Brain tissue cysts in infected mice with RH-strain of Toxoplasma gondii and evaluation of BAG1 and SAG1 genes expression

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects humans at high prevalence rates. The virulent RH strain of T. gondii is generally considered to have lost its cyst forming capacity. This study performed to obtain tissue cysts in mice infected with tachyzoites of RH strain treated with sulfadiazine [SDZ]. It provides the opportunity to analyze the conversion of tachyzoite to bradyzoite stage of the RH strain, followed by stage-specific gene-expression analyzing. Two groups of Swiss-Webster and BALB/c mice were infected subcutaneously with 10[4] tachyzoites of T. gondiiy RH strain and given SDZ [300 mg/l] with NaHCO3 [5 g[-1]] in drinking water from day 1 to day 14 post infection [p.i]. The infected mice were sacrificed on day 50 post infection. Their brains were removed and the numbers of tissue cysts were microscopically counted. Total RNA was extracted from brains and cDNA synthesis was carried out. Finally, RT-PCR [Reverse transcription PCR] was used to detect the expression of bradyzoite [BAG[1]] and tachyzoite [SAG[1]] specific genes during tachyzoite / bradyzoite stage conversion. Sixty five percent of all infected mice were survived. Cysts were detectable in mice brain [45%] on day 50 p.i. Also RT-PCR of the brain samples was positive for SAG1 and BAG1. It seems that conversion of tachyzoites to bradyzoites in brain of mice undergoing SDZ was not completed until 50 days after inoculation

Tobacco use among Iranian dental students: a national survey

A national survey was conducted to provide up-to-date data on current and ever use of tobacco among Iranian dental students. All 4th-year students of 8 randomly selected dental schools were surveyed anonymously in December 2010 using the Global Health Professions Student Survey questionnaire. Of 325 participants, 54.2% were ever users of tobacco products [73.0% of males versus 44.4% of females]; 50.8% had used waterpipes, 34.2% cigarettes and 9.3% other products. The most common age at first use was 20-24 years for both sexes. Current tobacco use was reported by 20.6% of respondents, cigarette smoking by 10.8% and waterpipe smoking by 15.8%. Regression models showed that current cigarette and waterpipe smoking were significantly associated with male sex but not with type of dental school [state/private]. Current waterpipe smoking was also associated with age at first experience. In view of the important role of dentists in tobacco control, the prevention of tobacco use should be stressed among Iranian dental students

Production and evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii recombinant surface antigen 1 [SAG1] for serodiagnosis of acute and chronic toxoplasma infection in human sera

The assays currently available for the detection of specific anti-Toxoplasma antibodies may vary in their abilities to detect serum immunoglobulins, due to the Lack of a purified standardized antigen. The aim of this study was evaluation the recombinant Toxoplasma gondii SAG1 antigen for the serodiagnosis of acute and chronic toxoplasmosis. This study describes an ELISA using recombinant SAG1 for detection of IgM and IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in human sera. Genomic DNA of T. gondii [RH Strain] was isolated and PCR reaction was performed. Recovered DNA was cloned into PTZ57R cloning vector. The recombinant plasmid was detected by restriction analysis. The SAG1 gene was subcloned in the pET- 28a expression vector. Protein production was then induced with 1 mM isopropyl-D - thiogalactopyranoside [IPTG]. A total of 204 sera were tested using a commercial IgG and IgM ELISA kit [Trinity, USA] as gold standard prior to testing them with the recombinant antigen. Tested sera were divided into the following groups:[a] The 74 T. gondii IgG positive [b] 70 T.gondii IgM positive [c] 60 sera who had no serological evidence of toxoplasmosis as negative sera.To determine the specificity of the test, we used other parasitic diseases including echinococusis [N=5], malaria [N=14], leishmaniasis [N=7],fasciolasis [N=4], sterengyloidiasis [N=1]. Sensitivity and specificity of the generated recombinant IgG ELISA in comparison with commercial ELISA [Com ELISA] were 93% and 95%, and the sensitivity and specificity of the generated recombinant IgM ELISA were 87% and 95% respectively. The results acquired here show that this antigen is useful for diagnostic purposes and could be replaced by lysed, whole cell antigens for diagnosis of chronic toxoplasmosis

[Aspects of organizational cultures: missionary, participatory, flexibility and bureaucratic in organizational success indexes; flexibility, cohesiveness, speed and innovation in public hospitals in Kerman province, 2009]

