Tamoxifen Induces Apoptosis of Leishmania major Promastigotes in Vitro

Tamoxifen is an antagonist of the estrogen receptor and currently used for the treatment of breast cancer. The current treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with pentavalent antimony compounds is not satisfactory. Therefore, in this study, due to its antileishmanial activity, effects of tamoxifen on the growth of promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania major Iranian strain were evaluated in vitro. Promastigotes and amastigotes were treated with different concentrations (1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 µg/ml) and time periods (24, 48, and 72 hr) of tamoxifen. After tamoxifen treatment, MTT assay (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 biphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay) was used to determine the percentage of live parasites and Graph Pad Prism software to calculate IC50. Flow cytometry was applied to investigate the induction of tamoxifen-induced apoptosis in promastigotes. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of tamoxifen on promastigotes was 2.6 µg/ml after 24 hr treatment. Flow cytometry analysis showed that tamoxifen induced early and late apoptosis in Leishmania promastigotes. While after 48 hr in control group the apoptosis was 2.0%, the 50 µg/L concentration of tamoxifen increased it to 59.7%. Based on the in vitro antileishmanial effect, tamoxifen might be used for leishmaniasis treatment; however, further researches on in vivo effects of tamoxifen in animal models are needed.

[Prevalence and associated factors of head lice infestation among primary schoolchildren in city of Aran and Bidgol [Esfahan Province, Iran], 2008]

Pediculus capitis is a blood sucking insect and an external human parasite that has worldwide distribution. Infection by this parasite has been observed in all age groups, but it is more prevalent among elementary school students. Louse infection causes serious health as well as social problems and stigma. These problems may lead to drop in academic achievement of students. Since no systematic study has been conducted in the city of Aran and Bidgol, this study was carried to examine the frequency rate of infection and factors associated with this disease in elementary students in education year in 2007-2008. In descriptive epidemiologic research, head louse infection was examined in all groups of schools children male and female student in the city of Aran and Bidgol. The students were screened by standard questionnaire and demographic data and related information were obtained by interview and observation. The diagnose of head lice infestation was based on live louse, nymph or nit on the scalp of students. The data were analyzed by SPSS using Chi-square and fisher's exact tests. In this study, a total of 3589 students were examined in 19 male and female schools. The mean age of students was 8.67 +/- 1.57 year and age group ranged between 6-12 year. The prevalence of head louse infestation in students was 0.47%. The head louse frequency were 0.42% and 0.05% in female and male respectively. The head louse infection rate in male and female schools was 0.1% and 1%, respectively. This survey showed that 1% of the female student schools and 0.1% of the male student schools were infected to head louse. The results showed a significant association between pediculosis and sex, father's job, mother's education, bathroom in home, prior infection, drug use and nationality, respectively. The results of study indicated that the prevalence of pediculosis wasn't a major health priority and health concern in the city of Aran and Bidgol in education year 2007-2008. However, it was suggested that enhancing general knowledge about the infection can prevent the increase of infestation incidence. Hygienic teachers and individual hygiene instruction to students play an important role

epidemiological study of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Kashan [2007-2008]

Leishmaniasis is a parasitological disease, which is common between human and animals. This disease cause always serious health problems for the human communities. This disease is prevalent in many parts of the world. Cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] is a prevalent parasitological disease with diverse clinical manifestations in Iran. It is an important health problem in many parts of Iran as well and its incidence has doubled over the last decade. This study was designed to determine the epidemiology of CL in Kashan during 2007- 2008. This was a cross-sectional study in which 5098 persons were randomly selected in thirteen rural and urban districts of Kashan. The disease was diagnosed based on clinical examination and microscopic observation of the parasite in the ulcer site. The patient's information such as age, sex, job, number and sites of ulcer[s] or scar[s], date and place of the ulcer, and results of clinical examination and laboratory tests were recorded. Data analysis was performed using statistical Ki-square test. The prevalence rate of disease in 5089 inhabitants studied was 6.4%. One hundred and three persons [2%] had active ulcers and 223 persons [4.4%] had scar. Fifty three out of 200[26.5%] infected male suffering from CL, and fifty out of 126 [39.7%] infected female had active ulcer [P=0.013] The highest frequency and the least infected age groups were observed in 20-29 years old patients with a rate of 23.3% and 0-9 years old with the rate of 7.8%, respectively. 49.5% of the infected cases were under 30 years old. 64.1% of the patients had one and 35.9% had two or more ulcers. The most common location of ulcers were on hands [46.6%] and then on feet, on face and on the other parts of the body. 75.8% of the patients were infected in Kashan city. The estimated rate for CL incidence was approximately 37.6 cases in 100000 people in Kashan during 2007-2008. The prevalence and incidence rate of CL are higher than expected rate in Kashan city. Such a high prevalence and incident rate is alarming and require control and prevention measures. Further epidemiological investigations of disease particularly CL are suggested

Epidemiologic study of scorpion sting in patients referring to Kashan medical centers during 1991-2002

Scorpions are widely distributed in Iran. Kashan city has a suitable climate for these creatures [especially Butidae species]. The preset study was designed to determine the epidemiological picture of scorpions in Kashan. In this descriptive study, medical files of all patients bitten with scorpion during 1991-2002 were reviewed. Totally, 367 cases were bitten during the studied period, of whom 67% were male and 33% were female with a mean age of 23.1 +/- 15.1 years. Children aged <9 years were the most commonly affected group [36.5%], while lower limbs were the most commonly bitten site [64.3%]. Most of the patients suffered from inflammation and pain, and unfortunately, 7 cases of death due to scorpion bite were reported. Scorpion sting-associated illness was quite common in Kashan during the study period, therefore, preventive tools and suitable educational programs, especially at schools, are required to alleviate the probable problems