High prevalence of hepatitis C infection among high risk groups in Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad province, southwest Iran

Background: Detection of Hepatitis C virus [HCV]-infected people in each community assists with infection prevention and control. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of HCV infection among high risk groups in Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad Province, Southwest Iran

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from 2009-2010 in Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad Province. High risk groups for HCV were the subjects of this study. Blood samples were taken from 2009 individuals at high risk for HCV that included inmates, injecting drug users [IDUs], health care workers, patients on maintenance hemodialysis, hemophilic patients, and those with histories of blood transfusions. Patients were residents of Yasuj, Gachsaran, and Dehdasht [3 main townships in the province]. Samples were analyzed by ELISA for anti-HCV antibodies. Demographic features of participants were recorded by a questionnaire during sample collection. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 13 software

Results: Of 2009 subjects, HCV antibodies were detected in 172 [8.6%]. Rate of infection was higher in males [11.4%] compared to females [3.2%]. Rate of infection in inmates was 11.7% while this rate was 42.4% in IDUs, 4.2% in health care workers, and 6.1% in thalas-semic patients. Significant correlation was found between HCV infection, history of imprisonment, and thalassemia

Conclusion: Results of this study have provided epidemiologic features of HCV and its risk factors in Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad Prov-ince, Southwest Iran. This information may assist in preventing the spread of HCV infection in this and other similar settings in the region. The findings of this study may help in improving surveillance and infection control in the community through management and monitoring of infected individuals

Seroepidemiology of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in the local and imported sheep in Isfahan province, Iran, 2002

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever [CCHF] is an arboviral zoonotic infection with several reported cases in Iran. The present study was conducted with the aim of establishing effective ways to reduce exposure to the infectious agent and to organize appropriate policies for importing animals. Materials and methods: For this cross sectional study, 372 local and 372 imported sheep were randomly selected and the presence of CCHF-related 1gG antibody and tick on their body were investigated. Totally, 286 [76.9%] of local and 223 [57.8%] of imported sheep were seropositive, however, their difference did not reach a statistical significant level. Ticks were found on the body surface of 115 [31%] local sheep, but imported sheep lacked any tick on their body. Our results revealed the endemic spreading of CCHF in sheep in Isfahan province. Further studies in other parts of Iran may pave the way for better understanding of the CCHF epidemiology in Iran. Keywords: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, sheep, Iran

Outbreak of botulism type E associated with eating traditional soup in a family group, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Tehran, Iran

Botulism is a neuroparalytic illness caused by clostridium botulinium toxin that is usually transmitted as a foodborne disease. It is manifested by cranial nerve dysfunction and descending flaccid muscle paralysis. Patients: Eleven members of a family developed severe weakness, lethargy and other clinical manifestations compatible with botulism following the ingestion of traditional soup. Stool, gastric fluid and serum samples were submitted for toxicological evaluation with standard mouse bioassay, while, only one patient demonstrated type E toxin. All patients received 3 monovalent antitoxins A, B and E, whilst most of their symptoms improved within 12 hours, This study confirmed that prompt administration of antitoxin could prevent progression of the disease and may be a life-saving approach. Keywords: Botulism, Antitoxin, Outbreak