Seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women and bioassay of IgM positive cases in Zanjan, Northwest of Iran

The aim of this study was to determine the Toxoplasma antibodies in pregnant women in Zanjan, by ELISA method. Blood samples were taken from 500 pregnant women referred to the health centers of Zanjan City, North West Iran, IgM and IgG titers were primarily evaluated. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS 11.5 using Chi-Square test. Anti Toxoplasma IgM and IgG were positive in 1.4% and 37.2% respectively. Seropositive subjects were more frequently seen in those with >30 years old compared to younger women [<20 years old]. No significant relationship was found between the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and level of education, residence area, history of abortion and gestational age. The rate of IgM positive was low; however, a large number of the studied population were IgG positive, indicative of having a latent infection due to the past exposure to Toxoplasma parasite in this region

[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

[Association of trichomonas vaginalis with low birth weight]

Available information suggests that pregnant women infected with Trichomonas vaginalis may be at increased risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight [LBW]. This study evaluated the association between T. vaginalis infection and the risk of LBW. In this cohort study, we evaluated 1000 pregnant women [gestational age>/=28 weeks] for trichomoniasis by using direct and culture methods at the time of delivery at two hospitals of Zanjan, Iran. All the infected women [33 cases] and non-infected women [107] who had been selected with purposive quota sampling were compared with each other. Questionnaires were used to collect demographic and obstetric parameters. Consequently, infants' weights were recorded using mothers files. The prevalence of T. vaginalis infection was 3.3% [33 cases]. Mean gestational age of the infected women at the time of delivery was significantly less than the non-infected [36.5 +/- 4.5 weeks vs. 39 +/- 1.9 weeks; P=0.009]. Higher parity, and living in city were significantly associated with the increased risk of vaginal trichomoniasis [P<0.05]. No significant association was found between the T. vaginalis infection and degree of education, type of delivery, family income, and frequency of LBW. The results of this study suggest that, T. vaginalis infection may be associated with low gestational age and higher parity at the time of delivery. However, no significant association was found between the T. vaginalis infection and LBW in the third trimester of pregnancy

[Identification of fasciola species by PCR-RFLP assay]

Background and Objective: fascioliasis is an important zoonotic disease that causes several health problems and economical losses in different parts of Iran including Zanjan. Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica are recognized as causative agents of the disease. The differential diagnosis between these two species is very important for planning and control of infection. This study was designed to identify the Fasciola species by molecular methods in Zanjan [Iran]

Methods and Materials: a number of 535 adult Fasciola worms were collected from the natural infected livers of cattles and sheep in local slaughterhouse. Living flukes were washed extensively in PBS at 37 degreeC and then anterior half of adult worms were stored at -20 degreeC in 70% ethanol. Total genomic DNA was extracted from individual flukes by modified phenol-chloroform method. Nucleotide polymorphism of ITS2 fragment of rDNA was investigated using PCR-RFLP assay and sequencing technique

Results: the results of PCR-RFLP and comparison of ITS2 sequences with the BLAST GenBank database clarified that all specimens were F. hepatica. The obtained sequences are available in the GenBank, with accession numbers EU391412 to EU391424

Conclusion: the results of this study showed no evidence of F. gigantica infection in sheep and cattles in Zanjan as all of the isolates were found to be F. hepatica

Evaluation of ejection fraction changes during the course of treatment of mitoxantrone in patients with secondary progressive form of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis [MS] is one of the most common neurological disorders in young adults. Mitoxantrone, as an immunosuppressant and cytotoxic drug has shown a slight beneficial erect on the progressive form of the disease. However, it has been experienced that in cancer treatment this drug has caused cardiologic side effects such as congestive heart failure and decrease in ejection fraction. The aim of this study is to investigate the left ventricular ejection fraction changes induced by Mitoxantrone as administered in patients with secondary progressive form of multiple sclerosis. During the years of 2005-2007, the patients with secondary progressive MS who referred to the Neurological Clinic of Aria General Hospital in Mashhad were included in our cross-sectional study. These patients had no history of hematological, cardiac or hepatic disorders. Neither they had ever used immunosuppressant drugs. They were prescribed to intravenously take 12 mg/m2 of Mitoxantrone every 3 months for at least 2 years. Before each infusion of Mitoxantrone, the left ventricular ejection fraction [EF] was measured by echocardiography. After the treatment [8 infusions], the results of echocardiography were compared and analyzed through statistical methods using SPSS and Excel soft wares. Forty four patients with secondary progressive-MS were included in our study [24 females and 20 males]. Five of the subjects were younger than 30 year old, 27 patients were between 30 and 40, and 12 patients were above 40. The data was analyzed using the method of repeated measures. The results demonstrate that Mitoxantrone had no significant effect on the left ventricular ejection fraction. Also, the trend mean of EF during 8 months showed no significant drop. The mean of EF between sexes was not significant, either. As a whole, ten percent of the subjects treated with Mitoxanterone showed a decrease of EF which returned to its normal stage once the treatment was stopped. The benefit from using Mitoxanterone in multiple sclerosis was more than the complication caused by its usage. Multiple sclerosis, Mitoxantrone, Heart failure, echocardiography, Ejection fraction

