Background and Objective: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common causes of bacterial keratitis and conjunctivitis. This study was done to determine the efficacy of fluoroquinolones on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from external ocular infections.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 187 pateiants (2 months to 61 years old) with symptoms of conjunctivitis and keratitis who were hospitalized or referred to the emergency department of hospitals in Golestan and Mazandaran provinces, Iran during 2020-22. The samples were taken from the external infection of the patients’ eyes. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates were identified by standard phenotypic microbiological and molecular detection (PCR) methods. The broth microdilution method determined sensitivity to quinolones and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the 0.06-64 μg/ml range.
Results: The frequency of ocular MRSA isolates (n=52) was significantly higher in spring, females and patients aged 1-30 years (P<0.05). Among the MRSA isolates causing conjunctivitis, the highest rates of resistance were observed against ciprofloxacin (n=18, 48.64%), enoxacin (n=17, 45.95 %), and ofloxacin (n=17, 45.95%). The MIC of gemifloxacin that inhibited the growth of 90% of MRSA isolates from conjunctivitis (MIC90=0.25 μg/ml) was 32-fold lower than that of ciprofloxacin.
Conclusion: Depending on the season and age, staphylococcus aureus may be the most common cause of bacterial conjunctivitis and keratitis. Considering the in vitro antibacterial potential of gemifloxacin, this antibiotic can be used to treat the bacterial external eye infections.

Background and Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that targets the central nervous system. Various studies have shown that several factors influence this disease’s occurrence and prevent its progress. Multiple studies have shown that several factors affect this disease’s occurrence and prevent its progress. Helicobacter pylori can be mentioned among these factors. This study was conducted to determine Helicobacter pylori infection in MS patients and healthy individuals.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 100 patients with MS (mean age: 36.99±9.87 years) and 100 healthy subjects (mean age: 38.05±11.38 years) in Golestan province, north of Iran during 2021. The case group included eighty relapsing-remitting cases and twenty secondary progressive cases. Blood samples were taken from both groups, and after separating the serum using the ELISA test, anti-Helicobacter pylori antibody (IgG) was detected by determining the antibody titer.
Results: Helicobacter pylori IgG in the MS and control groups was 21% and 44%, respectively (P<0.05). The mean concentration of IgG in the case group was significantly lower than the control group (13.48±10.83 versus 19.78±16.14 AU/ml). The percentage of positive cases of IgG antibody against Helicobacter pylori in the relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive group of patients with MS was determined as 21.2% and 20%, respectively, and the difference between these two groups was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: The history of Helicobacter pylori infection is less than two times in patients with MS compared to healthy people probably indicate the protective role of this bacterium against this disease.

Background and Objective: Helicobacter pylori infection is a chronic bacterial infection in humans, and its link to epilepsy has been reported in some studies. This study was conducted to compare the frequency of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with and without epilepsy.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 234 patients with focal and generalized epilepsy (the case group consisted of 88 males and 146 females) referring to Alavi Hospital in Ardabil, Iran and 234 individuals without epilepsy (the control group consisted of 88 males and 146 females) during 2019. Stool samples were taken from the subjects to assess the Helicobacter pylori stool antigen. Demographic information, including age, gender, place of residence, a history of alcohol, cigarette, hookah, and opium use, and the test result of the Helicobacter pylori stool antigen, were collected in a checklist.
Results: The frequency of Helicobacter pylori infection was determined to be 67.2% in the case group and 71.1% in the control group, and no statistically significant difference was found between the case and control groups. Cigarette and opium use had statistically significant relationships with epilepsy (P<0.05). Moreover, opium users had a 6.92 times higher odds rate (OR) of contracting Helicobacter pylori infection than other individuals (CI 95%=1.05-45, OR=6.92, P<0.04).
Conclusion: No difference was observed in Helicobacter pylori infection between individuals with and without epilepsy.