[Effect of echinacea purpurea on control of leishmania major induced cutaneous leishmaniasis in mice]

Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by intracellular protozoa parasites of the genus Leishmania and is endemic in some areas of Iran. Echinacea purpurea is a native plant from North America which is one of the most important medical herbs known with immuno-stimulant properties. This study was performed to determine the effect of alcoholic extract of Echinacea purpurea on prophylaxis and treatment of Leishmania cutaneous lesions. In this experimental study which was conducted at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2009, eighteen mice were divided into 3 groups. Group one received Echinacea purpurea extract [200 mg/ml] in their water, for 2 weeks before parasite injection, while group two were first injected with parasite amastigotes, followed by administration of Echinacea purpurea extract for 2 weeks. Group three was the control group, which received parasites, but not the extract. The size of Leishmania lesions in the tail base, right and left foot were measured with vernier caliper. The lesion areas were calculated and the collected data were analyzed with SPSS software. The mean of lesion size in each group of mice were compared and analyzed. No significant differences in the lesions size were found between the three mice groups. Therefore, Echinacea purpurea extract was not effective against Leishmania major based on the findings of this study. Our findings suggest that Echinacea extract is not effective in treatment or prophylaxis of leishmaniasis in mice. Yet, further studies are needed to determine the effects of other extracts of this plant

[Seroepidemiology of canine leptospirosis in Ahvaz, Iran]

The presence of dogs has been identified as a risk factor for human Leptospirosis. The aim of this study was the survey of the current state of leptospiral infection in dogs in Ahvaz. Sera from 100 rural dogs of villages around Ahvaz and 49 urban dogs referred to veterinary hospital of shahid Chamran University were detected for antibodies against serovars canicola, icterohaemorrhagiae, grippotyphosa,ballum,hardjo andpomona by microscopic agglutination test. Out of the 149 dogs investigated, 8[5.4%] were serologically positive against at least one serovar of leptospira. Titers >/= 1:100 were detected in 7 rural [7%] and one urban [2.04%] dogs. The predominant titers were directed to serovars hardjo [44.5%] followed by ballum [22.2%], icterohaemorrhagiae [22.2%] andgrippotyphosa [11.1%]. Mixed infection was detected only in one dog. Serovars canicola and pomona were uncommon in dogs from Ahvaz. As expected, a very low prevalence of infection was found in urban pet dogs but in contrast low prevalence of infection in rural shepherd and/or stray dogs with poor level hygiene was unexpectable. However, the sources of infection in these dogs were not clear and this is the first report of infection with serovar hardjo from dogs in Iran

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B in Nahavand, Islamic Republic of Iran

We determined the seroprevalence of hepatitis B in Nahavand in a sample of 1824 subjects > 5 years in 2002. Face- to- face interviews were conducted and blood samples taken. The association between risk factor and hepatitis B was assessed using logistic regression. The prevalence of HbsAg positive cases was 2.3%, and HBcAb and HBsAb were isolated in 7.8% and 11.6% of the participants respectively; 11.9% were positive for both HBcAb and HBsAb. History of surgery and imprisonment were the major risk factors for infection with odds ratios of 2.14 [95% CI: 1.22- 3.05] and 3.57 [95% CI: 1.68- 5.4] respectively

Evaluation of beliefs and behaviors of girls [11-18 years] about HIV/AIDS in Orumia city

The number of people living with HIV continues to rise, despite the fact that effective prevention strategies exist. Information alone is not enough to produce sustained behavior change. Our purpose was to investigate behavior among teenager girls to use them for next programs. This is a kind of qualitative research, done on the basis of interviews of teenager girls in uromia. Interviews designed semi-organized to study complex aspects of interviewees' talks. Most of the interviewees have mentioned Television, Teachers and Mothers as their source of information. Less than 10% have mentioned sexual behaviors as the main reason for acquiring AIDS. Behavioral prevention has been mentioned as a prophylactic in less than 10% of the interviews. In some of the interviews, prevention by vaccination or definite treatment has been mentioned .Less than 50% have suggested free distribution of syringe. In none of the interviews question of their reaction in facing the AIDS persons are as follows: I escape, become shocked, and would be careful. Go away, don't talk, A kind of stress have been noticed in their faces in answering this question. All of them disagree with marrying the addicted person and they were more eager to have tests before marriage. Results were showed; beliefs and common behaviors among teenagers should be changed and for changing them, life-skilled-based education and programs should be used for teenagers to reduce the number of AIDS