Abstract Background and Objective: Acanthamoeba species are free-living protozoa that can be isolated from all environments. They can bring about different diseases in healthy individuals and immune suppressed patients, for example, Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis (GAE), Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK), Cutaneous and Nasopharyngeal infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Acanthamoeba prevalence in rural water sources of Markazi province. Material and Methods: In this cross sectional study, 54 water samples were collected from 36 villages of Markus province. First, the Samples were filtered by filter paper (watchman 42). Next, the filtered paper were placed in page saline solution and centrifuged. Then, the obtained sediment was cultured on non-nutrient agar (NNA) plates overlaid with heat-killed Escherichia coli. After that, the provided smear (after 4 - 7 days) stained with Geimsa. Results: The samples were positive (33 61.11%) and negative (21 38.89%) for Acanthamoeba cyst. The best result for isolation of Acanthamoeba cysts was obtained after shaking of filter paper. Conclusion: A high percentage of rural water sources have been contaminated with Acanthamoeba, which can be the major factor in causing human infections. Therefore, some effective methods are required to prevent from water sources contamination. Keywords: Acanthamoeba Acanthamoeba Keratitis Markazi Province Rural Water Sources

Abstract Background and Objective: Group B streptococcus is one of the agents leading to infantile blood infection and meningitis as well as aggressive infections in pregnant women. The vast use of antibiotics in order to prevent from the diseases caused by this bacterium has led to some concerns about the emergence of drug resistance in Group B streptococcus. Thus, we aimed to investigate Group B streptococcus drug resistance patterns to aid appropriate drug prescriptions. Material and Methods: The study was conducted on 268 pregnant women. Having been transferred to Todd Hewitt broth, the samples were cultured on blood agar and the identity of Group B streptococcus was confirmed through biochemical tests (gram stain tests, the catalase test, CAMP, and sodium hippurate hydrolysis). Results: Of 268 samples, 14 (5.2 percent) showed positive Group B streptococcus culture. All cases (100 percent) were resistant to penicillin, eight (57.15 percent) to erythromycin, 13 (92.2 percent) to clindamycin, three (7.1 percent) to Cefazolin, seven (50 percent) Ceftizoxime and four (28.57 percent) were resistant to Cefotaxime. Three (21.4 percent) were semi-sensitive toward Cefazolin. No resistance was observed toward ampicillin or Vancomycin. Conclusion: The rate of B streptococcus drug resistance to various antibiotics has increased in Iran. Keywords: Streptococcus Group B, Drug Resistant, Pregnant Women, Markazi Province