SEROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF HUMAN PARVOVIRUS B19 INFECTION AMONG CHILDBEARING WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN TEHRAN
Human parvovirus B19 is one of the etiological agents of fetal death. The study of intrauterine B19 virus infection, suggests that B19 virus could have a teratogenic effect in humans. Parvovirus B19 is distributed worldwide, and over 50% of individuals have IgG antibody to B19 virus by the age of 20 years. The level of immunity to viral infection in women of childbearing age varies among different populations, and is an important factor in determining the incidence of intrauterine infection. A sero-epidemiological survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of parvovirus B19 antibody in 2,185 healthy £ 15 years old children and 15-45 year old females from 1995 to 1997 in Tehran. Anti-B19 virus IgG was investigated by an indirect enzyme immunoassay (ideal) in sera of individuals. The overall prevalence of B19 antibody was 91% in children and adult females. There was a high maternal passive immunity to B19 virus under 6 months of age. Over 50% of males and females had been exposed to B19 virus by the age of 4 years, which shows that the age of occurrence of B19 infection is low in Tehran. Approximately 80% of children had anti-B19 virus IgG by the age of 14 years with no significant sex difference. The seroprevalence of anti-B19 virus IgG was about 93% among childbearing women in Tehran, and the rate of specific IgG increased with age. The immunity levels to B19 virus in childbearing women residing in north and south Tehran were 90% and 93.3% respectively with no statistically significant difference. Finally, the high prevalence of parvovirus B19 antibody in reproductive women indicates that there is a low risk of intrauterine fetal death caused by parvovirus B19 in Tehran.
Authors: Modarress S.
Source: Hakim 1999;1(3):189-96.
BURNS IN CHILDREN OF HAMADAN PROVINCE: AN ANALYSIS OF 438 CASES ADMITTED TO IMAM KHOMEINI HOSPITAL FROM 1993 TO 1995
This study was carried out to clarify the causes, predisposing factors and outcomes of burns in the children of Hamadan Province and to discuss preventive measures.
In the first part of the study, hospital records of 438 burn patients aged 0-14 years who were admitted to the Burns Unit of Imam Khomeini Hospital, Hamadan between 1993 and 1995 were reviewed. The main findings were as follows: mean age of the patients was 4.5 years and the median was 2 years and 7 months. Male to female ratio was 1.5:1. Scalds accounted for 63%, naked flames for 26% and falling into traditional bread ovens 9.5% of all cases respectively. Mean burned areas was 22.5% of total body surface. Involvements of hands and limbs occurred in 92% of patients, face and head in 31%. seventy eight percent of patients were form rural areas.
The second phase of the study involved 98 patients taken from original group, who after a 20-month period responded to a written invitation to attend to a follow-up clinic. The living conditions, the extent of burns and the sex ratio of these individuals corresponded very closely to the main group. Poverty was a general finding. The use of small handy heaters for both cooking and heating in 36.7% of cases and a samovar in 14.2% were the leading predisposing factors for scalds. In 73% of these cases family members numbered 6-12 individuals. In this group 91% were suffering from different complications, mostly keloids. Amputations were deemed necessary in 7.1% of the cases. Poverty, overcrowded living conditions, remote residence, cold climate, insecure heating and cooking facilities, and the use of traditional bread ovens all had firm connections with burns and these factors point to the direction of preventive measures.
Authors: Derakhshan MR, Meyari
A, Derakhshan B
Source: J Med Council IR Irn 1998;16(1):19-26.
THE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF SUBSTANCE-P ANTAGONISTS ON OPHTHALMIC EFFECTS OF NITROGEN MUSTARD
Neurogenic factors released in response to exposure to chemical irritants in the eyes are thought to be in part responsible for vasodilation, increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) and miosis. Substance P (SP) is one of the most important candidates for the mediation of the inflammatory response since it is thought to be a neurotransmitter in sensory afferents.
In order to determine whether SP antagonist proadministration can prevent an inflammatory response, SP and nitrogen mustard (HN2) were applied to rabbit eyes with or without prior exposure to antagonists. Responses such as increase in intra-ocular pressure, miosis and hyperemia were measured.
The results showed that a single application of both SP (90 nmole, one drop) or HN2 (50 m l 0,5% solution) to the eye caused significant elevation of IOP, miosis and hyperemia when compared with control. Topical proadministration of two specific SP antagonists [D-Arg1, D-Trp7,9, Leu11]-SP (spantide, 90 nmole) and [D-Pro4,d-Trp7,9, Nlc11]-Fragment4-11 SP (90 nmole) Frag4-11) both inhibited not only the irritant effects of exogenous SP but also inflammatory responses induced by HN2. Results of this study suggest SP antagonists as a new class of effective drugs in the treatment of mustard-induced ocular disturbances.
Authors: Kebriyaee-zadeh A,
Mazheri F, Abdollahi M, Kamal R
Source: Kowsar Med J 1999;4(1):49-54.
WAR INDUCED BILIARY SYSTEM INJURIES
Trauma-induced extrahepatic biliary system injury is extremely uncommon. Most of the reported cases are probably the result of civil trauma or are iatrogenic in origin. In this retrospective study the prevalence of such injuries in the victims of war are evaluated.
Five hundred and twenty-two individuals sustaining penetrating abdominal trauma during the war between 1982 and 1990 were assessed. The results showed that 11 cases (2%) had direct gall bladder trauma, resulting from a bullet wound or pieces of shrapnel, and no other cases of extrahepatic biliary system injury were detected. Gall bladder trauma was identified in the first laparotomy in 9 patients and 2 patients had to undergo a second laparotomy because of peritonitis. Cholecystectomy and cholecystectorrhaphy were performed in 10 and one of the cases, respectively. No case of great vessel trauma or mortality was met. Concomitant abdomina visceral injury was more prevalent in the war setting in comparison to cases encountered in civilian trauma.
