Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of HTLV-1 and Co-infections of Blood-Borne Viruses in Birjand, Iran's Eastern Border.

BACKGROUND: Blood-borne viruses (BBVs) are one of the most important public health concerns. South Khorasan has a long border with Afghanistan and concern has risen there about blood-borne oncogenic viral infections. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and associated risk factors of human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) and co-infections of BBVs in Birjand, Iran's eastern border. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 3441 subjects were tested for sero-prevalence of HTLV-1 by ELISA. The data on demographic features, HTLV-1-related risk factors and other characteristics of the population were analyzed by Pearson chi-square and logistic regression tests. Finally, the co-infection of BBVs was evaluated in the study. RESULTS: The prevalence of HTLV-1 was 0.3% (95% CI: 0.12-0.48). Notably, the sero-prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis D virus (HDV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in our previous studies was reported at 0%, 0.2%, 1.2% and 1.6%, respectively. The results indicated that the occurrence of HTLV-1 infection was associated only with the history of hospitalization (odds ratio [OR]: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.07-0.97, with P = 0.04). The co-infection of HBV with HCV was the most common (2.35%), while a co-infection rate of 1.17% was found for both HBV/HTLV-1 and HBV/HDV. CONCLUSION: Although a higher prevalence of the viruses was expected, it was close to the overall Iranian population. With respect to close relationship with an HTLV-1 endemic area (Mashhad and Neyshabour), the prevalence is very low; however, more attention is needed. Our findings reinforce the importance of increasing knowledge about BBV-related health risk behaviors to prevent the emergence of new cases, especially in low-risk populations.

Comparison of Salivary Antioxidants in Children with Primary Tooth Abscesses before and after Treatment in Comparison with Healthy Subjects

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of children with primary molar abscesses before and two weeks after extraction of the infected tooth. Materials and methods: Forty one children aged between 3-6 years participatesd in this cross sectional study. The antioxidant activity of saliva was investigated in 20 patients with tooth abscesses affecting one of the first primary molars before and after tooth extraction in the case group and once in 21 children with no caries or dental problems in the control group. The FRAP (ferric reduction antioxidant power) method was used to measure the antioxidant power of salivary samples and TAC values were calculated. Data were analyzed with SPSS Version 16 using the paired t-test at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The mean antioxidant index increased in children after (509.2 ± 138.4) treatment (before 483.4 ± 183.6), but this difference was not significant (P=0.61). Also, there was no difference in the mean antioxidant index in control group (494.5±147.9) compared the study group before (P=0.83) and after (P=0.75) treatment. Conclusion: Under the conditions of this study the total antioxidant capacity of saliva was not compromised in children with abscessed teeth.

Status of Exudative Pleural Effusion in Adults of South Khorasan Province, Northeast Iran: Pleural Tuberculosis Tending toward Elderly.

The causes and situation of exudative pleural effusion vary from one area to another. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 327 patients with exudative pleural effusion in South Khorasan province (Iran). The patients were older than 12 years and comprised 172 (52.6%) males and 155 (47.4%) females. The study commenced in 2007 with seven years duration. The Light's criteria were used to define exudative effusion. Procedures including pleural fluid analysis, microbiological study, pleural biopsy, and systemic investigations were conducted to determine the special cause of pleural effusion. The mean age of the patients was 63.4±18.4 years. Malignancies, tuberculosis, and parapneumonia pleural exudation were diagnosed in 125 (38.2%), 48 (14.7%), and 45 (13.8%) cases, respectively. Among malignant effusions, metastasis from lung cancer made 48 (38.4%) of the cases. The origin of metastasis was not determined in 44 (35.2%) patients. The mean age of patients was not significantly different between malignant (66.9±14.3 years) and tuberculosis (63.9±19.7 years) cases (P=0.16). The older age of tuberculosis patients could be a new discussion point on the overall impression created on the subject of tuberculosis pleural exudation (TB-PLE) occurring in young people.

Comparison of the WHO Child Growth Standards with the NCHS for Estimation of Malnutrition in Birjand-Iran.

