Ameneh Arab, Alireza Mohebbi, Hamid Afshar, Abdolvahab Moradi,
Volume 12, Issue 5 (Sep-Oct 2018)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder pose a high burden among the general population. Etiological factor(s) of such disorders remain unknown. Borna disease virus (BDV) is a neurotropic virus that has been suggested as an etiological agent for psychiatric disorders. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of BDV among patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of schizophrenic (n=75) and bipolar (n=55) patients and healthy blood donors (n=125) were extracted form whole blood samples. RNA was extracted from PBMCs and the presence of BDV P40 RNA was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.
Results: The BDV genome was not detected in any of the subjects. Positive family history of disease was significantly more frequent among patients (P=0.0001). There was a significant association between contact with animals and psychiatric illnesses (P<0.05). Moreover, education level differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The results indicate no evidence of BDV genome among patients with psychiatric disorders. Serological examination for BDV antigens or antibodies could provide further information in this regard. In addition, contact with cats is significantly more prevalent among patients with mental illnesses, which might be due to infection with Toxoplasma gondii.
Keywords: Borna disease virus, Psychiatric disorder, Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder, Risk factors.
Mana Zakeri, Alireza Mohebbi, Fatemeh Sana Askari, Mohammad Yasaghi,
Volume 14, Issue 6 (Nov-Dec 2020)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Pathogenesis of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) is controlled by viral and host factors, among which human histone acetyltransferase p300 (EP300) plays an important role. This study aimed to examine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the EP300 binding site in patients with HPV-associated anogenital wart.
Methods: After DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine HPV genotypes. Human p300 was amplified to detect SNPs using Sanger sequencing.
Results: Overall, 35.3% of HPV-6-positive patients had Ile997Val substitution at the EP300 binding site. Another SNP containing A to G point mutation leading to Glu983Gly was also detected. In addition, Ile997Val substitution of EP300 was frequently observed in the patients.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the EP300 genotype Ile/Val can be involved in HPV-6 pathogenesis. In addition, we introduced a new genotype (Glu983Gly) at the EP300 bromodomain site, which requires further investigation.
Maryam Rafiee, Alijan Tabarraei, Mahsa Yazdi, Alireza Mohebbi, Ezzat Allah Ghaemi,
Volume 17, Issue 2 (Mar-Apr 2023)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections. Staphylococcus saprophyticus is a common Gram-positive bacterium that causes uncomplicated UTIs in women. The present study aimed to study the drug resistance pattern and phenotypic and genotypic variation of S. saprophyticus isolates from women with UTI in Gorgan, northern Iran.
Methods: This study was performed from May 2018 to September 2020. During this time, 35 S. saprophyticus strains were isolated from patients with UTI. The antimicrobial patterns of the isolates were determined by a conventional method. Phenotypic criteria such as pigment production, mannitol fermentation, urease production, and 16SrRNA gene valuation were studied.
Results: All isolates were sensitive to nitrofurantoin, gentamicin, and linezolid. S. saprophyticus isolates showed the highest level of resistance to penicillin (85.7%) and erythromycin (51.4%). A variation was detected among S. saprophyticus isolates in terms of pigment production i.e. about 51.4% showed yellow pigment in Muller Hinton agar, and 62.9% of the isolates were able to ferment mannitol sugar. Of 11 isolates that were sequenced for the 16SrRNA gene, only two isolates showed different patterns.
Conclusion: Nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are the antibiotics of choice for the treatment of UTI caused by S. saprophyticus in the study area. Due to the phenotypic and genotypic differences among S. saprophyticus isolates, typing of S. saprophyticus at the subspecies level is recommended.
