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Background and Objective: Occult hepatitis B infection is a form of hepatitis in which despite of absence of detectable HBsAg, HBV-DNA is present in peripheral blood of patients. The mechanisms which are responsible for progression of OBI yet to be clarified but some investigators believed that the genetics and immunological parameters may are different in resistant individuals and patients. Cytokine network system could be leading alteration in viral immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between polymorphisms +874 region of IFN-Gama with occult hepatitis B infection. Materials and Methods: In this study, the plasma samples of 3700 blood donors were tested for HBsAg and anti-HBs by ELISA. The HBsAg negative and anti-HBc positive samples were selected and screened for HBV-DNA by PCR. HBV-DNA positive samples assigned as occult hepatitis B infection cases and ARMS-PCR technique were performed to examine the present polymorphisms in +874 region of IFN-Gama genes of patients with occult hepatitis B infection. Results: 352 (9.51%) out of 3700 blood samples were negative for HBsAg and positive for anti-HBc antibody. HBV-DNA was detected in 57 (16.1%) of HBsAg negative and anti-HBc positive samples. Our results showed that there was not any significant difference between patients and control group in polymorphisms in +874 region of IFN-Gama genes. Conclusion: This study showed that there is not any significant difference between polymorphisms in +874 region with IFN-Gama occult hepatitis B infection.

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protozoan of Leishmania genus and in Iran by Leishmania infantum. The protective immune response against VL is cellular immunity through Th1 CD4+, which dominant chemokiens are IL12, IFN- γ  and IL18 and lead to Th1 response. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on IL-18 gene and its relation to IL18 levels in blood and IL18 function have been studied in many inflammatory diseases such as Behcect’s disease and tuberculosis. According to the important role of IL-18 in immunity against visceral leishmaniasis, this study was conducted to demonstrate the prevalence of genotypes on -607A/C in promoter region of IL-18 gene.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was done on 91 pateints with confirmed VL, 105 healthy sero-negative controls and 78 seropositive controls during 1999-2009. Salting out method was used to extract DNA and ARMS-PCR was used to determine the genotype of -607A/C allele of individuals. Statistical analysis of genotypes was performed using Chi-Square test.

Results: According to the results, -607C/C was the dominant genotype among the groups (35.8%). Distribution of genotypes among groups had not any significant difference. The lowest genotype among healthy sero-positive and patients were -607A/C and -607A/A, respectively. Statistical analysis of distribution of genotypes, did not reveal any significant difference among groups.

Conclusion: The dominant genotypes of VL patients, healthy sero-negatives and healthy sero-positives were -607C/C (38.5%), -607A/C (37.1%) and -607C/C (35.9%) respectively.

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Background and Objective: Incidence of fungal infections particularly fungal sinusitis is increasing in Iran and identification of causative agents is essential for its control and treatment. This study was carried out to determine the fungus paranasal sinusitis in non- immunocompromised patients in Tehran, Iran.

Materials and Methods: This cross – sectional study was done on 108 patients (73 males, 35 females) with chronic sinusitis ranged from 9 to 68 years, admitted to Amir Alam and Emam Khomeini hospitals in Tehran, Iran during 2006-07. Sinusitis in patients confirmed by radiologic images. Complementry information were obtained using questionnaires which including gender, job, presence of disposing disease diabetes and consumption immunocompromised drugs. Sinus samples were collected by washing and biopsy were carried out by two methods of fenestration and Cald-wel luc operations. Subsequently they were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), SDA+chloramphenicol and blood agar (BA) media at 30°C and 37°C. Direct examination and fixative sample for histhologic evaluation was done and for colonies confirmation the slide culture method also was used.

Results: 8 cases (7.4 %) were positive for fungal sinusitis with following sub type: 6 cases (Alternaria Spp), 1 case (Paecilomyces) and 1 case (Aspergillus flavus). The most fungal sinusitis (5 cases) were observed in 30-39 years patients.

Conclusion: Considering the prevalence of 7.4 % fungal sinusitis and isolation of paecilomyces which is a rare subtype complematry investigation is recommended, in the field of research.

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Background and Objective: Trauma is the most common cause of death in all individuals between 1 and 44 years and the third most common cause of death regardless of age. The abdomen is the third most commonly injured region of the body. Some intra abdominal organ injured more than others, related to mechanism of injury, size and location of organ in abdominal cavity. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of intra abdominal injuries due to penetrating trauma. Materials and Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was done on 114 patients admitted to 5 Azar hospital in Gorgan, Iran due to penetrating abdominal trauma during 2002-07. Gender, age, type of injury causes of trauma and hospitlalization period were obtained form patients files. Results: 92.1% of patients were male. The mean age of subjects was 24.8 years (9-70 years) with highest frequency between 20-24 years. Two (1.8%) deaths directly related to abdominal stab wounds related to hemorrhagic shock. The most common cause of penetrating abdominal injury was knife wound (78.9%). The mean time spent in hospital was 4.6±2.8 days. In 53 patients, cause of trauma were either related to pentration into peritoneum or passing through in. Small intestine injuries (14 %), rupture of diaphragm and concurrent lung injuries (7%) were the common damage organs. Conclusion: This study showed that the knife was the main cause of abdominal penetrate trauma and peritoneum was the most common damage tissue.

