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Objective: To determine the diversity of sand flies in different biotopes of mountainous and plain areas of Bam County as the most infected focus of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in southeast Iran, and synanthropic index of Phlebotomus sergenti Parrot, and Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli as the main vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. Methods: Sand flies were captured once a month using sticky traps in domestic, peri-domestic, agricultural, and sylvatic biotopes in the plain and mountainous areas. Alpha diversity indices, including richness, evenness, Shannon-Wiener; beta diversity indices (Jaccard's and Sorensen's similarity indices) and synanthropic index were calculated. Results: A total of 2 664 specimens of 9 sand fly species were collected from mountainous (47%) and plain (53%) areas. Species richness, species evenness, and Shannon-Wiener indices were obtained as 9, 0.637, and 1.399, respectively in the mountainous area. Phlebotomus sergenti and Phlebotomus papatasi were constant species with the synanthropic index of-18.463 and-29.412, respectively. In addition, species richness, species evenness, and Shannon-Wiener indices were 4, 0.690, and 0.956, respectively in the plain area. Phlebotomus sergenti and Phlebotomus papatasi were dominant species with the synanthropic index of +9.695 and +36.207, respectively. Similarity indices were low among different biotopes of plain and mountainous areas. Conclusions: A basic knowledge about the diversity of sand flies in various biotopes is essential to design sound control programs. Biodiversity and synanthropic indices of sand flies are different in plain and mountainous areas due to the difference in biotic and abiotic factors between the two areas.
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The aims of this study were to investigate the phenotypic and genotypic of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase [ESBL] and metallo-beta-lactamases [MBLs] and determine phylogenetic background E. coli isolates from fecal samples of patients with diarrhea in Kerman, southeast of Iran The emergence of ESBLs and MBLs-producing E. coli caused problems in antibiotic treatments. E. coli strains can be assigned to four main phylog-groups, including: A, B1, B2 and D. E. coli isolates [n=216] were obtained from fecal samples of patients with diarrhea between June and December 2013. ESBLs and MBLs were confirmed by disk-diffusion and broth micro-dilution methods. Using PCR, the ESBL-positive isolates were screened to determine the phylo-groups and the presence of bla[CTX-M-15], bla[OXA-1], bla[PER-1], bla[VIM]and bla[IMP] genes. ESBL-positive isolates [n= 56] were detected. Among ESBL-positive isolates, 51 isolates were positive for bla[CTX-M15] and one isolate was positive for both bla[CTX-M-15] and bla[OXA-1] genes. None of the isolates were positive for bla[PER-1], bla[VIM]and bla[IMP] genes. PCR assay for phylotyping of isolates indicated that the isolates were belonged to groups A [54.16%], B1 [11.11%], B2 [12.96%] and D [21.75%]. The isolates possessed bla[CTX-M-15] gene were belonged to A [35 isolates], B1 [5], B2 [3] and D [8] phylo-groups. Our results indicate that bla[CTX-M-15] gene is widespread among diarrheagenic E. coli isolates. ESBLproducing E. coli isolates were disseminated among a diversity of phylo-groups. Further studies are necessary to identify the ESBL genes in relation to phylogenetic groups
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Assessment of physical growth is one of the most important methods of determining nutrition and health status. Body mass index [BMI] is a suitable index for growth monitoring and helps in the identification of growth disorders and malnutrition in teenagers. The aim of this study was to determine BMI status in secondary school students in Kerman, Iran, in 2012. This was a descriptive-analytic study in which data were collected cross-sectionally and compared with the results of the study in 1997. After gaining permission from the Department of Education of Kerman, the samples were selected randomly from the secondary schools in Kerman. Height and weight were measured by standard tools. Data were analyzed through SPSS software and using Students' independent t-test. Mean BMI of the students [n = 424] was 19 +/- 4.2 and 44.8% of students had normal BMI. Mean BMI of boys was significantly lower than girls. In total, 6% of the students were excessively thin and they were mainly from public schools in the suburb of the city. Over 50% of students had weight problems; underweight was the main problem in the studied population and only 9.2% of our subjects were overweight. Since the pubertal height and weight growth spurt occurs earlier in girls [10-13 years] than boys, the absolute comparison of BMI based on sex is not wise; if necessary it should to be performed after this period. Malnutrition or lack of access to food, or cultural factors and body shape care could explain our findings in regard to the distribution of BMI in the student population of Kerman
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Students , Cross-Sectional Studies , Malnutrition , Growth Disorders , SchoolsABSTRACT
