Dusty Air Pollution is Associated with an Increased Risk of Allergic Diseases in Southwestern Part of Iran

Concerns have been raised about the adverse impact of dusty air pollution (DAP) on human health. The aim of this study was to find the association between dusty air pollution based on air quality index (AQI) and the risk of allergic diseases in southwestern provinces of Iran, with assessing cytokine profiles and lymphocyte immunophenotypes. In this case control study 148 individuals participated. The sampling was done in hazardous condition (AQI >300) as the case and clean air (AQI <50) as the control. We measured cytokine production by using ELISA method and phenotypes of T-lymphocytes (CD4+ and CD8+), CD19+ B-lymphocytes, CD25+, CD4+ CD25+ cells by FACSort flow cytometer. The mean serum level of IL-4 (33.4±2.9 vs 0.85± 0.65 pg/dl) and IL-13 (15.1±4.4 vs. 0.12±0.7 pg/dl) in the subjects exposed to ambient DAP was increased significantly compared to the individuals in the clean air condition. Also, CD19+ B-lymphocytes (12.6± 4.9 vs 8.9±3.2%) and CD4+ CD25+ cell count (13.6± 4.6 vs 7.7± 3.8%) in peripheral blood were increased significantly in subjects exposed to ambient DAP compared with the controls. The result of our study suggested that ambient DAP affected immune system in a way that might lead to allergic diseases in the population

Seroepidemiological survey of hepatitis B, C, HIV and syphilis among blood donors in Bushehr-Iran

Background: Blood transmitted infections have always made problems in the use of blood and blood products. In this survey, the seroprevalence of blood-borne infections among regular, sporadic (lapsed) and first-time blood donors of Bushehr city were determined. Methods: In a retrospective study, the prevalence of transfusion transmitted infections was surveyed among all donors of Bushehr city (20294 persons) during March 2006 to February 2007 and infections markers for hepatitis B and C, HIV AIDS and syphilis were surveyed through screening and confirmatory tests. Results: Among 20294 who donated blood through one year in Bushehr province, 8513 were regular donors (41.94%), 2523 sporadic donors (12.43%), 9258 first-time donors (45.61%) and 495 (2.40%) persons were determined as self-exclusion. Of these donors, 48 (0.23%) were HBsAg positive, 42 (0.20%) HCV-Ab reactive, and all were negative for HIV-Ab and syphilis. We found only 0.04% HBsAg positive among regular donors. Conclusions: Blood borne infections among regular blood donors were much less than non regular donors

Determination of Hepatit C genotype and risk factors of transmission in Bushehr province 2008

Background: Hepatitis C is one of the main causes of mortality and disability of liver diseases worldwide. Main transmission rout is blood transfusion and its epidemiology is changing due to increasing injecting drug users. It is also important because of co-transfer with HIV. In order to finding common HCV genotyping and transmission risk factors, we conducted this study on HCV positive patients who was referred from Bushehr Blood Transfusion Organization. Methods: A total of 69 patients who were detected as positive for HCV antibody (by using ELISA method and RIBA test) referred to virology laboratory between 2007-8 in order to collecting demographic and epidemiologic data, molecular diagnosis and furthermore virus genotyping. After detection of HCV, RNA genotyping of virus was done by using genotype specific primers (By PCR-RFLP). Results: From 69 HCV positive patients 60 had positive RT PCR. Male/Female ratio was 11. Genotype of 38.3% & 36.7% of them was 3a & 1a respectively. The most important transmission risk factor was intravenous drug using (IVDU), the second rout was iatrogenic (dentistry, blood transfusion & medical intervention). There was an association between genotypes & risk factors. Genotype 3a was associated with IVDU & 1a with iatrogenic routs (p<0.05). Co-infection with HBV & HIV was found in 8.3% of patients who all were IV drug users. Conclusion: The dominant genotype of HCV in Bushehr was 3a & 1awith similar dispersion in European countries. The dominant route of transmission is injection of drugs and it shows the necessity of intervention and education in this group of patients

Yearly seroprevalence of HCV infection among blood donors according to socio-demographic characteristics.

<p>Yearly seroprevalence of HCV infection among blood donors according to socio-demographic characteristics.</p

Trends of HBV, HCV and HIV infections among blood donors in south of Iran, 2004–2014.

<p>Trends of HBV, HCV and HIV infections among blood donors in south of Iran, 2004–2014.</p

Yearly seroprevalence of HIV infection among blood donors according to socio-demographic characteristics.

<p>Yearly seroprevalence of HIV infection among blood donors according to socio-demographic characteristics.</p

Kits used in donor screening, 2004–2014.

<p>Kits used in donor screening, 2004–2014.</p

Socio-demographic characteristics of blood donors in south of Iran, 2004–2014.

<p>Socio-demographic characteristics of blood donors in south of Iran, 2004–2014.</p