seroepidemiology of hepatitis c infection in drug abusers referring to shiraz drug rehabilitation centers

Background: Drug abusers are one of the most at risk populations for hepatitis C virus [HCV] transmission worldwide. The aims of this study were to measure the seroprevalence of HCV and to compare certain related risk factors in participants who were referred to drug rehabilitation centers affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Materials and Methods: Blood samples and interviews containing questions about age, sex, level of education, house status, jobs, history of imprisonment and psychiatric problems, age at the first drug and first intravenous [IV] drug uses, safe and unsafe sexual activity, and time and duration of IV drug use in the past 30 days were obtained from 1116 participants in rehabilitation centers. The sera were tested for anti-HCV antibody using enzyme immunoassay. The data were analyzed using independent samples t test and one way ANOVA for quantitative variables and Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests for qualitative variables

Results: Among the 844 participants who agreed to blood sampling, the prevalence of HCV infection was 14.2%. The significant positive associations were detected between anti-HCV antibody positivity and higher levels of education [p =0.008], no history of imprisonment [p<0.001], having a job [p =0.006], having a partner [p <0.001], and higher age at the first drug use [p<0.001]

Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HCV infection among drug abuser was very high in comparison with the general population of Iran. Making policies to prevent transmission of HCV infection among this high risk subpopulation is highly recommended

sCD30 and sCD40L detection in patients with osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and ewing sarcoma

Primary malignant bone tumors are heterogeneous groups of neoplasms, which affect mainly children and adolescents. The most common types are Osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and chondrosarcoma. Elevation of sCD30 and sCD40L has been observed in lymphoma, leukemia and autoimmune disorders. To evaluate serum concentrations of sCD30 and sCD40L in patients with primary malignant bone tumors. Fifty-four cases [31 Osteosarcomas, 14 Ewing sarcomas, and 9 Chondrosarcomas] and 54 healthy controls enrolled in this study. Cases with the history of prior treatment [surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy] were excluded from the study. Serum levels of sCD30 and sCD40L were detected by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Mean serum concentration of sCD30 in Ewing sarcoma was significantly higher than that of the control groups [p=0.007], but mean serum concentrations of sCD30 in osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma groups were not significantly different, compared to the controls [p=0.41 and p=0.11, respectively]. Mean serum concentrations of sCD40L in osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and chondrosarcoma groups were significantly higher than that of the control group [p<0.0001]. In addition, the mean serum level of sCD40L in chondrosarcoma patients was higher than that of both Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma groups [p<0.001]. sCD30 and sCD40L increase in primary bone tumors; however the significant of these findings for diagnosis or prognosis of these tumors needs further investigation

Pepsinogen I and II, gastrin and Cag A serum levels in Shiraz

Despite the similar rate of HP infection, the rate of gastric cancer [GC] differs in different regions of the country. There are conflicting reports for using a panel of serologic tests such as pepsinogens I, II [PG I and PG II], and gastrin for population screening. We designed this study to assess healthy appearing adults in Shiraz, southern Iran in order to evaluate the correlation of these serological tests with demographics and lifestyle in a region with a low rate of gastric malignancy. In a population-based study, 846 out of 1978 subjects who were selected by cluster random sampling based on postal code division in Shiraz agreed to participate in the present study. A questionnaire that included age, gender, weight and height, lifestyle such as physical activity, smoking and the use of nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] was completed. A blood sample was taken after overnight fasting for measurements of PG I, PG II and Cag A status by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA]. Gastrin level was measured by radioimmunoassay [RIA]. The study included 305 men and 541 women. Their mean age was 50.53 +/- 11.4 [range: 35-99 years]. The level of PG I was significantly more in males than females [116.6 +/- 57.1 vs. 103.1 +/- 55.8, p <0.001], lower in older age groups [p = 0.01], and rural compared with urban residents [110.3 + 55.7 vs 100.2 + 58.1, p = 0.02]. The serum level of PG II was less in obese subjects [p = 0.5]. There was no significant correlation between PG I, PG II, smoking, NSAID use and activity. Gastrin level were not correlated with any of the demographic characteristics. The level of Cag A was significantly different between males and females [30.5 +/- 37 vs. 37.7 +/- 41.7, p< 0.001], more in older subjects [p = 0.007] and non smokers [p = 0.001]. The serum levels of PG I and PG I/PG II ratio decreased significantly in subjects with positive Cag A serology [p < 0.05]. The ratio of PG I/ PG II was lower than 3 in 35 [4.1%] subjects. In this area, the PG I/ PG II ratio is less than 3 in 4% of subjects of which most are positive for Cag A serology and older than 50. We recommend comparison of these findings with high GC mortality regions

IgM, IgG, IgA serum levels and lymphocytes count before and after adenotonsillectomy

Tonsils and adenoids are involved in both local immunity and immune surveillance for the development of immune defense mechanisms. A number of investigators have found decreased immunoglobulin levels after adenotonsillectomy while others have failed to find significant changes. The effects of adenotonsillectomy on the cellular immunity of children have not been investigated extensively. To observe the change in humeral and cellular immune systems before and after operation in patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy. The study comprised 102 patients; all of the patients underwent adenotonsillectomy. The levels of IgG, IgA, and IgM were measured for humoral immunity and the percent of CD7 and CD19 positive cells were determined in blood samples taken from these patients 24 hours before operation and also 2 and 8 weeks after the operation. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. The present study shows that the serum level of IgA would rise few weeks after the operation. Changes in the IgM and IgG level were not statistically significant postoperatively. In addition, no significant change was detected in B lymphocyte count before and after adenotonsillectomy. In our study, there was a slight decrease in the T lymphocyte count in the early stage of post operation, which returned to normal preoperative value after 8 weeks. Several immune system parameters maintain its normal status several weeks after adenotonsillectomy