Arezoo Aghakhani; Amitis Ramezani; Minoo Mohraz; Mohammad Banifazl; Ali Eslamifar
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2009, , Pages 80-84
Abstract
Background and Objective: Presence of hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) is defined, as isolated anti-HBc. little is known about the clinical significance of the isolated anti-HBc in hepatitis ...
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Background and Objective: Presence of hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) is defined, as isolated anti-HBc. little is known about the clinical significance of the isolated anti-HBc in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. The aim of this study was to assess the significance of anti-HBc as the only marker of HBV infection in high risk patients. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 395 patients including 289 patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD) and 106 HIV infected subjects were enrolled. HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, Hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were tested in all subjects. The presence of HBV-DNA was determined quantitatively in plasma samples of patients with isolated anti-HBc by real-time PCR. Results: Of 395 patients, 40 (10.13%, 95% CI, 7.1%-13.1%) had isolated anti-HBc. HBV-DNA was detectable in 12 of 40 patients (30%, 95% CI, 15.8%-44.2%) who had isolated anti-HBc. Conclusion: Our study showed that detection of isolated anti-HBc could reflect unrecognized HBV infection; hence, screening of these patients is useful to preventing of HBV transmission.
Maryam Assadat Hashemi Pour; M Rad; A Mojtahedi
Volume 3, Issue 2 , March 2008, , Pages 81-87
Abstract
Background and Objective: Different mechanisms may lead to the development of soft tissue tumor-like lesions in the oral cavity. Many of these lesions can be identified as specific entities on the basis of their histopathological features and are divided into fibrous, vascular, and giant cell ...
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Background and Objective: Different mechanisms may lead to the development of soft tissue tumor-like lesions in the oral cavity. Many of these lesions can be identified as specific entities on the basis of their histopathological features and are divided into fibrous, vascular, and giant cell types. The purpose of this study was to establish the relative prevalence of the different histopathological aspects of biopsies of oral soft tissue tumor-like lesions at School of Dentistry, Kerman Univ. Med. Sci. Materials and Methods: Documents and records of 260 patients with localized lesions of oral tissues diagnosed from March 1996 to March 2004 were reviewed. The lesions were classified into either fibrous or soft hemorrhagic lesions. Clinical data regarding age, gender, location, and treatment of lesions were obtained for each case. Data included in the present retrospective study were analyzed by SPSS statistical software (13.5) using t- test and chi-square tests. Results: A total of 260 surgical specimens of lesions of the oral cavity presented clinically were studied; 143 cases (55%) had fibrous lesions and 117 cases (45%) had soft hemorrhagic lesions. The fibrous lesions included 91 cases (63.6%) of gingival lesions, whereas 98 cases (83.76%) of the soft hemorrhagic lesions had gingival lesions. The patients were simultaneously treated by excisional biopsy and elimination of the chronic irritant. Conclusion: Oral lesions are often detected by dental professionals, surgeons and ENT specialists. Knowledge of the frequency and presentation of the most common oral lesions is beneficial in developing a clinical impression of such lesions encountered in practice.
Mohammad Rahbar; Hadi Mehragan; Negar Haji Ali Akbari
Volume 5, Issue 2 , March 2010, , Pages 90-96
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Non-fementer gram-negative bacilli (NFGB) are ubiquitous pathogen that has emerged as a major cause of health care associated infections. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of NFGB in an Iranian hospital. ...
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Background and Objectives: Non-fementer gram-negative bacilli (NFGB) are ubiquitous pathogen that has emerged as a major cause of health care associated infections. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of NFGB in an Iranian hospital. Materials and Methods: FromJuly 2005 to November 2006 a total of 257 strains of NFGB including 109 (42.41%) strains of Pseudomonas aeruoginosa, 88 (34.24%) strains of Acinetobacter baumannii, 48 (18.67%) stains of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and 12 (4.66%) strains of Burkholderia cepacia were isolated from clinical specimens taken from patients hospitalized in an Iranian 1000–bed tertiary care hospital[d1] . Conventional bacteriological methods were used for identification and susceptibility testing of NFGB. Susceptibility testing was performed by method as recommended by Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI). Data were analyzed using SPSS 11.5 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) Results: A total of 257 non-duplicating of NFGB strains were isolated from 234 hospitalized patients. The most effective antibiotic against P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii was imipenem followed by tobramycin. Fluoroquinolones had moderate activity against P. aerugunosa. Most isolates of A.baumannii were multi-drug resistant. Susceptibility of S. maltophila to ticarcillin- clavuanic, ofloxacin and ceftazidim was 96%, 94% and 81%, respectively. Thirty three percent of this bacterium isolates were resistant to co-trimoxazole. Conclusion: In our study, imipenem was the most effective antibiotic against P. aeruginosa and A. baummannii isolates. Previous history use of antibiotics, longer duration of hospital stay and mechanical ventilation were the major risk factors for resistance acquisition in NFGB especially in P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii.
