Enhancement of Toxic Substances Clearance from Blood Equvalent Solution and Human Whole Blood through High Flux Dialyzer by 1 MHz Ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis is a process of removing waste and excess fluid from blood when kidneys cannot function efficiently. It often involves diverting blood to the filter of the dialysis machin to be cleared of toxic substances. Fouling of pores in dialysis membrane caused by adhesion of plasma protein and other toxins will reduce the efficacy of the filtre. OBJECTIVE: In This study, the influence of pulsed ultrasound waves on diffusion and the prevention of fouling in the filter membrane were investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pulsed ultrasound waves with frequency of 1 MHz at an intensity of 1 W/cm2 was applied to the high flux (PES 130) filter. Blood and blood equivalent solutions were passed through the filter in separate experimental setups. The amount of Creatinine, Urea and Inulin cleared from both blood equvalent solution and human whole blood passed through High Flux (PES 130) filter were measured in the presence and absence of ultrasound irradiation. Samples were taken from the outlet of the dialyzer every five minutes and the clearance of each constituent was calculated. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of the blood equvalent solution and whole blood indicated the clearance of Urea and Inulin in the presence of ultrasound increased (p<0.05), while no significant effects were observed for Creatinine. CONCLUSION: It may be concluded that ultrasound, as a mechanical force, can increase the rate of clearance of some toxins (such as middle and large molecules) in the hemodialysis process.

A fetal hemolytic anemia in a child with cytomegalovirus infection.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is a hematologic disorder that is rarely observed in infants and young children. Most of the cases are associated with viral or bacterial infections. In some cases, AIHA can be characterized by a chronic course and an unsatisfactory control of hemolysis, thus requiring prolonged immunosuppressive therapy. CASE REPORT: Especially in children younger than 2 years of age, the clinical course of the disease may show either resistance to steroids or dependence on high-dose steroids. We report here an infant fatal autoimmune. CONCLUSION: This case suggests that investigation for the presence of CMV infection in infantile AIHA should be considered. Severe hemolysis is rare but could be a potentially life-threatening complication of CMV infection described mostly in immune compromised adults and children.

Identification and molecular epidemiology of nosocomial outbreaks due to Burkholderia cepacia in cystic fibrosis patients of Masih Daneshvary Hospital, Iran.

INTRODUCTION: B. cepacia complex have emerged as an important opportunistic pathogen in hospitalized and immunocompromised patients. Small hospital outbreaks are frequent and are usually due to a single contaminated environmental source. In this study we were going to investigate the role of B.cepacia complex in those patients suspected to involve with cystic fibrosis and evaluate responsible types in Masih Daneshvary Hospital. METHODS: One hundred specimens were collected from all admitted patients who were suspected to cystic fibrosis to Masih Daneshvary hospital during one year April 2011 till end of March 2012. All were culture and identified standard procedure. All samples were checked by API system (API20NE) and by specific PCR method for genus Bulkhorderia and Bcc as well. Identified strains were finally tested by PFGE system to identifying specific involving pulse-types. RESULT: . Isolation and identification methods revealed 5 specimens were B.cepasia, The frequency of the cystic fibrosis detected at this study was lower than other similar study previously reported. All these isolates showed similar pattern by PFGE standard protocol that may have spread from a single source and could not be attributed to cross infections from patient to patients. DISCUSSION: Application of PFGE and identification of pulse-type is a potential tool to enhance the investigation of apparent nosocomial outbreaks of B.cepacia. However it needs to be adjusted with environmental findings. Implementation of educational programs and adherence to infection control policies are obviously the main element for complete elimination of an outbreak.

Is the lower cyclosporine concentration at 2 hours after dosing safe in kidney transplant recipients?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between cyclosporine blood concentration at 2 hours after dosing (C2) and renal allograft function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2008 to 2010, 1191 kidney transplant recipients (718 male and 473 female patients) were studied. The correlation between serum creatinine concentration and C2 blood concentration was stratified as 400, 600, 800, and 1000 ng/mL. RESULTS: The mean (SD) C2 was 620 (235) ng/mL, and serum creatinine concentration was 1.49 (0.68) mg/dL. At multivariate regression analysis, no significant correlation was observed between serum creatinine concentration and C2 blood concentrations of 600, 800, or 1000 ng/mL (P=.18, .57, and .76, respectively); however, it was associated at 400 ng/mL (P=.03). Moreover, 36.1% of 3159 samples demonstrated satisfactory renal allograft function despite low C2 blood concentration between 400 and 600 ng/mL. CONCLUSION: During maintenance therapy, C2 blood concentration between 400 and 600 ng/mL is effective and safe for providing prophylaxis against rejection, and can improve long-term survival by decreasing cyclosporine toxicity.

