[Anti candidal activity of echinophora platyloba against candida albicans and comparison with amphotricin]

Increasing usage of medical plants for medical treatment made for this branch of complementary medicine a unique place. This study evaluated the anti candidal activity of Echinophora platyloba extracts and amphotricin B against Candida albicans by micro broth dilution assay and Disc diffusion method. The synergism between amphotricin B and ethanolic extract of E. platyloba was assessed by micro broth dilution assay. Amphotricin B was diluted at concentration between 16-0.125 micro gram ml [-1]. Each tube contains 0.78 micro gram ml[-1] E. platyloba extract. The MIC and MBC of Amphotricin B was recorded. The MIC and MBC of ethanolic extract of E. platyloba and amphotricin B against C. albicans were 3125, 1560mg ml-1 and 2, 8mg ml-1 respectively. The MIC, MBC of amphotricin B decreased to 1, 2mg ml-1 when 0.78 micro gram ml[-1] of extract was added. Amphotricin B is a potent antifungal agent and MIC and MBC of E. platyloba is 780, 390 times less potent than amphotricin B, but usage the amphotricin B and E. platyloba extract in combination increased the potency of amphotricin B which shows a synergistic effect

Survey of hepatitis B risk factors in blood donors at Isfahan province

Viral hepatitis B is a dangerous disease with high mortality and morbidity rate in the world. It has been prevalence in different areas depends on risk behaviors and people's awareness level. This paper was prepared to detect the risk factors of hepatitis B in blood donors in Isfahan province. In cross-sectional study, 39 seropsitive blood donors and 261 seronegeative ones in 2004 were studied. HBsAg was examined via ELISA. Standard hepatitis B risk factor questionnaires were completed for all of the samples and the prevalence of each risk factor in case and control subjects was compared through X[2] test, using SPSS-10 software with p<0.05. This study indicated that history of surgeries, use of shared razors, jaundice of mother, presence of HBsAg+ patients and drug addicts in families were statistically significant in the two groups. There was not any heamodialysis history, accident of needle sticks and needle sharing by drug addicts. Since the relative frequency of surgery history in the two groups was significant different, attending to hospital and operation room hygine seems to be important. Moreover, since hepatitis B can be prevented with education and vaccination, the families of HBsAg+ patients and drug addicts should be encouraged to use education and vaccination. Using the results of this study, it is necessary to pay attention to hospitals and raise people awareness about hepatitis B transmission routes vaccination of high risk individuals