Context: Numerous studies have shown the high frequency and antibiotic-resistant patterns of Shigella species in different provinces of Iran. In this study, we performed a comprehensive review from 2000 to 2020 in Iran to describe the prevalence rate and antibiotic-resistant patterns of S. sonnei, S. dysenteriae, S. flexneri, and S. boydii. Evidence Acquisition: We systematically searched the biomedical databases including Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, SID, and Web of Science for related articles published in English or Persian. Finally, out of 70 articles, 34 studies were included in the study. Results: From 44,292 clinical specimens, 2,742 cases were introduced as positive samples for Shigella species in Iran during 2000 - 2020. Also, S. sonnei (n = 1484, 54.1%) was the predominant species in Iran, followed by S. flexneri (n = 1100, 40.1%), S. dysenteriae (n = 80,3%), and S. boydii (n = 78, 2.8%). These Shigella species showed maximum resistance to ampicillin (n = 1759, 64% - 96%), cotrimoxazole (n = 1220, 87% - 100%), nalidixic acid (n = 649, 10% - 82%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (n = 459, 80% - 98.5%), cefotaxime (n = 410, 53% - 63%), and tetracycline (n = 386, 36% - 94%). No resistances were found against imipenem, meropenem, cefoxitin, norfloxacin, levofloxacin, azithromycin, and amoxicillin. Also, 308 and 359 cases were introduced as multidrug resistance (MDR) and extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) producing species, respectively. Conclusions: Evaluation of endemic shigellosis and antibiotic-resistant patterns through epidemiological studies are necessary to promote infection control strategies. These data may be useful to avoid empirical treatment, revise treatment guidelines, and decrease antimicrobial resistance of Shigella spp. in human societies.

Background TH17/IL‐23 immune axis is considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most frequent autoimmune blistering disease, characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against the components of the dermal‐epidermal junction. Animal studies and characterization of patient samples point toward a contribution of TH17 cells in BP pathogenesis. However, genetic polymorphisms in the genes of TH17/IL‐23 cytokines have not yet been well investigated in BP. Methods Detection of polymorphisms in IL‐17A (rs2275913 and rs3819025), IL‐17F (rs2397084 and rs763780), IL‐17RA (rs2229151), and IL‐23R (rs2201841, rs7530511, rs11209026, and rs10889677) genes were performed following the collection of blood samples and DNA extraction from BP patients and controls. Gene expression of IL‐23R was determined by quantitative RT‐PCR analysis. Results The prevalence of IL‐23R rs7530511 genotypes and alleles, as well as IL‐23R rs2201841 alleles, is significantly different between the BP patients and controls. While the minor C‐allele of IL‐23R rs7530511 is highly present in the patients, the G‐allele distribution of IL‐23R rs2201841 is significantly more prevalent in the control individuals compared to the BP patients. Genotypes and alleles of other SNPs in IL‐17A, IL‐17F, and IL‐17RA were similarly distributed in patients and controls. Conclusions No alteration was found in the gene expression between wild and polymorphic genotypes of IL‐23R (rs2201841 and rs7530511) variations, indicating they do not contribute to altering the levels of gene expression in blood. In summary, our data show that the alleles of two SNPs in IL‐23R rs2201841 and rs7530511 are associated with BP.

Context: Several studies reported that the prevalence and antibiotic-resistant of Campylobacter coli (C. coli) and Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) are on the rise in Iran. To explain the prevalence and antibiotic-resistant of Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter jejuni, we reviewed related studies published from 2004 to 2017 in Iran. Methods: We systematically searched biomedical databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of sciences) to identify relevant studies from 2004 to 2017, either in English or in Persian. Out of 65 identified articles, 47 were published during 2004 - 2017. Results: We found an increase in the prevalence of C. coli and C. jejuni in the animals (34.71%, 68.73%), food products (42.18%, 72%), and different clinical human samples (7.77%, 25.84%), respectively. This comprehensive review showed that C. jejuni is the foremost species in Iran. Accordingly, antimicrobial resistance studies performed during 2004 - 2017 reported a high rate of resistance to several antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, and tetracycline, with the exception of gentamicin, neomycin, and chloramphenicol that had a low resistance rate. Conclusions: According to the results, novel prevention and treatment strategies against C. coli and C. jejuni infections are recommended, and these data may help in revising treatment guidelines in aviculture, stockyard and decreasing the antimicrobial resistance in human society.

Background and Objectives: Serratia is a gram-negative bacterium. The pigmentation property of Serratia Marcescens is used as a marker of dust particles in the environment and in the hospital. Today biopigments are also widely used in the manufacture and production of pharmaceutical products. Prodigiosin is a promising drug due to its reported properties of antifungal immunosuppressive and anti-proliferative activities. In the present study, cloning of pig gene- isolated from Serratia Marcescens in Ecoli XL1blue was performed. Subjects and Methods 60 Samples were taken from clinical sources of patients hospitalized with urinary tract infections in Saveh Hospitals. Serratia Marcescens were identified and isolated by different tests. The pig gene was cloned by T-A cloning using PTG-19 vector into the Escherichia coli XL1blue as host. Expression of cloned gene in recombinant colonies was evaluated by Real time PCR. The phylogenetic tree was plotted using clustalX and Mega5 software Results Screening of samples identified 12 isolates of Serratia Marcescens from then 4 isolates had pig gene. Expression of Pig gene in Escherichia coli XL1blue was confirmed by Real-Tima PCR. As a result of phylogenetic studies, some close relatives of serratia have been identified as candidates for further studies Conclusion Serratia Marcescens can be considered as a rich source of pigments with many applications and can be used as indigenous strains to produce Prodigiosin.