IRANIAN SOUTH MEDICAL JOURNAL (ISMJ)
Year:2003 | Volume:5 | Issue:2|Papers Count:14

Molecular finger printing using RAPD-PCR technique is able to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. Investigation about genomic polymorphism could be useful for detecting the transmission routes. In order to investigate about genomic variation among M. tuberculosis isolates in Fars Province, 45 samples were collected (17 Iranian and 28 Afghanian). These samples were tested with RAPD-PCR technique using three different primers. On the other hand all samples were identified as M. tuberculosis using biochemical tests and were classified in five different groups (A-E). In group A, six and four isolates showed hundred percent genomic identities two by two, respectively. Also in E, D and C groups, two, four and eight isolates had showed hundred percent genomic identities two by two, respectively. It seems that regarding to the restricted genomic polymorphism among M. tuberculosis isolates in Fars Province, the main route of transmission is person to person instead of reactivation of dormant foci.

Vibrios have been isolated from healthy penaeid shrimp; the hypothesis of the opportunistic nature of vibrios associated with penaeid shrimp has been widely accepted. The dominant vibrios as flora of healthy shrimp could be used as probiotics. To determine the dominant vibrios of penaeid shrimp, the isolated vibrios from intestine and hepatopancreas of apparently penaeid fresh shrimp of the Persian Gulf were evaluated.From 59 isolated vibrios, Vibrio alginolyticus (59), V. harveyi (5), V. natriegens (9), V. nereis (6), V. fluvialis (8), V. metschnikovii (1) and V. campbellii (1) were characterized.. One of the isolated strains could not be characterized.Therefore, V. alginolyticusis the dominant floral organism of healthy penaeid shrimp of the Persian Gulf. These bacteria should be evaluated as a probiot in shrimp farming industry.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) viremia is a reliable marker of systemic infection.Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) represent the major viral carrier among peripheral blood white cells during acute infection. Since no specific protein or viral DNA is detected in PMNL of normal subject, direct detection of viral protein or viral DNA in circulating PMNL by different techniques may represent active CMV infection or disease.Conversely, HCMV latency occurs in mononuclear leukocytes. Consequently, high purity of PMNL is the most important factor for accurate interpretation of the test results. The purpose of this study was to develop a simple, rapid and economical method for the isolation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) from whole blood and provided a high yield and excel1ent purity without lymphocyte and erythrocyte contamination. A total of 100 peripheral blood samples were tested with three methods: standard method, dextran method and in-house method. In dextran method, we used 6-7% dextran DO instead of dextran T500 which is used in standard method. In, in-house method blood specimens washed and centrifuged with NH4Cl instead of ficol1 which is used in standard method. The purity and the viability of isolated PMNs with these two methods were 98-99% and 98%; respectively. These two methods in comparison with standard method were highly recommended for using different subjects.

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) has been treated by means of immunization with paternal white blood cells, yet the immunological basis for the role of immunotherapy in pregnancy outcome remains controversial. Although NK cells were proposed as key effectors cells in RSA, but there is controversy concerning the role of these cells in RSA induction. In this study, to determine the effect of paternal leukocyte immunization on NK cell activity in RSA patients, 18 women with RSA were immunized with paternal leukocyte cells and their NK cell activity studies before and 5 weeks after final immunization. NK cell activity was determined by MTT method using k562 cell line as target cell. Our results did not show any significant differences between NK cell activity before and after treatment. From seven patients with follow up, two patients had live birth. After treatment, these two patients show at least 20% decrease in NK activity. However, decrease in NK activity might not be considered as the sole factor engaged in successful pregnancy because some patients with unsuccessful treatment also showed decrease in NK activity.

Vitiligo is a skin disease with lack of destruction of melanocytes. Factors of humoral immune system such as antimelanocyte antibodies, rheumatoid factors (especially IgM-RF), level of C3, C4 and anti-nuclear antibodies had been studied in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. In this study, sera of 55 patients with vitiligo and 60 normal subjects were examined for detection of antimelanocyte antibodies, anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) by indirect immunofluorscent test, rheumatoid factor (IgM-RF) by latex and ELlSA methods and C3, C4 using single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) test. Four patients (7.3%) and a normal subject were ANA positive (p>0.05); 14 patients (25.5%) had decreased C3 and C4 (p<0.05) and all sera had normal levels of C3 and C4. In 6 patients (10.8%) and none of normal sera, rheumatoid factor were detected by ELlSA (p=0.005). Antimelanocyte antibodies were detected in 17 (30.9%) patients (p<0.001) and all normal sera were negative for antimelanocyte antibodies. Therefore, immune systems play an important role in vitiligo as an autoimmune disease.

Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyper cholesterolemia and smoking are important modifiable risk factors for both ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. To determine the association between stroke and ischemic heart disease, resting electrocardiogram of 401 patients who were admitted to a general university hospital, in Bushehr/Iran, with a clinical diagnosis of stroke were evaluated using the "WHO MONICA Project protocol criteria" and Minnesota codes. We found that 5.8% of the admitted patients with clinical diagnosis of strokehad definite myocardial infarction (Code 1 MONICA Project); 5.8% had possible myocardial infarction (Code 2) and 21.1% had ischemic EKG changes (Code 3). A significant correlation between ischemic heart disease and stroke was found (p<0.0001). Therefore, ischemic heart disease is common in patients with stroke in Bushehr. Healthy lifestyle for prevention of coronary heart disease and stroke should be implemented in this community.

