Incidence and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (Dalys) Attributable to Leishmaniasis In Iran, 2013

Background: Leishmaniasis covers a range of clinical manifestations. Estimation of the burden of leishmaniasis may help guide healthcare management personnel and policy-makers in applying effective interventions. The present study aimed to calculate the incidence and burden of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in Iran in 2013.Methods: To evaluate the epidemiological aspects of the disease in Iran, published studies over the past 20 years were searched and the viewpoints of relevant  specialists in Iran were obtained. Data were collected from the Ministry of Health and from the Tehran University of Medical Sciences. To calculate years of life lost due to premature death, standard expected years of life lost was used. Standard life table of Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2010 with the life expectancy of 86.02 years for both sexes was used to calculate the remaining potential years of life at any age from death.Results: The overall incidence of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis was  calculated as 22 and 0.092 per 100000 population of Iran, respectively. The  burden of leishmaniasis was 99.5 years: 95.34 and 4.16 years for cutaneous and visceral, respectively. Sensitivity was analyzed and deaths predicted by the  Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation added, the burden of visceral  leishmaniasis was 726 years.Conclusion: The share of leishmaniasis burden in Iran is lower than the global burden of the disease. GBD 2010 standard method is recommended to calculate the burden of leishmaniasis in different countries and set local priorities on the basis of these measures.Keywords: Incidence, Disability-adjusted life years, Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Visceral leishmaniasis, Ira

Primjena ugniježđene lančane reakcije polimerazom za dokaz specifičnog slijeda genoma virusa slinavke i šapa u tonzilama klinički zdravih zaklanih goveda u Iranu.

Persistent or inapparent infection, the so-called carrier state, is an important feature of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in ruminants. This may occur in non-vaccinated as well as in vaccinated ruminants following exposure to infectious FMD virus. Although the amount of infective virus that can be recovered from carriers is small, the virus can be present in some ruminants for months and in cattle for years. FMD is enzootic in Iran. The present study was carried out for determination of FMD viral genome in clinically normal cattle slaughtered at Zyaran Abattoir. A total of 133 tonsil tissue samples was collected and total RNA was extracted from each sample individually. RT-PCR and subsequently nested-PCR were carried out on each sample using FMDV specific primers from the 3D-3A region. A 222 bp DNA fragment was amplified from positive samples. Of the 133 tonsil tissue samples, 46 were found positive. Results indicated that the frequency of FMD carriers among tested animals is 34.59%. Statistical analysis did not show any significant differences (P>0.05) between positive samples in relation to sex, age and breed. The high frequency of carriers could be due to extensive FMDV circulation among susceptible animals. This finding suggests that, at least at present, full vaccination coverage is required for domestic ruminants in Iran to increase their resistance to field virus exposures.Perzistentna ili inaparentna infekcija, odnosno kliconoštvo, važna je značajka slinavke i šapa (SiŠ-a) u preživača. Ona se može javiti u necijepljenih i cijepljenih životinja nakon izlaganja infekciji virusom SiŠ-a. Iako je količina infektivnoga virusa koji se izlučuje iz životinje kliconoše mala, virus može biti prisutan u nekih preživača mjesecima, a u goveda godinama. SiŠ se u Iranu javlja enzootski. Istraživanje je provedeno da bi se dokazao genom virusa SiŠ-a u klinički zdravih goveda zaklanih na klaonici Zyaran. Pretražena su 133 uzorka tkiva tonzila. Svaki uzorak bio je pretražen najprije lančanom reakcijom polimerazom uz prethodnu reverznu transkripciju, a potom ugniježđenom lančanom reakcijom polimerazom upotrebom specifičnih molekulapočetnica od 3D do 3A područja. Odsječak DNA od 222 bazna para bio je umnožen iz pozitivnih uzoraka. Od 133 pretražena uzorka, 46 je bilo pozitivnih. Kliconoštvo je bilo ustanovljeno u 34,59% pretraženih životinja. Nije ustanovljena statistički značajna razlika (P>0,05) u pozitivnih životinja s obzirom na spol, dob i pasminu. Velika učestalost kliconoštva može se pripisati znatnom kruženju virusa među prijemljivim životinjama. Rezultati upućuju na zaključak da je zasada potrebno cijepiti sve domaće preživače u Iranu protiv SiŠ-a radi povećanja njihove otpornosti prema terenskom virusu

Chitosan-based nanoscale systems for doxorubicin delivery:Exploring biomedical application in cancer therapy

Abstract Green chemistry has been a growing multidisciplinary field in recent years showing great promise in biomedical applications, especially for cancer therapy. Chitosan (CS) is an abundant biopolymer derived from chitin and is present in insects and fungi. This polysaccharide has favorable characteristics, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ease of modification by enzymes and chemicals. CS‐based nanoparticles (CS‐NPs) have shown potential in the treatment of cancer and other diseases, affording targeted delivery and overcoming drug resistance. The current review emphasizes on the application of CS‐NPs for the delivery of a chemotherapeutic agent, doxorubicin (DOX), in cancer therapy as they promote internalization of DOX in cancer cells and prevent the activity of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) to reverse drug resistance. These nanoarchitectures can provide co‐delivery of DOX with antitumor agents such as curcumin and cisplatin to induce synergistic cancer therapy. Furthermore, co‐loading of DOX with siRNA, shRNA, and miRNA can suppress tumor progression and provide chemosensitivity. Various nanostructures, including lipid‐, carbon‐, polymeric‐ and metal‐based nanoparticles, are modifiable with CS for DOX delivery, while functionalization of CS‐NPs with ligands such as hyaluronic acid promotes selectivity toward tumor cells and prevents DOX resistance. The CS‐NPs demonstrate high encapsulation efficiency and due to protonation of amine groups of CS, pH‐sensitive release of DOX can occur. Furthermore, redox‐ and light‐responsive CS‐NPs have been prepared for DOX delivery in cancer treatment. Leveraging these characteristics and in view of the biocompatibility of CS‐NPs, we expect to soon see significant progress towards clinical translation

