Tehran University Medical Journal

---

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Amphibian skins possess various antibacterial compounds that are effective against some microbial pathogens and are mostly released in response to environmental stress. In fact, the skin of Rana ridibunda, a large green frog, is a rich source of antimicrobial compounds that can be developed for therapeutic use. In the present study, the skin extract of Iranian Rana ridibunda was evaluated for its antimicrobial, hemolytic and cytototoxic activities.
Methods : The frog specimens were collected from Minoodasht located in Golesten province in Iran, during 2009. Subsequently, their skins were removed and the intended compounds were extracted. The crude extract was partially purified by gel filtration chromatography. The antimicrobial effects of skin extract were assessed against various microorganisms such as Escherchia coli, methicillin-resistant and -sensitive Staphyloccus aureus, vancomycin-resistant and -susceptible Enteroccus fecalis, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Candida albicans. In addition, its minimum inhibition concentration, cytotoxic and hemolytic activities were determined.
Results : The crude extract of Rana ridibunda skin had valuable antimicrobial effects against methicillin-resistant and -susceptible S. aureus in comparison with E.coli and vancomycin-resistant and -susceptible E. fecalis. Besides, no antimicrobial activities were seen against P. aeroginosa or C. albicans. Moreover, the hemolytic and cytotoxic activities of the skin extract were minimal.
Conclusion: The antimicrobial activity of Iranian Rana ridibunda was comparable to those isolated from other Rana species. In conclusion, the skin extract of Rana ridibunda had the potential for a new therapeutic agent against the emerging drug-resistant bacteria, particularly methicillin-resistant and -sensitive S. aureus.

---

Background: Nosocomial infection is one of the major causes of death in neonates. In recent years, the results of nosocomial infection control committee, which carried out, based on a protocol of National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS) is not consistent with neonatal review articles. This study was performed to determine the prevalence and incidence of nosocomial infection with an active, prospective method based on definitions and characteristics of Center for Disease Control and prevention (CDC) and comparing it with routine method of NNIS. Methods: This cross-sectional and prospective study was independent from Beasat Hospital nosocomial infection control committee and preformed by daily active visiting of neonatal ward (that is level-II) for six month period. The results of this study were compared with the results of the NNIS committee of nosocomial infection. Collected data were statistically analyzed by SPSS software. Results: From all hospitalized neonates, 369 cases (1292 patients / day) were enrolled in the study. The overall rate of nosocomial infection (frequency) was 2.71% and the overall incidence of nosocomial infection was 7.73 cases per 1,000 patients / day. The most common nosocomial infection in this study was skin and soft tissue infections totally 50%. The incidence of Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLA-BSI) was 14.2 per 1000 central catheter/day for the six months of study. Nosocomial infection rate preformed by Beasat Hospital nosocomial infection control committee (based on NNIS) was 0.1 % and incidence of nosocomial infection 0.3 per 1,000 patients/ day at the same 6 month study. Conclusion: It seems that a large part of this considerable differences between the results of this study compared to NNIS based study, is this fact that, for nosocomial infection surveillance in the neonatal field, the presence of a specialist as a performer and leader of the team, is necessary.