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Background and Objective: Listeria monocytogenes is an important food-borne intracellular pathogen which can transmit to human through contaminated foods and causing meningitis, meningoencephalitis and abortion. This study was done to determine the frequency, antimicrobial susceptibility and serotyping of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from food samples in Tehran, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive was carried on 150 food samples including vegetables, cheese and meat were collected from supermarkets, open-air markets, and delicatessens in different regions of Tehran, Iran since April to September 2018. The presumptive isolates were characterized biochemically. All L. monocytogenes isolates were further analyzed by serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility tests.
Results: Out of 150 samples, Listeria spp. was detected in 30 (20%) samples in which 9 (6%) were positive for L. monocytogenes [vegetables (n=4, 44.44%), cheese (n=2, 22.22%) and meat (n=3, 33.33%)]. of the 9 L. monocytogenes isolates, 5 (55.55 %), 3 (33.33 %), and 1 (11.11%) belonged to serotypes 4b, 1/2b, and 1/2a, respectively. The most L. monocytogenes isolates were resistant to Trimetoprime, Sulfamethoxazole, Tetracycline, Streptomycin, Chloramphenicol, and Ciprofloxacin while were sensitive to Penicillin G, Gentamicin, Streptomycin, and Ampicillin, and were intermediately resistant to Ciprofloxacin.
Conclusion: The rate of Contamination of vegetable, cheese and meat samples with L. monocytogenes is important in Tehran, Iran. Due to the potential contamination samples to Listeria, there is necessity need for continuous monitoring and the development of a precise program for identifying this bacterium in Tehran and the whole country.

 

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Background and Objective: Ciprofloxacin is effective against a wide range of bacteria, particularly Enterobacteriaceae. However, studies have shown that the resistance of Escherichia coli to ciprofloxacin is enhanced. Thyme is one of the medicinal plants whose essential oil has anti-microbial effects. This study was aimed to investigate the antimicrobial properties of local Thyme essential oil alone and in combination with ciprofloxacin on Escherichia coli mutant strain with intermediate resistance.
Methods: In this descriptive laboratory study, Thyme plants (10 samples) were collected from Lorestan Province, west of Iran during 2016. Theses samples belonged to T. eriocali species. Plant essential oil was extracted by distillation method with Clevenger equipment. The antimicrobial properties of local thyme were determined by measuring minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of it alone and in combination with ciprofloxacin using sequential dilution method (macrodilution and microdilution methods) in Escherichia coli strains. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was measured by cultivation method. The interaction between essential oil and ciprofloxacin was determined by calculation of fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI).
Results: MIC of essential oil for wild type strain MG1655 and mutant strain RE6 was 8 and 10 µl/ml, respectively. MBC was equal to MIC. 0.4 µl/ml of essential oil decreased 45 fold the MIC of ciprofloxacin in mutant strain and produced synergistic interaction (FICI=0.06).
Conclusion: Thyme essential oil in concentration less than its MIC in combination with ciprofloxacin via synergistic interaction reduces antibiotic MIC and antibiotic resistance.

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Background and Objective: Nosocomial infection is a major challenge in health care system. In fact, it is regarded as one of the risk factors in hospitalized patients. The aim of this study was to determine the antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) nursing gowns on geram – positive bacterial.
Methods: This descriptive and analytical study was done on 200 nurses gowns were surveyed in two hospitals of Sirjan city in Kerman Province cenral area of Iran. At first, the antimicrobial activity of silver nano fabrics on Staphylococcus aureus bacteria was confirmed by examining the optical density OD (0.325) medium. Sampling was gathered into the two modes, before using nano gowns and after using nano gowns by using wet sterile swabs. The samples collected were cultured and the formations of colonies were examined and biochemical tests were used to identify isolated bacterial.
Results: The most commonly isolated gram- positive bacterial from normal gowns were Staphylococcus epidermidis (43%) and the lowest pathogen was Streptococcus (1%). In these hospitals, after using nano silver gowns, the amount of microbial load on the clothes were determind zero.
Conclusion: This study showed that gram- positive bacterials of nursing gowns after contact with silver nanoparticles were eliminated.

