Molecular identification of leishmania species using samples obtained from negative stained smears

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis [CL] is a parasitic skin disease. Diagnosis primarily is based on clinical signs and microscopic observation of parasite on direct stained smears or tissue sections. Sensitivity of direct smear is not as high as molecular methods. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize Leishmania species among the negative direct smears obtained from skin ulcers suspected to CL by PCR method. Among 81 patients with suspicious skin lesions to CL referred to the Parasitology lab, negative Giemsa stained smears were collected. DNA extraction performed by scraping stained smears, then PCR was performed. Among the DNA extracted from smears, L. tropica was isolated from 9 [11.1%] of the smears and L.major was not isolated from any samples. Direct microscopy on stained smears for diagnosis of leishmaniasis is not enough accurate. PCR is recommended for clinically suspected lesions with negative result of direct smear.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus genotypes in Mashhad, Northeast Iran

Hepatitis C is a disease with significant global impact. The distribution of hepatitis C virus [HCV] genotypes in Mashhad [the Northeast and the biggest city after the capital of Iran] is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of HCV genotypes among HCV seropositive patients, and to study the relationship between types, virologic and demographic features of patients in Mashhad. Three hundred and eighty-two clinical specimens obtained from HCV-infected patients referred to Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad during a period of 2009 to 2010 were selected. HCV genotype was determined by Nested PCR amplification of HCV core gene using genotype specific primers. Totally, 299 patients were male [79.9%]. The most common HCV genotype was genotype 3a, with 150 [40%] of subjects. Genotype 1a was the other frequent genotype, with 147[39.2%] subjects. Frequency of genotypes for 1b, 5 and 2 was 41[10.9%], 13[3.4%] and 9[2.4%], respectively. Mix genotype including 1a+1b in 4 [1.04%], 1a+3a in 3 [0.8%] was found in 7 patients. Four percent out of these samples had an undetermined genotype. Among the hemophilia patient, there were 13[48.1%] genotypes as 1a, 3[11.1%] 1b and 10[37%] 3a, respectively. The dominant HCV genotype among patients living in Mashhad was 3a. This study gives added evidence of the predominant HCV genotypes in Iran

[ frequency of HBeAG and relation with serum level of aminotransferase in chronic hepatitis B]

Hepatitis B virus is the most frequent cause of acute and chronic hepatitis in the world. HBeAg should be assessed in the carriers of hepatitis B virus for the viral replication status. HBeAg+ patients with elevated aminotransferase should be treated with antiviral agents. Our aim was to determine the frequency of HBeAg positivity and the level of hepatic aminotransferase in the HBsAg+ population. In a case-control study in 2006, 144 infected patients with hepatitis B virus were examined for the presence of HBeAg and the level of serum aminotransferase by ELISA and biochemical test. The patients were selected from Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad city. The frequencies of male and female in 144 hepatitis B infected patients were 94 and 50, respectively. They were between 2 to 85 years old with the mean of 37.4 +/- 2.3. Serum HBeAg was positive in 26 patients [18% of the total] with a mean serum AST level of 83 IU/L. HBeAg- group had a mean AST level of 56.2 IU/L. Statistical analysis showed a significant different in the mean serum levels of AST between two groups [p=0.007]. There was also significant difference in the levels of serum ALT between HBeAg+ [79 IU/L] and HBeAg- [73.7 IU/L] groups [P=0.018]. Based on our results the HBeAg positivity is associated with the increased level of liver enzymes. So the impact of HBeAg marker on serum level of hepatic aminotransferase in HBsAg+ patients should be assessed in future studies

Four cases of polyneuropathy due to HTLV[1] infection in Imam Reza Hospital: North East of Iran

HTLV[1] is the first retrovirus which is known to infect human. HTLV[1] infection has two important manifestations including neurologic and hematologic disorders. We report four cases of HTLV[1] polyneuropathy managed between 1999 and 2004 at Imam Reza Hospital Mashad, [north east of Iran]. In all the four patients the disease started with paresthesia followed by muscle weakness. All patients had areflexia and most of them suffered from distal hypoesthesia

Thyroid autoantibodies in chronic urticaria

Urticaria is characteized by the appearance of pruritic erythromatous. Itcommonly involves the trunk and extremities. Acute urticaria is a very common Clinical problem occurring in as many as 10-20% of the population Chronic urticaria Persists more than 8 weeks and may occur in individuals of any age. We evaluated thyroidautoantibodies in chronic urticaria in which allergy skin prick test was Negative and serum IgE was within normal limits. We studied antiperoxidase and antihyroglubolin antibodies in 60 patients with chronic urticaria, aged 14 to 64 years Old, 47 women [78.3%] and 13 men [23.17%], by the ELISA method. We also did CBC, ALT AST, Cr, S/E, ESR, BUN,HBSAg, Anti HCV and H. pylon antibodies,thyroid founction test that were negative. All tests were within normal limits, and 57[95%] were normal thyroid function tests. But in 22 cases [36.6%] the results of autoantibodies were as follows: Antiperoxidase in 3 cases [13/6%],Antithyroglubo in 9 cases [41%],Both autoantibodies in 10 cases [45.4%],Total 22 cases [36.6%]. Sixteen patients out of 22 received 0.1mg Levothyroxin daily for 2 months. Remaining 6 patients were treated only anthistamin to serve of control group.70% out of 16 treated with Levothyroxin showed complete or partial response to treatment. This - shows that there is an association between thyroid Autoantiboies and chronic urticania. The interesting outcome of this study is that the majority of cases were Euthyroid, 57 cases [95%]

Seroepidemiology of HTLV-1 in Neishabour

Human T cell Lymphotropic Virus Type I [HTLV-I] infection has been recognized as the causative agent of two diseases; HTLV-I- associated myelopathy tropical spastic paraparesis [HAM/TSP] and adult T- cell leukemia [ATL]. Approximately 15- 20 millions people are infected with HTLV-I all over the world. The North- East Iran [Mashhad] has been considered as a new endemic area for HTLV- I infection especially Neishaboor. The purpose of this study was the seroepidemiologic study of HTLV-I in Neishaboor. This cross-sectional study was done in Neishaboor in 2002. Neishaboor [without rural areas] is divided into 5 health sections. A total number of 1003 subjects were selected randomly proportional to the population of each region. 5cc of venous blood was obtained from each subject and assessed serologically by Eliza method at immunology laboratory of Ghaem hospital. A questionnaire was provided for data collection of each person. The collected data was analyzed with using of T, Mann Whitney and regression tests. 1- The seroprevalence of HTLV-I infection was 3.4% in Neishaboor [95% CI 2.3-4.5%].2- Male/female ratio was 33/67 in serum positive population. 3- HTLV-I infection was increased with age. 4- As expected the prevalence of infection did not show a uniform distribution throughout the city: a. The most ancient part [region 2] of the city had the highest prevalence [4.9%].b. The rate of infection was more prevalent in the center of city [region 1, 2] in comparison with the peripheral regions of the city [regions 3, 4]. 5- The main risk factors for acquisition of HTLV-I infection are breast feeding, blood transfusion, surgery and sexual transmission. Our results strongly suggest that screening of blood bank donors for HTLV-I infection and limiting of other routes of HTLV-I transmission such as breast feeding, surgery and sexual transmission should be considered to prevent of HTLV-I infection in Neishaboor and other endemic areas