Microbiology
Sara Masoumi Zavaryani; Reza Mirnejad; Vahhab Piranfar; Mehrdad Moosazadeh Moghaddam; Nikta Sajjadi; Somayyeh Saeedi
Abstract
Background & Objective: Enterococcus Species are the common cause of nosocomial infections, which are highly resistant to different antibiotics. Therefore, determination of their antibiotic susceptibility patterns and simultaneous resistance to antibiotics is important for better treatment strategies. ...
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Background & Objective: Enterococcus Species are the common cause of nosocomial infections, which are highly resistant to different antibiotics. Therefore, determination of their antibiotic susceptibility patterns and simultaneous resistance to antibiotics is important for better treatment strategies. Methods: 400 clinical Enterococcus isolates were collected from different hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Standard phenotypic-biochemical tests and PCR were used to identify the Enterococcus species. The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and simultaneous resistance to selected antibiotics were determined by disk diffusion method according to the CLSI guidelines. All data analysis was performed using Python packages Scipy and Stats models. Result: According to the biochemical and PCR analyses, among 400 Enterococcus species, 72% of samples were Enterococcus faecalis, 10.75% Enterococcus faecium, and 17.25% other Enterococcus species. The results determined antimicrobial resistances of these strains against gentamicin, vancomycin, fosfomycin trometamol, teicoplanin, and quinupristin/dalfopristin. Results confirmed a significant correlation between resistance to vancomycin and resistance to teicoplanin. This correlation remains significant when including only E. faecium or E. faecalis species. We also found a negative correlation between resistance to teicoplanin and quinupristin/dalfopristin. Additionally, Quinupristin/dalfopristin was the least effective antibiotic while vancomycin and teicoplanin were the most effective ones. Conclusion: Based on the results and association between simultaneous resistance to some antibiotics such as vancomycin and teicoplanin, in the case of antibiotic resistance, the choice of a second antibiotic can be very important which can lead to good or bad effects.
Amirfarhang Zand Parsa; Sara Ashoori; Alireza Abdollahi
Volume 7, Issue 2 , April 2012, , Pages 101-106
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Lipoprotein-a potentially represents a useful tool for risk stratification in cardiovascular accidents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the atorvastatin effect on serum lipid profile & lipoprotein A.
Material & Methods: In 2009, 405 patients with acute ...
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Background and Objectives: Lipoprotein-a potentially represents a useful tool for risk stratification in cardiovascular accidents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the atorvastatin effect on serum lipid profile & lipoprotein A.
Material & Methods: In 2009, 405 patients with acute coronary syndrome randomly were divided into 2 groups, taking 20 & 40 mg atorvastatin daily for 3 months. Lipid profile & lipoprotein-A serum levels were checked at the beginning of the study and also one and three months later.
Results: There was no statistical difference between the two groups in all measurements except in patients with unstable angina. The difference lay in the change of LP-a level after one month (P=0.045) and in apo-A level in all patients in the second and the third measurements compared with the first one (P=0.001 & P=0.002).
Discussion: It appears that the two doses (20mg and 40mg) of atorvastatin have a reduction effect on lipoprotein-A and serum lipid levels, but no difference is seen in the level of reduction. The 40 mg atorvastatin leaves more effects on reduction of apo-A than on the 20 mg after one and three months.
Parviz Owlia; Effat Souri; Qurban Behzadian-Nejad
Volume 2, Issue 3 , June 2007, , Pages 104-108
Abstract
Background and Objective: The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa secrets a capsule-like polysaccharide called alginate which is important for evasion of host defenses, especially in patients with suppressed immunity. Method of alginate determination has an important role in the study of microbial ...
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Background and Objective: The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa secrets a capsule-like polysaccharide called alginate which is important for evasion of host defenses, especially in patients with suppressed immunity. Method of alginate determination has an important role in the study of microbial alginate. In this study, a novel method for alginate determination by highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was introduced. Materials and Methods: Standard alginate was used for construction of standard curve and standard mucoid and non-mucoid strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used as positive and negative samples respectively. The method of Toyoda was modified for determination of microbial alginate. HPLC determination was performed using a Resolve C18 column (3.9 × 150 mm, Waters, Milford, MA) and acetonitrile-water-butyl acetate (55: 42: 3) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.6 ml/min and detection at 565 nm. Results: The obtained data indicated that minimal detectable concentration of alginate by this method is 20 μg/ml. The method was linear over the range of 1-1000 μg/ml of alginate. The retention time was about 10 min. Conclusion: The proposed method was used for determination of alginate in standard mucoid and non-mucoid strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The results of this study showed that the proposed method is a simple and valid method for bacterial alginate assay.
