epidemiological study of cutaneous leishmaniasis using active case finding among elementary school students in Pakdasht, southeast of Tehran, Iran 2013-2014

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the prevalent health problems in tropical and subtropical areas including Iran. Therefore, it is essential to identify the prevalence and new foci of this disease in different regions of Iran. This study aimed to determine the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis by active case finding in elementary schools in Pakdasht city, Southeast of Tehran, Iran 2013-2014. This cross sectional study was carried out on 4800 students from 60 elementary schools in Pakdasht during October 2013 to March 2014. After examining the students, some epidemiological data such as age, gender, date, anatomic location of the lesion[s] in the body, number and size of lesion[s], lesion type, and travel history to endemic areas was recorded in a checklist. Students with active lesions were examined using parasitological and molecular methods [PCR]. Totally, 31 students [0.64%] had leishmaniasis, of which 15 [0.31%, 95% CI, 0.15%, 0.47%] had active lesions and 16 [0.33%, 95% CI, 0.17%, 0.49%] had leishmaniasis scars. Molecular testing showed that Leishmania major was the causative agent of leishmaniasis in all patients with active lesion. The highest frequency of cutaneous leishmaniasis was found in the age group 10-12 years [P=0.03]. There was a significant difference between the frequency of the disease in different months [P=0.04] and the anatomic location of the lesion/scar [P=0.04]. Moreover, t-test revealed that there was a significant relationship between number of lesions/scars and the age group [P<0.001]. The leishmanial type diagnosed in all patients was L. major. This finding suggests that Pakdasht might be a new focus for zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis

Performance catalytic ozonation over the carbosieve in the removal of toluene from waste air stream

Toluene is a volatile organic compound, one of 189 hazardous air pollutants [HAP[s]] and the most important pollutant found in most industries and indoor environments; owing to its adverse health, toluene must be treated before being released into the environment. In this research study, a continuous-flow system [including an air compressor, silica gel filters and activated charcoal, impinger, an ozone generation and a fixed bed reactor packed with the carbosieve in size 1.8-2.3 mm, specific surface: 972 m[2]/g,] was used. This glass reactor was 0.7 m in height; at a distance of 0.2 m from its bottom, a mesh plane was installed so as to hold the adsorbent. Moreover, 3 l/min oxygen passed through this system, 0.43 g/h ozone was prepared. The flow rate of waste airstream was 300 ml/min. The efficiency of this system for removal of toluene was compared under the same experimental conditions. Under similar conditions, performance of catalytic ozonation was better in toluene removal than that of ozonation and carbosieve alone. On average, increasing the removal efficiency was 45% at all concentrations. When carbosieve and ozone come together, their synergistic effects increased on toluene degradation. Catalytic ozonation is a suitable, high-efficient and available method for removing toluene from various concentrations of waste air stream. This process due to the short contact time, low energy consuming and making use of cheap catalysts can be used as a novel process for removing various concentrations of volatile organic compounds

[Antibiotic resistance pattern in nasopharyngeal Neisseria meningitidis carriers among 2-12 years old children in Kermanshah, 2012]

Background and aim: Neisseria meningitidisis is a cause of some serious disease like Meningitis which can rapidly lead to death. The Majority of person suffering from Meningitis have not had any contact with patients and it seems that asymptomatic carriers are the main source of diseases. This descriptive study aimed to investigate the prevalence of nasopharyngeal Neisseria meningitidis carriers and antibiotic resistance in preschools and primary schools children in Kermanshah.

Material and methods: in this cross-sectional study, 554 kindergartens and schools children with a range of 2-12 years were recruited from different regions of Kermanshah, during November to March 2012. Samples were collected using a sterile swab from the back part of the pharynx [the area of the palatine tonsils] with prevention of contacting with teeth and transported to the laboratory in transport environment. After this, they were cultured on a selective culture medium which followed by performing confirmatory and antibiotic resistance tests to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility.

Results: the prevalence of Neisseria meningitides was investigated 10.6% among 554 healthy children with a mean age of 7.4 years, The resistance percentage of isolated samples to Azithromycin, Amoxicillin, Rifampin, Amoxicillin clavulanic acid, Cotrimoxazole and Ceftriaxone was 54.2 %, 100 %, 6.8 %, 96.6 %, 54.2%, 13.6%, respectively.

Conclusion: the increasing use of antibiotics has led to a high level of antibiotic resistance, particularly Azithromycin, Amoxicillin, Rifampin, Amoxicillin clavulanic acid and Cotrimoxazole, which indicates the necessity of educating physicians and general population regarding indiscriminate usage of antibiotics.