Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C among Patients Looking for Hospital Care; Five Years’ Study in Mashhad, Iran

This study was conducted to find out the prevalence, viral load and co-infection of HBV and HCV infection among patients seeking to hospital care in Mashhad, Iran. A total of 402 samples (349 samples for HBV and 53 for HCV) were received and were screened for hepatitis B and C during 2004 to 2014. Viral loads of HBV DNA and HCV RNA were quantified by real-time PCR. Among 349 collected samples, 229 (65.61%) were positive for HBV DNA and 36 (67.92%) for HCV RNA. Among the ones positive for HBV DNA and HCV RNA, HCV was more prevalent (86.11% Vs 58%) ,in male patients, a higher incidence was attributed to HBV than HCV (34.42 Vs 13.88%%). The incidence of co-infection of HBV and HCV was in 5 (1.88%) patients. Association of age and load of HBV, HCV showed that higher marginal viral loads found to be more common in the age groups of upper 30 years old (P=0.064, P=0.079, respectively). The present study provides the preliminary information about high HCV and HBV prevalence. Findings from the current study will be helpful for the better management and control of viral hepatitis among patients looking for hospital care

Introducing a novel and natural antibiotic for the treatment of oral pathogens: Abelmoschus esculentus green-formulated silver nanoparticles

Nanotechnology can solve many biomedical problems and cause transformation in the field of health and pharmaceuticals. The use of this technology in removing pathogenic bacteria is of great interest. The introduction of a strong antibacterial agent is very important to control pathogenic bacteria, especially strains resistant to antibiotics. The aim of this research was to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with the help of Abelmoschus esculentus aqueous extract and investigate its antibacterial properties against oral pathogens. Our study examined the ability of AgNPs to inhibit the dental bacterial growth and anti-adherence in vitro. The biosynthesized AgNPs@Abelmoschus esculentus were characterized by FT-IR, UV–Vis, and SEM tests. The physical and chemical investigation of the synthesized AgNPs showed that the particles were produced in nano dimensions, spherical shape, and without any impurities. In antibacterial test, the 8 µg/mL exhibited the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus mutans (MIC = 8 µg/mL). In vitro adherence of S. mutans was significantly prevented by AgNPs@Abelmoschus esculentus (MIC = 8–16 µg/mL). According to the results, the AgNPs@Abelmoschus esculentus may be good candidates for the oral hygiene agents to prevent periodontopathic conditions and dental caries