ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the prevalence of West Nile virus seropositivity in the general population of Mashhad, Northeast of Iran.@*METHODS@#One hundred and eighty two individuals living in the city of Mashhad were studied using cluster sampling method. Both IgM and IgG antibodies against WNV were detected by ELISA method.@*RESULTS@#In this study, the overall IgG seroprevalence of positive West Nile virus was 11%; however, IgM antibody was not found in the participants.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our study suggested that the prevalence rate of West virus is considerable in Mashhad city. It seems necessary for clinicians and health care workers to be aware of WNV infection in the Northeast Iran.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the prevalence of West Nile virus seropositivity in the general population of Mashhad, Northeast of Iran.Methods:One hundred and eighty two individuals living in the city of Mashhad were studied using cluster sampling method. Both IgM and IgG antibodies against WNV were detected by ELISA method.Results:In this study, the overall IgG seroprevalence of positive West Nile virus was 11%; however, IgM antibody was not found in the participants.Conclusions:Our study suggested that the prevalence rate of West virus is considerable in Mashhad city. It seems necessary for clinicians and health care workers to be aware of WNV infection in the Northeast Iran.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of West Nile virus seropositivity in the general population of Mashhad, Northeast of Iran. Methods: One hundred and eighty two individuals living in the city of Mashhad were studied using cluster sampling method. Both IgM and IgG antibodies against WNV were detected by ELISA method. Results: In this study, the overall IgG seroprevalence of positive West Nile virus was 11%; however, IgM antibody was not found in the participants. Conclusions: Our study suggested that the prevalence rate of West virus is considerable in Mashhad city. It seems necessary for clinicians and health care workers to be aware of WNV infection in the Northeast Iran.
ABSTRACT
Several studies have reported high prevalence of severe lack of cobalamine and Folate in aged people. The most important causes are: malnutrition, atrophic gastritis and drug use. Age related macular degeneration [ARMD] is a primary degenerative disorder of central retinal area with loss of visual acuity. Recent studies have shown a significant relationship between age related macular degeneration and lack of plasma level of Folate, red blood cells and cobalamine. This study was caried out to investigate the relationship between age related macular degeneration and plasma Folate, Cobalamine and photostress recovery time, in elderly population. This case - control study was done on 124 elderly population. The participants were collected from by cluster sampling in mashhad located in the Noth - East of Iran during 2006. The patients underwent eye examination including indirect ophthalmoscopy. Slit lamp examination and photostress recovery time for age related macular degeneration by an ophthalmologist. After blood sampling, plasma Folate, serum Cobalamine, were determined by RIA method [DRG kit]. The Mean +/- SD of cobalamin and folate in age related macular degeneration patients was 298.848 +/- 288.66 pg/ml and 5.543 +/- 3.58 ng/ml and in normal group was 310.775 +/- 531.38 pg/ml and 5.365 +/- 3.52 ng/ml. There was no significant difference between age related macular degeneration patients and control group. Photostress recovery time was significantly increased in patients with age related macular degeneration [P<0.05]. There was no significant relationship between photostress recovery time and Cobalamine and folate level. This study showed that serum cobalamin and folate non significantly is decreased in age related maucular degeneration patients, with increasing photostress recovery time, we can use this screening test for the dignosis of age related macular degeneration
Subject(s)
Humans , Folic Acid , Vitamin B 12 , Aged , Case-Control Studies , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
Prevalence of folate and cobalamin deficiency in elderly is high. Determining a cut off point for low and marginal levels of folate and cobalamin deficiency before development of anemia or neurocognitive presentations in elderly is essential. In this cross-sectional study 280 persons above 65 years old in the twelve regions of Mashhad city were admitted to Emam Reza [pbuh] hospital. They were physically examined by a general practitioner. Other data were obtained by questionnaire. Serum cobalamin and folate level were analyzed by RIA method. 76 persons, who had cobalamin of 120-450 pg/ml and folate of 1.5-7 ng/ml without any interfering factor for homocystein [Hey] measurement [creatinin> 1.5 g/dl, cigarette smoking and consuming certain kind of drugs] were analyzed for serum homocystein by Elisa method. All collected data was statistically analyzed by SPSS software. 48.7% of elderly had hyperhomocysteinemia. Hey was inversely correlated with cobalamin [p=0.001] and folate below cut off point [p=0.044]. For Hcy>15 mol/micro, cut off points for cobalamin and folate deficiency were <330 pg/ml and <6.5 ng/ml respectively. Prevalence of cobalamin deficiency in low levels [<122 pg/ml] was 22.7% and in marginal levels [122-330 pg/ml] was 51.8%. Prevalence of folate deficiency in low levels [<3 ng/ml] was 16.7% and in marginal levels [<6.5 ng/ml] was 64.2%. According to definition of cut off point, Prevalence of cobalamin and folate deficiency especially in marginal levels was higher than which is recorded. It is recommended that before development of signs and symptoms and other complications of hyperhomocysteinemia, all elderly patients undergoes screening for cobalamin and folate deficiency in appropriate intervals