[Comparison and evaluation of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces excretory/secretory proteins in PBS complemented with glucose, DMEM and RPMI culture media]

Preparation of proper antigens is an important issue in serology of hydatidosis. Investigators have been able to obtain excretory/secretory antigens [E/S Ags] by short-term culture of protoscoleces in a couple of culture media. However, no data are available about production rate of such antigens in different culture media. The present study was carried out to evaluate the production of E/S Ags [proteins] in PBS complemented with glucose, DMEM and RPMI culture media. To obtain E/S proteins, protoscoleces of echinococcus were cultured in PBS complemented with 10% glucose, RPMI and DMEM for 72 hours. Proteins secreted in culture media were concentrated and assayed. To characterize different components, proteins were electrophoresed on SDSPAGE. Data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests. The mean concentration of E/S proteins in PBS medium in 24 hours of culture was significantly higher than DMEM and RPMI [P<0.05]. However, such a difference was not observed between E/S proteins in DMEM and RPMI media. E/S proteins obtained from PBS medium were separated into 12 major bands and the two other media into 14 major bands within a range of molecular masses of 16 to 67 kDa. PBS complemented with glucose is more appropriate than the two other media for E/S proteins production. The best time to obtain E/S proteins is the first 48 hours of culture

Clinical features of cutaneous leishmaniasis and direct PCR-based identification of parasite species in a new focus in southeast of Iran

To clinically characterize the cutaneous leishmaniasis and identify the causative parasite species in Mirjaveh, an important geographical region across the border of Iran-Pakistan at Southeast of Iran. A number of 116 patients during a year since March 2005 to April 2006, subjected to the study. Clinical information collected and scrapings were taken from cutaneous lesions and used for microscopic examination, NNN cultivation and kinetoplast DNA-PCR amplification. The cases comprised of 48 males and 68 females, 84 [72.4%] Iranians and 32 [27.6%] non-Iranians. They aged between 2 months to 68 years with the most affection of children, 0-10 years [55.2%]. The patients presented a total of 248 active lesions with an average of 2.14. The ulcers distributed mostly on upper extremity [42.3%] then on face [32.7%], followed by lower extremity [20.6%] and other parts [4.4%]. The majority of ulcers stated to be developed rapidly, <1 month [40.3%] or 1-2 months [45.2%]. However, from 248 ulcers, only 19 [7.7%] found to be wet and the remaining were dry or moderately wet, 45 [18.1%] and 184 [74.2%], respectively. kDNA-PCR assay detected 51 out of 73 samples, all of which were identified as L. major, the causative agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis. L. major is the species responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Mirjaveh, however the pattern of clinical findings, does not completely resemble the ZCL characteristics. These indicate that the manifestation of the lesions may not necessarily correspond to the Leishmania species and may be unreliable to conclude the speciation of parasite without laboratory identification

Fifteen years experience with pulmonary hydatidosis in Zahedan, Iran

Hydatid disease is a major world health problem and pulmonary hydatidosis is a widespread disease. It is presented with different clinical manifestations. In order to determine the most clinical manifestation, diagnostic methods and clinical outcome in our patients, we conducted this study. Forty-nine patients with pulmonary hydatid cysts who were admitted to our hospital in Zahedan [Southeast of Iran] between 1990 and 2005, evaluated. We retrospectively reviewed the patients' symptomatology, diagnostic studies, treatment options, and morbidity as well as mortality rate. The ages of the patients ranged from 16 to 68 years [mean 43 years]. Seventy-five percent of patients were from male gender. Hemoptysis was one of the most common clinical presentations in our patients. Radiological studies were the main diagnostic tool. The correct preoperative diagnosis was made in 92% of the patients by chest roentgenogram plus chest CT-Scan. Eighty seven percent of patients were treated by surgical route. Only one patient was expired during surgery. Upon the results emerged from this study, hemoptysis is one of the most prevalent clinical manifestation in patients with pulmonary hydatidosis and it can mimic pulmonary tuberculosis in endemic area

Molecular characterization of toxoplasma gondii from Bird Hosts

The determination of Toxoplasma gondii prevalence in a variety of domestic birds is thought as a good indicator of distribution of T.gondii ooccyts in the environment. To verify the potential role of domestic birds in circulating toxoplasmosis in Iran, the present study was conducted in Mazandaran Provinces, northern Iran. Latex agglutination test [LA] antibodies were found in 25 of 58 free-ranging chickens [Gallus domesticus] and ducks [Anas sp.]. Also, viable T. gondii was isolated from 7 of 25 seropositive chickens and ducks by bioassay of their brains and hearts into mice. Most of the isolated strains were avirulant to mice. Genotyping of T.gondii isolates using Multiplex PCR for 5 microsatellite markers indicated that 7 isolates were type III. In this study type II and III isolates and mixed genotypes were not found. This study showed that domestic birds could have a potential role in transmitting toxoplasmosis to humans in Iran

Prevalence of beta hemolytic group A streptococci among elementary school children in Zahedan, 2002

Pharyngitis and rheumatic fever due to beta hemolytic group A streptococci are among the chief health problems. Since the carriers play a major role in spread of infection within the family and school, and regarding the drug resistance, this study was carried out in order to determine the relative prevalence of pharyngeal colonization of group A streptococci among elementary school children and to investigate its drug resistance in Zahedan in 2002. Pharyngeal samples of 555 healthy female and male students [non - symptomatic] were collected by sterile swab through stratified cluster sampling in winter. The specimens were then cultured in blood agar media and the isolated bacteria were tested for drug susceptibility. The results were analysed through 2 test. Prevalence of pharyngeal beta hemolytic streptococcoi was determined to be 10.1% [56 people]. Colonization rates were 10.17% and 15.1% in girls and boys respectively. Although infection rate varied in different school grades [grade one: 16.3%, grade two: 7.2%, grade three: 10%, grade four 6.3% and grade five 10.8%], 2 test did not show any significant difference. All isolated strains were susceptible to penicillin, erythromycin and cefexime. The results suggest that more care be taken for children health issues and preventive and control measures be planned regarding the disease and complications of beta hemolytic group A streptococci

[Evaluation of three different cell cultures for tachyzoite and DNA production of Toxoplasma gondii]

Background: toxoplasma gondii is one of the most prevalent zeonotic protozoa that have been farther considered with concern to the increasing prevalence of AIDS during the last two decades. Cell culture is an important and necessary tool for molecular and cell biology of Toxoplasma gondii as well as maintaining stock and routine laboratory works. This study was performed to evaluate different cell lines and select an appropriate one for Toxoplasma gondii culture, tachyzoite production and DNA preparation

Methods and Materials: three different fibroblast mono layers were assayed by inoculation of two strains including RH and Beverley, the representatives of virulent and virulent phenotypes, respectively

Results: the results showed that the viability of propagated parasites in the HFF Cultured flasks was higher than that of the other two cell cultures. The pH of culture medium was more stable in the HFF flasks, whereas it was likely to become acidic in the HEL and MRC5.flasks. Total parasite yield in RH strain cultures comparing to the Beverley cultures in all three cell lines was significantly higher. However, comparison of the Beverley strain tachyzoite yield in different cultures showed a higher parasite quantity in the HFF line. Total amount of extracted and purified DNA was 31 to 33 [micro]gr/flask .for the RH strain and 20 to 25 [micro]gr/flask .for the Beverley strain

Conclusions: it was concluded that the HFF is the most suitable cell line for routine and continuous subculture as well as DNA production from most Toxoplasma strains