High Prevelance of Rifampin-Monoresistant Tuberculosis: A Retrospective Analysis among Iranian Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients

We determined the prevalence of rifampin-monoresistant tuberculosis (RMR-TB) in Iran. Because development of RMR-TB is not common, we also identified the major risk factors associated with RMR-TB reported from different provinces of Iran. Data for 3,020 TB patients who remained or became smear positive after two, four, six, and nine months of standard first-line chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. Of 3,020 patients, 1,242 patients (41.1%) were culture and DNA positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Of these patients, 73 (7.4%) patients had monoresistant isolates to rifampin, which was significantly higher than that for multidrug-resistant TB (5.8%). The average rate of RMR-TB in the studied population ranged from 5% to 10%. Classical investigation showed that 33.6% of patients had either a previous or family history of TB. Molecular epidemiology methods (i.e., spoligotyping and Mycobacterium intespersed repetitive unit–variable number tandem repeat), defined transmission link in three clusters (13%). These results outline the urgent need for a comprehensive plan for detection and treatment of RMR-TB cases.     

Clinicopathological Features of Colon Polyps from African-Americans

Background and Aims  

Among the ethnic groups, the age-standardized incidence rate of colorectal cancer (CRC) is highest among African-Americans. The majority of CRC arise from preexisting adenoma. It is shown that 30% of the US adult population has adenomas. The potential risk of malignant transformation in adenomas differs by specific pathologic and clinical characteristics that we aimed to study in AAs.     

Live/Real Time Three‐Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiographic Findings in Caseous Mitral Annular Calcification

We describe a 77‐year‐old female with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in whom live/real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) provided incremental value over two‐dimensional transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography (2DTTE, 2DTEE) and three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (3DTTE) in making a more comprehensive assessment and a more confident diagnosis of caseous mitral annular calcification. 3DTEE revealed a portion of the mass to consist of small, multiple, highly echogenic discrete band‐like and punctate areas within a relatively much less echogenic stroma and surrounded by a well defined highly echogenic border. This appearance correlated with the pathological findings of calcific granules/strands located in a liquefied or semiliquefied interior providing a typical toothpaste like appearance. The highly echogenic outer border represented the residual outer portion or rim of the calcific mass which did not undergo liquefaction. These findings on 3DTEE which correlated with the toothpaste like appearance seen at surgery were not visualized on 2DTTE, 2DTEE, and 3DTTE. (Echocardiography 2010;27:1147‐1150)     

The association between obesity and migraine in a population of Iranian adults: a case-control study

Aim

To assess the association between obesity and risk of migraine with aura and features of migraine attacks among a population of Iranian adults.