GOVARESH JOURNAL
Year:2004 | Volume:9 | Issue:3|Papers Count:11

Introduction and Aims: Until today human stomach is the only recognized habitat of H. pylori. However, recruitment of DNA-based methods has made possible the detection of H. pylori in water and oral cavity, thus suggesting faecal-oral and oral-oral routes for transmission of H. pylori, respectively. In this study yeast has been proposed as a common vector for transmission of H. pylori. Thus designed primers were recruited to target 16S rDNA and cagA genes in the oral yeasts by PCR. Materials and Methods: Eighteen yeasts were examined microscopically for the presence of bacterial-like bodies. DNAs were extracted from oral yeasts using phenol-chloroform method. Amplification conditions were optimized as 33 cycles and annealing temperatures of 63 |o|C for 16S rDNA and 51 |oC and 52 |oC for cagA gene which was targetted in two steps. DNAs of H. pylori and saccharomyces cerevisiae were used as controls. PCR products of two genes from One yeast and from H. pylori were cloned in pCAP and subsequently subcloned in pSK+ and sequenced. Results: Bacterial-like bodies were observed in all oral yeasts. The amplified products of 16S rDNA from all oral yeasts were homologous in size with those of H. pylori. 15/18 (83%) yeasts contained cagA gene, homologous to H. pylori. CagA was not amplified from three yeasts and S. cerevisiae. Analysis of sequenced products of 16S rDNA and cagA from one oral yeast showed 98% homology with those of H. pylori. Conclusions: The presence of H. pylori inside the yeast was indicated by light microscopy and PCR. It appears that yeasts which are abundant in nature and thrive the mucosal surfaces of human might serve as reservoirs and vehicles of H. pylori.

Introduction and Aims: Omeprazole is a gastric parietal cells proton pump inhibitor that is also active against H. pylori in vitro. This study was designed to examine the neutralization of H. pylori cytotoxicity on Vero cells by omeprazole micronized in strains isolated from gastritis, ulcer, cancer and Barretts ulcer, to determine whether omeprazole can inhibit vacuolation of the Vero cells induced by cytotoxin of H. pylori or by urease. The effect of omeprazole on motility of H. pylori was assessed using concentrations lower than MIC. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial activity of omeprazole micronized was studied by determining the MICs for 15 H. pylori strains. Water extract of the bacteria (concentrated culture supernatant) and different concentrations of omeprazole were added to Vero cells in culture. Also extracted urease from H. pylori strains with urea (10 mM) and omeprazole were added to Vero cells in culture. The inhibitory effect of omeprazole on motility of H. pylori was tested in semi-solid medium. Results: MIC of omeprazole micronized was 20 ..μg/ml. Omeprazole could inhibit induced vacuolation by the water extract of H. pylori strains in Vero cells. It could also inhibit vacuolation induced by urease. Inhibition of vacuolation strains was assessed microscopically and by the neutral red method. It was also found that omeprazole inhibits the motility of H. pylori strains at concentrations lower than MIC. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that omeprazole micronized could neutralize the vacuolation effect of H. pylori cytotoxin on Vero cells probably by targeting v-type ATPase. The bacterial motility was also inhibited by low concentrations of omeprazole. The results of this study considers omeprazole micronized as an effective drug which targets important virulence factors of H. pylori including vacuolating cytotoxin, urease, and motility.

Introduction and Aims: Considering high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Iran and need for its prevention, determination of causes and risk factors can help health policy makers in control of disease. Materials and Methods: All blood donors of Tehran city from April 1997 to March 2000 were studied in a case control design. HBsAg positive donors who were referred to hepatitis consultation office in Tehran blood transfusion center (2447 donors) were compared with 2425 HbsAg negative donors. Demographic factors and high risk behaviors were studied in both groups and in some subjects HBsAg status in donors mother and spouse was studied. Results: Factors predicting HBV infection included family history of positive HBsAg, history of blood transfusion, male gender, history of hospitalization, history of unsafe sex and living in city area. There was a significant difference among cases and controls regarding HBsAg status in donors mother and spouse. Conclusions: Because of the role of mothers and other family members in transmission of HBV infection, it is important to consider screening of whole family, pregnant women and whole family vaccination for all HBsAg subjects. Adding notice to blood derivatives screening and safe work in hospitals are important steps in HBV prevention. Neonates, couples and at risk people vaccination is another effective step in HBV prevention

