Persistence of immunity to hepatitis B vaccine as infants, 17 years earlier

Background: In Iran since 1992, hepatitis B vaccination was a part of the national vaccination program. Hepatitis B vaccination is effective in the epidemiology of hepatitis B. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long – term persistence of immunity. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on children and adolescents aged between 6-18 years in Birjand, who received a three – dose hepatitis B vaccination in accordance with the national immunization program. No students were infected with hepatitis B. Antibody titer higher than10 IU/L was considered positive. Results: A total of 530 patients (307 boys and 223 girls) were recruited for the study of which 44% had positive antibody titer (≥10 IU / L). The geometric concentration mean (GMCs) of antibody in subjects was 64.9±34.2, HBS antibody titer was positive in 40.4% of the boys and 59.6% of the girls. A significant difference in antibody titers was observed in terms of gender and according to the time elapsed since the last vaccination. Antibody titer in children older than 13 years had passed since their last vaccination and was significantly less than those children younger than thirteen years old had passed since their vaccination logistic regression analysis showed that the only predictive factor of anti-HBS low titer (<10 IU/L) is elapsed time of vaccination. Conclusions: Based on results of this study, hepatitis B vaccine has created a good level of protection in 44% of the adolescents after 17 years

Comparison of lung radiographic changes in patients with positive smear and negative smear pulmonary tuberculosis

Background and Aim: Tuberculosis is a chronic lung infection that has contaminated 1/3 of men worldwide and nowadays causes 2 million deaths and 9 million diseases. One of the can be can be assisted tests, in addition to smear, in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis is lung radiography. In tuberculosis patients radiography of negative smear samples, which is often diagnosed with delay, can be assisted. In the present study, radiographic changes of tuberculosis patients with positive smear and those with negative smear have been compared. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive, retrospective, and analytical study, out of 376 patients who had exactly been diagnosed as tuberculosis ones and had been referred to Birjand health center during 2001-2006. One hundred patients whose smear tests were positive, according to WHO's standards, were selected .Then, among negative smear patients 100 individuals who were demographically compatible with positive smear ones were chosen. All of them had x-rays from their lungs, which were then interpreted by a radiologist. Moreover, all patients' sputum tests were done in the reference lab of the Health Center under a technician. The obtained data was analyzed by means of frequency distribution table and descriptive statistics using SPSS (version 15) and Chi-square statistical test. Results: Except reticulunoduler infiltration, relative frequency of other radiographic findings in positive smear patients was more than negative smear ones and only in the variables calcification, adenopathy of the lungs hilum, mediastinal widening, and patchy infiltration the difference was statistically significant P<0.05. Conclusion: Regarding the results of the study, although radiographic changes are not decisive in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis if they are accompanied by clinical symptoms and sputum smear, they can be assisted

A Comparative Study of the Impact of Education through the Infographic Method with the Multimedia Method in Increasing the Knowledge of Dentists and Dental Students in Birjand city Regarding the 2019 Coronavirus Disease

Introduction: Dentists are at the forefront of viral infections such as the new coronavirus. Considering the need for dentists to increase their knowledge about emerging diseases, this study compared the impact of education through the infographic with the multimedia in informing the dentists and dental students of Birjand City about the 2019 coronavirus disease. Methods: An interventional study was done in 2022 on 196 dentists and dental students in Birjand city, who were randomly divided into groups of education through infographic (n = 98) and education through multimedia (n = 98). The educational content was the same for the groups. A 40-point test was performed before and after the educational intervention, and the results were analyzed using chi-square and independent t-tests at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: The average pre-test scores in the infographic and multimedia groups were 28.69 ± 5.38 and 28.04 ± 6.47, respectively. There was no significant difference between the knowledge scores in the two groups before the intervention (P = 0.44). The average post-test scores in the multimedia and infographic groups were 38.83 ± 1.14 and 31.11 ± 3.19, respectively. The results of the statistical tests showed that there was a significant difference between the knowledge scores after the educational intervention (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Multimedia education is more effective than infographics in improving the level of knowledge, so the establishment of this educational method by health policymakers is recommended as an effective educational method in the field of emerging diseases

Evaluating the Relationship between Body Size and Body Shape with the Risk of Breast Cancer

