Anti-Hepatitis E Antibody in Hemodialysis Patients in Isfahan, Iran: Prevalence and Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have been performed regarding the prevalence of hepatitis E in the general population, but there is controversial evidence for an increased risk of the infection in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD). OBJECTIVES: The primary end point of the present study was to determine if the prevalence of anti-hepatitis E virus IgG (anti-HEV IgG) is higher in patients on maintenance HD than in the normal population in Isfahan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a case-control study performed in Isfahan in June 2012, we compared the seroprevalence of HEV among 274 patients on maintenance HD and 275 otherwise healthy individuals. The patients were recruited from 3 HD centers in Isfahan. Anti-HEV IgG was detected using a Dia Pro Diagnostic HEV enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) kit. Demographic and clinical data (sex, age, blood transfusion history, HD duration, age at HD initiation, and evidence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections) were obtained from the medical records of the HD patients. RESULTS: Anti-HEV IgG was detected in 27 (9.9%) controls and 78 (28.3%) patients, with the difference being statistically significant (P < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant association between positive anti-HEV antibody, HD duration, and blood transfusion history in the HD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the results, it seems necessary to conduct prospective studies in order to identify factors responsible for the high seroprevalence of HEV in Isfahan HD units.

Medical Students' and Physicians' Attitudes toward Patients' Consent to Participate in Clinical Training.

INTRODUCTION: The responsibility of the medical training team towards a patient referring to an academic medical center has not been fully clarified. In this article we have looked at current practice in Medical University of Isfahan and evaluated the attitude of the medical team towards patients'consent to be involved in medical students'education. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, conducted in 2012, we distributed self-administrated questionnaires among medical mentors, residents and students of academic hospitals in Isfahan, Iran. This researcher-made questionnaire consisted of several questions concerning dimensions of informed consent. The data were analyzed, using independent t-tests and ANOVA. RESULTS: Ninety-one medical students (51 females) and 61 members of medical training team (25 females) completed the questionnaires. The overall average attitude score was 36.53±5.89 out of 60, which is classified as fair. The average attitude score for medical students and mentors were not significantly different. The average attitude score of the female students was classified as good, and was different from that of male students, significantly (p<0.05). By categorizing subjects into those with≥5 years of managerial or educational experience and those below 5, a significant difference in average attitude score was documented (35.8±2.54 in≥5and 34.0±2.9 in>5group). CONCLUSION: The attitude of the medical team is thoroughly far from what is expected. Thus, the need to provide both medical students and medical mentors with data on the importance of obtaining patients' consent to be involved in medical education is highlighted.

A combination of vitamin C and losartan for cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

INTRODUCTION: The nephroprotective effect of co-administration of vitamin C and losartan as prophylaxis against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity (CIN) was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Co-administration of vitamin C and losartan was compared with losartan (10 mg/kg), vitamin C (250 mg/kg), and placebo in 4 groups of rats with CIN. The prophylactic agents were injected daily for a period of 4 days, and on day 3, a single dose (6 mg/kg) of cisplatin was administrated. The animals were sacrificed 7 days later for pathological examination of the kidneys. RESULTS: Cisplatin prevented the animals' weight gain. The serum levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen increased within the groups with CIN, but no significant difference was observed between the groups. The prophylaxis has no effect on serum osmolality, total protein, or nitrite concentrations. The kidney tissue damage was scored, and losartan provided a lower damage score than vitamin C and a combination of vitamin C and losartan. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that co-administration of vitamin C and losartan was not more effective than the administration of vitamin C or losartan alone.

Cytochrome P450 2C19 Polymorphism in Iranian Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUND: The polymorphisms of cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) gene are major prognostic factors for the response to clopidogrel therapy in patients with coronary artery diseases (CAD). The CYP2C19*2 is the most important allele responsible for resistance to clopidogrel therapy. This study examined CYP2C19 gene polymorphism (CYP2C19*1 and *2) in Iranian patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 43 Iranian patients with CAD who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and received drug-eluted stents (DES). CYP2C19 polymorphisms were assessed using real time PCR and frequency of CYP2C19*1 and CYP2C19*2 were determined, and then homo- or heterozygous state of genes was detected by Melt Curve Analysis method. RESULTS: Forty three patients (mean age = 58.8 ± 10.0 years, 79.1% male) participated in this study. CYP2C19*1/CYP2C19*1 genotype was observed in 31 (72.1%) of participates, CYP2C19*1/CYP2C19*2 genotype in 10 (23.3%), and CYP2C19*2/CYP2C19*2 genotype in 2 patients (4.7%). The frequency of CYP2C19*2 allele in the sample was 27.9%. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a high prevalence of CYP2C19*2 gene polymorphism in Iranian patients. Further studies with larger samples or longitudinal are required to determine the effects of this polymorphism on the prognosis of CAD patients in our population.