Showing papers in "Journal of Isfahan Medical School in 2006"

A five-year survey of cutaneous leishmaniasis in iran (2001-2006)

Abstract: Introduction Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the most important zoonotic diseases in Iran. According to the reports of the Center for Disease Management and Control, among the 20,000 cases infected with various types of leishmaniasis annually, 80% are zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL). This descriptive and retrospective study was performed to determine the most recent status of ZCL in Iran, from 2001 to 2005. Methods Data were collected from patients presenting to Primary Health Care Centers. Identification of the parasite was carried out by observation of amastigotes in direct smear after staining with Giemsa. Results The prevalence of infection in 2005 (29824) showed an increasing rate of 105.6% in comparison with 2001 (14050). In the last year of our study, the overall incidence rate per 100,000 was 30. Although among the 11 endemic provinces, the most cases were observed in Khorasan, Fars and Isfahan, respectively, the highest incidence rates were found in Yazd Province (203.2) in 2004 and Boshehr Province (139.6) in 2005. Conclusions Surprisingly, during the past five years, the cases of ZCL have increased. This might be partly due to resettlement programs in countryside, reconstruction and destruction of the rodent vector’s habitats, the migration of infected persons from Afghanistan to the borderline provinces and relaxation of preventative measures. Keywords Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Prevalence, Incidence, Iran.

Evaluation of interleukin-6 or early diagnosis of eonatal sepsis in comparison with crp

Abstract: Introduction Early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis is essential for successful treatment. Blood culture is a gold standard for diagnosis but the final results are not available until 48-72 hours after culture. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a marker plays a critical role in the induction of C-reactive protein (CRP) synthesis in the liver. It has been hypothesized that this cytokine could be detected in blood earlier than CRP during the course of neonatal sepsis. Methods Blood samples were collected upon admission from 50 neonates with suspected sepsis, and 10 healthy neonates. The patients were assigned to two groups according to bacteriological and laboratory results. Group І consisted of 19 newborns with positive blood cultures and clinical signs of sepsis. Group ІІ included 31 neonates with negative blood cultures, but with two or three clinical signs of sepsis. The control group (group III) included 10 healthy neonates with no clinical or biological data of infection. Serum CRP was determined by using the nephelometry method and IL-6 was determined by ELISA method. Results Mean CRP level in the group with proven sepsis was 22.18 mg/l which was higher than in other groups (P=0.005). The sensitivity and specificity of CRP were 57% and 100%, respectively. Mean level of IL-6 was 117.49 pg/ml in group І, which was higher than in other groups (P=0.001), exhibiting a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 95%. Conclusions Based on our results, measurement of IL-6 is more useful than CRP for early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis, especially within the 24 hours before the onset of sepsis. We conclude that IL-6 measurement combined with CRP measurement can be the ideal tests for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Keywords Interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, Neonatal sepsis.

A study of the outcome renal transplantation from cadaver, living-related donors and living unrelated donors

Abstract: Introduction Although renal transplantation from cadaver is common, living donors continue to be an important source of transplanted kidneys. Recipients of living-donor kidneys demonstrate improved graft survival. In this study, we evaluated the outcomes of renal transplantation from cadaver, related donors and unrelated donors in Isfahan. Methods We evaluated all of the patients who underwent kidney transplantation in hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2002. We assessed complications including hypertension, urinary tract infection, fever, transplant rejection, urinary leak, renal failure, renal vessels thrombosis and urinary tract obstruction. Donors (living related, living unrelated, cadaver) were registered and complications were compared in the three groups. Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used for statistical analysis. Results One-hundred patients were evaluated (22 had received kidneys from cadaver, 10 from living related donors, and 68 from living unrelated donors). Transplant rejection was most common in recipients of kidneys from living unrelated donors (49.7%, P=0.02). Renal failure was most common in recipients of kidneys from cadaver (68%, P=0.02), urinary infection was most common in recipients of kidneys from living unrelated donors (26%, P=0.04). Overall, complications were most common in patients who had received kidneys from cadaver (81%, P=0.04). Conclusions Given the high transplant rejection rate in recipients of kidneys from living unrelated donors, and the complications observed in recipients of kidneys from cadaver, kidney transplant from living related donors seems to be the most favorable option. Keywords Kidney transplantation, Complication, Outcome.

