Seroepidemiological survey of Toxoplasma infections of mentally retarded children

Toxoplasmosis is a widespread infection in the world. Although the infection by Toxoplasma gondii is widely prevalent in humans and animals, the disease is uncommon and most of the acquired infections are asymptomatic. The important aspect of this parasitic infection is the probable danger of congenital transmission and its severe effects on the fetus. In the present descriptive study, a total of 353 samples from mentally retarded children and adolescents in rehabilitation centers in Tehran, were examined from 2001 to 2002. In order to determine the Toxoplasma antibodies, the samples were tested using an IFA technique and in some cases ELISA technique was applied as well. Fourteen percent of the examined samples were positive. In this research Toxoplasma antibody titer in 36 cases were reported as 1:100 and it was found to be 1:200, 1:400 and 1:800 in 9,1 and 3 cases, respectively. In three cases for which the titer was reported 1:800, samples were tested applying Ig-M, ELISA technique in order to determine if there was an acute infection but all tests were negative. In the current study, we did not find any significant differences in the prevalence rate between the genders, but the prevalence significantly increases with age. We used standard questionnaires for causative relation in congenital toxoplasmosis within sero-positive children and 3 cases of infection were documented during the mother's pregnancy period

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. infection in renal transplant and hemodialysis patients

Transplanted and hemodialysis patients are frequently affected by parasitic diseases such as cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidium is a parasite causing self-limited diarrhea and enteritis in healthy individuals. The presence of Cryptosporidium infection was studied in three groups including 87 renal transplant patients, 103 hemodialysis patients, and 60 healthy individuals as the control group. Two stool specimens were obtained from each case. The specimens were concentrated by the formalin-ether method and two smears were prepared from each. The smears were stained by modified acid-fast method and were observed under a light microscope. Ten (11.5) renal transplant and 4 (3.88) hemodialysis patients were positive for Cryptosporidium infection. No positive results were obtained in the control group. The results showed a statistically significant difference between renal transplant and control groups (P=0.02), but the difference between hemodialysis and control groups was not significant (P=0.2). The results also showed that the rate of Cryptosporidium infection in renal transplant patients was much higher than hemodialysis patients. The susceptibility of renal transplant patients to Cryptosporidium infection is much more than other studied groups and this could be due to immunosuppressive therapy in these patients

High risk genotype distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) according to age groups in Iranian asymptomatic men

Background: The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted viruses worldwide. HPV infection in men is a serious clinical issue as they could be considered as a reservoir for inadvertently transmitting infection to women. Moreover, genital HPV infection could be a source for anogenital cancers in men. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted from January 2017 to December 2018. Four hundred fifteen asymptomatic men who were visited by specialists, referred to Nilou laboratory in terms of high risk (HR) HPV test testing. HR-HPV genotypes were detected using an approved assay which could discover HPV 16, HPV 18 and a pool of other high risk HPV genotypes as well as 16+ other HR and 18 + other HR (as multiple genotypes). SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean age was 33 ± 8.14 years. Specimens were referred to the laboratory by urologists, (n = 132, 32, 95CI: 25.0-39.4), dermatologists, (n = 104, 25, 95 CI: 19.1-30.9), gynecologists, (n = 75, 18, 95CI: 13.3-29.3) and other specialists (n = 104, 25, 95 CI:19.1-30.9). The overall prevalence of other HR HPV, HPV16, HPV18 and multiple genotypes were 54.2 (45/83), 25.3 (21/83), 3.6 (3/83) and 16.8 (14/83), respectively. The frequency of HR-HPV, HPV16 and HPV18 genotypes was the highest among 30-40 years old. Conclusion: The prevalence of HR-HPV infection among Iranian asymptomatic males was relatively high. Investigation on HPV infection in men as reservoir and transmission vehicle of HPV in addition to screening in women will improve the national public health provisions and will contribute to the application of infection control measurements at a national level. © 2020 The Author(s)

The level of aflatoxin M1 in raw and pasteurized milk produced in alborz province, Iran

Background: Aflatoxins are agroupof very toxiccompoundsproducedby a fungal speciesandare foundin food products. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a type found in dairy products and resistant to pasteurization. AFM1 can adversely affect hepatocytes in human and leading to various liver diseases. Thus, it is essential to examine raw milk for the presence of AFM1. Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the levels of AFM1 in raw and pasteurized milk produced in Alborz province, Iran. Materials and Methods: Ninety seven samples of rawmilk and 20 samples of pasteurized milk were collected from milk collecting centers and different supermarkets, respectively. Samples were analyzed to determine AFM1 level by immunoaffinity column chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a C18 column with fluorescence detector. Mobile phase was water-acetonitrile-methanol (6:2:2 V/V/V) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/minute. Results: AFM1 was detected in all samples with various concentration levels ranging from 0.0024 to 0.231 μg/kg, the mean concentration = 0.027±0.018 μg/kg. Conclusions: According to the results of the current study, 9.27 of the rawmilk and 5 of the pasteurized milk samples had higher levels of AFM1 than the maximum recommended limit (0.05 μg/kg) by food and agriculture organization (FAO). © 2016, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Comprehensive study of antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) prevalence in bacteria isolated from urine samples

