Epidemiology of HTLV-1 in Neyshabour, northeast of Iran

HTLV-1 infection is endemic in Mashhad, Northeast of Iran. This study was designed to assess the epidemiology of HTLV-1 and potential risk factors in Meyshabour, Northeastern Iran. All those who referred to Iranian Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research [ACECR]- Mashhad Laboratory in Neyshabour for evaluation of HTLV-1 by ELISA, were tested using WB if the ELISA result was positive. A questionnaire about risk factors of infection was completed for all cases. HTLV-1 infection was positive in 7.2% [35/483] of the participants according to the results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and western blot [WB] tests. Infection was significantly associated with age, family size, income and blood transfusion. However, gender, education, birthplace, race, marital status, and history of surgery, dentistry, traditional cupping, and hospitalization showed no significant relation

Apoptosis of human lymphocytes after exposure to hydatid fluid

Modulation of the immune response is an important strategy by which establishment and growth of hydatid cyst in the internal organs of human is warranted. Induction of apoptosis in the lymphocytes might be a considerable component. This study was designed to evaluate apoptotic impact of hydatid fluid [HF] on human lymphocytes. Human lymphocytes were treated with hydatid fluid. After 6 hours of exposure, caspase-3 activity, the central enzyme of apoptosis cascade, was measured by fluorometric assay in the HF-treated lymphocytes and control cells. In addition, the expression of Bax [a pro-apoptotic protein] and Bcl-2 [an anti-apoptotic protein] mRNA was assessed by RT-PCR after 12 hours of exposure. Both the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA expression and Caspase-3 activity were higher in the HF-treated lymphocytes relative to the control group. Apoptosis could be as a possible mechanism by which Echinococcus granulosus overwhelms host defenses

Analysis of malaria epidemic features in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, Southeast of Iran, 2005-2008

An essential determinant for designing accurate strategies in malaria control is the precise knowledge of local epidemiology, which is time and location dependent. This study was designed to analyze the data on the verified malaria cases, reported in the southeast Province of Iran, Sistan and Baluchistan, from March 2005 to 2008. All the reported cases of malaria in the mentioned period were defined and epidemiologic characteristics of each case were registered and statistically analyzed. The annual incidence rates were 469, 345, and 359 [per 100000] in the 3 consecutive years, respectively. Malaria patients were mainly 15-44 year old males, mostly living in the rural areas. Imported malaria from Afghanistan and Pakistan was considerable [15-20%]. While malaria was more prevalent in the southern part of the province, the percentage of Plasmodium falciparum was higher in the western areas. The incidence of malaria reached its annual peak from July to October. This study clearly reveals that malaria is a significant disease in southeast Iran. The geographic pattern may implicate an important role of cross-border traffic in the importation of malaria in this area