Seroepidemiology of varicella zoster virus infection among 1-70 year individuals in Iran

Varicella zoster virus [VZV] causes varicella and, later in the life of the infected person, can reactivate to cause Herpes zoster [HZ]. The objective of this study was the investigation of anti Varicella zoster virus IgG antibodies in infants and adults in Shiraz, southern Iran. A cross-sectional, age and population-based seroprevalence study was conducted in 2008 on 843 subjects, ages ranging from 1 to 70 years old. IgG antibodies against VZV were measured with a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. The seroprevalence of Varicella zoster antibodies increased with age, being 25.3% in 1-5 year age group, 43.1% in 6-10 year group, 73.5% in 11-15 year group and 86% in adult population. The majority of VZV infections occurred during childhood. The best policy to prevent the circulation of wild type VZV in the population and reduction of the rate of complicated cases is the immunization of 5 year old children and those younger. VZV vaccine should be incorporated in the conventional childhood vaccination plan in Iran

Meningococcal carrier rate before and after hajj pilgrimage: effect of single dose ciprofloxacin on carriage

We determined the carriage rate of Neisseria meningitidis before and after hajj pilgrimage among a group [1] of 674 randomly selected Iranian pilgrims, and the effect of 500 mg of ciprofloxacin given 24 hours before return on the reduction of meningococcal carriers among another group [2] of 123 randomly selected Iranian pilgrims. Throat specimens taken 1 hour before departure on the hajj and immediately on return were cultured. Carriage rates of N. meningitidis in group 1 were 5.2% before and 4.6% after pilgrimage [P = 0.65]; 3 new serogroups [Z, Z' and A] were identified on return. In group 2, the carriage rate decreased from 8.1% to zero before and after pilgrimage

Tick-borne relapsing fever, a neglected cause of fever in Fars province

Tick-borne relapsing fever is an endemic disease in some parts of Iran. Borellia persica, the most common cause of this disease in Iran, has a wide geographic distribution and is present in Alborz and Zagros mountain chains. Here we report a 16-year-old male patient who presented with two episodes of fever within 15 days. He had a history of few overnight stays in a cave of mountainous area in Fars province. Sites of tick bites were found on exposed areas of extremities. Spirochetes were detected in Wright-stained smears of the patient's peripheral blood. He was successfully treated with penicillin. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no reported case of tick-borne relapsing fever from Fars province in the literature during the last 28 years. Tick-borne relapsing fever should be considered in patients with recurrent fever and peripheral blood smear should be investigated for spirochetes. Further seroepidemiologic studies should be carried out to determine the prevalence of this disease in Fars province

Evaluation of rK39 strip test for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in infants

This study estimated the sensitivity and specificity of the rK39 strip test compared with the immunofluorescent antibody test and microscopy of bone marrow aspirate smears [the gold standard] in 47 children with suspected visceral leishmaniasis. A control group of children with other diagnoses [tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, malaria or cutaneous leishmaniasis] were also tested to check false positive results. The sensitivity and specificity of the strip test were 82.4% and 100% and that of immunofluorescent antibody were 100% and 92.7%. The rK39 strip test is reliable where there is no access to laboratory facilities

Prevalence of measles antibody in children of different ages in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran

An outbreak of measles due to secondary vaccine failure prompted this investigation into the prevalence of measles antibody in children. We studied 608 children in 7 different age groups: 6, 9, 14 and 18 months and 6, 10 and 15 years. Children in the 2 youngest groups received no vaccination; the rest were vaccinated at 9 months and 15 months. The 15-year-old age group received an additional vaccination. Transplacental measles antibody [Ab] decreased from 10.0% at 6 months to 0% at 9 months. Measles Ab was positive in 52.9% [14 months], 89.4% [18 months], 60.8% 96 years], 45.0% [10 years] and 96.8% [15 years].To increase Ab levels, a booster vaccination is recommended, administered either with the second DPT booster or at pre-high school age