Brucella infection in HIV infected patients

The purpose of this study was to assess the possible correlation between Brucella and HIV infections. Iran is a country where HIV infection is expanding and Brucellosis is prevalent. In the present study, 184 HIV infected patients were assigned and for all of them HIV infection was confirmed by western blot test. In order to identify the prevalence rate of Brucella infection and systemic brucellosis in these subjects, sera samples were obtained and Brucella specific serological tests were performed to reveal antibody titers. Detailed history was taken and physical examination was carried out for all of patients. 11 (6%) subjects had high titers but only 3 of them were symptomatic. Most of these subjects were injection drug user (IDU) men and one was a rural woman. Considering both prevalence rates of Brucella infection (3%) and symptomatic brucellosis (0.1%) in Iran, our HIV positive patients show higher rates of Brucella infection and systemic brucellosis. Preserved cellular immunity of participants and retention of granulocytes activity may explain this poor association; whereas other explanations such as immunological state difference and non-overlapping geographical distribution of the 2 pathogens have been mentioned by various authors.     

Gastroprotective effect of sumatriptan against indomethacin-, stress- and ethanol-induced gastric damage in male rats: Possible modulatory role of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1B/1D receptors and pro-inflammatory cytokines

The current study was aimed to investigate the beneficial effect of sumatriptan, a 5-hydroxytryptamine 1B/1D (5HT_1B/1D) receptor agonist, on gastric ulcer in rats via stimulating 5HT_1B/1D receptors and suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Rats were allocated into three models of gastric ulcer: indomethacin (30 mg/kg, PO), water immersion restraint stress (WRS) and ethanol (5 ml/kg PO). Animals were administered with sumatriptan (0.01, 0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg, i.p) 30 min before gastric ulcer induction. GR-127935 (0.01 mg/kg, i.p, a selective 5HT_1B/1D antagonist) was administered 30 min before sumatriptan (0.1 mg/kg) injection. Macroscopic assessments (J-score), ELISA analysis of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and histopathological changes were performed on the rat's stomach tissues. Gastric ulcer induction in three models caused an increase in J-score, TNF-α, IL-1β and microscopic features. Sumatriptan (0.1 mg/kg) significantly improved gastric injury induced by indomethacin, WRS and ethanol through the reduction in the J-score, TNF-α, IL-1β and microscopic lesions. Concurrent administration of GR-127935 (0.01 mg/kg) with sumatriptan (0.1 mg/kg) reversed the gastroprotective effect of sumatriptan in three models. Sumatriptan possessed gastroprotective effects on indomethacin-, WRS- and ethanol-induced gastric damage in rats via the possible involvement of the 5HT_1B/1D receptors.