Echinococcus granulosus genotypes in Iran

Hydatidosis, caused by Echinococcus granulosus is one of the most important zoonotic diseases, throughout most parts of the world. Hydatidosis is endemic in Iran and responsible for approximately 1% of admission to surgical wards. There are extensive genetic variations within E. granulosus and 10 different genotypes [G1-G10] within this parasite have been reported. Identification of strains is important for improvement of control and prevention of the disease. No new review article presented the situation of Echinococcus granulosus genotypes in Iran in the recent years; therefore in this paper we reviewed the different studies regarding Echinococcus granulosus genotypes in Iran.

Development of a latex agglutination test as a simple and rapid method for diagnosis of Trichomonas vaginalis infection

Trichomoniasis is a worldwide infection and due to its complications rapid and accurate diagnosis of infection especially in pregnant women is very important. In this study, development of a latex agglutination test using native antigens for rapid diagnosis of trichomoniasis is investigated. Trichomonas vaginalis was harvested from TYIS33 culture medium and anti Trichomonas vaginalis antiserum was raised in rabbits. Salt precipitation method was used for antibody purification. Polyesteren latex particles coated with purified antibody and used for detection of Trichomonas vaginalis. Clinical samples of vaginal discharge were collected from 500 women and examined or Trichomonas vaginalis by using wet mount, culture and latex agglutination test was 100% and 81% and those of wet mount were 33.3% and 100%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values of latex agglutination tested were 6% and 100%, respectively. Due to inconvenient sensitivity and specificity of the latex agglutination test developed in this study, further work is recommended to improve the test

Effects of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis Antigens on WEHI-164 Fibrosarcoma Growth in a Mouse Model

Cancer is the main cause of death in developed countries. However, in underdeveloped countries infections and parasitic diseases are the main causes of death. There are raising scientific evidences indicating that parasitic infections induce antitumor activity against certain types of cancers. In this study, the effects of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara canis egg antigens in comparison with Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) (known to have anticancer distinctive) on WEHI-164 fibosarcoma transplanted to BALB/c mice was investigated. Groups of 6 male BALB/c mice injected with T. gondii antigen, BCG, or T. canis egg antigen as case groups and alum alone as control groups. All mice were then challenged with WEHI-164 fibrosarcoma cells. The mice were examined for growth of the solid tumor and the tumor sizes were measured every other day up to 4 wk. The mean tumor area in T. gondii, BCG, or alum alone injected mice in 4 different days of measurements was 25 mm2, 23 mm2, and 186 mm2 respectively. Also the mean tumor area in T. canis injected mice in 4 different days was 25.5 mm2 compared to the control group (alum treated) which was 155 mm2. T. gondii parasites and T. canis egg antigens induced inhibition of the tumor growth in the fibrosarcoma mouse model. We need further study to clarify the mechanisms of anti-cancer effects.

Unsuitability of fecal alpha 1- antitrypsin as a marker for differentiation of microbial and non microbial diarrhea

Alpha 1 - antitrypsin [AAT], an acute phase protein of human serum, is eliminated in the feces in some intestinal disorders, especially diarrhea and its estimation has been used as a marker for protein loss. In this study, we have investigated the possibility of using the determination of fecal A AT in the differential diagnosis of microbial and non-microbial diarrhea, which is ordinarily done by stool culture. In this case-control study, fecal A AT concentration was estimated in children hospitalized in the Pediatric department of Hajar hospital, Shahrekord, Iran. Group 1 consisted of 30 children with microbial diarrhea. Group 2 consisted of 30 children with nonmicrobial diarrhea and the control group consisted of 30 children without diarrhea. Stool samples were collected from all children. Fecal samples were subjected to stool culture and examination. Fecal AAT was estimated using radial immunodiffusion technique. The mean fecal AAT concentration was 50.0 +/- 46.2 mg/dl in group 1, 25.8 +/- 38.3 mg/dl in group 2 and 1.1 +/- 3.4 mg/dl in the control group. There was a significant difference in fecal AAT values in case of diarrhea when compared with the control group. Fecal levels of AAT were significantly higher in microbial diarrhea than in non-micro bial diarrhea and levels in both were much higher than in controls. However, A AT levels were low in some individual microbial cases making this measurement unhelpful for differential diagnosis