Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Bam: A Comparative Evaluation of Pre- and Post- Earthquake Years (1999-2008)

Background: The recent devastating earthquake of December 26 in Bam, 2003 created various risk factors; caused a sharp increase in incidence of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) cases and reached to an epidemic proportion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the status of ACL cases five years before the earthquake compared to the cases occurred five years after the earthquake (1999-2008). Methods: Status of disease was assessed retrospectively for the five years before the earthquake and prospectively for the five years after the earthquake. Identification was confirmed by smear and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The mean annual incidence of ACL for the period from 1999 to 2003 was 1.9 per 1000 comparing to post earthquake period, which was 7.6 per 1000. Most of the infection was in individuals of <20 years, more frequently in females before the earthquake, whilst in contrast, there was a progressive rise in the number of cases, significantly in male individuals of >20 years (P< 0.0001) in post earthquake era. The anatomical distribution of lesions considerably changed during the two periods. Most of the cases were limited to three zones within the city prior to the earthquake, whereas it was spread throughout different zones after the earthquake. PCR indicated that the CL was due to Leishmania tropica in the city. Conclusion: The results strongly suggest that in natural disasters such as earthquakes various precipitating factors in favor of disease will be created, which in turn provide a suitable condition for propagation of the vector and the transmission of the parasite

Frequency of Contact Dermatitis in Patients with Chronic Dermatitis Referring to Dermatology Clinics in Kerman

Abstract: Introduction: Allergic and irritant compounds are frequent in nature, and the environmental allergic factors which can induce or exacerbate eczema are different and often unknown in different areas. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of contact dermatitis in patients with chronic dermatitis referring to dermatology clinics in kerman. Methods: In this descriptive study, standard patch test containing 24 allergens was done for 156 cases (56 males and 69 females) with confirmed chronic dermatitis who had been referred to Afzalipoor Hospital Dermatology Clinics. Evaluation of the results was done for every case 24, 48 and 72 hours after application of the patch test. Results: In whole, 153 positive patch tests were seen in 66 (52.8%) cases of 125 patients who had been examined. The most common allergic agent was nickel sulfate detected in 20 (13.1%) patients (17 females and 3 males). The hypersensitivity reaction to this agent was significantly more common in females than males (P0.05). Conclusion: As the causative agents of contact dermatitis are different in various areas, by doing patch test in each area the allergic agents can be detected for more appropriate preventive measures and treatment strategies. In this study, the first and second common allergens were respectively Nickel and Chrome compounds. Thiorum, Cobalt, benzocaine and theazolin compounds were in the third rank. Keywords: Patch test, Chronic dermatitis, Allergic contact eczem

The prevalence of HSV2 antibodies in Blood Transfusion Department (2002) from university of medical sciences

Herpes simplex virus infection is almost universal. This virus is of two types: HSV1 and HSV2 infect about 500,000 persons annually in the United States, and its prevalence has increased during the past decade. Usually HSV1 spreads through kissing and HSV2 through sexual intercourses. HSV1 is more frequently associated with oral infection and HSV2 can cause recurrent genital ulcers. No data is available about HSV2 prevalence in Iran. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of HSV2 antibodies in blood transfusion department in 2002. Data were collected in a cross-sectional study in 966 serum samples. In this study the population were examined for oral facial and genital herpes. In this survey age, sex, job, education, marrital status, family history of oral facial and genital herpes of the population were considered. Antibody (IgG) of HSV2 was assessed by using ELISA in this study. About 2.7% of the population were seropositive for HSV2 (2.8% were male and 2.6% were female). None of them have had clinical genital herpes during examination but about 1.1% (11 of 966) of them have had previous history of clinical genital herpes. The population have been examined for HIVAb, HBsAb and HCVAb, and the results were also negative. The prevalence of HSV2 had a significant trend of increasing for each higher level of age. Keywords: Viral infection, Herpes simplex, HSV1, HSV2, Herpes genitali

