prevalence of parasitic infections in the patients referring to baqiyatallah hospital, 2011

Parasitic diseases are the most important infectious disorders and one of the main public health problems esp. in developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of parasitic infections in the patients referring to Baqiyatallah hospital. n this descriptive study, in one year, for all patients [n=9846] referring to Parasitology laboratory of Baqiyatallah hospital Parasitology investigations were carried out to detect intestinal parasites. Of 9846 cases referring to the Parasitology laboratory, 398 were infected by parasites. The highest prevalence was related to Blastocystis hominis [72.8%] and the next to Giardia [10.8%]. Among Helminth infections, Enterobius vermicularis [1%], Hymenolepis nana [0.25%], Strongiloides stercolaris [0.25%], Taenia saginata [0.25%] were reported. The highest prevalence was related to intestinal protozoa and in spite of relative improvement of health services, intestinal parasitic infection is still one of the health problems in our country

effect of aqueous garlic extract on interleukin-12 and 10 levels in Leishmania major [MRHO/IR/75/ER] infected macrophages

The aim of the present study was to investigate the immunomodulation effects of aqueous garlic extract [AGE] in the cultured macrophages infected by Leishmania major. After J774 macrophages proliferation in RPMI1640 and incubation with Leishmania for 72 hours, AGE was added in doses of 9.25, 18.5, 37, 74 and 148 mg/ml for 18, 24 and 48 hours and cell culture supernatants were harvested. The Leishmania infected J774 cells to assess the cell viability was examined using trypan blue and methylthiazol tetrazolium assay [MTT]. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] was performed on cell culture supernatants for measurement of interleukin IL-10 and IL-12. Dose of 37 mg/ml for 48 hours of garlic extract was the most potent dose for activation of amastigotes infected macrophages. In addition, AGE increased the level of IL-12 in Leishmania infected cell lines significantly. AGE treated cell is effective against parasitic pathogens, and AGE induced IL-12 differentially affected the immune response to invading Leishmania parasites

effect of garlic extract on expression of INF gamma and inos genes in macrophages infected with leishmania major

The study was aimed to show the effect of molecular mechanism of Aqueous Garlic Extract [AGE] on expression of IFN gamma and iNOS genes in Leishmania major. Leishmania major promastigotes [MRHO/IR/75/ER] were added to the in-vitro cultured J774 cell line, the cells were incubated fro 72 hours. Various concentrations of garlic extract [9.25, 18.5, 37, 74, 148 mg/ml] were added to the infected cells. MTT assay was applied for cellular proliferation. After 72 hours of incubation, supernatants were collected and total RNA was extracted from the infected cells. The express of IFN gamma and iNOS gene were studied by RT-PCR method. The colorimetric MTT assay after 3 days of incubation showed cytotoxic effect of garlic extract with an IC50 of 37 mg/ml. In addition, IFN gamma and iNOS genes expression by RT-PCR indicated that garlic extract lead to over expression of these genes in 1774 cell line infected with L. major. Garlic extract exerts cytotoxic effect on infected J774 cell line. In addition, the hypthesis that garlic can improve cellular immunity with raising the expression of IFN gamma and of iNOS genes confirmed

[Forehead reconstruction with small size tissue expanders]

Tissue expansion is widely accepted as a valuable adjunct for the reconstruction of the forehead lesions. Previous studies often have used the largest possible expander for forehead reconstruction which was often over expanded. In this article, we describe our experience for reconstruction of the pure forehead lesions covering 25-70% of the forehead surface with small size tissue expanders and advancement flap. 9 patients [mean age 27 years; range 8-47 years] who had pure forehead lesion covering 25-70% of their forehead surface were selected. Rectangular expanders [30cc] were placed subcutaneously in 3 patient and sub muscularly in 6 patient, respectively. Two weeks after insertion of tissue expanders, expanders were filled with 45 to 60cc of normal saline during a 5 week period. Advancement flap of forehead were used for all patient. The aesthetic outcome was assessed by looking at symmetry, hairline brow position and scar appearance. All the after-expansion forehead reconstructions were considered successful. There was no complication such as infection, hematoma, and exposure and flap necrosis. Findings of this study suggest that applying small size tissue expanders and advancement flap for reconstruction of pure forehead lesions [with different size and cause] not only have desirable aesthetic consequences, but also reduce the complications and increase the patients' compliance