Absence of asymptomatic malaria infection in endemic area of Bashagard district, Hormozgan province, Iran

A successful malaria elimination program calls for enough attention to parasite carriers, especially asymptomatic malaria, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of clinical cases. Asymptomatic malaria is an infection that patients do not show any symptom; thus, these patients play critical role in the concept of an elimination program. The current investigation was conducted to evaluate the presence of these cases in Bashagard District, formerly a high malaria transmission area in Hormozgan Province, Iran. Blood samples [n=500] were collected from symptomless individuals residing in Bashagard to evaluate Plasmodium infection by using microscopic, serological and nested-PCR techniques. Regarding the microscopic and nested-PCR analysis, no asymptomatic infection was detected among studied individuals. Totally, 1% of the studied population [5 of 500] had anti PvMSP-119-specific IgG antibody; however, only 0.2% [1 of 500] of the individuals was seropositive to recombinant PfMSP-119, using ELISA. This study showed no asymptomatic malaria infection in the studied population; hence malaria elimination is feasible and can be successfully carried out in this region

effect of in-service and short time courses on the productivity of the personnel in Kashan University of Medical Sciences

There are many factors affecting the productivity of man power. The most important of them are motivation, education and their relationship with the manager and others in the work place. Among these factors, man power education is one of the most important tasks for human resources managers. In this article, the role of short time educational courses on the productivity of the personnel in Kashan University of Medical Sciences is investigated from three aspects: organizational commitment, motivation and optimal use of resources. This descriptive study was done with 80 employees of Kashan University of Medical Sciences who passed in-service educational courses. Data gathering tool was a questionnaire that was qualified for its validity and reliability. Data analyzing was done by t-test and Friedman. Results showed that short time educational courses have had positive effect [promoted the efficiency of personnel] in all three aspects. Since this study was done in one organization, it is recommended to generalize this study other organizations for better results

Molecular and biomorphometrical identification of ovine babesiosis in Iran

Ovine babesiosis is the most important haemoparasitic tick-borne disease of small ruminants in Iran caused by Babesia ovis, B. motasi, and B. crassa. The aim of this study was to characterize the species of ovine Babesia species isolated from different geographical region of Iran. One hundred fifty four blood samples collected from animals, which demonstrated the pale mucous membranes or hyperthermia. The specimens were transferred to the laboratory and the blood smears stained with Geimsa, the morphological and biometrical data of parasite in any infected erythrocyte have been considered. Extracted DNA from each blood samples were used in PCR and semi nested- PCR in order to confirm the presence of the species. Microscopial observation on 154 blood smears determined 38 [24.67%] and 40 [26%] samples were infected by Babesia and Theileria respectively. The mixed infections occurred in four [2.6%] samples. The results of the PCR assays showed nine [5.85%], 81 [53%] and 18 [11.7%] were distinguished as Babesia, Theileria and mixed infection, respectively. Semi nested-PCR did not confirm the presence of B. motasi. The causative organism of many cases of haemorprotozoal diseases, which recorded in previous studies, could B. ovis or Theilera lestoquardi. The result confirmed that B.ovis was only species which causes babesiosis in the study areas. It seems that the biometrical polymorphisms could exist in B. ovis in Iran. This polymorphism could be a main problem in differentiation between B. ovis and B. motasi and it could be dissolved by specific PCR analysis

Neonatal seizure: etiology and type

Neonates, for many reasons, are at particular risk for the development of seizures, which are a strong predictor of later morbidity and mortality in infants. We undertook this study to determine the incidence, etiologic distribution and neonatal seizure type in neonates with hospital admission over a period of 4 years. This, a retrospective study of newborns admitted in hospital with a diagnosis of neonatal seizures, was conducted over a 4 year period between March 2001 and March 2005. Data were obtained from hospital records was analyzed using the Chi-square test. Of 4541 newborns, admitted to hospital, during the study period, seizures occurred in 110 neonates. The incidence of neonatal seizures was 2.4%; the causes of neonatal seizure were Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy [HIE] - 36.4%, infections -19.1%, metabolic abnormalities - 7.3%, Intra Cranial Hemorrhage [ICH] - 2.7%, structural disorders - 1.8% and in 32.7% of cases, the cause was unknown. Subtle seizures [39.1%] were the most common type of seizures; and the other types were myoclonic [17.3%], clonic [10.0%], Tonic [7.3%], Generalized Tonic Clonic Seizures [GTCS] [12.7%] and in 13.6% of cases the type of seizure was not mentioned. Mortality rate was 13.6%. Health care workers and parents need to be made aware of subtle seizures and the importance of timely and appropriate treatment to decrease any further complications

Isolation of DNA from a single helminth using new developed kit in Iran and its PCR analysis

Nematodes are among the most common and important parasites of man and animal. DNA of a single worm can be used for several purposes, such as identification to the species, subspecies, strain and antihelmenthic resistance. DNA extraction from a single small worm using traditional methods such as phenol extraction technique faces serious problems. DNA from 20 single Haemonchus contortus was isolated using DNA isolation kit newly designed in Iran by the Research Unit of Molecular Biological System Transfer [MBST] based on the specific binding of DNA to the carrier. The genomic DNA was amplified using specific primers derived from beta-tubulin isotype 1 in PCR. The specificity of the PCR products was determined using semi-nested PCR technique. Specific PCR-product from beta-tubulin gene could be amplified with 1 ng, 100 pg and 10 pg DNA. The used DNA extraction method was safe, with high quality and quantity, fast, easy to handle and not costly for genetic analysis of even a single small worm. The Iran produced DNA extraction Kit is grounded on a selective binding of nucleic acids to a silica-based membrane and is recommended for the isolation of DNA from even small amount of biological materials

Molecular evidence of mixed P. vivax and P. falciparum infections in northern Islamic Republic of Iran

This study compared basic microscopy with molecular detection of Plasmodium species. According to thick-film microscopy, 100% of 142 malaria cases in Pars-Abad, Ardebil province, were infected with a single species, P vivax. However, nested polymerase chain reaction [PCR] detected mixed species infections of both P. vivax and P. falciparum in 7.0%. In Maz and eran province, 2/20 blood films were diagnosed with only P. falciparum and 18/20 with only P. vivax. However, nested PCR detected 17/20, 2/20 and 1/20 with P. vivax only, P. falciparum only and mixed species respectively. The unexpected presence of P. falciparum urges prompt investigation and immediate treatment of malaria cases in this region

Inhibition of human erythrocyte glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity by dehydroepiandrosterone and related steroids

The inhibitory effects of several steroids on G6PD activity using intact erythrocytes are reported. Incubation of whole blood with dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA] resulted in 42% and 12% inhibition in the enzyme activity in the presence and absence of oxygen, respectively. Addition of epinephrine and/or aminophylline into the incubation medium caused further enzyme inhibition suggesting a possible involvement of cAMP in the mechanism by which G6PD activity is inhibited in the system used. The activity of the enzyme was also inhibited by testosterone propionate [11%], progesterone [25%], and estradiol [15%] at their physiological concentrations. The data obtained provides further evidence for the possible regulatory effects of steroids, particularly DHEA, on G6PD activity