ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: endurance activity can affect function and also factors involved in skeletal muscle transcription. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an endurance activity program on the Sox6 gene and miR-499 expression in fast and slow twitch skeletal muscles in male Wistar rats
Materials and Methods: we kept 14 rats under controlled conditions and divided them randomly into control and experimental groups. The experimental group performed an endurance activity program for 14 weeks, [6 days/wk, 1 hour/day] by using a treadmill. 48 hours after the end of the last session they were anesthetized and sacrificed. The soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles were removed. Real time RT-PCR method was used to determine the expression levels of miR-499 and Sox6 genes. Data analysis was performed by t-test
Results: the results showed, that sox6 gene expression in EDL muscles increased significantly in the experimental group compared to that in the control group [p<0.004]. But, in the experimental group sox6 gene expression in soleus muscle decreased significantly compared to the control group [p<0.002]. Expression of miR-499 in the soleus muscle increased significantly due to endurance activity [p<0.015]
Conclusion: considering different changes of sox6 and miR-499 expression in the skeletal muscles after the same endurance activity, it seems that these two factors create the conditions in the skeletal muscle tissue, which despite the long-term endurance activities these muscles can maintain appropriate ratios of fast and slow-twitch fibers
ABSTRACT
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most commonly identified bacteria that cause food poisoning by virtue of its variety of enterotoxins, Nasal and hand carriage of enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus is an important source of staphylococcal food contamination in restaurants, therefore it is important to detect Staphylococcus aureus carriage among foodhandlers to prevent possible food contamination .The objective of the study was to detect prevalence of enterotoxigenic strains of staphylococcus aureus among food handlers in Zagazig City and to evaluate phenotypic [SETRPLA] versus genotypic [multiplex PCR] methods for detection of the staphylococcal enterotoxins. Two hundred and seventy swabs of [nose, hand and axilla] were collected randomly from 90 food workers; 3 swabs from each food worker. The swabs were inoculated on Mannitol Salt agar an incubated aerobically for 24 hours. Any suspected Staphylococcus aureus colonies were systematically identified according to standard methods. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were subjected to SET-RPLA test using SET-RPLA Toxin Detection Kit for phenotypic detection of enterotoxin production and Multiplex-PCR to genetically detect enterotoxigenic strains. Carriage rate among the food handlers was 55.5% representing 50 Staphylococcal aureus isolates from 90 food handler, the proportion of contaminated samples among 270 swabs was 18.5% [50/270]. 38[76%] out of 50 isolates were found to be enterotoxigenic by SET-RPLA and 42 [84%] out of 50 staphylococcal isolates were found to be enterotoxigenic genotypically by multiplex PCR. The number of isolates was significantly higher in nasal swabs than in hand or axillary swabs [?[2] =36.87 and p=0.0000]. Using REPLA, the number of enterotoxin producing organisms was significantly higher in nasal swabs [91.2%] than in hand [38.5%] or axillary swabs [66.6%][?[2] = = 14.48 and p = 0.0007]. Type A enterotoxin was the most common type [48%] followed by type D [18%], then type C [6%] while the least type was type A+B [4%]. It also shows that type A+B was isolated only from nasal swabs [2.9%] and type D was not found in axillary swabs. Using Multiplex PCR, gene type a was the most common type [48%] followed by gene type d [22%] then gene type c [6%] while the least type was genes type a+ b [4%]. It also shows that gene types a+b and b+d were isolated only from nasal swabs [5.9% each]. Compared with multiplex PCR, specificity and positive predictive value of RPLA were 100%, while sensitivity was 90.48% and negative predictive value was 66.67%. This study concluded that nasal and hand carriage of enterotoxigenic S.aureus by food handlers is an important source of staphylococcal food contamination in restaurants and fast food outlets so it is important to detect S.aureus carriage among food handlers to prevent possible food contamination by them resulting in food poisoning.It also concluded that multiplex PCR is reliable and valuable method in detection of enterotoxigenic S.aureus strains and it is more sensitive and specific than SET-RPLA. This study recommended health education of food handlers to decrease contamination of their hands, settings training courses for food handlers to learn them the proper hand washing technique and frequent examination of food handler to find and treat. It also recommends screening food workers to identify staphylococcus aureas carriers and referring them to the appropriate health authorities for decolonization
ABSTRACT