Anemia after kidney transplantation in adult recipients: prevalence and risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of anemia and appraise its risk factors at 6 months after renal transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was performed between 2008 and 2010 in 2713 adult kidney transplant recipients to determine the prevalence of posttransplantation anemia. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin concentration of 12 g/dL or less in women and 13 g/dL or less in men. RESULTS: The prevalence of posttransplantation anemia was 52.7%, with severe anemia (hemoglobin≤11 g/dL) detected in 24.4% of patients. Impaired renal function was the only risk factor associated with anemia (odds ratio, 3.6; P=.047). However, severe anemia after kidney transplantation was correlated with female sex (P=.001), renal allograft dysfunction (P=.00), and cytomegalovirus infection (P=.002). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated a quite high prevalence of posttransplantation anemia, in particular associated with impaired renal allograft function. Severe anemia was correlated with female sex, degree of kidney graft dysfunction, and cytomegalovirus infection.

Hyperuricemia after renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Hyperuricemia is a common complication after kidney transplantation, and may adversely affect graft survival. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of and predictors for development of hyperuricemia after renal transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hyperuricemia was defined as a serum uric acid concentration of at least 7.0 mg/dL in men and 6.0 mg/dL in women. From March 2008 to May 2010, uric acid concentration was measured in 12,767 blood samples from 2961 adult renal transplant recipients (64% male and 36% female patients). RESULTS: Hyperuricemia was observed in 1553 patients (52.4%). The disorder frequently occurred in women (P=.003) and in patients with impaired renal graft function (P=.00). After adjustment for sex, serum creatinine concentration, diabetes mellitus, cyclosporine concentration, and dyslipidemia, only female sex (P=.03) and renal allograft dysfunction (P=.05) were associated with hyperuricemia after kidney transplantation. CONCLUSION: Hyperuricemia is a common complication after kidney transplantation, and renal allograft insufficiency predisposes to higher uric acid concentration.

Hyperhomocysteinemia after kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (plasma homocysteine[Hcy] concentration≥15 µmol/L) and evaluate its correlation with allograft function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 159 stable renal transplant recipients (104 men and 55 women). The prevalence and severity of hyperhomocysteinemia were compared in the transplant recipients vs 72 patients (48 men and 24 women) receiving hemodialysis therapy. RESULTS: The mean (SD; range) fasting total Hcy concentration was higher in the hemodialysis group compared with the renal transplantation group: 27.4 (18.3; 10-95) µmol/L vs 16.6 (9.5; 4.5-45.0) µmol/L (P=.00). Hyperhomocysteinemia occurred more frequently in patients receiving hemodialysis therapy (74% vs 49%). No significant correlation was observed between Hcy concentration and recipient sex, cyclosporine trough concentration and concentration at 2 days after dosing, dyslipidemia,cytomegalovirus infection, diabetes mellitus, or aspartate or alanine aminotransferase concentration. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that serum creatinine concentration (P=.02) was the major determinant of increased total Hcy concentration in renal transplant recipients. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of moderate hyperhomocysteinemia was observed in renal transplant recipients. There was no correlation between graft function and Hcy concentration.

Epidemiology of hospitalized burn patients in Taleghani Hospital during 2003-2007.

AIM: The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of burn injuries refered to Taleghani Burn hospital, Ahvaz and to provide information necessary for planning and implementing an effective prevention program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of 6082 consecutive admissions for burn injury treated at Taleghani burn hospital over a five-year period (August 2003 to August 2007) were reviewed. RESULTS: Our results shows that hospital stay in female was significantly longer than in male (p < 0.05). A positive significant correlation was observed between duration of hospital stay and %TBSA (chi2, p < 0.05). Of the 6082 patients, 486 deaths were recorded. The overall mortality rate of hospitalized burns patients was 8%. Mortality rate in female was higher than in male (p < 0.05). Our data showed E. coli in urine culture and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in blood and wound culture was the predominant isolated bacteria. CONCLUSION: This study provides an inclusive overview of hospitalized burn patients at Taleghani burn hospital. Prevention programs for reducing the risk of burns are needed. Furthermore, high %TBSA and mortality and the presence of multi-drugs resistant bacteria are major worrying problems in our hospital (Tab. 5, Fig. 2, Ref. 27).

