Showing 29 results for Iran
Sona Rostampour Yasouri, Masoud Ghane, Monir Doudi, Abolhasan Rezaee, Nafiseh Sadat Naghavi,
Volume 14, Issue 6 (11-2020)
Abstract
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease with a high incidence rate in many parts of the world due to the presence of various hosts for the pathogenic Leptospira. Tropical, subtropical and humid regions are suitable for long-term survival of the bacterium. Because of the temperate and humid climate, northern areas of Iran are suitable for pathogenic Leptospira and outbreak of the disease. Therefore, identification of infected areas is important from a public health and economic point of view. Previous studies show that the incidence rate of leptospirosis is increasing every year. Therefore, accurate diagnosis, control and prevention of this disease seem necessary through vaccination and raising public awareness, especially among high-risk groups. Today, diagnostic methods including immunofluorescence assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are used to diagnose the leptospirosis. MAT is the gold standard test for the diagnosis of leptospirosis with extensive applications in Iran. Due to the importance of this disease and its high prevalence in recent years, the present study aimed to investigate the epidemiology and diagnosis of leptospirosis in Iran.
Alireza Nikonajad, Sadegh Ali Azimi, Abbas Allami, Reza Qasemi Bargi, Alijan Tabarraei,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (1-2021)
Abstract
Objectives: Although extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is a secondary target for national TB control programs, its significance has increased worldwide. In order to study the epidemiology of EPTB in the Northeast of Iran, this survey was conducted.
Methods and Methods: A population-based, retrospective analysis of all cases of EPTB during 2012–2015 reported to the TB Unit of the Golestan was performed. Socioeconomic and environmental variables, sites, admission, mode of diagnosis and outcome status were collected. Data analyzed through SPSS 25.0 by descriptive and analytical statistical methods.
Results: A total of 741 cases of EPTB were included. Patients were mainly female (59.1%), age of 0 to 40 years old (57.6%), less than five years of education (46.7%) and mainly Fars (39.6%). Non-native ethnicities significantly acquired EPTB more than native ethnicities (p<0.001). Mortality rate was 5.1%. Smoking detected more frequently in EPTB patients (p<0.001). HIV status of most EPTB patients (89.3%) were unknown. The most common forms were pleural (30.5%) and lymphadenopathy (22.0%). Cultures and PCR performed in only about 10 percent of EPTB patients in our study.
Conclusions: EPTB was more prevalent in non-native population. Improvement of socioeconomic conditions and screening program may be successful in reducing the problem among immigrant
Masoud Soosaraei, Ahmad Daryani, Mehdi Sharif, Shabeddin Sarvi, Hajar Ziaei Hezarjaribi, Mahdi Fakhar,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (1-2021)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Cryptosporidium spp. is a major cause of gastrointestinal illness in humans. There are no data available on geospatial distribution of Cryptosporidium spp. in the Mazandaran Province, Iran. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the spatial patterns and demographic factors associated with Cryptosporidium spp. infection in the Mazandaran Province, North of Iran.
Methods: Fecal specimens were collected from diarrheic individuals (n=215) who were referred to health centers in the Mazandaran Province during 2014-2015. The specimens were examined for presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts by Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining.
Results: Cities of Sari, Neka, Noshahr and Behshahr were identified as disease hotspots. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was significantly higher in subjects under 10 years of age as well as those living in low-altitude areas and rural areas without access to standard water sources.
Conclusion: Our findings and the GIS-derived data could be used to facilitate cryptosporidiosis surveillance and monitoring of Cryptosporidium spp. distribution in the study area.
Roghayeh Norouzi, Sajjad Jafari, Haniyeh Meshkati, Fahimeh Bagheri Amiri, Abolghasem Siyadatpanah,
Volume 15, Issue 1 (1-2021)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Head louse, also known as Pediculus humanus capitis, is an obligate ectoparasite that is a distributed all around the world. The aim of present study was to determine the prevalence of head lice infestation in primary school students in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran.
Methods: Overall, 3,032 students (1,515 boys and 1,517 girls) from 33 primary schools in Tabriz were selected via multi-stage cluster sampling in 2018. The students were examined individually and privately by experts. Head lice infestation was confirmed by detecting adult or nymph or nits less than 1 cm from base of hair. Data analysis was carried out in SPSS software package (version 23). Association of participants’ characteristics with pediculosis infestation was evaluated using logistic regression and chi-square test at significance level of 0.05.