Acinetobacter spp. are non-fermenting gram-negative coccobacilli that have emerged in recent three decades as major causes of nosocomial infections. Acinetobacter baumannii is the most common pathogen causing a wide spectrum of infections. Acinetobacter infections are difficult to treat, due to both the intrinsic resistance of the pathogen and its ability to readily acquire new resistance mechanisms. A total of 84 Acinetobacter strains isolated from clinical samples were identified at the species level by biochemical tests. Then their susceptibility to 23 antibiotics and synergism among some of them were determined using disk agar diffusion testing. Antibiogram results were interpreted by using CLSI standard tables. The highest rate of drug resistance [92-98%] was observed to ampicillin, cefpodoxime, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone. Tigecycline, colistin and polymyxin B with the least resistance [3-14%] were identified as the most effective antibiotics. Non-fermentative bacteria such as Acinetobacter always are known as examples of drug-resistant bacteria. The results of the present study also indicate a high level of resistance to different antibiotics. Difference in the rates of Acinetobacter resistance to antibiotics based on geographical areas was observed
ABSTRACT
Feeling of health is subjective and unique and health criterion varies in different age, cultural and socioeconomic groups. Illness can have a great effect on individual's feeling and definition of health and well being. The aim of this study was to explore the meaning of health concept in the view of diabetic patients. This study was qualitative, semi structured interviews were conducted with 20 diabetic patients who attended to the diabetes clinic of Sanandaj Tohid Hospital. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using conventional content analysis, and codes and themes were derived from participant's responses. Based on the findings of study five major themes about health emerged: intact body and happiness, life without any limits, peace of mind, spirituality and absence of complications. Health definition based on specific conditions of any culture and group that affect health behavioral. Based on emerged themes, health care providers must consider these themes and seek ways to achieve health in diabetic patients and use them in care plans
ABSTRACT
Foot-and-mouth disease [FMD] is one of the most important virus disease in farm animals. Types O, A and Asial FMD virus have been endemic in Iran. In this study, samples from suspected livestock were analyzed by RT-PCR experiment. The number of 702 nucleotides determined at 1D- 2B region of type A strain isolated from Khorasan Razavi province sequenced and compared with that of other reported isolates type A from Iran and neighboring countries. The results show that field isolated type A has about 89% similarity with other reported isolates type A from Iran and neighboring countries. Furthermore, this virus shows the most similarity with A/IRN/1/87[Samuel. Phylogenitic analysis revealed that virus was closely related to A22-Iraq/99 and A/IRN/iso/105 that rest in the same lineage. The data showed high similarity between type A viruses involved in the Khorasan Razavi province and A/IRN/87v [vaccine strain]; so that it can be concluded that the vaccine can produce prophylactic antibody against this virus
Subject(s)
Animals , Foot-and-Mouth Disease/genetics , Picornaviridae/classification , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
Surgical care is an integral part of health care throughout the world, and gaining attention from the public health community worldwide. This study was conducted to assess compliance and attitudes of the surgeons in the General Navy Hospital toward safe surgery. Fifty-five general surgical operations, performed in the 3 main operation rooms of the Anesthesia and Operations Department of study hospital were observed to assess the compliance of the operating 11 general surgeons to the WHO safe surgery checklist starting from 15 March 2010 and for three weeks. Five observations were done for each surgeon. WHO checklist divides the operation into three phases namely sign in, time out and sign out, each corresponding to a specific time period in the normal flow of a procedure. All safety practices and steps were weighted equally such that a team was given 1 point for compliance with a practice or process and 0 point for noncompliance and scores could range from 0% to 100%. In order to assess how the safe surgery checklist was perceived, the same 11 general surgeons were interviewed with a structured questionnaire. The least aggregate surgeons' compliance was in completing the safety practices comprising 'time out' phase; 56.4% [31 times out of the 55 surgeries]. The highest aggregate surgeons' compliance was in completing the safety practices comprising 'sign in' phase was 65.5% [36 times out of the 55 surgeries]. While, the aggregate compliance score of the 'sign out' phase was 67.3% [37 times out of the 55 surgeries], and that the overall aggregate compliance score for completing the 19 safety practices comprising the safe surgery checklist was 52.7% [29 surgeries out of the 55 surgeries].Regarding surgeons' attitude to safety practices items, none of the items was rated to be definitely 'of no importance. Hospitals should consider implementing operating room briefings as a strategy to improve operating room efficiency and clinical and economic outcomes in surgical patients. Surgeons must be committed to the common goals of patient safety to ensure safe surgery
