[ frequency of toxigenic strains of Clostridium difficile in hospitalized patients with diarrhea in Tehran/Iran by PCR method, 2010]

Clostridium difficile has been identified as a pathogen in antibiotic associated diarrhea [AAD], pseudomembranous colitis and also nosocomial diarrhea. The present study was performed to find the prevalence of toxigenic strains of C .difficile isolated from diarrhea patients hospitalized in Tehran hospitals. A total of 98 fecal samples obtained during July to December 2010 were studied. Samples were rapidly cultured on the CCFA medium and incubated at the anaerobic conditions. Then ELISA was done to detect toxin A and B in the stool. Molecular identification of C.difficile was done by cdd3 universal primer and toxin A gene [tcdA], toxin B gene [tcdB] and binary toxin profiles were determined by PCR method. From a total of 98 fecal samples, 15 samples [15.3%] were positive of which, 12 strains [21.2%] were A+B+, 2 strains [2%] were A+B-, and 1 strain [1%] was A-B+. This study showed that Clostridium difficile is an important pathogen in the development of nosocomial diarrhea. Therefore, routine detection of C.difficile in suspected cases is recommended

Association between malnutrition and depression in elderly people in Razavi Khorasan: a population based-study in Iran

To determine the prevalence of malnutrition and depression in free-living elderly people and their relationships [If any] in Razavi Khorasan, Iran 2007. To evaluate nutritional status, we used Mini Nutritional Assessment [MNA] method in free-living elderly people [n=1565 using cluster sampling, 720 males and 845 females, aged>/= 60 yr] and their relationship to Socio Economic Conditions [SECs]. Based on the final scores, our patients were classified into three groups: score 17-23.5 [at risk for malnutrition], score less than 17 [with malnutrition], and score 24-30 [well nourished]. To determine the mood status [here depression], we used Geriatric Depression Score [GDS]. According to this score our participants turned out to be in two distinct groups: depressed [score >/=8] and non-depressed [score< 8]. From the total subjects entered the study [1495], 22.07% were depressed and 11.5% and 44% were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition respectively. In depressed group, the prevalence of malnutrition was 14.5% [48 out of 330] and the prevalence of "at risk of malnutrition" was 45.8%, whereas the prevalence of malnutrition and at risk of malnutrition in non-depressed population were 10.6% and 43.3% respectively. From the aforementioned information we have concluded that there is a significant statistical difference between the prevalence of malnutrition in depressed and non-depressed individuals [P= 0.047]. With respect to the high rate of vegetative symptoms in elderly depressed individuals, malnutrition would have a higher prevalence in the depressed people

Fatal sepsis by Bacillus circulam in an immunocompromised patient

An immunosuppressed man was admitted to hospital with diarrhea and a history of urinary tract infection. He was subjected to treatment with antibiotics. The patient died of putative severe sepsis. The etiological agent was a carbapenemase producing isolate of Bacillus circulans with resistance to all prescribed antimicrobial agents

[Bluetongue virus detection in sheep by RT-PCR]

During 1387-86, total number of 120 blood samples gathered from sheep with bluetongue-like clinical sign. The samples collected from seropositive regions .After separating serum, they were evaluated by competitive ELISA for detecting Ab against VP7 antigen. The full length of S7 gene [1156 bp] amplified by one step RT-PCR .In this method two sets specific primers, targeting 3? and 5? ends of S7 segment, were applied. For confirmation of PCR products in first amplification, nested-PCR was used. By using internal primers the most samples which displayed weak S7 band, produced a sharp and specific internal band [769 bp].By this method the sensitivity of virus detection dramatically increased .Among the blood samples, the number of BTV serogroup positive, nPCR positive, both BTV serogroup and nPCR positive and both BTV serogroup and nPCR negative cases were determined, 41 [34.8%], 23 [19.2%], 12 [10%] and 56 [46.6%] respectively. This is the first report about using RT-PCR for BTV detection in Iran. RT-PCR and nPCR molecular technique can be used as a very sensitive and reliable method for BTV detection in blood samples

[Differentiation of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar by single polymerase chain reaction]

In most part of the world detection of cysts and trophozoites of Entamoeba is based on morphological structure of this species in stool sample by microscopy. However, microscopic examination is unable to distinguish between similar morphological protozoa such as Entarnoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar. A simple and cost-effective method is needed in medical laboratories for detection and differentiation of these two species. Stool samples of patients who were referred from health care centers were examined by direct microscopy and trichrome stain. Polymerase chain reaction [PCR] utilizing pEd30F and pEd21AS primers from Peroxiredoxin gene, was used for differentiation of E. histolytica and E. dispar. Genomic DNA from samples was amplified by these primers. The fragment under 100 bp was related to E. histolytica and in contrast the fragment above the 100 bp was related to E. dispar. In this study from 22 microscopic positive samples, E. histolytica was observed only in one patient and E. dispar was detected in the other 21 samples. The result of this study indicate that the PCR reaction could amplify E. dispar and E. histolytica with just one primer pair and this is a cost-effective method for distinguishing between these two species

