ABSTRACT
Over one-third of the world's population are seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii. One of the important traits of T. gondii is its ability to alter and manipulating the behavior and personality of its intermediate host. The current study was aimed to determine the prevalence of acute and chronic toxoplasmosis in those persons suffer from schizophrenia using serological and molecular techniques. In this cross-sectional study, blood samples were taken from 118 Schizophrenia patients hospitalized in Sistan and Baluchestan province, southeast of Iran. IgM and IgG anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, the presence of parasite was evaluated using nested-PCR B1 gene. Among 118 schizophrenic patients, 48 (40.67%), 4 (3.37%) and 14 (11.86%) were tested seropositive only for IgG, only for IgM and for both of IgG/IgM. So that, total prevalence was 66/118 (55.91%). All samples were also examined using nested-PCR and T. gondii DNA was found in 41 (34.74%) samples. Our study showed high seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in southeast of Iran.
ABSTRACT
@#Over one-third of the world’s population are seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii. One of the important traits of T. gondii is its ability to alter and manipulating the behavior and personality of its intermediate host. The current study was aimed to determine the prevalence of acute and chronic toxoplasmosis in those persons suffer from schizophrenia using serological and molecular techniques. In this cross-sectional study, blood samples were taken from 118 Schizophrenia patients hospitalized in Sistan and Baluchestan province, southeast of Iran. IgM and IgG anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, the presence of parasite was evaluated using nested-PCR B1 gene. Among 118 schizophrenic patients, 48 (40.67%), 4 (3.37%) and 14 (11.86%) were tested seropositive only for IgG, only for IgM and for both of IgG/IgM. So that, total prevalence was 66/118 (55.91%). All samples were also examined using nested-PCR and T. gondii DNA was found in 41 (34.74%) samples. Our study showed high seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in southeast of Iran.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Many countries make many of their governmental sectors private. This transition, however, may affect their employees in numerous ways. OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of occupational stress and mental health of employees of a petrochemical company in Isfahan, Central Iran, before and 3 months after privatization. METHODS: Out of the 700 employees of the studied company, using a stratified random sampling technique, 140 persons were selected. We used Steinmetz occupational stress and GHQ-28 questionnaires to determine the level of stress and mental health status of participants. RESULTS: The reliability of the questionnaires used was acceptable (Chronbach alpha coefficients: 0.85 and 0.86, respectively). Job stress level was significantly increased 3 months after privatization; the mean±SD job stress score before and after privatization were 22.9±10.43 and 28.3±12.25, respectively (p<0.001). The mean±SD mental health score after privatization (17.57±11.63) was also significantly (p<0.001) higher than that before the privatization (13.8±6.0). There was a significant (p<0.001) positive correlation between the mental health status score and job score (r = 0.476). CONCLUSION: After privatization, the job stress of employees increased significantly. This increase was associated with a decrease in mental health. To lessen the side effects of privatization, the process should be performed cautiously.
