ABSTRACT

      Background and Objective: Chlamydia trachomatis is one of the most common causes of genital infection in men and women. Genital chlamydial infections in women are clinically asymptomatic in 70-80% of the cases; therefore, the lack of timely diagnosis and treatment leads to complications such as infertility and ectopic pregnancy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of chlamydial infection in symptomatic and asymptomatic women in the Golestan province.

      Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 cervical swab samples obtained from 150 women referred to the clinic, after obtaining written consent and completion of questionnaires. The swab samples were transferred to laboratory in phosphate-buffered saline solution and DNA extraction was carried out using phenol-chloroform and boiling methods. The frequency of chlamydial infection was evaluated by PCR.

       Results: None of the tested samples were found as Chlamydia-positive.

      Conclusion: The findings require that some more extensive research with larger sample sizes and dispersed population be performed to determine the true prevalence.  Considering the serious complications of chlamydial infections and its asymptomatic nature, a highly sensitive and specific method such as PCR should be used to detect Chlamydia. It is suggested that this method be used along with a complementary test to obtain the results that are more accurate. Furthermore, conducting simultaneous studies on other populations at risk will be very helpful in obtaining representable national data.

 

ABSTRACT
         Background and Objective: Vibrio is a genus of bacteria that are widely distributed in aquatic environments. The genus includes several important pathogens that endanger farm animals and humans who ingest seafood or water contaminated with the bacteria. Virulence of Vibrio spp. is regulated by ctxAB and tcpA genes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Vibrio spp., and tcpA and ctxB virulence genes in isolates from surface water and salt water samples collected from Golestan Province, Iran.
          Methods: Overall, 115 water samples were collected from the Caspian Sea coast, lagoons and rivers in the Golestan Province. The samples were filtered by membrane filtration method, and enriched in alkaline peptone water with 1% NaCl. The isolates were grown on TCBS agar, and identified by biochemical tests. Presence of the tcpA and ctxB virulence genes was investigated by polymerase chain reaction.
          Results: In this study, Vibrio alginolyticus was the predominant species (38%) isolated from the seawater and surface water samples, followed by Vibrio parahaemolyticus (23%), Vibrio harvei (15%), Vibrio fluvialis (14%) and Vibrio damsela (10%). The virulence genes were not detected in any of the isolates found in the study.
        Conclusion: This study indicates that V. alginolyticus is the most prevalent Vibrio spp. in surface water and seawater samples collected from the Golestan Province, Iran.
          Keywords: Environmental Vibrio, Surface water, ctx B gene, tcpA gene.