Iranian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine
Year:2005 | Volume:10 | Issue:31|Papers Count:13

Background: Hepatitis is liver inflammation caused by various factors such as viruses. One of the commonest causes is HBV that causes acute and chronic liver disease. The relationship between some of disease and blood groups was seen. Based on high prevalence of HBV, we decided to study the relationship between ABO, Rh system and stability of HBsAg. Materials and methods: This is an analytic case-control study on 488 person that exposed on HBV. They divided to 2 groups: control (who made HBsAb) and case (who have HBsAg). ABO and Rh were detected and the data was analysed using chi-square test. Results: The most common blood group in case and control groups were blood group 0,45.1 % and 40.2% respectively (NS). In case group 232 (97.9%) and in control group 226 (90%) was Rh negative (P<0.0001). Conclusions: With considering mo significant difference in ABO sy emphasis it as a factor of chronic the disease. But it is suggested, performed more study on Rh factor, because of being significant difference between groups under the study.  

Background and objectives: Genetically patterns of Enterococcus are different in some parts of a country and sometimes we can see several clusters and severe polymorphism of Enterococus in one hospital. We aimed to determine genetic relationship between clinical strains of E.facium in Tehran hospitals. Material and methods: We collected 296 strains of E.facium from Tehran hospitals and isolated 56 E.facium. We identified characteristic and species of strains and all isolates were screened for susceptibility test by Disk diffusion test and MIC and then we used Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MEE) and Rep PCR for genetic analysis. Biotype of strains was detected (table 1) Results: We determined 7 biotypes in 60 strains (include 56 Iranian and 4 Danish and USA strains). Biovar 1 was the most common phenotype amongst the isolates (n=20) followed by biovars 2 (n=10), 3(n=11), 4(n=7), 5(n=6), 6(n=3) and 7(n=3). The seven vancomycin resistant isolates belonged to biovars 1,3,4and 5and we detected Van A gen in these strains. These isolate categorized in 5 genotypes by PCR fingerprinting. The 60 isolates of E.facium were divided into 42 electrophoresis types in MEE and 47 types by PCR. Conclusion: we expected that strains cultured from patients at the same wards to be related. Conversely with a few exceptions E.facium isolates from such patients belonged to different biovars and distinct electrophoresis types. These isolates were also differentiated by PCR. Data obtained from MEE showed that the population is not clonal and rolled out the expectation for frequent finding of identical or closely related isolates in the wards of hospitals. It also suggests that recombination might be frequently occurring in the population  

Background: Group A rotaviruses are a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in infant and young children worldwide. In this study, the molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of rotavirus infection among children less than 5 years old with acute diarrhea admitted in Markaz Tebbi pediatric hospital were investigated. Material and methods: Between February 2003 and January 2004, thirty hundred and seventy two stool specimens from children under 5 years old with acute diarrhea who attended at Markaz Tebbi pediatric hospital, were analyzed using ELISA, RT-PCR and RFLP. Results: Ninety-four percent were positive for the presence of rotavirus group A by ELISA. Prevalence of rotavirus infection in our population study was %25.3 (%95CI: 20.9-29.7). Out of the positive samples, 49 strains were further characterized by RTPCR for identification of G types, resulting in 29 strains of G1 genotype while 20 samples could not be assigned a G type. The' sequence of the VP7 gene of many of nontypable strains was compared with those of other representative human and animal rotaviruses of different G serotypes specificities and showed that the highest identity to G9 specificity, with 98% homology at the nucleotide level. Watery diarrhea (92.6%), vomiting (73.4%) and fever (64.9%) were significantly more frequent in children suffering from rotavirus gastroenteritis. Seven out of 94 rotavirus-positive groups had severe dehydration (P<0.0001).Rotavirus infection mostly affected children under 2 years of age with a peak incidence of 40% in children 1 to 2 years of age and it occurs year round with a seasonal pattern: more frequently during winter (46.2%). Thirty-three RFLP patterns were identified for 36 strains. Conclusions: This study revealed that rotavirus is an important etiological agent of acute diarrhea with a high genetic diversity in G1 genotype in Tehran.  

