Study of intestinal protozoan parasites in rural inhabitants of Mazandaran Province, northern Iran

Background: Intestinal parasites of humans are important health problems of most communities, especially those situated in tropical and subtropical areas. This study was carried out in rural population of Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, during 2004-2005, with the purpose of achieving a better understanding of the distribution of intestinal protozoan parasites in this province. Methods: A total of 855 stool specimens were collected randomly from rural inhabitants (384 males and 471 females) and examined by the formalin-ethyl-acetate concentration technique. In addition, a modified version of the Ziehl-Neelsen technique was used for the staining of Cryptosporidium and other intestinal coccidian parasites. Results: The general prevalence of intestinal protozoans was found as 25. The prevalence of every intestinal protozoan parasite was as follows: Giardia lamblia (10.2), Entamoeba histolyticaldispar (1.29/6), Dientamoeba fragilis (1.1), Blastocystis hominis (9.8), Entamoeba coli (5), Endolimax nana (0.7), Iodamoeba butschlii (1.3), and Entamoeba hartmani (0.4). Conclusion: The present study revealed that the prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasites among rural inhabitants of Mazandaran Province are still so high that implies performing special control measures

A case of fatal strongyloidiasis in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and molecular characterization of the isolate

Strongyloides stercoralis is a human intestinal parasite which may lead to complicated strongyloidiasis in immunocompromised. Here, a case of complicated strongyloidiasis in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia is reported. Presence of numerous S. stercoralis larvae in feces and sputum confirmed the diagnosis of hyperinfection syndrome in this patient. Following recovery of filariform larvae from agar plate culture of the stool, the isolate was characterized for the ITS1 region of ribosomal DNA gene by nested-PCR and sequencing. Albendazole therapy did not have cure effects; and just at the beginning of taking ivermectin, the patient died. The most important clue to prevent such fatal consequences is early diagnosis and proper treatment

The prevalence, comorbidity and socio-demographic factors of depressive disorder among Iranian children and adolescents: To identify the main predictors of depression

Background: Depressive disorders are a major public health problem in developed and developing countries. Recently, several risk factors have been described for depressive disorders in children and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to identify the main risk factors that can affect the incidence of depression in Iranian children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 30,546 children and adolescents (between 6 and 18 years of age) participated in a cross-sectional study to identify the predictors of depressive disorders. Depressive disorders were assessed using the Persian version of the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS-PL). In addition, a demographic characteristics questionnaire was completed by parents of the participants. The data was analyzed using the SPSS22 software via performing the descriptive analysis and the multiple logistic regression analysis methods. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Results showed that a higher age (15�18), being female, and the father's unemployment were associated with an increased odds ratio for depressive disorders. The age of 10�14 (OR = 2.1; 95 CI, 1.57�2.81), the age of 15�18 (OR = 4.44; 95 CI, 3.38�5.83), female gender (OR = 1.44; 95 CI, 1.2�1.73) and the father's unemployment (OR = 1.59; 95 CI, 1.01�2.5) were significant positive predictors, whereas, the mother's job (as a housewife) (OR = 0.66; 95 CI, 0.45�0.96) and a history of psychiatric hospitalization of the father and mother (OR = 0.34; 95 CI, 0.15�0.78 and OR = 0.34; 95 CI, 0.14�0.84) were negative predictors for depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms are common in children and adolescents and are correlated with age and gender. The assessment of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders, especially the depressive disorders and their comorbidities, may help to prevent mood disorders in children and adolescents. © 201