scholarly journals AsymptomaticLeishmaniaInfected Children: A Seroprevalence and Molecular Survey in a Rural Area of Fars Province, Southern Iran

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akram Layegh Gigloo ◽  
Bahador Sarkari ◽  
Zahra Rezaei ◽  
Gholam Reza Hatam ◽  
Mohammad Hassan Davami
Keyword(s):  
Rural Area ◽  
Buffy Coat ◽  
Seroprevalence Rate ◽  
Fars Province ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Southern Iran ◽  
Negative Findings ◽  
And Gender ◽  
And Control

The current study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of visceral leishmaniasis in asymptomatic healthy children in a rural area of Fars province, Southern Iran. Blood samples were taken from 617 asymptomatic healthy children and serum samples along with buffy coat were separated from the blood. The serum samples were assessed for antibodies againstLeishmania infantumby an indirect ELISA and the buffy coats were tested for the presence ofL. infantumDNA by molecular method. Of the 617 recruited children, 297 (48.1%) were female and 317 (51.4%) were male. Anti-Leishmaniaantibodies were detected in 17 (2.8%) of the children. From those 17 seropositive cases, 5 (29.4%) were male and 12 (70.6%) cases were female. Children aged 5–8 years had the highest seroprevalence rate; however, no associations were found between seropositivity toLeishmaniaand gender or age of the children. Moreover,L. infantumDNA was detected in buffy coat of 8 (1.3%) of 617 children. Three of the PCR-positive cases were seropositive whereas 14 of seropositive subjects (82.3%) were PCR-negative. Findings of the current study revealed a considerable subclinical leishmanial infection in children in the studied rural area in the south of Iran. Results of the current study could be used for surveillance, prevention, and control of VL in the area.

scholarly journals Molecular and Serological Evaluation of Neospora caninum Infection in Dogs from a Rural Setting in Fars Province, Southern Iran

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morvarid HARIRI ◽  
Nasir AREFKHAH ◽  
Fariba GHORBANI ◽  
Mehdi NAMAVARI ◽  
Mostafa OMIDIAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Neospora Caninum ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
Buffy Coat ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Seroprevalence Rate ◽  
Fars Province ◽  
Caninum Infection ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Southern Iran

Background: Dogs, as the definitive host of Neospora caninum, are important in the epidemiology of this parasitic infection. We aimed to determine the prevalence of N. caninum infection in a dog population from a rural setting in Fars Province, Southern Iran, using a combination of molecular and serological techniques. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Nov 2018 in three rural districts, Sar Mashhad, HosseinAbad, and Tolesaman located in Kazeroun Township in Fars province, southern Iran. Blood samples were taken from 60 stray and household dogs. Dogs’ sera were tested for antibodies against N. caninum, using a Neospora-Modified Agglutination Test. Moreover, dogs’ buffy coats were tested for Neospora DNA, using a molecular method. Results: Anti-Neospora antibodies were detected in sera of 4 out of 60 dogs, corresponding to a seroprevalence rate of 6.7%. Out of 25 female dogs, 1 was seropositive and of 35 males, 3 were seropositive, yet the differences were not statistically significant. The infection was more prevalent in adult dogs (> 12 months), nevertheless, the differences between age and Neospora seropositivity was not statistically significant. N. caninum DNA was not detected in the buffy coat of any of the studied dogs. Conclusion: Findings of the study indicate that N. caninum is a common infection in dogs in rural areas of Fars province in southern Iran. The infected dogs mig

scholarly journals Metabolomic Characterization of Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Murgia ◽  
Antonella Gagliano ◽  
Marcello G. Tanca ◽  
Noga Or-Geva ◽  
Aran Hendren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Kynurenine Pathway ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Metabolic Pattern ◽  
Tryptophan Pathway ◽  
Metabolomics Study ◽  
Novel Biomarkers ◽  
And Gender

