Seroprevalence of Human Fasciolosis in a New-Emerging Focus of Fasciolosis in Yasuj District,Southwest of Iran

Background

Fasciolosis is an important health and veterinary problem in Iran. The epidemiological pattern of disease has been changed markedly in recent years and there are regions that have potent capacity to be new focus of the disease. One of these areas is Yasuj district in southwest of Iran where animal fasciolosis has been quite common. The current study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of human fasciolosis in this area and to reveal the epidemiological factors associated with the spreading of the disease in this region.

Methods

One thousand blood samples were randomly collected from five villages in Yasuj district. ELISA, using Fasciola somatic antigen (SA), was carried out to detect anti Fasciola antibodies in the collected sera.

Results

Anti-Fasciola antibodies were detected in serum of 18(1.86%) individuals by ELISA. Out of 18 seropositive people, 9 (0.9) were female and 9 (0.9%) were male. Most of people (99.8%) had a history of consuming wild freshwater plants mainly Nasturtium microphyllum (local name Bakaloo) and/or Mentha logifolia (local name Pooneh). No significant correlation was found between seropositivity to fasciolosis and sex, age, history of consumption of green leafy aquatic plants whereas correlation between seropositivity and abdominal pain was significant (P< 0.05).

Conclusion

Results of this study showed that the seroprevalence rate of human fasciolosis in Yasuj district is relatively high and this area can be considered as a new emerging focus of the disease in Iran.     

Absence of Asymptomatic Malaria Infection in Endemic Area of Bashagard District,Hormozgan Province,Iran

Background

A successful malaria elimination program calls for enough attention to parasite carriers, especially asymptomatic malaria, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of clinical cases. Asymptomatic malaria is an infection that patients do not show any symptom; thus, these patients play critical role in the concept of an elimination program. The current investigation was conducted to evaluate the presence of these cases in Bashagard District, formerly a high malaria transmission area in Hormozgan Province, Iran.

Methods

Blood samples (n = 500) were collected from symptomless individuals residing in Bashagard to evaluate Plasmodium infection by using microscopic, serological and nested-PCR techniques.

Results

Regarding the microscopic and nested-PCR analysis, no asymptomatic infection was detected among studied individuals. Totally, 1% of the studied population (5 of 500) had anti PvMSP-1₁₉-specific IgG antibody; however, only 0.2% (1 of 500) of the individuals was seropositive to recombinant PfMSP-1₁₉, using ELISA.

Conclusion

This study showed no asymptomatic malaria infection in the studied population; hence malaria elimination is feasible and can be successfully carried out in this region.     

Heavy Worm Burden of Moniliformis moniliformis in Urban Rats with Histopathological Description

Background

Due to scarcity of human reports, we took advantage of the heaviest infection of M. moniliformis in rats, to describe histopathological and microanatomical valuable useful keys while confronting human occurrences.

Methods

Samples were obtained from captured rats in Tehran, capital of Iran, during two decades. Tissue sections were performed through hematoxylin and eosin staining to describe histopathological changes in rat''s intestines.

Results

Totally, nine rats were found infected with M. moniliformis amongst 272 obtained rats. Heavy infection has been distinguished in 2 individuals with parasite burden of 141and 73 adult worms. Cross sections of worms within the lumen show mucosal thickness, infiltration of eosinophilic leukocyte and increase in goblet cells.

Conclusion

Beyond the uncommonness of human infection with M. moniliformis unitended infections should not be ignored. Abundance of rats and roaches as definite and intermediate hosts must be considered particularly in countries with poor hygiene.     

Bioactive Steroid from the Root Bark of Psorospermum corymbiferum

AIM:To isolate,characterize and investigate the antifungal activity of the root bark of Psorospermum corymbiferum(Clusiaceae).METHODS:The finely ground root bark of Psorospermum corymbiferum was cold-extracted by percolation with 98% ethanol(5.0 L) for two weeks.The ethanol extract was macerated with n-hexane,chloroform,ethylacetate and methanol successively to give the respective solvent extracts.Fractionation of the extract was done using column chromatography on silica gel with cyclohexene:ethylacetate(1...     

