Specific PCR assay for rapid and direct detection of Neisseria meningitidis in cerebrospinal fluid specimens

Neisseria meninigitidis is one of the most frequently encountered microorganisms associated with central nervous system infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate a PCR-based assay for specific and rapid detection of N. meninigitidis in CSF specimens. Since April 2002 to July 2006, 130 CSF specimens were collected from patients suspected of having baterial meningitis. Bacterial isolation and identification was carried out according to the standard bacteriological methods. The PCR was used to amplify a 101bp fragment of capsular transport gene A [ctr A] of N. meningitidis. PCR yielded an amplified product with the expected size of 101 base pair fragment. Sensitivity test proved 500 mg of N. meningitidis DNA as the final detection limit and specificity test revealed no cross-reaction for a wide range of respiratory pathogenic organisms. The PCR assay was more sensitive than the bacterial culturing. It might be possible to apply this procedure for rapid diagnosis of meningococci in clinical samples

[ efficacy of Iranian and foreign dimethyl phthalate lotion and trench oinment against Anopheles stephensi in laboratory conditions]

Background: The use of repellents is an important mean of personal protection against biting insects, as well as for combating diseases transmission by reducing man-vector contact. Although N, N- diethyl-3-mtoluamide [DEET] has effective and commonly used, but a number of biting Diptera are tolerant to DEET. In addition, there are some concerns about the safety of DEET and their allergic and toxic effects. Therefore, attend to other repellents. This study evaluated dimethyl phthalate [DMP], which was synthetized in Iran, for protection time [PT] against Anopheles stephensi and compared its efficacy whit two repellents foreign DMP and Trench oinment, under laboratory condition

Materials and methods: This study was conducted to determine the repellent protection time and failure time [FT] by Barnard [1999] method

Results: Our results indicated that PT of Iranian DMP against An.stephensi was 274+/- 8.04 which is no significant differences whit two others repellents. There were significant differences in FT among three repellents. The FT of Iranian DMP was significantly less than two other repellents

Conclusions: Iranian DMP lotion is comparable with foreign DMP lotion, but it needs to promote and to be increased repellent FT

efficacy of Iranian and foreign dimethyl phthalate lotion and trench oinment against Anopheles Stephensi in laboratory conditions

The use of repellents is an important mean of personal protection against biting insects, as well as for combating diseases transmission by reducing man-vector contact. Although N, N- diethyl-3-m-toluamide [DEET] is effective and commonly used, but a number of biting Diptera are tolerant to DEET. In addition, there are some concerns about the safety of DEET and their allergic and toxic effects. Therefore, attend to other repellents. This study evaluated dimethyl phthalate [DMP], which was synthetized in Iran, for protection time [PT] against Anopheles Stephensi and compared its efficacy with two repellents foreign DMP and Trench oinment, under laboratory condition. This study was conducted to determine the repellent protection time and failure time [FT] by Barnard [1999] method. Our results indicated that PT of Iranian DMP against An.Stephensi was 274 +/- 8.04 which has no significant difference with the two others repellents. There were significant differences in FT among three repellents. The FT of Iranian DMP was significantly less than two other repellents. Iranian DMP lotion is comparable with foreign DMP lotion, but it needs to promote and to increase repellent FT

[ effect of intravenous corticosteroid on the chemical suffers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one of the harmful complication in chemical injuries with sulfur mustard. Corticosteroids, bronchodilators and anti cholinergic are the most common drugs use in this disease in which it isn't definitely treatment but is palliative

Materials and Methods: There were 39 patients suffered by sulfur mustard, non smoker, without history of the use of corticosteroid during last month selected based on the spirometery and American thoracic society criteria and divided into 3 group mild moderate and sever. They underwent intravenous corticosteroid for 8 days and pulmonary function test [PFT] was done before and after treatment

Results: All patients the PFT was increased after treatment FVC and FEV1 increased significantly in contrast the PEF. the results show severity of the obstructon in 33.33% patient was decreased, in 61.4% without change and in 5.12% was increased.31.65 of the patients who had mild obstruction beome better. Also 60% with moderate obstruction and 80% with sever obstruction become as same.so however the more sever obstruction, better recovery

Conclusion: This protocol is a good method to treat the moderate and sever COPD and it recommoned to not treatment the mild ones

[ effect of intravenous corticosteroid on the chemical suffers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one of the harmful complication in chemical injuries with sulfur mustard. Corticosteroids, bronchodilators and anti cholinergic are the most common drugs use in this disease in which it isn't definitely treatment but is palliative

Materials and Methods: There were 39 patients suffered by sulfur mustard, non smoker, without history of the use of corticosteroid during last month selected based on the spirometery and American thoracic society criteria and divided into 3 group mild moderate and sever. They underwent intravenous corticosteroid for 8 days and pulmonary function test [PFT] was done before and after treatment

Results: All patients the PFT was increased after treatment FVC and FEV1 increased significantly in contrast the PEF. the results show severity of the obstructon in 33.33% patient was decreased, in 61.4% without change and in 5.12% was increased. 31. 65 of the patients who had mild obstruction beome better. Also 60% with moderate obstruction and 80% with sever obstruction become as same.so however the more sever obstruction, better recovery

Conclusion: This protocol is a good method to treat the moderate and sever COPD and it recommoned to not treatment the mild ones