Background: Enterovirus 70 (EV70) and Coxsackievirus A24 variant (CA24v) are the etiologic agents of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC). The two viruses were isolated in early 1970s in Japan and Singapore, respectively. EV70 was responsible for two pandemics and several outbreaks worldwide affecting millions of people. CA24v has been responsible for several outbreaks of AHC especially in the Southeast Asian countries. Despite reports from Mediterranean region and Middle East there are no records of EV70 or CA24v infections in Iran. We conducted a serologic study to obtain such information. Material and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 66 donors in Tehran, Iran. Serum was separated under sterile conditions, stored below 20°C until shipped on dry ice to the Enterovirus Research Centre, Mumbai, India. LLC-MK2 and HeLa cell lines were used for testing samples for antibodies against EV70 and CA24v, respectively. Virus neutralization test was carried out in microtitre plates using serial two-fold dilutions of serum and 100TCID50 of the viruses. The highest serum dilution' that neutralized the virus infectivity completely was taken as the titre of antibody in the serum. Results: 68% (44/66) sera showed presence of neutralizing antibodies against EV70. Individuals in all age groups showed presence of EV70 antibodies the youngest donor was 4 years old. There was no difference in proportion of anti-EV70 antibody positive samples among men and women. Interestingly, antibodies against CA24v were absent in all the 65 serum samples tested. Conclusions: Iranian population has been exposed to EV70 infections during recent years but not to CA24v. A systematic study of disease burden due to viral AHC in Iran is warranted.    

Background: After the era of rubella vaccine, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is one of the most frequently causes of mental retardation and congenital deafness. Seroepidemiological studies are necessary to understand the transmission dynamics of the disease. Material and methods: Totally 250 serum samples individuals from Orumiyeh were collected randomly by cluster sampling technique. Sera were subjected to anti CMV IgG assay by Enzyme Immunoassay. Results: About 73.9% of children <1 year old were Positive for Anti-CMV antibody. The seroprevalence of anti CMV antibody in the age of 1 to 5 years old were 79.3% and at the age of up to 5 years old were 97%. Conclusion: These results show a direct correlation between prevalence of CMV infection and age.    

Background: Toxoplasmosis is one of the most important worldwide infectious zoonoses diseases, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an internal parasite infection. Several studies showed that at least 1/3 of adult population have antibodies against this parasite, which indicate previous contact of infection and high prevalence of the parasite. Toxoplasmosis detection is based on clinical symptoms and serological tests for specific antibody detection. This cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate IgG antibody against toxoplasma gondii among girls college student of Ahwaz University of Medical Sciences, resident in golestan accommodation. Material and methods: 256 blood samples were collected randomly from students with their written consent. Sera were tested using ELISA technique for antibody detection against toxoplasma antigen. Each volunteer was asked and interviewed to fill a questioner. Results: The average age was 22.5 years with standard diviation of 2.45. 11.5% had been in contact with cat prior to their university accommodation. 56.8% were accepted as BSc students and 28.6% were studied as general practitioner students. Twelve cases (4.6%) were seropositive IgG antibody against toxoplasma. There was no significant association between seropositive cases with their subjects, kind of dietry, previous contact with cat by chi square test. Conclusions: This study indicated 4.6% toxoplasma seropositivity among female students, which is a low rate of infection in comparison with the most previous studies. It could be due to the high knowledge and hygienic life style of this population, but this hypothesis should be investigated in more details.  

Background: Staphylococcal naso-carriers are one of the most important leading causes of nosocomial infection. The antimicrobial resistance of this organism is problematic. The purpose of this study is the comparison between surgery ward staff and control group for staphylococcal nasocarriers and antimicrobial resistance. Materials and methods: We conducted a case control study in which 63 samples of nasal swab from each group were cultured and anti-biogram was performed. Results: The results showed 71.4% of nasopharyngeal carriers in case group and 30.2% in control group (P<0.001). Antimicrobial resistances in surgical staff were 100% for penicillin and 0% for Vancomycin. Other antimicrobial resistances were Oxacillin (64.4%), Clindamycin (42.2%), Erythromycin (68.9%) Doxycycline (62.2%) and Cotrimoxazole (57.8%), respectively. We compared the antimicrobial resistance between the two groups and found a statistically significant difference. Conclusions: The findings suggest the increased rate of Methicillin resistant organism in surgical staff comparing with control group. Therefore recognition and treatment of these carriers are recommended.    

