Seroprevalence of acanthamoeba antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis patients by IFAT, Tehran, Iran 2007

This preliminary study was conducted to discriminate the prevalence of Acanthamoeba antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis [RA] patients and healthy controls to analyze the correlation between these two groups. From October 2006 to August 2007 a total of 121 serum samples from RA patients attending the Rheumatolgy Department at Shariati Hospital in Tehran were obtained and stored at -20°C until using by indirect fluorescent-antibody test [IFAT]. RA was diagnosed according to the American Collage of Rheumatology classification criteria. The organism used in this study was isolated from various water resources in Tehran, Iran cultured axenically and then went on a PCR assay based on 18S rRNA to identify the genus Acanthomoeba. Indirect immunofluorescence antibody [IFA] staining of serum samples was carried out to detect anti Acanthomoeba antibodies. In culture, out of 22 samples, 13 [59%] were grown in xenic but only two in axenic medium. PCR amplified a 904bp fragment, specific for Acanthamoeba. Of examined serum samples, Acanthamoeba antibodies were present in 70 [57.8%] and 52 [41.2%], respectively. The highest titer of antibodies [1:320] was detected in one patient with RA. Our study supports the hypothesis that some parasitic microorganisms can involve and contribute toward the development of rheumatoid syndromes

Detection of acanthamoeba from fresh water using polymerase chain reaction

Acanthamoeba is a genus of amoeba, one of the most common protozoa found worldwide in soil, and also frequently found in fresh water. In healthy individuals, Acanthamoeba spp. can cause ulcerating keratitis which is often associated with the use of improperly sterilized contact lenses. The aim of this study was to detect Acanthamoeba from fresh water collected from some town squares of Tehran by polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. In this study, 22 samples were collected from fresh water. They were cultured on NNA medium after filtration. Culture samples positive for Acanthamoeba were assessed using polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. Thirteen samples [59%] were recognized as Acanthamoeba on culture. Using species-specific primers which amplified a 903 bp fragment of 188 rRNA, 6 [27%] samples from 13 samples which were positive on culture were identified as Acanthamoeba. Acanthamoeba has been recognized as an etiologic agent of Keratitis in people who use contact lenses and also in immunocompromised individuals. So, detection of this organism in water resources and exact assessment of this parasite could have a significant role in prevention of disease

Genetic characterization of cryptosporidium spp. among children with diarrhea in Tehran and Qazvin Provinces, Iran

Cryptosporidium is an intracellular apicomplexan parasite that infects a wide range of vertebrates including humans. Cryptosporidiosis is a major cause of diarrhea in children with and without human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection in developing countries. More recently, the molecular methods for identification of morphologically indistinguishable species have been developed. The aim of this study was to determine the characterization of various species of this coccidian among children with diarrhea by using molecular methods. Fecal samples were collected from 1263 children with diarrhea who referred to Pediatrics Medical Centers in Qazvin and Tehran, two central provinces of Iran. Initial identification of Cryptosporidium was carried out by Zeihl-Neel-sen acid-fast staining method of stool samples. DNA was extracted from positive microscopically samples and were subjected to a two step nested PCR-RFLP based on SSU-rRNA gene. Out of 1263 collected samples, 31 [2.5%] were found to be contained Cryptosporidium oocysts. RFLP analysis showed that 80.6% of the positive isolates were Cryptosporidium parvum, 16.1% C. hominis and 3.2% had mix infection pattern of both C. parvum and C hominis. Our results showed that the zoonotic pattern of transmission is predominant and has considerable significance in epidemiology of Cryptosporidiosis in the study areas

Diploscapter coronata infection in Iran: Report of the first case and review of literature

We describe a 61 -year-old man who developed a mild gastrointestinal discomforts including diarrhea associated with feces containing many larvae similar to rhabditiform larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis diagnosed finally as Diploscapter coronata, a free-living nematode. This case is unusual infection in human and there are a few reports of this worm as a real parasite. Microscopically, Diploscapter larvae in feces should be considered in the differential diagnosis of Strongyloididasis and hook worm disease in endemic area. This was the first reported occurrence of human D. coronata infection in Iran. Most of the clinical manifestations of human infection are not yet known due to limited information; thus, there is a need for more studies

Ocular dirofilariasis in Iran: a case report

Dirofilariasis is caused by a Filariid parasite of the genus Dirofilaria. This zoonotic infection is spread by mosquito vector from animal to human. Ocular Dirofilariasis involving the eye and adnexa is rare. A nodule in the right eye had developed in a 20-year-old soldier from Mazandaran province, north of Iran. The mass was removed surgically and measured 5x5 mm. The specimen was identified on the basis of microscopic section by the presence of longitudinal cuticular ridges, the thick muscle cell layer and the presence of 2 nuclei in the lateral cord. The worm was identified as a Dirofilaria, [presumptively D. conjunctivae]. This report is one of the first reports of ocular Dirofilariasis from Iran

Subcutaneous fascioliasis: a rare complication

A case of ectopic fascioliasis due to migration of an immature Fasciola hepatica fluke is described in a 23 year old woman from western Iran

Seroprevalence of toxoplasma antibodies among pregnant women in Kermanshah

Sera from 495 pregnant women were examined for toxoplasma antibodies by indirect fluorescent antibody testing [IFAT]. Antibodies were positive in 32.7%. Seropositivity was not increased significantly with age but showed a statistically significant rise in accordance with frequency of parity, abortion and contact with cats. The high rate of seronegativity [67.3%] observed in pregnant women represents a high risk group for acquiring toxoplasma infection and also congenital toxoplasmosis

Dental cavity myiasis due to Wohlfahrtia magnifica

A 79 year old farmer referred to a dental clinic because of toothache for one week. After extraction of a painful tooth, three larvae, 1.5 cm in length emerged from the dental cavity. Morphological study of the larvae proved them as W. magnifica. This is the first report of dental cavity myiasis from Iran