Subject(s)
Compliance , Patient Safety/standards , Surveys and Questionnaires , Hospitals, MilitaryABSTRACT
Magnesium is an inorganic ion. There are several products containing magnesium and it has a number of therapeutic properties. Magnesium-sulfate is a very common product and its usefulness has been proven in field of anesthesiology. This study looks at the effect of prescribing intravenous magnesium-sulfate on acute pain following orthopedic surgery of the lower extremities in patients anesthetized with spinal anesthesia method. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 60 patients were selected and were randomly divided into 2 groups. Efforts were made to place both groups under the same method of anesthesia and other variable were kept constant to the best of our ability. One group received intravenous magnesium sulfate under a given protocol and the second one received the same volume of placebo, intravenously. To present the results Mean [ +/- SD] was used and the P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statisticaly significant. There was no difference between the 2 groups under basic variables. Pain reported by the first group who received magnesium sulfate was significantly less at the 1[st], 3[rd], 6[th], and 12[th] hours after the operation in comparison to the group who received placebo. At the 18[th] and 24[th] post-operation hours, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. Receiving intravenous magnesium sulfate following lower extremities orthopedic surgery would significantly reduce the pain in the first few hours after the operation
Subject(s)
Humans , Pain, Postoperative/drug therapy , Acute Disease , Anesthesia, Spinal , Injections, Intravenous , Double-Blind MethodABSTRACT
Introduction: Magnesium is an inorganic ion. There are several products containing magnesium and it has a number of therapeutic properties. Magnesium-sulfate is a very common product and its usefulness has been proven in field of anesthesiology. This study looks at the effect of prescribing intravenous magnesiumsulfate on acute pain following orthopedic surgery of the lower extremities in patients anesthetized with spinal anesthesia method
Method and Materials: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 60 patients were selected and were randomly divided to 2 groups. Efforts were made to place both groups under the same method of anesthesia and other variable were kept constant to the best of our ability. One group received intravenous magnesium sulfate under a given protocol and the second group received the same volume of placebo intravenously. To present the results Mean [+/- SD] was used and the P value of less than 0.05 was accepted
Results: There was no difference between the 2 groups under basic variables. Pain reported by the first group who received magnesium sulfate was significantly less at the 1[st], 3[rd], 6[th], and 12[th] hours after the operation in comparison to the group who received placebo. At the 18[th] and 24[th] hour post operation, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups
Conclusion: Receiving intravenous magnesium sulfate following lower extremities orthopedic surgery significantly reduced pain in the first few hours after the surgery
ABSTRACT
Non-traumatic acute abdominal pain is one of the most common complaints in patients referred to emergency department. To make diagnosis decision several diagnostic tests such as WBC count, urine analysis, and abdominal sonography are usually ordered which disturb emergency department, staff and force significant cost to patient and are time consuming. This study was done for determining the tests frequency for diagnosis of patients presenting in ED of Hazrate rasoul hospital with non traumatic acute abdominal pain that had been dismissed from hospital in comparison to previous studies to find whether we can omit some unnecessary tests. Study method was descriptive-cross sectional. By sequential sampling, the data of 400 dismissed patients with non-traumatic acute abdominal pain were gathered and interpreted by statistical descriptive methods. Participants were 29-22 years old, 40.8% male and 59.2% female. WBC had been ordered in 92% of cases. Urine analysis and abdominal sonography had been ordered 91.7% and 95.5% respectively. Frequency of CBC ordering was similar to previous studies while was 2 and 4 fold more for UA and abdominal sonography in comparison to previous studies. These results necessitate revising the diagnostic tests for non-traumatic acute abdominal pain to omit unnecessary tests
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Cross-Sectional Studies , Emergency Service, Hospital , Ultrasonography , Urinalysis , Leukocyte Count , Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures , Acute DiseaseABSTRACT
