First isolation of mycobacterium spp. in mullus spp. in Turkey

Ichthyozoonotic Mycobacterium spp. poses health risks both to fish and humans. In this study, the presence of ichthyozoonotic Mycobacterium spp. was investigated in red mullet [Mullus barbatus barbatus] and surmullet [Mullus surmuletus], widely caught species in the Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea. A total of 208 fish samples, provided from fishermen of Mersin province [Turkey] were studied. Using conventional methods, Mycobacterium spp. was isolated and identified at the genus level by PCR and at the species level by PCR-RFLP. Thirteen Mycobacterium spp. were detected in 13 [6.25%] fish samples. Four mycobacteria were identified as M. genavense, three as M. fortuitum, three as M. scrofulaceum, one as M. marinum, one as M. vaccae and one as M. aurum. No signs of mycobacteriosis were observed in fish samples. Findings of this study can contribute to future studies of onichthyozoonotic Mycobacterium spp. in seafood

[Lipoid proteinosis: a case report from Kurdistan Province in 1390]

Lipoid proteinosis is a rare metabolic autosomal recessive disorder. Clinical manifestations of this disease are attributed to deposition of hyaline material in dermis and other organs which is a consequence of genetic mutations. Hoarseness of voice, beaded papules on the eyelid margins, acneiform scars, waxy papules and warty papules are common clinical manifestations of this disorder. Other manifestations include speech disorder, photosensitivity, recurrent salivary gland inflammation, loss of eyelashes, alopecia of scalp and pruritus. A 17 year old boy developed hoarseness of voice and mucocutaneous lesions since infancy. Skin lesions included acneiform scars on the face, waxy papules and warty papules on the elbows and buttocks, and also beaded papules on the eyelid margins .The tongue of the patient gradually enlarged and some papules appeared on the tongue and mouth angles. The patient was not able to protrude his tongue out of the mouth. Histopathologic examination revealed deposition of pink amorphous [hyaline] material in the dermis and around skin appendages. Diagnosis of lipoid proteinosis is based on its clinical manifestations and histopathological findings. Once hoarseness of voice in infancy, which is among the most common and earliest manifestations of the disease, is detected, lipoid proteinosis should be considered as an important differential diagnosis

[Comparative efficacy of 2% hydroquinone and melfade in treatment of melasma]

Melasma is an acquired hypermelanosis disease and can cause superficial problems in women if left untreated. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of 2% hydroquinone and Melfade in the treatment of Melasma. This is a randomized clinical trial study conducted at Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences in 2008. Sixty two women with Melasma disease were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups. Two percent hydroquinone was prescribed for the first group [n=31] and Melfade for the second group. After 12 weeks of daily drug consumption by the patients, they were examined by a dermatologist for assessment of recovery. The collected data was analyzed by the SPSS software. Response to treatment with hydroquinone and Melfadewas the same and no significant differences were found between the two groups. [P>0.05] Results of this study demonstrated that topical Melfade is as effective as 2% hydrquinone in treatment of Melasma, Therefore it can be considered as an alternative drug in the treatment of Melasma

[ comparative clinical trial of topical triamcinolone [Adcortyle] and a herbal solution for the treatment of minor aphthous stomatitis]

Aphthous stomamtitis is characterized by single or multiple painful recurrent lesions in oral mucosa. Lesions can relapse in some patients for several years. Therefore treatment of such cases seems necessary. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic effect of topical Myrtus communis [myrtle] solution with topical triamcinolone [Adcortyle] in the treatment of minor apotheosis. This clinical-trial study was conducted at Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences in 2009. 100 patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups. The 1[st] group received topical myrtle solution. The 2[nd] group received topical trimcinolone [Adcortyle]. After one week patients' declaration about time of the recovery of the pain and deterioration of oral lesion was recorded. The gathered data was then analyzed using the SPSS statistical software using t-test and chi-square. After treatment, both groups showed response to topical medications with no significant difference between them [p>0.05]. results of this study showed that topical myrtle solution is effective in the treatment of minor aphthous stomatitis and its therapeutic effect is comparable with topical triamcinolone [Adcortyle]

[Acrodermatitis enteropathica with a normal serum zinc level: a case report]

