[Quality of life in patients with thalassemia major referred to Ardabil Buali Hospital in 2012-13]

Background: Beta thalassemia is a common genetic disease in humans. This study aimed to assess various aspects of quality of life in patients with thalassemia major referred to Buali hospital in 2012-13

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 40 patients with thalassemia major. Data were analyzed by statistical software SPSS V16 using Chi-square and t-test. The significance level was set at less than 0.05

Results: 40 patients with mean [ +/- standard deviation] age of 20.38 +/- 7.13 years were studied. 50% of patients were in the age range of 30-21 years. 22 patients [55%] were male. The mean age of the diagnosis was 7.5 +/- 1.4 months. Mean age of starting deferoxamine was 5.93 +/- 4.37 years. Data analysis revealed no significant relationship between age [P=0.246], gender [P= 0.259] and location of residency [P = 0.753] with quality of life

Conclusion: There were the highest quality within the role of the physical evidence and lowest quality in the area of patient's general health. Quality of caring was appropriate

[Determining the drug susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains to the Pyrazinamide]

Background and Objectives: Pyrazinamide[PZA] is an important first anti tuberculosis medication and PZA resistance can be affect the successful tuberculosis [TB] control program. The aim of this study was to determine the PZA resistance among Mycobacterium tuberculosis[MTB] isolated strains

Materials and Methods: These strains were isolated from foreigners and Iranian patients. 100 MTB strains collected at the reserach center for TB and Pulmonary diseases in Tebriz and for detections of PZA 7H10 agar medium by porportion method was used

Results: Out of 100 MTB strains, 60 isolated strains were resistant to at least one of the main drugs [isoniazid, rifampin, streptomycin, ehambuthol] and 40 isolated strains were susceptible to all of these drugs. One strain[2.5%]from 40 susceptible and 22strains [36%] from 60 MTB resistant strains was found to be resistant to PZA. Out of 21 MDR[Multi Drug Resistant] strains, 11 isolates ere resistant to PZA [57%] The most of the PZA resistant strains were isolated from the foreigner patients [72%]

Conclusion: The rate of PZA resistance among East Azerbaijan province patients is low and the sensitivity test of this drug is not necessary as a routine method for MTB susceptible strains.

[Investigation of genes responsible for vancomycin resistance by Multiplex-PCR among enterococci isolated strains from inpatients and outpatients]

Enterococci have been recognized as clinically important pathogens. Among more than one dozen species of Enterococcus species, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are major pathogens. Vancomycin resistant Enterococci [VRE] strains have been spread worldwide among inpatients and outpatients. This study was designed to study phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of VRE isolates from inpatients and outpatients. Of 193 enterococci isolates, 178 strains were identified as E. faecalis and as 15 E.faecium . Out of 193 isolates strains of enterococci, 22 were detected as VRE. All of these strains were isolated from fecal [6 starins] or clinical samples [16] of hospitalized patients. The PCR revealed VanA genotype in 10 E. faecium and 2 E. faecalis strains, whereas VanB genotype was detected in 5 E.faecium and 5 E.feacalis strains. No VanC genotype was detected among VRE strains. Due to limited published studies in Iran for VRE strains, we are not able tot compare our results with other studies, but our findings showed that VRE strains were isolated from normal flora and clinical samples, on the other hand the VanA genotype is more than VanB among VRE strains

effect of selenase on the disease process of patients with septic shock admitted to the intensive care unit: a clinical trial in Tehran

Despite discovering new antibiotics, mortality due to septic shock has remained high. This research has examined the effect of selenase in patients with septic shock admitted to the intensive care unit [ICU] of a hospital in Tehran. This double-blind clinical trial was done on 80 participants [40 case and 40 control] who were admitted to the ICU with septic shock. Every participant in the case group was administered 500 micro g selenase twice daily for 10 days. In contrast, each participant of the control group was treated with placebo [normal saline]. Data were collected by observation and recorded in a questionnaire. Chi-square and Student's t-test were used for data analysis. In this study 34 participants [42.5%] were men and 46 [57.5%] were women. The duration stay in the ICU in treatment group was less than in the observation group which was statistically significant [P =.01]. There was also a significant difference regarding the frequency of morbidity and mortality rates between the two groups [P =.03 and P =.02, respectively]. Selenium at a dosage of 500 micro g [twice daily] is effective in those who have suffered from septic shock. Still, more studies are needed to determine the best dosage and administration method of this drug