IntroductionPANS is a controversial clinical entity, consisting of a complex constellation of psychiatric symptoms, adventitious changes, and expression of various serological alterations, likely sustained by an autoimmune/inflammatory disease. Detection of novel biomarkers of PANS is highly desirable for both diagnostic and therapeutic management of affected patients. Analysis of metabolites has proven useful in detecting biomarkers for other neuroimmune-psychiatric diseases. Here, we utilize the metabolomics approach to determine whether it is possible to define a specific metabolic pattern in patients affected by PANS compared to healthy subjects.DesignThis observational case-control study tested consecutive patients referred for PANS between June 2019 to May 2020. A PANS diagnosis was confirmed according to the PANS working criteria (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2010). Healthy age and sex-matched subjects were recruited as controls.MethodsThirty-four outpatients referred for PANS (mean age 9.5 years; SD 2.9, 71% male) and 25 neurotypical subjects matched for age and gender, were subjected to metabolite analysis. Serum samples were obtained from each participant and were analyzed using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Subsequently, multivariate and univariate statistical analyses and Receiver Operator Curves (ROC) were performed.ResultsSeparation of the samples, in line with the presence of PANS diagnosis, was observed by applying a supervised model (R2X = 0.44, R2Y = 0.54, Q2 = 0.44, p-value < 0.0001). The significantly altered variables were 2-Hydroxybutyrate, glycine, glutamine, histidine, tryptophan. Pathway analysis indicated that phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan metabolism, as well as glutamine and glutamate metabolism, exhibited the largest deviations from neurotypical controls.ConclusionWe found a unique plasma metabolic profile in PANS patients, significantly differing from that of healthy children, that suggests the involvement of specific patterns of neurotransmission (tryptophan, glycine, histamine/histidine) as well as a more general state of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress (glutamine, 2-Hydroxybutyrate, and tryptophan-kynurenine pathway) in the disorder. This metabolomics study offers new insights into biological mechanisms underpinning the disorder and supports research of other potential biomarkers implicated in PANS.

The role of interleukin-9 and interleukin-17 in myocarditis with different etiologies

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 797-802
Author(s):  
Tuğba Kandemir Gülmez ◽  
Can Acipayam ◽  
Metin Kilinç ◽  
Nurten Seringeç Akkeçeci
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatic Fever ◽  
Acute Rheumatic Fever ◽  
Troponin I ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Interleukin 17 ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Interleukin 9

Abstract Objective Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the cardiac muscle. Prognosis is most often good but, in some patients, the disease can be fulminant. Our aim with this study was to determine interleukin-9 (IL-9) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) levels in myocarditis cases with different etiologies. Materials and methods Thirty one patients with myocarditis and 30 healthy controls of similar age and gender without a history of chronic disease were included in the study. All 31 patients were clinically myocarditis. In some of these patients, the cause of myocarditis is acute rheumatic fever or Kawasaki disease. Serum samples of the patients were taken during diagnosis in order to analyze serum IL-9 and IL-17 levels and sedimentation rate, CRP, ASO, pro-BNP, CK-MB, and Troponin-I tests were performed. Results It was found that IL-17 levels were statistically significant in all acute rheumatic fever, Myocarditis and Kawasaki patients compared to the control group (p = 0.001) and that cut-off was 4.30 pg/mL. This value was determined to be 71% sensitive and 67% specific for IL-17 (AUC = 0.761). Conclusions Both of the mean and median levels of IL-17 were significantly higher in pediatric patients with myocarditis than in healthy children. Our study made us think that complications of myocarditis and associated morbidity can be prevented by IL17 inhibitors. The high levels of IL17 found in our study may be a reference for future study.

scholarly journals Cystic Echinococcosis: Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) among Surgically Operated Cases in Fars Province, Southern Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Zahra Hosseini ◽  
Reza Shahriarirad ◽  
Bahador Sarkari
Keyword(s):  
Hydatid Cyst ◽  
Cystic Echinococcosis ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Fars Province ◽  
Control Plan ◽  
Southern Iran ◽  
Dog Owners ◽  
And Control

