Characterization of hemolysins of Staphylococcus strains isolated from human and bovine, southern Iran

The staphylococci are important pathogenic bacteria causing various infections in animals and human. Hemolysin is one of the virulence factors of coagulase-positive [CPS] and coagulase-negative staphylococci [CNS]. The aims of the study were to characterize hemolysins of Staphylococcus spp. isolated from human and bovine origin, phenotypic- and genotypically. Characterization of hemolysin phenotypically based on hemolysis pattern of Staphylococcus spp. was done on the sheep, horse and rabbit blood agar plates. Genes encoding hemolysin were amplified with specific primers by using polymerase chain reaction [PCR] technique. Hemolytic activities phenotypically were determined in 60 and 90% of the total bovine and human isolates, respectively. All non hemolytic isolates were CNS [P

Occurrence of virulence genes and strain diversity of thermophilic campylobacters isolated from cattle and sheep faecal samples

The objective of this study was to investigate the genotypic characteristics of Campylobacter isolates in Shiraz, Iran. A total of 40 Campylobacter isolates including 20 C. jejuni and 20 C. coli were recovered from both cattle and sheep faeces by cultivation methods. The isolates were identified on the basis of polymerase chain reaction [PCR] detection of 16SrRNA and multiplex PCR to determine two species. For confirmed isolates, PCR was carried out for the presence of virulence genes using specific primers. Other than verifying the genetic diversity of thermophilic Campylobacter isolates, flaA PCR-RFLP was performed. Results showed the high prevalence [100%] of the cadF gene and three genes associated with cytolethal distending toxin [CDT]. Plasmid virB11 gene was not found in any Campylobacter isolate, and dissimilarities and discrepancies occurred in pldA, iamA, wlaN, waaC and cgtB genes. Among the 40 Campylobacter isolates studied, nine different types were defined by flaA-typing. Results indicated genetic diversity among Campylobacter isolates recovered from cattle and sheep faecal samples. Findings showed the potential ability of C. jejuni and C. coli with cattle and sheep origins to cause infection in humans

[ effect of heating on useful components of garlic]

Garlic [Allium sativum. L] is an important dietary herb which its useful compounds may be altered during different processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of heating on the amounts of allicin, felavonol, felavonoid, total phenolic components, and antioxidant capacity of garlic. In this experimental study which was conducted at Shahr-e-Kord University of Medical Sciences in 2009, the alcoholic extract of fresh, micro waved, and boiled garlic were prepared. Then, their antioxidant capacities were evaluated in linoleic acid and beta-carotene linoleate system. The phenolic contents were measured with Folin-ciocalteu method, felavonoid or felavonol contents with aluminum coloride method, and allicine contents with spectrophotometry method. Collected data were statistically analyzed using the SPSS software. Differences between the means of groups were evaluated by a two-tailed t-test for independent samples. The fresh and fresh boiled garlic had the highest and lowest antioxidant activities, respectively [P<0.05] while no difference was found between fresh and micro waved garlic [P>0.05]. The flavonoid and phenolic compounds in fresh garlic were more than micro waved or boiled garlic. The allicin content in fresh garlic was also higher then micro waved or boiled garlic [P<0.05]. All of these components were low in boiled garlic. Fresh garlic has the most useful compounds and consumption of this form of the vegetable is recommended

[Effects of Sesamum indicum L. on fibrinogen and factor 7 in hypercholesterolemic rabbits]

Background and aim: Enhancement of blood factor 7 or fibrinogen is considered as cardiovascular risk factors. This study was, therefore, aimed to evaluate the effects of Sesamum indicum seed and oil on fibrinogen and factor 7 in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Methods: In an experimental study, 32 New Zealand rabbits were randomly designated into 4 groups of 8 and were fed for 60 days as following: normal diet, hypercholestrol [1%] diet, hypercholestrol [1%] diet+10% sesame seed, hypercholestrol [1%] diet+5% sesame oil. At the beginning and 60 days after the start of the study, the blood fibrinogen and factor 7 were measured and compared in different groups

Results: There was no difference for fibrinogen and factor 7 in different groups at the start of the study, however, the blood fibrinogen and factor 7 were increased in hypercholesterolemic group compared to normal diet group [P<0.05]. The amounts of blood fibrinogen and factor 7 were decreased in hypercholesterol+sesame seed and in hypercholesterol+sesame oil groups compared to hypercholesterol diet group [P<0.05]

Conclusion: Sesame seed and oil may have beneficial effects on cardiac function by decreasing blood fibrinogen and factor 7 as cardiovascular risk factors

