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

Role of iron supplementation in promoting maternal and fetal outcome

Zahra Yekta1, Reza Pourali2, Nikol Mladkova3, Mohammad Ghasemi-rad4, Farzane Boromand5, Khosrow Hazrati Tappeh6 1Department of Community Medicine; 2Medical Demonstration Facility, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran; 3Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, London, United Kingdom; 4Student Research Committee; 5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; 6Department of Mycology and Parasitology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran Background: The data comparing daily versus intermittent iron supplementation during pregnancy remain controversial. This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of daily versus two different intermittent iron supplementation regimes on hematologic markers and birth outcomes in nonanemic pregnant women. Methods: Two hundred and ten women with singleton pregnancies, no known disease, and hemoglobin levels >11.0 g/dL were randomly assigned to one of three groups, ie, Group A consuming two iron supplementation tablets once weekly (100 mg iron per week, n = 70), Group B consuming one tablet twice weekly (100 mg iron per week, n = 70) and Group C, consuming one tablet daily (50 mg iron per day, n = 70). No additional micronutrients were supplied. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels were measured at 20, 28, and 38 weeks. Pregnancy and birth outcomes (pregnancy termination, method of delivery, birth weight, stillbirth) were analyzed. Results: In total, 201 women completed the protocol. There was a significant difference in mean hemoglobin and ferritin levels in Group B at 38 weeks (P = 0.018 and P = 0.035, respectively) but this difference was not clinically significant (hemoglobin >12 g/dL, ferritin >19 µg/L). There was a significant increase in ferritin in Group C (P = 0.03) at 28 weeks. No significant difference was observed with respect to pregnancy or birth outcome across the groups. All regimens prevented the occurrence of hemoglobin <10.5 g/dL, but weekly supplementation was associated with development of a hemoglobin level <11.0 g/dL (risk ratio 0.044). Conclusion: Twice-weekly supplementation is as effective as daily supplementation, and may represent an acceptable compromise in iron supplementation regimens for nonanemic pregnant women. Keywords: iron supplementation, pregnancy, anemia, outcom

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Mentally Disabled Children and Adults of Urmia, Iran

Background: The prevalence of intestinal parasites infection in institutions for mental retarda­tion of Ur­mia City, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran was investigated.Methods: This descriptive - cross sectional study was carried out in of Urmia city in 2007-2008. Fecal samples of 225 less than 29 year old mentally disabled individu­als were examined using direct smear, formalin - ether concen­tration. Beside their scotch tape samples were observed for Enterobius eggs. Statisti­cal evaluation was per­formed by SPSS 10.Results: Of 225 mentally retarded persons, 118(52.4%) and 107(47.6%) were female and male. The over­all prevalence of infection was 20.4% and that of male, and female were 20.5% and 20.3%, respectively. 17.3% of examined individuals had protozoa infection and 3.1% showed Entero­bius vermicularis eggs. The infection rates of detected intestinal protozoa were Enta­moeba coli 9.7%, Giardia lamblia 6.2%, Io­doamoeba butschlii 5.7%, Blastocystis hominis 4%, and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 0.4%. Forty per­cent of 1-5 year, 22.8% of 6-14 year, 22.2% of 15-18 year, and 16.8% of more than 18-year age groups, had positive results in their tests. Accord­ing to IQ test results, 23.8% of less than 25 score group, 19.6% of 25-50, 17.2% of 50-75, and 40% of 75-90 groups were infected.Conclusion: More efforts for increasing sanitation level and prompt diagnosis and treat­ment of infected persons in these institutions are necessary

Toxoplasmosis in Patients with Cardiac Disorders: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Toxoplasmosis is a common and serious infection caused by an obligatory intracellular protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii. This study investigated the possible association between heart failure and toxoplasmosis. We searched for toxoplasmosis and heart failure patients in English databases including PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Sciences, Science Direct, EMBASE, and Google Scholar up to June 2018. A total of 6 studies and 1,795 participants, comprising 934 cases and 861 controls, had acceptable criteria for entering the study. Im­munoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against T. gondii were found in 53% (22 to 83) of patients with heart diseases and 26% (11 to 42) of healthy controls. In comparison, immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies were found in 0.5% (0.1 to 1) in patients with heart diseases and 0.3% (0 to 0.7) of healthy controls. The patients suffering from cardiac disorders were more significantly correlated to anti-T. gondii IgG (OR: 3.53; 95% CI, 2.27 to 5.47; P = 0.014) and IgM (OR: 1.80; 95% CI, 0.31 to 10.4; P = 0.028) seropositivity than healthy controls. Despite limitations such as the low number of studies, our research showed a high association between toxoplasmosis and cardiac disorders. Therefore, toxoplasmosis may be a risk factor in cardiac patients, and more studies are being done

