ABSTRACT
Blood infection is one of the causes of morbidity in hospitalized patients. While some scholars have identified procalcitonin (PCT) as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of blood infection, others have questioned its diagnostic value. Thus, the present study was conducted to compare the diagnostic values of PCT with C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocytes sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell (WBC) count, and blood culture in patients with bacterial blood infections. In a prospective case-control study, 45 septic patients (6 months-5 years old), who were hospitalized in Shahid Motahhari Hospital of Urmia over the year 2016 and 45 patients with noninfectious diseases, whose gender and age range were similar to the members of the septic group, were examined. The participants' blood samples were taken for the sake of blood culture and measurement of PCT level, ESR, and CRP. Finally, the collected data were analyzed through the SPSS-21 software. the results indicated that the average PCT, ESR, CRP, and WBC count was significantly higher in septic patients. Moreover, the blood culture of patients with negative or intermediate serum PCT levels was negative, while 50% of blood culture results in patients with positive PCT were positive and the rest were negative. Finally, a significant relationship was detected between the frequency of blood culture results and results of serum PCT tests (P = 0.003). serum PCT level can be considered a diagnostic marker of bacterial infections. If used in conjunction with tests of CRP, ESR, and WBC count, the PCT test can enhance the diagnosis of bacterial infections.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To assess the therapeutic effects of oral zinc supplementation on acute watery diarrhea of children with moderate dehydration. METHODS: All 9-month to 5-year-old children who were admitted with acute watery diarrhea and moderate dehydration to the Children Ward of Motahari Hospital, Urmia, Iran in 2008 were recruited. After the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the patients were randomly allocated to two groups: one group to receive zinc plus oral rehydration solution (ORS) and the other one to receive ORS plus placebo. All the patients were rehydrated using ORS and then receiving ORS for ongoing loss (10 ml/kg after every defecation). Additionally, the patients in the intervention group received zinc syrup (1 mg/kg/day) divided into two doses. A detailed questionnaire was filled daily for each patient by trained pediatrics residents; it contained required demographic characteristics, nutrition and hydration status, and disease progression. The primary outcome (frequency and consistency of diarrhea) and the secondary outcomes (duration of hospitalization and change in patients' weight) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean diarrhea frequency (4.5±2.3 vs. 5.3±2.1; P=0.004) was lower in the group receiving zinc +ORS; however, the average weight was relatively similar between the two groups (10.5±3.1 vs. 10.1±2.3; P=0.14). The qualitative assessment of stool consistency also confirmed earlier improvement in the treatment group in the first three days of hospitalization (P <0.05). The mean duration of hospitalization was significantly lower in the patients receiving zinc supplements (2.5±0.7 vs. 3.3±0.8 days; P=0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results imply the beneficial effects of therapeutic zinc supplementation on disease duration and severity in patients with acute diarrhea and moderate dehydration in Iran. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: IRCT201201241580N2.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS continues to be a major global health problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate common opinions and beliefs about HIV/AIDS among Iranian teenager girls. METHODS: This Qualitative study (face-to-face interviews with tape recording) was conducted among fifty female teenager school students in Urmia-Iran. RESULTS: The thematic analysis indicated the main information sources for HIV/AIDS among teenage girls to be their mother and teachers. The participants had little concern about the dissemination of HIV/AIDS in Iran. Using a common syringe is mentioned as the main risk factor for HIV transmission. There were some misconceptions about the at-risk group among teenage girls. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the misconceptions among the teenage girls, their beliefs should be reformed and reorganized in order to reduce the risk of exposure to HIV. The best practice is training life skills in the school level.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Our aim was to determine association of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and idiopathic hypercalciuria in children with recurrent and single episode of urinary tract infection (UTI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 45 children with VUR and recurrent UTI, and 2 control groups: 45 normal healthy children (control group 1) and 45 children with VUR and single episode of UTI (control group 2). Idiopathic hypercalciuria was defined as urine calcium to creatinine ratio more than 0.8 (mg/mg) in infants younger than 1 year old, and more than 0.2 (mg/mg) in older children (without any detectable causes for hypercalciuria). RESULTS: The study group consisted of 26 (57.8%) girls and 19 (42.2%) boys, with the mean age of 41.14 +/- 22.1 months. Nine (20%) subjects had hypercalciuria. The control group 1 composed of 22 (48.9%) girls and 23 (51.1%) boys, with the mean age of 43.98 +/- 16.23 months. In this group, 6 subjects (13.3%) with hypercalciuria were detected. The control group 2 composed of 23 (51.1%) girls and 22 (48.9%) boys, with the mean age of 39.96 +/- 24.2 months. In group 2, 7 subjects (15.6%) with hypercalciuria were detected. CONCLUSION: Comparison between such results was not statistically significant. Despite reports of different studies about accompanying of hypercalciuria with recurrent UTI with or without anatomical abnormalities, according to the present study, idiopathic hypercalciuria is not a major contributing factor to recurrent UTI in children with VUR.
