Tetanus immunity in individuals aged 50 years or older in Kashan, Iran

Tetanus can be only prevented by vaccination because immunity against this disease is rarely acquired, even by natural infections. To maintain long-term protective immunity against tetanus, booster immunization is essential for adolescents and adults. Most hospitalized cases and virtually all deaths occur in people over 60 years of age. The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of protective tetanus immunity among 50 years of age and older people in Kashan city, Iran. This cross-sectional study carried out on 180 randomly individuals aged 50 years or older who were visiting a central laboratory for health examinations in 2008. Participants' serum levels of tetanus antitoxin were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. A standard questionnaire was used to collect demographic data and information about risk factors. The prevalence of protective tetanus immunity in various age groups was described and sociodemographic factors that potentially influenced the degree of tetanus immunity were analyzed. Overall, 180 persons were included. Of these, 72 [40%] had never received a toxoid booster, while 47 [26.1%] had received a booster at least once. Among all participants, 30 [16.7%] had protective tetanus antitoxin levels [>/= 0.11 IU/mL], and 34 [18.9%] had protective antitoxin levels without the need of an immediate booster >/= 0.51 IU/mL. Among 86 participants aged>60 years, 6 [7%] had protective antitoxin levels >/= 0.1-1 IU/mL, and 5[5.8%] had protective antitoxin levels >/= 1 IU/mL. Male gender and prior receipt of toxoid booster[s] were associated with protective tetanus immunity. Tetanus antitoxin levels declined with age. It appears that most 50 years of age and older adults do not have protective levels of tetanus antitoxin because of inadequate vaccination coverage. There is a need to improve the immunity levels of this age group. It is recommended to vaccinate elderly people against tetanus

Incidence of Breast cancer in breast sample pathology reports in Iran [Kermanshah] 2001-2004

Despite the high incidence of breast cancer and it's high mortality and morbidity in the west, there was not an accurate survey on the types of breast pathologies in breast sample reports. In a descriptive survey of breast sample reports 2001-2004 in IRAN [Kermanshah], from 48,742 histo-pathologic reports, 904 reports were related to breast. The data from breast pathology reports were analyzed with descriptive statistics. The most common age for patients with breast pathologies was 21-40 [52.1%]. In 89.5% the Dimples were related to women and 10.5% to men. Fibroadenoma was the most common disorder reported in breast samples under 20 years old [52.3%], fibrocystic disease among 20-40 and breast malignancy among 41-60 [59.3%] Over age 60 also breast malignancy [41.9%] was the most common diagnosis, 1.02% of breast cancers were in men and other cases were in women. In 23.9% of women samples the diagnosis was breast malignancy, 34.35% of cases with malignancy were under age 40. Mean age of breast cancer was 45 +/- 9. The most prevalant pathology in malignancies was invasive ductal carcinoma [52.7%]. The mean age of breast cancer in our survey is lower than western reports and breast cancer under age 40 is more common. In future studies the cause must be evaluated .Malignancy in breast samples was 23.9%, That coordinates with western reports