[Effect of early clinical exposure on attitude and performance of first year medical students]

Background and aim: Encountering clinical environments as an inseparable part of studying medicine could bring about tension and anxiety for medical students. Early clinical exposure has been suggested to decrease these stresses and to motivate students for a better attitude and awareness. This study was performed to determine the effect of a short-term period of exposing to clinical environment on medical students' attitude toward medical education and their educational function

Methods: In an interventional study performed as pre-test/post-test, 43 first year medical students were encountered clinical environments in rounds, operating rooms and emergency ward. Students' attitude was assessed by a questionnaire using Likret scale. We compared students' function in specific lessons and result of comprehensive basic examination with previous entrance students as an external control group

Results: Significant differences were found in the student's attitude before and after the course [P<0.01]. Results showed a significant increase in the student's attitude toward importance of the patients' history and physical exam versus para-clinical exams. In addition, their attitude about therapeutic stuff duties in all levels. The rules between physician and patient, patients rights in hospital, diagnosis and therapeutic management, different steps of medical education and merging basic and clinical sciences, simple physical exam and assistance management were increased significantly after the course. No significant difference was observed in the students' educational function in any items

Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, we found a positive effect of early clinical exposure on attitude of first year medical students. Therefore, we suggest that early clinical exposure be added to educational curriculum for medical students

[ evaluation of anti-rabies antibody titer in vaccinated individuals in Shahrekord district]

Background and aims: Rabies is a viral disease which occurs commonly through the bite of a rabid animal. Anti rabies vaccination is an important prophylaxis after having contact with the disease agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-rabies anti-body titer among individuals who have had received 3-5 times anti-rabies vaccine

Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, according to the data collected from Shahrekord health centers, the blood serums of 63 individual's encountered animal bites within 4 years were collected and their anti-rabies antibody titer was tested using Rapid Fluorescent Focus Inhibition Test [RFFIT]. The anti-rabies titer more than 0.5 ul/ml was considered as protected against rabies. Data were analyzed using Spearman and the dependant t-test

Results: In this study, 30 individuals were vaccinated 3 times and other 33 individuals were vaccinated 5 times. In all cases, 5 individuals received rabies vaccine together with Human Rabies Immune Globulin [HRIG]. The mean time since last vaccination was 23.3+/-9.6 months [range, 5-38 months] and the mean antibody titer against rabies was 2.5+/-1.9 IU/ml [range, 0.4- 14 IU/ml] only 3 individuals [4.8%] had the anti rabies titer less than recommended titer [0.5 IU/ml]. There was no significant relationship between the numbers of vaccinations, individual's gender, mean time since last vaccination and the age of the individuals with antibody titer against rabies [P>0.05]

Conclusion: In the case of encountering to suspected human rabies, it is better to check their serum anti-rabies antibody titer. If their anti body value is below than the global standard, they should receive a secondary doze of anti-rabies vaccination

[Inverted metabolic engineering of E.coli to produce PHB and simplifying of lysis process; using gene E from phage PhiX 174]

The polyhydroxybutyrate biosynthetic genes of Ralstonia eutropha are organized in single operon. There are many studies which show that this operon could be cloned in gram negative bacteria like E.coli. As its original promoter could work efficiently in E.coli, there is no need to change it with host ones. Granule extraction is one of the most important considerations of industrial production of PHB. Solvent base or physical approaches increase the cost of production and compromise the integrity of PHB granules. Therefore, E mediated lysis was used in this study to extract the granules. In this study, the whole operon of PHB from Ralstonia eutropha and E gene from phage phiX174 were obtained by PCR technique, and cloned transferred to E.coli by separate plasmids. To control the lysis process, the chemical inducible system was used. Bacterial cells which have both plasmids could produce high levels of PHB, and their PHB content could be released into the medium, nearly perfectly, at the correct time by adding IPTG as a chemical inducer. This method could be used to produce and extract PHB with more cost effectiveness in industrial scales

[ frequency of HBeAG and relation with serum level of aminotransferase in chronic hepatitis B]