Results: Head lice infestation was present in 130 (4.29%) students, while the prevalence of this condition was higher in girls (2.11%) than in boys. The highest prevalence (6.05 %) was observed in children age 6 years old regardless of gender. The rate of head lice infestation was lowest among students aged ≥12 years (3.17%). There was a significant relationship between head louse infestation and parent’s occupation, family size, the frequency of combing and hair style.
Conclusion: Although the prevalence of head lice infestation in Tabriz is relatively low, screening and treating schoolchildren should be done continuously in order to reduce the infestation rate.
Mohammad-Ali Mohaghegh, Roghayeh Norouzi, Abolghasem Siyadatpanah, Farzaneh Mirzaei, Ali Fatahi Bafghi, Seyed-Reza Mirbadie,
Volume 15, Issue 3 (5-2021)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs is the main source of human toxocariasis. The aim of this study was to determine rate of soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in Yazd, central Iran.
Methods: During September 2014 to February 2015, a total of 220 soil samples were collected from public parks, primary schools, green areas, kindergartens, suburban areas, streets, residential complexes, backyards and a bus terminal in the city of Yazd, Yazd Province. Soil samples were investigated for the presences of Toxocara eggs by flotation technique using sucrose solution (1.2 g/cm3) and using light microscopy. Data analysis was carried out by SPSS (version 23) software package.
Results: A total of 220 soil samples from nine different places were examined. Of these samples, 51 (23.2%) were contaminated with Toxocara spp. eggs. The contamination rate was 26.3% in public parks, 19.2% in primary schools, 28.6% in green areas, 22.2% in kindergartens, 24% in suburban areas, 8.3% in streets, 18.8% in residential complexes, 19% in backyards and 28.6% in the bus terminal. There was no significant difference in the soil contamination rate with Toxocara spp. eggs between different sampling places (χ2 = 3.096, d.f = 8 and P= 0.92) and sampling areas (χ2= 2.289, d.f = 2 and P= 0.318).
Conclusion: The high rate of soil contamination with Toxocara spp. eggs in Yazd emphasize on the need for preventive measures, such as improving sanitation, providing public health education and controlling stray dogs and cats near children play areas.
Ehsan Ameri, Ali Farhadi Mahali, Mojtaba Tabari, Alireza Maetoofi,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (1-2022)
Abstract
Background and objectives: The hoteling quality promotion is part of the health system development plan, based on which the physical appearance of laboratories of public hospitals are improved and renovated. The present study aimed to evaluate the policy-making gap in the hoteling quality promotion of the health system development plan in providing laboratory services in public hospitals in the Golestan Province, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was performed on 384 medical staff and physicians working in laboratories of public hospitals affiliated with the Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Golestan Province, Iran. Data were collected using a 35-item researcher-made questionnaire that was distributed and collected over a period of six months. We examined the extent of the gap between the current and expected status based on the two components: the alignment of key stakeholders with health system development policies and stakeholders' opposition to health system development policies, as well as the extent of the gap
Results: The hoteling quality promotion was about -0.05 in providing laboratory services in public hospitals of the Golestan Province, indicating a low gap between the current and favorable status in the fifth axis of the health system development plan in terms of supervision.
Conclusion: The implementation of the hoteling quality promotion plan in providing laboratory services in public hospitals of the province is not consistent with the expected goals of the fifth axis of the health system development plan. Therefore, there is a need to examine and eliminate effective factors contributing to this gap.
Mahmoud Karimizadeh Esfahani, Mohsen Najjari, Saeed Hosseini Teshnizi, Somayeh Dolatabadi, Mohammad Javad Najafzadeh,
Volume 16, Issue 5 (9-2022)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Mycotic keratitis is a fungal infection of the cornea that can cause blindness. Its incidence, risk factors, and the etiological agents vary worldwide and nationwide. Therefore, proper documentation of these data is essential for better disease management. In this review, we aimed to make a clear picture of this infection in the Middle East.
Methods: Data on fungal keratitis from 1986 to 2018 in the Middle East were systematically collected from five English databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) and four Persian databases (Magiran, Scientific Information Database, IranMedex, and Irandoc). A total of 35 studies were included in the review.
