Frequency of Anti- Toxoplasma Antibodies in Midwifery and Nursing Students of Abadan Islamic AzadUniversity Students in 2011

Abstract Background & Aim: Toxoplasmosis is a common parasitic infection among humans and animals, with worldwide prevalence. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in midwifery and nursing students. Methods: In the present cross-sectional study conducted in 2011, 240 students were randomly selected. Then, 5 ml of blood sample was collected from each student. After centrifugation, the blood serum were detected and tested for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii by ELISA. The collected data was analyzed by chi-square test. Results: The frequency of anti- Toxoplasma (IgG ,IgM) antibodies in all students were 11.67% and 12.08% respectively. This frequency for midwifery students were 11.67% and 10.84, and in nursing students were 11.67% and 13.33% respectively. Seven cases (2.92%) were positive for both IgG and IgM and 2 cases were positive for IgG, and IgM was on the borderline. Between positive antibodies and factors such as drinking water, consumption of meat products, vegetables and cats holding no significant association was seen (p <0.05) Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that 78.92% of the students were sero- negative and at high risk of infection. Due to the age of these students, they should be instructed to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. Key words: Toxoplasmosis, Frequency, ELISA, Girl

Utilization of the Health Ministry recommended services by Iranian HIV/AIDS patients

&quot;nBackground: Behavioral Consultation Centers are the main organizations responsible for providing HIV/AIDS patients with services according to the Iranian Ministry of Health guidelines. In this study we assessed provision of these supposed services to Iranian HIV/AIDS patients referring to Behavioral Consultation Centers. &quot;nMethods: One hundred seventy one clinical files were selected by systematic random sampling from the files of all new HIV/AIDS patients accepted at Imam Khomeini behavioral consultation center who were registered during 2005-2006 and were followed for at least six months. Data were extracted from files and included consultation, vaccination, laboratory and treatment services. &quot;nResults: Family planning and HIV prevention methods consultation were performed for 32.5% and 2.29% of patients respectively. CD4 count was done for 69% of patients. 65.6% of patients who needed anti-retroviral treatment were given medication. Hepatitis B and Td vaccination were done for 21.7% and 3.5% of patients respectively. Coverage of pneumococal and influenza vaccinations was less than 5%. 79.5% of patients who needs tuberculosis prophylaxis were given medication. TB case finding was 14% during one year and the cure rate for patients under anti TB treatment were 95.8%. &quot;nConclusion: Coverage of consultations and vaccination services are very low. Antiretroviral therapy coverage is intermediate. TB case finding and its cure rate are appropriate

Genetic basis for metronidazole and clarithromycin resistance in&nbsp;Helicobacter pylori&nbsp;strains isolated from patients with gastroduodenal disorders

Seyed Jalal Hashemi,1&ndash;3 Ahmad Farajzadeh Sheikh,1,4 Hamed Goodarzi,1,4,5 Mohammad Jaafar Yadyad,1 Seyed Saeid Seyedian,6 Sajad Aslani,7 Mohammad-Ali Assarzadegan8 1Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 2Research Institute for Infectious Diseases of the Digestive System, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 3Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, Iran; 4Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 5Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran; 6Alimentary Tract Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 7Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; 8Immunology Department, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance and genetic basis for metronidazole (Mtz) and clarithromycin (Cla) resistance in strains of Helicobacter pylori, isolated from patients with gastroduodenal disorders. Patients and methods: A total of 157 H. pylori isolates (from 22 gastric cancer, 38 peptic ulcer disease, and 97 non-ulcer dyspepsia patients) were analyzed for drug susceptibility to Mtz and Cla, by gradient diffusion test (E-test, MAST). The PCR and sequence analysis of the rdxA and frxA for Mtz-resistant strains and the 23S rRNA for Cla-resistant strains were used to determine the genetic basis of drug resistance in H. pylori strains. Increased expression of TolC homologous genes (hefA) that upregulates efflux pump activity was determined in multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain of H. pylori by real-time PCR technique. Results: Among 157 H. pylori isolates, 32 (20.4%) strains were resistant to at least one of the antimicrobial agents. The highest resistance rate was attributed to Mtz (n=69, 43.94%). Among the resistant strains of H. pylori, 15 cases (9.55%) were detected as MDR. Mutations in the rdxA (85.5%) and A2143G point mutations (63.1%) in the 23S rRNA were the most common cause of resistance to Mtz and Cla in strains of H. pylori, respectively. In MDR strains, the rdxA mutation and A2143G-point mutation in the 23S rRNA were the most abundant mutations responsible for drug resistance. The relative expression of hefA in MDR strains (mean 3.706) was higher than the susceptible strains (mean 1.07). Conclusion: Mutational inactivation and efflux pump overexpression are two mechanisms that increase the resistance to H. pylori antimicrobial agents and the rate of MDR strains. In Iran, the mutations of rdxA and frxA in Mtz-resistant strains and A2143G and A2142G of the 23S rRNA in Cla-resistant strains were significant. The screening for these mutations could help to prevent antibiotic resistance, and to determine the most effective anti-H. pylori drugs. Keywords: H. pylori, drug resistance, efflux pump, genetic mutation