This research was carried out to evaluate toxic effects of nanosilver (Ag-NPs) on liver function and some blood parameters of male and female mice Mus musculus. A group of 54 BALB/c mice was randomly divided into three groups (each with two replications): Ag-NP (2) and control (1), each with nine mice. The experiment lasted for 14 days. In the treatment groups, two different doses of 20 and 50 ppm of Ag-NP solution were administered orally, while in the untreated (control) group, no Ag-NP solution but distilled water was used. At the end of the experiment, the serum was obtained by centrifugation of the whole blood at 3000 rpm for 15 min. The biochemical levels including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), and blood cells were assayed by an automatic biochemical analyzer. Also, liver biopsy was performed and samples were stained using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The values of red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) did not vary significantly in the control and Ag-NP-treated animals. There were significant changes in the treatment and control groups in the levels of liver enzymes so that at both doses, there were significantly elevated levels of ALT and AST in mice treated with Ag-NPs compared with the control (p < 0.05). Sexuality was not significantly involved in the results. Oral exposure to Ag-NPs produced changes in blood chemistry and hepatotoxicity as indicated by increased serum activity levels of both AST and ALT and histological damages to the liver with no significant changes between male and female mice.

Background: This study aims to specify the antimicrobial resistance pattern and virulence genes of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from urinary tract infections in Shahrekord, Iran. Methods: Urine samples of 1000 people suspected of having urinary tract infections referred to Shahrekord medical diagnostic laboratories were examined. Biofilm assays were performed by microtiter plate test through reading the OD490. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was applied to study the virulence factors. Results: Enterococcus faecalis was detected in 60 samples. After performing microbiological tests, all samples were positive in the molecular analysis. Strong, moderate and weak biofilm reactions reported 66.67%, 25%, and 8.33% respectively. The most resistance reported to cotrimoxazole, vancomycin and amikacin and the lowest resistance to nitrofurantoin (8.33%) was reported. Statistical analysis with Fisher's exact test showed a statistically significant relationship between biofilm production and resistance to cotrimoxazole, vancomycin and cefotaxime. Prevalence of efe A, ace, gel E, esp, cyl M, agg, cyl A and cyl B in strong biofilm formation isolates was reported 100%, 87.5%, 82%, 62.5%, 55%, 37.5% 25% and 22.5% respectively. There was a significant relationship between the frequency of efa A and strong biofilm reaction. Conclusions: The presence of E. faecalis strains resistant to co-trimoxazole and vancomycin and present of some virulence factors is alarming the researchers. Since antibiotic resistance genes are probably transmitted among enterococci, and Staphylococci, controlling infections made by enterococci as well as the appropriate administration of antibiotics could treat the nosocomial infections effectively.