Determination of leishmania parasite species of cutaneous leishmaniasis using PCR method in central county, Qom province

Leishmaniasis is one of the most important health problems in many areas of Iran. This study aimed to identify leishmania species in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis using PCR teqnique based on sequencing ITS1 primers in villages of the central county of Qom province. This descriptive cross-sectional study was done on 169 patients who with leishmaniosis, based on clinical and laboratory confirmation treated and were followed in health center of Qomrood in 2010. This data was recorded in epidemiologic data forms. The DNA was extracted by KIAGEN kits. The extracted DNA was exploited to identify the parasite by PCR technique. The data were analyzed by SPSS-17 software. Chi square and Fisher's exact test were used for the evaluation of the hypothesis. The PCR result confirmed the parasite positive slides and obtained bands from these slides were seen in the range of 350 bp which are expected band for the leishmania major parasite. The most frequent age group was above 15 years old [71.5%]. Hands and feet were the most common sites of ulcer [78.8%]. 19.5 of patients had 3 ulcers and more. Highest disease prevalence was observed in months October, December and November. The PCR results illustrated that the prevalent CL in the central county of Qom province is Zoonotic type [ZCL], and the agent of disease is leishmania major parasite. In conclusion, identification of the disease and parasite type can help the health officials to make appropriate strategies for its prevention and control

effects of SPARK physical education program on fundamental motor skills in 4-6 year-old children

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of SPARK Physical Education [PE] program on fundamental motor skills in 4-6 year children. SPARK [Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids] is an evidence based PE program designed in order to promote the lifelong wellbeing. In total, 90 children aged 4 to 6 years were selected randomly. The children were allocated into 3 groups with separate PE programs: 1-SPARK, 2-Gymnastics and 3-Routine activity. Using the Test of Gross Motor Development [TGMD-2], a pretest was done in all groups. Afterwards, SPARK and Gym PE programs were performed for 8 weeks and 3 sessions each week. The third group used to do the routine physical education program in their daycare. After 8 weeks [24 sessions], the post tests were done for all groups with the same scoring system as the pretest. The results showed that the SPARK program had a higher efficacy on the promotion of the fundamental motor skills comparing to the routine physical education programs or gymnastics PE group. SPARK can be used as an appropriate alternative in order to promote the children's motor skills

[Determination of reservoirs of cutaneous leishmaniasis by PCR molecular method in the villages of central county of Qom province]

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a major health problem in many parts of Iran and its main foci are in various parts of the country. This study was carried out with the intention of examining the species composition of the possible disease reservoirs in the cutaneous leishmaniasis focus in the selected villages of central county of Qom province. Study was done as a descriptive, cross-sectional study on rodents [possible leishmaniasis reservoirs] in the selected rural areas of Qomrood and Ghanavat located in central parts of Qom province in 2010. In this research, a total of 46 small rodents were hunted by live traps from 5 selected villages. A Smear prepared from auricle or suspicious lesions on skin, and after Giemsa staining, the smears were examined for the presence of leishman's bodies. After extracting DNA from positive smears, PCR technique was exploited to determine the parasite species. A total 46 small mammals were hunted and identified by the authentic keys. They included 31 rodents [67.4%] were Meriones libycus, 8 [17.4%] Allactaga elater, 4 [8.7%] Mus musculus, 2 [4.3%] Nesokia indica and one [2.7%] Hemiechinus auritus. The results of PCR demonstrated that 3.7% of M. libycus rodents were infected by Leishmania major. The results of this study showed that epidemic cutaneous leishmaniasis in the central county of Qom province was zoonotic and its reservoir was species of rodents. Therefore, determining disease type and its reservoir can help health care authorities to adopt appropriate strategies for prevention and control of the disease in this area