ABSTRACT
To identify primary sclerosing cholangitis [PSC] predisposing factors in order to prevent inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] progression to PSC. IBD is commonly associated with PSC and there is no effective therapy for PSC except for liver transplantation. This retrospective study was conducted on 447 IBD patients from IBD Clinics of Ghaem and Emam Reza Hospitals. Data were collected by interview and through a review of the patients' medical records. Patients were divided into two groups: those with IBD and PSC [IBD-PSC] and those without PSC. Variables were compared between two groups and those with statistically significant differences in IBD-PSC group were considered as predictive factors for the development of PSC. The frequency of PSC in IBDs was 4.3% and all were ulcerative colitis. The mean age of patients with PSC was 39.1 +/- 11.33 years. The male to female proportion in PSCs was 3.8:1 and in IBDs was 0.9:1. There were statistically significant associations between PSC and gender, IBD duration and UC extension, mucocutaneous involvement, oral contraceptive pills [OCP] consumption, history of surgery and history of PSC in the first- degree relatives. PSC frequency among IBD patients in North-East of Iran was 4.3%. It is recommended to limit OCP consumption in IBD patients. Identification and modification of probable predisposing risk factors, as well as early diagnosis of PSC are necessary
ABSTRACT
To assess specific anti-cytomegalovirus [CMV] antibodies, clinical status, and demographic data in pregnant women and their infants in northeast Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 225 systematic randomly selected-pregnant women and their newborns attending public hospitals in Mashhad, Iran between December 2007 and January 2008. Two specialists performed clinical assessment and obtained the demographic data. The sera from mothers and the umbilical cord of infants were then collected at the time of delivery and anti-CMV antibodies, IgG, and IgM, were measured. Although, all mothers and their neonates were positive for anti-CMV IgG [100%], only 6 were positive for anti-CMV specific IgM [2.6%], and their infants were negative. However, in one infant the clinical features of CMV infection were observed by radiological evaluation [CT scan] [0.4%]. There was no correlation between anti-CMV IgG in neonates and number of parity, history of abortion, mothers` and neonates' blood groups, gestational age, and economical status. However, the concentration of anti-CMV IgG in neonates with normal delivery was significantly lower than with cesarean delivery [p=0.03], and in girls compared with boys [p=0.04]. Anti-CMV IgG transmission to neonates is associated with gender and type of delivery. Despite anti-CMV IgM showing active CMV infection in mothers, virus transmission to the fetus might not occur