There are many freshwater snails involved in the life cycle of parasitic flukes. Some of these animals, such as Bulinus spp and Lymnaea spp are very important in public health and veterinary medicine. For example, Bulinus trucatus and Lymnaeid snails transmit Human Bilharziosis and zoonotic Fascioliosis, respectively. For this reason most freshwater bodies of Northern Iran, were searched for potential intermediate host snails of medical parasites. Thirteen mollusc taxa, i.e. 5 operculated shell-bearing versus 8 pulmonated snails were found during a snail survey, in the summer of 1992. Two taxa, viz. Anisus leucostoma and Bulinus truncatus were found to be new species for Iran and Northern Iran, respectively

BACKGROUND: Anencephaly is a neural tube defect incompatible with life. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence of anencephaly in Gorgan, Northern Iran.METHODS: During 1998 - 2005, 49,534 newborns at Dezyani hospital in Gorgan were screened for neural tube defects. Clinical and demographic data of the diagnosed cases were recorded in a pre-designed questionnaire for analysis. These data included sex, ethnicity, parental consanguinity, and residential area.RESULTS: The overall prevalence of neural tube defects and anencephaly were 28 and 12 per 10000 births, respectively. The prevalence of anencephaly was 11 and 12 per 10000 births in male and female newborns, respectively. Considering the parental ethnicity, the prevalence of anencephaly was 12, 16, and 7 per 10000 in Fars, Turkman, and Sistani ethnicity, respectively. The prevalence of anencephaly was 13.1/10000 in newborns with mothers aged >35 years. Consanguinity was seen in 36% of the parents. The highest rate of anencephaly occurred in 1999 (23/10000) and the least was in 2003 (2/10000). The most prevalent season for the occurrence of anencephaly was winter (16/10000).CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that the prevalence of anencephaly among Iranian newborns in Northern Iran was higher than in the European population.

During field-work in several provinces of Northern Iran, wild Allium species were collected and shown to the local population. These people were interviewed about name, use, and mode of application of the plants shown. All data were compiled in an electronic database, and the collected plants were planted in a living Allium collection in Tehran.In total, 18 wild species were reported to be used as vegetable, spice, and/or medicinal plants which belong to the subgenera Allium (five species), Amerallium (one species), Cepa (two species), Nectaroscordum (one species), and Melanocrommyum (nine species). Thirteen species were reported to be used as vegetable, six species as medicinal plants, and five species as spices (multiple uses of six species). Occurrence, taxonomic characters, and specific use of all species were discussed.

Background and Objectives-Poisoning due to drugs and chemicals is influenced to a large extent by the population’s socioeconomic and cultural status. The purpose of our study was to determine and present the pattern of poisoning with drugs and chemicals in 2 poisoning referral centers in Gilan province, Northern Iran, and to analyze medical and social parameters involved. Methods-This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on 1215 cases of poisoning (with drugs and chemicals) who were hospitalized in 2 poisoning referral centers, namely, Razi and 17-Shahrivar Hospitals in Rasht during a three-year period. Chi-square and a values were considered for the statistical analysis. Results-Five-hundred and twenty-six of the poisoning cases (25%) were children and 1625 cases (75%) were adults. Poisoning was most common in the 15-64 years age group and in women. In order of frequency, the three most common causes of poisoning in adults were organophosphorous compounds, rat-killers, tranquilizers and anticonvulsants, and in children they were kerosene oil, detergents, and metoclopramide. The fatality rate was 1-4%. A significant statistical relationship (p<0.05) was noted between the type of poison and patient’s age, sex, occupation, residence (village/city), cause of poisoning (intentional/ accidental) and season in which the poisoning occurred. Conclusion-It was seen that women between 15-64 years of age were more prone to suicidal poisoning with organophosphorous compounds in spring and summer and children of 1-4 years of age were more susceptible to accidental poisoning with kerosene oil and its derivatives in the spring. The fatality rate of this study was higher as compared to other cities in Iran and other industrialized countries. It is thus recommended that more preventive measures be taught to the general population.

Background: Congenital anomalies are important medical and public health conditions. The pattern and preva-lence of birth defects may vary over time or with geographical location. We investigated the live birth preva-lence and occurrence pattern of birth defects in Golestan Province, Northern Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 144920 live newborns in 13 hospitals in Golestan Province, Northern Iran, from 21 Jan 2008 to 19 Mar 2013. The newborns were examined for the presence of birth defects and mothers were interviewed for variables such as maternal age and ethnicity. In ad-dition, data for each newborn was filed in a questionnaire and the coding of birth defects was translated to the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision– clinical modification (ICD-10-CM). Results: Overall, 1690 infants were diagnosed as having birth defects among 144920 live newborns. The preva-lence rate of birth defects was 11. 66 per 1000 live births, the prevalence of birth defects per 1000 was11. 62 in males and 11. 42 in females. The prevalence of congenital anomalies among native Fars, Turkmen and Sistani were 13. 03, 11. 16 and 13. 07, respectively, per 1000 live births. Anomalies of the cardiovascular system were the most common defects; the prevalence rate of cardiovascular system was 8. 34 per 1000 live birth. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of birth defects in this area was lower than in the other regions in Iran (20. 3 per 1000 live births) but higher than in some parts of Asia (7. 33 per 1000 live births).

Background & Purpose: One of the most important united nation Millennium Development Goals is to control Tuberculosis (TB). This study aimed to identify the high-risk areas of TB and other related factors of it in an epidemiological study. Materials & Methods: In this retrospective study, the records of 1566 TB infected patients in healthcare centers of 17 cities of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences were investigated during 2009-2013 years. Information of patients was gathered using a check list. The collected data was then analyzed using chi-square. Results: The mean age of the patients was 46. 17± 20. 6 years. The 5-year incidence rate was 12. 14 in 100, 000 populations. Cities in the east of Province (Sari, Behshahr, and Neka) had highest incidence rate (about 16 cases in 100, 000 population). The incidence rate was different based on gender as, 15. 3 % of the men and 10. 2 % of the women were infected. The median delay time in the diagnosis was 34 days. Conclusions: The incidence rate of TB in Mazandaran was found to be almost similar to the previous reported rate in Iran. High incidence rate in east of province may be due to bordering to the Golestan Province as the immigrant province. The short delay time of TB diagnosis during this period indicated the well health services practices in this province. More attention should be paid to high risk areas for identification and giving education to those patients.