Hepatitis B virus is the most frequent cause of acute and chronic hepatitis in the world. HBeAg should be assessed in the carriers of hepatitis B virus for the viral replication status. HBeAg+ patients with elevated aminotransferase should be treated with antiviral agents. Our aim was to determine the frequency of HBeAg positivity and the level of hepatic aminotransferase in the HBsAg+ population. In a case-control study in 2006, 144 infected patients with hepatitis B virus were examined for the presence of HBeAg and the level of serum aminotransferase by ELISA and biochemical test. The patients were selected from Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad city. The frequencies of male and female in 144 hepatitis B infected patients were 94 and 50, respectively. They were between 2 to 85 years old with the mean of 37.4 +/- 2.3. Serum HBeAg was positive in 26 patients [18% of the total] with a mean serum AST level of 83 IU/L. HBeAg- group had a mean AST level of 56.2 IU/L. Statistical analysis showed a significant different in the mean serum levels of AST between two groups [p=0.007]. There was also significant difference in the levels of serum ALT between HBeAg+ [79 IU/L] and HBeAg- [73.7 IU/L] groups [P=0.018]. Based on our results the HBeAg positivity is associated with the increased level of liver enzymes. So the impact of HBeAg marker on serum level of hepatic aminotransferase in HBsAg+ patients should be assessed in future studies

[Effect of royal jelly on sterile wound healing in balb/C mice]

Wound healing is the process of repairing following injury to the skin and other soft tissues. Following injury, inflammatory response occurs and the cells below the dermis begin to increase collagen production, later on, the epithelial tissue is regenerated. Royal jelly [RJ] is a bee product. There are many reports on pharmacological activity of RJ on experimented animals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of RJ on the induction of wound healing of sterile incision in Balb/C mice. In this experimental study which was conducted at Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences in 60 female Balb/C mice [8 weeks old] were selected. The mice were anesthetized with ether. The dorsal fur of the animals was shaved and sterilized with alcohol, and then a longitudinal para vertebral full thickness incision of 10mm long was made. The animals were then divided into six equal groups. In group one [negative control], nothing was applied to the wound. Group 2 [positive control] was treated with nitrofurazon ointment, group 3 was treated with RJ 200 mg/kg daily, group 4 was treated with RJ 200 mg/kg every two days, group 5 was treated with RJ 300 mg/kg daily, group 6 treated with RJ 300 mg/kg every two days. Royal jelly was topically used on the wounds. The wound length was measured with vernier capilar every two days until the complete healing was occurred. The data were analyzed with SPSS version 11.5 using Kruscal Walis tests. There was a significant difference between groups 1, 2 with the other groups [p< 0.015]. RJ promoted wound healing activity significantly in group 3, 5 compared to negative and positive control groups. There was no significant difference between the dosage of 200mg/kg with 300 mg/kg of RJ [p>0.015]. The results of this study indicated that daily application of RJ possesses betters wound healing effects than nitrofurazon

Detection of salmonella typhi based on the ViaB sequence by polymerase chain reaction

Background and Purpose: Typhoid fever, a disease caused by Salmonella typhi, is still one of the most important infectious diseases across the world. Different methods such as biochemical and Elisa methods are used for detection of this bacterium, which produce false responses in addition to being time-consuming and expensive. Therefore, the present research was conducted to detect Salmonella typhi by PCR method which is rapid, inexpensive and specific

Materials and methods: In this descriptive study which was conducted via diagnostic method, polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay was developed for detection of Salmonella typhi. This strain had formerly been confirmed by biochemical methods. For detection by PCR, one primer pair was designed, being specific to ViaB gene. The PCR product was digested by restricted enzyme. For specificity of assay, 6 different strains were used as control negative and for sensitivity of PCR reaction, serial dilution of bacteria was used

Results: The PCR product of Salmonella typhi was 530 bp which were then confirmed by digestion enzymes. In testing the specificity of the assay, Salmonella typhimorium, Shigella flexneri, E. coli, Clostridium botulinum, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis were used as negative control, and did not yield a PCR product. The sensitivity of this method was estimated to be about 50 CFU/ml

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that detection of ViaB gene with PCR method can be used for diagnossis of Salmonella typhi in clinical samples as a rapid, inexpensive, specific and highly sensitive method

[ survey about the effect of immune response raised by Leishmania major on fibrosarcoma tumor in Balb/c mice]