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Background and Objective: Various infections and the formation of stones could be the cause for bile duct obstruction of that sterile organ. Determination of pathogenesis factors and the bacteria involved in infections are important in the prevention of disease, and cares needed following surgery. This study was done to determine the bacteria in the gallbladder of patients with cholelithiasis and evaluation of pathogenic factors of the prevalent isolated bacteria.
Methods: In this descriptive laboratory study, 35 samples of gallbladder tissues which contained gallstones were collected under sterile conditions in “Department of General Surgery of Imam Khomeini Hospital”, Tehran, Iran during 2016. The stone types were analyzed and decomposed by chemical procedures, and the bacteria existed in the tissues were also identified using biochemical experiments. The tissues with negative results in microbiological studies were looked for any contaminating bacteria, applying the DNA extracted from gallbladder tissue as a template using F27 and R1492 as the primers for PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) amplification of 16SrRNA gene. Those with the positive results of microbiological tests were subjected to the DNA sequencing following gel purification and blasted against the NCBI gene database. The most frequently isolated bacteria were studied according to the intensity of biofilm formation, using the microtitre plate method. CsgF and Ag43 (Flu), the genes involved in the induction of such phenotype were also analyzed in this study. The antibiotic resistance assay of the isolates was performed using disc diffusion procedure.
Results: Thirteen out of thirty five samples of post-surgery gallbladder tissues were found to be infected by different bacteria, including: Klebsiella (3 cases), Escherichia coli (4 cases), Enterobacter (1 case), Staphylococcus aureus (2 cases), Enterococci (2 cases), and Streptococcus (1 case). In 23 out of 35 samples (65.7%), no bacteria could be isolated using microbiological methods. However, in seven out of 23 samples, the amplified 16SrRNA had an indication of Klebsiella (6 cases) and Enterococcus (1 case) isolates. Therefore, the most prevalent genus in gallbladder infections was Klebsiella (47.36%). Chemical analysis showed that the highly frequent compound of gallstones (98%) were of cholesterol and bilirubin. Escherichia coli with fourcases were the highest culture growing isolated bacteria, in all of which, the biofilm formation genes were present. In the two out of four Escherichia coli isolates the intensity of biofilm formation was high. Although, in the remaining two isolates was medium. While, they were found to be sensitive to the most of the antibiotics, they showed resistance to Tetracycline, Ciprofloxacin and Ceftazidime in different ranges.
Conclusion: The present study provided evidence that non-cultural bacteria are hihly present in gallbladder infections. The high potential of the commonly isolated bacteria in biofilm formation should be taken as a warning to follow the precise protocol of antibiotic prescription for treatment of gallbladder infections.

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Background and Objective: The ever-increasing resistance to beta-lactame antibiotic in opportunistic Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria considered as one of the important factors of death of hospital-acquired infections. This study was performed for determine the antibiotic resistance and prevalence of IMP-1 and VIM-1 metallo-beta-lactamase and integron class I genes in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 200 Pseudomonas spp. isolates from blood, urine, ulcer, eye and sputum infections were collected from Arsanjan hospital in Fars province in south –west of Iran during April-September 2016. After confirmation genus of bacterial by biochemical and 16S rRNA tests, and isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by specific primer of lasI Gene, antibiotic susceptibility was done according to diffusion disk assay and CLSI procedure, the presence of blaVIM, blaIMP and Int-1 genes were determined by PCR.
Results: The results of phenotypic and genotypic tests led to the isolation of 107 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that the highest resistance with (79.38%) for cefepime and the lowest resistance with (13.08%) for tobramycin. Out of 107 isolates, 10 (9.35%) isolates were carrying class1 Integron,19 (17/76%) isolates carrying IMP gene, 23 (21.5%) isolates carrying VIM gene, 4 (3.74%) isolates carrying IMP gene and integron class1, 11 (10.28%) isolates carrying VIM gene, and class1 intgron, 15 (14.02%) isolates carrying both IMP, VIM and 12 (11.22%) isolates simultaneously were carrying each three genes, VIM, IMP and class1 integron. 13 (12.15%) isolates did not have none of these three genes, VIM, IMP, class1 integron.
Conclusion: The results showed increased multidrug resistance and simultaneous presence of one or two IMP, VIM and Int-1 genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Int-1 has the ability to transduce resistance genes and create resistant populations.

