ABSTRACT
HTLV-I is the etiological cause of adult T-lymphocytic leukemia [ATL] and a chronic degenerative neurologic disorder, called tropical spastic paraparesis [TSP]. HTLV infection can be transmitted through different ways: from mother to child or fetus, sexual intercourse, transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, and sharing contaminated syringe needles. As the presence of these infections in high risk groups can be an approximate indicator of their prevalence in the society and blood donors, in this study was tried to find prevalence of HTLV in HIV positive or negative intravenous drug users [IVDU; patients with major thalassemia, and hemodialysis patients, in Sanandaj. This descriptive study included 351 cases: 130 HIV positive and 110 HIV negative intravenous drug users [IVDU], 46 cases of major thalassemia, and 65 hemodialysis patients. All participants completed written informed consent forms. After obtaining blood samples and serum separation, all specimens were kept in freezer at -20[degree sign]C up to the time of analysis. Serum samples were screened for measurement of the titers of HTLV I and II antibodies by Dia-Pro ELISA kits, manufactured in Italy. Positive and suspicious reactions were reanalyzed. For confirmation of positive and suspicious reactions, samples with one positive reaction were examined by use of western blot kid [HTLV blot 2.4, manufactured by MP Diagnostics in Switzerland]. Data were entered into SPSS 16 software and the prevalence rates of these viruses were obtained by using frequency distribution table. The results of this study showed that one HIV positive, one HIV negative patient and another patient with major thalassemia were HTLV I positive [0.85%]. None of the hemodialysis patients had antibody against HTLV type 1. We did not find any antibody against HTLV type 2 in our study. The prevalence rate of HTLV [types 1 and 2] among these high risk groups was not high in Sanandaj. This may reflect its low prevalence in general population and in blood donors. However, it is necessary to take preventive measures to reduce its spread. To assess the exact prevalence rate we recommend screening of all donated blood samples and general population
ABSTRACT
Background: Exercise test is a non-invasive method to assess the cardiovascular situation. The results of exercise test alone cannot determine the presence or absence of coronary artery diseases and for definite diagnosis the application of angiography is necessary
Objective: To investigate the results of coronary artery angiography in persons with positive exercise test
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed on 200 clients with chest pain who underwent exercise test at Imam Sajjad Hospital in Ramsar during 2009-2010. Study population was selected based on simple sampling and data were collected through interview and observation. Data were further analyzed using chi-square and t-independent tests
Findings: Of 200 clients participated in the study, 49 [24.5%] had positive exercise test, 122 with negative exercise test [66%], and 19 [9.5%] needed further evaluation. Among those with positive exercise test, 29 had positive angiography indicating a real-positive exercise test of 59.2% and a false-positive figure equal to 28.56%. There was a significant relationship between the positive exercise test and both BMI and sex [P<0.05, P<0.04]
Conclusion: It seems that the application of exercise test to be a suitable screening tool especially in people with chest pain. However, caution must be taken when interpreting the result of an exercise test for a patient