Aging is inevitable, starts gradually as the last stage of development in all people leading to alterations in body compounds and decreased efficiency of organs and affects on physical ability at different levels. Deterioration of physical abilities and its resultant limitations reduces the independence of the elderly and increases their reliance on others. WHO reports suggest that inactivity or immobility in living is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This descriptive study was conducted to assess physical activities of the elderly and identify their problems and needs in nursing homes of Sanandaj. A healthcare plan was then developed according to their needs. 88 elders [over 65] from 2 governmental and private nursing homes took part in the study. A questionnaire [Independence in Daily Living Activities] developed in 2006 with 20 items describing all daily physical activities was used for data collection. It was completed by observation and interview. It divides independence into 2 levels and a 5-point Likert scale [from 0 to 4 points] including absolutely independent, relatively independent, relatively dependent, absolutely dependent, and inactive because of nonphysical problems is used for scoring. The scores range between 20 and 80 or less. 51% of the elderly was male, 56% between 65 and 75, 88% illiterate, 61% from other towns and 42% resided at nursing homes less than 3 years. 6 [6.82%], 51 [57.95%], 26 [29.55%] and 5 [5.68%] elders were absolutely independent, relatively independent, relatively dependent and absolutely dependent respectively. The last group needed constant care for all of their daily activities. Being in nursing homes requires daily activities and some tasks for self-care. Activities of the elderly for mobility and self-dependence help maintain their health but inactivity can increase their need to carers and assisting or ambulatory devices. The importance of activity limitations is revealed when their physical mobility is assessed by an appropriate tool to provide a criterion for predicting as well as planning health care services and, finally, for their self-care and health promotion. The tool applied in this study is recommended
Subject(s)
Humans , Nursing Homes , Homes for the Aged , Aged , Needs Assessment , Surveys and Questionnaires , Health Promotion , Health Services for the AgedABSTRACT
Introduction: awareness during anesthesia is an unfavorable side effect for patients and about half of them worry about it. This side effect differs depending on different conditions of patient and anesthetic's drugs. According to special drug limitations in pregnant women we studied awareness rate among pregnant women during cesarean section with general anesthesia from 1384 to 1385 in shohada hospital
Material and methods: it was a cross sectional study during 1384-1385 and included all patients with more them 18 yrs old age and ASA class I which had cesarean section with classic general anesthesia and they didn't have any systemic problem during or after operation. 24 hrs after surgery they were interviewed by special questionnaire containing 10 demographic questions and 14 questions about symptoms during surgery and anesthesia. Our results were presented in diagrams and we used K2 test for statistical analysis
Results: none of the patients heard the new born cry during anesthesia. One of the most common things due to awareness during general anesthesia was hearing personal voices and instrument sounds [about 3%]. The most common thing was inability to move during anesthesia [about 8%]. Dreaming during cesarean section anesthesia was about 2.3%
Conclusion: if we considered all the mentioned things as awareness, our drug limitation use during cesarean section causes relative high prevalence of awareness during anesthesia
ABSTRACT
Statement of Problem: Many attempts have been made in order to evaluate the amalgam corrosion behavior as an indicator of biocompatibility
Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the initial corrosion of four different brands of dental amalgams
Materials and Methods: Four different types of commercial high copper dental amalgam were studied. A special mold was used and twenty-one samples of each type of commercial dental amalgams were prepared. X-ray diffraction technique was used to investigate the microstructure of freshly prepared specimens. Electrochemical potentiodynamic tests were performed in physiological solutions in order to determine and compare the corrosion behavior of freshly prepared sample of four brands of dental amalgams. The physiological solutions were the Ringer's solution and physiological normal saline. Five replicate tests on each group of specimens were performed. Tafel extrapolation and linear polarization methods determined corrosion potentials and corrosion current densities. The mean value and standard deviations of the results were calculated. The mean values were statistically compared by ANOVA and Duncan methods at 95% level of confidence
Results: Gamma-2 phase was present in freshly prepared sample of each type of commercial amalgam. The results showed statistically significant differences between the mean corrosion current density values of freshly prepared sample of four brands of amalgams [P<0.05]. The freshly prepared specimen of Sybraloy dental amalgam possesses the higher initial corrosion resistance than the other three, and Cinaalloy dental amalgam possesses the lowest corrosion resistance. This trend is independent to the type of physiological environment
