[Cryptosporidial infection in the children referred to Qazvin Qods Hospital [2003]]

Cryptosporidiosis is associated with diarrheal illness worldwide. In this study to determine prevalence of infection of this parasite was studied in the children with diarrhea coming to Qods children's hospital of Qazvin during 2003. In this cross sectional study all of children coming with diarrhea [1000 cases] were examined in 2003. Every case gave 3 stool speciments. These speciments prepared by formalin-Ether method and smears were stained by zeihl-Neelsen modified, then were studied by 10X, 100X power under a microscope and results were analyzed with SPSS. Prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was 0.3%. There were 803 cases [80.3%] from 1000 cases without tissue reaction. The most infection were among cases with tissue reaction [1.5%] and the least was among cases without tissue reaction [0%] and this difference was significant [P = 0.008]. Low prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in Qazvin can present such as a positive health index. In addition our study suggests every cases of diarrhea with positive tissue reaction in their stool exams should be studied for cryptosporidium protozoa

[Comparison of blood culture with acridine orange stained smear of buffy coat in diagnosis of septicemia]

Different methods, with varying degrees of specificity and/or sensitivity, are used for diagnosis of sepsis. The present study was designed to determine and compare the sensitivity and specificity of blood culture with Acridine Orange [A.O.] stained smear of buffy coat in patients with sepsis. This research was conducted on 101 hospitalized patients with clinical signs and symptoms compatible with sepsis. Blood cultures were taken and A.O. staining was done on blood samples of all patients. Blood cultures were positive in 20 [19.8%] patients. Sensitivity and specificity of blood cultures were 26% and 92% respectively. A.O. stained smears of buffy coats were positive in 54 [54.5%] patients. Sensitivity and specificity of A.O. Stained smears of buffy coats were 83% and 100% respectively. A.O. stained smear of buffy coat, as a diagnostic test of sepsis is more sensitive than blood culture. In addition, it takes less than one hour to be performed, as compared to blood cultures that give results in 2-3 days

[Comparison of urine cultures and gram stained smears of urine in diagnosis of urinary tract infections]

Different methods are used for diagnosis of urinary tract infections [UTI], however, they have different specificity, sensitivity and time consuming procedures. To evaluate and comparing the urine culture results with gram stained smears of urine in diagnosis of urinary tract infections. This research was conducted on 100 hospitalized patients with clinical signs and symptoms compatible with UTI. Urine cultures and gram staining were performed on urine samples of all patients. Urine culture was positive in 75 [75%] of patients. Gram stained smears on urine sediments were positive in 68 [68%] of patients. Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of gram staining were 85%, 84% and 94% respectively. Gram stained smears of urine, as a diagnostic assay for UTI, is not as sensitive as urine cultures, but it takes only a few minutes to be performed, comparing with urine culture which takes several days