Seroprevalence of Bordetella pertussis antibody in pregnant women in Iran

The increasing incidence of pertussis among adolescents and adults in recent years is an alarming factor in transmission of the infection to non-immune infants and children. Vaccination of pregnant women, immediately after delivery and before being discharged from the hospital may help to protect mothers and their newborns against the disease. Decision making process, regarding maternal immunization, requires credible information and knowledge about seroepidemiology of the infection in pregnant women. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Bordetella pertussis antibody among admitted pregnant women in Hamadan, western Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 288 pregnant women admitted to the Fatemiyeh Hospital, Hamadan, western Iran, were enrolled into the study. After obtaining consent from every patient, serum samples were taken from patients and were kept frozen until testing. Serum level of B. pertussis antibody was measured using ELISA. Level of antibody higher than 24 U/ml was considered positive. The obtained data were analyzed using the statistical software SPSS. From 288 pregnant women, 126 [43.8%] were in their second trimester. Serological results in 103 patients [35.8%] were positive. The mean age of mothers with positive serology was 27.5 +/- 6 years old. Thirty-five percent of patients had a valid immunization record, and 1.57% of those with no vaccination record had a positive serology. The level of immunity against B. pertussis in pregnant women was low. Immunization before or during pregnancy can stimulate newborn's immune response and gives them required protection against pertussis infection

prevalence of anticardiolipin antibody in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and its association with clinical manifestations

The central immunological disturbance in systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] is autoantibody production. Some of these antibodies affecting components of the cell nucleus are the major characteristics of SLE. The present study was aimed to assess importance of anticardiolipin [ACL] antibody and its association with clinical state in SLE patients. A cross sectional study was performed on 100 patients with SLE referred to rheumatology outpatient clinic in Ekbatan hospital in Hamadan [Iran] between 2007 and 2008. Serum samples were extracted and screened for IgG and IgM using an ACL enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Up to 36% of patients were positive for ACL antibody that was more frequent in women than men [39.8% versus 8.3%]. No association was revealed between ACL antibody and age. Clinical manifestations of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome were observed in 23.0% of patients that was more prevalent in ACL positive group compared with ACL negative group [41.7% versus 125%]. The prevalence of other manifestations including pregnancy-related disorders [recurrent abortion], central nervous system defects, and deep vein thrombosis was 33.3%, 25.0%, and 30.6% in ACL positive group and was 9.4%, 7.8%, and 7.8% in ACL negative group that all were more frequent in the former group. The prevalence of thrombocytopenia was also higher in ACL positive group than another group [22.2% versus 15.6%]. Among ACL positive patients with clinical manifestations of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, 86.6% had medium to high titer of ACL. Our study emphasized value of [ACL] antibody to assess clinical status in SLE patients

Effect of vitamin C administration on leukocyte vitamin C level and severity of bronchial asthma

Oxidative stress mediated by reactive oxygen species is known to contribute to the inflammatory process of bronchial asthma. Reactive oxygen species are released into the bronchial tree by activated inflammatory cells. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of vitamin C administration on leukocyte vitamin C level as well as severity of asthma. In this double blind clinical trial study we evaluated 60 patients with chronic stable asthma. The patients were divided into two groups [A and B] including 30 patients in each group. Patients in these groups were matched according to their age, weight, height, gender, BMI and drug consumption. In addition to standard asthma treatment [according to stepwise therapy in 4[th] step of bronchial asthma] in which the patients were controlled appropriately, group A received 1000 mg vitamin C daily and group B received placebo. At the baseline and after one month treatment, non-fasting blood samples were drawn for laboratory evaluations. Asthmatic patient's clinical condition was evaluated through standard pulmonary function test [PFT]. The mean [ +/- SD] leukocyte vitamin C level in group A at the baseline and after one month treatment with 1000 mg/day vitamin C, were 0.0903 [ +/- 0.0787] microg/10[8] leukocytes and 0.1400 [ +/- 0.0953] microg/10[8] leukocytes respectively [P<0.05]. The mean [ +/- SD] leukocyte vitamin C level in group B at the baseline and after one month administration of placebo, were 0.0867 [ +/- 0.0629] microg/10[8] leukocytes and 0.0805[ +/- 0.0736] microg/10[8] leukocytes respectively. The leukocyte vitamin C level in group A was higher than those of group B after one month treatment with vitamin C and placebo and the difference was statistically significant [P<0.05]. Comparing PFT [FEV[1], FVC and FEV1/FVC] in group B during the study period showed a significant increase in FEV[1] [P<0.05], while the other two parameters remained unchanged. In group A, who received 1000 mg/day vitamin C, none of the spirometry parameters changed after one month treatment, indicating no effect of vitamin C treatment in the spirometry parameters

