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Abstract Background and objectives: HTLV-1 virus belongs to the retrovirus and infection with this virus mostly is seen among people having more than one time blood transfusion. Because of requiring repeated blood transfusions, thalassemic patients are considered to be high risk subjects in this regard. Thus, this study was carried out to indicate the frequency of HTLV-1 infection among the thalassemic patients. Materials and Methods: Blood samples of 181 thalassemic patients referred to Taleghani hospital during nearly two years (2004-2005) were taken. By using ELISA technique, the sera were assessed to determine HTLV antibody. The positive ones subsequently were examined by western Blot (kit, 2.4) to confirm the ELISA positive samples and also to recognize the HTLV type. Results: Of 181 thalassemic patients, 93 (51.4%) were male. The age was between one and twenty five (14.11 ± 6.5). 93.4% (169) were received packed cell only once in a month. 14.9% (27) were HTLV positive by ELISA technique, while just eight out of these 27 were considered to be true positive by Western blot and to be contaminated by type one virus. Of all subjects, 4.4% were positive HTLV1. Furthermore, the contamination with this virus is increased as the patients getting older. Conclusion: The findings indicated that among the thalassemic patients in Gorgan, there are cases with HTLV-1 whose frequency is correlated with the other part of our country. Consequently, further comprehensive studies are required to identify those infected blood donated to minimize the transmission risk of this infection in the society and in particular among the people receiving blood, such as thalassemic patients. Keywords: HTLV-1 antibody, thalassemic patients, ELISA, western Blood, Gorgan Journal

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Abstract Background and Objective: Diarrheal diseases may occur in all age groups, worldwide. Escherichia coli (E. coli O157: H7) is one of the most important bacterial agents causing this disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of diarrhea in patients with acute diarrhea caused by this bacterium. Material and Methods: In this study, 214 stool samples were collected from acute diarrheic patients in hospitals and clinical laboratories of Malayer city, Iran. The samples were cultured in rich, differentiation, specific and selective medium. To detect E. coli O157: H7, rapid detection method and antisera were used . Results: In 12.15% of the samples, lactose fermentation was observed and E. coli was afirmed. The results of lactose positive samples showed that 6.54% were negative-β- Glucuronidases and were confirmed as E. coli O157. Finally, by using O157: H7 antisera, 1.87% of 14 samples that were negative- β-Glucuronidases were asserted as E. coli O157. Conclusion: based on the results, the prevalence of E. coli O157: H7 is higher in children and elders than the others. Food and water play a significant role in transferring E. coli. Keywords: Prevalence, E. coli O157: H7, Gastroenteritis, Patients

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Background and objectives: In recent years, analytical error rates in medical laboratories have decreased significantly. It has been demonstrated that the majority of errors occur outside of the laboratory in the pre-analytical and post-analytical phases. Our study aimed to evaluate the specimen rejections that occur for various reasons in the central clinical laboratory of a teaching hospital.   
Methods: The study included all specimens (emergency and routine) that were sent from different units of the hospital to the central laboratory between January and December 2019.
Results: Based on the results, 3483 (0.27%) out of 1,307,013 specimens were rejected. The rejection rate was highest for specimens from the intensive care unit (0.69%) and lowest for specimens from the outpatient clinic (0.18%). The specimen rejection rate was 0.42% and 0.22% for specimens from the service unit and emergency department, respectively. The rejection rate for specimens from the intensive care unit was significantly higher than that for specimens from the emergency department (p<0.001), outpatient clinic (p<0.001), and service unit (p=0.010). Although the number of specimens from the intensive care unit was lowest, it had the highest rate of specimen rejection. In our study, most analysis requests were from the outpatient clinic. However, the specimen rejection rate was lowest in this unit.
Conclusion: The results indicate that the reasons for specimen rejection may be influenced by the health status of the patient rather than the patient population.

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Background and objectives: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in most areas of Iran, and the diagnosis of its species is essential for controlling the disease. Leishmania major is the causative agent for cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans. Molecular methods are generally more sensitive than microscopic methods. The present study aimed to use a polymerase chain reaction-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (PCR-ELISA) technique for detecting live L. major from wounds of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Methods: In the present study, a standard strain of L. major promastigotes was used as the positive control for purification of DNA. The Novy–MacNeal–Nicolle and RPMI-1640 media were used for reproduction of parasites. DNA was isolated from specimens taken from 35 patients with suspected cutaneous leishmaniasis whose disease was confirmed by direct smear method. The PCR-ELISA technique was later applied by using the standard strain, patient specimens, and primers specific for the 18s rRNA.
Results: Out of 35 patients, 17 (48.6%) were male and 18 (51.4%) were female. In addition, 8.6% of the patients lived in the Gonbad-e Kavus County, while all patients had been infected in villages around Gonbad-e Kavus. Of 35 patients with confirmed cutaneous leishmaniasis according to the direct smear method, 31 patients (86.31%) had leishmaniasis based on the PCR method and the PCR-ELISA methods.
Conclusion: Based on the results, the PCR-ELISA method is more sensitive and accurate for detecting L. major.