Conclusion: Initial corrosion resistance of each type of commercial dental amalgam is much less than its corrosion resistance that could be obtained after one week. From the viewpoint of the corrosion behavior as an indication of biocompatibilty and for prediction of biocompatibily of the amalgam restoration, it is necessary to pay attention to the initial corrosion of dental amalgam
ABSTRACT
Background and aim: introduction of a material that in blood contamination, can maintain marginal seal plays an important role in clinical success of a restoration. The aim of this study was to determine and compare microleakage rates of composite and compomer restorative materials, in blood contamination, with the application of Prompt L-Pop as an adhesive system
Materials and Methods: in this experimental study, One hundred and twenty C1V cavities, in dentino - enamal junction of buccal and lingual surfaces of extracted human sound molars, were prepared. After Prompt L-Pop application, the samples were divided in to 10 groups of 12 cavities Group Z, was control. Group Z, was contaminated. Group Z, was rinsed with water after contamination. Group Z, was rinsed with water after contamination and Prompt L-Pop was reused. Group Z, was similar to Z, but it was rinsed with Naocl after contamination. The cavities were filled with composite [Z 520]. The remaining five groups [F, to F,] were just the same but filled with compomer [F 2000]. After polishing and thremocycling [X 500], the microleakage rates of specimens were evaluated with dye penetration method. The data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal - Wallis and Mann - Whitney tests
Results: kruskal - wallis test revealed statistically significant differences among composite groups in gingival margins [P=0.017]. Mann - Whitney test showed more microleakage in group Z, as compared with groups Z,, Z, and Z, [P=0.005, P=0.015 and P=0.015, respectively] which was statistically significant. No significant differences were found, in microleakage rate, between composite and compomer groups in occlusal and gingival margins [P=0.34S and P=0.213, respectively]
Conclusion: according to the results of this study, blood contamination could increase the microleakage of composite and Prompt L-Pop in gingival margins. In this condition, rinsing with water and Naocl and Prompt L-Pop reapplication can decrease microleakage effectively
ABSTRACT
The prevalance of opioid addiction is releativly high in Iran. Since the mechanism [s] of opioid addiction are not clear, this social problem still remains unresolved. In the present study, the effects of water-alcohol extract of Papaver rhoeas on the acquisition and expression of morphine withdrawal in morphine-dependent N-MARI mice [20-25 g] were investigated. The animals became dependent to morphine and the extract of the Papaver Rhoeas was administered during and after induction of morphine dependence. Then, withdrawal syndroms were tested with naloxone [4 mg/kg] injection. Results showed that administration of naloxone after four days morphine treatment [12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg], induced diarrhea and also increased the number of jumping in animals. The increase was significant for a dose of 50 mg/kg of morphine. On the other hand, administration of the plant extract [25, 50 and 100 mg/kg] did not induce any changes in the feaces or number of jumping behaviour in the animals. Injection of the same extract [25, 50 and 100 mg/kg] 30 min before morphine [50 mg/kg] administration, caused an increase in number of jumping but reduced the diarrhea in animals. Injection of the plant extract [25, 50 and 100 mg/kg] on the test day, 30 min before naloxone administration also decreased the number of jumping and diarrhea in morphine-dependent animals. It could be concluded that the extract of Papaver rhoeas can amilorates the withdrawal syndrom in morphine-dependent mice. Therefore, the extract might be useful for treatment of withdrawal signs in opioid addicts
ABSTRACT
Resorcinol formaldehyde resin [RFR] prepared and screened as antimicrobial agent following the standard dilution method. The minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] was determined for seven types of bacterial strain [Escherichia coli. klebsiella. Salmonella typhoid, Shigella dysentery. Streptococcus pneumoniae, which were taken from selected patients
ABSTRACT
Dental amalgam is still the most useful restorative material for posterior teeth and has been successfully used for over a century. Dental amalgam has been widely used as a direct filling material due to its favorable mechanical properties as well as low cost and easy placement. However, the mercury it contains raises concerns about its biological toxicity and environmental hazard. Although in use for more than 150 years, dental amalgam has always been suspected more or less vigorously due to its alleged health hazard. Amalgam restorations often tarnish and corrode in oral environment. Corrosion of dental amalgam can cause galvanic action. Ion release as a result of corrosion is most important. Humans are exposed to mercury and other main dental metals via vapor or corrosion products in swallowed saliva and also direct absorption into blood from oral mucosa. During recent decades the use of dental amalgam has been discussed with respect to potential toxic effects of mercury components. In this article, the mechanisms of dental amalgam corrosion are described and results of researches are reviewed. It finally covers the corrosion of amalgams since this is the means by which metals, including mercury, can be released within oral cavity
