Abstract

Background and Objective: Oral candidiasis is a common opportunistic infection in diabetic patients. Candida albicans is colonized on different oral surfaces such as tongue, palate, dental caries and plaques.  This study aimed to determine the prevalence of   Candida albicans in the mouth of   diabetic patient.

Material and Methods: This cross - sectional study was conducted on 120 diabetic patients. After completing the questionnaire, the   saliva samples were obtained and cultured   on sabouraud agar medium containing 0.005% chloramphenicol. For final diagnosis, Germ tube test and Sugar absorption test (with API 120 kit) were used.

Results:  Of 120 patients, 61 (50.8%) were positive for Candida.  Candida infection rate was relatively higher in older patients and in women.  The rate was significant in the patients using dentures (P< 0.001) and   the ones keeping on smoking (P <0.038).  The infection in the patients with type II diabetes was higher than the cases with Type I.

Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of Candidiasis and Candida colonization in the mouth of diabetic patients, it is a necessity to identify and treat these infections in order to prevent further complications.

Keywords: Candidiasis, Diabetes Mellitus, Fungal Infections

ABSTRACT
           Background and Objectives: Halophilic bacteria can grow and survive in environments with a wide range a wide range of salinities. In this study, we aimed to isolate halophilic bacteria from the Meyghan Lake in Arak (Iran) and evaluate their enzymatic activity.
           Methods: Samples were taken from four different areas of the lake. Halophilic bacteria were isolated by culture in moderate halophilic medium, sea water nutrient agar and nutrient agar containing different salt concentrations. Purification was done via consecutive culture methods, and production of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes including amylase, protease, lecithinase, DNase and lipase was evaluated.
           Results: Among 74 bacteria isolated from the lake water samples, 24 produced amylase, 27 produced lipase (Tween 40 and 80), 68 produced protease, three produced DNase and 61 produced lecithinase.
           Conclusion: In this study, we isolated halophilic bacteria with enzymatic activity and potential industrial applications.
           Keywords: Biological Diversity, isolation and purification, Halobacteriales, Meyghan Lake, Arak.

ABSTRACT
          Background and objectives: Nosocomial infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria is a life threatening health challenge. This study aimed to determine the frequency of antibiotic resistance genes in clinical isolates from hospitals of Zahedan, southeast of Iran.
           Methods: Overall, 818 isolates were collected from different hospital wards. The isolates were identified using conventional microbiological and biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern was assessed by agar disc diffusion method and determination of minimum inhibitory concentration of a number of antibiotics. Multiplex PCR was performed using specific primers for the detection of resistance genes.
           Results: The most common species were Staphylococcus aureus (25%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (22%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14%). The rate of methicillin resistance among S. aureus, S. epidermidis and S. saprophyticus was 60%, 43% and 24%, respectively. In addition, 28.5% of enterococci isolates were vancomycin resistant. Among gram-negative bacteria, 45% of A. baumannii and 24% of P. aeruginosa were identified as ESBL. A high level of resistance to ampicillin (96%), cefotaxime (89%), gentamicin (89%) and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprime (60%) was observed in K. pneumoniae.
           Conclusion: Our results highlight the urgent need for an eradication program and a surveillance plan for preventing increased emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the study area.
           Keywords: Bacterial Infections, Drug resistance, Zahedan.