Serum Zinc Level in ß-Thalassemia Major: A Retrospective Study in Southwest Iran.

Thalassemia, which is associated with compound complications, is the most common hereditary anemia in the world. The zinc level is different in patients with thalassemias. This study aimed to determine the zinc status and its relationship with demographic factors and chelation therapy in ß-thalassemia major (ß-TM) patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 102 ß-thalassemia (ß-thal), patients. Zinc level was evaluated in subjects using the atomic absorption method. The results were analyzed through descriptive statistics, χ2 and Mann-Whitney U tests. Of 102 cases, 92 patients were eligible and evaluated. The mean age was 23 (minimum 11, maximum 43) years. Forty-six percent of cases were males and 54.0% were females. Of the 92 patients taking iron chelators, 29.3% used deferoxamine (DFO), 16.3% deferasirox (DFX), 20.6% DFO and deferiprone (DFP), and 33.8% DFO and DFP. All cases had zinc deficiency, 89.1% had zinc levels <40.0 mg/dL, and 10.9% with zinc levels >40.0 mg/dL. There was a significant relationship between gender and group with zinc levels greater than 40.0 mg/dL and those with less than 40.0 mg/dL. Zinc deficiency is highly prevalent among patients with thalassemia in the city of Yasuj, Iran. There was a significant relationship between zinc levels and gender although no significance was observed between zinc level and age, body mass index (BMI), ferritin, and chelation factors; it is recommended that these patients be periodically evaluated for zinc level. In case of a lack of laboratory evaluation, the use of prophylactic zinc supplementation should be considered for these patients.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern in the Bacteria Isolated from Surgical Site Infection: Emphasis on Staphylococcus Aureus; Yasuj City, Southwest Iran.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) in surgical wards remains the most common cause of postoperative complications and realistically is the third most common origin of healthcare-related conditions. Staphylococcus aureus is undoubtedly the most common bacteria causing SSIs. The current study aimed at investigating the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in bacteria isolated from SSIs, evaluation of tetracycline resistance genes, and SCCmec typing in S. aureus isolates isolated from patients with SSIs from 2018 to 2019 in Yasuj, Kohgiluyeh, and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Iran. METHODS: This study diligently investigated 240 potential patients. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed properly by the disk diffusion method. For the final confirmation of isolated bacteria, PCR was used. The presence of tet genes and SCCmec typing was carried out by multiplex PCR. RESULTS: The results showed that the most common isolated pathogens included S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, Coagulase-negative Staphylococci, and K. pneumonia in 58.8%, 19.8%, 9.2%, 6.8% and 5.4% of cases, respectively. The majority of the Gram positive isolates were resistant against penicillin (86%) and Gram negative were resistant against ciprofloxacin (75.6%). In isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, the mecA gene was detected in 63.6% of isolates. The predominant SCCmec types were type III (59.1%) and type I (18.4%). The tetK and tetM genes were detected in 80.7% and 71.9% of the S. aureus isolates, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between tet genes (tetK and tetM) from the viewpoint of resistance to tetracycline (p = 0.024). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the current study, it is recommended to administer vancomycin, amikacin, and imipenem in Yasuj to treat SSIs.

Role of environmental, climatic risk factors and livestock animals on the occurrence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in newly emerging focus in Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Occurrence of leishmaniasis is affected by various biological and environmental factors. Kohgiluye and Boyerahmad (K-B) province is an emerging focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Southwest Iran. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: To elucidate some angles of occurrence of CL in this province, climatic and environmental factors and close proximity to livestock were studied by univariate and two multivariate logistic regression models. The dwelling addresses of 275 CL patients were obtained from Health Centers records for a 5 years period. The effect of mean annual temperature, minimum mean annual temperature, maximum mean annual temperature, mean annual rainfall, slope, elevation, land covers and close proximity to cattle and sheep/goat sheds on the occurrence of CL were analysed using geographical information systems (GIS) approach. RESULTS: CL occurred in all counties with the most cases in Northwest, West and South semi-arid and warm regions. Land cover, slope, elevation and close proximity to cattle sheds, were the most effective factors. Urban, dry farm and thin rangeland were found as the most important land covers. Slope and elevation decreased the probability of disease. Close proximity to cattle sheds notably increased the chance of CL. The importance of other factors such as rainfall, temperature and close proximity to sheep/goat sheds only were shown when their effects were evaluated independently from other factors. So regions with urban, dry farm and thin rangeland covers with lower slope and altitude where in close proximity of cattle sheds seems to be potentially most high risk areas. CONCLUSION: Distribution of CL cases is influenced by combination of environmental, ecological factors and close proximity to livestock sheds but control programs should be focused on cities and villages in the above-mentioned most high risk regions.