Abstract

Background and Objective: West Nile virus (WNV) is a member of the genus Flavivirus that can cause viral infections in human. This study aimed at detecting IgG antibodies against WNV in patients of two cities of Neka and Shiraz.

Material and Methods: the participants were 46 possible WNV case from Neka (13 women and 10 men) and Shiraz (10 women and 13 men).  IgG assay was carried out using the Elisa method.

Results: Immune Status Ratio (ISR) in Neka was negative for WNV IgG, but 12 from Shiraz, including 2 women and 10 men, were positive for WNV IgG that was changed from 3.12 to 38.6. Considering ISR, there was significant variation between Neka and Shiraz (p<0.05). In addition, results showed that there was significant variation in WNV infection rate between men (39.19%) and women (13.04%) from Neka and Shiraz cities (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Because Shiraz has hot and semi-dry climate, whereas Neka temperate climate, the results were affected by climate variation.  Given the outdoor job of men compared to women, they are exposed to the bite of mosquito vectors that transmit WNV.

Keywords: West Nile Virus; Elisa; IgG Antibody; Iran.

ABSTRACT

       Background and Objective: Chabahar is in Southern Iran located near the Iran-Pakistan border. Since leishmaniasis is an emerging disease in this region, this study aimed to diagnose the disease and identify different species of Leishmania parasite in the patients referred to the central laboratory.

      Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011-2012 on patients referred to the central laboratory in the city of Chabahar. The sampling of lesions, slide preparation, culture and PCR specific for kinetoplast DNA (kDNA), extracted from the media and slides, were performed. The data collected by a questionnaire were analyzed by the SPSS software.

       Results:  The resulted bands from the 48 tested cutaneous leishmaniasis isolates were compared with the standard strains of Leishmania tropica, L. infantum and L. major. All 48 investigated bands were in the 620bp region, which is related to L. major.

        Conclusion: Since PCR has high sensitivity and specificity, it is recommended to use kDNA (present in a unique organelle called kinetoplast) for the routine diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

ABSTRACT
        Background and Objectives: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most common viral cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of active CMV infection in hemodialysis patients in Gorgan, Iran.
        Methods: Plasma samples were obtained from 149 hemodialysis patients at Hemodialysis Unit of Panje-Azar Medical Centre in Gorgan, Iran. Presence of CMV-DNA in plasma samples was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers for highly conserved regions of major capsid protein gene of HCMV. In addition, level of CMV-IgM antibody was measured by serological testing. Demographic information and past medical history of patients were also recorded. Data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 18).
       Results: Total prevalence of CMV infection was 6.7% (10/149) among the patients receiving hemodialysis. CMV-DNA and anti-CMV IgM antibody were detected in 2.68% and 4.69%, of the samples, respectively. One case was found positive for both CMV-DNA and anti-CMV IgM antibody. CMV infection did not have any correlation with gender, age, ethnicity, duration of hemodialysis, and history of blood transfusion.
        Conclusion: A notable proportion of hemodialysis patients in Gorgan have active CMV infection. Accurate detection of these individuals is important for preventing infection spread, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Simultaneous diagnosis of CMV infection using serological testing and PCR assay could help reduce the risk of infection spread.
          Keywords: HCMV, Hemodialysis, PCR, Iran.

ABSTRACT
        Background and Objective: Lophomonas blattarum is a multi-flagellate protozoan that is commensal in hindgut of cockroaches and other insects. The protozoan can cause respiratory infection in humans. Most cases of the infections with this protozoan have been reported in China. Here, we present a case with chronic respiratory allergy caused by L. blattarum in Golestan province, Iran.
         Case Description: The case was a 37-year-old male with history of respiratory conditions and he was immunocompetent. An athlete. L. blattarum was detected in direct smear examination of sputum,
        Conclusion: Since we found respiratory infection in an immunocompetent individual who was also an athlete, it is necessary to study this parasite and its life cycle and transmission methods. It is also suggested to consider L. blattarum infection and treatment with metronidazole in cases of chronic allergies, especially those that do not respond to treatment.
        Keywords: Lophomonas blattarum, Respiratory Allergies, Iran.

ABSTRACT
            Background and Objectives: Enterococcus faecalis is a major cause of bacterial prostatitis, which can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer if mistreated or left untreated. The aim of this study was to evaluate resistance of E. faecalis strains isolated from patients with prostatitis to three fluoroquinolones.
            Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we collected urine specimen from 164 patients hospitalized in six hospitals in the Golestan Province, Iran. Biochemical and bacteriological tests were carried out to identify E. faecalis strains. Pattern of resistance to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and norfloxacin was studied using the agar disk diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer method). The broth microdilution test was performed to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of fluoroquinolones according to the CLSI M100-S25 (2015) criteria.
            Results: Of 164 isolates, 39 (23.8%) were identified as E. faecalis. Frequency of resistance to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and levofloxacin was 12.8%, 12.8% and 2.6%, respectively. The MIC₉₀ of ciprofloxacin against the isolates was 4 μg/ml, which was 4-fold lower than that of norfloxacin (MIC₉₀=16μg/ml) and 2-fold lower than that of levofloxacin (MIC₉₀=8μg/ml). We found no significant difference between the isolates in terms of resistant to the fluoroquinolones (P>0.01). 
            Conclusion: Our results show that E. faecalis is one of the most common causes of bacterial prostatitis, and fluoroquinolones are still effective for treating the infection despite the reports of fluoroquinolones resistance in Iran. Moreover, levofloxacin may be a more suitable and effective antibiotic than ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin for treatment of this infection.
            Keywords: Enterococcus faecalis, Prostatitis, Drug Resistance, Iran.

ABSTRACT
            Background and objectives:  Sarcoptes scabiei is a microscopic parasitic arthropod that penetrates into epidermis of the skin and causes scabies, a contagious disease that is one of the most common causes of dermatosis in the world.
            Methods: We herein summarize published papers about Sarcoptes scabiei infestation in Iran. Databases including MEDLINE, Pubmed and Google scholar were searched using the following terms: Sarcoptes scabiei, mange, prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei and scabies status in Iran.
            Results: Overall, we found approximately 15 articles related to the prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei infestation in Iran. According to these studies, the prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei infestation has been rather high in Iran during war and in prisons and humid areas of the country.
            Conclusion: In spite of the low prevalence of scabies, it is necessary to implant prevention programs continuously by reducing overcrowding, improving health education, personal hygiene, diagnostics tools, and screening and treatment of high-risk populations.
            Keywords: Sarcoptes scabiei, Brief review, Iran.