Intestinal parasitic infections frequency in referred patients to a large teaching hospital, Khuzestan, Southwest, Iran, 2017

@#Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are among the most important infectious diseases in Iran. A cross sectional study was designed to determine frequency of intestinal parasites among referrals to a large teaching hospital in Khuzestan, Southwest of Iran, 2017. A total number of 5613 stool samples were examined through direct smear and formalin-ether concentration methods to detect possible parasitic infections. Samples consisted of 2643 (47.09%) male and 2970 (52.91%) female. A total of 1468 (26.15%) samples were positive (13.11% male and 13.4% female) and 4145 (73.85%) were negative. The results also showed that 255 of samples had more than one type of parasite (mix infections). Counting single and mix parasite infections, the total number of positive cases reached to 1723. Helminthes parasites were present in 12 (0.7%) cases, while intestinal protozoan parasites were in 1711 (99.3%) cases. Almost equally, pathogenic and nonpathogenic parasites infected 860 (49.91%) and 863 (50.09%) of patients, respectively. The frequency for helminthes was determined at 0.52% with Hymenolepis nana and Enterobius vermicularis however, Giardia lamblia in 38.54% and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar at 10.68% were concluded as protozoa elements. The IPIs frequency was recorded in female and male patients at 49.16% and 50.14%, respectively. According to the current results the infection rate of intestinal parasites has been significantly reduced especially for helminths infections in this region possibly due to public attention to health issues such as; increased awareness of people, improvement of sanitation, seasonal variations, health education and personal hygiene.

Distribution of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 subtypes in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, and subtype C identification

Few studies have reported the molecular epidemiological characterization of HIV-1 in the Northern region of Brazil. The present study reports the molecular and epidemiological characterization of 31 HIV-1 isolates from blood donors from the State of Amazonas who donated blood between April 2006 and March 2007. Serum/plasma samples from all donors were screened for HIV antibodies by ELISA and the results confirmed by Western blot analysis. Genomic DNA was extracted from the buffy coat using the Super Quik-Gene-DNA Isolation kit. Nested PCR was performed on the env, gag, and pol regions of HIV-1 using the Gene Amp PCR System 9700. Sequencing reactions were performed using the inner PCR primers and the DYEnamic™ ET Dye Terminator Kit, and phylogenetic analysis was performed using the gag, pol, and env gene sequences. We collected samples from 31 blood donors who tested positive for HIV-1 in confirmatory experiments. The male:female ratio of blood donors was 3.4:1, and the mean age was 32.4 years (range: 19 to 61 years). Phylogenetic analysis showed that subtype B is the most prevalent among Northern Brazilian HIV-1-seropositive blood donors. One HIV-1 subtype C and one circulating recombinant form (CRF_BF) of HIV-1 were identified in the State of Amazonas. This is the first study showing the occurrence of a possible "homogenous" subtype C in this region of Brazil. This finding could contribute to a better characterization of the HIV-1 strains that circulate in the country.

The MTR A2756G polymorphism is associated with an increase of plasma homocysteine concentration in Brazilian individuals with Down syndrome

Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) present decreased homocysteine (Hcy) concentration, reflecting a functional folate deficiency secondary to overexpression of the cystathionine ß-synthase gene. Since plasma Hcy may be influenced by genetic polymorphisms, we evaluated the influence of C677T and A1298C polymorphisms in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR), of A2756G polymorphism in the methionine synthase gene (MTR), and of A80G polymorphism in the reduced folate carrier 1 gene on Hcy concentrations in Brazilian DS patients. Fifty-six individuals with free trisomy 21 were included in the study. Plasma Hcy concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography_tandem mass spectrometry with linear regression coefficient r² = 0.9996, average recovery between 92.3 to 108.3 percent and quantification limits of 1.0 µmol/L. Hcy concentrations >15 µmol/L were considered to characterize hyperhomocystinemia. Genotyping for the polymorphisms was carried out by polymerase chain reaction followed by enzyme digestion and allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. The mean Hcy concentration was 5.2 ± 3.3 µmol/L. There was no correlation between Hcy concentrations and age, gender or MTHFR C677T, A1298C and reduced folate carrier 1 A80G genotype. However, Hcy concentrations were significantly increased in the MTR 2756AG heterozygous genotype compared to the MTR 2756AA wild-type genotype. The present results suggest that the heterozygous genotype MTR 2756AG is associated with the increase in plasma Hcy concentrations in this group of Brazilian patients with DS.

