9-years audit of treatment outcome and epidemiology of patients admitted at Ahvaz Burn Centre in Iran

To study the outcome of treatment, and epidemiology of burn injuries in Ahvaz, Iran. This retrospective study analyzed the epidemiology, mortality rate, etiological factors among 11492 patients admitted in burn-care centre in Ahvaz Iran. The influence of modifications made on building facilities, instruments and techniques implemented during 9 years [1999-2007] on the rate of mortality was also evaluated for the burn centre serving four provinces 6T Iran: Khuzestan, Elam, Lorestan and Bushher. The hospitalized patients in less than 15 years old age group accounted for 32.4%. The highest number of admitted cases [40%] had their ages ranging between 16 to 30 years and the lowest [3.7%] had ages more than 60 years. The mean age and mean total burn surface area [TBSA] were 22.4 years and 38.4% respectively. Most accidents were caused by flame [60%]. The proportion of males was 55.6%, while higher TBSA burns were seen in females [66.2%]. Overall mortality was 16.06% [range 23.8 in 1999 to 14.8% in 2007]. Most burn injuries occurred in winter season [31.9%], predominantly accidentally [83.8%], at home [64%] and among urban dwellers [86%]. There was a general reduction in the trend of mortality rate from 19.7% in year 2001 to 14.8% in year 2007. This trend was correlated with application of amniotic membrane in 2002, use of early excision, early grafting techniques in 2004, improvement in building facilities such as use of separate departments for infected and non-infected cases, establishment of an ICU in 2005 and use of laser therapy with CO[2] in 2005. The findings suggest that the phenomenon of burn injury is serious problem in this area which calls for careful planning both in community, educational and training of medical staff

Comparing the effectiveness of albendazole and combination of albendazole and praziquantel in experimental hydatidosis

Due to danger of spillage of cyst materials during surgery, chemoprophylaxis is routinely recommended for cyctic echinococcosis. However, for prophylactic purposes the time for starting and the duration of administration of prophylactic drug regimen is not yet clear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the chemoprophylactic efficacy of one month administration of albendazole or a combination of albendazole plus praziquantel against protoscoleces stage of Echinococcus granulosus when administered before inoculation with the protoscoleces. Two days before infestation, 30 mice were assigned in three equal groups of control, albendazole and albendazole plus praziquantel, Control group received dimethylsulfoxide [DMSO]. The drugs were suspended in DMSO and administered by gavage for one month [5 consecutive days and two days off every week] in doses of 50mg/kg/day albendazole or 50mg/kg/day albendazole plus 600mg/kg/day praziquantel. The mice were then infected by IP injection of 2000 protoscoleces. Then, three months after the last dose of drug, mice were sacrificed and the number of infected animals, the number, wet weight and cyst sizes were recorded. The results showed that albendazole chemoprophylaxis reduced the number, weight and cyst sizes by 63.78%, 79.39% and 60.98%, respectively. The corresponding results for the combination of albendazole plus praziquantel were 91.70%, 90% and 80.3%, respectively. All the differences were statistically significant. Combination of albendaiole and praziquantel is more effective than albendazole alone in controlling the development of secondary hydatidosis, when administered for a period of 4 weeks

case report of septic sacroilitis due to Staphylococus aureus

Sacroilitis is an inflammatory disease, which is often caused by Brucella species [mainly by Brucella melitensis, and B. abortus], Mycobaterium tuberculosis or inflammatory diseases such as ankylosing spondilitis. It is rarely associated with Staphylococcal infections. In this report, a case of a 24-year-old sailor with a history of low back pain is presented who was initially suspected to suffer from ankylosing spondilitis or brucellosis. Further evaluation of this case revealed septic sacroilitis due to Staphylococcus aureus and was successfully treated with vancomycin

study on the healing effect of honey on infected open fracture wounds

Failure of antibiotic therapy in the treatment of open wounds that result from acute complicated traumatic orthopedic injuries is a clinical problem. In this study, honey was used in the control of infections. One hundred two patients who suffered traumatic open fractures with grade II or III on Castillo scale and despite treatment with classical antibiotics, the wounds did not heal were included. The wounds were initially washed with normal saline and a layer of honey, obtained commercially, was applied and covered with sterile gauze. The patients were instructed to follow the same dressing pressure on discharge. Follow up was on weekly basis, until complete wound healing. Almost in all, except two, discharge from wounds stopped within two weeks, with a production of healthy granulation tissue in the wound beds. The duration for complete wound closure was between 2 to 5 months, which was related to the initial wound size. Two cases, both had large wounds, required re-deridement, suturing and grafting and took 11 and 13 months for complete wound closure. The findings suggest that honey is useful in the control and treatment of infected wounds that follow complicated traumatic orthopedic injuries

Cromoglycate: a healing agent in acute chlorine-induced lung damage

In the present study the effectiveness of sodium cromoglycate in treatment of alveolar damage induced by chlorine gas in rats was investigated. Chlorine was generated by chemical interaction between potassium permanganate and concentrated hydrochloric acid. The rats were exposed to sublethal dose of chlorine gas. Treatment with 2.5 mg of 1 ml nebulized sodium cromoglycate solution over 5 minutes was initiated 30 minutes after exposure followed by twice daily treatment for 21 days. Results of this study show that cromoglycate reduced alveolar thickness, septal rupture, hemorrhage and detachment of the epithelial lining of the bronchioles induced by chlorine gas