Anti fungal effect of Echinophora platyloba extract on some common dermathophytes

Increasing usage of medicinal plants for therapeutic purposes, made a unique place for this branch of complementary medicine. While Echinophora platyloba has a folkloric usage, unfortunately has not yet reached an eligible place. This study conducted to evaluate the effect of extract of Echinophora platyloba on some common dermatophytes. 4 tubes containing diluted solutions of hydroalcoholic extract [35, 50, 150 and 250 mg/ml] have been prepared and one tube of 0 mg/mL as control hydroalcoholic. Using agar dilution method, fungi were oincubated with diluted solutions of the extract and the growth results were recorded after 21 days. Trichophyton [T] schenlaini and T. verucosum were totally sensitive. T. rubrum and Micro sporum [M] gypsum were totally resistant. T. mentagrophyte, M. canis and Epidermophyton flucosum were resistant to 35, 50 and 150 mg/ml dilutions, but they were sensitive to 250 mg/mI. T. violaseum was resistant in 35 and 50 mg/ml but sensitive to 150 and 250 mg/ml. 3 concentrations of hydroalcoholic extract [35, 50 and 150 mg/ml] may have clinical application. On the base of this study, the plant in the mentioned dilutions showed anti fungal effect against T. schoenlieinii, T. verucosum. The plant extract showed weaker antifuongal against T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis and Epidermophyton flocusm but this may have not good anti fungal effect against T. rubrum and T. gypseum. The next step of study may be the production of drug product and clinical assay

Prevalence of HBV and HCV infections and associated risk factors in addict prisoners

High prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in prisoners suggests them as one of the main infection source in community. Preventive measures can possibly decrease their rate of infection and infectivity. We evaluated prevalence of HBV and HCV infections and their relation to dangerous behavior in addict prisoners. This was a cross-sectional study included prisoners of central provinces of Iran who were evaluated for HBV and HCV in 2003. All of 1431 prisoners filled out questionnaires that were evaluated for HBsAg and HCV antibody. There were 51 prisoners [3.5%] who were HBsAg positive and 513 prisoners [35.8%] had HCV antibody. Odd`s ratio for HBV and HCV were 10.3 and 9.6 for IVDA, respectively. This study showed that the HBV and specially HCV infection had high prevalence among prisoners. In comparison to rate of HBsAg and HCV infection in general population of Iran, this study showed that the HBsAg was 2 times and HCV infection was 70 times more frequent in prisoner than in general population of Iran. The education for dangerous behavior is strongly recommended to control this persistent infection source for hepatitis B and C in the community