Environmental mycobacteria in areas of high and low tuberculosis prevalence in the Islamic Republic of Iran

This research compared the numbers and types of different Mycobacterium species in soil samples taken from 2 areas of Golestan province, Islamic Republic of Iran, 1 with a high prevalence of tuberculosis and 1 with a low prevalence. From 220 samples, 91 grew positive cultures (41.4%) and 161 different strains were diagnosed. The most common species isolated were Mycobacterium fortuitum, M. flavescens and M. chelonae. The frequencies of environmental Mycobacterium in the low-prevalence area were much higher than in the high-prevalence area, perhaps due to different environmental factors

Antimicrobial effects of folk medicinal plants from the North of Iran against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Background: Medicinal plants have been used traditionally in Golestan province (north of Iran), against Mycobacterium tuberculosis or the clinical signs of tuberculosis (TB). Objectives: This study aimed to define the inhibitory effects of ethanolic extracts of six of these medicinal plants against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Materials and Methods: Peganum harmala (seed extract), Punica granatum (peel extract), Digitalis sp. (leaf extract), fruit extract of Citrus lemon, Rosa canina and Berberis vulgaris were extracted in ethanol and their activity against M. tuberculosis isolates were determined by the agar diffusion method. The zone of inhibition (at 200 to 1.6 mg/mL) was measured and the results were compared with isoniazid and rifampin as standard positive controls. Also the concentration of vitamin C of each the extracts was evaluated. Results: The ethanolic extract of Peganum harmala seed and Punica granatum peel exhibited potential activity against all M. tuberculosis isolates with mean inhibitory zone of 18.7 and 18.8 mm, at 200 mg/mL concentration. The mean inhibitory zone around isoniazid and rifampinwere 19.2 and 18.8 mm. Ethanolic extract of Citrus lemon showed moderate inhibitory activity only against sensitive (non MDR; non multi drug resistant) strains of M. tuberculosis, and Digitalis sp. showed inhibitory effects on five isolates. Ascorbic acid content was 43.3 mg/dL in Punica granatum and Digitalis sp. and only 9.1 mg/dL in ethanolic extract of Peganum harmala. Conclusions: The highest content of vitamin C was observed in the extract of Punica granatum, which was observed to be highly active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, while the P. harmala must have contained other phytochemical constituents that contributed to the anti-tuberculosis effects of this plant. Our findings showed that ethanolic extracts of P. granatum and P. harmala had anti-TB effects comparable to isoniazid and rifampin and can be good candidates for novel and safe natural products against tuberculosis. © 2015, Pediatric Infections Research Center

Concepts of patients with alopecia areata about their disease

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common and chronic skin disease with an unknown etiology. It may significantly affect the patient quality of life. This study was designed to evaluate the illness perception in patients with AA. METHODS: A questionnaire consisting of 25 questions about causes, timeline, consequences and control of disease were given to 80 patients with AA attending a skin clinic in Tehran, Iran. The impact of age, gender, duration of disease, education, extent of disease and family history of AA were also assessed. RESULTS: Eighty patients (38 male and 42 female) with a mean age of 27.5 years (SD = 9.3) and disease duration of 7.8 years (SD = 7.7) completed the questionnaire. 76.9% of the patients believed that the role of stress was the cause of disease. 17.1 % believed genetic background to be the main cause, this found to be more frequent in patients with positive family history of AA. More than half of patients believed that their illness had major consequences on their lives and 40% of patients believed that their illness would be likely to be permanent rather than temporary, more in patients with longer duration of disease. Only 57.5% of patients considered their treatments to be effective. CONCLUSION: AA may considerably affect various aspects of patients' lives. The patient knowledge about the causes and course of this disease is limited

Bacterial Mastitis in Lactating Women Attending Mirzakochackkhan Hospital during 2003-2004 and the Sensitivity Pattern of the Involved Bacteria