Objective: This study aims to determine the relationship between body size and body shape with the risk of breast cancer.Methods: In this case control study, 480 women participated (240 women with breast cancer in case group and 240 healthy women in control group). After completing the interview form, the weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference and breast size, were measured. The data were analyzed using statistical test by SPSS11.5.Results: The present study showed that the mean of hip circumference were significantly different in both groups (p=0.036). The size of the breast was statistically significant between the two groups. Thyroid type, one of the body shapes, was more seen in the case group than control group (p<0.001).Conclusion: This study revealed that the risk of breast cancer increases with increased hip circumference. In addition, the results indicate that body shape may be a useful predictor in determining the risk of breast cancer. More studies should be designed to address this subject

Serosal membrane tuberculosis in Iran: A comprehensive review of evidences

Tuberculosis (TB) is among the most common cause of serositis. There are many uncertainties in diagnostic and therapeutic approach to serous membranes tuberculosis. Our aim in the present review is to discuss the regional facilities for timely diagnosis, rapid decision-making and appropriate treatment regarding to serous membranes tuberculosis; with emphasis on situation in Iran. A comprehensive literature searches about the status of serous membranes tuberculosis in Iran were performed in English databases including Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, Pub Med, and Web of Sciences, Persian SID databases, between 2000 and 2021. The main findings of the present review are as follow: a) pleural tuberculosis is more common than pericardial or peritoneal tuberculosis. b) Clinical manifestations are non-specific and so non-diagnostic. c) Smear and culture, PCR and characteristic granulomatous reaction have been used for definitive TB diagnosis by physicians. d) With Adenosine Deaminase Assays and Interferon-Gamma Release Assays in mononuclear dominant fluid, a possible diagnosis of TB is proposed by experienced physicians in Iran. e) In area of endemic for tuberculosis including Iran, a possible diagnosis of TB is enough to begin empirical treatment. f) In patients with uncomplicated tuberculosis serositis, treatment is similar to pulmonary tuberculosis. First line drugs are prescribed unless evidence of MDR-TB is detected. g) The prevalence of drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Iran is between 1% and 6%, and are treated by empirical standardized treatment. h) It is not known whether adjuvant corticosteroids are effective in preventing long term complication. i) Surgery may be recommended for MDR-TB. Tamponade or constrictive pericarditis and intestinal obstruction. In conclusion, it is recommended to consider serosal tuberculosis in patients who have unknown mononuclear dominant effusion and prolonged constitutional symptoms. Experimental treatment with first line anti-TB drugs can be started based on possible diagnostic findings

Molecular evaluation of Cryptosporidium spp. among breeding calves of Lorestan province Western Iran

Abstract Background Cryptosporidium spp. are opportunistic intestinal protozoans with global distribution and are of great importance as zoonotic protozoans are common to humans and domestic animals, including cattle and calves. Identification and detection of parasite species using precise methods including molecular methods can be an effective step in treating and controlling parasites. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium among breeding calves of Khorramabad city, Lorestan province, Western Iran, using PCR. Methods The faecal samples were taken from 181 healthy and diarrhoeal calves and after the Ziehl Neelsen Acid‐fast staining and microscopic evaluation, the genomic DNA was extracted for molecular evaluations. To detect Cryptosporidium species, specific primers targeting the SAM‐1 gene of Cryptosporidium and a commercial master mix were used for PCR. Results Out of 181 faecal samples of breeding calves in Khorramabad city, 9 samples (5%) were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. using the PCR method. Statistical analysis of the data showed that there was no significant statistical relationship between Cryptosporidium infection of the calves and variables of age, breed, type of water consumption, clinical signs of diarrhoea, and sampling location, while parasite infection had a significant relationship with calf gender so that all Cryptosporidium positive samples were from male calves (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions Considering the presence of Cryptosporidium infection, the region's traditional grazing system, and the close relationship between livestock and humans, there is a possibility of human infection in the region. So preventive measures such as periodic animal testing with sensitive and accurate diagnostic techniques including PCR, pharmacological treatment of livestock, water hygiene and the use of industrial grazing instead of traditional grazing to improve the hygiene of food consumed by livestock are recommended