outcome of patients with crimean-congo hemorrhagic fever in Zahedan, southeast of Iran: a comparative study

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever was rarely reported from Iran before 1999. In a recent outbreak, the disease has been reported from different provinces of Iran, especially from Sistan and Baluchestan. Ribavirin has been recommended by World Health Organization as a potential therapeutic modality for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. This study was conducted to determine the clinical outcome and the effect of ribavirin in two groups of patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever who were treated at different times. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever who were admitted to Boo-Ali Hospital in Zahedan, a subtropical area in southeastern Iran, at the first three years after beginning of the last outbreak [1999 - 2003] and those who were admitted during 2005 - 2007. First, we found all patients with confirmed Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever infection who were treated with oral ribavirin. Then, they were evaluated for recovery and mortality rate. We evaluated 123 patients with confirmed Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever infection [91 patients treated between 1999 and 2003, and 32 patients between 2005 and 2007]. Among the 91 patients, 73 [80%] survived, and 18 [20%] died of the disease. During 2005 - 2007, among the 32 patients who were treated within three days of onset of the disease, only one [3%] died of the disease. The recovery rate was higher among patients who were admitted during 2005 - 2007 than those hospitalized between 1999 and 2003 [97% vs. 80%]. There was a significant [P=0.001] difference in the mortality rate between the two groups. Prompt treatment with oral ribavirin can increase the recovery rate in patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

Hospitalization among diabetic adults due to infectious diseases in Zahedan

In vitro evidence shows that immune function is compromised in people with diabetes. Therefore, infections are more common and infection-related mortality is higher in this group. Accurate information about the prevalence of infectious diseases in diabetic patients can help in health care policy and support planning. We do not know the spectrum of clinical infectious diseases in our patients. This study was conducted to determine the most common infectious diseases in diabetic patients. In this cross-sectional study all diabetic patients who were admitted to our hospital in Zahedan [Southeastern Iran] between 2001 and 2006, were evaluated. At first, we selected all of the patients with diabetes. Then all patients files were reviewed retrospectively for demographic factors and duration of diabetes, type of diabetes, cause of admission, prevalence of infectious diseases, duration of hospitalization and mortality rate. A total of 112 patients with diabetes [45 males and 67 females with an age range of 10 to 80] were evaluated. Pneumonia, diabetic foot and tuberculosis were the most common infections. Seventy percent of cases had type 2 diabetes. Duration of hospitalization was between 1 to 20 days. Upon the results emerged from this study, infection is the most frequent cause of hospitalization and death in the diabetic patients. Control of the disease, good health care system and vaccination can decrease the rate of infectious diseases

Clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and clinical outcome in 6 pregnant women with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever [CCHF] is caused by Nairovirus, genus Bunyavirus in family of bunyaviridae, and is spread by the tick Hyalomma spp or via blood transfusion and contaminated blood of human and animal. During the recent years, disease has been reported from Iran, especially from Sistan and Baluchestan, Isfahan, Kermanshah and Kohkilouyeh-bouyerahmad provinces. Now, CCHF is endemic in Sistan and Baluchestan province, the resent study describes the clinical features of CCHF among pregnant women. We report our experience with six pregnant women with CCHF, who were admitted to Boo-Ali hospital during 2000 to 2005. All patients were treated by Ribavirin. We studied the clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and clinical outcome of disease in all cases. Our results showed that, fever, headache, myalgia and gingival bleeding were the most common clinical manifestations. Thrombocytopenia, anemia and decreased protrombin time were the commonest laboratory findings. Abortion was observed in 3 patients and stillbirth in one patient. In fact, 66.6% of pregnant women had fetal loss. It is found that fetal loss is high in CCHF parturients, however, it should be further studied in endemic areas

Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen in pregnant women in Zahedan, Iran

Introduction: hepatitis B virus is one of the most common chronic infections in the world. Over half of the world population has been exposed to this virus. It is estimated that 3% of Iranian population are - chronic carriers

Objective: to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B infection in pregnant women in Zahedan, Iran

Method: in this cross-sectional study in a period of one month in Zahedan, total cases of 200 pregnant women were enrolled in our study. Sera obtained from these pregnant women were evaluated for HBsAg by ELISA method

Result: our data showed that 6.5% of the pregnant women had a positive test for HBsAg

Conclusion: it seems that hepatitis B infection is highly endemic at least in pregnant women in Zahedan. On the basis of these epidemiologic data, screening of all pregnant women is necessary