The seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (HP), a small gram-negative spiral bacillus living in the mucus layer of the human stomach, mediates some gastrointestinal disorders. Considering the immunocompromised nature of transplant recipients due to immunosuppression, they are generally prone to viral and bacterial infectious diseases. In this study we sought to investigate the seroprevalence of HP infection among Iranian kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: We selected randomly 91 kidney transplant patients who were examined for anti- HP Immunoglobulin G (IgG) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method (Lake Success, NY, USA). RESULTS: Forty-three subjects (47.3%) were seropositive for anti-HEV IgG. There was no difference by age (P=.49), sex (P=.22), blood transfusion history (P=.19), or hemodialysis history (P=.46) between seropositive and seronegative groups, but there was a significant difference regarding the educational status of the subjects (P=.03), The difference was not confirmed by considering diploma as the cut point to categorize subjects (P>.05). Comparing age groups, Pearson chi-square analysis revealed no significant correlation between HP seropositivity and increasing age (P=.963), even when controlled for sex, educational status, history of blood transfusion, or hemodialysis. CONCLUSION: The frequency of transplant recipients with anti-HP IgG antibodies in our institution (47.3%) was not higher than that in the general population (almost 60% in Urmia). This rate was lower than reports from developing countries possibly due to better health and sanitation.

Sildenafil citrate can improve erectile dysfunction among chronic hemodialysis patients.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), who undergo hemodialysis (HD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of sildenafil in male HD patients with ED. Twenty-seven HD patients were recruited for this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial study of sildenafil during a period of 1 week. Efficacy was assessed by using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) before and 1 week after treatment. Baseline demographic and clinical features were similar in both the groups. There was a weak correlation between ED and duration of undergoing dialysis (P = 0.073). There was significant relationship between sildenafil usage and improvement in erectile function (P < 0.0001). Placebo improved significantly the erectile function (P = 0.016), perhaps by psychological way. However, sildenafil had a more significant effect than placebo in increasing IIEF score among HD patients (P = 0.00 compared to 0.016). Sildenafil is effective and safe for treating ED among HD patients.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B in Nahavand, Islamic Republic of Iran.

We determined the seroprevalence of hepatitis B in Nahavand in a sample of 1824 subjects > 5 years in 2002. Face-to-face interviews were conducted and blood samples taken. The association between risk factor and hepatitis B was assessed using logistic regression. The prevalence of HBsAg positive cases was 2.3%, and HBcAb and HBsAb were isolated in 7.8% and 11.6% of the participants respectively; 11.9% were positive for both HBcAb and HBsAb. History of surgery and imprisonment were the major risk factors for infection with odds ratios of 2.14 (95% CI: 1.22-3.05) and 3.57 (95% CI: 1.68-5.4) respectively.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B in Nahavand, Islamic Republic of Iran

We determined the seroprevalence of hepatitis B in Nahavand in a sample of 1824 subjects > 5 years in 2002. Face- to- face interviews were conducted and blood samples taken. The association between risk factor and hepatitis B was assessed using logistic regression. The prevalence of HbsAg positive cases was 2.3%, and HBcAb and HBsAb were isolated in 7.8% and 11.6% of the participants respectively; 11.9% were positive for both HBcAb and HBsAb. History of surgery and imprisonment were the major risk factors for infection with odds ratios of 2.14 [95% CI: 1.22- 3.05] and 3.57 [95% CI: 1.68- 5.4] respectively

Clostridium perfringens prototoxin-induced alteration of endothelial barrier antigen (EBA) immunoreactivity at the blood-brain barrier (BBB).

It has been reported that the severe cerebral edema produced in experimental animals by Clostridium perfringens (Cl p) type D epsilon toxin can be prevented by prior treatment with its precursor prototoxin due to competitive binding to endothelial cells (ECs) at the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In this study we investigate the effects of the prototoxin on the BBB, without added toxin. The integrity of the BBB was assessed by its ability to prevent leakage of endogenous albumin. ECs at the BBB were studied by immunocytochemistry for any alteration in the endothelial barrier antigen (EBA), a molecular marker for the intact BBB. Immunocytochemistry showed rapid but mild opening of the BBB to endogenous albumin. Light and electron immunocytochemistry showed qualitative and quantitative reduction in EBA immunoreactivity, with a spectrum of changes at time intervals from 1 h to 14 days post-prototoxin injection. Some vessels with ultrastructural changes and widening of the perivascular space retained EBA immunoreactivity. Many vessels showed partial or complete loss of EBA staining with minimal widening of the perivascular space and edema. Recovery of EBA expression was still incomplete at 14 days postinjection. This is the first report to show endothelial cell damage, mild reversible cerebral edema, and alteration in BBB markers following administration of Cl p prototoxin. This model of mild brain edema may be useful for BBB studies.