Changing epidemiology of esophageal cancer in Fars province, Iran

Esophageal carcinoma is one of the most lethal gastrointestinal [GI] malignant tumors worldwide. The disease is known to have a high incidence in northern Iran; however, its condition in the South is not much clear. In this retrospective study we investigated the epidemiology and time trends of esophageal carcinoma in Fars Province, South of Iran. In a retrospective study, we reviewed pathologic reports of all laboratories in Fars Province, South of Iran, from March 1997 to March 1999 to find cases of esophageal carcinoma. Annual and average incidence in different age groups were calculated for both sexes, based on four censuses results. Esophageal carcinoma was the third most common GI cancer in Fars, with an average incidence of 2.95 per 100,000 in the population older than 15 years. The incidence of esophageal carcinoma was found to drop by 64% during the study period. This was mainly due to the decreased incidence of squamous cell carcinoma. Females developed squamous cell carcinoma in relatively younger age as compared to males. Our region in the South of Iran is one of the low incidence areas of esophageal carcinoma as compared to that of northern borders of the country and other parts of the world with some special features

In vitro susceptibility of fungal isolates of keratomycosis to antiseptic agents

Fungal corneal ulcer is the most dangerous and challenging type of infective keratitis. Since most of the ophthalmic antifungal drops are scarce and expensive in developing countries, attempts have been made to study fungicidal property of some readily available antiseptic agents as a substitute. Povidone iodine [PI] and chlorhexidine gluconate [CHx] has been postulated to be effective against fungi. To study in vitro antifungal efficacy of PI and CHx. Fungi isolated from cases of keratomycosis were entered in a prospective study from June 2001 to March 2002. In vitro susceptibility of these fungi was tested by broth dilution method of NCCLS Standard to PI [1%, 2%, 5%, 10%] and CHx [0.04%, 0.1%, 0.2%] after 5 minutes, 1 hr, 24 hrs and 48 hrs exposure times. From a total of 16 culture-proven cases of fungal keratitis, the isolated fungi were 8 Aspergillus sp, 3 Fusarium sp, 2 sterile hyphae, 1 Candida sp, 1 Drechslera sp, 1 Rhodotorula sp. PI showed 100% fungicidal effect with all tested concentrations, after 5 minutes of exposure to all fungal species. CHx. 0.1% and 0.2% after 1 hr exposure were as effective as PI [p>0.34]. The fungicidal efficacy of CHx 0.1% and 0.2% was significantly less than PI after 5 minutes [p<0.001]. Both PI and CHx have strong in vitro fungicidal effect. The kill rate of CHx, however, is less than PI. Since in vitro efficacy of topical ophthalmic preparations is affected by multiple factors, our study provides a good idea for further in vivo investigations about this subject