One of the main goals in each organization is to achieve success. The only way to achieve this goal is resort a kind of systematic, native and functional views. Remarkable successes in the recent decades by organizations with the minimum facilities and failure of the organizations by the best material capabilities is on the other hand, demonstrates the significant role in non-material and spiritual factors in reach to success. The organizational culture is considered as an effective factor in organizational performance. The present study has been done to find relationships between these two categories; organizational culture and organizational success in the public hospitals of the Kerman cities [Kerman, Sirjan, Rafsanjan]. This was a descriptive analytical cross-sectional study during the last six months in 2009.The sample size composed the public hospitals in three selected cities of the Kerman province. To define organizational culture, Richard Deft Model was used, and also to identify the organizational success orator elements were used. Simple random sampling used to choose samples and the Cochrane Formula used to define sample size. The gathered data were analyzed by descriptive [frequencies tables and diagrams] and analytical [correlation tests: Pearson, Spearman, X Square, t-tests, ANOVA test] statistics methods through SPSS software. The showed that among all kinds of existed organizational culture, bureaucratic culture was the dominant culture with average score 3/162 and the others were: participatory: 2/722, flexibility: 2/525 and missionary:2/405 respectively. Comparing average score of organizational success elements showed that flexibility element with average score 2/96 was the most important element and the others were: cohesiveness: 2/885, speed:2/88 and innovation:2/725 respectively. The dominant organizational culture of subordinate hospitals in the Ministry of Health and Medical Education are bureaucratic culture. The dominant culture in subordinate hospitals of the Social Security Organization is a participatory culture. Also the average number of organization success in subordinate hospitals of the Social Security Organization is significantly greater than the average number of organization success in subordinate hospitals of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. In relationship between the organizational culture and organization success, the participatory culture only had a positive correlation with organization success and in the other cultures, either an assumption of lack of relationship confirmed or a negative correlation was concluded. Hospitals are the main organizations in providing services in the health care system in each country. Implementing participatory culture, increasing hospital flexibility in an accountability to customers and patients needs play basic roles in patient's satisfaction to achieve the main mission of the hospital organization that is providing services

In vivo susceptibility of plasmodium vivax to chloroquine in Southeastern Iran

Plasmodium vivax is the predominant species causes of malaria with about 90% total annual reported malaria in Iran. This study conducted to determine the susceptibility of Plasmodium vivax isolates to chloroquine in Sistan and Balochistan Province, southeastern Iran. A total 270 subjects with symptomatic malaria and confirmed P. vivax infection completed the designed 28-day in vivo study. The thick and thin film blood smears were screened for malaria parasites by microscopy. The nested PCR was applied using the Plasmodium 18 subunit ribosomal ribonucleic [Ssr RNA] genes for detecting mixed infections and diagnosis of parasites in the samples with low parasite on days 0, 5, 6, 7, and 28. P. vivax was cleared in 15%, 50%, 95%, and 100% of patients on days 1, 2, 3, 4 respectively by microscopy assessment. Six patients were exhibited specific P. vivax band in nested PCR on day 5. No recurrence was observed on days 7, 14 and 28. Mean [ +/- standard deviation] parasite clearance time was 2.41 [ +/- 0.8] days. P. vivax is still susceptible to chloroquine in Southeastern Iran. This finding is compatible with results of neighboring countries Pakistan and Afghanistan

Pediatric hydatidosis in Iranian referral pediatrics center

Hydatidosis is one of the major zoonotic diseases that cause considerable public health problems in Iran. The present study was designed to investigate pediatric hydatidosis in patients referred to the Children Medical Center Hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2005-2010. Data were collected from the records of 17 patients referred to the center with hydatidosis. Data included demographic data; laboratory results, type, and site of cysts, clinical manifestations, and treatment. Nine patients were boys [52.9%] and eight [47.1%] were girls. Most patients referred from central areas of Iran [58.8%]. Seven patients had cysts in their lungs [41.2%] and three cases [17.6%] in liver. Six cases [35.3%] had simultaneous lung and liver cysts, 3 patients [17.6%] had brain cysts [alone or in combination with other organs involvement] and 2 patients [11.7%] showed multi-organ involvement. All patients were treated by albendazole and underwent surgery, recurrence was seen in 4 [23.5%] of the cases and one patient died due to rupture of the cyst and anaphylactic shock. Multi-organ involvement seems to be on the rise in children, this has led to the necessity for physicians to be more aware of clinical features, search, and rule out other organs for involvement diagnosis once a cyst is detected in one organ