Background: Gram positive bacterial infections, specifically staphylocous aurous, are increasingly prevalent in hospital settings. The aim of this study is to determine of the pattern of antibacterial resistance among these microorganisms detected from sputum, wound, blood and urine samples. Materials and methods: In this cross sectional study 38905 samples, averagely 7781 per year, were surveyed using disk diffusion method form 2000 to 2004. This study was carried out in a major referral medical center in Tehran and samples from all medical departments were included. Roughly, %52 and %48 of positive cultures were attributed to female and male subjects, respectively. Results: A total of 1906 out of 38905 samples were positive. Resistance of S.aurous to co-trimoxazol and oxacillin were increased from %12 to %52, and %10 to %82 in time interval of our study, respectively. Resistance to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin among. S.aurous isolates were increased from %40 to %55.5 and from %20 to %47, respectively in this time frame. Totally, the maximum resistance of S.aurous isolates was to penicillinase resistant penicillin (PRP) antibiotics. In this interval, the maximum resistance of coagulase negative staphylococci was to cloxacillin (%85), ceftizoxim (%68), amoxicillin (%65) and chloramphenicol (%20); while the maximum sensitivity was to vancomycin (%100). Conclusions: We conclude: 1- Periodic inspection of hospital cultures and conducting an appropriate surveillance system will help physicians to assess the pattern of antibacterial resistance. 2- Health care workers should be quite cautious in using PRP antibiotics. 3- vancomycin remains the most valuable antibiotic in treatment of nosocomial staphylococcal infections.      

Alkaline phosphatase activity of serum as a marker of hepatic disorders has also major variation in other conditions. In this study the alkaline phosphatase activity of serum in normal and Leishmania infected Balb/c mice (50 days after paramastigote injection) were measured. The serum alkaline phosphatase activity of infected mice was about 30 U/I but twice in normal group. Considering usual elevation of alkaline phosphatase activity in inflammatory diseases, the observed decrease may be attributed to hepatic injury due to diffused leishmaniosis and could be of use in visceral leishmaniosis.    

Background: Mumps is an acute viral illness affecting school-aged children and adolescents. Hearing loss is an important complication of mumps and specialty mumps meningoencephalitis. Mumps is still the most common cause of unilateral sensor neural hearing loss in poorly vaccinated populations. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of hearing impairment in children with mumps meningoencephalits to clarify the necessity of hearing assessment in these patients. Material and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study lasted 27 months from February 2002 to May 2005 on children and adolescents aged 5 to 15 years old who had been admitted with mumps meningoencephalitis in Dastgheib and Nemazee hospitals. The required data such as age, gender, clinical manifestations, CSF analysis and the result of audiometer were collected and analyzed. Hearing losses in range of 25 to 30 dB, 31 to 50 dB and more than 51 dB are considered as mild, moderate and severe respectively. Results: Totally, 83 patients were studied: 62 (74.7%) were male and 21 (25.3%) were female and the average age was 91 3 years. The most prevalent clinical manifestations were fever (100%), vomiting (98.7%) and the most observed sign was neck rigidity (80.7%), followed by Brudzinski sign (26.5%). From 83 patients with mumps meningoencephalitis, 35 (42%) patients had hearing impairment in at least one of the measured frequencies. Totally, 13 (15.7%) patients had bilateral hearing loss. Three patients (3.6%) were identified to have moderate (31 to 50 dB) hearing loss, and one patient had severe hearing loss (more than 51 dB) at 4000 Hz in left ear. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the high prevalence of hearing impairment and specifically bilateral hearing impairment in children with mumps meningoencephalitis. Regarding the clinical complications of hearing impairment in children and the fact that early detection of hearing impairment is valuable in decreasing its consequences on speech and learning, it is necessary to assess the hearing of all children with mumps meningoencephalitis.