Study of variances in some blood factors during sepsis diagnosis and their interrelations

Background and aims: Sepsis is one of the most common reasons of mortality among patients in intensive care unit, worldwide. Despite new supportive treatments and administration of high potent antibiotics, sepsis is overwhelmingly one of the risky factors in patient’s life. This study was carried out to compare values of some of the blood tests in sepsis diagnosis and to examine their interrelations in order to select a more practicable diagnosis method. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 30 patients with sepsis, hospitalized at ICU were selected. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Platelet (PLT), and White blood cells (WBC) were measured in three stages: pre-sepsis, peri-sepsis, and post sepsis. Data analysis was conducted by SPSS using repeated measures ANOVA and paired t-test. Results: ESR, CRP, PLT, and WBC in peri sepsis were significantly higher than those in pre sepsis and post-sepsis (P<0.05). Comparing PCT mean level in post-sepsis was significantly lower than those in pre sepsis and post sepsis (P<0.05). Conclusion: Regarding the significant difference in ESR, CRP, and WBC in peri sepsis compared to pre - and post-sepsis in this study, these tests might be used as simple and inexpensive ones instead of PCT and C3 tests for the diagnosis of sepsis in ICU

The prevalence of acute Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in patients with acute exacerbation of the chronic obstructive pulmonary

زمینه و هدف: بیماری انسدادی مزمن ریوی (COPD) که ترکیبی از آمفیزم و برونشیت مزمن است، چهارمین علت مرگ و میر در جهان می باشد. بیماری انسدادی مزمن ریوی شدید (AECOPD) بیماران را مجبور به پیگیری مراقبت های پزشکی می نماید. یکی از عوامل مهمی که در بروز این بیماری نقش دارد، باکتری کلامیدیا پنومونیه است. این تحقیق با هدف بررسی شیوع عفونت حاد با کلامیدیا پنومونیه (Chlamydia pneumoniae) در بیماران پذیرش شده به علت AECOPD در بیمارستان هاجر شهرکرد صورت پذیرفت. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی-مقطعی تعداد 100 بیمار مبتلا به AECOPD شرکت داشتند. علاوه بر معاینات بالینی و رادیولوژی دو نمونه خونی به فاصله سه هفته از بیماران گرفته شد و تیترهای آنتی بادی کلامیدیا پنومونیه به روش الایزا (ELISA) تعیین گردید و آنالیز آماری داده ها با استفاده از نرم افزار SPSS و آزمون های آماری فیشر و من ویتنی انجام شد. یافته ها: شیوع عفونت کلامیدیا پنومونیه در بیماران مبتلا به AECOPD 7 بود که رابطه ای بین شیوع این بیماری با سن، جنسیت، طول مدت بیماری و علایم بالینی مشاهده نشد (05/0P). نتیجه گیری: نقش کلامیدیا پنومونیه در تشدید حاد بیماری انسدادی مزمن ریوی به عنوان یک پاتوژن سببی نسبت به سایر عوامل ایجاد کننده از اهمیت کمتری برخوردار می باشد

Hepatitis a seroprevalence and associated risk factors: A communitybased cross-sectional study in Shahrekord, Iran

Background: Recently, the epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection has been changing sue to lifestyle-related variations. To our knowledge, there are no published data about the seroepidemiology of this infection in Shahrekord, central Iran, by which decisions on the commissioning of a vaccination program could be made. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of HAV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody at the Shahrekord Center of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, southwest Iran. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, using the multistage cluster sampling method, a total of 501 serum samples from the same number of individuals over 15 years in both urban and rural areas of Shahrekord, during 2013 were tested for HAV IgG antibody using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The data were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square test. Logistic regression was also used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: It was found that 455 out of 501 (90.8%) serum samples, including those of 211 (42.1%) men and 290 (57.9%) women, were positive for HAV IgG antibody. Education level, age, marital status, and ethnicity were associated with HAV seropositivity in the studied individuals (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The HAV seroprevalence of 90.8% in the studied region may be representative of a highly endemic region of HAV that does not require a vaccination program to be commissioned. © 2016, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center

Prevalence of Heptavalent Vaccine-related Pneumococcal Serotypes in Nasopharyngeal carrier in children under five years old in Shahrekord, Iran by Multiplex-PCR during 2010- 2011.

BACKGROUND Heptavalent pneumococcal vaccine which included pneumococcal serotypes 4, 6B, 9V,14, 18C, 19F and 23F has been regularly used and is effective on preventing invasive pneumococcal infection. This study aimed to determine vaccine-related serotype distribution in nasopharyngeal carrier and healthy children under five years old. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study from September 2010 to September 2011, 363 nasopharyngeal specimens were collected from healthy children in day care centers. In positive cultures of streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumonia) distribution, serotypes were detected by Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Electrophoresis of PCR products was used for detection of serotypes of S. pneumoniae. RESULTS The carrier rate of S. pneumoniae was 29.5% with 95% confidence interval as 24.8- 34.5%. Electrophoresis of PCR products for detection of serotypes of S. pneumonia revealed 430, 220, 753, 189, 573, 304, and 384 bp (s) for 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F serotypes of S. pneumoniae, respectively. The frequency of 23F, 6B, 19F, and 18C serotypes were 43%, 34%, 18%, and 5% respectively, but other serotypes (4, 9V and 14) were not detected. CONCLUSION Based on the 30% carrier rate and high prevalence of most of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine serotypes in our study, this vaccine should be used for prevention of invasive infection in Iranian children

ANTISPASMODIC EFFECTS OF YARROW (ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM L.) EXTRACT IN THE ISOLATED ILEUM OF RAT

Achillea millefolium L. is cultivated in Iran and widely used in traditional medicine for gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of A. millefolium on the contraction and relaxation of isolated ileum in rat. In this experimental study, aerial parts of A. millefolium were extracted by maceration in ethanol 70% for 72h. Terminal portion of ileum in 100 male Wistar rats was dissected and its contractions were recorded isotonically in an organ bath containing Tyrode solution (37 degrees C, pH 7.4) under one gram tension. Acetylcholine (1mM) and KCl (60mM) were used to create isotonic contractions. Propranolol and N omega-Nitro-L-arginine methylester hydrochloride (L-NAME) were used to investigate the mechanisms of action prior to giving the extract to the relevant groups. Data were compared by ANOVA and Turkey's post hoc test.. The results showed that the ileum contraction was induced by KCl and acetylcholine induced contraction was significantly reduced by A. millefolium extract. The cumulative concentrations of A. millefolium relaxed the KCl and acetylcholine induced contractions (n=14, p<0.001). The inhibitory effect of extract on contraction induced by KCl and acetylcholine was not significantly affected neither by propranolol (1 mu M) nor by L-NAME (100 mu M). There was no significant difference in the rate of relaxation by propranolol and L-NAME between the two groups. In conclusion, A. millefolium can inhibit contraction of smooth muscle of ileum in rat, and it can be used for eliminating intestinal spasms. These results suggest that the relaxatory effect of A. millefolium on ileum contractions can be due to the blockade of voltage dependent calcium channels. In addition, the beta-adrenoceptors, cholinergic receptors and nitric oxide production are not powerful actors in inhibitory effect of A. millefolium. So, the nitric oxide and adrenergic systems may also be involved in the antispasmodic effect of A. millefolium