Neospora caninum and leishmania infantum co-Infection in domestic dogs [canis familiaris] in Meshkin-Shahr district, northwestern Iran

Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis [MVL] is an infectious disease that affects both human and animals. Domestic dogs [Canis familiaris] are principal reservoir hosts of MVL caused by Leishmania infantum. Dogs are definitive hosts for Neospora caninum and a risk factor for infecting intermediate hosts. The immunosuppression caused by visceral leishmaniasis [VL] can promote the occurrence of co-infections with other agents such as neosporosis. This study aimed to determine the frequency of co-infection of the both protozoan parasites in the endemic areas of VL from Meshkin-Shahr District, north-west of Iran. Altogether, 171 serum samples were collected from domestic dogs of Meshkin- Shahr District by multistage cluster sampling from October 2008 to August 2009. The collected serum samples were tested for the detection of simultaneous infection of L. infantum and N. caninum using direct agglutination test [DAT] and indirect ELISA, respectively. Of the 171 domestic dogs, 27 [15.8%] and 52 [30.4%] were showed antibodies against L. infantum and N. caninum, respectively. Simultaneous infections of N. caninum and L. infantum was found in 16 [9.4%] of the dogs. In VL-positive and VL-negative dogs, N. caninum infection was found in 59.3% and 25.0%, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found between VL-positive and VL-negative dogs with N. caninum infection [P= 0.001]. These findings indicate that Meshkin-Shahr District in northwestern Iran is an active focus of canine visceral leishmaniasis [CVL]. Neospora caninum and L. infantum co-infection is prevalent in the area and infection by L. infantum seems to enhance susceptibility to N. caninum infection in domestic dogs

Comparison of microscopical examination and semi-nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction in diagnosis of Plasmodium Falciparm and P. vivax

We compared light microscopy examination and a semi-nested multiplex PCR [SnM-PCR] assay in endemic areas of the Islamic Republic of Iran. A total of 68 individuals with malaria-positive and suspected malaria symptoms were included in the study. Giemsa-stained thick blood films were examined under a light microscope for malaria parasites in 100 and 200 fields. DNA was extracted from blood samples and SnM-PCR based on the amplification of the small subunit ribosomal RNA [ssrRNA] gene sequences was applied. Microscopical examination showed that 48.5% [33.8% P. vivax and 14.7% P.falciparum] and 50% [35.3% P. vivax and 14.7% P.falciparum] of the samples were positive in 100 and 200 fields respectively. SnM-PCR showed the same results as the 200 field microscopy

Epidemiological aspects of visceral leishmaniasis in Baft district, Kerman province, southeast of Iran

Visceral leishmaniasis [kala-azar] is an endemic disease in some areas of Iran. A cross-sectional study was conducted for sero-epidemiological survey of visceral leishmaniasis [VL] in Baft district from Kerman Province, southeast of Iran. Blood samples were collected from children up to 12 years old and 10% of adult population from Baft villages with a multi-stage randomized cluster sampling. In addition, blood samples were collected from 30 domestic dogs from the same areas. All the collected blood samples were tested by direct agglutination test [DAT] for the detection of anti-Leishmania antibodies in both human and dog using the cut-off value of >/= 1:3200 and >/= 1:320, respectively. Parasitological, molecular, and pathological were performed on infected dogs. Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to compare sero-prevalence values. From 1476 collected human serum samples, 23 [1.55%] showed anti-Leishmania antibodies at titers of 1:800 and 1:1600 whereas 14 [0.95%] showed anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies at titers of >/= 1:3200. No statistically significant difference was found between male [1.18%] and female [0.69%] sero-prevalence [P=0.330]. Children of 5-8 years showed the highest sero-prevalence rate [3.22%]. Seven out of 30 domestic dogs [23%] showed anti-Leishmania antibodies at titers >/= 1:320. Leishmania infantum was identified in five infected dogs by nested -PCR assay. It seems that visceral leishmaniasis is being endemic in southern villages of Baft district, southeast of Iran

Rapid detection of Toxoplasma gondii antigen in experimentally infected mice by dot- ELISA

