Comparison of HBs-antibody serum levels between patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and controls following vaccination against hepatitis B

Diabetic patients are at risk to viral hepatitis. It is reported that vaccination with routine doses is not sufficient for diabetic patients especially those with type I, but there is some controversies. The aim of this study was to the assessment and compare of HBs-Ab titer in type II diabetics and controls after vaccination against hepatitis B. In a semi-experimental study, 91 patients with type II diabetes mellitus and 55 non diabetic healthy individuals matched in age, sex, body mass index and smoking were selected by simple non-random sampling. The positive cases for HBs-Ag, HBs-Ab and HBc-Ab were excluded. Vaccination against hepatitis B was carried in 3 times [0, 1, 6 month] with a dose of 20 microg. Then, 3 and 6 months after the last dose, Hb-A1C and HBs-Ab were tested. HBs-Ab titers were compared between two groups using Mann-Whitney U test and the correlation between HBs-Ab and Hb-A1C in two groups. Three months after vaccination, both in diabetics and controls, the mean HBs-Ab level was 335.8 +/- 275.7 and 420.1 +/- 348.4 mIU/ml, and 6 months after vaccination it was 530.7 +/- 387.9 and 552.5 +/- 410.7 mIU/ml respectively [p > 0.05]. There was an inverse but non-significant correlation between HB A1C and HBs-Ab in diabetics. The findings of the current study confirm that the routine vaccination is sufficient for patients with type II diabetes

[Seroepidemiologic survey of crimean-congohemorrhagic fever among slaughters and butchers in Isfahan]

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever [CCHF] is a viral zoonotic infection that, formerly several cases has been reported in Iran. During recent years some outbreaks has been reported in different parts of country including Isfahan. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of CCHF according to finding of IgG among butchers and slaughters of Isfahan province. In this cross-sectional study, conducted as a joint research with Arbovirus Laboratory in Pasteur Institute, IgG antibody against CCHF was assessed among 80 individuals. The study was conducted as a joint research with Arbovirus laboratory in Pasteur Institute of Iran on 2004. Overall, 4 [5%] persons were seropositive and 2 cases had borderline results. There was no statistically significant difference between butchers and slaughters. Positive cases were detected mainly in the Isfahan slaughterhouse. The findings of the current study show that although CCHF is endemic among domestic animals in Isfahan province, but seropositivity in high risk groups, e.g. butchers and slaughters is not so high. More serious measures should be considered for prevention of CCHF in high risk groups