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Background and Objective: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the most common cause of nosocomial infections. Treatment of Staphylococcal infections has become more complicated due to the emergence of methicillin-resistant S.aureus (MRSA) strains. This study was done to determine the frequency of methicillin resistance encoding gene (mecA) and β-lactamase resistance encoding gene (blaZ) in S. aureus isolates from clinical samples using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method.
Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was carried out on 59 S. aureus isolates from clinical samples in Gorgan hospitals from January-February 2017 to June-July 2017. All the isolates were identified using gram staining, catalase test, tube coagulase test, growth on Mannitol salt agar medium and the DNase test in the Microbiology Laboratory .Antibiotic resistance was evaluated using the standard disk diffusion.  Iodometric method was used to detect β-lactamase production / activity in this bacterium. PCR test was done to detect mecA and blaZ genes.
Results: All S. aureus isolates (100%) clinical samples possessed blaZ gene, followed by 27 isolates (45.8%) possessed mecA gene (MRSA), which these isolates possessed mecA gene were concurrently positive for blaZ gene. 5% of oxacillin-resistant strains and 3% of cefoxitin-resistant strains possessed mecA gene and 47 isolates (79.4%) carrying blaZ gene were β-lactamase-positive in phenotypic method.
Conclusion: This study showed that in all clinical samples isolated S. aureus isolates which these isolates possessed mecA gene were concurrently positive for blaZ gene.

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Background and Objective: Salmonellosis is a gastroentritidis which caused by the different serovars of Salmonella genus, and responsible for morbidity and mortality worldwide. Food born disease is one of the growing problems of human societies especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate and serogroup determination of Salmonella isolates from food along with antibiotic resistance pattern.
Methods: This descriptive study was performed on total of 400 in equal of 200 packed and 200 unpacked  samples of (red meat, chicken meat, egg, vegetable) collected in random from distributed in Tehran ,Iran during nine months in 2018. Microbial, biochemical and serological test was performed according to protocol number of 1800 of national standard. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was done by disk diffusion (MAST, Co, UK) method.
Results: Out of 400 samples 8 (2%) was identified as Salmonella. The unpacked foods were more contaminated (75%) compared to packed foods (25%). The most isolated serogrouping were belonging to especially D. Salmonella. The chicken samples were more contaminated (37.5%) than other samples. The isolated Salmonella were mostly resistance to nalidixic acid (75%).
Conclusion: The Salmonella isolated particularly from group 1 showed higher antimicrobial resistance, additional care should be taken in preparation, packaging and supplying the food samples.

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Background and Objective: The infection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most complex items addressed in the clinical microbiology. Although H. pylori positive subjects are bound to develop into atrophic gastritis, current body of evidences is rare. Due to the high prevalence of this bacterium worldwide, finding the true virulence factors as biomarkers for severe gastroduodenal diseases was the priority in recent researches. This study was carried out to determine the prevalancy of cagA and babA of Helicobacter pylori isolated from gastric atrophic patients.
Methods: This descriptive – analytical study was conducted on 100 patients with gastroduodenal disorders in Labafinejad hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2018. Identification of each patient and also bacterial isolation were undertaken according to the standard protocols.
Results: H. pylori were isolated in 23% of patients. 10 patients affected by atrophic gastritis followd by gastric ulcer (7 patients) and acute gastritis (6 patients). In totally, the rate of cagA gene and babA in H. pylori isolated with positive results was 52% and 34%, respectively. There was a significant association between the presence of cagA positive strains and patients with gastric atrophic (P<0.05). The babA gene did not correlate with the presence of gastric atrophic patients.
Conclusion: This study showed that various carrying cagA positive H. pylori can be recovered from patients with gastric atrophy.

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Background and Objective: Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive and foodborne pathogen that is psychrophilic and has the ability to tolerate a high percentage of salt by more than 10%. This bacterium grows in many food products that have a long shelf life. This study was performed to evaluate the expression of genes hly and inlA of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) condition in temperatures of 4 degrees Celsius.
Methods: In this descriptive laboratory study, bacteria in 10⁶ counts in mid log phase were inoculated into BHI Agar rich medium and It was investigated and stored at refrigerated temperature (4 degrees Celsius) until the cultivate was lost. At the end of the 16S rRNA gene, the hly and inlA genes were studied as pathogenic genes of this bacterium. The expression of these genes before and after entering to VBNC state was performed to compare their expression.
Results: Listeria bacteria lost its cultivation ability after 5 months of storage at a refrigerated temperature. The results of the gene expression analysis showed that at the end of the period, the bacterium entered "Viable But non-Culturable" form; also the hly and inlA pathogenic genes were not expressed in riched medium. By adding blood to the rich culture medium of this bacterium, the hemolysin O pathogen gene was re-illuminated.
Conclusion: The results of this study show that the possibility of bacterial entry into VBNC mode occurs at the refrigerator condition, and the expression of its pathogenic genes is affected. Blood and its agents can act as an agent for the induction and clarification of the hly gene. Therefore, it is necessary to review the microbial quality control of fishery products.