BACKGROUND: Anthropometric indices are widely used to assess the health and nutritional status of children The aim of the present study was determination of malnutrition and compare estimates of under nutrition among young children under 2 years of age from Birjand city of Iran using WHO growth standard and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) references. METHODS: The cross-sectional descriptive study conducted on 822 children under 2 years of age mean z scores for weight-for-age and height-for-age and prevalence underweight, stunting and wasting were calculated using the new WHO growth standards and compared with NCHS references. RESULTS: Compared with NCHS reference, the mean height for age were lower and mean weight for age scores were almost similar using the WHO standards. Prevalence underweight, stunting, and wasting using WHO standards were 5.2-8.2% and 1.9%, respectively, compared to 6.5-37.3% and 1% based on the NCHS references. CONCLUSIONS: Using WHO standards resulted differences in mean z score for height for age and changes in prevalence of stunting compared with NCHS references in Birjand city children.

Urinary melatonin levels and skin malignancy.

Melatonin inhibits tumor genesis in a variety of in vivo and in vitro experimental models of neoplasia. In industrialized societies, light at night, by suppressing melatonin production, poses a new risk for the development of a variety of cancers such as breast cancer. This effect on skin has been previously studied only in animals and not in humans. Our goal was to examine the relationship between 24-hour 6-sulphatoxymelatonin levels and skin cancer in a case-control study of 70 patients with skin cancer and 70 healthy individuals. The level of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin was measured in 24-hour urine by the ELISA method. In the case group, 55 (78%) patients had basal cell carcinoma and 15 (22%) had squamous cell carcinoma. The mean level of 24-hour urine 6-sulfatoxymelatonin was significantly higher in the control group (P<0.001). Also, sleep duration had a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.001). It seems that a low level of 24-hour urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin renders human beings prone to skin cancer. This association, however, requires further investigation.

Risk factors for premature myocardial infarction: a matched case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction in young age is increasing. Identifying risk factors could be important for health promotion. We studied classic atherosclerotic risk factors in premature myocardial infarction. METHODS: In this matched case-control study, which was conducted from 2005 to 2007 in Birjand County, the east of Iran, atherosclerotic risk factors (hyperten-sion, family history of coronary artery diseases, obesity, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia) of 98 patients affected by acute myocardial infarction aged under 50 years were compared with that of 98 healthy neighborhood controls. RESULTS: Mean levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, as well as systolic blood pressure and body mass index were significantly higher in cases than in controls. There was a positive association between coronary artery disease at younger age and dyslipidemia OR=2.8 [95% CI: 1.5, 5.2], smoking OR=6.4 [95% CI: 3.0, 13.5], systolic hypertension OR=3.1 [95% CI: 1.5, 6.3], family history of coronary artery diseases OR=10.9 [95% CI: 3.2, 37.9] and diabetes OR=2.5 [95% CI: 1.04, 6.2]. CONCLUSION: Smoking, systolic hypertension and dyslipidemia were the most common risk factors among patients with premature myocardial infarction.

Lipid profiles and prevalence of dyslipidemia in schoolchildren in south Khorasan Province, eastern Iran.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum lipid profiles and the prevalence of dyslipidemia in schoolchildren in south Khorasan Province. METHODS: The participants of this cross-sectional study were 685 girls and 641 boys, aged seven to 12 years, selected by multistage random cluster sampling from urban and rural areas of south Khorasan Province (eastern Iran). Fasting blood samples were analyzed for total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. RESULTS: The mean values of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly higher in girls. There was no significant correlation between the mean values of serum lipids with age of the children. The mean values of triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly higher and lower, respectively, in rural areas. In all the participants, the percentiles of triglycerides were higher and the percentiles of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were lower than standard values according to Lipid Research Clinics data. The most common form of dyslipidemia was decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (14.1%). The prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia, increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hypercholesterolemia were 5.4%, 4.1%, and 3%, respectively. There was not any significant relation between different forms of dyslipidemia with age of the children. Decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly more common in girls. The prevalence of decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly higher in rural than urban areas. CONCLUSION: Considering the high prevalence of dyslipidemia and undesirable lipid profiles in the schoolchildren of eastern regions of Iran, it is strongly recommended to search for underlying factors.