ToRCH infections (toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus and Herpes simplex virus) have long been known to be associated with bad obstetric outcomes. However, little information is available about the impact of ToRCH co-infections on the outcome of pregnancy. Hence, we tested the IgG and IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes Simplex Virus among 81 pregnant women with abortion (case group) and 98 pregnant women with normal delivery (control group). In the single-infection model, only CMV-IgM seropositivity was significantly increased in case than control group (25.9% in case and 12.2 % in control, OR = 2.5, P = 0.019). In the co-infection model, 14 patterns were recognized, but two patterns were significantly increased in the case than the control group. Co-infection of T. gondii IgG + CMV IgM was 9.1-fold increased in the case than the control group (8.6% in the case and 1% in control, OR = 9.1; P = 0.024). Also, co-infection of T. gondii IgG + HSV IgG + CMV IgM was 7.7-fold increased in case than the control group (7.4% in case and 1 % in control, OR = 7.7; P = 0.04). Although the OR of other co-infections was higher in the case than the control group, the difference was not statistically significant. These findings indicate that ToRCH co-infections are associated with increased risk of abortion than single infection. Hence, the rates of co-infections should be considered in prenatal screening of ToRCH infections.

This study showed a high prevalence of IPIs in immunocompromised patients. The results of this study suggest that periodic stool examinations for screening of IPIs should be included as a part of routine medical care in these patients.

Results of this study revealed that the rate of PCR positive in women with abortion and stillbirth was 3.7 times higher than that in normal delivery, but the difference was not statistically significant. These findings suggest that toxoplasmosis can be involved in etiology of abortion and stillbirth.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common meat‐borne parasitic infections worldwide. Consumption of raw or undercooked meat which contains Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts is an important route of human infection. In this study, we investigate the serological and molecular prevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep and goat samples in Kashan, Iran, from 2015 to 2016. Serological (IgG antibody) and molecular detections were performed by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction on the sera and heart samples of sheep (n = 90) and goats (n = 90), respectively. T. gondii‐IgG antibody was detected in 12.2% of sheep and 4.4% of goat samples. The parasite's DNA was detected in 17.8 and 8.9% of sheep and goat samples, respectively.Practical applicationsThe results of this study emphasize on the role of the sheep and goat as reservoirs of T. gondii infection. Hence, consumption of adequately cooked meat should be considered for prevention of T. gondii infection in humans.

Background: Methicillin -resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is associated with serious infections. Having the ability of biofilmformation decrease their susceptibility to antibiotics. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of biofilm formation among MRSA isolated from nasal carriers in the Beheshti Teaching Hospital in Kashan, Iran. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 810 patients referred to emergency department in Beheshti Hospital in Kashan. Sterilized nasal swabs were used for collecting nasal bacteria. Nasal specimens were further recognized as S. aureus strains by standard biochemical tests, and MRSA isolates were detected by disk diffusion method. PCR assay was used for detecting mecA gene in MRSA isolates. The susceptibility of MRSA isolates to amikacin, clindamycin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, SXT, erythromycin, tetracycline were determined by using disk diffusion method according to recommendation of CLSI. Biofilm formation ability of MRSA isolates were examined by crystal violet microtitre plate assay and Congo red agar (CRA). Results: Two hundred and ninety six (36.5%) out of 810 isolates were S. aureus. Twenty six (8.8%) of all S. aureus isolates were recognized as MRSA. All the MRSA isolates have the ability of biofilm formation which 15.4%, 19.2% and 65.4% of them were strong, medium and weak biofilm producer respectively. The resistance rate of strong biofilm producer were; erythromycin (100%), clindamycin (75%), ciprofloxacin (75%), SXT (75%), gentamycin (50%), tetracycline (0%), amikacin (0%). Conclusions: High rate of MRSA nasal carrier and having the ability of biofilm formation which decrease their susceptibility to antibiotics, is an alarming for public health. Statistically significant correlation between susceptibility to tetracycline and MRSA carrier was observed.