Changes of trend of antibiotic susceptibility in isolated bacteria from culture of ICU patients of Shahrekord Ayatollah Kashanani Hospital, I.R. Iran

زمینه و هدف: بخش های مراقبت های ویژه (ICU) به طور روزافزونی با افزایش باکتری های مقاوم به آنتی بیوتیک ها مواجه هستند که می تواند باعث مرگ بیماران شود. این مطالعه با هدف تعیین الگوی مقاومت میکروارگانیسم های عامل عفونت های بیمارستانی بخش ICU به آنتی بیوتیک های رایج و مقایسه این الگو با فاصله زمانی 12 ماهه بعد است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی -تحلیلی در طی دو دوره (نیمه اول 1386 و نیمه دوم 1387)، 322 کشت (شامل نمونه های ادرار، ترشحات تراشه، Chest tube، زخم پوستی، خون و مایع مفصلی) از 205 بیمار بخش ICUبیمارستان آیت اله کاشانی شهرکرد بررسی شد. بیمارانی که علائم حاد التهابی را داشتند وارد مطالعه و بقیه حذف شدند. باکتری های جدا شده با دیسک های سفتریاکسون، سفتی زوکسیم، سفتازیدیم، سپیروفلوکساسین، کاربنی سیلین، نورفلوکساسین، جنتامایسین، آمیکاسین و کوتریموکسازول تحت آنتی بیوگرام به روش Disk diffusion method قرار گرفتند. یافته ها: بیشترین کشت از، ترشحات تراشه (6/58) و کمترین آن مایع مفصلی (3/0) بود. در کل 5/24 از کشت ها مثبت شدند که 2/58 از ترشحات تراشه و 3/0 از مایع مفصلی بود. کلبسیلا و پسودوموناس شایع ترین باکتری های جدا شده طی یک دوره دوازده ماهه بودند. مقاومت به سفتی زوکسیم، سپیروفلوکساسین و کاربنی سیلین به ترتیب از 5/62، 19 و 100 به 88، 55 و 71 تغییر یافت (05/0

Acute respiratory viral infections among Tamattu' Hajj pilgrims in Iran

ABSTRACT: Respiratory infections are among some common health difficulties which may occur in journeys. Tamattu' Hajj, an annual congregation of more than 2 million (including 100000 Iranian) pilgrims from all over the world, embodies circumstances, e. g. close contact, shared sleeping accommodations and the dense air pollution, which potentially facilitate airborne respiratory disease transmission. With pilgrims' returning home, respiratory infections may be spread to different countries, leading to considerable expenditures imposed mainly on National Health Systems. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate acute respiratory viral infections among Hajj pilgrims. In this descriptive-analytical study, serum samples were taken from 338 Iranian pilgrims in order to be investigated, through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), for antibodies to given viruses. 84 % of studied pilgrims, during their journey, presented with symptoms of infectious diseases, among which Adenoviruses (23.7%) occurred more prevalently compared to the other two viruses of concern, i. e., Influenza (3.6%) and RSV (7.4%). Several factors are involved in rate and type of acute respiratory infections among Hajj pilgrims. Despite high rate of infection with Influenza and Adenoviruses, since massive gatherings may help all pathogenic respiratory agents cause pandemics, other infectious agents should be seriously addressed as well

Comparative study of measuring body temperature by mercury and digital thermometer‏

Background and Aim: Mercury is a dangerous substance for human health and mercury thermometers are major pollutant for environment. Using less dangerous and less expensive devices like digital thermometer can be an alternative for mercury thermometers. The aim of this study was to compare the body temperature measurement by mercury and digital thermometer. Material and Method: In this descriptive- analytical study, 542 patients (331 Female and 211 Males) were selected through convenience sampling. Data was gathered by demographic information form. Body temperature was measured simultaneously by digital and mercury thermometer while each thermometer was placed axillary, and after 5 minutes they were read by a nurse. Results: The mean temperature measured by mercury and digital thermometer was 36.48±0.84 and 36.51±0.87, respectively. There was no statistical significant difference between measurement by mercury and digital thermometer. For detecting fever, digital thermometer had 85.4% and 95.7% sensitivity and specificity respectively. Positive and negative predictive value for digital thermomentr were 81.1% and 96.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Regarding low sensitivity of digital thermometer, it can be concluded that mercury thermometer is still suitable device to detect fever

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus in the families of the patients with hepatitis C infection in Shahre-Kord, Iran

Background: Chronic hepatitis C is a major health concern around the world. Although transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection through parenteral exposure is well documented, sexual transmission of HCV is still debated. Therefore, we evaluated the prevalence of HCV infection within the families of the patients infected with HCV in a central city of Iran, Shahre-kord. Methods: We examined eighty patients with chronic HCV-associated liver disease and their 230 first degree families in a cross-sectional descriptive serological study. Their serum samples were tested for anti-HCV antibody, using ELISA and Immunobloting. A questionnaire including risk factors for HCV infection specially drugs addiction, sexual behaviors, and duration of partnership was filled in by the cases. Results: About 2.17 of the household contacts were seropositive. Of them, 8.7 spouses and 20 sisters had anti-HCV antibody. Conclusion: The risk of HCV transmission between monogamous sex partners is higher than that of in other family members, depending on the duration of exposure especially sexual exposure. Infection rate in other family members of HCV-infected persons and community members is the same. © Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