Previous investigations and available data demonstrate that there are different patterns of diseases distribution in developed and developing countries. While in developed countries the major cause of death is cancers, in developing countries the main cause of death is infectious diseases. Various factors may be responsible for different causes of death in two those groups of countries. However there are raising scientific evidences that some infectious and parasitic organisms when enter the body may effect the tumor growth. In order to explore this presumption, in this work the effect of Leishmania major infection on fibrosarcoma tumor growth in mouse model has been investigated. In this experimental study a group of inbred mice [n=6] were infected with Leishmania major as case group. After one month both these mice and some more mice as control group [n=6] were challenged with fibrosarcoma cells. The size of growing solid tumors was measured in individual mouse every two days up to two weeks. This measurement was performed 5 times on days 5, 7, 11, 13 and 16. Tumor area was also calculated for every single mouse. T test was used to analyze data. Results of this work showed that the mean size of tumor in case group was smaller than that of control group only in the first week following challenge with fibrosarcoma cells but the tumor mass was bigger in days 13 and 16 in case group. However the difference between the tumor mass in case and control groups was not statistically significant. Results of this investigation revealed that there was no significant difference between the tumor mass in case and control mice. However to explore more about the hypothesis of this study, it is recommended that the research work be carried Out using different tissue parasites and also different cell lines

[Effect of allium sativum l. extract on acid and pepsin secretion in basal condition and stimulated with vag stimulate in rat]

Garlic is used world wide to give flavor to foods as pecols ect. by different nations specially by Iranian society. The dominant believe is, the garlic therapeutic effects on patients with gastric discomfort and digesting problems. In this study we aimed to investigate the garlic effect on gastric acid and pepsin in both basic and stimulated condition by electrical stimulus of vogues nerve in rat. In an experimental study two groups of 12 wistar rats were selected, to make the animal unconscious, 50[mg/kg] Sodium tiopantal were given ip. and each rat was tracheostomized, laparatomized, gastrodeodbnostomized and then 100[mg/kg] of garlic extract dissolved in 9% saline was introduced to stomach of animal. The vagus nerves of both side of the neck released from carotid sheet and stimulated with ISmillivolts, frequency 4 Herts and 1 milisecond wide. The stomach secretions then washed out in following stages; first base, second base, vagus stimulated conditions and reverse to base. The acid amounts of washing were measured by titrometry and pepsin amounts were measured with Anson technique. The acid and pepsin secretion were significantly increased in rats received garlic extracts [p<0.000 p<0.05 respectively]. Stimulation by vagus nerves in control group significantly increased the level of acid [p<0.05] and pepsin [p<0.05] and garlic treated group had similar secretion rate to stimulated group. Furthermore there were no significant relationship between sex of studied rats. Consumption of garlic in the diet has lots of benefits for digestion of foods, so it can be beneficial for those patients with digestive problems, however it should be noted that people with digestive dysfunction related to increased level of gastric acid or pepsin must avoid garlic consumption. Therefore patient with gastritis and duodenal ulcer are not allowed to take garlic in their diet

[Evaluation of nasal polyps relapse after fess in comparison with its non-endoscopy surgery]

Background: nasal polyps are benign tumor that has yellow gray color similar to mole form, and commonly are bilateral, pedenculated, multiple and, mobile that original from nasal, sinus mucosa and lateral wall of nasal. Mostly of polyps has tendency to relapse because polyps polyps has manifestation of allergy and underlying allergy is not controllable.treatment has chemical and surgery method. endoscopic surgery of polyp is a new technique that was done primarily 100 years ago bye hirchmann and subside with past surgery method and this surgery was done on baghiyatallah hospital sinus end of 1376 on this technique polyps remove polyps from puncturing middle meatus and reduce the recurrence ratio

Method: on this study that was a retrospective study the prevalence of recurrence ratio of nasal polyp after sinus endoscopic surgery that was done during 1380- 1384 on baghiyatallah hospital followed this result compared with non -endoscopic study. Overall 200 patient selected randomized that minimal age of ratio was 3 years and maximal age was 89 years. On this group 100 patients operated with endoscopic surgery and 100 patient with non -endoscopic surgery

Result: the average of age in this patients was 40 years and most of them were male.recurrence of nasal polyp on non endoscopic group was 75 patient [75%] and 25 patient [25%] was without relapse until 1382. and on the sinus endoscopic surgery 36 patient [36%] had recurrence and 52 patient [52%] had not recurrence and is not present information about residual patient. The mean time of survival on the non surgical endoscopy was 60 month and on the sinus endoscopy surgery group was 41 month and 24 month survival was 95% and 36 month survival was 36 month and 60 month survival was 50% and 84 month survival was 25%. 95% of patient who had surgical operation with non - endoscopic procedures they remained at least 12 month without recurrence and with endoscopic procedure they remained at least 24 month without recurrence. 50% of patient, who had non - endoscopic sinus procedures, remained at least 66 month without recurrence and in endoscopic this time was at least 72 month