[Psychological effects of blood donation on repeat and first time donors in Tehran Blood Transfusion Center]

Provision of adequate and safe blood is the main purpare of Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization. One of the most important and vital strategies to deal with the issue is to replace once donors by repeat donors. Psychological effects of blood donation on frequent and infrequent clients having referred to different blood collection centers in Tehran were considered to be the aim of this study. In the course of this analytic cross-sectional study the standard questionnaire of GHQ was utilized to measure mental health of the participants. All of the donors who had referred to blood collection centers in Tehran during 2004-2005 formed the participants of this research. Data were analyzed with Chi-square, t-test and Man Withney test. Nine hundred thirty five frequent and 749 infrequent donors filled the questionnaire. The level of anxiety and depression in repeated donors was also lower than the other group. The individuals who attempt on blood donation for the first time report their health and physical conditions at a completely acceptable level in order to be accepted as an eligible candidate; however, it is not the same for constant donors, as they do not benefit from this. The return rate of blood donors is very low in case of individuals suffering from high stress. Religious beliefs and the feeling of being beneficial to the society are considered to be important factors both in motivating people to repeat blood donation and protecting against depression. The results of the present study upon publication will also encourage donors to repeat their behavior

Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar in gonbad city, 2006, Iran

Differential diagnosis of two protozoan parasites Entamoeba histolytica and E. dispar is of great clinical and epidemiological importance, but except in the case of haematophagous trophozoites in acute dysentery, it is not possible to differentiate them by microscopy. The present study was carried out from February 2005 to July 2006 in order to determine the prevalence of E. histolytica and E. dispar in Gonbad City, by using a PCR method. Five hundred and sixty four fecal samples were collected from primary health care centers of Gonbad both urban and rural areas. The stool specimens were examined by light microscopy [Direct slide smear, Iodine wet mount, Formal-ether concentration and Trichrome staining] to distinguish E. histolytica/E. dispar complex and differentiate them from other non-pathogenic intestinal amoebae. The microscopy results of stool exams showed a frequency rate of 23 positive samples [4.07%] for cyst of E. histolytica/E. dispar complex. All the microscopy positive isolates appeared to be infected with cyst of E. histolytica/E. dispar complex were cultivated and maintained successfully in HSr + s medium for DNA extraction and identification by the PCR method. The PCR study showed that 16 isolates [69.56%] of the Entamoeba samples were E. dispar while 7 samples [30.43%] of those microscopy positive samples were not amplified and none of them showed E. histolytica pattern. High frequency rate of E. dispar in this study were in high agreement with the estimation rate of these entamoebas worldwide

[Consideration sensitivity of PCR-Ribotyping method in identification Salmonella spp isolates from patients with diarrhea]

Background: Salmonella is the most important diarrheagenic pathogens, which can cause food borne disease where the main route of transmission among human is through contaminated meat and poultry foods. Its symptoms can be diarrhea, fever, vomiting and sometimes bloody diarrhea. For it's importance, it is essential to be identified and characterized by more precise methods such as molecular techniques. The aim of this study was to consider sensitivity of PCR-Ribotyping method for identification of Salmonella spp

Materials and methods: in this study our samples were Salmonella strains, which were isolated from patients with diarrhea. Their DNA was extracted by phenol/ Chloroform method. We did PCR-Ribotyping method with P1, P2 primers for 16S-23SrRNA gene. At last PCR-products run on 1.8% agarose gel in 120V for 90 min. the analysis was done after Ethidium bromide staining

Results: all the 40 strains containing paratyphi A, B, C and D serotypes also, serotype typhi contained 5 bands ranging 700 to 2500 bp

Conclusions: according to the results we can say that PCR-Ribotyping method has the highest sensitivity for identification of genus Salmonella but it is not suitable for Serotyping of Salmonella strains

A novel locus for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most prevalent group of inherited retinopathies and demonstrates considerable clinical and genetic heterogeneity, with wide variations in disease severity, progression, and gene involvement. We studied a large family with RP to determine the pattern of inheritance and to identify the disease-causing gene/locus.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Ophthalmic examination was performed on 35 family members to identify affected individuals and carriers and to characterise the disease phenotype. Genetic linkage analysis was performed using short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphic markers encompassing the known loci for Xlinked RP (xlRP) including RP2, RP3, RP6, RP23, and RP24. Mutation screening was performed by direct sequencing of PCR-amplified genomic DNA of the RP2 and RPGR genes of the affected individuals.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A highly penetrant, X-linked form of RP was observed in this family. Age of onset was from 5 to 8 years and visual acuity ranged from 20/25 in children to light perception in older adults. Linkage analysis and direct sequencing showed that no known loci/genes were associated with the phenotype in this kindred.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A novel disease gene locus/loci is responsible for the xlRP phenotype in this family.</p>