Diarrhoeagenic E. coli pathotypes in children with and without diarrhoea in an Iranian referral paediatrics centre

Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli can be considered as the most important etiologic agents of diarrhoea in the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly in children. This study determined the frequency of diarrhoeagenic E. coliisolates collected from children with acute diarrhoea [n= 50] and a control group [n= 50] at an Iranian referral paediatric centre during a 1-year period. Using multiplex PCR, diarrhoeagenic E. coli was identified in 90% of the case group and 20% of controls. Enterotoxigenic E. coli was the most frequently identified pathotype in both groups [26% in cases; 10% in controls]. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli was the second most isolated pathotype [17%], followed by enteroaggregative E. coli [12%]. No enteroinvasive E. coliand enteropathogenic E. colistrains were recovered. More than 80% of isolates harboured the fimHgene. This high proportion of diarrhoeagenic E. coli and diversity of E. coli types highlights the need for enhanced surveillance of gastroenteritis agents in children in this country

Pediatric hydatidosis in Iranian referral pediatrics center

Hydatidosis is one of the major zoonotic diseases that cause considerable public health problems in Iran. The present study was designed to investigate pediatric hydatidosis in patients referred to the Children Medical Center Hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2005-2010. Data were collected from the records of 17 patients referred to the center with hydatidosis. Data included demographic data; laboratory results, type, and site of cysts, clinical manifestations, and treatment. Nine patients were boys [52.9%] and eight [47.1%] were girls. Most patients referred from central areas of Iran [58.8%]. Seven patients had cysts in their lungs [41.2%] and three cases [17.6%] in liver. Six cases [35.3%] had simultaneous lung and liver cysts, 3 patients [17.6%] had brain cysts [alone or in combination with other organs involvement] and 2 patients [11.7%] showed multi-organ involvement. All patients were treated by albendazole and underwent surgery, recurrence was seen in 4 [23.5%] of the cases and one patient died due to rupture of the cyst and anaphylactic shock. Multi-organ involvement seems to be on the rise in children, this has led to the necessity for physicians to be more aware of clinical features, search, and rule out other organs for involvement diagnosis once a cyst is detected in one organ

effect of Swedish massage on knee osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis [OA] is the most common disease of the joints and also a main physical disorder in the elderly population. One third of people older than 65 years-old suffer from OA. It is predicted that by 2020, OA is the most frequently reported chronic condition among the elderly. The treatment includes drugs, physical therapy, and surgery. Massage therapy is an alternative treatment option to relieve the symptoms, which is not usually used for knee OA. As there are very few trials in the literature regarding knee OA treatment, this study is set to examine the effects of Swedish massage on knee OA. In a randomized clinical controlled trial on the effect of massage therapy of the knee OA, 46 female adults [at least 35 years of age] with knee OA were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomized in one of the two groups: the experimental treatment group receiving the standard treatment [ultrasound, infrared and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation] with Swedish massage and the control group who received the standard treatment only. Before and after the intervention, the pain and the quality of life were evaluated using visual analogue scale [VAS] and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities [WOMAC] Osteoarthritis index. There were significant differences in the pain level and quality of life before and after the intervention [P<0.05]. The findings showed significant improvement in the mean WOMAC and VAS scores in the two groups [P<0.001]. The changes in VAS and WOMAC scores were compared between the two groups which demonstrated significant difference between the two groups [P<0.001]. Massage therapy is efficacious in the treatment of knee OA. It is recommended to combine this method with the other physiotherapy methods for knee OA

[Functional changes in complement system during general and regional anesthesia]

The main surgical side effects and complications in many cases are due to the long duration of the anesthesia. Obviously these phenomena are related to the use of anesthetic drugs which have effects on liver blood flow, immune system and homeostasis. One important effect is activation of complement system. In this study we tried to evaluate and compare the effect of general and regional anesthesia on the activation of complement system. This was an analytic, descriptive and cross sectional study. 30 fresh serum samples were taken from 2 groups of patients undergoing orthopedic surgery with general and regional anesthesia induction. The samples were collected once before starting the operation and again 24 hours after. Blood samples from patients receiving regional anesthesia were labeled as R1 and R24, and from those exposed to general anesthesia as G1 and G24, according to the sampling time. Hemolytic index of complement activation was evaluated by Kopensky method in veronal buffer system. Significant decreases of complement activation in G group samples were shown after 24-hours. CH50 index in R1 and G1 sample were almost similar. Ch50 index was significantly decreased in G24 samples as compared to R24. No significant differences were observed between R1and R24. The statistical analysis of CH50 index in 2 groups explains that general anesthesia decreases the hemolytic activation of complement system. This study demonstrates the deleterious effect of general anesthesia on the activation of the complement system which constitutes an important defense system against infection