Conclusion: in this study that did in baghiyatalla hospital. Recurrence ratio of patient after sinus endoscopic surgery] was less and life time [remission] without recurrence was the more

[Rate of satisfaction and evaluation of medical students [interns and externs] from the quality of clinical education in the Shahre-kord university of medical sciences-2005]

Revolution of information in medical sciences as one of the important parts of knowledge has made the attention to medical education more critical. This study was performed to evaluate the satisfaction of Shahre-kord university medical students [interns and externs] from the quality of education in clinical courses. In this descriptive-analytical study, the rate of satisfaction of 77 medical students [interns and externs] from the quality of education in Shahre-kord university clinical courses was evaluated using a locally standardized questionnaire. The findings were classified as: high, moderate and low. Data were analyzed using SPSS software [version 11]. A total of 77 students completed the questionnaire. The high rate of satisfaction from the quality of education in different clinical clerkship periods was reported as follows: Internal medicine 25/7%, surgery [general surgery and orthopedic] 27/4%, pediatric medicine 17/5%, gynecology 6/3%, infectious disease 54/5%, neurology 36/5%, ENT 54/5%, ophthalmology 47/5%, poisoning 21/2%, psychiatry 37/7%, urology 6/3%, health science 17/6%. In addition, high rate of satisfaction from professional skills teaching was reported by 17/4% of the students. The most satisfaction rate in internal and pediatric courses was from morning reports and in surgery clerkship period, from outpatient clinic and theory courses. In gynecology period the lowest rate of satisfaction was reported from outpatient clinic and theory courses. High rate of satisfaction in minor clerkship periods was reported from ENT, infectious disease, psychiatry, and neurology periods respectively. In major clerkship periods, the students were unsatisfied from teaching rounds, outpatient clinic and theory courses. In contrast, high rate of satisfaction belonged to morning report programs. Due to the low rate of satisfaction from gynecology, poisoning and urology courses and also un-satisfaction from CPR and labor management teaching, reviewing the educational programs by teaching managers is recommended

[Effect of allium sativum extract on acid and pepsin secretion in basal condition and stimulated with pentagastrin in rat]

Allium Sativum [garlic] is used widely in the world and especially in Iran. This plant is used in cooking food as an odorant. In Iran it is believed that it is useful for gastrointestinal disorders. So in this study the effect of Allium Sativumextract on acid and pepsin secretion in rat is investigated. This experimental study is performed on two groups of rats [12 in each group: control group and allium sativum group]. After anesthesia with nesdonal [50 mg/kg, ip], rats had gone under surgical tracheotomy, laparatomy and gasterodeodenostomy. In garlic group Allium Sativum extract [100mg/kg] was introduced into the stomach by gasterodeodenostomy canula. In order to stimulation of acid and pepsin secretion, Pentagastrin was used [25mcg/kg, ip]. Stomach secretion was washed out and acid was measured using titerimetery and pepsin using Anson method. Data was analyzed using T test. Allium Sativum caused a meaningful increase in acid and pepsin secretion in garlic group comparing to control group [p<0.001]. Pentagastrin also increased acid and pepsin secretion in control group [p<0.001]. Using garlic in nutritional regimen causes an increase in acid and pepsin secretion in those using this plant

[ survey about protective effect of echinococcus granulosus protoscolices surface antigens in preventing secondary hydatid cyst]

Hydatid cyst is located in human and some animal visceral organs such as liver and lung. The disease is considered as a medical, veterinary and economical problem in endemic area. When the hydatid cyst is ruptured, protoscolices from inside the cyst may spread out to other parts of the body and develops a new cyst named secondary hydatid cyst. In this research in an attempt to prevent secondary hydatid cyst, protective potential of protoscolices surface antigens extracted with different detergents has been investigated in animal model. In this experimental study, groups of Balb/C mice were immunized intra-peritoneally with protoscolices homogenate and three detergent [SDS, Tween and Triton x-100] extracted protoscolices surface antigens and alum as adjuvant. These mice were then boosted two times with the same antigens fortnightly. Control mice were simultaneously injected with alum alone- Two weeks following the last injection all the mice in cases and control groups were challenged with live protoscolices. Three months afterward all the mice in case and control groups were sacrificed and their peritoneal cavities were explored for hydatid cysts The mean of developed cyst number in mice injected with protoscolices homogenate was 3 +/- 2, while in control group the mean of developed cysts number was 5.8 +/- 1.7 [p< 0.02]. The mean of developed cyst number in mice injected with SDS, Tween and Triton x-100 extracted protoscolices surface antigens was 3, 3.6 and 3.4, respectively, while the mean of developed cyst number in control group was 5.8. The mean of cyst number in cases and control groups was different and this difference was statistically significant. Results of this investigation revealed that protoscolices homogenate antigens and some detergent extracted antigens are protective against secondary hydatid cyst infection