The effects of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma and cytokine responses in mice

Objective(s): Allergic Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the lungs that is characterized by increased infiltration of leukocytes into the airways, limiting the respiratory function. Studies suggest that a defective general regulatory system against inflammation could be a significant factor in allergic asthma. It has been shown that Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a cellular immunosuppressive therapeutic potential for inflammatory disorders. We investigated whether administration of MSCs during allergen challenge would affect the underlying mechanisms in allergic airways inflammation. Materials and Methods: Fifty mice were used in five control and experimental groups; the experimental mice sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of OVA and aluminum hydroxide emulsion on days 0, 7, and 14, were then challenged intranasally with OVA or sterile PBS on days 14, 25, 26, and 27. Before allergen challenge on day 14, experimental mice received tail vein injection of MSCs in PBS, whereas control mice received PBS alone. Cytokine and IgE analyses were carried out using lung washes as well as serum samples.Results: Our, results showed that MSCs significantly reduced total cells and eosinophilia and serum OVA-specific IgE concentration in OVA-sensitized and challenged mice. Also, results showed that MSCs markedly inhibited expressions of Th2 and Th17 cytokines and elevated levels of Treg cytokines. Conclusion: we found that administration of MSCs could be used as a potential therapeutic approach for allergic asthma

First seroprevalence survey of children with tularemia infection in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province, Iran

Background and Objectives: An increasing number of tularemia was reported in all over the world. This infection is characterized by different clinical syndromes that can be considered in differential diagnosis of infectious disease. Despite effective antibiotics against Francisella tularensis, this infection is still as one of the agent of mortality and disability among infectious disease. The aim of this study was investigation of seroepidemiological of F. tuleransis among children between 2-18 years old in a risky zone in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional, laboratory-based study in two distinct villages Saragha seyed and Khoye in Chaharmahal va bakhtiari Province involved 183 children, adolescents who had no sign and symptom of disease and were screened for tularemia immunoglobulins G (IgG), using the ELISA-based quantitative assay. Results: In general, from 183 children 11 persons (6) were seropositive, compared with 172 persons (94) were seronegative. Conclusion: According to the high prevalence of antibodies against F. tularensis in this study, this infection must be considered as differential diagnosis of infectious disease in suspect patients

The Relationship between Religious Attitudes and Psychological Well-being of Nurses Working in Health Centers in Qom University of Medical Sciences in 2014

Background and Objectives: Nurses are the most important group who provide health system services. They may face with various stresses related to their job that may cause physiological problems. Many factors can influence their psychological health. With this in mind, the current study aimed to examine the relationship between religious attitude with psychological well-being in nurses working in Qom University of Medical Sciences. Methods: The data were collected by means of three questionnaires: demographic, psychological wellbeing, and religious attitude questionnaires. The religious attitude was assessed by Clark and Stark's religious attitude questionnaire. And the psychological well-being was measured by psychological well-being questionnaire introduced by Ryff and Keyes for adults in this study. Results: Religious attitude and psychological well-being were at medium level in 53/6% of the subjects (n=127). Correlational Pearson test showed that total score of religious attitude had significantly positive relationships with psychological well-being (r=+0/30, p<0/01). Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that religious attitude can have a positive influence on psychological well-being

An Investigation of the Relationship between Religious Orientation and Quality of Life of Male Addicts Referring to Addiction Treatment Centers in Qom

Background and Objectives: Addicts are among the socially disadvantaged people whose quality of life has been changed and damaged due to drug abuse. This in turn has influenced their physical, psychological and social health. Addiction is a phenomenon that has long existed in different human societies; and now again, it is still expanding despite the scientific advances and indisputable increase in people&rsquo;s level of understanding and awareness. As such, this study aimed to examine the relationship between religious orientation and quality of life of the addicts. Methods: This is a descriptive-correlational study in which Alport religious orientation questionnaire and&nbsp; SF-12 quality of life questionnaire were used for data collection and analysis. The population consisted of the addicted men who&nbsp; had referred to 8 drug treatment centers in the&nbsp; city of Qom in 2013-14, out of whom 190 subjects were selected. The data were analyzed using SPSS software and correlation coefficient test.&nbsp; Results: The findings showed that there was a significant relationship between religious orientation and quality of life of addicts (p<0/05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that external religious orientation in people being treated from the drug addiction can be used as a defense and supporting mechanism to improve the quality of life in them. Therefore, the likelihood of successful treatment will be increased by strengthening the external religious orientation