Detection of Chlamydia Trachomatis in pap smear samples from South Khorasan Province of Iran

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis [CT], the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection [STI], leads to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and chronic pelvic pain in women as well as an increased risk of vertical transmission, conjunctivitis and pneumonitis in infants. It may also be a co-factor along with human papillomavirus [HPV] in cervical cancer progression. We aimed to determine the prevalence of CT genotypes in genital specimens of women from South Khorasan, Iran and to test the association between CT and cytology statistics

Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on 248 Pap smear samples from women who visited a gynecologist for routine Pap smear testing in South Khorasan province. Nested polymerase chain reaction [PCR] was used to test the residual fluids of Pap smears for CT-DNA after cytological examination. Direct sequencing, alignment and phylogenic analyses were performed on eight samples to identify their genotypes

Results: The mean age of patients was 37.54 +/- 5.21 years. Most samples had a normal cytology [214 cases, 86.29%]. Overall, 31 samples were positive for CT infection [12.5%] of which 20 [9.34%] were normal and 11 [32.35%] were abnormal, with the frequency difference being significant [P=0.022]. The co-infection of CT/HPV in total was identified in 14 cases [5.6%]. The results of sequencing eight samples out of the 31 CT positive samples revealed the detection of genotypes D and E, each with four cases

Conclusion: We show that a high prevalence of genital CT infection is present in women with both normal and abnormal cytology; however, the higher prevalence among women in the abnormal group may indicate its involvement in cervical neoplasia

Human parvovirus B19 and parvovirus 4 among Iranian patients with hemophilia

BACKGROUND: Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) is one of the smallest DNA viruses and shows great resistance to most disinfectants. Therefore, it is one of the common contaminant pathogens present in blood and plasma products. Parvovirus 4 (PARV4) is a newly identified parvovirus, which is also prevalent in parenteral transmission. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of B19V and PARV4 DNA among patients with hemophilia in Birjand County in eastern Iran. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional epidemiological study comprising nearly all people with hemophilia in this region. Whole blood samples were taken after patient registration and sent for plasma isolation. After nucleic acid extraction, B19V was detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction, PARV4 DNA was then detected using sensitive semi-nested PCR. RESULTS: In total, there were 86 patients with hemophilia, with mean age 28.5±1.5 years. Of these, 90.7% were men and 9.3% women; 84.9% had hemophilia A and 7.0% had hemophilia B. We found 11 patients (12.8%) were positive for B19V DNA and 8 were positive (9.3%) for PARV4 DNA. The prevalence of B19V was higher in middle-aged groups rather than younger people, whereas PARV4 infection was more common in younger patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of B19V and PARV4 infection in this high-risk group of patients with hemophilia. Due to the clinical significance of the B19 virus, imposing more precautionary measures for serum and blood products is recommended.

prevalence of HTLV-1 and its Co-Infection with HCV, HBV and HIV in Hemophilic patients

Blood-borne infections, such as the HIV virus and hepatitis B and C, are major problems in patients receiving blood products. Here we examined the prevalence of HTLV-1, HCV, HBV, and HIV in hemophilic patients. Across-sectional study on 108 hemophilic patients [101 males and 7 females] involved detection of HBV, HCV, HIV and HTLV-1 infections using immunoassays for HBsAg, hepatitis B core antibodies [anti-HBc], hepatitis C antibodies [anti-HCV], HIV antibodies [anti-HIV] and Anti-HTLV-1. Real-time PCR was used to measure HCV RNA, and HCV genotyping was performed by direct sequencing of the 5* noncoding region. Hemophilia A was reported in 93 [86%] patients with severe symptoms in 8 cases. The seroprevalence of anti-HCV and anti-HTLV-1 antibodies was 20% and 3% respectively. One patient with severe hemophilia had a HCV/HTLV-1 co-infection. HCV-RNA was detected in 82% of patients. In terms of genotyping prevalence was 56% HCV genotype 3a, 39% HCV genotype 1a, and 6% HCV genotype2. Anti HIV and HBsAg were not detected in any patient. HTLV1 prevalence was higher, HCV lower in South Khorasan than other regions in Iran or elsewhere. Management of transfusion of blood and blood products should account for the underlying prevalence of infectious agents