Zinc and Copper levels in the serum of Pityriasis Alba patients

Abstract: Pityriasis alba is an eruptive skin disorder which occurs as dry hypopigmented, scaly patches appears mainly in sun-expose areas of skin, usually in children and young adolescents. Complete cure occurs within few years even without treatment. Few trace elements play essential roles as cofactors in pigmentary process of the skin. In this study by determination of zinc and copper levels in the serum of pityriasis alba patients, we try to find a relationship between serum changes of these elements and the prevalence of pityriasis alba. Both dietary copper and zinc are under influence of phytates and fibers which can be chelated and reduce their bioavailability. Upon study on 48 patients, results did not show any significant difference in relation to the control group. So changes in the level of serum zinc and copper supposedly can not be considered in the pathogenesis of pityriasis alba. Keywords: Pityriasis alba, Trace elements, Copper, Zin

Zinc and Copper levels in the serum of Pityriasis Alba patients

Abstract: Pityriasis alba is an eruptive skin disorder which occurs as dry hypopigmented, scaly patches appears mainly in sun-expose areas of skin, usually in children and young adolescents. Complete cure occurs within few years even without treatment. Few trace elements play essential roles as cofactors in pigmentary process of the skin. In this study by determination of zinc and copper levels in the serum of pityriasis alba patients, we try to find a relationship between serum changes of these elements and the prevalence of pityriasis alba. Both dietary copper and zinc are under influence of phytates and fibers which can be chelated and reduce their bioavailability. Upon study on 48 patients, results did not show any significant difference in relation to the control group. So changes in the level of serum zinc and copper supposedly can not be considered in the pathogenesis of pityriasis alba. Keywords: Pityriasis alba, Trace elements, Copper, Zin

Prevalence of Tinea Capitis in elementary schools in the city of Kerman

Abstract: In order to study the prevalence of Tinea capitis in elementary schools of Kerman, a total population of 6265 students were selected at random from twenty elementary schools (10 boys’ and 10 girls’ schools). Out of this population, 75 students (25 girls and 50 boys) who were suspected in having Tinea capitis infection were further studied. The results of the direct examinations and cultures on sabouraud’s dextrose agar and Mycoses agar were negative for dermatophytosis. In this study the prevalence of Tinea capitis in the city of Kerman was zero. Keywords: Tinea capitis, Primary school, Kerma

Determining of survival & hazard in patients with Pemphigus in Kerman

Abstract: The incidence of survival analysis and hazard rates in 55 patients with the pemphigus have been determined for a period of 12 years from 1989- 2000. The effect of pemphigus type, sex, age and the method of treatment were evaluated separately. For this equation ht(x)=ho(t) exp {? ?i Xi} was chosen in which ho is the baseline hazard in zero time, ht is hazard happened later (in time t), ? is regression coefficient and X can be age, sex, pemphigus type and method of treatment. Results of this study revealed that the upper age groups had relatively smaller survival chance than those of lower age groups, and women less than men. The first 8 years after pemphigus diagnosis, patients with vulgaris and vogtan type as compared with foliaceae and etythmatous had also less survival chance, so was combined therapy compared with single therapy (Corticosteroides). Other parameters like job type and place of living had no apparent effect. Keywords: Survival, Death time, Pemphigus, Longevity predictin

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Bam: A Comparative Evaluation of Pre- and Post- Earthquake Years (1999-2008)

&quot;nBackground: The recent devastating earthquake of December 26 in Bam, 2003 created various risk factors; caused a sharp increase in incidence of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) cases and reached to an epidemic proportion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the status of ACL cases five years before the earthquake compared to the cases occurred five years after the earthquake (1999-2008).&quot;nMethods: Status of disease was assessed retrospectively for the five years before the earthquake and prospectively for the five years after the earthquake. Identification was confirmed by smear and polymerase chain reaction (PCR).&quot;nResults: The mean annual incidence of ACL for the period from 1999 to 2003 was 1.9 per 1000 comparing to post earthquake period, which was 7.6 per 1000. Most of the infection was in individuals of &amp;lt;20 years, more frequently in females before the earthquake, whilst in contrast, there was a progressive rise in the number of cases, significantly in male individuals of &amp;gt;20 years (P&amp;lt; 0.0001) in post earthquake era. The anatomical distribution of lesions considerably changed during the two periods. Most of the cases were limited to three zones within the city prior to the earthquake, whereas it was spread throughout different zones after the earthquake. PCR indicated that the CL was due to Leishmania tropica in the city.&quot;nConclusion: The results strongly suggest that in natural disasters such as earthquakes various precipitating factors in favor of disease will be created, which in turn provide a suitable condition for propagation of the vector and the transmis&amp;shy;sion of the parasite