Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. infection in renal transplant and hemodialysis patients

Transplanted and hemodialysis patients are frequently affected by parasitic diseases such as cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidium is a parasite causing self-limited diarrhea and enteritis in healthy individuals. The presence of Cryptosporidium infection was studied in three groups including 87 renal transplant patients, 103 hemodialysis patients, and 60 healthy individuals as the control group. Two stool specimens were obtained from each case. The specimens were concentrated by the formalin-ether method and two smears were prepared from each. The smears were stained by modified acid-fast method and were observed under a light microscope. Ten (11.5) renal transplant and 4 (3.88) hemodialysis patients were positive for Cryptosporidium infection. No positive results were obtained in the control group. The results showed a statistically significant difference between renal transplant and control groups (P=0.02), but the difference between hemodialysis and control groups was not significant (P=0.2). The results also showed that the rate of Cryptosporidium infection in renal transplant patients was much higher than hemodialysis patients. The susceptibility of renal transplant patients to Cryptosporidium infection is much more than other studied groups and this could be due to immunosuppressive therapy in these patients

Role of iron supplementation in promoting maternal and fetal outcome

Zahra Yekta1, Reza Pourali2, Nikol Mladkova3, Mohammad Ghasemi-rad4, Farzane Boromand5, Khosrow Hazrati Tappeh6 1Department of Community Medicine; 2Medical Demonstration Facility, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran; 3Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, London, United Kingdom; 4Student Research Committee; 5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; 6Department of Mycology and Parasitology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Islamic Republic of Iran Background: The data comparing daily versus intermittent iron supplementation during pregnancy remain controversial. This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of daily versus two different intermittent iron supplementation regimes on hematologic markers and birth outcomes in nonanemic pregnant women. Methods: Two hundred and ten women with singleton pregnancies, no known disease, and hemoglobin levels >11.0 g/dL were randomly assigned to one of three groups, ie, Group A consuming two iron supplementation tablets once weekly (100 mg iron per week, n = 70), Group B consuming one tablet twice weekly (100 mg iron per week, n = 70) and Group C, consuming one tablet daily (50 mg iron per day, n = 70). No additional micronutrients were supplied. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels were measured at 20, 28, and 38 weeks. Pregnancy and birth outcomes (pregnancy termination, method of delivery, birth weight, stillbirth) were analyzed. Results: In total, 201 women completed the protocol. There was a significant difference in mean hemoglobin and ferritin levels in Group B at 38 weeks (P = 0.018 and P = 0.035, respectively) but this difference was not clinically significant (hemoglobin >12 g/dL, ferritin >19 µg/L). There was a significant increase in ferritin in Group C (P = 0.03) at 28 weeks. No significant difference was observed with respect to pregnancy or birth outcome across the groups. All regimens prevented the occurrence of hemoglobin <10.5 g/dL, but weekly supplementation was associated with development of a hemoglobin level <11.0 g/dL (risk ratio 0.044). Conclusion: Twice-weekly supplementation is as effective as daily supplementation, and may represent an acceptable compromise in iron supplementation regimens for nonanemic pregnant women. Keywords: iron supplementation, pregnancy, anemia, outcom

Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid enhances epithelial - mesenchymal transition

Aims Cystic Echinococcosis is characterised by fluid filled hydatid cysts in the liver and lungs. The cysts are surrounded by a host fibrous layer (the pericyst) which acts to isolate the parasite from surrounding tissues. Previous studies in liver cysts have indicated that the parasite may be stimulating fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether Hydatid Cyst Fluid (HCF) could influence the potential for fibrosis to occur in lung tissue by stimulating epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a human lung epithelial cell line. Methods and Results An adenocarcinoma-derived alveolar basal epithelial cell line (A549) was used as a model for human alveolar epithelial cells (AEC II). These were cultured in vitro with HCF (UK sheep origin). Assays to investigate cell proliferation, cell migration and expression of cytoskeletal markers showed that HCF could stimulate changes indicative of EMT, including enhanced cell proliferation and migration; increased expression of mesenchymal cytoskeletal markers (fibronectin and vimentin) accompanied by a down regulation of an epithelial marker (E-cadherin). Conclusions Molecules within hydatid cyst fluid are capable of inducing phenotypic changes in A549 cells indicating that the parasite has the potential to modify lung epithelial cells which could contribute to fibrotic reactions

