[Investigation of serum C-reactive protein and mannose binding lectin levels in patients with dermatophytosis]

Dermatophytosis is common cutaneous fungal disease with worldwide distribution. Interleukin8 [IL-8] realized from keratinocytes in the presence of dermatophytic antigens causes induction of acute responses in dermatophyte infection and subsequently production of acute phase proteins occurs in hepatocytes. C-reactive protein [CRP] and Mannose binding lectin [MBL] are acute phase proteins. Since few researches in the case of acute phase proteins in dermatophytic infections has been accomplished, this study has been designed for determining serum CRP and MBL levels in patients affected to dermatophytosis. This was a cross sectional study and samples were carried out on 96 healthy individuals and 105 patients affected to dermatophytosis with non probable and in access procedure. For isolation and identification of dermatophyte direct microscopic examination, culturing and complementary examinations were done and for determination of serum CRP and MBL levels in healthy individuals and in patients ELISA test were used. For investigation of relevance between variables, Chi-square, Fisher exact, Mann-Whitney and Roc curve analysis were used and p<0.05 was considered as meaningful level. The median serum CRP level in healthy individuals and in patients group was 3.31 +/- 3.32 micro g/ml and 16.60 +/- 35.96 micro g/ml [p<0.001] respectively and the median serum MBL level was 1.53 +/- 1.87 micro g/ml and 1.97 +/- 2.03 micro g/ml [p=0.039] respectively. CRP [p<0.001] and MBL [p=0.042] were determined meaningful parameters for dermatophytosis. MBL deficiency [MBL concentrations<1 micro g/ml] was higher in control subjects [56.2%] than in patients [41.0%]. Findings of this study indicate increased concentrations of CRP and MBL in patients affected to dermatophytosis and their role in this infection. Probably observation of high frequency of MBL deficiency in healthy individuals in compare with patients group indicates that it is not predisposing factor in affecting to dermatophytosis

Surveying respiratory infections among Iranian Hajj pilgrims

The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca brings over two million people together in a small confined area. Respiratory involvement is the most common disease during this ceremony, and up to now no unique cause has been identified. The present study was conducted to determine the incidence and types of respiratory diseases and their associated etiologic agents. During this prospective study, seroconversion was assessed for bacteria, viruses and fungi on 170 Iranian pilgrims prior to departure and 2 weeks after convalescence and returning from the Hajj pilgrimage. Meanwhile, sputum specimens of 252 patients were cultured. The following viruses were detected: influenza type A and B [21.5%], adenovirus [36.2%], and RSV [1.9%]. Among bacteria isolates, beta-haemolytic Streptococcous [9.7%], Haemophilus species [9.1%], Gram negative bacilli [20.6%], Legionella pneumophila [6.3%], Mycoplasma pneumonia [0.8%], and Chlamydia [32%] were more common, however, no fungal seroconversion was noted. We suggest administration of Fluvaccin for high risk groups, adenoviral vaccine for volunteer pilgrims, erythromycin or azithromycine for empiric bacterial therapy, and Oseltamivir or Zanamivir for prophylaxis or treatment of influenza like illness

Screening of Iranian plants for antifugal activity: part 2

In this study, 278 species from 37 families of native Iranian plants were screened for in vitro antifungal activity against 19 fungal strains. Initially, the crude extracts in concentration of 100 micro g/ml were tested. Among 278 plant extracts, 201[71.27%] of them showed antifungal activity against at least one fungal strain. A wide range of total extracts of different species were shown to have potentially noticeable antifungal effects. The outstanding species were: Mentha longifolia, Saliva multicaulis, Thymus transcaspicus, Zataria multiflora, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hulthemia persica, Heracleum persicum, Pimpinella anisum, Pragnos ferulacea, Pragnos uloptera, and Viola odorata