Pediculosis capitis among Primary School Children and Related Risk Factors in Urmia, the Main City of West Azarbaijan, Iran

Abstract Background: Pediculosis capitis is cosmopolitan health problem. In addition to its physical problems, its psychological effects especially on pupils are more important. This study was conducted to determine the Pediculosis capitis among primary school pupils and also find out the role of probable related risk factors in Urmia city, Iran 2010. Methods: 35 primary schools of Urmia City according to the defined clusters randomly have been selected during 2010. 2040 pupils (866 boys and 1174 girls) were included and examined individually and privately by experts. Presence of adult or immature lice or having nits less than 1 cm from the hair basis were defined as positive. Data about demographic features and factors which their effect should be determined were recorded in standard questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS software with proper statistical test. Results: Infestation was determined around 4%. Girls show significantly greater infestation. The availability of suitable warm water for bathing and hair length (separately in girls and boys) are significantly related to infestation load as well as infestation among different age groups. There was no significant relation between parent's education and job and infestation as well as bathing repetition per week and the kind of energy source which they have. Also there is no significant correlation between educational grades and head lice infestation. Conclusion: The head louse pediculosis is a health problem and remains a health threatening for school children.Effective risk factors should be determined carefully and regionally. Proper training plays a great role in order to prevent and control the problem

Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid enhances epithelial - mesenchymal transition

Aims Cystic Echinococcosis is characterised by fluid filled hydatid cysts in the liver and lungs. The cysts are surrounded by a host fibrous layer (the pericyst) which acts to isolate the parasite from surrounding tissues. Previous studies in liver cysts have indicated that the parasite may be stimulating fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Hydatid Cyst Fluid (HCF) could influence the potential for fibrosis to occur in lung tissue by stimulating epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a human lung epithelial cell line. Methods and Results An adenocarcinoma-derived alveolar basal epithelial cell line (A549) was used as a model for human alveolar epithelial cells (AEC II). These were cultured in vitro with HCF (UK sheep origin). Assays to investigate cell proliferation, cell migration and expression of cytoskeletal markers showed that HCF could stimulate changes indicative of EMT, including enhanced cell proliferation and migration; increased expression of mesenchymal cytoskeletal markers (fibronectin and vimentin) accompanied by a down regulation of an epithelial marker (E-cadherin). Conclusions Molecules within hydatid cyst fluid are capable of inducing phenotypic changes in A549 cells indicating that the parasite has the potential to modify lung epithelial cells which could contribute to fibrotic reactions

Schistasoma mansoninin laboratuvarda sürdürülmesi ve evrim şekillerinden antijen hazırlanması

Bu tezin, veri tabanı üzerinden yayınlanma izni bulunmamaktadır. Yayınlanma izni olmayan tezlerin basılı kopyalarına Üniversite kütüphaneniz aracılığıyla (TÜBESS üzerinden) erişebilirsiniz.Çalışmalarımızda Amerika ve İran'dan temin edilen S. manşon i suşunun laboratuvar şartlarında hayat döngüsünün tamamlanması ve bunun kesintisiz olarak sürdürülmesi sağlanmıştır. Laboratuvarda sürdürülen bu susun evrim dönemlerinden ELISA için erişkin, miracidum ve cercaria eriyik antijenleri IFA Testi için ise erişkin, yumurta, miracidium ve cercaria antijenleri hazırlanmış ve duyarlılıkları araştırılmıştır. ELISA testinde en yüksek duyarlılık erişkin ve miracidium antijenleriyle IFA Testinde ise erişkin ve yumurta antijenleriyle elde edilmiştir. Cercaria antijenleri ise her iki yöntemde de en düşük duyarlılıkta bulunmuştur. 55SUMMARY In this study, complete life cycle of a S. manşon i strain provided from USA and IRAN was performed in laboratory conditions. Adult, miracidium and cercaria soluble antigens for ELISA, adult, miracidium, egg and cercariae particul antigens for IFA was prepared and their sensitivity was investigated. Highest sensitivity was obtained in adult and miracidium antigen in ELISA, adult and egg antigen in IFA. Cercariae antigens was found to be low sensitive in both tests. 5

