-19. The findings suggest that infectious agents could be a predisposing factor, possibly due to changes in cytokine levels.

The pattern of allergic sensitization by the skin prick test and immunoblotting method among patients with atopic dermatitis in 2018

Mohammad Fereidouni

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common allergic disorder. Detection of responsible pathogenic allergens in AD patients by reliable methods has a fundamental role in the prevention, management, and treatment of AD. This study was conducted to determine the most common allergens by the skin prick test (SPT) and immunoblotting among AD patients referring to an allergy clinic in Birjand City, Iran.
Methods: The presence of AD was confirmed by an expert allergist. Serum levels of total and specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) against 30 food and inhalant allergens were evaluated by a commercial immunoblotting kit (AlleisaScreen).
Results: The skin prick test was performed by a battery of 17 allergens. In total, 34 AD patients (mean age, 28.76 ± 17.36 years; range, 1-60 years; F/M ratio: 0.88) were enrolled in this study. The sensitization rates to at least 1 fungus, pollen, food, or indoor allergen by the immunoblotting method were 32.35%, 61.76%, 52.94%, and 47.05%, respectively. The most prevalent allergens were ragweed (52.94), Olive tree (41.16), Eucalyptus (35.29), date palm (35.29), and grass mix (32.28).
Conclusion: The study found that 85.29% of the studied population were sensitized to at least 1 allergen. Pollens and date palms were the most common allergens among AD patients, but the pattern of sensitization in SPT and immunoblotting was not exactly similar. Detection of allergens to which patients are sensitized and avoidance can help in the management of the disease and its symptoms.

Comparing the cytotoxic effects of iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized using the cytoplasmic extract of Lactobacillus casei and chemical synthesis

Fereshte Ghandehari

Background: Discovering new cytotoxic compounds has received significant attention due to the rise in drug resistance and the adverse effects associated with chemotherapy drugs. In this study, the cytoplasmic extract of Lactobacillus casei was used to produce iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₂o₃ NPs), and the cytotoxic effects of NPs were investigated on MCF-7 and human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells.
Methods: The cytoplasmic extract of L. casei was mixed with 10³M iron sulfate solution and incubated for 3 weeks at 37 °C and 5% CO₂. The coprecipitation method was used to synthesize chemical Fe₂o₃ NPs. The synthesis of NPs was studied by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and the cytotoxic effects were evaluated with dilutions (10, 100, and 1000 µg/mL) on MCF-7 and HEK cells.
Results: X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy presented the mean of NPs synthesized by the green method to be about 15 nm and their shape to be spherical, as well as the average of chemically synthesized NPs to be about 20 nm with cubic structure. Chemical and green synthesized NPs only at a concentration of 1000 µg/mL were able to significantly reduce the survival rate of normal HEK-293 cells; chemically synthesized NPs decreased MCF-7 cell survival only at 1000 µg/mL and green synthesis at 100 µg/mL and 1000 µg/mL.
Conclusion: Generating Fe₂o₃ NPs is biologically safe using the green synthesis method and the cytoplasmic extract of L. casei, which may be a suitable candidate for the treatment of cancer cells.

Prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Metallo-Beta-Lactamase-producing Escherichia coli strains isolated from urinary tract infections

Hamid Vaez

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most prevalent bacterial diseases worldwide. Escherichia coli is a well-known etiological agent of UTI. The emergence and spread of metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing E. coli is a serious threat to public health.
This study aimed to investigate the antibiotic resistance pattern and prevalence of MBL-producing E. coli isolated from UTI.
Methods: From January 2020 to June 2021, 1200 urine specimens were collected from patients suspected of having UTI. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out by the disk diffusion method. The prevalence of MBL (blaVIM, blaIMP, blaSPM, and blaNDM) genes was determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.
Results: The highest susceptibility was observed against amikacin (96%) and gentamicin (95%). The isolates were mostly resistant against ampicillin (72%) and cephalothin (60%). All carbapenem-resistant isolates were MBL-positive. Based on the results of PCR, 75% of the isolates were blaNDM-positive.
Conclusion: Resistance to some antibiotics, such as ampicillin and cephalothin, was high, and their prescription must be restricted. The prevalence of MBL-producing isolates was not high; however, due to the high level of resistance against other antibiotics, continuous monitoring of MBL-producing isolates is highly essential.

The high prevalent involvement of the left coronary artery in Kawasaki disease patients referred to Gorgan's Taleghani Hospital: A retrospective study

Mohsen Ebrahimi

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a febrile systemic vasculitis that affects children. Further research is required due to the disease's significance, consequences, and increasing prevalence. This study aimed to determine the frequency of coronary artery complications in patients with KD referred to Taleghani Hospital (Gorgan, Iran) from 2007 to 2017.
Methods: Between 2007 and 2017, 108 cases with a definitive diagnosis of KD were studied retrospectively. Data were obtained from medical records and the patients' biographical, clinical, laboratory, radiographic, and echocardiographic data.
Results: A total of 108 patients diagnosed with KD were involved in the study, 21 (19.44%) of whom showed coronary artery-associated complications. There was no significant difference in clinical and laboratory findings and coronary artery involvement between male and female groups (P-value < 0.05). Left coronary artery (LCA) involvement and the pattern of vascular involvement as ectasia and aneurysm were significantly higher in the echocardiography of the studied patients (P-value = 0.0001).
Conclusion: Kawasaki disease-related coronary artery complication is more common in children under the age of 3, particularly males, in Gorgan. The LCA is the most common site of coronary artery complications in KD children. The findings can improve the prognosis of KD patients and their related heart diseases.