Frequency of resistance and susceptible bacteria isolated from houseflies.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we determine the vector competence of Musca domestica with reference to the transmission of susceptible and resistance bacterial strains in hospitals and slaughter house in Sanandaj City, west Iran. METHODS: Totally 908 houseflies were collected to isolate bacteria from their external body based on standard procedures.Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar based on recommendations of CLSI (formerly the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards). RESULTS: From collected houseflies, 366 bacteria species were isolated. The most common isolated bacterium at hospitals was Klebsiella pneumoniae 43.3% (n= 90) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 37% (n= 77), while that of slaughterhouse was Proteus mirabilis. 29.1% (n= 46) followed by Citrobacter freundii 28.4% (n= 45). Among all the isolates from hospitals, cephalexin, chloramphenicol, ampicillin, and tetracycline, resistance rates were above 32.5% and gentamicin expressed the highest susceptibility among all the isolates from hospitals. It is worth to note that K. pneumoniae showed 61% and 44.5% resistance to cephalexin and chloramphenicol respectively. Similarly, all isolates from slaughterhouse were more than 28% and 30% resistant to cephalexin and chloramphenicol respectively. Surprisingly, among all the isolates, Citrobacter freundii were highly resistant to gentamicin. CONCLUSION: Houseflies collected from hospitals and slaughterhouse may be involved in the spread of drug resistant bacteria and may increase the potential of human exposure to drug resistant bacteria.

Cytomegalovirus infection and disease following renal transplantation: preliminary report of incidence and potential risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease are major causes of morbidity and mortality after renal transplantation. However, the incidence and potential risk factors are different in developing countries. We sought to determine the incidence and potential risk factors for CMV infection and disease in our center. We also sought to identify groups of recipients who may benefit from preemptive therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty renal transplant recipients were monitored regularly for CMV infection within 6 months after transplantation using CMV immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG titers, pp65 antigenemia, and CMV DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thorough laboratory and physical examinations were performed to detect CMV disease. We evaluated the role of various factors in CMV infection and disease development using Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier statistical models. RESULTS: CMV infection and disease were detected in 33 (82.5%) and 10 (25%) subjects, respectively. Average time to infection and disease development was 4.7 and 11 weeks, respectively. PCR was the most accurate method of diagnosis in 22 (67%) cases. By comparison to other recipients, patients who received antithymocyte globulin (ATG) showed a significant decrease in time to disease development (P = .009). Upon multivariate survival analysis, ATG therapy remained an independent risk factor for CMV disease (odds ratio: 6.8; P = .02). CONCLUSION: Due to the low rate of progression from CMV infection to disease, it does not seem reasonable to perform preemptive therapy in all infected cases. ATG therapy was an independent risk factor for CMV disease. Recipients of this treatment would be proper candidates to receive preemptive therapy.

Genotoxicity study of Hypiran and Chamomilla herbal drugs determined by in vivo supervital micronucleus assay with mouse peripheral reticulocytes.

The growth in popularity of Over The Counter (OTC) of medicinal products or other natural sources have taken a very large share of healthcare system therefore it is essential to determine their safety as for as public health is concerned.In this study Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) was obtained according to CSGMT protocol presented by the Environmental Mutagen Society of Japan. The positive group received mitomycin C in dose of 0.5 mg/kg. The peripheral blood samples before treatment (zero time) were considered as negative control. The MTD of Hypiron was 12 ml/kg and for Chamomilla was 10 ml/kg. Doses of MTD, 1/2 MTD and 1/4 MTD were considered for test groups. Then blood samples were prepared 48 hours after first administration of drugs and kept on precoated Acridine orange slides. The scoring of micronucleated reticulocytes were carried out per 2000 counted reticulocytes in each slide by fluorescent microscope. The results were statistically analyzed. Results of Hypiran were compared with negative control group and the P value was P > 0.05, but the p value of Chamomilla was P < 0.05. Also, the p value of Hypiran and Chamomilla compared with historical negative control group was less, therefore Chamomilla herbal drog can be classified as equivocul category of genotoxicity and Hypiran did not show genotoxicity.

Efficacy and long-term immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B vaccine is effective in protection against hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in haemodialysis (HD) patients, but the antibody response is variable in this population and the persistence of immunity in them remains largely unknown. In this study we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and long-term immunogenicity of hepatitis B vaccine in HD patients. METHODS: In this study, we initially offered HBV vaccination as double dose, four vaccine series schedule (40 microg injections intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle at 0, 1, 2 and 6 months) to 54 HD patients who were negative for hepatitis B core antibody and did not receive any dose of HBV vaccine previously. Serum levels of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) tested 1-2 months after completion of vaccination. Then we follow the patients up to 1 year after primary vaccination to evaluate the persistence of immunity (as indicated by serum levels of anti-HBs higher than or equal to 10 IU/l). RESULTS: After primary vaccination, 87% of patients developed anti-HBs levels above 10 IU/l. 27.8% and 59.2% of them were weak responders and high responders respectively. 13% of patients were non-responders. After 1-year follow-up, 18.18% of responders had lost their anti-HBs (transient responders). All of them were initially in weak responders group and had lower anti-HBs levels. CONCLUSION: We found an average percentage of seroconversion after primary HBV vaccination in HD patients. Our study also supported this fact that an antibody titre above 100 IU/l following primary vaccination is necessary to maintain that level of antibody 1 year later.