Canine visceral leishmaniasis [CVL] is a systemic disease with a high mortality rate, caused by a diphasic protozoan parasite, Leishmania infantum/chagasi in the world. The objective of the present study was to determine the presence of CVL in the city and suburbs of Kerman, using a range of serological, histopathological and molecular methods. Blood samples were taken from 80 clinically symptomatic stray dogs All the collected blood samples were tested by direct agglutination test [DAT] to detect the anti-Leishmania antibodies in dogs, using a cut-off value of >/= 1:320. Pathological specimens including spleen, liver and lymph nodes were prepared for paraffin blocks, sectioning, staining and final microscopic examination in the pathology laboratory. PCR amplification of kDNA from 9 samples of DAT positive stray dogs was studied. The anti-Leishmania antibody was detected in 9 dogs [11.25%] of the total 80 studied dogs. No significant difference was found between VL infection and gender. In contrast, there was a significant difference between seropositivity and age [P<0.05]. Pathological samples showed changes including hyperplasia of infected macrophages and inflammatory cells that occupied sinusoids and splenic cords. Among the samples which was characterized by PCR, only one specimen revealed to be mixed infection between L. infantum and L. tropica. The results revealed a high prevalence of L. infantum infection in stray dogs in Kerman. This kind of information is needed for implementation of future control programs
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Q fever is an important zoonotic disease caused by infection with Coxiella burnetii, a Gram negative, obligate intracellular bacterium classified within the order Legionellales. Farmers, veterinarians, abattoir workers and laboratory personnel are among persons at risk of Q fever. The aim of this study was to determine frequency of IgM anti-Coxiella burnetii antibodies in slaughterhouse workers in Kerman city/ Iran. In this survey, 64 sera samples were gathered during May - June 2011 from slaughterhouse workers to evaluate the presence of phase II IgM antibodies against Q fever, using a commercial indirect ELISA test [Virion/Sermon, Germany]. Among all sera samples tested, only 5 samples [7.8%] were positive for the presence of IgM antibodies. Since chronic Q fever leads to more complex conditions like endocarditics, chronic fatigue syndrome and recurrent abortion, preventive measures like using mask or available vaccines are recommended. Moreover, early diagnosis of Q fever followed by appropriate treatment is necessary
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate serological findings of bovine leptospirosis which is a zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution caused by Leptospira interrogans.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and sixty seven sera were collected from 9 commercial dairy herds in jiroft suburbs, from July to October 2011. Microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was used to evaluates serological findings of bovine leptospirosis in Jiroft suburb dairy farms, Kerman province, Iran.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Antibodies were found by MAT at least against one serovar of Leptospira interrogans in 29 samples (17.36%) among 167 sera at a dilution 1:100 or higher, and Leptospira pomona was the most prevalent serovar. Positive titers against more than one serovar were detected in 6 sera of the positive samples.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study is the first report of leptospirosis in Southeast Iran and showed that Leptospira pomona was the most and Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae the least prevalent serovars in Southeast Iran.</p>
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OBJECTIVE@#To determine the prevalence of Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) antibody positive randomly selected dairy herds in southeast Iran (Kerman).@*METHODS@#Bulk tank milk samples were collected randomly from 44 sufficiently large commercial dairy herds, included near 12 000 dairy cattle, in Kerman (The largest province of Iran), southeast Iran. The samples were tested for antibodies against C. burnetii using the commercial CHEKIT® Q fever antibody ELISA Test Kit (Idexx, Liebefeld-Bern, Switzerland).@*RESULTS@#The prevalence of positive, negative and intermediate herds were 45.4%, 43.2% and 11.4%, respectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The result supports the hypothesis of high prevalence and endemic pattern of Q fever in Iran. This investigation highlights the importance of further studies on Q fever in Iran.
Subject(s)
Animals , Cattle , Humans , Antibodies, Bacterial , Cattle Diseases , Epidemiology , Microbiology , Coxiella burnetii , Allergy and Immunology , Iran , Epidemiology , Milk , Allergy and Immunology , Q Fever , Epidemiology , Microbiology , Seroepidemiologic StudiesABSTRACT
To determine correlation between rheumatoid arthritis and hearing loss a case control study with 101 patients and 101 controls was performed. The mean age of patients was 49.69 +/- 13.37 and 86.1% of them were female. Physical examination and audiometric tests were performed. The mean hearing threshold for patients was 21.5 +/- 10.2 and 11.8 +/- 5.2 for control groups [P=0.000]. The prevalence of high frequency hearing loss was 3.05 times in cases group [32.2% versus 10.9%] [P=0.000] and the prevalence of low frequency hearing loss was 9.4% in cases group [9.4% versus 0.0%] [P=0.000]. In spite of no clinical complains of hearing loss, it is frequent in Rheumatoid arthritis, and we recommend evaluation of the patients in this respect