RESUMO
Hepatitis C virus [HCV] causes 308000 deaths due to liver cancer and758000 deaths due to cirrhosis every year. Almost 170 million peoplehave HCV infection around the world. Information regarding this virushelps us to determine the prevalence of other hepatitis C genotypes inpopulation, especially in intravenous drug users. It is assumed that somegenotypes are more common in certain areas or groups of people. A recentstudy strongly confirms the central role of injecting network traits, notonly as a transmission factor but also as a predictor of HCV genotypeand phylogenetic determination in different communities. Hepatitis Cgenotypes and subtypes have different prevalence considering the country.Risk factors such as transfusion, hemodialysis, root of acquisition andetc, are detected in intravenous drug users. Several conducted studieshave investigated the prevalence, risk factors, and predominance of HCVgenotypes infection in different parts of Iran
RESUMO
Human T-lymphotropic virus [HTLV-1] is an ancient pathogen for human being but arising and recognized recently. The routes of transmission are vertical [mainly by breastfeeding], unsafe sexual contacts and through contaminated blood components specially in whom need frequent and repeated blood transfusions such as permanent anemia due to blood loss in hemophilia and major thalassemia. Patients who should undergo hemodialysis in their lifelong are another instance for increased risk of HTLV-1 exposure. The main HTLV-1-associated diseases are tropical spastic tetraparesis [HAM/TSP], an inflammatory myelopathy and adult T-cell leukemia [ATL]. Although HTLV-1 is scattered around the world, only in endemic areas where prevalence rate is more than 1%, viral burden of infection have accumulated. Japan, Southern and Central parts of Africa, Caribbean basin and Iran are examples of endemic areas of HTLV-1. In this article, a rapid and brief review of HTLV-1 virology, immunology and pathogenesis have emerged. In addition, a short debate has driven about current statues of HTLV-1 in Iran
RESUMO
Long-lasting insecticidal nets [LLINs] have been advocated as an effective tool against malaria transmission. However, success of this community based intervention largely depends on the knowledge and practice regarding malaria and its prevention. According to the national strategy plan on evaluation of LLINs [Olyset nets], this study was conducted to determine the perceptions and practices about malaria and to improve use of LLINs in Bashagard district, one of the important foci of malaria in Southeast Iran. The study area comprised 14 villages that were randomized in two clusters and designated as LLINs and untreated nets. Each of households in both clusters received two bed nets by the free distribution and delivery. After one month quantitative data collection method was used to collect information regarding the objectives of the study. On the basis of this information, an educational program was carried out in both areas to increase motivation for use of bed nets. Community knowledge and practice regarding malaria and LLIN use assessed pre- and post-educational program. The data were analyzed using SPSS ver.16 software. At baseline, 77.5% of respondents in intervention and 69.4% in control area mentioned mosquito bite as the cause of malaria, this awareness increased significantly in intervention [90.3%] and control areas [87.9%], following the educational program. A significant increase also was seen in the proportion of households who used LLINs the previous night [92.5%] compared with untreated nets [87.1%]. Educational status was an important predictor of LLINs use. Regular use of LLIN was considerably higher than the targeted coverage [80%] which recommended by World Heaths Organization. About 81.1% and 85.3% of respondents from LLIN and control areas reported that mosquito nuisance and subsequent malaria transmission were the main determinants of bed net use. These findings highlight a need for educational intervention in implementation of long-lasting insecticidal nets; this should be considered in planning and decision-making in the national malaria control program during the next campaigns of LLINs in Iran