Prevalence of HIV and hepatitis B, C, D infections and their associated risk factors among prisoners in Southern Khorasan Province, Iran

Background: Prison inmates are among the high risk population for dangerous infections such HIV, HBV, HCV and other contagious diseases. In spit of many data about the prevalence and risk factors for blood born diseases among prisoners in the world, such data are spares from Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for HIV, HBV, HCV and HDV infections among a large sample of prison inmates in Iran

Methods: In a cross-sectional study in 2009-2010, 881 inmates in three prisons of Southern Khorasan Province in Iran were selected based on a systematic, stratified random sampling method. Sera were analyzed for HBV, HDV, HCV and HIV infections by appropriate commercial ELISA kits. An anonymous questionnaire was used to collect the demographic data and information about risk factors

Results: Overall, 881 prisoners [mean age: 34.7+/-11.4 years, range: 11-84 years, M/F ratio: 4.5/1] were participated in this study. The prevalence of HBV and HCV infection was 6.9% and 7.7%, respectively. Among the HBsAg positive subjects, 6.6% [4/61] and 9.8% [6/61] had HDV and HCV super-infection, respectively. Only one case [0.1%] had HIV infection that was co-infection with HCV. Drug abuse and history of traditional phlebotomy were associated risk factors for HBV infection [P<0.05] and history of drug injection was associated with HCV infection [P<0.05]

Conclusions: This study show fairly higher prevalence of blood borne infections among prisoners and indicate drug abuse and phlebotomy as the associated risk factor. Implementation of appropriate screening tests and preventive programs is suggested in prisons

Comparison of the value of two different sputum staining for diagnosis of acid-fast bacilli

The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of fluorochrome microscopy [FM] with Ziehl-Neelsen [ZN] staining in the diagnosis of tuberculosis [TB]. In this study, 920 consecutive patients suspected of having pulmonary TB, referred to TB laboratory, provincial office of health care, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, recruited and a total of 2760 sputum specimens were collected from them. All samples were smeared and stained using both Ziehl Neelsen and auraminphenol methods as recommended by WHO. All positive smears by fluorescent microscopy were over-stained by ZN technique for confirmation. The sensitivity of ZN staining was also evaluated in different contamination conditions. A total of 102 out of 920 study subjects had pulmonary TB, of them 68 [66.66%] patients were smear positive by either staining method while others were smear negative. The proportion of positive smears detected was 51% and 57% for the ZN and auramine phenol staining methods, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 51%, 100%, 100%, 94% and 57%,100%,100, 95% for the ZN and auramine phenol staining methods, respectively. FM is more sensitive than ZN for diagnosis of TB. However, since FM is more sensitive and rapid, using this method in clinical laboratories with large specimen numbers is recommended

Evaluation of HGV viremia prevalence and its co- infection with HBV, HCV, HIV and HTLV-1 in hemophilic patients of Southern Khorassan, Iran

The GB virus-C [GBV-C] and Hepatitis G virus [HGV], collectively known as GBV-C/HGV and transmitted through blood transfusion and blood components. A co-infection of HGV and HCV is often seen in patients with hemophilia. The paucity of information about rate of GBV-C infection among hemophilic patients in Iran promoted the current study. This study was performed on 80 hemophilic patients from south Khorassan branch of Iranian hemophilia society in Birjand. All 80 serum samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen [HBs-Ag], Anti HCV, Anti HIV, and Anti HTLV-1. All sera positive for HCVAb were retested by recombinant immunoblot assay as a complementary test. Also, Serum HCV-RNA, HCV genotyping and HGV-RNA were detected. The prevalence of HGV-RNA was 5% [4 of 80]. The prevalence of Anti HCV positive was 26.3% [21 of 80] and HCV- RNA was detected in 80% [17 of 21] of these patients. Co infection of HGV with HCV was 5%. HBsAg and Anti HIV were negative in all of our patients. Anti HTLV-1 was detected in one patient [1.25%]. HGV and HCV are prevalent in South Khorassan hemophilic patients. Prevalence of HGV infection is less than HCV but it is more prevalent than HBV, HIV and HTLV-1 infection