Human cystic echinococcosis in west Azerbaijan, northwest Iran: a retrospective hospital based survey from 2000 to 2009

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hydatidosis in west Azerbaijan, Iran during a 10 year period [2000-2009]. We surveyed medical records of infected patients with hydatid cyst who had been operated in four hospitals in Urmia City, the capital of West Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Several parameters were analyzed including age, sex, place of residency, hospitalization time, and the location of cysts. Of 294 cases, 53.3% were female and 46.7% were male with the mean age of 39.4 years [5- 93]. The average number of operated cysts per year was 29.4 [0.98/100,000 of population]. The most affected age group was 20-30 year olds [18.7% of the cases]. Cysts were localized in liver and lung in 57.5% and 21.8% of cases respectively and the average hospitalization time was 9 days. Single organ involvement was seen in the majority of patients and 28 [9.5%] cases had multiple involvement. The distribution of residence in patients showed 108 [36.9%] of them to have urban origin and 185 [63.1%] were rural residents. The lowest number [n=17] and the highest number of operation [n= 48] recorded in 2000 and 2007, respectively. The prevalence of hydatidosis is high in this city and further studies are needed for evaluation of economic burden and risk factors for CE in this region.

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium in children referred to oncology center of Imam Khomeini hospital in Urmia, Iran

To determine the cryptosporidiosis in immunocompromised and cancerous children referred to oncology center of Imam Khomeini hospital in Urmia city, West Azerbaijan province, Northwest Iran. This case - control study was performed on 72 children [case] with cancer who were referred to oncology clinic of Urmia Imam Hospital. Another 30 children with normal immune system were selected as controls. To determine the amount of contamination with Cryptosporidium, two fecal specimens were collected from each patient and control group. After being concentrated with Formalin-Ether, these specimens were examined using modified acid fast method. Three cases of cryptosporidiosis were seen in the patients [4.16%]. Of these, there were two patients from the rural area and one from urban region. There was no significant relationship between the presence of cryptosporidiosis and living in rural or urban areas. No oocystic form of Cryptosporidium was detected in the control group. Since children suffering from cancer are at risk of to acquiring many infections, general preventive measures against infection must be taken and patients must be screened for opportunistic parasites during chemotherapy

Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among mentally disabled children and adults of Urmia, Iran

The prevalence of intestinal parasites infection in institutions for mental retardation of Urmia City, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran was investigated. This descriptive-cross sectional study was carried out in institution of mentally retarded patients of Urmia city in 2007-2008. Fecal samples of 225 less than 29 year old mentally disabled individuals were examined using direct smear, formalin-ether concentration. Beside their scotch tape samples were observed for Enterobius eggs. Statistical evaluation was performed by SPSS 10. Of 225 mentally retarded persons, 118 [52.4%] and 107 [47.6%] were female and male. The overall prevalence of infection was 20.4% and that of male, and female were 20.5% and 20.3%, respectively. 17.3% of examined individuals had protozoa infection and 3.1% showed Enterobius vermicularis eggs. The infection rates of detected intestinal protozoa were Entamoeba coli 9.7%, Giardia lamblia 6.2%, Iodoamoeba butschlii 5.7%, Blastocystis hominis 4%, and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 0.4%. Forty percent of 1-5 year, 22.8% of 6-14 year, 22.2% of 15-18 year, and 16.8% of more than 18-year age groups, had positive results in their tests. According to IQ test results, 23.8% of less than 25 score group, 19.6% of 25-50, 17.2% of 50-75, and 40% of 75-90 groups were infected. More efforts for increasing sanitation level and prompt diagnosis and treatment of infected persons in these institutions are necessary