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide endemic disease. In congenitally infected infants and AIDS patients, toxoplasmosis causes high rates of morbidity and mortality. In these cases antibody detection is difficult; so detection of parasite or its components could be useful tool for early detection and following treatment of the infection. Sixty-three BALB/c mice were injected intra-peritoneal with 5x10[3] tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii RH strain, nine mice were sacrificed daily for 7 days. Fourteen mice were injected with phosphate buffer saline as control group. Dot-ELISA was performed for detection of T.gondii antigen in mice sera and capture -ELISA was done as golden standard assay too. Toxoplasma gondii antigen was detected from day 2 in mice sera; 22% of mice sera on day 2, 33% on day 3,77% on day 4 and 100% on day 5 till their death on day 7 had shown antigenemia by dot -ELISA, no positive result was detected in control mice by dot-ELISA. Dot-ELISA is a sensitive method for diagnosis of T. gondii infection in the animal model; also, this technique is more rapid and easy to perform method in comparison with capture-ELISA

Toxoplasma infection in schizophrenia patients: a comparative study with control group

Schizophrenia is a serious, chronic, and often debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder. Its causes are still poorly understood. Besides genetic and non-genetic [environmental] factors are thought to be important as the cause of the structural and functional deficits that characterize schizophrenia. This study aimed to compare Toxoplasma gondii infection between schizophrenia patients and non-schizophrenia individuals as control group. A case-control study was designed in Tehran, Iran during 2009-2010. Sixty-two patients with schizophrenia and 62 non-schizophrenia volunteers were selected. To ascertain a possible relationship between T. gondii infection and schizophrenia, anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were detected by indirect-ELISA. Data were statistically analyzed by chi- square at a confidence level of 99%. The sero-positivity rate among patients with schizophrenia [67.7%] was significantly higher than control group [37.1] [P <0. 01]. A significant correlation between Toxoplasma infection and schizophrenia might be expected

Evaluation of confounder in toxoplasmosis indirect fluorescent antibody assay

The IFA test is one of the most usual methods for detecting anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, although it has not any unique standardization. It seems that the microscopic judgment of results is an important confounder in IFA test. Therefore, we conducted the present study to clarify the role of microscopic observer, and other confounders on the test. Eighty sera were collected from patients suspicious to toxoplasmosis for detection IgG anti-T. gondii by this test. Samples were examined against different series of antigens, IgG anti-human conjugates, and observes. There were no significant differences between the two series of antigens and conjugates. For the observers groups the kappa coefficient of the test results in the experts group [0.97, 0.94- 1.00] were significantly higher than the less experienced observers [0.77, 0.68-0.87]. We recommend the IFA test to be performed only in reference laboratories and by laboratory technicians that have enough experience for this test. Otherwise, we suggest the substitution of this test with other tests like ELISA for the diagnosis and epidemiological studies

parasitological and serological study in malaria suspected patients in Hormozgan Province, Southeastern Iran

Presence of malaria immune factors induced by erythrocytic stages is widely used as an epidemiological approach to diagnose the infection mainly to distinguish the current, recent and past infections. This study was performed to find out the status of malaria, using microscopical and serological [IFA] methods in Bandar-Abbas and Minab, two malarious districts in Hormozgan Province of Iran. 408 patients with suspected malaria symptoms were enrolled. Conventional microscopic examination and serological IFA test were employed for diagnosis of malaria. The rates of agreement between microscopical and serological diagnosis were analyzed by Kappa test. 17.9% and 1.7% of the samples were microscopically diagnosed as P. vivax and P. falciparum, respectively. On the other hand, the serum samples were sero-positive with P. vivax and P. falciparum antigens in 54.2% and 32.1% of the samples, respectively. Serological IFA method could mainly determine the past history of malaria infection, but it was not helpful in detection of current infections. Moreover, there was no significant agreement between microscopical and serological [IFA] method0s in diagnosis of malaria

Molecular monitoring of plasmodium vivax infection after radical treatment in southeastern Iran