ABSTRACT
Background: prompt L-Pop is a self-etching dentin adhesive, which is recommended to use with both compomers and composite resins. The aims of this investigation were to determine and compare the microleakage, shear bond strength, and shear push out strength of composite and compomer to dentin with application of Prompt L-Pop as adhesive system
Methods: after application of Prompt L-Pop on the occlusal dentinal surfaces of 24 intact molar teeth, the specimens were divided into two groups [n=12]. Composite resin[Filtec Z250] and compomer [F2000] were used to dentinal surfaces of group 1 and 2 respectively, using a plastic mold. Twenty-four truncated cavities were prepared in 24 horizontal occlusal coronal dentinal wafer. After application of Prompt L-Pop, the specimens divided into two groups [n=12], and the cavities in group 1 and 2 were filled with composite and compomer respectively. After application of Prompt-L-Pop on the surfaces of 20 class V cavities, the cavities were randomly divided into two groups [n=10], and were restored with composite resin and compomer respectively. The bond strength values and microleakage scores of groups were evaluated
Results: compomer material revealed more but not statistically significant different means [SD] of shear bond strengths [Mpa] and shear push out strength [MPa]. There were no significant differences in enamel and also dentinal microleakage scores, between two groups [p>0.05]
Conclusion: improving bonding efficacy and microleakage result of compomer in this study, would be because Prompt LPop is a water based material and therefore chemically more compatible with hydrophilic restorative materials, such as compomers
ABSTRACT
The essential constituents of a conventional oral rehydration solution [ORS] are sodium, glucose and a bicarbonate precursor. The glucose promotes sodium uptake but because these solutions are isotonic, it is insufficient to sustain calorie requirements. This paper examines the efficacy of a novel ORSs with twice and three times the conventional glucose concentration, by comparing it with the WHO-ORS in an experimental model of chromic diarrhea in rats. Rats were either treated or not for one weak with magnesium citrate- phenolphthalein to produce chronic osmotic- secretory diarrhea. Intestinal absorption of fluids and solutes were measured using in vivo intestinal perfusion method. Plasma changes were evaluated 4 hours after the beginning of intestinal perfusion. Inclusion of additional glucose enhances fluids and solutes absorption, though, absorption of the ORS containing twice the conventional glucose concentration of WHO-ORS was superior to ORS with three times the conventional glucose concentration. Novel hgpertonic solutions showed also greater ability to correct hypoglycemia, hyponatremia metabolic acidosis in diarrheal rats. It, therefore, appears possible to depart from the traditional isotonic formulations in cases of long standing diarrhea and gain significant nutritional support while retaining effective intestinal absorption and correction of acidbase and electrolyte disturbances. This seems especially important in infants where energy deprivation imposes a particular penalty. The use of a novel ORSs should not, however, be extended to other species without further research
Subject(s)
Male , Animals, Laboratory , Chronic Disease , Rehydration Solutions , Fluid Therapy , Glucose Solution, Hypertonic , Rats , Potassium , Bicarbonates , Hydrogen-Ion ConcentrationABSTRACT
To assess the relationship between HLA-DRB1 and rheumatoid arthritis in Egyptian patients, 40 subjects ere examined; 26 were rheumatoid arthritis patients and 14 were normal persons. The patients were further subdivided into groups according to the Mean Grades of the Disease Activity. All patients and the controls were subjected to ESR estimation by Westgren's method, Rheumatoid factor testing and HLA-DRB1 typing by PCR. The DNA was extracted from whole blood. Exon 2 was amplified and checked by gel electrophoresis. For HLA-DRB1 allele detection, amplification products were subsequently hybridized using typing strips in which 37 sequence specific DNA probe lines and 2 control lines were fixed. There was a significant association between rheumatoid factor and the grade of disease activity. There was a significant association between HLA-DRB1 broad types *4 and *1 and the susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis. HLA-DRB1 broad types *4 and *1 had significant higher frequencies in patients than controls. They were 40.4% and 21.2% in patients while were 10.7% and 3.6% in controls. P values were 0.04 and 0.003 respectively for them. HLA-DRB1 *0102 allele had shown a significant increase in group IV rheumatoid arthritis patients with a frequency of 50%. high relative risk, and a P value of 0.014