The emergence of Escherichia coli sequence type 131 (ST131) as a multidrug-resistant and virulent pathogen represents a major challenge to public health globally. Recently, the O25b/ST131 E. coli producing CTX-M-15 with high virulence potential has been reported worldwide, but has received little attention in Iran. This study is the first in Iran to specifically determine the spread of the O25b/ST131 clone producing CTX-M-15 among E. coli isolates belonging to the B2 phylogenetic group. ST131 clone in phylogenetic group B2 was detected based on PCR detection of ST131-specific single-nucleotide polymorphisms in mdh and gyrB. O25b/ST131 E. coli clone was confirmed utilizing O25b/ST131 clone allele-specific PCR for the pabB gene. All group B2 E. coli isolates were characterized based on antibiotic susceptibility, extended-spectrum b-lactamase (ESBL) enzymes, and virulence traits. Our results demonstrated that 38 out of the 154 B2 group isolates (24.7%) were identified as belonging to the ST131 clone. Furthermore, of these, 28 isolates (73.6%) were detected as O25b/ ST131 clone. Antibiotic resistance of ST131 E. coli isolates to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, cefotaxime, and aztreonam was significantly higher than non-ST131 isolates. Almost all of the O25b/ST131 isolates with the ability for ESBL production were reported as CTX-M-15 producing (95.5%). Our results showed that the most prevalent virulence trait in ST131 clone was ompT (94.7%). This study is the first to report the prevalence of the CTX-M-15-producing O25b/ST131 E. coli in Iran. Our findings reinforce the surveillance of dissemination of ST131 E. coli clone as a major drug-resistant pathogen and an important new public health threat.

In order to evaluate freezing tolerance of different triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) genotypes, an experiment was carried out under controlled conditions in 2007 and 2008 at college of agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. In this study seeven triticale genotypes , across six temperatures (0°C, -4°C, -8°C, -12°C, -16°C and -20°C) were evaluated within a factorial-completely randomized design with three replications. Plants were kept until 2 leaf stage in chamber with temperature of 20/15°C (day/night) and 12.5 h photoperiod. At the end of this stage, plants were under acclimation for three weeks. After exposing to acclimation freezing the cell membrane integrity was measured through electrolyte leakage (EL) and the lethal temperature (LT50) of samples was measured. After the exposure to freezing temperatures the samples were transferred to the greenhouse. Survival percentage, plant height, leaf area and number, chlorophyll content, and plant dry weight were determined after 3 weeks. Results showed that the effect of different freezing temperature and genotypes were significant on all plant characteristics. As temperature decreased, %EL of all genotypes was increased. Minimum and Maximum EL % in leaf and crown were observed at 0°C (21%) and -20°C (88.5%). 'ET-79-17' and 'Juanilo-92' genotypes showed the highest EL% (55.5% and 44.8%) and 'ET-83-20' the lowest EL% (47.3% and 41.2%) in leaf and crown. Dry weight and leaf area decreased by 48% and 42% respectively compared to non frozen control plants. ' genotypes showed the highest dry weight (83.8 mg) and highest leaf area (14.3 cm 2 ) respectively and 'ET-83-20' cultivar showed the lowest dry weight and leaf area (58.2 mg and 8.7 cm 2 ).

Mycobacterium tuberculosis can spread through the entire body but rarely involves the eye. We report a patient with endophthalmitis in one eye and simultaneous retinal vasculitis in the fellow eye. Systemic work-up suggested infective endopericarditis. Polymerase chain reaction analyses of the vitreous and pericardial fluid were positive for M. tuberculosis. We initiated a four-drug antituberculous treatment regimen (isoniazid, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, and rifampin). After two weeks, we discontinued all the medications due to drug-induced hepatitis. We restarted isoniazid and rifampin, but hepatitis recurred. Finally, we chose isoniazid/ethambutol combination for 18 months, and also administered short-term systemic corticosteroid. His vision improved considerably with no recurrence of hepatitis or tuberculosis for 3 years after completion of treatment. Ocular tuberculosis can masquerade as other causes of intraocular inflammation, and a medical team consisting of an ophthalmologist and an infectious disease specialist might be needed for the diagnosis and management.

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