[Effects of betamethasone and diclofenac-Na on sulfur mustard induced conjunctival epithelial and goblet cells injuries of rabbits in acute phase]

Sulfur mustard, Bis [2-chlorethy1] sulfide [HD], is one of the first chemical warfare agents to be used on a large scale. Anti inflammatory treatments might have the potential to prevent some aspects of the primary development of HD-induced lesions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate treatment effects of topically applied betamethasone [B] and diclofenac-Na [D] on the conjunctival epithelial lesions following HD exposure. A total of 36 rabbits were used. Animals were randomly divided to three control groups: [1] normal; [2] solution; [3] HD and three experimental groups: [4] betamethasone; [5] diclofenac-Na and [6] betamethasone-diclofenac-Na [BD]. In each group six animals were examined. Right eye of all animals was selected for experiment. In the experimental groups betamethasone and diclofenac-Na were applied after using HD solution. Application of drugs was performed 3 times a day for 2 weeks. Slit-lamp examinations were performed before exposure and subsequently at days 1, 2, 5, 7, and 14 by professional ophthalmologists. Animals were sacrificed after two weeks with chloroform. The eyes were enucleated. Specimens of palpebra were obtained for histological examination. There was not any significant difference between normal and solution groups. HD caused a significant decrease in goblet cells and cell infiltration in conjunctiva, injection and chemosis. All experimental groups were better than the HD group. Betamethasone in combination with diclofenac-Na was more effective than betamethasone and diclofenac-Na alone in decreasing eye injuries. Combination of betamethasone and diclofenac-Na are potential candidates for the treatment of ocular lesions following HD exposure

Comparison of intradermal and intramuscular administration of hepatitis B vaccine in neonates.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its complications are among the most common diseases in Iran. National mass vaccination of neonates against hepatitis B was started in 1991, but was considered a costly venture. AIM: To compare the efficacy of low-dose intradermal HBV recombinant vaccine with standard intramuscular dose in neonates. METHOD: 165 apparently healthy neonates born in Shiraz were randomized to receive either 10 microg [corrected] of recombinant vaccine intramuscularly (IM; n=82) or 2 microg [corrected] vaccine intradermally (ID; n=83) at months 0, 1, 6. Anti-HBs titers were measured at 6 and 18 months after the first dose. RESULTS: 53 and 51 neonates in the IM and ID groups, respectively, completed the study. Protective anti-HBs titers (>10 IU/L) at 18 months after the first dose were achieved in 98.1% and 96.2% of neonates in IM and ID groups, respectively (p=ns). The only side effect in the ID group was local hyperpigmentation, which was seen in 55%; no significant side effect was reported in the IM group. CONCLUSION: Intradermal vaccination with 20% of standard dose is as effective as IM vaccination when evaluated at 18 months after the first dose.