Introduction and Aims: Helicobacter pylori commonly is associated with gastritis: but only sometimes it causes clinically significant diseases such as gastric and duodenal ulcer. The development of disease depends on the virulence of the infecting H. pylori strain, the susceptibility of the host, and environment co-factors. The cytotoxin associated protein encoded by cagA gene is an important virulence factor that is produced by some H. pylori strains, and has been used as virulence marker in some populations. The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of cagA gene in the isolated strains of H. pylori from patients with dyspeptic disease and to investigate the association of cagA gene and the severity of H. pylori related diseases in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this study, biopsy specimens were obtained from the antrum of 180 patients. After isolation of H. pylori and its DNA by standard methods, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used for detection of cagA bacterial gene. Results: 92 out of the 180 patients had H. pylori strains. 70% were cagA gene positive. All patients with peptic ulcer (100%) and 44 out of 72 (61%) patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia were cagA positive (p<0.01). Conclusions: There was significant difference in frequency of cagA gene in peptic ulcer disease and non-ulcer dyspepsia (p<0.01). It showed that the risk of PUD in patients with cagA+ H. pylori infection may be higher than in those with cagA- H. pylori infection

Introduction and Aims: In order to prevent liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in later life, it is essential to prevent Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in infants. Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, hepatitis B still continues to be a significant health problem. The aim of this study is to reveal the efficacy of passive and active immunoprophylaxis for preventing perinatal transmission of the hepatitis B virus in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cohort study with historical controls, 823 children of the HBsAg positive mothers were evaluated. There were 637 cases who had received neither Hepatitis B (HB) vaccine nor hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG), 125 persons received only HB vaccine and 60 neonates that we administered them HB vaccine and HBIG together. Results: The prevalence of HBsAg in cases who have received neither vaccine nor HBIG and aged > 16 years (group1) or <= 16 years (group 2), cases who have received vaccine alone (group 3), and in cases who have received both vaccine and HBIG (group 4) was 56.1%, 40.3%, 12.6%, and 3.6%, respectively. The prevalence of HBsAb had a significant descending rate in groups 4 (85.7%), 3 (68.8%), 2 (33.3%), and 1 (21.8%) respectively. Conclusions: The addition of HBIG to recombinant vaccine will significantly increase the protection against HBV infection in comparison with HB vaccine without HBIG. After focusing on the vertical route for many years, and implementing strategies such as vaccination and HBIG injection to neonates of HBsAg positive mothers, nowadays it seems that we should pay more attention to horizontal way of HBV transmission in Iran

The Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have been found to accompany some neurological syndromes including multiple sclerosis (MS). Recently, Several studies have reported and discussed the simultaneous presence of IBD and MS in some patients. Thus, in patients with either disease, the presence of signs and symptoms of the other should raise the clinical suspicion of the clinician and warrant special considerations. In this report, we introduce two IBD patients who have concomitant involvement of MS

A 42-year-old male with history of HCV, presented with cutaneous lesions which were initiated from 2 weeks ago. Lesions presented with tenderness and red bulla in anterior aspect of left leg. The lesion gradually began to rupture and desquamation. Patient had similar lesions during the last year. Hyperpigmentation in old lesions was seen. Porphyria cutanea tarda was suspected. Diagnosis was confirmed with high urinary levels of uroporphyrinogen.

A 33-year-old female presented with intermittent abdominal pain and severe attacks of lower gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding since 2 weeks. She has had history of irregular menses in last 3 months. In the labeled RBC-Scan study, the bleeding site was detected in left upper quadrant (LUQ). In surgery, a tumor with the diameter of 2×1cm in a 65 cm distance of ligament of Trietz was detected. In pathological assessment jejunal metstatic choriocarcinoma was reported. Generally, choriocarcinoma is very rare among the intestinal metastatic tumors, including less than 5% of these tumors. Its presentation is acute lower GI bleeding and organ rupture, especially splenic rupture. These tumors will respond appropriately to the treatment in initial stages. Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice in these tumors.