Cytomegalovirus disease after kidney transplantation: clues to accurate diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: The clinical diagnosis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease after kidney transplantation is often not accurate. We evaluated the factors associated with a correct diagnosis of CMV disease in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study of all renal transplant patients between 2004 and 2005 with a clinical diagnosis of CMV disease included both donors and recipients who were seropositive for CMV at transplantation. We assessed the rate and correlated factors with a correct diagnosis. RESULTS: Among 127 cases, the 30 (23.6%) patients who had a correct diagnosis of CMV disease. Showed higher ages at transplantation (48.8 +/- 15.3 vs. 39.8 +/- 14.4 years; P=.004) and a shorter interval between transplantation and symptom presentation (9.7 +/- 20.7 vs. 25.6 +/- 33.6 days; P=.048). Diabetes mellitus (DM) was the cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in 41% of patients with a correct diagnosis, whereas it was the cause in 11% of CMV disease-negative patients (P<.001). A multiple logistic regression model showed that DM as the cause of ESRD (P=.001; odds ratio [OR] 16.331), >5 months duration between transplantation and the presence of symptoms (P=.001; OR, 0.060), and age at transplantation >55 years (P=.022; OR, 3.833) were predictors of a correct diagnosis of CMV disease (chi(2)=46.45; P<.001). CONCLUSION: The results herein showed that considering some variables significantly improved the accuracy of a correct diagnosis of CMV disease after kidney transplantation.

Cyclosporine trough (C0) and 2-hour postdose (C2) levels: which one is a predictor of graft loss?

BACKGROUND: Compared with conventionally measured trough level (C0), cyclosporine 2-hour postdose (C2) concentrations show a better correlation with the area under the curve and acute graft rejection. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the relationships of C0 and C2 with long-term graft survival among kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: In a case-control design, we selected 215 adult kidney recipients. Inclusion criteria were more than 18 years of age at transplantation and at least 6 months of follow-up. The case group consisted of patients with graft loss (n=17) and a control group, patients with functioning grafts (n=198). The C0 and C2 levels for the first 6 months posttransplantation, along with demographic and clinical data, were compared between the two groups using univariate analysis. P<.05 was considered to be significant. RESULTS: The mean age at transplantation was 40.5 +/- 16.5 years. The mean follow-up duration was 18 +/- 14 months. The mean C0 values for the case and control groups were 257.8 +/- 126.5 and 248.5 +/- 104.4 mumol/L, respectively (P>.05). The values for C2 were 712.7 +/- 273.2 and 886.2 +/- 266.9 mumol/L, respectively (P=.01). CONCLUSIONS: We observed that C2, but not C0, in the first 6 months posttransplantation were a predictor of long-term graft survival. The findings here in supported the results of other studies that have proposed cyclosporine concentration monitoring by C2 rather than C0 measurements.

Isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria from external ear canal of cancer patients at Shafa Cancer Hospital-Ahwaz.

A bacteriological study of external ear canal was performed in 52 hospitalized cancer patients and 42 non hospitalized cancer patients at Shafa hospital, Ahwaz. Study was under taken to find out the normal flora changes in the external ear canals and to observe the prevalence of external otitis among these cancer patients. The control group consisted of 40 non-cancer patients. We observed the following bacteria among hospitalized cancer patients. Staphylococcus Coagulase negative (51.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (15.7%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (11.9%). Similarly, among non hospitalized cancer patients, Staphylococcus Coagulase negative (45.2%), S. aureus (9.5%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (4.7%). Incidence of Staphylococcus Coagulase negative and Streptococci pneumoniae is higher in control group than that in cancer patients. We have concluded that cancer patients probably suffer from external otitis more frequently because of enhanced colonization by S. aureus (P < 0.05). The antimicrobial susceptibility of these organisms to various antibiotics was determined by disk diffusion method using Muller Hinton agar. In hospitalized cancer patients Staphylococcus Coagulase negative was 25% and 85% resistant to Vancomycin and Penicillin G and in non hospitalized cancer patients, Staphylococcus Coagulase negative were 45% and 80% resistant to Vancomycin and Penicillin G. S. aureus of both the groups (hospitalized & non hospitalized) were resistant to Penicillin G. Similarly, both the groups were 55% and 50% resistance to Vancomycin.