[Association between human papillomavirus [HPV] and breast cancer in Iranian patients]

Viruses, such as human Papillomavirus [HPV], have been detected in benign breast tissues and breast tumors and are considered to be involved in the etiology of breast cancer, but there are controversial data on the meaning of viral induction of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of human Papillomavirus [HPV] in Iranian patients with breast carcinoma. In this case- control study, paraffin-embedded sections from 64 female patients with breast carcinoma and 53 breast tissues from patients with fibrocystic disease, as control, were analyzed for presence of HPV DNA. Real-Time PCR was used to amplify consensus GP5+/GP6+ HPV sequences. HPV DNA sequences were detected in 3 of the 53 benign breast tissue samples, but none of the breast carcinoma samples was identified. Our analysis could not confirm a role of HPV in breast cancer

Antibody responses to trivalent influenza vaccine in Iranian adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus

The serious influenza-associated complications among immunodeficient individuals such as those who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], highlights the importance of influenza vaccination in these people. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the antibody responses to influenza vaccine in this group. Two hundred subjects were recruited, during autumn 2010 and 2011, to receive, trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine consisting of A [H1N1], A [H3N2], and B strains. Hemagglutination inhibition assay was used to measure the antibody titer against all strains of the vaccine prior and one month post vaccination. Seroconversion rate for A [H1N1], A [H3N2], and B were found to be 58.5%, 67% and 64.5%, respectively. No correlation was found between antibody titer and demographics factors such as age and gender; however, we found a significant correlation between antibody titer and CD4 cell count. Checking the local and systemic reactions after vaccination, the pain on the injection site and myalgia were the most common local and systemic reactions with 20% and 6.5%, respectively. As vaccination with influenza mount considerable antibody responses in HIV-infected patients, annul influenza vaccination seems to be rational in order to prevent or reduce the severe clinical complications induced by influenza virus

Multiple tuberculous splenic abscesses in an addicted and HIV positive patient: a case report

Splenic involvement and multiple abscess formation in tuberculosis disease [TB] are rare. The fact that the most common cause of splenic abscess formation is infection, this complication should always be in the differential diagnosis, especially in patients with febrile diseases and immune deficiency and or intravenous drug abuser. Tuberculosis splenic abscess may be the first and only sign of tuberculosis. A 30- year old addicted and HIV positive man admitted to Bu-Ali hospital of Tehran with symptoms of fever, chills, fatigue, weight loss since 2 months ago, characteristic sepsis, jaundice and very bad general condition. Ultra-sonography and CT scan showed some masses [abscess] in the liver, spleen, pancreas and some Para-aortic lymph nodes. Patient underwent laparotomy because of abdominal pain, tenderness and rebound tenderness. Abundant small abscesses were seen in the spleen during operation and then splenectomy was done. The patient passed away next day after operation. Pathologic study revealed multiple abscesses in the spleen containing numerous positive acid-fast bacilli. In patients with fever and other symptoms of infectious diseases, especially persisting symptoms, underlying conditions, immune deficiency and malignancy should be considered. Advent of AIDS has again increased the frequency of tuberculosis. Therefore, Clinicians should bear in mind tubeculosis in those who are addicted and HIV positive. TB may be presented by abdominal abscesses in abdominal viscera in immunocompromised patients

FNA diagnostic value in patients with neck masses in two teaching hospitals in Iran

The FNA [fine needle aspiration] procedure is simple, inexpensive, available and a safe method for the diagnosis of a neck mass. FNA has numerous advantages over open surgical biopsies as an initial diagnostic tool; therefore we decided to compare the accuracy of this method with open biopsy. This Retrospective as well as Descriptive study comparing preoperative FNA results with existing data in the Pathology Department in Bu-Ali and Amir Alam Hospitals. Our study included 100 patients with neck masses of which 22 were thyroid masses, 31 were salivary gland masses, and 47 were other masses. Age ranged from 3 years to 80 years with the mean age of 42.6 years. There were 59 men and 41 women. The Sensitivity was 72%, Specificity 87%, PPV 85%, NPV 75% and diagnostic Accuracy 79%. In this study we had also 26% false negative and 15% false positive. FNA is a valuable diagnostic tool in the management of neck masses; also it has been used for staging and planning of treatment for the wide and metastatic malignancy. This technique reduces the need for more invasive and costly procedures. According to the high sensitivity and high accuracy in this study, FNA can be used as the first step of diagnoses test in neck masses

[Diagnostic value of Pap smear test in screening of bacterial vaginosis]

Bacterial vaginosis alters normal vaginal flora and leads to gynecologic complications. Early diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis is so important, because of being asymptomatic of about fifty percent of patients. This study was conducted to study the diagnostic value of the Papanicolaou smear in the screening of bacterial vaginosis compared with vaginal Gram stain as a standard method. This analytic cross- sectional study was conducted on 150 consecutive patients referred to a gynecologic clinic. Each patient had a standard Papanicolaou smear and Gram stain of vaginal discharge. Detection of clue cell in Pap smear, and fulfill of Nugent criteria in Gram stain of vaginal discharge was diagnosed as bacterial vaginosis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the Papanicolaou smear were calculated compared with the results of Gram stain as the standard method for diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. In our study, Pap smear had sensitivity of 69.23%, specificity of 99.24%, positive predictive value of 94.73% and negative predictive value of 94.28% in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. This study showed that vaginal Pap smear is a valid and reliable method in detecting bacterial vaginosis