Authors: Pairavi H, Kajoori K
Source: J Med Council IR Irn 1998;16(3):163-6.
T LYMPHOCYTE FUNCTION IN CHEMICAL WARFARE INJURED SOLDIERS
It is estimated that up to 70,000 Iranians suffer the sequelae of chemical warfare poisoning during the Iran-Iraq war. Chronic lower respiratory tract infection and cancer are the most common complications of such injuries. Derangements in the immune system has been proposed as a possible mechanism for initiation and perpetuation of damage. Previous research has documented a decrease in absolute and relative number of T lymphocytes (CD2, CD4, CD8). In this study the function of T cells in a group of mustard gas victims is compared to a group of normal adults.
Patients with a history of mustard gas exposure and lacking a history of diabetes, corticosteroid treatment, substance abuse or systemic disease were selected (n=33).
Peripheral blood was extracted and phytohemagglutinin PHA test was performed after proper preparation .
The results showed a significant decrease in the stimulation index, defined as the count per minute of stimulated cells to the count per minute of unstimulated cells in the T cells of mustard gas victims; 4.29±2.2 versus 10.43±3.45 in the control group; (p<0.0001).
It is concluded that exposure to mustard gas leads to a decrease in the T-lymphocyte function and the response to PHA is significantly decreased. This may in some way explain the chronic course and respiratory cancer proneness in victims of mustard gas poisoning.
Authors: Pour-Naghshband Z,
Tarabadi F, Sadri R, Vosooghi AA
Source: Res Med Sci J 1998;3(3):194-7.
ANTINOCICEPTIVE EFFECT OF FRUIT EXTRACT OF ELAEGNUS ANGUSTIFOLIA IN ACUTE AND CHRONIC PAIN
There are some reports in Iranian folk medicine concerning the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Elaeagnus angustifolia (Ea). In this study we evaluated the analgesic effects of the water extract of the fruit and its grinded seeds by means of formalin test and tail flick test models in rats. Sodium salicylate administration was used as a control procedure.
In the tail flick test, extracts of the fruit and the endocarp displayed significant analgesic effects, P<0.01 and p<0.001 respectively. In the first and second phase of formalin procedure, the extracts also showed significant analgesic properties. The analgesic effects were not reversed by naloxone administration. Sodium salicylate alleviated pain only in the second phase of formalin test.
It is concluded that the extract alleviates tonic and phasic pain and the analgesic effects are mediated both centrally and peripherally. Analgesia of Ea fruit extract is not related to the opioid system.
Authors: Ahmadiani A,
Semnanian S, Hosseini J
Source: Kowsar Med J 1998;3(1):25-30.
A STUDY ON THE RELATION OF COPING STRATEGIES WITH PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND MENTAL HEALTH IN INFERTILE COUPLES REFERRED TO YAZD INFERTILITY CENTER, CENTRAL IRAN
This survey was performed to study the relationship between coping strategies with personal characteristics and mental health in infertile couples who were referred to the Yazd Infertility Center, central Iran. Three hundred and fifty eight individuals (205 women and 153 of their husbands) were included in this survey all of whom had been referred to this center for assisted reproductive technology (ART). The tools used for gathering data included personal questionnaires, coping strategies scale and SCL-90-R mental health questionnaires.
Results of the survey show that there are differences in coping strategies between men and women. Women used less effective strategies more frequently than men and there was a meaningful relation (p<0.05) between coping strategies and such characteristics as age, job, educational level, type of infertility, personality types, and so on. The results also demonstrated a meaningful relation between coping strategies and mental health so that using religious coping strategies, active coping, planned coping, avoiding hasty confrontation of problems and positive reappraisal correlated with better mental health. On the otherhand, it was found that using denial, sentimental emphasis, thinking and negative and wishful thinking correlated with lower mental health (p<0.0001). In conclusion the results showed that women were more vulnerable to infertility problems than men and therefore experienced more psychologic stresses.
Authors: Dafei M, Noorbala AA,
Faghizadeh S, Dehghani A
Source: Hakim 1999;1(3):197-206.
MONITORING THE RESISTANCE IN ANOPHELES PULCHERRIMUS TO INSECTICIDES IN SOUTH EASTERN IRAN
Anopheles pulcherrimus has a wide geographical distribution in western Asia, ranging from Lebanon and Syria to Pakistan and India. It is the second most common Anopheles species, ranking after A. culicifacies, in the Baluchestan province, southeastern Iran. There is no official report claiming the status of S. Pulcherrimus resistance to insecticides in Iran. This study attempts to clarify the topic.
Two organo-chlorine, one organophosphate, two carbamate and two pyrethroid insecticides were studied for their comparative effectiveness against field collected A. pul-cherrimus. The trial was conducted in Ghasreghand district of Sistan & Baluchestan Province, south-eastern Iran and WHO impregnated papers at the diagnostic dose were utilized.
Results showed that this species exhibits tolerance to dieldrin 0.4% (mortality 86% ±2.07). Dose response regression line from interval exposure times to dieldrin 0.4 showed that LT50 and LT90 were 14 and 76 minutes respectively. The efficacy of other insecticides such as DDT 4%, malathion 5% bendiocarb 0.1%, propoxur 0.1%, permethrin 0.25% and lambdacyhalothrin 0.1% was maximum when mosquitos were exposed for 1 hour to the diagnostic dose followed by a 24 hours recovery period.
Authors: Zahirnia AH,
Vatandoost H, Nateghpour M, Javadian E
Source: Hakim 1998;1(2):97-106.