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Background and Objective: Nosocomial infections are one of main causative agents of mortality among hospital patients. This study was done for the determination of efficacy of commercial disinfectants such as: formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, microten, the alcohol 70 and savlon–alcohol on isolated saprophytic fungi from hospital environments. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was done on 33 isolated fungi from teaching hospitals of Tehran during 2009-10. The identified samples were randomly chosen. Stock fungal suspensions were supplied from each fungus with cells ranging 0.5-5×10⁴ micro g/cfu in 1ml with spectrophotometer at the wavelength of 530 nm. For evaluation of antifungal activity of commercial disinfectants formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, microten, alcohol 70 and savlon–alcohol disinfectants, 0.25cc stock solutions were mixed with 3.75 cc disinfectants solutions and the new diluted samples held at 25c for 15, 30 and 60 min. The culture medium was checked for growth of fungi until 8 weeks. Results: Following specific period isolated fungi were including Aspergillus spp with 39.4%, Penicillium spp with 36.4%, Fusarium spp with 12.1%, Rhizopus with 6.1%, Alternaria and Circinella with 3 %. Formaldehyde 8% and glutaraldehyde 8% with activity against 63.6% and 39.3% were effective disinfectants at 15 min. Formaldehyde 8% with activity against 74.8% of fungi, was effective disinfectant at 30 min. Glutaraldehyde 8% and formaldehyde 8% with 100% prevention of growth were effective disinfectants at 60 min. Conclusion: According to this study formaldehyde 8% and glutaraldehyde 8% showed to have the highest antifungal activities. Synergetic fungicidal activity of comenercial disinfectants, dependent on time and concentration.

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Background and Objective: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a important disinfectant. Fungal infections with resistant isolates in patients culminate in recurrence of disease even with worse condition. This study was done to evaluate the efficacy of ultraviolet radiation on drug susceptibility of Candida Spp. to itraconazole, fluconazole and amphotericin B. Materials and Methods: This laboratory study was done on 12 Candida spp. isolated from patients according to NCCLS M27- A method. Samples were suspended with sterile saline and optical density was read by spectrophotometer at the wavelength of 530 nm. Serial dilutions (0.0313-16 µg/ml) and (0.0313-128 µg/ml) were supplied for itraconazole, amphotericin and fluconazole, respectively. MICs were determined after 48h incubation at 35°C. Following UV radiation for 1, 2, 5, 10, 60, 90 and 120 seconds MICs were determined, subsequently. Results: The highest MIC pre UV radiation was (>128 µg/ml) for fluconazole. After UV radiation, MICs were steadily decreased for all mentioned drugs while after 10 sec, MICs of itraconazole and amphotericin B were >0.0313 µg/ml. Secondary MICs significantly decreased with respect to MICs obtained in pre UV radiation (P<0.05). Conclusion: UV radiation reduces MICs of Candida spp. to itraconazole, fluconazole, amphotericin B.

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Background and Objective: Aspergillosis is the most current causative agent of exogenous fungal nosocomial infection. This study was done to evaluate the drug susceptibility of Aspergillus flavus and A.fumigatus to itraconazole and amphotericin B. Materials and Methods: This Laboratory study was done on 25 Aspergillus fumigatus and 25 Aspergillus flavus species isolated from transplant's patients. Drug susceptibility test was done according to NCCLS M38-P document. Fungal suspensions of mentioned fungi were supplied with ranges 0.5–5×10⁴ by spectrophotometer at 530 nm. Serial dilutions of drugs were supplied from 0.03125 to 16 µg/ml and MICs determined following 48h incubation at 35°C. Results: Obtained MICs ranges for Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus were 1-4 µg/ml and 0.5–4 µg/ml for itraconazole, respectively while MICs ranges against Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus were 0.5-2 µg/ml and 0.25-2 µg/ml for amphotericin B, respectively. Amphotericin B MICs were significantly lower than itraconazole (P<0.05). Conclusion: Aspergillus flavus and A.fumigatus were susceptible to amphotericin B and itraconazole.

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Background and Objective: Nosocomial fungal infections have considerably increased due to incrasing of immunocompromised diseases. This study was done to evaluate the antifungal activity of Amphotericin B and Fluconazole on hospital wards fungi. Methods: In this descriptive - analytic study, 33 fungal samples isolated from Imam Khomini hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2013. Samples were identified using slide culture method. Serial dilution of drugs and fungal suspensions were supplied from 0.25-128 µg/ml and range 0.5–5×10⁵ cfu/ml, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined in accordance with NCCLS M38-p guideline. Results: The most frequent isolated fungus was Aspergillus spp. with 39.4% while the low frequent were Alternaria Spp. and Circinella with similar frequency (3%). MIC range for Fluconazole and Amphotericin B were 64-128 µg/ml and 16-64 µg/ml, respectively. Amphotericin B showed a MIC significant reduction in comparision with Fluconazole (P<0.05). Conclusion: Hospital wards fungi were resistant to Amphotericin B and Fluconazole.

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Background and Objective: Skeletal muscle expresses several neurotrophin and their receptors which providing the basis for neurotrophin signaling within the muscle compartments. This study was done to evaluate the effect of a session of resistance exercise on mRNA expression of NT-3 and TrkC proteins in soleus muscle of Wistar Rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 16 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into exercise and control groups. The resistance training protocol consisted of climbing a 1-meter–long ladder, with a weight attached to a tail sleeve. Expressions of NT-4/5 and P75, quantitatively were measured using RT-PCR. Results: There was not any significant alteration in NT-3 mRNA in soleus muscle after resistance exercise. However, one session of resistance exercise significantly increased mRNA expression of TrkC (1.7 Folds) in soleus muscle (P<0.05). Conclusion: Resistance exercise increases TrkC expression in soleuse muscle of wistar rats.