[ relationship between allergic rhinitis and chronic otitis media]

Allergic inflammation in upper airways can act as a predisposing factor for infectious ear diseases. There are some evidences about the role of allergic rhinitis [AR] in chronic otitis media with effusion, but its role in establishing Chronic Supportive Otitis Media [CSOM] has not been clearly shown. To assess the relationship between allergic rhinitis and CSOM in patients referring to Amiralmomenin hospital, Rasht, Iran. 61 adult patients with established CSOM were considered as case group and 58 patients with minor head and neck trauma as control group, they were evaluated for the presence of allergic rhinitis. All case and control group were over 15 years old and underwent skin prick test for 23 common regional aeroallergens. Allergic rhinitis was defined with positive symptoms and signs of AR and positive skin prick test. Allergic rhinitis was diagnosed in 15[26.20%] and 8 [13.80%] of patients and controls, respectively [P=0.065].By logistic regression equation after corroding the age factor and the difference between two groups became significant [x2=0.026, OR=3.27, CI=1.15 - 6.57]. Indoor allergens, especially mites and molds, were the most prevalent allergens among both groups, but Outdoor allergens like grass pollen have a low prevalence. The prevalence of AR in the CSOM patients is more than the controls

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and risk factors of drug using prisoners in Guilan province

This was a cross- sectional prevalence study to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus [HCV] and high- risk behaviours in drug abusers admitted to prison in Guilan province, northern Islamic Republic of Iran. Subjects were asked about risk behaviours for acquiring HCV and blood was drawn for HCV antibody testing using ELISA techniques. Of 460 inmates, the mean duration of drug use was 8.9 years; 51.7% were opium users and 18.3% heroin users. HCV risk behaviours were in this population and 209 inmates [45.4%] were HCV antibody positive [88.9% of intravenous common drug abusers]. HCV- positive status was significantly associated with intravenous drug use, having skin tattoos and number of times in prison

[Soluble CD26 and CD30 concentration in cutaneous leishmaniasis]

Introduction: Cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] is the most common form of leishmaniasis that usually heals spontaneously with unsightly scar but rarely non-healing lesion of CL develops which is refractory to all types of therapy. It is shown that Th1 and Th2 response is associated with healing and non-healing form of the diseases, respectively. On the other hand, it is reported that CD26 and CD30 are associated with Th1 and Th2 types of response, respectively. In some diseases, there is a relationship found between level of CD26 and CD30 and Th1 and Th2 responses

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the concentration of soluble CD26 and soluble CD30 [sCD26 and sCD30] as a possible marker for Th1/Th2 response in CL

Materials and Methods: The blood samples were taken from 36 patients with healing form of the lesion and 10 patients with non-healing form of CL who were referred to Razi hospital or Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy in Tehran during 2003-2004. As a control blood samples were taken from 23 volunteers with no history of CL. In this study, the concentration of sCD26 and sCD30 were measured in plasma by ELISA method

Results: The results showed that the plasma levels of sCD26 and sCD30 were significantly higher in non-healing form of the disease than healing form of CL or control group [p<0.05]. The level of sCD30 was more prominent than sCD26. There was no significant difference in the level of sCD26 or sCD30 markers in healing form of CL compared to normal control group

Conclusion: Overall it seems that the level of sCD30 might be a useful marker to study the immune response in CL, which needs to be studied further