Letter
Research Article
Background:
The incidence of neonatal infection varies from one place to another, and also within the same nursery depending on conditions predisposing to infection.
Objectives:
The current study aimed to determine the incidence of neonatal infection (NICUs) in South Sinai neonatal intensive care units, Egypt.
Methods:
The study included 1023 neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units in the South Sinai state hospitals from January 2010 to September 2014 and scanned for demographic data and the potential risk factors for neonatal septicemia.
Results:
The Incidence of septicemia in the NICUs of South Sinai state hospitals was 8.6% and mortality rate among sepsis cases (sepsis fatality rate) was about 25%. The percentage of cases with late-onset sepsis (68.2%) was predominant compared to the early-onset sepsis (31.8%). Hospital acquired infections represented 30.7 % of sepsis cases. Male neonates, preterm, low birth weight babies, normal vaginal deliveries, twin deliveries and multipara mothers and premature rupture of membranes were significantly associated with more incidence of sepsis among the study population. There was no statistical significant difference (P > 0.05) between sepsis and non-sepsis cases regarding the maternal age, site of delivery and presence of congenital anomalies among the study population.
Conclusions:
Prevalence of septicemia in neonatal intensive care units in South Sinai state hospitals was about 8.6% due to the abundance of risk factors in this area.
Rapid Communication
Background:
Thalassemia patients are at risk of blood borne viral infections because of repeated transfusion of blood products.
Objectives:
We aimed to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection in these patients in Zabol, Iran.
Methods:
This study was conducted on 152 patients with thalassemia at the center of special diseases of Zabol. Demographic data were collected and serum anti HCV Ab and in seven cases HCV RNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed.
Results:
The mean age of patients with thalassemia was 20.1 ± 3.3 that 69.2% of them were male. Thirteen out of 152 patients with thalassemia (8.5%) were HCV Ab positive, which confirmed the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The prevalence of HCV infection in blood samples before 1995 was significantly higher than after this year (P = 0.043).
Conclusions:
Considering the high prevalence of hepatitis C in patients, who received blood transfusions, it seems necessary to examine blood products and blood donors more closely in terms of transmissible diseases like Hepatitis C.
Case Report
Introduction:
Chronic HCV could be treated with classical interferon-containing regimen. However, it was previously shown that the success rate with such a regimen is around 50% in patients with hemoglobinopathy and HCV. Although directly acting antivirals (DAAs) are potent for the treatment of HCV, such drugs have not been approved for the treatment of HCV in patients with hemoglobinopathy.
Case Presentation:
We described a 16- year-old male patient with sickle-thalassemia who was infected with a HCV. Treatment was started with sofosbuvir, ribavirin and pegylated interferon and continued for 12 weeks. Rapid virologic response was achieved and liver enzymes decreased gradually. Sustained virologic response was achieved as HCV reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was negative 12 weeks after stopping treatment. The patient reported no side effect during the course of treatment.
Conclusions:
If such a regimen is approved, it would be a breakthrough in the treatment of HCV in subjects with hemoglobinopathy. More prospective, randomized control trial studies are needed to investigate the efficacy and safety profile of such a regimen.
Research Article
Background:
Geohelminth infections are common infections worldwide. These helminthes are parasitic nematodes, which could infect humans and animals by contact with eggs or infective larvae and in some cases cause serious disorders, especially in children.
Objectives:
The present study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of geohelminth eggs in the soil of schools and play areas of Kermanshah city, western Iran.
Materials and Methods:
One hundred and ninety-two soil samples were collected from 24 primary schools and 24 play areas from four different parts of each area. Diagnosis of geohelminth was confirmed by the recovery of their eggs by the flotation technique using sucrose solution and examined under light microscope using 10X and 40X objectives.
Results:
Out of 192 soil samples, soil of play areas from four regions was contaminated with geohelminth eggs. The rate of soil contamination with Trichuris spp. eggs was 3.12% while this was 2.1% for hookworm eggs, yet no Ascaris eggs were found in the examined soil samples.
Conclusions:
Based on the results of this study there is a risk of infection with soil transmitted helminthes among children of Kermanshah, Iran.
Editorial
Research Article
Objectives:
Development of the drug resistance is becoming a threat to disease control, which underscores need for new agents targeting M. tuberculosis .
Materials and Methods:
In this study, analysis of gene expression was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR).
