Malaria situation in KOhgiloye and Boyerahmad province during 2001-2010

Abstract Background & aim: Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the well-known foci of malaria in Eastern Mediterranean Region.The study was carried out to investigate malaria situation in Kogiloye and Boyerahmad during during 2001-2010. Methods: The retrospective study using data information were extracted from health center of archived from malaria cases had been recorded in province during the years of 2001-2010 .The data were analyzed by Descriptive statistical test. Results: Out of one hundred and fifty six malaria cases during this decade, 119 (76.28%) were males and 37 (23.7%) females. The study showed that about 87% of malaria cases had been occurred in Afghanian immigrants in this region. The highest and lowest (29.6% vs.1.9%) rates of malaria were occurred in 2002 and 2010 , respectively. Among districts of the province the highest rate of malaria cases was belonged to Boyerahmad (80.1%).The present study indicated that Plasmodium vivax was the most common cause of malaria in this region ( 91.02%) followed by P.falciparum ( 8.33%). Conclusion: During the past decade malaria cases were apparently decreased in Kohgiloye and Boyerahmad province and most of cases had been imported to the region from other endemic foci. Respect to suitable environmental conditions for transmission of malaria in this area surveillance measures should be implicated to control disease through rapid diagnosis and treatment of patients particularly in foreign immigrants. Key words: Malaria, P.Vivax , P.Falciparu

The Effect(s) of Matricaria chamomilla on Leishmania major Ulcers in Balb/c Mice

Background & aim: Treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is based on the use of pentavalent antimony compounds as injection drug with highly side effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect(s) of chamomile tea on cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major in Balb/C mice. Methods: In the present experimental study, 22 male Balb C mice were inoculated with L. major promastigotes at the base of their tail to cause leishmaniasis ulcers. Then, the mice were divided into three groups of treated with chamomile tea, group treated with Glucantime, and an untreated group. In a period of two weeks, the first group was exposed to chamomile tea for 5 minutes every day, and the second group received glucantime intra-peritoneally. Finally, the size and the situation of wound healing at the beginning and at end of the study were evaluated. The collected data were analyzed using paired t-tests, ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: The comparison of these three groups revealed that wound healing in group one and group two were 58.3% and 80% respectively, which was significant whereas no healing was seen in the control group (p=0.028). The average area of lesions in the three groups after treatment showed statistically significant difference (p=0.0001), but no significant diffrence was observed in the average area of lesions in the two groups of Glucantime and chamomile tea. Conclusion: According to the results, the effect of chamomile tea on cutaneous wound healing was similar to tomeglumine antimoniate (Glunantime). With regard to the side effects of pentavalent antimony compounds, the chamomile tea can be recommended as an alternative drug for treatment of leishmaniasis ulcer