Plasma total homocysteine （THCY） level and other biochemical risk factors in hypertensives with and without cardiovascular events

Objective： The aim of this study is to assess the correlation between traditional cardiovascular risk factors and elevated plasma tHcy level in Nigerian hypertensive. Methods： Thirty-six hypertensive patients were recruited with 36 age and sex-matched controls. The age, sex and anthropometric measurements including height, weight and body mass index （BMI） were taken. Plasma total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）, high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）, triglycerides and tHcy were analyzed. The results of the two groups were compared. Results： The mean total cholesterol and LDL- C were significantly higher in the subjects than in the controls （P = 0.01 and 0.03 respectively）. On the other hand, means of HDL-C and triglycerides were not significantly different between the two groups （P =0.06 and 0.68 respectively）. Mean total plasma tHcy was （ 12.95 ±4.9） μmol/L in hypertensive patients when compared with （ 11.29 ±3.6） μmol/L in the controls （P = 0.09） , however the mean tHcy was significantly higher in hypertensive patients who had stroke or myocardial infarction than those without these complications （one way Anova F = 3.63, P = 0.04）. Significant positive correlation was seen between tHcy and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, BMI and LDL-C. Conclusion ： The study suggests that elevated plasma tHcy may predict occurrence of cardiovascular complications in hypertensive individuals.     

Evaluation of the Toxicity and Reversibility Profile of the Aqueous Seed Extract of Hunteria Umbellata (K. Schum.) Hallier F. in Rodents

Hunteria umbellata (K. Schum.) Hallier f. (family: Apocynaceae) is reputed for the folkloric management of labour, pain and swellings, stomach ulcers, diabetes, obesity, and anaemia, with no scientific report of its toxicity and reversibility profile. The present study was, therefore, aimed at investigating the in vivo toxicity and reversibility profile of the aqueous seed extract of Hunteria umbellata (HU). The acute oral and intraperitoneal toxicity studies of HU were determined in Swiss albino mice while its 90-day oral toxicity and toxicity reversibility profile on anthropometric, biochemical, haematological and histopathological parameters were also assessed using standard procedures. Results showed that the LD₅₀ values for the acute oral and intraperitoneal toxicity studies for HU were estimated to be 1000 mg/kg and 459.3 mg/kg, respectively. Visible signs of immediate and delayed toxicities including starry hair coat, respiratory distress, and dyskinesia were observed. For the chronic oral toxicity study, HU administered for 90 days produced significant (p<0.001) reductions in the weight gain pattern and significant (p<0.001) and dose related increases in the relative weights of liver, stomach, spleen, testis, lungs and heart, at the 100 and 500 mg/kg of HU. Chronic HU treatment also produced significant (p<0.05, p<0.001) dose related reductions in the serum levels of fasting blood glucose, bicarbonate, urea and creatinine while causing non-significant (p>0.05) alterations in the serum levels of sodium, potassium, alaninine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, total and conjugated bilirubin, total protein and albumin. Also, chronic oral treatment with HU produced significant (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001) and dose-related increases in the red cell count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, platelet count, total leucocyte count and lymphocyte differential while producing significant (p<0.05) reductions in neutrophil and granulocyte differentials. HU also produced histological features of proliferations of the stomach epithelia, lung tissues, splenic white and red pulps, and testicular spermatogenic series. Following 14 days of oral toxicity reversibility test, there was no significant (p>0.05) reversal in the serum levels of the biochemical and haematological parameters investigated, including the HU-induced histological lesions.Overall, results of this study showed that HU has a relatively low oral toxicity profile but its prolonged use, particularly, at high doses should be with great caution.Key words: Hunteria umbellata, Toxicity and reversibility profile, Haematology, Liver and Renal function tests, Histopathology, Rodents     

Erkennen von Sprach- und Sprechst?rungen als Lerninhalt des Medizinstudiums

Background

Like hearing loss, language and speech disorders can also lead to impaired communication. Speech and language disorders can occur at any age, for example as a specific language impairment, stuttering, dysarthria, and aphasia. Hence, irrespective of their speciality, there is a high probability that physicians will at some point encounter communication-impaired patients, be required to classify their disorder and refer them for appropriate therapy.

Methods

A new module entitled ??communication disorders?? consisting of two teaching units was integrated in the practical course ??ENT??phoniatrics??pedaudiology?? for undergraduate clinical students in 2008. The learning objective of the first unit was to identify and classify communication disorders, presented using sound and video data, by means of simple criteria. The module was evaluated on the basis of questionnaires completed by 164?students.

Results

On a scale of 1?C7, the evaluation showed overall positive results with 6.54 (highest score) for professional competence and 5.32 (lowest score) for discussion. The overall score was 12.28 out of a possible maximum of 15?points.

Conclusion

The ability to identify communication impairments is an important medical skill. Since communication disorders are common diseases we suggest that this skill be incorporated in the medical curriculum. Thus we have introduced a module for communication disorders; its evaluation by students shows a high level of satisfaction in each category. After developing specific diagnostic indicators students were able to independently describe and identify communication disorders.