Results:
Results of the current study showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration value of cinnamaldehyde against M. tuberculosis was 200 µg/mL. Moreover, RT-PCR data showed that a total of 25 genes were regulated by the cinnamaldehyde. Of these, 12 genes were up-regulated, and 13 genes were down-regulated.
Conclusions:
Cinnamaldehyde is a pattern to expand the new anti-TB drugs, because the targets of the cinnamaldehyde are different from those of anti-tubercular agents.
Research Article
Background:
The prevalence of blood borne viral infection is escalating worldwide. Screening blood donors is needed to prevent further spread of such infections.
Objectives:
The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among blood donors in Duhok, Northern Iraq.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted on blood donors attending Duhok blood bank. A total of 7900 subjects were included in the study from January to December 2014. Subjects were tested for evidence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HCV antibody (HCV-Ab). A questionnaire was used to collect demographic and personal data of each positive subject. All HCV-positive samples were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to confirm the results.
Results:
Among the studied sample, the prevalence of HBsAg and HCV-Ab were 62/7900 (0.78%) and 16/7900 (0.2%), respectively. The results of RT-PCR for quantitation of HCV showed that only 1/7900 (0.013%) patients was HCV-positive. No significant difference was observed in the positivity of HBV and HCV between donors living in the city and rural areas (P > 0.05). In addition, history of dental procedure was given in 77% and 75% of HBV- and HCV-positive donors, respectively.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of HBV infection among donors in Duhok was comparable with those of reports from other parts of Iraq. Education and immunization should be initiated to target the high-risk groups. Furthermore, a community-based study is recommended to study the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection in the population.
Research Article
Background:
Foot-and-Mouth disease (FMD) is an acute and contagious disease in domestic ruminants, which is currently the most economical viral disease that threatens the livestock industry. The virus that causes disease belongs to the Aphthovirus genus from the family of picornaviridae. This family contains seven serotypes and is about 30 nanometers in diameter and has no external membrane, similar to other picornaviruses.
Objectives:
In this study, we aimed to introduce the sucrose gradient procedure as a convenient method for purification of 146s antigens.
Methods:
Sucrose gradient procedure (20% - 50%) was used for purification of 146s antigen of foot-and-mouth disease virus serotypes A. Then, preparation steps of the virus including concentration by polyethylene glycol, degreasing using trichloroethylene, centrifugation (30000 g for three hours) and washing the pellet using Tris (0.05 M) were performed. Spectrophotometer and nano-drop were used to measure the amount of the purified protein and purity evaluation, respectively. Moreover, dot blot assay was used for the confirmation of 146s antigen.
Results:
The pellet of the 146s antigen of FMD virus serotype A was developed at a concentration of sucrose 50%. Absorbance rate of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease virus serotypes A at wavelengths of 240, 259 and 280 nm was 1.238, 1.573 and 1.157, respectively. Moreover, the amount of 146s antigen at the same wavelengths was 163.416, 207.636 and 152.724 μg/mL, respectively. The amount of purified protein by nanodrop (ND-1000, the United States) was 0.275 mg/mL. The 146s antigen was observed with 26, 29 and 64 KDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and was confirmed by the dot blot assay.
Conclusions:
The results exhibited that sucrose gradient procedure is a good method for purification of virus.
Research Article
Background:
Peganum harmala , Glycyrrhiza glabra , Mentha spicata and Rosmarinus officinalis are often used in traditional medicine.
Objectives:
The current study aimed to screen the antifungal activity of ethanolic extracts of P. harmala , G. glabra , M. spicata and R. officinalis leaves collected from Sistan region, Iran against Fusarium oxysporum .
Methods:
Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of herbal extracts were determined.
Results:
Of the total herbal extracts, four showed fungistatic activities and two showed fungicidal activities. MIC values, ranged 6.25 - 50 ppm and MFC values, ranged 12.5 - 100 ppm. The ethanolic extract of G. glabra had the lowest MIC (6.25 ppm); while the ethanolic extract of R. officinalis had the highest MIC (50 ppm). Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the alcoholic extract of G. glabra showed the highest efficiency against F. oxysporum at the low value of 12.5 ppm.
Conclusions:
The results of the study showed the antifungal activity of medicinal plants against F. oxysporum . Especially, the bioactive compounds of G. glabra were effective to inhibit the growth of F. oxysporum .