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Background and Objective: The emergence of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria resistant to antibiotics is a crisis worldwide. In this study, the antibacterial effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles was evaluated on standard and food isolated strains of Salmonella enteritidis and Bacillus cereus.
Methods: This descriptive laboratory study, zinc oxide nanoparticles were prepared on zeolite materials, and zinc level was determined using XRF. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ZnO nanoparticles were determined using disc diffusion method.
Results: MIC value for all tested bacteria was 4 mg/ml and MBC values of standard and isolated strains of Salmonella enteritidis were 16 and 8 mg/ml, respectively, and for standard and isolated strains of Bacillus cereus was calculated in the range of 16 mg/ml.
Conclusion: Zinc oxide nanoparticles can inhibit Salmonella enteritidis and Bacillus cereus strains and may have a potential for its replacement with current preservatives to prevent food spoilage in industry.

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Background and Objective: The emergence of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and especially drug resistant strains has created problems for the treatment of tuberculosis control, worldwide. This study was performed to evaluate the changes in N-acetyltransferase (NAT) pattern of methylsonone in patients who did not respond to first-line treatment for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 200 patients with tuberculosis. After preparing the blood sample, saturated salt method was used to extract DNA. For the determination of quantity and quality of DNA, two methods of spectrophotometry and electrophoresis on agarose gel were used. The methylation pattern of NAT1 gene was investigated by HRM method.
Results: 34 patients were resistant to the first line of treatment. 18 patients showed hypermethylation pattern, 12 patients showed non-methylated pattern and 4 patients showed hypomethylated pattern. 166 patients were not resistant to the first line, of which 23 patients in hypermethylated group, 120 patients in group Non-methylated and 23 patients were in the hypomethylated row. There was a statistically significant relationship between methylation level and drug resistance (P<0.05).
Conclusion: This study showed that resistance to first-line treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was related to the level of N-acetyltransferase gene methylation.

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Background and Objective: The most common enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli strain is the O157: H7 serotype, which is one of the most important intestinal pathogens and can cause complications such as hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome and acute renal failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli causing molecular outbreaks of foodborne illness in Iran.
Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 189 fecal swab specimens were examined during April to September 2018. All suspected isolates were tested for biochemical tests. The isolates were confirmed by molecular PCR and evaluated by antimicrobial susceptibility tests.
Results: From 189 stool swab samples studied, 98 Escherichia coli isolates were detected based on phenotypic tests. Most of the outbreaks occurred in summer and the prevalence of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli was 24.5%, which 4% of them were non-O157H7. Most patients were between 1 and 12 years of age and the highest antibiotic resistance to cotrimoxazole and chloramphenicol was observed at 80% and 79%, respectively.
Conclusion: This study showed an increase in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli with 24.5% and an increase in antibiotic resistance to the antibiotics of chloramphenicol, cotrimoxazole and carbapenems. Increased resistance to imipenem and meropenem antibiotics makes it difficult to treat beta-lactamase-resistant strains.

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Background and Objective: Campylobacter is one of the most important pathogens causing bacterial gastroenteritis, which is usually transmitted through the food of animal origin. This study was done to evaluate the status of Campylobacter in diarrheal food outbreaks compared to other microbial agents.
Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 305 diarrheal swab samples from 102 food outbreaks during six months from spring to the end of summer 2018. Presence of Campylobacter species were assessed according to the protocol of the General Directorate of Laboratory Affairs.
Results: Out of 305 samples, 8 (2.6%) were identified as Campylobacter species, 3 (37.5%) Campylobacter and 5 (62.5%) Campylobacter coli. The epidemiology of the outbreaks showed that female (54.5%), average age of 16-30 years (28.2%), consumption of salads and vegetables (16.1%) and living in the cities (59.7%) were the most cases.
Conclusion: This study showed that in addition to classic pathogens such as Salmonella, Shigella, Escherichia coli, attention also should be paid to Campylobacter bacteria. In addition, recognizing epidemiological factors can play an important role in preventing and controlling food outbreaks.