Circumcision is an Islamic ritual and one of the most common out-patient operations. Because of its many advantages like decreasing the risks of urinary tract infection and sexually transmitted diseases, balanitis and phimosis, it is strongly recommended in western countries. There are different methods for circumcision and plastibell is a well known simple procedure among many physicians. To define the complications of this procedure, 756 infants under 6 months of age were evaluated after 30 days after circumcision.The complication rate was 1.2 percent including bleeding (4 cases), infection (1 case), proximal dislocation of ring (2 cases) and early falling (2 cases). There was no statistically difference in mean of age between complicated and uncomplicated groups. Therefore, plastibell circumcision with a low complication rate is a safe and quick procedure and is recommended in infants under 6 months of age.

Cardiovascular health promotion in children has the potential to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis in both the individual child and the population at large. In order to assess classroom-based program in elementary schools to improve their healthy heart knowledge, 14 schools among Bushehr Port elementary schools, categorized by socioeconomic types and male and female setting were selected and randomized into control or intervention groups. Subjects were 1128 third and fourth graders (49.1% boys and 50.9% girls). Over a course of 8 weeks, ordinary health educators and sport teachers in elementary schools presented 45 minutes sessions per week on heart function, nutrition, and exercise for healthy heart and living tobacco free for the intervention group. The education program was based on HeartPower! Program, an American Heart Association program. Total heart knowledge at posttest was 25% correct higher in the intervention than in the control group (p<0.001). Difference in means of total healthy heart knowledge scores between control and intervention group increased from 1.43 points in baseline to 4.02 points in posttest (p<0.001). It can be concluded that the classroom-based cardiovascular health promotion had a significant effect on the heart healthy knowledge. Therefore, schools provide an excellent setting for introducing comprehensive healthy heart education and promotion of cardiovascular health to the general population.

Gingivitis is the most common periodontal disease that can progress to advanced form periodontitis. The primary etiologic factor of gingivitis is poor oral hygiene. In order to detennine the prevalence of gingivitis in 1-12 grades students of Bushehr Port/ Iran, we evaluated 659 randomly selected schoolchildren using Russell Periodontal Index and Simplified Oral Hygeine Index (OHI-S). The prevalence of gingivitis was 43.5% (31.1% for simple gingivitis and 12.4% for periodontitis; there was no significant differences between girls and boys).There was a correlation between the prevalence of gingivitis and debris and calculus. The prevalence of gingival disease increased from 31.3% to 66.7% by increment of florosis degree. Puberty, low family income, higher number of family, lower teeth brushing, dental anomalies and increment of age had positive correlation with gingivitis. In conclusion, gingivitis has an epidemiologic prevalence in Bushehr Port; it is an alarm for school health providers.

Proptosis is an important clinical sign. Eye protrusion has normal distribution, however, age, sex and race influence its degree in general population. In order to determine the normal range of protrusion of eyes in Iran, 404 normal subjects (15-75Yr.) who participated in Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLG) were evaluated by exophthalmometry. The protrusion of eyes had normal distribution in both sexes and in general population. The normal range (mean+2 SD) of protrusion was 16.1+4.5 mm (16.3+4.26 mm for males & 15.9+4.26 mm for females; p<0.01). The degree of protrusion of eyes was increased by age (p<0.001). In conclusion, 20.6 mm is the limit for detection of proptosis in Iran.

Asthma and allergies is increasing in prevalence in the world. In order to reveal the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in 13-14yr. school children in Bushehr Port, all the students (1479 boys and 1220 girls) were evaluated using International Study of Asthma and Allergies in children (ISAAC) questionnaire. The lifetime prevalence rates of various symptoms were 19.8% for wheezing, 25.5% for rhinitis and 7.9% for chronic pruritic rash. The 12 months prevalence of wheezing was 10.8%. The prevalence of physician diagnosed asthma was 0.7%. Allergic disorders are common in Bushehr port and their prevalence are comparable to other parts of Iran; the prevalence of medical diagnosed asthma is relatively higher than the other parts of Iran, however it is lower in comparison to other ISAAC reports in the world.

Priorities in health research are critical as conducting the research itself. In attempting to find out priorities in health research in Bushehr Port/I.R. Iran, a needs assessment was undertaken using focus group discussion. The participants were 99 invited persons in various age categories. Twelve focus group sessions were conducted to reveal determinants of health and factors to promote health. Noncommunicable diseases including cardiovascular diseases were the major concerns of the groups. Unhealthy nutrition, mental health problems, and substance abuse were noted as the health determinants. They requested educational issues in healthy lifestyle, substanse abuse, mental problems and HIV/AIDS. In conclusion, there is an urgent need to establish behavioral risk factor surveillance systems to plan interventional research for healthy heart in Bushehr Port.