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among Mentally Disabled Children and Adults of Urmia, Iran

Background: The prevalence of intestinal parasites infection in institutions for mental retarda­tion of Ur­mia City, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran was investigated.Methods: This descriptive - cross sectional study was carried out in of Urmia city in 2007-2008. Fecal samples of 225 less than 29 year old mentally disabled individu­als were examined using direct smear, formalin - ether concen­tration. Beside their scotch tape samples were observed for Enterobius eggs. Statisti­cal evaluation was per­formed by SPSS 10.Results: Of 225 mentally retarded persons, 118(52.4%) and 107(47.6%) were female and male. The over­all prevalence of infection was 20.4% and that of male, and female were 20.5% and 20.3%, respectively. 17.3% of examined individuals had protozoa infection and 3.1% showed Entero­bius vermicularis eggs. The infection rates of detected intestinal protozoa were Enta­moeba coli 9.7%, Giardia lamblia 6.2%, Io­doamoeba butschlii 5.7%, Blastocystis hominis 4%, and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 0.4%. Forty per­cent of 1-5 year, 22.8% of 6-14 year, 22.2% of 15-18 year, and 16.8% of more than 18-year age groups, had positive results in their tests. Accord­ing to IQ test results, 23.8% of less than 25 score group, 19.6% of 25-50, 17.2% of 50-75, and 40% of 75-90 groups were infected.Conclusion: More efforts for increasing sanitation level and prompt diagnosis and treat­ment of infected persons in these institutions are necessary

Toxoplasmosis in Patients with Cardiac Disorders: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Toxoplasmosis is a common and serious infection caused by an obligatory intracellular protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii. This study investigated the possible association between heart failure and toxoplasmosis. We searched for toxoplasmosis and heart failure patients in English databases including PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Sciences, Science Direct, EMBASE, and Google Scholar up to June 2018. A total of 6 studies and 1,795 participants, comprising 934 cases and 861 controls, had acceptable criteria for entering the study. Im­munoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against T. gondii were found in 53% (22 to 83) of patients with heart diseases and 26% (11 to 42) of healthy controls. In comparison, immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies were found in 0.5% (0.1 to 1) in patients with heart diseases and 0.3% (0 to 0.7) of healthy controls. The patients suffering from cardiac disorders were more significantly correlated to anti-T. gondii IgG (OR: 3.53; 95% CI, 2.27 to 5.47; P = 0.014) and IgM (OR: 1.80; 95% CI, 0.31 to 10.4; P = 0.028) seropositivity than healthy controls. Despite limitations such as the low number of studies, our research showed a high association between toxoplasmosis and cardiac disorders. Therefore, toxoplasmosis may be a risk factor in cardiac patients, and more studies are being done

Pediculosis capitis among Primary School Children and Related Risk Factors in Urmia, the Main City of West Azarbaijan, Iran

Abstract Background: Pediculosis capitis is cosmopolitan health problem. In addition to its physical problems, its psychological effects especially on pupils are more important. This study was conducted to determine the Pediculosis capitis among primary school pupils and also find out the role of probable related risk factors in Urmia city, Iran 2010. Methods: 35 primary schools of Urmia City according to the defined clusters randomly have been selected during 2010. 2040 pupils (866 boys and 1174 girls) were included and examined individually and privately by experts. Presence of adult or immature lice or having nits less than 1 cm from the hair basis were defined as positive. Data about demographic features and factors which their effect should be determined were recorded in standard questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS software with proper statistical test. Results: Infestation was determined around 4%. Girls show significantly greater infestation. The availability of suitable warm water for bathing and hair length (separately in girls and boys) are significantly related to infestation load as well as infestation among different age groups. There was no significant relation between parent's education and job and infestation as well as bathing repetition per week and the kind of energy source which they have. Also there is no significant correlation between educational grades and head lice infestation. Conclusion: The head louse pediculosis is a health problem and remains a health threatening for school children.Effective risk factors should be determined carefully and regionally. Proper training plays a great role in order to prevent and control the problem

