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Background and Objective: Most of the diagnostic methods of Helicobacter Pylori infection are invasive and time consuming. This study compared salivary IgG with serum IgG in diagnosis of H.pylori infection in dyspeptic patients in order to search for a non-invasive, cheaper and more tolerable method. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional diagnostic study, during one year (Feb 2002-Feb 2003) 200 consecutive patients (Age range 11-83) referring to Imam Khomeini Hospital. For upper gastroduodenal endoscopy were recruited. Three biopsy specimens were obtained from antrum and body of the stomach and three from duodenum. Histological examination (Hematoxylin-Eosin and Gimsa), rapid urease test and culture were performed. Saliva and serum were obtained before endoscopy and IgG antibody level were determined by ELIZA using Randim Kit (Roma, Italy). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were evaluated by SPSS soft ware. Results: Salivary IgG correctly identified 120 out of 146 H.pylori infected patients (82%). Salivary IgG assay showed high sensitivity in the detection of H.pylori infected patients (88.2%). Specificity and positive predictive value of Salivary IgG were higher than those of serum (84.4% versus 83.1% and 92.3% versus 91.9%). Conclusion: Salivary IgG assay can be used as an alternative to other non-invasive methods for screening of H.pylori infected patients.

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Background & Objective: Studies about the prevalence of Celiac disease (CD) in western Asian countries are scarce and there is only one study on the prevalence of CD in healthy blood donors in Iran. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of CD in general population of the city of Sari in north of Iran. Materials & Methods: This was a descriptive study and the blood samples were obtained from 1438 person from general population (686 males, 752 females: Mean age 35.5 range 18-66 year) of the Sari which were selected by stratified randomized sampling method during 2003. Total serum IgA was measured in all and IgA-deficient cases were excluded. From this study all cases were analyzed for IgA tissue transglutaminase antibody (Human recombinant tTG). All persons who had a positive serology for tTG-Ab underwent small intestinal biopsy. The biopsy samples were classified according to modified Marsh criteria. Results: All of the samples had normal total IgA. 13 cases showed positive IgA-tTG Ab (6 males and 7 females, mean age 37.5 yrs). All subjects with positive serology except one of them were found to have small bowel biopsies compatible with gluten sensitive enteropathy. One of 13 had Marsh 0, 8/13 Marsh I, 3/13 Marsh II and 1/13 showed Marsh IIIa lesion. Conclusion: The minimum prevalence of gluten-sensitivity among general population in north of Iran is 1/120. This data confirms our study on healthy blood donors, which has published previously and is like of prevalence of Celiac disease in western countries. So Celiac disease is not a rare disease as it thought before in this area.

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Background and Objective: Celiac is a hereditary disease presented with chronic inflammation of small intestine. Several studies supposed a relationship between Celiac disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody is one of the best serological markers in Celiac disease. This study was designed to evaluate the association of Celiac and IBD using tissue trans-glutaminase antibody.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study 127 confirmed IBD patients who were referred by gastroentrologists 2005-08 enrolled into the study. A questionnaire was completed and tissue trans-glutaminase antibody was evaluated with ELISA method with a Cut-off=12 U/ml.

Results: Among 127 referred patients, serum samples of 102 patients were collected. Mean±SD of age was 36.17±15.2 years and 48% were males. Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and other colitis were observed in 76 (74.5%), 7 (6.9%) and 19 (18.6%) of patients, respectively. Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody was positive (19.8 U/L) in one 46-years-old male patient with ulcerative colitis.

Conclusion: Tissue trans-glutaminase antibody titer was not significantly different between IBD patients and controls, thus it seems not appropriate to suggest as one of the routine tests in IBD patients.

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Background and Objective: Infection with HBV is the most common chronic viral infection and mortality in children. Prevention of this infection with vaccination is vital. This study was done to compare the antibody level in post hepatitis B vaccination in children with 12-15 and 21-24 months age. Materials and Methods:This descriptive study was carreid out on 186 children with 12-15 (group I) and 21-24 (group II) months age who had not infected with hepatitis B infection in, Bandarabbas Iran during 2009. The parents were HbsAg negative, without immunodeficiency diseases and did not receive hepatitis vaccination, blood or blood products transfusion. Age, gender, birth weight, breast feeding duration and gestational age were recorded for each child. Hepatitis B antibody level was measured with ELISA method. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and student t-test. Results: Antibody level in group I (231 mIU/ml) was significantly higher than group II (142.9 mIU/ml) (P<0.05). There was not significant differences between males and females. Antibody level was not significantly corrolated with body weight, gestational age and breast feeding duration. Antibody level lower than 10 mIU/ml were observed in 4.34% of group I and 20.8% of group II. This differnce was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the protective effect of vaccination reduced after six months of final dosage.

