High Prevalence of Symptomatic Hepatitis A Infection in Rural Area of Chaharmahal VA Bakhtiari Province, Iran.

INTRODUCTION Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the most common cause of hepatitis during childhood and is an important public health problem. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate an outbreak of symptomatic viral hepatitis in children and in young adults in a rural area from Chaharmahal Va Bakhtiari Province, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS Serum samples from the 70 patients with icterus, who were suspected for HAV infection, referred to a therapeutic center in a central province of Iran from February to July, 2010 were tested for IgM specific antibody to HAV, using Enzyme linked Fluorscent assay (ELFA) Kit (General Biological Corp., Hsinchu, Taiwan). RESULTS All of the 70 children had jaundice. The ELFA results showed that 48 out of 70 (68.6%) tested positive for anti-HAV specific antibody (IgM). The mean age of the individuals were 12.81+12.2 and 23 of them (32.8%) were females. There was significant relationship between seropositivity for IgM anti-HAV antibody and age group in the patients studied (p<0.05). CONCLUSION The high number of cases identified, may indicate an outbreak of hepatitis A in this region with the children as the most susceptible age group to this symptomatic infection

Reversal effect of <em>Achillea millefolium </em>extract on ileum contractions

Introduction: Traditionally Achillea millefolium L. has been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. In this study the hydroalcoholic extract of A. millefolium was evaluated on ileum contractions of Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 32 male Wistar rats were designated into 4 equal groups, including: acetyl choline, KCl, extract plus acetyl choline and the group which received extract plus KCl. The isotonic contractions of ileum (induced by 60 mM KCl or 1 &mu;M acetyl choline) in tyrode solution were recorded, under 1 gr tension. Then, the effects of normal saline or extract (1) were evaluated. The percentage changes were calculated and compared in different groups using ANOWA and Tukey tests. Results: The mean of ileum contractions in acetyl choline and KCl groups were 18.83&plusmn;4.91 and 18.31&plusmn;11.12 (p=0.5). The percentage of contraction relieve in extract plus acetyl choline group was 53.16&plusmn;12.06 and in extract plus KCl group was 62.96&plusmn;11.08 (p=0.4). The contractions in extract groups were significantly less than acetyl choline or KCl groups (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that Achillea millefolium extract inhibits ileum contractions. Therefore, it might be used in patients to reduce ileum spasms.</p