The aim was to evaluate the relapse risk of vivax malaria in patients who received radical treatment in Hormozgan Province, a malarious area located on southeast of Iran. A total of 95 symptomatic vivax malaria infected patients were enrolled in urban health centers of Bandar-Abbas, Minab, Bandar-Jask and Bashagard districts of Hormozgan Province, southeast of Iran from January 2008 to March 2009 for consideration as a case-series study. DNA was extracted from parasite infected whole blood samples. A polymorphic region of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein 1 [pvMSP1] was selected and a PCR method was employed for all the samples to amplify the specific variable gene fragment. The obtained fragments in primary and secondary samples were sequenced. Both nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the samples were investigated for returned patients. 3.2% of the patients experienced a second attack between 83-199 days after the initial episode of infection. Alignment of nucleotide and their deduced amino acid sequences between pair sequences of primary and secondary isolates revealed 8 and 6 dissimilarities respectively for the first case, and 9 and 7 dissimilarities for the second case. Although microscopical examination of recurrent thick blood smear of the third patient confirmed new P. vivax infection, the venous blood sample was accidentally missed. Sequencing results of primary and returned isolates 1P, 1S, 2P, 2S and 3P in this study showed an identity with BP13, T117, BP13, TC28 and Chesson genotypes respectively. The returned [secondary] isolates may account to be for the sake of reinfection

[Seroepidemjological survey of visceral leishmaniasis by direct agglutination test in bojnoord district, north Khorasan province in 2007]

This study aimed to determine of the seroprevalence of visceral leishmaniasis to design a prevention and control program in Bojnoord district. This was a descriptive and cross sectional study with multistage random sampling method. The study was carried out on children up to 12 years old and 10% of adult's population in 8 rural areas of Bojnoord district in 2007. In total, 1608 blood samples were collected to detect anti-Leishmania antibodies. All the samples were tested by direct agglutination test [DAT]. In order to determine Leishmania species, necropsy was performed on four suspected dogs in the studied areas. The species of Leishmania was determined by RAPD-PCR and PCR-RFLP methods using to amplify the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 [ITS1]. Thirty and eight [2.36%] out of 1 608 collected blood samples had anti- Leishmania antibodies at titer 1:800 and nine [0.56%] were just positive at 1:3200 by DAT. There was no statistically significant difference between female and male seroprevalence [p>0/05]. The seoprevalence in children <=12 years old compared to individuals greater than 12 years old did not show any statistically significant [p>0/05]. Amastigotes were observed in all 4 necropsied dogs. The species of Leishmania isolated from 2 dogs, was determined as L.Infantum. Their ITS1 sequences were registered with Accession numbers EU810776 and EU810777 in NCBI. These findings showed that visceral leishmaniasis has been circulated with low endemicity in Bojnoord district. Therefore an appropriate monitoring system is needed for health services in this area

Flow cytometric analysis of leishmania reactive CD4[+]/CD8[+] lymphocyte proliferation in cutaneous leishmaniasis

Determination of the division histoty of T cells in vitro is helpful in the study of effector mechanisms against infections. Technique described here uses the intracellular fluorescent label carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester [CFSE] to monitor the proliferation. In a cross sectional study, blood samples were collected from 7 volunteers with history of cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] and one healthy control from endemic areas in Isfahan province who referred to the Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy [CRTSDL], then CD4[+]/CD8[+] lymphocytes and CD14[+] monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMC] using mAbs and magnetic nanoparticles. CFSE labeled CD4[+] or CD8[+] lymphocytes cultured with autologous monocytes in the presence of PHA, SLA, live Leishmania major or as control without stimulation. Cells were harvested after 7 days and were analyzed using flow cytometry. Five consecutive divisions were monitored separately. Stimulation of CD4[+] or CD8[+] lymphocytes from CL subjects with SLA showed a significant difference in proliferation comparing with unstimulated cells [P< 0.05]. The significant difference in the percentages of CD4[+] cells stimulated with SLA was revealed at different divisions for each subject. In CD8[+] lymphocyte, significant stronger stimulation of SLA was evident later in the proliferation process. The mean number of divisions in both CD4[+]/CD8[+] lymphocytes stimulated with SLA was significantly greater than when stimulated with live L. major [P=0.007 / P=0.012, respectively]. The percentage of divided cells might be calculated separately in each division. The cells remained active following CFSE staining and there is possibility of functional analysis simultaneously

Seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies among pregnant women from Chaharmahal and Bakhtyari province using indirect immunoflurescent in 2006-2007