Introduction. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus with major health and economic burden. The information on how the community members perceive the disease is crucial in order to recommend an effective preventive and control plan. The current study is aimed at finding out knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of surgically operated cases of hydatid cyst in educational hospitals of Shiraz in Fars Province, southern Iran, toward the CE. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 180 CE patients who underwent surgery due to CE. Using a well-designed questionnaire, a telephone-based survey was carried out to collect the data. The contents of the questionnaire included basic personal information and questions related to the participants’ knowledge, attitude, and behavioral patterns toward CE. Univariate and then multivariate linear regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with the KAP. Unstandardized regression coefficients (β) and odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to quantify the associations between variables and KAP. Results. A total of 180 CE patients with a mean age of 35.64 (±17.59) years were recruited. The mean score of participant’s knowledge was 8.7 ( SD = 2.8 , range: 0-17), whereas these scores were 1.3 ( SD = 0.7 , range 0-2) for attitude and 1.2 ( SD = 1.0 , range 0-4) for practice. Findings of the study demonstrated that 20 of the participants (11.1%) had good knowledge towards CE, 82 (45.6%) demonstrated a positive attitude, and 57 (47.5%) without having dogs demonstrated a good practice towards CE ( score = 2 / 2 ), while from 60 dog owners, only 7 (11.6%) participants demonstrated good practice (score 3 and 4/4). Factors that were associated with knowledge were age ( OR = − 0.49 , P value = 0.001) and educational level ( OR = 0.668 , P value = 0.001), where higher age was associated with lower knowledge and also higher educational levels were associated with higher knowledge regarding hydatid cyst. Regarding attitude, only living location had a significant association with participants’ attitude where those who were living in urban areas demonstrating a more positive attitude towards CE ( OR = 0.261 , P value = 0.022). The practice of the participants was grouped into dog owners and participants with no dogs, in which among participants who did not own a dog, those living in urban areas demonstrating weaker practice towards CE ( OR = − 0.491 , P value>0.001). Moreover, a lack of counseling of patients after the surgery on how to prevent reinfection was noticed. Conclusion. Findings of the study revealed that the CE patients in southern Iran had poor knowledge and attitude toward the disease, and their practice may help in maintaining the disease in the community. Health education is highly needed to increase community awareness and to prevent and control this neglected parasitic infection in the area.

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Toxocara Infection among Asthmatic Children in Shiraz City, Southern Iran

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Masoud Salemi ◽  
Nasir Arefkhah ◽  
Fattaneh Mikaeili ◽  
Hamed Rabbani ◽  
Hesamodin Nabavizadeh
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Toxocara Canis ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Asthmatic Children ◽  
Asthmatic Patients ◽  
Southern Iran ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas

Background: Human toxocariasis is caused by Toxocara canis and T. cati, the nematodes in the intestine of dogs and cats, respectively. Since the association between asthma and toxocariasis is controversial, the aim of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence of Toxocara infection among asthmatic children in comparison with healthy children. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 92 asthmatic and 91 healthy children aged 1-16 years old in Shiraz City, Southern Iran in 2019-2020. The serum samples were tested for IgG anti-Toxocara antibodies by ELISA method using the T. canis larval excretory-secretory (E/S) antigens. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The seroprevalence of toxocariasis in asthmatic patients was higher than the healthy children with no significant difference in Toxocara seropositivity between two groups (9.8% vs 8.8%, P = 0.817). The association between Toxocara infection and variables such as gender and age were not statistically significant. Conclusion: There was no significant association between toxocariasis and childhood asthma. Further study on different regions such as urban and rural areas with a large sample size and using questionnaire for considering risk factors of asthma and toxocariasis is recommended.

