[Efficacy of azithromycin in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis]

Treatment of Cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] with oral therapeutic drugs, ideally cheap, with good tolerance and safe are highly desirable. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of azithromycin [AZ] for treatment of patients with CL in Ahvaz - Iran. In a randomized controlled clinical trial study, 28 patients with CL as cases [AZ group] and 26 patients as control [C group] were studied. Cases were treated orally 500 mg/day of azithromycin in single dose for 28 days. Patients in control group did not receive any treatment. Both groups were followed up in days 14, 28 and month 2 and 5. Data were analyzed in SPSS-11.5 by using chi square and exact Fisher's tests. Means +/- SD age of subjects was 20.26 +/- 8.45 years. Male to female ratio was 1.5:1. The half of the patients resided in rural area. At the end of study treatment; 46.4% of patients in AZ group and 15.4% of patients in control group were cured [P < 0.02]. One relapse of CL was observed in AZ group, no serious drug side effects were observed. This study showed that azithromycin has an acceptable effect on the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iranian patients and can be used alternatively in treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Seroprevalence study of HCV among hospitalized intravenous drug users in Ahvaz, Iran [2001-2006]

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus [HCV] in intravenous drug users [IDU] varies in different areas according to socioeconomic and geographical circumstances. The present study was performed to determine seroprevalence of HCV in IDU individuals in Ahvaz, Iran. 142 IDU patients were included in this retrospective study in Ahvaz southwest Iran from 2001 to 2006. Patients were placed in two groups determined by HCV Ab positive or negative status. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows [version 11.5; SPSS Inc., USA] software. Out of total 142 cases, 74 persons [52.11%] had a positive HCV-Ab test according to the ELISA method. There was no difference in age, sex, level of education, residency and co-infection with HIV and hepatitis B virus between HCV-Ab positive [HAP] and HCV-Ab negative [HAN] groups [p > 0.05]. HCV-Ab positivity was significantly related to imprisonment and duration spent in prison [OR: 3.22, 95% [CI] 2.61-3.76, p < 0.0001]. Patients with IDU constitute a high-risk group for acquisition of HCV infection. Transmission of HCV via sharing syringe and needle as well as blood transfusion has been a significant source of hepatitis C infection for patients with intravenous drug addiction

Relapsed human brucellosis and related risk factors

To determine risk factors of relapse among outpatient treated brucellosis. It is a Cohort study carried out from 2004 to 2006, in an Infectious Diseases Clinic in Ahvaz, Iran. We studied 115 patients with brucellosis. The diagnostic criteria were the finding of > 1/80 [Wright] with a 2 mercaptoethanol [2 ME] >1/40, in association with compatible clinical findings [back pain, sweating and fever]. Treatment by standard drug regimen against brucellosis was established according to National Program against Brucellosis [NPB] in Iran. The patients were evaluated at the end of treatment and after two, four and six months by clinical and serological examinations. Patients with relapse and patients without relapse were placed separately in two groups. The data in the two groups were statistically compared with SPSS, 11.5 by chi square test. Of the 115 patients, 12 were excluded because of study's exclusion criteria. Of 93 studied patients 17 [18.3%] had relapse, results in whom are as fallow: 12 [70.6%] had Longer than three months duration of the symptoms prior to diagnosis [P=0.0001]. 100% of relapses were in male [P=0.003]. Aging was associated with increased risk of relapses [P=0.04]. Eleven patients [64.6%] had lymphopenia [P<0.0001]. Increased in ESR and CRP values were observed in 16[94.1%] and 17[100%], respectively [P0.05]. The present study showed that aging, gender, chronic infection and lymphopenia are risk factors for relapsing brucellosis

Ten years survey of animal bites in Khuzestan

Animal bites and stings are among the most common injuries in Iran and worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and characteristics of the injuries caused by animal in the population of Khuzestan admitted in educational hospital emergency departments. In this retrospective study medical records of 894 admitted patients with animal bite or sting were studied. Data including epidemiological aspects, clinical findings and outcomes of treatment were analyzed in SPSS 11.5 by using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Out of total 894 patients 61.9% were male, median age of male and female was 24.4 years and 26.2 years respectively. Dog, scorpion, mouse and snake were the most common animal species with the frequency of 69%, 12.6%, 8.8% and 4.4% respectively. Feet [58.05%] and hands [30.65%] were the most common body part affected, followed by face and other parts. One hundred Twenty seven patients had infectious complications, among them soft tissue infection 94[74.05%], sepsis 28[22.04%] and endocarditis 5[3.91%]. Thirty five case [3.91%] died of animal bites and stings, among them 28[80%] due to scorpion sting, 4[11.4%] related to dog and 3[8.6%] from snake bite. No rabid case was observed in these patients. Animal bite is a major public health problem in Khuzestan with a high frequency, significantly high percentage of hospitalization and considerable mortality

Epidemiology of animal bites and stings in Khuzestan, Iran, 1997-2006

To determine the incidence and characteristics of the injuries caused by animals among the population of Khuzestan region, Iran admitted to teaching hospital emergency departments. Retrospective study. Place and duration of study: From 1997 to 2006 in teaching hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran. Methodology: The medical records of 894 patients admitted to hospital with animal bites or stings were studied. Data including epidemiological aspects, clinical findings and outcomes of treatment were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the x[2] test. Of 894 patients 62.0% were male, and the median age of males and females was 24.4 years and 26.2 years, respectively. Dogs, scorpions, mice and snakes were the most commonly involved animal species, causing injuries with a frequency of 69%, 12.5%, 8.8% and 4.4%, respectively. Feet [58.1%] and hands [30.6%] were the most commonly affected body parts, followed by the face and other parts. Infectious complications were seen in 127 patients, among them 94 soft tissue infections [74.1%], 28 cases of sepsis [22.0%] and five of endocarditis [3.9%]. Thirty-five cases [3.9%] died following animal bites and stings, among them 28 [80%] due to scorpion stings, four [11.4%] related to dogs and three [8.6%] from snake bites. No cases of rabies were observed in these patients. Animal bite is a major public health problem in Khuzestan, with a high frequency, a high percentage of hospitalization and considerable mortality