Circulating antigen detection in patient serum for diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis

Hydatidosis is a major public health problem with a worldwide distribution in humans. The purpose of this study is to investigate the circulating antigen in the sera of CE patients. This study was performed on 188 sera which were taken from 181 patients who attended the various departments of Ege University of Medical Faculty and to the laboratory of Parasitology department with the suspicion of Cystic Echinococcosis (CE). Sera were tested with IHA and ELISA for Circulating antibodies and with Circulating Antigen-ELISA (CAg-ELISA) test for circulating antigen. All the patients were questioned personally and clinical data were obtained from the departments where they operated to confirm the diagnosis of CE and 53 serum specimens were shown to be taken from CE proven cases. Hydatid Cyst Fluid (HCF) harvested from the fertile cysts in the liver of the infected sheep was used both in preparing the ELISA and IHA tests for detecting antibodies and for immunizing the rabbits to obtain immune serum. Specific polyvalent immunoglobulin's required for CAg-ELISA test in detecting the circulating antigen for CE in sera, were obtained from the rabbits which were immunized against hydatid cyst antigen and used after being purified with ammonium sulphat (NH4)2 So4 precipitation and gel filtration colon chromatography performed in the molecular biology department. In 82 specimens with ELISA and in 81 specimens with IHA presence of antibodies, over the cut-off values, in varying titrations were shown out of 188 specimens. In 2(1.1%) patients who were found to negative by both IHA and ELISA, presence of CE was shown after the surgical operation. The specifity (79.26%) and sensitivity (88.68%) of IHA and specifity (78.52%) and sensitivity (90.57%) of ELISA tests were found. In 24(45.6%) specimen with CAg-ELISA test circulating antigen were detected in values over the cut-off level. All patients with positive CAg-ELISA are also confirmed with the personal data obtained from either personally or from the clinics where they were operated. These results indicated that it will be great help to assess antigen detecting tests in additional to antibody detecting tests in the serodiagnosis of patients with suspicion of CE

Genetic Characterization of Fasciola Isolates from West Azerbaijan Province Iran Based on ITS1 and ITS2 Sequence of Ribosomal DNA

Background: Fascioliasis, caused by Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica, has medical and economic importance in the world. Molecular approaches comparing tradi­tional methods using for identification and characterization of Fasciola spp. are precise and reliable. The aims of current study were molecular characterization of Fasciola spp. in West Azerbaijan Province, Iran and then comparative analysis of them using GenBank sequences. Methods: A total number of 580 isolates were collected from different hosts in five cities of West Azerbaijan Province, in 2014 from 90 slaughtered cattle (n=50) and sheep (n=40). After morphological identification and DNA extraction, de­signing specific primer were used to amplification of ITS1, 5.8s and ITS2 regions, 50 samples were conducted to sequence, randomly. Result: Using morphometric characters 99.14% and 0.86% of isolates identified as F. hepatica and F. gigantica, respectively. PCR amplification of 1081 bp fragment and sequencing result showed 100% similarity with F. hepatica in ITS1 (428 bp), 5.8s (158 bp), and ITS2 (366 bp) regions. Sequence comparison among current study sequences and GenBank data showed 98% identity with 11 nucleotide mismatches. However, in phylogenetic tree F. hepatica sequences of West Azerbai­jan Province, Iran, were in a close relationship with Iranian, Asian, and African isolates. Conclusions: Only F. hepatica species is distributed among sheep and cattle in West Azerbaijan Province Iran. However, 5 and 6 bp variation in ITS1 and ITS2 regions, respectively, is not enough to separate of Fasciola spp. Therefore, more studies are essential for designing new molecular markers to correct species iden­tification