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Background and Objective: Repeated blood transfusion is the major treatment for patients with major thalassemia. However due to antigen encounters, it may initiate body reactions, including alloantibodies against red blood cell antigens. This study was done to determine the Prevalence of alloimmunization in major beta thalassemia patients in northern Iran. Method: This descriptive - analytic study was carried out on 218 thalassemic patients (100 males and 118 females) with average age of 22.5±7 years in northern Iran during 2010. Each sample was tested for the presence of Alloantibodies including C, Cw, Lea, E, Lua, Leb, K, Jkb, N, P1, D, Jka, M, S, Xga, e, Fya, s, c, Fyb, k, Kpa, Jsb, Lub and Coa. Results: Eighty eight cases (40.4% 95% CI: 33.9-46.9) were positive for the presence of alloantibodies. Alloantibodies against C, Cw, Lea red blood cell surface antigens were the most prevalent (40%). No significant correlation was found between emergence of alloantibody with the age of initial, frequency and duration of blood transfusion. Conclusion: Alloimmunization is a common observation in thalassemic patients and should be prevented by transfusing compatible blood.

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Background and Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory and systemic disease with peripheral, symmetric polyarthritis symptoms. Several genetic, environmental, and immunological factors contribute greatly to the disease pathogenesis. This study was done to evaluate the effect of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti - CCP) and rheumatoid factor on clinical disease activity index (CDAI) in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: This prospective cohort study was done on 64 rheumatoid arthritis patients according to ACR criteria (1978) whom referred to Rheumatology Clinic of Hajar Hospital in Shahrekord, Iran. Patients were clinically examined for primary CDAI and tested for anti - CCP and rheumatoid factor in the prior and six months after the initiation of the study. Results: 81.3% and 74% of the patients had high titers of anti – CCP antibody and positive rheumatoid factor, respectively. A non-significant recudtion was observed in intensity of secondary clinical activity of the disease in compare to primary clinical activity in the patients with high antibody titer. Conclusion: This study indicated the important role of rheumatoid factor and anti- CCP antibody in the on time diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

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Background and Objective: Vitiligo is one of the most frequent skin disorders with a prevalence of 1-2% in different populations. Although many theories have been suggested for its pathogenesis, but the most popular hypotheses is the role of autoimmunity in Vitiligo. This study was done to evaluate the thyroid dysfunction and thyroid autoantibodies in patients with Vitiligo.

Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 45 patients with Vitiligo and 45 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals as control group. Age, gender, duration of the disease and type of Vitiligo were collected through a standard questionnaire. Thyroid autoantibodies including thyroglobulin antibody, anti- thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase antibody, and anti-TPO thyroid hormones Tetraiodothyronine (T4), Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in Vitiligo patients and healthy volunteers were measeared.

Results: Serum level of T4 was significantly reduced in Vitiligo patient compared to controls (P<0.05). Serum level of T4 in 20% of Vitiligo patient and 2.2% of control cases was less the normal level. Anti-TPO in 14 (31.1%) of Vitiligo patient and 6 (13.3%) of controls were higher than normal range (<60 IU/m) (P<0.05). Serum level of anti- thyroglobulin was significantly higher in those with Vitiligo in compared to controls (P<0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed that the thyroid dysfunction particularly hypothyroidism and anti-TPO is more common in Vitiligo patients.

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Background and Objective: Varicella zoster virus (VZV) can cause a moderate disease in children, but with high risk of serious disease or death in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) Vaccination from infection can be safe, immunogenic, and effective in children with leukemia. This study was done to evaluate the IgG and IgM antibodies against VZV in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Methods: The descriptive-analytic study was performed on 66 children who were on chemotherapy in Dr Shigh hospital in Mashhad, Iran during 2012. Patients were receivied VZV vaccine. The title negative or positive serum sample for IgG-anti-VZV avidity was determined by using a test kit before and after injection of vaccines VZV for considering the efficacy of vaccines on pediatric patients.

Results: Title serum sample IgG were positive in 32.6% patients, these children have history of chicken pox disease and to be safe against of VZV. 78.3% of the patients were negative for IgG antibody and sensitive against of VZV.

Conclusion: Children with ALL receiving chemotherapy are sensitive to chicken pox disease according to negative IgG titer against VZV.

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Background and Objective: Systemic lupus erythatous (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with clinical symptoms. Anti neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) is common in vasculitis which is reported in SLE. This study was done to determine the frequency of ANCA in patient with SLE and its association with disease activity.
Methods: This descriotive study was conducted on 80 patients with SLE whom referred to rheumatology clinic in Gorgan, northern Iran during 2012-15. The patients disorder diagnosed based on the ACR Criteria. According to the disease activity the patients divided to active group and inactive group. Demographic data was completed with questionnaire and blood sample collected in order to evaluate of for serum ANCA by using ELISA method.
Results: The average age was 37.5±12.4 year. Seven (8.5%) patients were males. 91.5% of patients was females. 27 patients (33%) had active lupus and 53 (57%) had inactive lupus. Only one patient has been reported as positive for ANCA. The patient was a 45 years woman with history of 10 years of lupus nephritis with active disease.
Conclusion: There was no relationship between ANCA and disease activity. The main reason for this finding can be a few numbers of positive cases in this study.