The most serious form of Toxoplasma gondii infection, congenital toxoplasmosis occurs when a non-immune woman is affected during the pregnancy. Thus, having knowledge about Toxoplasma seroprevalence among women during childbearing ages and /or pregnancy is of public health importance. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies during the first trimester of pregnancy in women aged 15-45 years referred to the health centers of the province. In this descriptive-analytical study, 384 serum samples from pregnant women aged 15-45 years during the first trimester of their pregnancies were examined and tittered for anti-Toxoplasma antibody using Indirect Immunofluorescent Antibody [IFA] method. Using X[2] test, the data were analyzed. Total anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were found in 106 women out of 384 [27.6%], with serum levels ranged between 1:20 and 1:2560. The highest rate of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies was found in pregnant women aged 40-45 years [50%] [p<0.05]. There was a past history of spontaneous abortion in 29.3% of the sero-positive subjects. Also, 38.5% of the sero-positive women had a history of cat keeping in their house or had a close contact with the animal [p<0.05]. There was also a history of lamb meat consumption in 82.2% of sero-positive subjects [p<0.05], while the rate of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies was 65% for raw vegetables consumers. The highest and the lowest rates of anti-Toxoplasma sero-prevalence occurred in Shahrekord [51.9%] and Farsan [6%] districts, respectively. This rate was also 25% and 29.5% for urban and rural areas, respectively. The findings showed that a large proportion of pregnant women from this area are at risk of infection with Toxoplasma and may be infected during next months of their pregnancies or in their further pregnancies

[Frequency of toxoplasma infection in livestock of Meshkin Shahr, by immuno fluorescent antibody test and it's health importance]

Toxoplasmosis is one of the widely distributed common disease among human and livestock. In humans utilization of contaminated meat is the main source of the infection. In sheep and goat, the abortion and morbidity by toxoplasmosis had lots of economical lost. Animal husbandry Meshkinshahr is an animal husbandry area in west Azerbyjan and supply most of the meat in north- west of Iran. This study designed to evaluate frequency of toxoplasma infection in ruminant of that city. In this descriptive cross sectional study during one year [2004], 320 blood samples were collected by a simple random method from the bovine, sheep and goat. The samples examined for the specific antibody against toxoplasma by immuno fluorescent antibody [IFA] method. In 120 sheep's serum samples prevalence of T. gondii was 59%. To titers ranged from 1:2 to 1:32. Likewise out of 100 studied bovine samples only 5% were infected and comparing with sheep's had low frequency of infection. In goats the rate of frequency of infection were 36%. The results of our study showed highest frequency of the infection among sheep and goat. It was concluded that to prevent spread of human infection, the common shepherding area of the region must be managed by hygienic management and public educations and necessary

Detection of toxoplasma gondii antigens in sera from experimentally infected mice

Detection of Toxoplasma antigen in serum of mice by Immunoblotting. Serum samples isolated from Balb/C mice experimentally infected with T. gondii, RH strain. IgG isolated from rabbits that were immunized with T. gondii Immunoblotting was performed to detect T. gondii antigens in sera of mice. School of Public Health. Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Serum samples from mice experimentally infected with T. gondii RH strain. The value of Immunoblotting in diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in acute stage of infection. The antigen bands detected in serum sample of mice were experimentally infected with T. gondii tachyzoite in immunoblotting. Six bands demonstrated on seventh post infection day six bands were identified. Similarly on sixth day four bands, on day five three bands and on fourth post infection day two bands were identified. No band was detected in control group sera. Immunoblotting is a sensitive method for diagnosis of acute stage of toxoplasmosis

Intestinal parasitic infections in renal transplant recipients

Organ transplant recipients can experience serious diseases from infections due to emerging and reemerging parasitic infections. This study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasites among renal transplant recipients of Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2003 to August 2004 on renal transplant recipients in Iran. A total of 706 fecal samples obtained from randomly selected population originated from all over Iran. Patient's information was recorded in a questionnaire before sampling. A sample of stool was taken from each person. Direct wet smear examination, formalin-ether concentration, Ziehl-neelsen staining, and agar plate culture were done for each sample. Totally 32 patients [4.5%] were positive for parasitic infections. In searching for emerging parasitic infections, the most prevalent parasites were found to be Blastocystis hominis, Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba coli, respectively. The merely ova which were seen were related to Hymenolepis nana. With investigation of healthy control, no significant difference was found between transplanted and normal population. The population showed controlled rate of intestinal infections probably due to regular awareness concerning risks of opportunistic infections; albeit regular surveillance through routine examination of stool samples for parasites seems considerably advantages the transplant recipient patients