Isolation of aspergillus species from nasal cavity and bedroom of healthy volunteers and patients with allergic rhinitis in Mashhad, Iran

The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence, frequency and comparison of Aspergillus spp. in nasal cavity and bedroom of healthy volunteers and patients with allergic rhinitis. In this cross-sectional study, a group of patients with allergic rhinitis [N=50] were selected based on positive skin prick test. Healthy volunteers were chosen to be in the comparison group by matching in age, gender, and no history of respiratory system disease. Samples from nasal cavity and different parts of bedroom were collected and cultured. Cultured Aspergillus spp. was identified by standard mycological techniques. The most common species isolated from all samples of healthy volunteers was A. flavus [88%], followed by A. niger [76%] and A. fumigatus [74%]. A. flavus [56%] was the predominant species isolated from all samples of patients, followed by A. niger [34%] and A. fumigatus [6%]. A. flavus was the most prevalent species of Aspergillus both healthy volunteers and patients. The presence of Aspergillus in homes does not necessarily imply a cause and effect relationship with illness, but we speculate that A. flavus may be a major source of aeroallergens along with A. niger and A. fumigatus; and should alert physicians and healthcare professionals to do more vigorous environmental testing

[Correlation between the result of leishmanin skin test and clinical forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis and species of parasite]

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis [CL] is a common parasitic skin disease which is endemic in many parts of Iran, including Khorasan. Leishmanin Skin Test [LST] is used for clinical diagnosis of previous infection. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the result of LST with the clinical form of CL lesion and species of causative agent in patients referred to the Parasitology laboratory, Imam Reza hospital during 2007-2008. This study was undertaken over a 12 month period. Following confirmation of diagnosis of CL in 50 patients who obtained positive result by direct smear test, their demographic, clinical and laboratory information were recorded. LST was performed for each patient. PCR [polymerase chain reaction] was used to determine the species of parasite. The result of LST read after 24, 48 and 72 hours. The collected data were statistically analyzed using SPSS. Among 30 persons with Anthroponotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis [ACL], 60% had dry and 33% had infected moist lesions. Among 20 persons with Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis [ZCL], dry and infected moist ulcers were observed in 30% and 65% respectively. The result of Positive LST was increased 48 and 72 hrs. After injection. There was a significant relationship between the clinical form of CL lesion and causative agent as the result of the LST; but no significant relationship was observed between causative agent and clinical form

A case of Moniliformis moniliformis (Acanthocephala) infection in Iran

Only a few cases of Acanthocephala infections have been reported in humans, and Moniliformis moniliformis is the most common species around the world. We report here a case of infection with M. moniliformis, which passed in the stool of a 2-year-old girl in Iran. The patient had abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and facial edema. According to her mother, the patient had habit of eating dirt and once a cockroach was discovered in her mouth. In stool examination, eggs of M. moniliformis were not found. She was treated with levamisole and the clinical symptoms reduced within 2 weeks. The specimen contained 2 pieces of a female worm with a total length of 148 mm lacking the posterior end. The spiral musculature of the proboscis receptacle and the shape of the trunk allowed its generic determination. Previously 2 cases of M. moniliformis infection were reported in Iran. This is the 3rd case of M. moniliformis infection in Iran.