Hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis C antibodies among blood donors in the Islamic Republic of Iran

We determined the prevalence rate of hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] and anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies [anti-HCV] among 7897 healthy voluntary blood donors in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran. Sera were examined for HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies using a second-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Positive sera for HBsAg were found in 85 [1.07%] of the individuals and anti-HCV antibodies were found in 47 [0.59%]. We compared our results with those of other studies and conclude that the prevalence rate of HBsAg in our area has decreased in the last 2 decades; from being an area of high prevalence, it is now one with moderate-to-low prevalence. Since there are few reports on the seroepidemiology of hepatitis C in the Islamic Republic of Iran, we could not assess the changes in prevalence of hepatitis C

Correlation between the severity of carditis and the level of acute phase reactants and anti-streptolysin O titer in acute rheumatic fever: a Retrospective study in Shiraz

In order to find the correlation between the severity of carditis in acute rheumatic fever [ARF] and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], C-reactive protein [CRP] and anti-streptolysin O [ASO] titers, we performed a retrospective study in Shiraz on one-hundred and four patients. The mean age of the patients was 11 years. Fever was seen in 85.5%, arthralgia in 95.2%, arthritis in 81.7%, carditis in 82.5%, chorea in 3:8%, and subcutaneous nodules in 0.9% of patients. Mitral regurgitation was the most frequent valvar involvement [79.6%]. Sixteen patients [15.4%] had severe carditis. The ESR level was >/= 20 Wintrobe units in 98.0%, the CRP was elevated in 83.0%, and the ASO titer was >/= 400 Todd units in 91.0% of patients. There was no significant statistical difference between those patients with mild and severe carditis concerning the level of ESR, CRP, and ASO titers. There was also no significant statistical difference between the level of these parameters and the presence or absence of carditis, and the patient's age [8 years old]

Prevalence of Valvular regurgitation in normal children: a 2-dimensional and color doppler echocardiographic study

Doppler echocardiography in normal children by two-dimensional echocardiography [2D echo], shows some abnormal findings. Two hundred and eighteen normal children 1-15 years old with a mean +/- SD of 8.9 +/- 3.4 with normal 2D echo were examined by pulsed continuous and color Doppler echocardiography [152 children with conventional and 66 with color Doppler echocardiography]. Valvular regurgitation was detected in 82 children [37.1%]. Tricuspid regurgitation was the most commonly detected abnormality [22.4%]. Left-sided valvular regurgitation was rare [2.3%]. Color flow imaging [CFI] revealed higher prevalence [51.5%], and specificity [p < 0.005]. This study showed a high prevalence of right-sided valvular regurgitation. There was no significant age and sex difference between groups, and CFI was more sensitive