[Comparison of the causative bacteria and antibacterial susceptibility pattern of nosocomial and community-acquired urinary tract pathogens in 13-35 years old women, Shahrekord, 2004]

Treatment of urinary tract infections [UTIs], as one of the most common nosocomial and community acquired infections, has remained an important medical problem. Differentiation between susceptibility patterns of nosocomial and community acquired pathogens is important epidemiologically and helps the administration of appropriate antimicrobial drugs. The goal of this study was isolation of the most common causative bacteria, in two groups of 13-35 years old womn in Shahrekord city within 6 months period [April-september 2004]. Also, the resistance patterns of common isolated organisms in these two groups were compared. This is an analythical-cross sectional study. 100 urine samples from women aged 13-35 years old hospitalized in different wards of Hajar and Kashani hospitals [group one] with positive urine cultures were obtained performing cleancatch midstream method. Also 100 urine samples from 13-35 years old women with positve urine culture and acute UTI symptoms form Shahrekord private laboratory [group two] were obtained. The most common causative becteria in the two groups and the antibacterial sensitivity patterns of isolated organisms were evaluated. Data was analysed using T test. Totally, the most common nosocominal UTI pathogens were E.coli, Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Pseudomonas and Enterobacter spp. In group two, E.coli, Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Proteus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Citrobacter spp. were isolated predominalty. The highest bacterial resistance rate belonged to Ampicillin and Co-trimoxazole. Antibiotics useful in treatment of nosocomial UTI were Ceftizoxim, Nitrofurantoin, Nalidixic acid, Cephalothin and Gentamicin respectively. Nitrofuranoin, Nalidixic acid, Ceftazidim, Gentamicin and Cephalothin were the most effective antibiotics in community acquired UTIs. The emergence of pathogens with alarming rates of resistance, highlights the need for a more rationalized an restricted use of antibiotics in order to minimize the spread of resistant bacterial strains

[Study of serum IgE and nasal secretion eosinophils count in patients with allergic rhinitis]

Allergic rhinitis is a chronic disease of upper respiratory tract which can be presented as asthma. Some investigators have reported a significant relationship between the disease and the number of eosinophils in nasal secretion of the patients. This study aims to evaluate the serum IgE and it's relation with nasal secretion eosinophils count in patients with allergic rhinitis. In this study, serum IgE of 92 patients with non anatomical nasal complication were investigated using ELISA method [IEMA WELL Q-D]. Nasal secretion smears of the patients were also evaluated for eosinophils count. Age, sex, profession and past history of allergic reactions in patients and their families were also investigated. 48. 9% of the patients had high titers of serum IgE [>100 IU/ml]. Also, eosinophils over 5/HPF were seen in 15. 6% of patients, nasal secretion smears. There was no significant relationship between eosinophils count and presence of allergic rhinitis in the patients. Otherwise, there was a significant correlation between rhinitis and patients, profession and their locality of living [P<0. 05]. Detection of serum IgE is mandatory for diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. Besides, it seems that nasal secretion eosinophils count alone is not a reliable finding for diagnosis of the disease

Identification of effectiveness of Rubella vaccine before and after national vaccination program, Iran, Feb 2003

Rubella is a communicable and common disease of childhood and adulthood. In pregnancy the infection may cause severe complications in fetus. Then, knowing the rate of young women immunity to this disease in reproductive ages has a great importance in prevention of the disease. The aim of this study was to determine the immunity of 150 students of Shahrekord university of medical sciences against rubella before and after national vaccination program in Feb 2003 in Iran. In this quasi experimental study, the anti-rubella IgG titer in 150 students of Shahrekord university of medical sciences four weeks before and eight weeks after anti-rubella vaccination, was evaluated using ELISA method. Data was analyzed with Ttest by SPSS software. Eighty-six percent of our cases had protective titer of anti-rubella antibodies before rubella vaccination and 14% had no protective antibody titer. Besides, after vaccination 96.9% acquired complete protection against the disease and 3.1% had no protection. The effectiveness of vaccination was calculated about 80.95%.Based on the results of our study, vaccination against rubella in national vaccination program, was able to produce a protective immunity against rubella in studied cases