Nowadays, increasing extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria have become a global concern because of inducing resistance toward most of the antimicrobial classes and making the treatment difficult. In order to achieve an appropriate treatment option, identification of the prevalent species which generate ESBL as well as their antibiotic susceptibility pattern is essential worldwide. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of ESBL-producing bacteria and assess their drug susceptibility in Fardis Town, Iran. A total of 21,604 urine samples collected from patients suspected to have urinary tract infection (UTI) were processed in the current study. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates was tested by the disk diffusion method. The ESBL producing bacteria were determined by Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST) procedure. Bacterial growth was detected in 1408 (6.52) cases. The most common bacterial strains causing UTI were found E. coli (72.16), followed by K. pneumoniae (10.3) and S. agalactiae (5.7). Overall, 398 (28.26) were ESBL producer. The highest ESBL production was observed in E. coli, followed by Klebsiella species. ESBL producers revealed a higher level of antibiotic resistance compared with non-ESBLs. In conclusion, ESBL production in uropathogens was relatively high. Carbapenems and Aminoglycosides were confirmed as the most effective treatment options for these bacteria. © 2021, The Author(s)

Evaluating the most common mutation in BRCAI and BRCA2 genes in women who had mothers with brest cancer and controls

Background and purpose: Breast Cancer is one of the health problems in every population. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of BRCA1 and BRCA2 common mutations in women whose mothers were diagnosed with breast cancer. Materials and methods: A case�control study was performed in 109 females (less than 40 years of age) who had mothers with breast cancer. For scanning of genomic mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2, genes mutation analysis was done in BRCA1 (exon2, 20) and BRCA2 (exon11) using Real Time PCR test. We also studied 109 healthy controls without family history of breast cancer. Results: No any mutation was found in this population. Conclusion: This study showed no mutation in affected and control group. Therefore, other mutations and genes may have a role in breast cancer pathogenesis in our population. © 2016, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Molecular and Serological Techniques to Determine the Acute and Chronic Phase of Toxoplasmosis in HIV Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Toxoplasma gondii is associated with several complications including neurological problems, ocular damage and encephalitis in immunodeficiency individuals. Early diagnosis of this infection can lead to better management of this disease. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the presence of Toxoplasma gondii with two serologic and molecular methods in HIV-infected individuals. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 102 male patients with HIV with a mean age of 40 ± 9.2 years were examined. The serum sample was used for ELISA to determine the acute and chronic phase and cellular samples using Real Time-PCR for determining the acute phase of the disease. The relationship between age groups and the HIV transmission pathway, as well as the age group, was compared with the results of the Toxoplasma gondii test. FINDINGS: Out of 102 samples tested for IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii antigen by ELFA, all (100%) samples were negative, but for anti-IgG anti-parasite, 44 samples (43.1%) were positive and 58 Sample (56.9%) was negative. Out of 102 samples tested by RT-PCR, all (100%) samples were negative for Toxoplasma DNA. There was a statistically significant relationship between age groups and transmission pathways (p<0.001), as well as between age groups with anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG levels (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, the use of IgM-ELFA and PCR-RT methods for the diagnosis of acute phase and IgG-ELFA in the chronic phase of the disease is important. With the diagnosis of chronic form of toxoplasmosis, preventive treatments can be used in HIV + patients

Prevalence of anti-toxoplasma gondii antibodies in young Iranians: The Caspian III study

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide neglected tropical and sub-tropical infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Most of the previous studies on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in Iran have been done at provincial level and on specific populations, including pregnant females. Socioeconomic parameters are associated with the prevalence of this disease. In this study, the authors evaluated the presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies and the related risk factors in Iranian adolescents. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on serum samples from the third Iranian national school-based survey (the CASPIAN III study), which included 10- to 18-year-old students. Participants were selected by multistage sampling from 27 Iranian provinces. In this study, serum samples of 882 adolescents from 16 provinces were randomly selected and examined for IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondiiby theEnzymeLinked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA).Demographicandsocioeconomic factors related to T. gondii infection were gathered using the global school-based health survey (GSHS) questionnaire. Results: The overall T. gondii IgGandIgMseropositivitywas56.3 (95 CI: 53.4 to 59.2)and3.7 (95CI: 2.7 to 4.9), respectively. In multivariate logistic regression model, family size was statistically associated with seroprevalence of anti T. gondii IgG. Living in crowded households (households with more than 4 people vs. households with less than 4 people) increased the risk of seropositivity of T. gondii (OR: 1.40, 95 CI: 1.10 to 1.99). Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that about 40 of Iranian adolescents have not had contact with the T. gondii, thus the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis might be high in young females. Also, household size was the main factor associated with T. gondii infection. Preventive strategies and health education in Iranian adolescents are recommended. © 2017, Pediartric Infections Research Center

SEROLOGLCAL AND PARASITOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS ON TOXOPLASMA INFECTION IN DOMESTEIC FOWLS IN IRAN

One hundred sixty two domestic fowls were examined for Toxoplasma infection by both indirect haemagglutination tests for Toxoplasma antibodies and inoculation of their brains intraperitoneally into mice for the parasite. The overall sero-positive rate (SPR) was 29 percent with the titers ranging from 1:20 to 1:6400. The number of each species tested and their SPR were: 74 hens (27.0%), 35 roosters (37.1%), 25 turkeys (24.0%), 12 pigeons (33.3%), 8 geese (50.0%) and 8 ducks (0.0%). Altogether 12 strains (7.4%) of T.gondii were isolated from 5 species of the birds, five strains (6.7%) from the hens, one (2.9%) from roosters, four (16.0%) from turkeys, one (8.3%) from pigeons, one (12.5%) from geese and none from the examined ducks. In one case Toxoplasma was isolated from a seronegative hen and the rest were isolated from the sero-positive fowls. All of the isolated strains were no virulent to mice. Since in Iran consumption of underdone chicken-kebab is more or less usual, Toxoplasma infections in domestic fowls any be taken into account as one of the sources of human infection