A review of sheep pox and goat pox: perspective of their control and eradication in Iran

Sheep pox and goat pox (SGP) of small ruminants are most severing pox diseases of domestic animals, and they have a very important role in agricultural economy. Thereby, SGP are included in the notifiable diseases of Office International des Epizooties (OIE). Time and place distributions of these diseases are relatively stable worldwide. Transportation of infected animals could spread these viruses to the new areas. In most countries in which capripox are enzootic, vaccination and bio-security are the only two main control measures. SGP control programs have been commenced about 50 years ago in Iran, and there is a good situation for eradication of it. In this review, readers can find latest information in some essential aspects of etiology, distribution, transmission, and control of the diseases. Besides, current situation of the disease in Iran has been described, which perhaps are similar to the other endemic areas in the world

The enzymes and electrolytes profiles in sera of Iranian stray dogs naturally infected with Neospora caninum

The protozoan Neospora caninum (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae), respectively infects canids and ruminants as the most definitive and intermediate hosts. A diagnosis of neosporosis is generally made on the basis of clinical signs together with the detection of high levels of antibodies in serum. The present study compares the serum electrolyte profile (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P) and serum enzyme level (ALP, AST, CPK) of non-infected dogs with those of stray dogs naturally infected with N. caninum. The indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) revealed that 17 of the 137 analysed serum samples (12.41%) of the stray dogs were seropositive (Sp) to N. caninum. Serum levels of theelectrolytes and the enzymes were evaluated in the 17 Sp and 28 seronegative (Sn, 20.44%) dogs using common enzyme kits, spectrophotometry and flame photometry techniques. The average serum level of ALP, AST, and CPK were found to be significantly higher in the Sp stray dogs. Measurements of the average serum levels of Ca, K, Mg, and P were higher in Sp than Sn stray dogs, with the average K level being significantly higher in seropositive stray dogs. It was concluded that evaluation of serum enzyme and electrolyte levels may be used to screen N. caninum infection in stray dogs

Risk factors for recurrence of FMD outbreaks in Iran: a case-control study in a highly endemic area

Abstract Background Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an acute viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals with high economic impact. FMD remains endemic in Iran particularly in the livestock-dense province of Khorasan Razavi in northeastern Iran where FMD outbreaks continuously occur. In this study, we aimed to quantify risk factors for the recurrence of FMD outbreaks in Iran by analyzing a time-series of FMD outbreak data from the province of Khorasan Razavi. Results This study used FMD outbreak data collected from 2012 to 2014. Data were collected by local offices of the Iranian Animal Disease Department and the veterinarian of the veterinary council of the Khorasan Razavi province. An outbreak investigation questionnaire was delivered to 127 farms, including 46 case farms (FMD-infected) and 81 control farms (FMD-free). To quantify and compare the odds of exposure to a risk factor in FMD-infected farms versus FMD-free farms, logistic regression models were built using SPSS software version 16. Our results of multivariable logistic regression indicate that hygienic status of the farm (OR = 11.83; CI = 3.38–41.43), FMD vaccination status (OR = 0.06; CI = 0.01–0.68), transportation of livestock (OR = 0.40; CI = 0.163–0.981) and inhibition of livestock dealers’ entry into the farm (OR = 0.36; CI = 0.12–1.09) were identified as important risk factors for farm-level FMD infection. Conclusion This study generated much needed evidence on a set of modifiable risk factors for the recurrence of FMD outbreaks in the high risk province of Khorasan Razavi. This information can be used to improve existing national FMD control program and suggest new guidelines to prevent FMD outbreaks in the country

Human monkeypox infection re-emerges amid the COVID-19 crisis: A review

Background: Monkeypox is a re-emerging viral disease that has recently negatively affected the lives of many people in different countries of the world and has caused many concerns. One of the concerns about this virus is that it will become a new pandemic in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While the world is still struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic, the newly emerging viral disease monkeypox first broke out in the United Kingdom on April 29, 2022, amid the coronavirus crisis. Methodology: This review was carried out by searching articles using the keywords monkeypox, epidemic, covid-19, and emerging infection in various databases and extraction of relevant data based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Discussion: Considering that the monkeypox virus is the cause of acute infections in humans and animals, it can have many effects on the overall population structure and economic issues of a country and threaten the health of human and animal populations. It can spread via direct and indirect contact both between humans and humans and animals. Asymptomatic patients are also able to spread the disease. Now that routine human smallpox vaccination has discontinued and herd immunity is declining, new assessments of monkeypox are required. Furthermore, basic ecological studies are required to better understand the animal species involved in virus transmission and maintenance, as well as to influence future preventive actions. Therefore, knowing different aspects of this disease, its prevention, and treatment methods are quite important.   Conclusion: Although cases of this disease have been reported in many non-endemic countries of the world, and we should be prepared for its prevention and proper treatment but considering its slower transmission method it seems that this disease can be controlled and prevented much more easily than COVID-19