---

Introduction: Treatment of urinary tract infections(UTIs), as one of the most common nosocomial and community acquired infections, has remained an important medical problem. Differentiation between susceptibility patterns of nosocomial and community acquired pathogens is important epidemiologically and helps the administration of appropriate antimicrobial drugs. The goal of this study was isolation of the most common causative bacteria, in two groups of 13-35 years old women in Shahrekord city within 6 months period(April-September 2004). Also, the resistance patterns of common isolated organisms in these two groups were compared. Materials and Methods: This is an analythical-cross sectional study. 100 urine samples from women aged 13-35 years old hospitalized in different wards of Hajar and Kashani hospitals(group one) with positive urine cultures were obtained performing clean-catch midstream method. Also 100 urine samples from 13-35 years old women with positive urine culture and acute UTI symptoms from Shahrekord private laboratory (group two) were obtained. The most common causative bacteria in the two groups and the antibacterial sensitivity patterns of isolated organisms were evaluated. Data was analysed using T test. Results: Totally, the most common nosocomial UTI pathogens were E.coli, Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Pseudomonas and Enterobacter spp. In group two, E.coli, Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Proteus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Citrobacter spp. were isolated predominantly. The highest bacterial resistance rate belonged to Ampicillin and Co-trimoxazole. Antibiotics useful in treatment of nosocomial UTI were Ceftizoxim, Nitrofurantoin, Nalidixic acid, Cephalothin and Gentamicin respectively. Nitrofurantoin, Nalidixic acid, Ceftazidim, Gentamicin and Cephalothin were the most effective antibiotics in community acquired UTIs. Conclusion: The emergence of pathogens with alarming rates of resistance, highlights the need for a more rationalized and restricted use of antibiotics in order to minimize the spread of resistant bacterial strains.

---

Background: Brucellosis is a major cause of zoonosis disease and is endemic in hamadan Province in Iran. The purpose of this study was to isolate Brucella species from brucellosis patients and identify different species of this bacterium in order to determine the prevalence of the species.

Materials and Methods: This study was descriptive- cross sectional and fifty blood samples were obtained from brucellosis patients with clinical symptoms. The samples were cultured in BACTEC system and incubated for 14 days. Then, the samples were cultured on Brucella agar and biochemical tests were done for identification of bacteria. Finally, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) applied for confirmation and isolated identification with specific primers.

Results: Seven Brucella strains were isolated from 50 blood samples of the patients with brucellosis by blood culture and PCR. The PCR results on blood specimens showed 4 positive in spite of the negative results of blood culture. PCR and biochemical methods revealed that all the 11 isolated bacteria were Brucella Melitensis.

Conclusion: This study was designed to evaluate PCR technique as a diagnostic tool for brucella spp in comparison to conventional techniques. This study showed a high prevalence of brucellosis due to Brucella Melitensis in Hamadan Province and efforts in this region should be aimed at the eradication of this bacterium.

---

Background: because of the side effects of chemical drugs, using plant drugs was considered during recent decades. Based on previous studies, various concentrations of plant extracts can reduce ileum contraction caused by KCl and carbachol. Therefore, in this study, the role of muscarinic receptors in anti-spasmolytic activity of hydroalcohlic extract of parsley(petroselinum crispum)seed in adult male rat's ileum was investigated.

Materials and Methods: The distal part of Wistar rat’s ileum was separated and its contractions were recorded under 1 gr stretching and 37^oC temperature in the bathroom containing the solution of Tyrode by Isotonic method. The ileum tissue was inserted in separately in first group affected by KCl and parsley seed, in the second group affected by KCl and carbachol with concentration 10^-2 mg/ml and after that parsley seed, the third group affected by carbachol with concentration 10^-2 mg/ml and then the extraction of parsley seed and the fourth group affected by scopolamine with concentration 10^-3 M and after that KCl and then the extraction of parsley seed.

Results: Non-cumulative concentrations of extract reduced the ileum contraction caused by KCl (60mM) in a concentration-dependent form (p<0.001). There was a significant difference between the effect of extract in the presence of carbachol and extract concentration 0.2 mg/ml (p<0.01). There was no significant difference between the effect of extract in the presence of carbachol without stimulating tissue by KCl (60mM) with extract concentration 0.2mg/ml (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the effect of extract in the presence of scopolamine with extract concentration 0.2mg/ml(p<0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed that the hydroalcholic of parsley seed extract has a relaxatory effect on rat’s ileum. Carbachol with KCl has a synergistic effect on smooth muscle contraction of the ileum wall and muscarinic receptors do not involve in the inhibitory function of parsley seed extract.

 

---

Abstract

Background: Parsley is one of the medicinal herbs used for gastrointestinal disorders. However, spasmolytic activity of Petroselinum crispum (parsley) extract has been reported, there is a lack of information to support the mechanism of this antispasmodic activity. Taking this into account, the purpose of the present work was to investigate the role of GABA_A receptor on antispasmodic activity of the hydroalcoholic extract of parsley seed in isolated rat ileum.

Materials and Methods: In this study, terminal portion of ileum (2 cm) was dissected out and mounted in an organ bath containing air bubbled Tyrode solution (37^οC, pH=7.4). Under 1gr resting tension, ileal contraction was induced by KCl (60 mM) and recorded isotonically. The effects of non-cumulative (0.1-0.5 mg/ml) concentrations of extract on KCl-induced contractions were examined.  After evaluating the effect of agonist and antagonist GABA_A receptor, the effect of parsley extract was assessed in the presence of muscimol (25 µM) and bicuculline (10 µM) as agonist and antagonist of GABA_A, respectively. 

Results: Parsley seed extract reduced the KCl-induced ileal contraction in a concentration-dependent manner (n=7, p<0.001). Both muscimol and bicuculline exerted relaxant effect on ileal contraction (n=7, p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). Surprisingly, agonist and antagonist of GABA_A both potentiated the spasmolytic effect of extract (0.2 mg/ml). Altogether, spasmolytic effect of extract was not attenuated in the presence of GABA_A antagonist.

Conclusion: It seems that GABA_A receptor is not involved in the antispasmodic effect of parsley seeds extract in rat ileum.