Background & Objective: Chronic otitis media infection exists among 1.5-2 percent of people and its purulent discharges can create some difficulties for the patients. Chronic otitis media is mainly due to pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococcus aurous. Severe and irreversible damages should be expected unless follow up treatments are exactly performed in such patients. This study was conducted to determine the most prevalent microorganisms involved in otitis infection and their sensitivity to antibiotics.

 Methods: This is a descriptive study in which 60 patients who referred to nose and throat clinics of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences (2000-2001) were selected. Using applicator, some samples were taken from suppurative discharges of middle ear. These samples were then cultured in lactose broth and Nutrient broth. In order to isolate pathogenic microorganism, samples were also cultured in blood agar. Sensitivity of isolated pathogenic microorganism was determined against some antibiotics. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS software.

 Results: 56 out of 60 patients were culture positive. Microorganisms isolated from suppurative otitis media were Staphylococcus areus (31.6%), pseudomonas aeuroginosa (26.6%), proteus (20%), candida albicans (6.4%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (4.6%), aeuromonas (1.6%) and others (6.4%) respectively. Sensitivity of microorganisms to antibiotics was found to be Ciprofloxacin (94.6%), Co-trimoxazole (66.3%), Cloxacilin (64.3%), Chloramphenicol (64.3%),Cephalexin (64.3%), Erythromycin (60.7%), Amikacin (44.6%), Streptomycin (39.3%), Penicillin (5.4%) respectively.

 Conclusions: Since staphylococcus areus was�the most prevalent micro-organism in otitis media infection, and isolated microorganisms were more sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, antibiogram test is necessary prior to the treatment of otitis media.

  Background & Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most common bacterial infections in humans. One of the most frequent form of UTI is asymptomatic bacteriuria. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in female students of Babol Islamic Azad University.

  Methods: This research was carried out on 207 female students from Babol Islamic Azad University in 2002. The age ranges of the students were between 18-29 years. Mid-stream urine (MSU) was collected from students. Urinalysis and bacteriological identification culture of MSU were done twice on all specimens. The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was determined by dividing the total number of observed bacteriuria by the total number of samples.

  Results: Bacteriological tests of MSU revealed that 19 (9.2%) cases were positive for asymptomatic bacteriuria. The microbe most frequently causing asymptomatic bacteriuria was staphylococcus saprophyticus in 7 (36.8%) cases Escherichia coli in 6 (31.6%) cases and Klebsiella in 3 (15.8%) cases.

  Conclusion: Asymptomatic bacteriuria was highly prevalent in our study. Therefore, young women must consider general health rules about genitourinary system to avoid asymptomatic bacteriuria.

  Background and Objective: Staphylococcus aureus is known as an important pathogen causing a variety of bacterial infections. Treatment of this bacterium with antibiotics has led to antibiotic-resistancey, especially against methicillin (MRSA) and more recently rare resistance against vancomycin. The aims of this study were to determine nasal carriage rates of S. aureus in Meshgin Shahar Valiasr hospital’s personnel and to determine antibiotic-resistance patterns in the mentioned isolates.

  Methods: Staphylococcus aureus isolates were collected from the nose of 200 hospital personnel in Meshgin Shahar Valiasr hospital in a 2 month period in 2006. Antibiotic sensitivity of the collected strains were tested against antibiotics used in routine treatment of S. aureus infections. Oxacillin agar was also used to screen for MRSA according to NCCLS recommendation.

  Results: Our results showed there were 45% and 16% nasal carrier rate for S. aureus and MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) strains, respectively in hospital personnel. Thirty two isolates were able to grow in oxacillin agar media, indicating 35% MRSA strains. Antibiotic resistant pattern of strains in disks method were recorded as follows: 35% to oxacillin, 97.8% to penicillin, 34% to erythromycin, 2.1% to chloramphenicol, 39.36% to tetracycline, 11.7% to gentamicin, 30.85% to trimetohoprim sulfamethoxazol and 19% to clindamycin. All of the isolates were sensitive to vancomycin and ciprofloxacin.

  Background & Objectives : This study was prepared to determine the frequency of Staphylococus aureus nasal colonization among intravenous drug abusers with respect to this fact that the rate of colonization is dependent on various factor including addiction behaviours. There wasn't any native study on this subject. The purpose of this study was to prepare the basic data of S.aureus nasal colonization among intervenous drug abusers, in order to reducing the incidence and nasal carriage rates of S.aureus infections.

  Methods : This was a prospective cross sectional study that included all of intravenous drug abusers who referred to three hospitals of Tehran from 2005 to 2006. Specimens for culture were obtained by swabbing anterior nares. Swabs were inoculated into nasal chapman broth and incubated at 35 °C for 48 hours. Isolated colonies were further subjected to identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The related data were collected using patients` medical files and analyzed with using SPSS 11.

  Results : Staphylococcus aureus was grown i n 38 cultures (26.2%). We did not find any significant relationship between variables such as, economic condition, methods of using drugs, frequency of drug use, infection with different viruses, gender and colonization by Staphylococcus aureus.

  Conclusion: We observed lower nasal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus among patients. We suggest preparing similar study in order to clarify the role of different factors that have effect on the rate of nasal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus.

  Background & Objectives: Different factors increase risk of disease transmission in women's barbershop and disinfection of instruments, as a major preventive measure, plays an important role in the control of disease transmission . Therefore, present study was conducted to investigate the quality of barber tools disinfection in women salons in Ardabil in 2009.

  Methods : In a cross-sectional study , 96 women salons were randomly selected. Data were compiled using a questionnaire, observation, and recording results of microbial cultures from barbering tools and analyzed using χ ² and descriptive statistics.

  Results : Personal shaving kits were being used only in 5.2% of barbershops and 56 % of barbers applied Micro 10 as a disinfectant of barbershop tools. 64.6 % of samples were microbiologically positive and Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 53 % of positive samples. Positive results were significantly higher in barbershops that did not follow standard procedure of tools disinfection ( p<0.0001).

  Conclusion: As a result of our study we suggest the following points to improve population health in the barbershops : training on proper disinfection techniques, promotion of Micro10 application and avoid of unhealthy behaviors in barbershops.