Human papilloma virus prevalence and types among Iranian women attending regular gynecological visits

Introduction: Human papilloma virus prevalence data is scarce in Iran. This study was performed to evaluate type-specific human papilloma virus prevalence and to compare it with Pap smear results among Iranian women attending regular gynecological visits

Patients and methods: A total of 851 women aged 18-65 years, attending regular gynecological visits were retrospectively evaluated. Human papilloma virus detection and genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction technique. Cytological evaluation was performed by Papanicolaou method and the association between cytological results and human papilloma virus profile was analyzed

Results: Nineteen different types of human papilloma virus were detected in 265 of 851 patients [31.1%]. Overall infection as well as infection with high risk human papilloma virus types; were highest in women aged 18-25 years and decreased with age. Type-specific prevalence of human papilloma virus -16 and 18 was 7.3% and 2.8% respectively. There was also an upward trend in the prevalence of high risk human papilloma virus infection as the abnormality in cytology increased. The prevalence of human papilloma virus related events was 29.1% among virus positive patients and declined from low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [18.2%] to high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [3.9%]

Conclusion: Our study indicated that the burden of human papilloma virus infection among Iranian females was higher in comparison with previous estimates reported from Iran. Furthermore, higher prevalence of premalignant changes in Iranian women infected with high risk human papilloma virus types other than vaccine types should be considered in immunization programs and development of population-specific human papilloma virus vaccines

C-reactive protien and lactate dehydrogenase in serum and cerebrospinal fluid in rapid and early diagnosis of childhood meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is still a life threatening epidemiological problem especially in many developing countries; considering its dire consequences, its prompt and accurate diagnosis has become a priority for clinicians. Because of the various limitations of conventionally used laboratory techniques, we evaluated and compared the diagnostic utility of C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase in serum and cerebrospinal fluid in the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis and its effectivity in distinguishing it from aseptic meningitis. A total of 125 pediatric cases, aged between 1 month and 12 years, including patients with bacterial meningitis [n=45], aseptic meningitis [n=42] and a control group [n=38], were retrospectively analyzed on the basis of data from the initial clinical examinations. Cultures, smears and other common serum and CSF indices were compared with serum and CSF CRP levels and LDH activity. Compared with each of the other variables, there were significant differences in the mean values of serum-CRP, CSF-glucose, CSF-LDH and CSF/serum LDH ratio between the bacterial and aseptic meningitis groups [p<0.001]. Of all the tests applied, the highest sensitivity [95%] and negative predictive value [95%] belonged to CSF-LDH activity and the most specific [100%] test with the highest positive predictive value [100%] was CSF-CRP titration as well as smear and culture. Combination of CSF-CRP serum-CRP, and CSF-LDH yielded the highest sensitivity [100%] and negative predictive value but the combined application of CSF-LDH and CSF-CRP proved to be the most specific and efficient. In the presence of a normal CRP titration and low glucose level in CSF, bacterial meningitis is excluded, whereas elevated level of CSF-LDH activity is a valid confirmatory predictor of BM. In addition, combination of these three tests with serum CRP is far more effective than the separate determination of any of these parameters

Serotyping of group A rotaviruses in children less than 7 years old in Tehran

Rotavirus infection, a frequent cause of death in developing countries is also known to be the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis requiring hospitalization in infants and young children in the developed world. In this study, the most prevalent serotypes of rotavirus in Tehran and seasonal distribution in a year were investigated.Fecal samples were collected from a total of 180 infants and children with acute gastroenteritis in two children's hospitals in Tehran. The samples were tested by ELISA. Serotyping investigation of viral specimens was performed, using 7 serotypes monoclonal antibodies [G1-G2-G3-G4-G6-G8-G9] in ELISA tests.Rotavirus type A was detected in 66 samples [37%]. G1 and G4 serotypes were the most common serotypes found in infected children and infants in Tehran. The peak of rotavirus infection prevalence occurred during the cold months of the year.This study underlines the importance of these serotypes in the etiology of severe diarrhea in children. G1 and G4 serotypes were the most common serotypes