PREVALENCE OF INTESTINAL PARASITES AMONG FOOD HANDLERS IN WESTERN IRAN

Parasitic infection is one of the problems that affect human health, especially in developing countries. In this study, all of the fast food shops, restaurants, and roast meat outlets of Khorramabad (Western Iran) and all the staff employed by them, some 210 people, were selected through a census and their stools were examined for the presence of parasites. The parasitological tests of direct wet-mount, Lugol's iodine staining, formaldehyde-ether sedimentation and Trichrome staining techniques were performed on the samples. The data was analyzed with a chi-square test and logistic regression was selected as the analytical model. The results showed 19 (9%) stool specimens were positive for different intestinal parasites. These intestinal parasites included Giardia lamblia2.9%, Entamoeba coli 4.3%, Blastocystis sp. 1.4%, and Hymenolepis nana 0.5%. There was a significant difference between the presence of a valid health card, awareness of transmission of intestinal parasites, participation in training courses in environmental health with intestinal parasites (p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the rate of literacy and gender among patients infected with intestinal parasites (p > 0.05). To control parasitic infection in food handlers, several strategies are recommended such as stool examinations every three months, public education, application of health regulations, controlling the validity of health cards and training on parasitic infection transmission. In this regard, the findings of the present study can be used as a basis to develop preventive programs targeting food handlers because the spread of disease via them is a common problem worldwide

A process of efficient bolus shaping for cancer care

In cancer therapy, tumorous cells are ruined without damaging to healthy tissues. External-Beam Radiotherapy is one of the most popular approaches for cancer treatment. Megavoltage photon beams from a linear accelerator are employed for rotating around a targeted area of patients from different angles to eradicate cancerous tissues. Bolus is a sheet of material with a uniform thickness (usually 10 mm) to cover the skin surface to minimize damage to healthy tissues while keeping the desired dose. The use of the bolus can increase the surface dose and improve the dosage distribution. The existing clinical method of shaping the bolus to cover patient's surface is a manual process based on trial and error. A significant problem of the existing method is air gaps that are generated between the bolus and the patient's skin, which results in the lower distribution of dosage. 3D printing is also an approach to form the bolus, but this process is time-consuming and limited to certain types of materials. The objective of this research is to develop a process for bolus shaping to reduce air gaps and improve efficiency of the bolus fabrication. 3D scanned data of the target surface are simplified with different methods to find the best approach to fit the need of this work. Different tools are used to generate 2D shape patterns from the simplified 3D models. The generated 2D patterns and features of the tools are studied. The 2D patterns are cut using a laser cutting machine and folded back to the 3D bolus shape. Fabricated 3D bolus models are evaluated by comparing them with original design shapes, which shows the satisfaction to meet requirements of the bolus application.February 202

Circulating antigen detection in patient serum for diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis

Hydatidosis is a major public health problem with a worldwide distribution in humans. The purpose of this study is to investigate the circulating antigen in the sera of CE patients. This study was performed on 188 sera which were taken from 181 patients who attended the various departments of Ege University of Medical Faculty and to the laboratory of Parasitology department with the suspicion of Cystic Echinococcosis (CE). Sera were tested with IHA and ELISA for Circulating antibodies and with Circulating Antigen-ELISA (CAg-ELISA) test for circulating antigen. All the patients were questioned personally and clinical data were obtained from the departments where they operated to confirm the diagnosis of CE and 53 serum specimens were shown to be taken from CE proven cases. Hydatid Cyst Fluid (HCF) harvested from the fertile cysts in the liver of the infected sheep was used both in preparing the ELISA and IHA tests for detecting antibodies and for immunizing the rabbits to obtain immune serum. Specific polyvalent immunoglobulin's required for CAg-ELISA test in detecting the circulating antigen for CE in sera, were obtained from the rabbits which were immunized against hydatid cyst antigen and used after being purified with ammonium sulphat (NH4)2 So4 precipitation and gel filtration colon chromatography performed in the molecular biology department. In 82 specimens with ELISA and in 81 specimens with IHA presence of antibodies, over the cut-off values, in varying titrations were shown out of 188 specimens. In 2(1.1%) patients who were found to negative by both IHA and ELISA, presence of CE was shown after the surgical operation. The specifity (79.26%) and sensitivity (88.68%) of IHA and specifity (78.52%) and sensitivity (90.57%) of ELISA tests were found. In 24(45.6%) specimen with CAg-ELISA test circulating antigen were detected in values over the cut-off level. All patients with positive CAg-ELISA are also confirmed with the personal data obtained from either personally or from the clinics where they were operated. These results indicated that it will be great help to assess antigen detecting tests in additional to antibody detecting tests in the serodiagnosis of patients with suspicion of CE