Safia Rana; Zeeba Jairajpuri; Rashmi Tiwari
Volume 8, Issue 2 , April 2013, , Pages 110-114
Abstract
The endometrial stromal nodule is a benign tumor composed of differentiated endometrial stromal cells arranged as a well circumscribed nodule with smooth non-invasive margins. They are rare neoplasms, diagnosed in most instances by microscopy. Although nodules are benign in nature, hysterectomy is ...
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The endometrial stromal nodule is a benign tumor composed of differentiated endometrial stromal cells arranged as a well circumscribed nodule with smooth non-invasive margins. They are rare neoplasms, diagnosed in most instances by microscopy. Although nodules are benign in nature, hysterectomy is the treatment of choice to enable evaluation of the tumor margins which are well demarcated in endometrial stromal nodule and infiltrative in low grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. We present here a case of a 46 year old female with history of menorrhagia and a preoperative clinical diagnosis of uterine leiomyoma followed by a definitive diagnosis of endometrial stromal nodule. Experience with endometrial stromal nodule is limited, hence we emphasize on the fact that these are rare and benign tumours which should be distinguished from other invasive malignant stromal tumors with a more sinister prognostic course.
Fahimeh Mousavi; Mehrdad Noruzinia; Elahe Keyhani; Feridoon Seirati; Samira Rezaei; Forough Mojtahedi; Farkhondeh Behjati
Volume 9, Issue 2 , April 2014, , Pages 117-123
Abstract
Background and Objective: The DBC2 (deleted in breast cancer 2) or RhoBTB2 (Located on 8p21) is a tumor suppressor gene associated with tumorigenesis. Mutational studies of DBC2 at its promoter region in breast cancer revealed an important role for epigenetic changes contributing to its low expression. ...
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Background and Objective: The DBC2 (deleted in breast cancer 2) or RhoBTB2 (Located on 8p21) is a tumor suppressor gene associated with tumorigenesis. Mutational studies of DBC2 at its promoter region in breast cancer revealed an important role for epigenetic changes contributing to its low expression. Epigenetic changes through hypermethylation of the promoter can cause the inactivation of DBC2 gene. The purpose of this study was to investigate methylation pattern of DBC2 gene in the peripheral blood of 40 Iranian women with breast cancer and its comparison with healthy women.
Material & Methods: We used peripheral blood samples from 40 patients with sporadic breast cancer and 40 normal individuals. Analysis of the methylation statues of DBC2 promoter region was done by MSP (Methylation Specific PCR ) technique on the DNA extracted from the blood samples. The results were validated by sequencing. The methylation status was then correlated with the clinicopathological parameters of breast cancer patients.
Results:Methylation pattern was detected in 60% of the patients, whereas 25% of the normal individuals demonstrated a positive methylation pattern (P ≤ 0.01, odd ratio : 2.143). No significant correlation was obtained between methylated DBC2 and cliniclpathological parameters.
Discussion: Aberrant hypermethylation was observed preferentially in the patients. These findings along with the previous studies, propose that abnormal methylation pattern in DBC2 promoter region may be one of the main reasons for low expression of DBC2 in breast cancer and this hypermethylation pattern could play a fundamental role in the breast tumorigenesis.
Maliheh Khoddami; Maryam Farzaneh; Manigeh Garooni Anaraki
Volume 1, Issue 3 , June 2006, , Pages 117-120
Abstract
Background and Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the ability of standard urinalysis (UA) and hemocytometer white blood cell (WBC) counts for the diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients with urinary symptoms. Materials and Methods: A total of 600 patients with symptoms of urinary ...
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Background and Objective: This study was undertaken to assess the ability of standard urinalysis (UA) and hemocytometer white blood cell (WBC) counts for the diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients with urinary symptoms. Materials and Methods: A total of 600 patients with symptoms of urinary tract infection were enrolled in this prospective study. Standard UA, hemocytometer WBC counts, and quantitative urine culture tests were performed on the specimens. The results of UA and hemocytometry were compared with urine culture findings to determine the accuracy of these two methods in the diagnosis of UTI. In this regard, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy, and likelihood ratios were determined for each of the screening tests. Results: There were 91 positive urine cultures with at least 105 bacteria per milliliter. Sixtyseven patients were female. The results of UA and hemocytometry were as follows: sensitivity 64.8% and 77%; specificity 89% and 90.3%; positive predictive value (PPV) 51.3% and 58.8%; negative predictive value (NPV) 93.4% and 95.6%; and accuracy 85.3% and 88.4% respectively. Conclusion: Although hemocytometer WBC counts have a higher sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value than standard UA, the differences are not statistically significant (p>0.05).
