seroprevalence of campylobacter jejuni in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and in healthy individuals

The patients with Post-Infectious Irritable bowel syndrome [PI-IBS], a subtype of irritable bowel syndrome, suffer from bacterial gastroenteritis. Since Campylobacter Jejuni [C] is one of the most common agents in this syndrome, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Campylobacter Jejuni in patients with Irritable Bowel Disease. This case - control study was conducted on 160 patients divided into 2 equal groups of healthy and unhealthy. The presence of Anti- CJ antibody [IgG and IgA] was evaluated by ELISA and the comparison was performed by chi-square test, The mean age of case [31.51] and control [31.84] was not statistically different [P = 0.87]. Titer of Anti- Campylobacter Jejuni antibody IgG was positive in 25% of patients and 18.8% of the healthy ones [p=0.02]. IgA Seropositivity in patients was 7.5% but no one in control group was positive [p =0.01]. The Seroprevalence of CJ in patients with IBS was higher significantly than that of control group. Thus, CJ can be known as one of the causes of Post-infection in patients with IBS in our region and it should be paid more attention in diagnostic assessment of these patients

Aflatoxin contamination in wheat flour samples from Golestan province, Northeast of Iran

Due to the high toxicity of aflatoxin and its effects on public health, determination of aflatoxin level in Wheat flour samples in the Golestan province, north of Iran was investigated. To examine the effect of seasonal changes, summer and winter sampling was performed with standard sampling methods. A total of 200 flour samples were collected from 25 factories. HPLC method with immunoaffinity chromatography was used to measure aflatoxin types [G2, G1, B2 and B1]. Statistical analysis was performed by the Pearson correlation test, One-way ANOVA and multivariate regression analysis. Mean total aflatoxin levels of samples were 0.82 and 1.99 ng/g in summer and winter, respectively. Aflatoxin B1 levels were detected in 3.1%, 7.4% over permissible limits by worldwide regulations in samples collected in summer and winter, respectively. Aflatoxins in winter were higher than summer. The highest frequency of aflatoxin contamination in winter was B2 [98%] and in summer G1 [51%]. The relationship between humidity and rate of aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxin was significant in winter. Results of multivariate regression were showed the strongest relationship with humidity and aflatoxin level. Despite the contamination of flour samples, there was no contamination higher than the standard limit of Iran Standard Institute. But it was significantly higher than similar studies from other regions. Therefore, with regard to negative impacts of aflatoxin on health, aflatoxin contamination should be considered in future programs. Decrease of aflatoxin contamination may be made practical through reducing wheat storage duration and controlling humidity