Result: The pooled prevalence of fungal keratitis in the Middle East was estimated at 26% (95% confidence interval: 19-32%; I2=98.88%, p<0.001) using random-effect model, with considerable variation among the countries. The prevalence of fungal keratitis was highest in Egypt (36%) and Iran (34%) and lowest in Oman (9%). Aspergillus and Fusarium spp. were the most common causative agents (28%) among filamentous fungi, and Candida (13%) was the predominant yeast species causing fungal keratitis. Based on the data, fungal keratitis was more prevalent in males (39%) than in females (23%).
Conclusion: Our study is the first systematic review on mycotic keratitis among the Middle Eastern countries. These epidemiological estimates can be used by policy makers to improve treatment strategies, especially in this part of the world.
Background and objectives: Mycotic keratitis is a fungal infection of the cornea that can cause blindness. Its incidence, risk factors, and the etiological agents vary worldwide and nationwide. Therefore, proper documentation of these data is essential for better disease management. In this review, we aimed to make a clear picture of this infection in the Middle East.
Methods: Data on fungal keratitis from 1986 to 2018 in the Middle East were systematically collected from five English databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) and four Persian databases (Magiran, Scientific Information Database, IranMedex, and Irandoc). A total of 35 studies were included in the review.
Result: The pooled prevalence of fungal keratitis in the Middle East was estimated at 26% (95% confidence interval: 19-32%; I2=98.88%, p<0.001) using random-effect model, with considerable variation among the countries. The prevalence of fungal keratitis was highest in Egypt (36%) and Iran (34%) and lowest in Oman (9%). Aspergillus and Fusarium spp. were the most common causative agents (28%) among filamentous fungi, and Candida (13%) was the predominant yeast species causing fungal keratitis. Based on the data, fungal keratitis was more prevalent in males (39%) than in females (23%).
Conclusion: Our study is the first systematic review on mycotic keratitis among the Middle Eastern countries. These epidemiological estimates can be used by policy makers to improve treatment strategies, especially in this part of the world.
Seyed Sadegh Baniaghil, Fardin Balochi , Alireza Ahmadi,
Volume 18, Issue 3 (5-2024)
Abstract
Background: The understanding of blood group phenotypes is currently limited to the ABO and Rh blood group systems. This study aimed to determine the frequency of Rh system antigens (D, C, c, E, e) and the phenotypes of the system in blood donors. Identifying the blood group phenotypes of donors in any population is important for improving healthcare services and better serving patients.
Methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 575 donors (Turkmen and Fars) in blood transfusion centers in Golestan Province, Iran. A cell suspension (3-5%) from each sample was prepared in normal saline and exposed to Rh system antisera using the haemagglutination technique. The Rh phenotype was then determined based on the most common genotype.
Results: For the Rh system, the antigen frequencies of D, C, c, E, and e were 87.76%, 73.6%, 72.1%, 30.83%, and 93.59%, respectively. The most common phenotypes among the Turkmen and Fars donors were R1R1, R1r, and rr, respectively, while the least common phenotypes were R2Rz and ryry. The phenotypes r'r' and ryry were not detected in the Turkmen donors, and the phenotype r''r' was not identified in the Fars donors.
Conclusion: Identifying the prevalence of blood group antigens in donors from each region is crucial for organizing negative antigen blood units, preparing compatible blood for multitransfused patients, and preventing the development of alloantibodies in these patients.
Sadeghali Azimi, Bahareh Bashardoust, Mohammad Hadi Tajik Jalayeri,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
Introduction: Bronchopulmonary lophomoniasis is an infrequent occurrence. In this study, we document a singular instance of pulmonary lophomoniasis exhibiting unconventional manifestations in Golestan province, Iran.
Case presentation: The case under examination pertains to a 47-year-old male inmate who has been encountering respiratory issues for a duration of four months, culminating in a diagnosis of lophomoniasis. Both blood and sputum cultures yielded negative results. Similarly, bronchoalveolar lavage tests for bacterial and fungal pathogens returned negative findings. However, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) results (microscopic) showed mild positive lophomoniasis targeting Lophomonas blattarum and Serum IgE=387 was relatively higher than normal limits.
Conclusion: The patient received treatment with metronidazole, leading to the resolution of all clinical complications within a span of four weeks.
