[Surveillance of dermatophytosis and the causative agents among children referred to pasteur institute of Iran from 2005 to 2006]

Superficial fungal infections of the skin, including the dermatophytosis, are a public health problem. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of fungal infections and identify the causative agents of dermatophytosis and other related factors in children in Tehran, Iran. In this descriptive study a total of 984 children aged 2 months to 14 years, who were referred to the Medical Mycology Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, in Tehran, in 2005 and 2006, were surveyed for the presence of dermatophytosis infections. All children were referred with a dermatological disorder, for direct examination, fungal culture and identification, and the incidence of each species was calculated. In this study 264 cases were positive for fungal infections. The patients comprised of 182 male and 82 female. This study found a high prevalence of tinea corporis [51.7%] and tinea capitis [36.8%] in the population studied, with high proportions of Trichophyton tonsurans. The most frequently isolated etiological agent was Trichophyton tonsurans [44%], followed by Trichophyton verrucosum [19.6%]. Epidermophyton floccosum [10.5%], Microsporum canis [6.75%] and Trichophyton violaceum [6.75%], Trichophyton rubrum [4.8%], and Trichophyton mentagrophytes [4.8%], and Trichophyton schoenIeinii [2.8%] infections occurred sporadically among patients. A male preponderance [69%] was observed. In the present study 19.7% of our patients participated in wrestling. Our experience has confirmed previous observations that during recent years there has been an increase in incidence of dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton tonsurans, in children. Consequently, development of infection control programs can be a challenging task. These findings suggest that further measures regarding public health and personal hygiene have to be taken to reduce the risk of dermatophytosis in Iran

Study of aspergillosis risk factors in high risk patients

Invasive aspergillosis [IA] is a major opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients. Aspergillus is the main cause of mortality due to infection after transplantation and remains a major complication in hematologic malignancies. Despite considerable progresses in infection management, aspergillosis remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality, mainly after transplantation. During an 11-year period [April 1996 to March 2006], a retrospective study was achieved on 24 patients with aspergillosis in order to identify significant risk factors for invasive aspergillosis. Diagnosis was confirmed by demonstration of fungi in direct preparation and culture techniques. Aspergillosis was more commonly isolated from respiratory tract [75%]. Patients had at least one predisposing factor for aspergillosis. Among patients with solid organ transplantation, kidney transplant patients and chronic granulomatows disease were at the higher risk of developing invasive aspergillosis [IA]. Major advances in management of invasive fungal infections [IFI] have resulted from our understanding of the risk factors for the development of IFI. However, much remains to be done to decrease mortality due to IFI in high risk patients. A high degree of awareness and efforts for an early diagnosis may improve poor prognosis. This study signifies that clinicians should be alerted of potential fungal etiology in cases of fever, which is unresponsive to conventional medical therapy

[Prevalence of fungal infections among wrestlers in Tehran]

The management of skin infections in wrestlers and other athletes in sports involving skin-to-skin contact is challenging, from making an accurate diagnosis to determining eligibility for play. In recent years, skin diseases in wrestling have finally received the attention it deserves. Tinea corporis gladiatorum, caused most frequently by triclophyton tonsurans, infect wrestlers at alarming rates. To control the outbreak, we conducted an epidemiologic investigation. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of tinea corporis gladiatorum in wrestlers club in Tehran. A study of dermatophytosis among wrestlers was carried out during March 2004 to December 2005 in 612 mycologically proven cases of dermatophytosis in wrestlers in Tehran. The wrestler mycologically examination consisting of direct microscopic observation and culture of pathologic material. Diagnosis was based on the macro-and microscopic characteristics of the colonies. Trichophyton tonsurans was the predominant dermatophyte, accounting for 92.6% of all tinea corporis gladiatorum isolates in each of the 2 years analyzed. Tinea corporis gladiatorum was found to be more frequent in 10-20 [72.7%] and follow 21-30 [22.4%] age groups. The wrestlers with tinea corporis gladiatorum were mostly from wrestler clubs in south and southeast of Tehran. Transmission of tinea corporis is primarily through skin-to- skin contact. Practicing wrestling can lead to direct and indirect exposures to transmission of dermatophytes. The rapid identification and treatment of tinea corporis gladiatorum is vital to minimize disruption in team practices and competition, are paramount. Since infection with dermatophytes can disqualify a wrestler from competing in matches, vigilant surveillance and rapid initiation of therapy can reduce the suspension of a team's practice and competition

[ survey of the frequency of administering drugs without prescription among the students of medicine and engineering in 82-83]

This research examines the performance of the students of medicine and engineering about self-treatment by medicines without the doctors prescription and the factors that affect this matter. It is expected that the finding can be used in the future studies and also have a role in educational programs. 890 medical and engineering students were asked about using medicine for self-treatment and the factors the use of medicine through a valid and reliable questionare. A bout [83.7%] of the students have done self-treatment and this percent age is more among medical student. This is because of their easier access to the hospital facilities. There is a certain relationship between age and using medicines. Acetaminophen is a drugs with the most use among the members of the two groups. However, in the male group, antibiotics and in the female group. Anti inflammatory agents were in the highest use after Acetaminophen. The most effective factor in using medicine is the similarity of the disease with the previous cases and self-treatment in the medical group is more than engineering group because they have more information about this matter and a significant relationship [p value 0.003] is shown between them. The information of the two groups about the duration of the use of medicine and cases of prevention in using medicines, according to their expressions is less than other factors like the correct use of medicine, dose of medicine and the duration of use. The most important source of preparing medicine for the two groups is drugstores, continuation of self-treatment in future in the medical is more than that in the engineering group, showing a significant relationship between them [p value 0.000] is produced. In this study like the study in other developing countries, self-curing with medicines without the doctor's prescripion has a high spreading more drugs, Anti-biotics have the most use after Acetaminophen

Phaeohyphomycosis of the sinuses and chest by cladosporium bantianum

Fungal sinus infections are being recognized with increasing frequency. We report a case with rhinocerebral and chest phaeohyphomycosis infection caused by Cladosporium bantianum in an 18 year old man with Wegener's granulomatosis. The diagnosis was established by histopathological appearance, direct examination, culture and computerized tomography [CT] scan. This case was successfully treated by a combination of surgery and amphotericin B. The present that is of paranasaI sinus mycosis due to Cladosporium bantianum is the first that is reported in Iran