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

There is some evidence indicating the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in pathogenesis of extragastrointestinal diseases including skin, vascular, and autoimmune disorders, as well as some respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between H. pylori and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]. In a case-control study, 90 patients with COPD and 90 age-and sex-matched control subjects were included. Serum samples were tested for anti-H. pylori and anti-CagA IgG by ELISA. A physician completed a questionnaire including demographic characteristics, habitual history, and spirometric findings for each patient. Of 90 patients with COPD 66 [51%] had mild, 31 [34.4%] moderate, and 13 [14.4%] sever disease. There was no significant association between H. pylori IgG seropositivity and COPD. Serum levels of anti-CagA IgG were significantly higher in patients with COPD than in the control subjects [P<0.001]. No association was observed between H. pylori infection and severity of COPD. The results suggest that there is an association between CagA-positive H. pylori infections and COPD. Further studies should be planned to investigate the potential pathogenic mechanisms that might underlie these associations

[Assessment of cardiac troponin I in patients with pulmonary emboli and its relationship with right ventricular dysfunction]

Right ventricular dysfunction is common in major pulmonary embolisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and diagnostic utility of cardiac troponin I and also to identify patients with RV dysfunction in pulmonary embolism. This study was conducted on 42 patients with pulmonary embolism in Ekbatan Hospital, in Hamedan city. Data from history, echocardiogram, and lung perfusion scan was obtained from medical records. Blood samples were obtained immediately after pulmonary embolism was diagnosed. Cardiac troponin was measured using chromatographic assay. Two patients [4.8%] had positive troponin I [>/= 0.5 microg/l], and 40 patients [95.2%] had negative troponin I [< 0.5 microg/l]. RV dysfunction was detected in 16 patients [38%]. RV dysfunction was detected in 1 of positive troponin I patients and 15 with negative troponin I [37.5%]. No significant relationship was found between RV dysfunction and troponin I level [p>0.05]. Our data demonstrates that troponin I measurement is not able to distinguish specifically between coronary and non- coronary causes of chest pain

Screening for tuberculosis among patients with chronic psychiatric disorders in Hamedan

Tubercle bacilli most often are transmitted from one person by the airborne route. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of latent tuberculosis infection and active pulmonary tuberculosis among patients with chronic psychiatric disorders in Hamedan. In a cross sectional study, 215 patients with chronic psychiatric disorders were investigated for tuberculin skin test. Those with an induration of >/= 10 mm were introduced for further evaluation, including a chest-x-ray and examination of the sputum for acid-fast bacilli for those with radiographic abnormalities. Of 215 patients, 62 [28.8%] had positive tuberculin skin test reaction. Age and duration of psychiatric disorders were significantly associated with test positivity. Of 62 tuberculin-positive patients, 25 [40.3%] had radiographic evidences of inactive pulmonary tuberculosis. None of them had positive sputum smear for tuberculosis. Chronic psychiatric patients are more susceptible to tuberculosis infection. Screening tests should be applied for these patients

E-selectin S128R polymorphism leads to severe asthma

The E-selectin mediates the interaction of activated endothelial cells with leukocytes and plays a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of asthma. It has been suggested that an S/R [Serine128 Arginine] polymorphism of E-selectin alters ligand binding function. Our purpose in this study was to determine whether this Serine128 Arginine polymorphism influences the risk of asthma and also to analyze the possible correlation of disease severity in Iranian patients with polymorphism of E-selectin. We studied human E-selectin gene polymorphism in 172 asthmatic patients and 173 healthy volunteers by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP]. To determine the severity of the asthma's situation, a questionnaire was prepared requesting the following information: age, sex, clinical signs and symptoms and past medical history. After the participants filled in the questionnaire, all active or ex-smoker patients were excluded. A trained observer assessed airway reversibility, peak flowmetry and spirometry in asthmatic patients. We found increased serum levels of soluble E-selectin [sE-selectin] in asthmatic patients compared with healthy subjects [P <0.0001]. Frequencies of the SS, SR, and RR genotypes were found as 66.3%, 31.4%, and 2.3% in the patients and 91.9%, 8.1%, and 0.0% in control subjects, respectively. The 128 Arg allele was more prevalent in patients than controls [OR 5.78; 95% CI, 3.07-10.86, P<0.0001]. However, in this study the polymorphism was not associated with circulating sE-selectin levels. We found a direct correlation between the level of sE-selectin and the severity of asthma [P=0.001]. On the other hand, there was a close relation between 128 Arginine carriage and disease severity [P<0.0001]. These results suggest that the Ser 128 Arg polymorphism of the E-selectin gene is a genetic factor that may be associated with the severity of asthma