Acrodermatitis enteropathica is a rare autosomal recessive disorder.The serum zinc levels are usually low in these patients, but cases with normal serum zinc level have been reported. The clinical manifestations include skin lesions, in particular in periorificial areas, and extremities ,diarrhea and alopecia. These clinical signs may occur together only in 20% of the cases .Other manifestations of the disease are behavior and mood changes ,failure to thrive, susceptibility to infection, nail changes and delayed wound healing. Here we report a case of acrodermatitis enteropathica with a normal serum zinc level. The patient was an 11 month old infant who was reffered to Bassat Hospital with well defined erythematous ,erosions and crusted skin lesions in perioral, perianal, buttocks, external genitalia and extremities from 4 months ago. The patient had history of irritability and infrequent episodes of diarrhea. Lab work up revealed a normal serum zinc level of 67microg/dl [Reference range: 60-121 microg/dl]. 2 weeks after zinc supplementation, the skin lesions improved. Diagnosis of acrodermatitis enteropathica is based on clinical manifestations and this diagnosis is confirmed with a low serum zinc level. But in rare cases with normal serum zinc level and relevant clinical signs ,we recommend a short term clinical trial of zinc supplementation. Improvement of the skin lesions and other symptoms confirms the diagnosis

[Comparison of the therapeutic efficacy of Azithromycin vs Tetracycline in Acne Vulgaris]

Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease which affects a large number of adolescents and adults at some time in their life. Several drugs have been used for the treatment of acne vulgaris and recently systemic azithromycin has been tried for its treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic efficacy of azithromycin vs. tetracycline in acne vulgaris. The present study was a randomized investigator-blind clinical trial, carried out at the outpatient department of Besat Hospital of Sanandaj in 2008. 82 patients were allocated randomly into two groups. Azithromycin 500 mg for 3 consecutive days per week for the first month, then 250 mg/ every other day was prescribed for the first group The second group received tetracycline 250 mg/6h. The treatments continued for 12 weeks. The therapeutic efficacy of these drugs was assessed on the basis of lesion counting. Data were introduced into SPSS 11.5 software and analyzed by means of independent t- test, Mann-Whitney and chi-square test. The mean number of lesions was not statistically different before treatment in the two groups. There was statistically a significant difference in the mean number of inflammatory papular lesions on the face and back after treatment [p<0.05]. However no significant difference was found in comedons lesions in both groups. The percentages of improvement of inflammatory papular lesions on the face and back were 82.3, 63.6 and 80.14 and 58.56 respectively [p<0.05]. This study suggested that azithromycin was more effective than tetracycline in treating inflammatory papular lesions of acne vulgaris on the face and back. Azithromycin can be used as an alternative in the treatment of resistant inflammatory papular lesions to tetracycline

[Comparative efficacy of 10% sodium sulfacetamide lotion and 1% clotrimazole lotion in treatment of tinea versicolor]

Tinea versicolor is a common superficial fungal infection caused by normal skin flora and many topical and oral anti-fungal medications have been used for its treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic effects of 10% sodium Sulfacetamide lotion with 1% Clotrimazole lotion in treatment of tinea versicolor. In this single-blind clinical trial 67 patients were divided into two groups using block randomization method. The first group consisted of 33 patients who were treated with 1% clotrimazole lotion. The second group included 34 patients who received 10% sodium sulfacetamide lotion. After 2 weeks of treatment, both groups were evaluated for clinical and paraclinical responses. The collected data were recorded in a data sheet and analyzed by X[2] and independent T tests, using SPSS software. After 2 weeks of treatment, clinical and paraclinical responses were seen in 22 patients [66.7%] and 28 patients [84.8%] in the first group [clotrimazole lotion] and in 7 [20.6%] and 8 [23.5%] patients of the second group [sodium sulfacetamide lotion], respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the differences are significant. The therapeutic effect of 10% sodium sulfacetamide lotion is much less than that of 1% clotrimazole lotion in treatment of tinea versicolor

Comparison of therapeutic effects of Artemisia sieberi 5% lotion with clotrimazole lotion in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor

Pityriasis versicolor [Tinea versicolor] is a common fungal disease and many topical and systemic drugs have been used for its treatment. But more or less the treatment results had been similar with high recurrence rates. The aim of this study was to compare the therapeutic effects of Artemisia sieberi 5% lotion with clotrimazole 1% lotion in the treatment of tinea versicolor. This was a double blind RCT study. 100 patients were divided into group 1 and group 2 by block randomization. Group 1 and group 2 comprised 51 and 49 patients respectively. Artemisia sieberi and clotrimazole lotions started for group 1 and group 2 accordingly and continued for 2 weeks. The patients were evaluated from clinical and laboratory points of view. The data collected were registered in check lists, introduced into SPSS win, and analyzed by means of independent T, x[2] and fisher's tests. In our study the cure rates at the end of the second week, from clinical point of view were 86.3% and 65.3% in group 1 and group 2 respectively [p=0.013], but from laboratory point of view the cure rates were 92.2% and 73.5% with a significant relationship [p<0.010]. Also 4 weeks after treatment [2 weeks after discontinuing the drugs] clinical improvement reached 86.3% an 59.2% in group 1 and group 2 respectively [p<0.01] which reveals an important relationship. In microscopic study, after 4 weeks the smears were negative in 96.1% and 65.3% of the patients of the group 1 and group 2 accordingly which disclosed a significant relationship [P<0.01]. The results of this study indicates that Artemisia sieberi lotion was more effective and had less recurrence rate than clotrimozole lotion in the treatment of pityriasis versicolor

[Comparison of therapeutic and cosmetic results of curettage, surgical excision and combined curettage and cauterization in lesions of basal cell carcinoma [BCC]]

Skin cancers are the most common malignancies of the mankind. Basal call carcinoma [BCC] constitutes the most prevalent skin cancer in human beings. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic and cosmetic results of three methods of treatment of BCC i.e. curettage, surgical excision and combined curettage and cauterization. This is an interventional study, through which 79 lesions of BCC on the faces and scalps of 64 patients in Besat hospital of Sanandaj city in 2001-2003 were treated by curettage, surgical excision and combined curettage and cauterization. Collected data were recorded in frequency tables. 69 [87.3%] of tumors were papulonodular type, 61 of hem had an ulcer on their surface. 26 tumors were treated by surgery which had a cure rate of 91.7%. 45 [57%] tumors were of solid type. During the follow-up period, an overall recurrence rate of 11.4% [9 tumors] was noticed. Two of the tumors that were reacted by surgery, 5 of the tumors treated by curettage, and 2 of those which were treated by combined curettage and cauterization recurred. The cosmetic result in the patients who had been treated by curettage was quite promising, only a small scar or a slight hyper pigmentation was left at the site of the lesions. Curettage is more suitable for the treatment of small lesions of B.C, but it is not recommended for the treatment of the tumors having aggressive behavior or rapid growth. The cosmetic result in the patients treated by combined curettage and cauterization of the lesions was also excellent and in most cases car was minimal or absent. Combined curettage and cauterization a cheap and suitable method for the treatment of BCC and it can easily be accomplished

[ comparative study on the effects of two kinds of chewing gums containing xylitol and sucrose on the accumulation of bacterial plaque among a group of dentistry students in Kerman]

Background and aim: in dental caries procedure, the etiologic role of plaque is not deniable. The goal of this research was to evaluate the influence of two kinds of chewing gums containing xylitol and sucrose on the accumulation of bacterial plaque through measuring plaque index

Methods and Materials: ninety volunteer students were divided into three groups of A, B and C. After prophylaxis, students, at the first stage, were given gums containing sucrose or xylitol and asked to use delivered gums instead of brushing for 48 hours. The amount of plaque was finally measured by turesky plaque index. At the second stage, the type of gum was changed and plaque was again measured in the same way. [an interval of three days was between the first and second stages]. Data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software and 1-student

Results: the comparison between these two groups showed that gums containing xylitol prevented plaque accumulation more than sucrose ones. In-group A: average plaque in dices after using gums containing xylitol and sucrose were 1.88 and 2.28, respectively. In-group B average plaque index after using sucrose gum was 2.03 and after using xylitol gum was 1.63. In-group C, controls which did not use any kind of gum, average plaque index was 2.13. Therefore, statistically significant differences were found, in plaque index, after using two different types of gums in groups A and B [P<0.001]

Conclusion: sucrose free gums especially those containing xylitol are recommended for microbial plaque elimination