Infection by Cag A positive strains of Helicobacter pylori is associated with autoimmune thyroid disease in Iranian patients

Infectious agents have been suspected as a triggering factor for development of autoimmune thyroid disease [ATD]. Some reports from Western countries have suggested association between Helicobacter pylori [HP] infection and ATD. To investigate the association of ATD with Cag A seropositivity in a population with high rate and early age of onset of HP infection. IgG anti HP and anti Cag A antibodies were measured in 88 patients with ATD and compared with results of 112 healthy individuals. The rate of infection with HP was not significantly different in patient and control groups, but there was significant association between ATD and infection with Cag A strains [p<0.005]. This association was significant for both hypothyroidism [p<0.005] and Graves' disease [p<0.02]. Cag A antibody level correlated with titers of thyroid auto antibodies [p<0.001]. In a population with high rate and early age of onset of HP infection, only infection with Cag A positive strains is associated with ATD, and this may be due to immune cross reactivity

Seroprevalence study of hepatits A virus in Fars province, southern Iran

There are several studies on seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus [HAV] in adults in the Middle East. To determine seroprevalence of HAV among adult population in Fars province, southern Iran. In a cross-sectional study, we checked anti-HAV antibody [IgG] in subjected refereed to our health care centers to perform laboratory tests before getting determined. Some risk factors like level of education, type of residence, job, numbers of family members, and access to treated water were also evaluated in these participants. From 1050 subjects studied, 927 [88.2%] had ant-HAV antibody; 123 [11.8%] were antibody negative. Among subjects aged <20 years, the anti-HAV seroprevalence was the lowest [79.3%] followed by subjects aged 20-30 years [91.3%] and those >30 years [99%] [p= 0.01]. 85.1% of studied individuals in urban areas had anti-HAV IgG while 95.9% of subjects in rural regions were anti-HAV positive [p=0.001]. The seroprevalence of HAV antibody was significantly associated with number of family members [p=0.001]. HAV is highly prevalent in our region especially in rural areas. It is better to vaccinate the children for HAV by the time they receive HBV vaccine or when they are five years