Genetic polymorphisms involved in folate metabolism and elevated plasma concentrations of homocysteine: maternal risk factors for Down syndrome in Brazil

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of polymorphisms C677T and A1298C in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, A2756G in methionine synthase reductase (MTR) gene and A80G in reduced folate carrier 1 (RFC1) gene, and plasma homocysteine (Hcy), on the maternal risk for Down syndrome (DS). Seventy-two DS mothers and 194 mothers who had no children with DS were evaluated. The investigation of the MTHFR C677T, MTR A2756G and RFC1 A80G polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction and enzyme digestion and the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. Hcy quantification was carried out by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The median number of polymorphic alleles for the four loci tested was greater in DS mothers compared to the control group, and the presence of three or more polymorphic alleles increased the risk for having a child with DS 1.74 times. Elevated maternal risk for DS was also observed when plasma Hcy three or more polymorphic alleles for MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, MTR A2756G, and RFC1 A80G, and plasma Hcy concentrations higher than 4.99 mi mol/L are maternal risk factors for DS.

Epidémiologie des teignes à Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)

Due à des dermatophytes, la teigne est une dermatose du cuir ch evelu pouvant entraîner la chute des ch eveux. Elle reste un problème d'actualité car elle sévit à l'état endémique touchant surtout les enfants d'âge scolaire. Notre étude avait pour objectif de rechercher les facteurs de risque de teigne à Abidjan. Nous avons réalisé une enquête cas-témoins au Centre de Dermatologie du CHU de Treichville. Quatre-vingt (80) cas ont été recrutés sur la base de symptômes cliniques et confirmés après un prélèvement mycologique ensemencé sur milieu gélosé de Sabouraud-chloramphénicol et sur milieu gélosé de Sabouraud- chloramphénicol- cycloheximide, incubé à 27°C pendant 15 jours en moye n n e. Au terme de cette étude, nous avons noté : la prédominance masculine de l'affection avec un sex ratio de 3 ; la prédominance de l'atteinte dans l'enfance avec un pic entre 5 et 9 ans ; que Trichophyton soudanense et Microsporum langeronii partagent les étiologies de façon équivalente ; que les sujets les plus exposés à la teigne habitent dans un logement de moins de 4 pièces, utilisent le savon pour le lavage des cheveux, se font couper les cheveux avec une lame et ont de faibles ressources économiques

Hipoglicemia associada a tumor extrapancreático / Hypoglycemya associated with extra-pancreatic tumor

Os autores descrevem o caso de uma mulher de 51 anos, portadora de massa torácica extrapulmonar, que apresentou episódios de hipoglicemia sintomática dejejum. Esse quadro reverteu após a retirada cirúrgica de um mesotelioma pleural benigno, que pesava 1.800g. Sao discutidos os mecanismos de hipoglicemia tumoral extrapancreática em face de níveis indetectáveis de insulina, como em nosso caso.

Veia axilar - acesso alternativo do implante de marca-passo definitivo. / Axillary vein - alternative access in definitive pacemaker implantation

Os autores apresentam sua experiencia em pacientes portadores de alteracoes do ritmo cardiaco, que necessitaram de marca-passo definitivo, nos quais, por impossibilidade do uso da veia cefalica como acesso eletivo, utilizaram a veia axilar como alternativa. Comentam detalhes da tecnica e analisam o acompanhamento clinico destes pacientes, com 4 a 24 meses de evolucao

Isquemia medular por deprivacao sanguinea temporaria - estudo experimental em caes. / Spinal cord ischemia following temporary blood flow oclusion - experimental study in dogs

Os autores apresentam estudo experimental em caes, em que procuram demonstrar o papel do tempo de pincamento aortico no aparecimento da lesao medular. Estudam tambem a possibilidade de lesao, quando o suprimento sanguineo ofertado a medula ocorre em regime de hipotensao arterial