Abstract

Background and Objective: Neonatal sepsis is a remarkable factor in mortality, morbidity, neonatal and perinatal complications. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the primary cause of invasive disease in infants and pregnant women. This study aimed to determine the relationship between antimicrobial resistance of the bacteria colonized in the vagina and rectum of pregnant women and early neonatal infection.

Material and Methods: In this prospective study conducted on 282 pregnant women, bacterial sensitivity to ampicillin, cefazolin, erythromycin, vancomycin, gentamicin, amikacin was measured. Furthermore, the relationship between rectal and vaginal colonization of mothers and early neonatal sepsis was evaluated.

Results: Of 98 positive rectal cultures, 49 (50%) were Gram-positive cocci and 49 (50%) E.coli. of 143 positive vaginal cultures, 136 (95.1%) were Gram-positive cocci, 7 (4.9%) were E.coli and two were positive GBS.  We could find definitive neonatal sepsis. Significant correlation was found between a history of urinary tract infection and the mother's positive rectal culture (P =0. 03).

Conclusion: Clinical sepsis in neonates is correlated with positive rectal culture (P =0. 001) and the positive E.coli vaginal cultures is associated with suspected neonatal sepsis (P =0.007). Gram-positive cocci were resistance to ampicillin and gentamicin, and E.coli was resistant to ampicillin, erythromycin and vancomycin. Because of resistance to ampicillin, we recommend cefazolin due to its sensitivity to organisms and safety in pregnancy.

Keywords: Antibacterial Agents, Escherichia Coli, Gram-Positive Cocci, Newborn, Sepsis

Abstract

Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate chemical composition, antibacterial and antifungal effect and antioxidant property of Salvia officinalis, Mentha piperita and Mentha Longifolia.

Material and Methods: At first, chemical analysis of essential oils was determined using GC/MS. Then the antibacterial and antifungal effect of tested essential oils on L. monocytogenes, S. aureus, S. typhimurium and E. coli and two fungal strains including A. niger and A. flavus were determined using disk diffusion agar and broth microdilution methods.  The antioxidant property of essential oils was evaluated using DPPH assay.

Results: Linalool (14.38%), l. menthone (19.03%) and δ-terpinene (21.78%) were the major components of Salvia officinalis, Mentha piperita and Mentha Longifolia, respectively. all tested essential oils had antibacterial effect on foodborne pathogens, which was comparable with tetracycline’s effect. In addition, all essences had appropriate antioxidant potential compared with BHT.

Conclusion: based on the results, Salvia officinalis, Mentha piperita and Mentha Longifolia can be introduced as appropriate natural preservatives.

Keywords: Salvia officinalis; Mentha piperita; Mentha Longifolia, Antibacterial Agents.

ABSTRACT

         Background and Objectives:  Many species of  Ziziphora have been used in traditional medicine in the Azarbaijan region, northwest of Iran. This study aimed to determine antibacterial activity of essential oil and methanol extract of Ziziphora tenuior on some pathogenic bacteria isolated from urogenital tract infections.

         Methods: The essential oil and methanol extract of Z. tenuior were obtained by Clevenger and maceration methods. Under sterile conditions, the required amount of urine was taken from patients referred to a number of clinics in Tabriz during 2014. After identification of the isolates using standard microbiological methods, antimicrobial effects of the essential oil and methanol extract of the plant on the isolates were evaluated by determining minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration, and antibiogram test.

          Results: The MIC for essential oil of Z. tenuior was 250µg/mL for most Gram-negative bacteria except Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, the MIC for Staphylococcus aureus was 250µg/mL and 500µg/mL for other strains of Staphylococcus.

           Conclusion: Comparison of the inhibitory and bactericidal effects of the essential oil and methanol extract of Z. tenuior showed that the essential oil is able to inhibit growth of the bacteria tested even in low concentrations. Further studies are required in this regard using animal models.

         Keywords: Antibacterial Agents, Ziziphora tenuior, Plant Extracts, Urinary Tract Infection. 

ABSTRACT
       Background and Objective: Anaerobic bacteria are the main cause of periodontitis. It has been shown that green tea and black tea have antibacterial effect. The aim of this study was to determine he antibacterial effect of Iranian green tea and black tea against Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia.
        Methods: Aqueous and methanolic extracts of Iranian green tea and black tea at concentrations ranging from 10 to 500 mg/ml were tested against standard strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans  (ATCC 33384), P. gingivalis (ATCC 33227) and P. intermedia (ATCC 25671) using agar disk diffusion, broth microdilution and determination of minimum inhibitory concentration.
         Results: P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. intermedia were sensitive to the methanolic extract of Iranian green tea at concentrations of 100-500 mg/ml, 10-500 mg/ml and 50-500mg/ml, respectively. P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. intermedia were sensitive to the methanolic extract of Iranian black tea at concentrations of 200-500 mg/ml, 20-500 mg/ml and 200-500 mg/ml, respectively. In addition, P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. intermedia were sensitive to the aquatic extract of Iranian green tea at concentrations of 200-500mg/ml, 100-500 mg/ml and 200-500 mg/ml, respectively.
        Conclusion: The aquatic and alcoholic extracts of Iranian green tea and black tea have antibacterial activity against A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. intermedia and P. gingivalis. Therefore, incorporation of Iranian black tea as an effective native herb could be beneficial for prevention of oral cavity diseases.
          Keywords: Tea, Green Tea, Antibacterial Agents, Anaerobic Bacteria.