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Background and Objective: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that is a major cause of mortality in immunocompromised patients. One of the most important mechanisms of resistance of this bacterium is biofilm formation. The aim of this study was done to determine the Effect of Morin on Expression of Biofilm Gene of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from burn wounds by Real time PCR.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study 60 sample were collected from burn wounds of patients admitted to the hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Samples were identified by using biochemical methods. The DNA of the isolates was extracted and then antimicrobial activity of morin analyzed by microbroth dilution assay. The presence of biofilm production genes was investigated by PCR. Finally, the expression of lasI gene in combination with Sub-MIC concentration of morin in biofilm-producing bacteria was evaluated using Real time PCR.
Results: From 60 samples that analyzed by Multiplex-PCR, 12 (20%) Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were isolated in which 12 isolates (100%) were carried lasI and lasR, genes, respectively. 3 isolates (25%) were carried rhlI gene. Sub-MIC concentration of morin in biofilm-producing bacteria reduced lasI gene expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Conclusion: Morin has significant efficacy on Pseudomonas aeruginosa and could be a good alternative for treatment of antibiotic resistant isolates.

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Background and Objective: Yersinia is water and foodborne organism that cause human gastroenteritis. This study was done to evaluate the frequency of Yersinia species isolated from children diarrheal samples and chicken meat in Tehran, Iran.
Methods: In this descriptive study 250 sample of diarrhea of children referred to the Children's Medical Center, Tehran, Iran and 250 samples of chicken were collected and examined for Yersinia infection during July 2016 to March 2017. Isolation method was performed based on initial enrichment in phosphate buffer for 3 weeks in refrigerator (cooling in c4 +) and then using KOH as secondary enrichment and culture on CIN agar medium. Biotyping method was used to determine pathogenic strains.
Results: In this study, 5(2%) isolates from pediatric diarrhea samples and 20 isolates (8%) from chicken meat samples were obtained from Yersiniaenterocolitica. Biotyping of human Yersiniaenterocolitica isolates identified 3 cases of biotype 1A, one case of biotype 1B, one case of biotype 2 and from chicken meat isolates, 16 isolates belonged to biotype 1A and 4 isolates belonged to biotype 1B.
Conclusion: Presence of common pathogenic 1B and non-pathogenic 1A biotypes in pediatric diarrhea samples and chicken meat can indicate the cause of diarrhea in children.
 

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Background and Objective: Streptococci are Gram-positive and anaerobic bacteria that are isolated from different sources. These bacteria are capable of producing superantigens, toxins, and biologically-active substances and are therefore very important in the field of infectious disease. Streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins A (speA) is produced by various bacteria, including Streptococcus dysgalactiae. This study aimed at the isolation, cloning, and production of speA from streptococci from the skin of psoriasis patients.
Methods: In this descriptive-laboratory study, samples were taken from 60 psoriasis patients. S. dysgalactiae isolated were identified by different tests. The speA gene was cloned by the TA cloning method using PTG-19 vector into the Escherichia coli X11 blue as host. Expression of the cloned gene in recombinant colonies was evaluated by SDS-PAGE.
Results: Screening of white recombinant colonies confirmed the presence of speA genes. Expression of the speA gene in E. coli X11 blue was confirmed by SDS-PAGE.
Conclusion: Streptococcus superantigens can be considered as a rich source of vaccine production for different infections caused by these bacteria. By utilizing different cloning hosts and investigating optimal production conditions, S. dysgalactiae could be a candidate for future studies on vaccine production.
 

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Background and Objective: Trametes versicolor is important for its medicinal rather than nutritional value. Given the various pharmacological activities of this plant, this study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of the aqueous extract of T. versicolor.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, an aqueous extract of T. versicolor was prepared. Antioxidant activity, flavonoid content and total phenol were measured by diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and reducing power (RP) methods, aluminum chloride (AlCl3), and Folin-Ciocalteu assays. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the aqueous extract of T. versicolor on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Fusarium thapsinum was determined by the disk diffusion method. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), ciprofloxacin and amphotericin-B were used as positive controls for antioxidant activity and bacterial and fungal strains, respectively.
Results: Total phenolic content was 27.6±0.38 (mg GAE/g), and total flavonoid content was 4.2±0.04 (mg QE/g). Based on DPPH radical scavenging activity, the extract of T. versicolor showed strong scavenging activity (93.8±1.2 %) with IC50 of 103.9±0.8 μg/mL when compared with the standard BHT (IC50 of 30.0±0.6 μg/mL). In addition, it was observed that increasing the concentration of aqueous extract of turkey tail increased the reducing power of iron. The zone of inhibition around the extract ranged from 13.0±0.65 mm (in F. thapsinum at 75 mg/ml) to 21±0.73 mm (in S. aureus at 300 mg/ml) (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The aqueous extract of  T. versicolor contains a significant amount of phenolic compounds and also has strong antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
 

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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.

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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.

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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.