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

[ role of aqueous garlic extract [Allium sativum] on interleukin 10 and 12 in leishmania infected macrophages]

Leishmaniasis is a disease produced by several species of protozoa of the Leishmania genus. As a therapeutic agent, garlic [Allium sativum] is one of the most popular plants in traditional medicinal systems and is increasingly becoming important in herbal alternative therapy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of aqueous garlic extract [AGE] on enhancing T-helper IL-10 and IL-12 cytokines in the culture via macrophages for engulfment and destruction of Leishmania. After proliferation of macrophages in culture and incubation with Leishmania during 72 hours, we added aqueaous garlic extract by several doses 9.25, 18.5, 37, 74 and 148 micro g/ml for 18, 24 and 48 hours. Trypan blue and MTT tests were carried out in order to test the safety of extracts and j744 cells treated with them, as well as cell viability. An enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA] was performed on macrophages for interleukin IL-10 and IL-12. The results suggested that garlic extract may provide effective therapy against Leishmania. Our results showed that dose of 37 micro g/ml for 48 hours of garlic extract destructed promastigots by IL-12 secreted from macrophages. Based on the results of this study, IL-12 is crucial for defense against parasitic pathogens. IL-12 administration differentially affected immune response to invading Leishmania parasites

Nitrous oxide levels in operating and recovery rooms of Iranian hospitals

Nitrous oxide [N[2]O] is the oldest anesthetic in routine clinical use and its occupational exposure is under regulation by many countries. As studies are lacking to demonstrate the status of nitrous oxide levels in operating and recovery rooms of Iranian hospitals, we aimed to study its level in teaching hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. During a 6-month period, we have measured the shift-long time weighted average concentration of N[2] O in 43 operating and 12 recovery rooms of teaching hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The results show that the level of nitrous oxide in all hospitals is higher than the limits set by different countries and anesthetists are at higher risk of exposure. In addition, it was shown that installation of air ventilation could reduce not only the overall exposure level, but also the level of exposure of anesthetists in comparison with other personnel. The high nitrous oxide level in Iranian hospitals necessitates improvement of waste gas evacuation systems and regular monitoring to bring the concentration of this gas into the safe level

Induction of apoptosis by miltefosine in Iranian strain of Leishmania infantum promastigotes

Miltefosine is a new drug of choice for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. Numerous experimental studies have shown miltefosine is effective on Leishmania donovani, however, effectiveness of miltefosine in treatment of L infantum is not fully understood. The aims of the present study were to evaluate cytotoxic effects of miltefosine on Iranian strain of L infantum, and to determine its 50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] as well as lethal dose. Anti-L. infantum activity of miltefosine was studied by treatment of cultured promastigotes with various concentration of miltefosine. MTT assay was used to determine L infantum viability and the results were expressed as IC50. Annexin-V FLUOS staining was performed to study apoptotic properties of this drug by using FACS flow cytometry. Miltefosine led to dose-dependent death of L. infantum with features compatible with apoptosis including cell shrinkage, DNA laddering, and externalization of phosphatidylserine with preservation of integrity of plasma membrane. The 100% effect was achieved at 22 micro M and IC50 after 48 hours of incubation was 7 micro M. Miltefosine exerts cytotoxic effect on Iranian strain of L. infantum via an apoptosis-related mechanism

Buccal cavity protozoa in patients referred to the faculty of dentistry in Tehran, Iran

Buccal cavity as a compound ecosystem has always been ignored in parasitic infection studies; however it seems that studying on mouth and tooth prevalent parasitic infections is of great importance. In this study, from 120 patients of both sexes referred to Faculty of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran, [2001-2002] 240 samples were taken from the plaques and calculus of depth of tooth and gum pockets. Wet-mount technique is regarded as the best and quickest diagnostic method for Trichomonas. tenax while Entamoeba. gingivalis is best diagnosed by Trichrome vitelli staining method using Bovin fixative. 41.7% and 9.2% of the cases were infected by Entamoeba. gingivalis and T.tenax, respectively, while 3.3% were infected by both parasitic protozoa. Infection to mouth amoeba was more prevalent in males at the age of 21-30 yr old while no relation was found between age/sex as to infection with Trichomonas. tenax. Accordingly, a direct relation was found between the frequency of the parasites and some factors such as periodontal tissue condition, degree of gum bleeding and inflammation, gum color and tooth decay

Prevalence of cryptosporidium spp. infection in renal transplant and hemodalysis patients

Transplanted and hemodialysis patients are frequently affected by parasitic diseases such as cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidium is a parasite causing self-limited diarrhea and enteritis in healthy individuals. The presence of Cryptosporidium infection was studied in three groups including 87 renal transplant patients, 103 hemodialysis patients, and 60 healthy individuals as the control group. Two stool specimens were obtained from each case. The specimens were concentrated by the formalin-ether method and two smears were prepared from each. The smears were stained by modified acid-fast method and were observed under a light microscope. Ten [11.5%] renal transplant and 4 [3.88%] hemodialysis patients were positive for Cryptosporidium infection. No positive results were obtained in the control group. The results showed a statistically significant difference between renal transplant and control groups [P= 0.02], but the difference between hemodialysis and control groups was not significant [P= 0.2]. The results also showed that the rate of Cryptosporidium infection in renal transplant patients was much higher than hemodialysis patients. The susceptibility of renal transplant patients to Cryptosporidium infection is much more than other studied groups and this could be due to immunosuppressive therapy in these patients

Seroepidemiological survey of toxoplasma infections of mentally retarded children

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread infection in the world. Although the infection by Toxoplasma gondii is widely prevalent in humans and animals, the disease is uncommon and most of the acquired infections are asymptomatic. The important aspect of this parasitic infection is the probable danger of congenital transmission and its severe effects on the fetus. In the present descriptive study, a total of 353 samples from mentally retarded children and adolescents in rehabilitation centers in Tehran, were examined from 2001 to 2002. In order to determine the Toxoplasma antibodies, the samples were tested using an IFA technique and in some cases ELISA technique was applied as well. Fourteen percent of the examined samples were positive. In this research Toxoplasma antibody titer in 36 cases were reported as 1:100 and it was found to be 1:200, 1:400 and 1:800 in 9, 1 and 3 cases, respectively. In three cases for which the titer was reported 1:800, samples were tested applying Ig-M ELISA technique in order to determine if there was an acute infection but all tests were negative. In the current study, we did not find any significant differences in the prevalence rate between the genders, but the prevalence significantly increases with age. We used standard questionnaires for causative relation in congenital toxoplasmosis within sero-positive children and 3 cases of infection were documented during the mother's pregnancy period