Effect of ascorbic acid on blood serum lipids in male rabbits fed high-cholesterol diet

Abstract: Introduction Atherosclerosis is a disease which begins during childhood. Oxidation of lipoproteins is an important factor implicated in atherosclerosis. Vitamin C decreases blood serum lipids and may inhibit atherosclerosis. This study was designed to observe the effect of ascorbic acid on blood serum lipids in male rabbits fed high-cholesterol diet. Methods Twenty white male rabbits were weighed (mean weight = 950 g) and blood serum samples were taken for analysis of serum cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG, and VLDL. They were randomly divided into two groups. For 40 days, group 1 (n=10) was given high-cholesterol (1%) diet, and group 2 (n=10) was fed high-cholesterol diet with ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg). Both groups were then weighed and blood samples were taken for analysis of serum cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG, and VLDL. Results Significant differences in cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG, and VLDL were seen between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusions The significant difference observed between the two groups may have been related to the effect of ascorbic acid on lipid metabolism and prevention of oxidation of lipoproteins. These findings suggest that ascorbic acid may have beneficial effects in preventing hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. Keywords Ascorbic acid, Aorta, Coronary arteries, Atherosclerosis, Fatty streak.

Effect of noise pollution-on passive avoidance learning and the size of hippocampus in rat

Abstract: Introduction Hippocampus is a well-defined brain region involved in learning and memory. In spite of the existing reports on hippocampal-dependent memory impairment due to noise stress, to our knowledge, there is no study on the effect of noise stress on the size of hippocampus. The present study aimed to investigate the likely effects of chronic noise exposure on learning and the size of rat hippocampus. Methods Twenty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two equal groups. Animals in the experimental group were exposed to noise with intensity of 40 dB for 20 minutes 3 times per day for a period of 3 months. The control animals were kept in the same laboratory conditions without being exposed to noise. Learning function was assessed according to passive avoidance test. Animals were then anesthetized and transcardially perfused with fixative solution. The brains were removed. The right hemispheres were selected; 25-I¼m thick sections were cut along the entire extent of the hippocampus. Using systematic uniformly random sampling, one section from every twenty sections was analyzed. Volume estimation was performed using Cavalieri principle. Results A decreased latency to enter the dark compartment was observed in noise-exposed animals, suggesting decreased learning function. This study also showed that the noise-exposed rats had smaller hippocampal formation than controls. Conclusions Reduced volume of hippocampus most probably reflects alterations in its neuronal circuits. These changes may be relevant to the learning and memory disturbances in human and animals following noise stress. Keywords Noise pollution, Hippocampus, Volume, Stereology.

Evaluation of lung transfer factor and pulmonary function in women suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract: Introduction This study was conducted to evaluate the involvement of body organs such as the lungs in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Little information exists on lung involvement in lupus patients without respiratory symptoms; we aimed to evaluate the characteristics of lung gas transfer in female SLE patients using carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO) in comparison with a control group. Methods DLCO and lung volume parameters were prospectively measured and analyzed in 76 sequential SLE patients with active disease in our Rheumatology Department in 2005. Results The measured transfer factor was lower in female patients with lupus than in the control group (P≤0.001). A similar reduction was observed in volume-corrected transfer factor with stronger statistical significance (P≤0.001). Residual volume and total lung capacity were greater in patients than in the control group (P≤0.001). Conclusions Reduction of lung transfer factor is a frequent observation in patients with SLE who had no clinical respiratory symptoms. This finding is in favor of alveolocapillary membrane involvement in patients with lupus. Increased residual volume and total lung capacity may be due to subclinical bronchiolitis. Keywords Systemic lupus erythematosus, Total lung capacity, Lung transfer factor.