Efficacy of voice laboratory in evaluation of treatment in Dysphonic patients

Evaluations of voice disorders include clinical assessment [subjective] and Voice Laboratory Measurements [VLM] which use objective criteria to evaluate the severity of voice disorders. The purpose of this 2 years prospective team work study [during 2004 - 2006] was to determine the efficacy of voice laboratory analysis in evaluation of treatment in dysphonic patients, in comparison with clinical [subjective] evaluation. This study was done on 50 patients [42 males and 8 females] with voice disorders. All of the patients underwent complete ENT and neurological examinations and also complete voice lab evaluation with Visi pitch instrument and computer speech lab [CSL], both before and after appropriate treatment. Then the results of objective and subjective evaluations compared statically with the last version of SPSS software. We performed at least 5 voice parameters including fundamental frequency, phonation quotient, pitch range, percentage voiced and perturbation. Only 8 patients [16%] had statistically significant improvement in data base of voice lab parameters and the rest patients [84%] although showed some improvement but without statistically significance. Overall, the sensitivity of voice lab was 80%. Some degree of changes was observed in all of the parameters before and after treatment. In the case of perturbation [t = 3.53 and P<0.01] and jitter [t = 2.43 and P<0.05] there was significant differences with good statistical correlations

Fasciotomy versus amputation in patients with compartment syndrome in Bam earthquake victims

Compartment syndrome following the injuries in earthquake is a big problem and may cause amputation and psychological problems. The aim of this study was evaluation of the effects of fasciotomy on the prognoses of these patients, especially for the function of the limbs and the function of the kidneys. In a clinical trial all patients referred to Alzahra hospital in Isfahan city from the Bam earthquake area, were taken part in this study. The compartment pressure were measured and following suitable liquid therapy, they were fasciotomized. Then, the bloodshed, infections, fever and the prognoses of the operation especially the need for amputation were recorded. The kidney function was also evaluated by measuring the creatinin. Twenty patients out of 255 patients referred to Alzahra hospital, from the Bam earthquake had compartment syndrome in 26 limbs. This patients were fasciotomized. The average of their age was 36.1 years and 55% of them were female. 1.1 cases had pulses in their limbs. However, all of them had hardness and inflammations in their limbs, without any function. Before surgery, 5 patients had increased blood creatinin. 2 months after surgery, all patients had normal kidney function. 3 patients had amputation. Fasciotomy in patients with compartment syndrome may rescue patients limbs, without any significant adverse effects on their kidney function, and is recommended for all patients with this particular problem

[Significance of plasma fibrinogen determination in diagnosis of infectious diseases of cattle]

Results of blood analysis carried out in 12 groups of cattle mostly infected with infectious disease, shows significance of plasma fibrinogen determination in diagnosis of infectious disease in cattle. Doing T test for comparing blood parameters of infected cattle with those of apparently healthy ones, revealed significant differences in the following parameters: 1- Plasma fibrinogen [p < 0.001]. 2- Total white blood cells [0. 02 < p < 0.05]. 3- Segmented neutrophils [p < 0.001]. 4- Band neutrophils [0.02 < p < 0.05]. Test of analysis of variance [ANOVA] on the results of the blood parameters of infected and apparently healthy cattle showed significant differences in the following parameters: 1- Total plasma protein [p< 0.001]. 2- Plasma fibrinogen [p< 0.001]. 3- Plasma protein/fibrinogen [PP/F] ratio [p< 0.001]. 4- Total white blood cells [p< 0.001]. 5- Segmented neutrophils [p<0.001]. 6- Band neutrophils [p<0.001]. According to the changes of plasma fibrinogen and white blood cells, the animals were grouped into four categories: 1- Plasma fibrinogen, total WBC, and neutrophils were, normal. 2- Plasma fibrinogen was within the normal range but, total WBC and neutrophils were increased. 3- Plasma fibrinogen was increased but, total WBC and neutrophils were within the normal range. 4- Plasma fibrinogen, total WBC, and neutrophils were increased. The significance of plasma fibrinogen determination especially in the third and fourth groups were confirmed