[Hypercalciuria in urinary tract infection of children in Qods teaching hospital of Qazvin]

There are many underlying factors that increase the chance for occurrence of UTI and some reports indicate a role for hypercalciuria in UTI. The objective of this study was to assess the Ca/Cr status in urinary tract infection of children. This was a cross-sectional antegrade study conducted in Qods teaching hospital of Qazvin from 2006-2007, in which 50 children with urinary tract infection were studied for hypercalciuria. To determine hypercalciuria, the Ca/Cr ratio of a random urine sample was measured. Different variables such as age, gender, history of UTI and etc, were compared between hypercalciuric and normocalciuric groups. Results were analyzed with SPSS using t-test and chi square test. Of 50 patients, 27 cases [54%] were found to have hypercalciuria. There was a significant difference between hypercalciuric and normocalciuric groups regarding the abnormal sonographic findings [p<0.05]. Based on results of this study evaluation of hypercalciuria in UTI is recommended

[Comparison of blood culture with acridine orange stained smear of buffy coat in diagnosis of septicemia]

Different methods, with varying degrees of specificity and/or sensitivity, are used for diagnosis of sepsis. The present study was designed to determine and compare the sensitivity and specificity of blood culture with Acridine Orange [A.O.] stained smear of buffy coat in patients with sepsis. This research was conducted on 101 hospitalized patients with clinical signs and symptoms compatible with sepsis. Blood cultures were taken and A.O. staining was done on blood samples of all patients. Blood cultures were positive in 20 [19.8%] patients. Sensitivity and specificity of blood cultures were 26% and 92% respectively. A.O. stained smears of buffy coats were positive in 54 [54.5%] patients. Sensitivity and specificity of A.O. Stained smears of buffy coats were 83% and 100% respectively. A.O. stained smear of buffy coat, as a diagnostic test of sepsis is more sensitive than blood culture. In addition, it takes less than one hour to be performed, as compared to blood cultures that give results in 2-3 days

[Clinical symptoms and laboratory findings of Kawasaki disease in children]

Kawasaki disease is an acute self-limited vasculitis of childhood characterized by fever, bilateral nonexudative conjunctivitis, erythema of lips and oral mucosa, changes in extremities, rash and cervical lymphadenopathy. Coronary artery aneurysm or ectasia develops in approximately 15% to 25% of untreated children and may lead to ischemic heart disease or sudden death. To evaluate the prevalence of clinical symptoms, laboratory findings and epidemiology of Kawasaki disease in children hospitalized at Quds children hospital, Qazvin, Iran. Between March 1994 and March 2005, a total of 29 consecutive Kawasaki patients were enrolled and studied retrospectively. Of 29 patients, 20 were males and 9 females. The male/female ratio was 1:0.45. The majority of patients [65.3%] were younger than 5 years old. Seasonal peak was found to be in winter [37.9%] and spring [34.5%]. All patients had fever lasting from 8 to 21 days. The most common clinical features were oral mucosal changes [96.6%], changes in extremities [79.3%], conjunctivitis [75.8%], cervical lymphadenopathy [58.6%] and rash [58.6%]. Echocardiography was abnormal in 14%. Kawasaki disease is present in our country and diagnostic work-up in cases with prolonged fever and unresponsive to antibiotics is strongly recommended, as the clinical manifestations of Kawasaki disease are in common with many other diseases

Comparison of urine culture and urine dipstick analysis in diagnosis of urinary tract infection

Urine dipstick is a useful and commonly used test because of its rapidity and low cost; however its diagnostic accuracy is debatable. This research was carried out to determine sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of nitrite [NIT] and leukocyte esterase [LE] testing in relation to urine culture. This research was conducted on 100 hospitalized patients with clinical signs and symptoms compatible with urinary tract infections [UTI]]. Urine culture and dipstick tests were carried out on urine samples of all patients. Urinalysis LE and NIT studies were performed in fresh and uncentrifuged urine by using a manual urine analyzer [rapignost, Co. Marburg, Germany]. The urine culture was considered as gold standard. Urine cultures were positive in 75 [75%] patients. Dipstick tests of urine were positive in 79[79%] patients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value [PPV] and negative predictive value [NPV] of Dipstick test were 76%, 12%, 72% and 14% respectively. Although dipstick test of LE and NIT can avoid a large part of the cost incurred by urine culture, any method of urine screen [LE and NIT] shouldn't be substituted for a urine culture in the symptomatic patients in childhood

[Comparison of urine cultures and gram stained smears of urine in diagnosis of urinary tract infections]

Different methods are used for diagnosis of urinary tract infections [UTI], however, they have different specificity, sensitivity and time consuming procedures. To evaluate and comparing the urine culture results with gram stained smears of urine in diagnosis of urinary tract infections. This research was conducted on 100 hospitalized patients with clinical signs and symptoms compatible with UTI. Urine cultures and gram staining were performed on urine samples of all patients. Urine culture was positive in 75 [75%] of patients. Gram stained smears on urine sediments were positive in 68 [68%] of patients. Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of gram staining were 85%, 84% and 94% respectively. Gram stained smears of urine, as a diagnostic assay for UTI, is not as sensitive as urine cultures, but it takes only a few minutes to be performed, comparing with urine culture which takes several days

[Clinicopathological study of scarring alopecia: a retrospective study of 207 patients]

Cicatricial alopecia means permanent destruction of hair follicles that leads to scar formation. This alopecia is irreversible. According to our knowledge, there has been no previous study about the causes of scarring alopecia in Iran. Our objective was the study of this entity in Iran. In a retrospective study, skin biopsies of the patients with clinical diagnosis of scarring alopecia since April 1998 to March 2001 in the file of department of pathology of Razi Hospital were evaluated. Among 9000 of skin biopsies, 207 had the diagnosis of scarring alopecia. These specimens underwent reevaluation. Data on demographic and clinical features were obtained from patients' files. The mean age of patients was 35.2. According to sex distribution, 49.3 percent were women and 50.7 percent were men respectively. The causes of scarring alopecia in order of decreasing frequency were as follow: Discoid lupus erythematous, lichen planopilaris, folliculitis decalvans, basal cell carcinoma, deep folliculitis, morphea, cicatricial pemphigoid, follicular mucinosis, aplasia cutis congenita, dissecting folliculitis, granuloma, epidermal nevi, necrobiosis, and psoriasis. In eight cases no specific pathologic diagnosis was reported for scarring alopecia. Discoid lupus erythematous was the most frequent cause of scarring alopecia in this study. Lichen planopilaris and folliculitis decalvans were the next frequent conditions respectively

Comparison of blood cultures and endotoxin measurements in diagnosis of gram negative bacterial infections

Background: Gram negative bacterial infections continue to cause mortality due to unavailability of new methods for rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment

Objective: To evaluate and compare blood culture results with endotoxin measurements in diagnosis of gram negative bacterial infections

Methods: This research was conducted on 100 hospitalized patients with clinical signs and symptoms compatible with septicemia. Blood cultures and endotoxin measurements [limulus amebocyte lysate, LAL test] were carried out on blood samples of all patients

Findings: Blood cultures were positive in 16 [16%] patients. Sensitivity and specificity of blood cultures were 18% and 100%, respectively. LAL tests were positive in 20 [20%] patients. Sensitivity and specificity of LAL test were 100% and 96% respectively

Conclusion: LAL test as a diagnostic assay for gram negative bacterial infections is more sensitive than blood culture. In addition, it takes only a few minutes to be performed, comparing blood culture that takes days