scholarly journals Fascioliasis and COVID-19: A Case-Control Study in Iran

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Balazadeh ◽  
Mohammad Zibaei ◽  
Aliehsan Heidari ◽  
Hadis Rastad ◽  
Farzaneh Firoozeh
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Fasciola Hepatica ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
And Gender ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background: Human Fascioliasis is a zoonotic infection caused by the adult stage of Fasciola species. Fasciola hepatica is a parasite that, following living in its vertebrate host, reduces the host's inflammatory immune responses to infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Therefore, because of the completely unproven and limited data on this issue, we decided to evaluate the prevalence of antibodies against this parasite in patients admitted to the hospital due to relatively severe symptoms of COVID-19.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the serum samples of 182 patients with COVID-19 disease who were diagnosed by PCR test and 210 healthy subjects in Alborz Province, Iran between March and June 2020. Anti-Fasciola antibodies status was determined in all serum samples, using ELISA technique. A self-developed questionnaire was used to measure demographic information.Results: The frequency of Fasciola infection was found to be significantly higher in COVID-19 patients as compared to healthy control (n = 4, 2.2%, n = 9, 4.3%; respectively) (P = 0.041). There was no significant difference between COVID-19 patients and control group in age, education, and gender (P > 0.05).Conclusions: This study indicates that a significant association between Fasciola hepatica seropositivity and COVID-19 disease. Our finding suggests that Fasciola infection may be able to lead to decreased immune responses, thereby reducing the severity and symptoms of COVID-19 disease.

Healthy Children and Fears about Death

1998 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannelore Wass
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Developmental Differences ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Frequency Intensity

Some explanations for the paucity of empirical studies of death fears in healthy, nonbereaved children are offered, and issues in studying this topic are discussed. Three major findings from the existing literature — occurrence, age/developmental differences, and gender differences in frequency, intensity, and quality — are presented, followed by a discussion of questions that remain largely unanswered and explanations that may need revision.

scholarly journals Information and information resources in COVID-19: Awareness, control, and prevention

2021 ◽  
pp. 096100062110165
Author(s):  
Mohammadhiwa Abdekhoda ◽  
Fatemeh Ranjbaran ◽  
Asghar Sattari
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Age And Gender ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Strategic Approach ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Data Collection Instrument ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
And Gender ◽  
And Control

This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the role of information and information resources in the awareness, control, and prevention of COVID-19. This study was a descriptive-analytical survey in which 450 participants were selected for the study. The data collection instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data through SPSS. The findings show that a wide range of mass media has become well known as information resources for COVID-19. Other findings indicate a significant statistical difference in the rate of using information resources during COVID-19 based on age and gender; however, this difference is not significant regarding the reliability of information resources with regard to age and gender. Health information has an undisputable role in the prevention and control of pandemic diseases such as COVID-19. Providing accurate, reliable, and evidence-based information in a timely manner for the use of resources and information channels related to COVID-19 can be a fast and low-cost strategic approach in confronting this disease.

scholarly journals Pulmonary hydatidosis genotypes isolates from human clinical surgery based on sequencing of mitochondrial genes in Fars, Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Parviz Mardani ◽  
Ali Talebi Ezabadi ◽  
Bahareh Sedaghat ◽  
Seyed Mahmoud Sadjjadi
Keyword(s):  
Hydatid Cyst ◽  
Statistical Correlation ◽  
Left Lobe ◽  
Cox1 Gene ◽  
Fars Province ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Right Lobe ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Right ◽  
Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst

Abstract Background Cystic echinococcosis (CE)/hydatidosis is an important neglected parasitic zoonotic disease caused by the metacestode of Echinococcus granulosus s.l. The present study was designed to identify the pulmonary CE species/genotypes in isolated human underwent to surgery in our center in Southern Iran. Methods The study population of this study were all patients in Fars province who were admitted to Namazi Hospitals for pulmonary hydatid cyst surgery. Thoracic surgery was performed in the thoracic ward and the cyst/s was removed by open surgery via posterolateral or lateral thoracotomy. DNA was extracted from the germinal layer or the protoscoleces. PCR technique was performed using the cytochrome C oxidase subunit1 (cox1) gene, and the products were sequenced. Results A total of 32 pulmonary hydatid cyst samples were collected from 9 (28%) female and 23 (72%) male aged from 4 to 74 years old. A total of 18(56%) cyst/s were in the left lobe and 14 (44%) cysts in the right lobe. Sequence analysis of the cysts showed that 24 samples (75%) were E. granulosus s.s (G1-G3) genotype and 8 (25%) were E. canadensis (G6/G7) genotype. Conclusion E.granulosus s.s genotype was the most prevalent genotype followed by E. canadensis (G6/G7) genotype. There was no significant statistical correlation between cysts’ size, location, genotype strain, and patients’ age and gender.

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