Abstract: Introduction: Mastitis is an inflammatory condition of the breast and since it is usually associated with lactation , it is usually called lactational mastitis. Two major causes of mastitis are milk stasis and infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate bacterial mastitis in lactating women and to determine the sensitivity pattern of the involved bacteria. Method: A total of 203 milk samples were taken from puerperal women with clinical symptoms of mastitis attending Mirzakochackkhan Hospital during 2003-2004. Samples were examined by microscopic and cultural methods. After identification of bacteria by biochemical methods, disk diffusion method was used for determination of sensitivity pattern of bacteria. Results: From 203 samples, 56 samples (27.6%) were culture positive and 147 samples (72 .4%) were negative. Among 56 positive samples, 51 ones (91.1%) were positive for coagulase negative Staphylococcus and 5 samples were positive for Staphylococcus aureus. Among 51 positive samples for coagulase negative Staphylococcus, 21 samples had more than bacteria per milliliter. Isolated Staphylococcus aureus from 5 samples and isolated coagulase negative Staphylococcus from 21 samples were sensitive to flucxacilin, dicloxacilin, and cloxacilin. Conclusion: The results of this study show the role of Staphylococcus aureus. and coagulase negative Staphylococcus in infective mastitis. Keywords: Mastitis, Staphylococcus aureus, Coagulase negative Staphylococcu

Evaluation of Serum Potassium Ion Content Fluctuation in the Kidney Transplant Recipient Patients in Shariati Hospital

Background: Chang in the serum K+ level may increase perioperative morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients. Thus this research was done with the aim of evaluated of K+ change in kidney transplant recipients. Hence the following study was carried to evaluate the fluctuation of potassium ion in the kidney transplant recipient patients. Materials and Methods: In a simple randomized clinical trial the serum K+ level was assessed in 40 kidney transplant candidates as following interval, pretransplantation, during renal art, anastomosis, after diuresis and post transplantation period. After hydration with 5 ml/kg normal saline all patient were undergone general anesthesia identically. They were premedicated fentanyl (2µg/kg), induction was performed by thiopental sodium (5 mg/kg). Tracheal intubation was facifitated with atracurium (0.6 mg/kg). Anesthesia was maintained with N2O + O2 50%, halothane 0.1% and fentonyl 1 µg/kg every 30 min. Results: The least mean K+ level was during anastomosis (ie. 3.5±0.24 mmol/L) and showed a decrease in the serum K+ level compared to preoperative period (mean 4.4±0.48 mmol) (P< 0.001). The maximum serum K+ level detected preoperatively and postoperatively were 5 (mmol/ L) and 4.7 (mmol/L) respectively. Conclusion: Despite the above results we inferred that range of serum K+ level was maintained within normal. Therefore with suitable pereoprative assessment hyperkalemia is a rare occurrence in transplant recipients

Evaluation of First Voided Urine Samples For Detection of Ureaplasma Uriealyticum and Mycoplasma Hominis in Urinary Tracts of Men and Women Suffering from Nongonococcal and Nonspecific Urethritis

Introduction: Ureaplasma uriealyticum is one of the most important causes of Nongonococcal and Nonspecific urethritis (NGU & NSU) in men. Mycoplasma hominis too has a causal role in NGU & NSU. This study aimed to investigate whether it is possible to detect Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma uriealyticum in first voided urine samples in men suffering from NGU & NSU without complaints of urethral secretions and in women with clinical symptoms despite negative vaginal secretion culture test results. Methods: First voided urine samples were taken from 150 patients (21 women & 129 men) suffering from NGU & NSU who referred to the Division of Bacteriology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2004-2005. Samples were examined by culture method. Results: Cultures were positive for Mycoplasma and Ureoplasma in 49 (32.6 %) of the 150 samples. Of the 21 samples taken from women, 5 samples were positive for Mycoplasma & Ureoplasma (2 samples Mycoplasma, 3 samples Ureaplasma). Samples from 44 men were positive for Ureoplasma & Mycoplasma(17 samples Mycoplasma, 4 samples Ureaplasma and 23 samples were positive for both). Ureoplasma urealyticum was detected in 30 samples (20%) and Mycoplasma hominis, was detected in 42 samples (28%). Conclusion: The results of this study provides evidence that culture tests can be done using voided urine in order to detect Mycoplasma hominis and ureaplasma urealyticum in patients suffering from Nongonococcal urethris; men who do not have urethral secretions and women with clinical symptoms despite negative vaginal secretion culture test results