Shahrzad Hadavand; Fatemeh Ghafoorimehr; Leila Rajabi; Ali Davati; Nafiseh Zafarghandi
Abstract
Background & Objectives: One of the important infectious factors in pregnant mothers and newborns is Group B Streptococcus (GBS). There is no perfect report about prevalence of GBS in Iran and in the case of preterm rupture of amniotic membrane or preterm labor all patients are treated by antibiotics ...
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Background & Objectives: One of the important infectious factors in pregnant mothers and newborns is Group B Streptococcus (GBS). There is no perfect report about prevalence of GBS in Iran and in the case of preterm rupture of amniotic membrane or preterm labor all patients are treated by antibiotics without culture so this has led to adverse taking antibiotics and drug resistance. The present study is intended to determine the frequency of colonization of GBS in the pregnant mother (35-37 weeks), referred to medical centers of Shahed University. Methods: Overall, 210 pregnant women (35-37 weeks), referred to medical center of Shahed University, Tehran, Iran were selected as sample group and after filling out the questionnaires about demographic data and midwifery status and the related information of post- partum, the rectovaginal culture was done for them. Results: Among 210 samples, 7 (3.3%) included positive culture in terms of GBS colonization while all these cases were sensitive to penicillin, ampicillin, cephalothin, nitrofurantoin, and all of the samples were resistant against tetracycline and contrimoxazole. There was no relationship among age, job, education, number of pregnancy, blood pressure background, diabetes and preterm childbirth with positive culture. Similarly, because of limited number of positive cases it was not possible to examine the relationship among GBS colonization and infection in mother and newborn. Conclusion: There was a low frequency in GBS colonization in the studied hospitals and the study inside the country also confirms this finding.
Maryam Amini; Ahmad Javanmard; Ali Davati; Ghasem Azimi
Volume 4, Issue 3 , June 2009, , Pages 123-127
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Nosocomial infections are one of the most important worldwide health and increased patients hospital stay, therapeutic problem and mortality rate. This study was designed to determine the frequency of microorganisms isolated from tracheal tube in patients admitted to ...
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Background and Objectives: Nosocomial infections are one of the most important worldwide health and increased patients hospital stay, therapeutic problem and mortality rate. This study was designed to determine the frequency of microorganisms isolated from tracheal tube in patients admitted to ICU Shaheed Mostafa Khomeini Hospital Tehran, Iran, from 2001-2005. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 352 patients admitted to ICU of the hospital were evaluated from 2001-2005. Information was derived from 18 questions in 2 parts, demographic and clinic/paraclinic. Data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software, and Mean Whitney, chi-square tests. Results: Most patients were in 70-98 years age group, with the mean age of 62.73±10.03, 64.2% & 35.8% were male and female, respectively. The highest hospitalization times were 2-30 days with the mean times of 24.06±16.68 days. In addition, the median time of intubation was 9 days. The most common microorganisms were Staphylococcus aurous (23.6%), Klebsiella spp. (23.3%) Acintobacter spp. (20.7%), Pseudomonas aeroginosa (18.2%) Escherichia coli (7.7%), and Enterobacter spp.(5.7%) .There was significant association between the time of endotracheal intubation and S. aurous, P. aeroginosa, Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp.. (P<0.05), and between E-coli and hospitalization time (P<0.05). No significant association was found between Acintobacter spp. and other microorganism with other variants. Discussion: It seems that there is no difference between our research and other studies about microorganism isolated from patients with endotracheal tube. We recommend a similar study designed in another hospital to determine the epidemiologic pattern of microorganism frequency.
Seyed Ali Asghar Fakhrmousavi; Azar Hadadi; Seyed Hamed Hosseini; Maryam Rahbar; Reza Hamidian; Amitis Ramezani; Gholamreza Pourmand; Effat Razeghi
Volume 11, Issue 2 , April 2016, , Pages 127-132
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B virus potentially accelerates graft rejection and mortality in renal transplantation population. Vaccination of graft candidates without prior immunization against HBV seems essential before transplantation but some candidates of transplantation have not received HBV vaccine at ...
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Background: Hepatitis B virus potentially accelerates graft rejection and mortality in renal transplantation population. Vaccination of graft candidates without prior immunization against HBV seems essential before transplantation but some candidates of transplantation have not received HBV vaccine at the time of receiving graft. We aimed to evaluate immunogenicity of an enhanced regimen (4 doses of double-strength intramuscular shots) after kidney transplantation in candidates without history of prior HBV vaccination. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted, 49 renal graft recipients in Sina Hospital (Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran) of age >18, receiving graft within past 6 months and negative history of hepatitis B vaccination from 2010-2011. Participants received 40 μg intramuscular (IM) shots of a recombinant vaccine in the months 0, 1, 2 and 6. The titer of HBsAb was measured 8 weeks after the 3rd and 4th injections. Cases with HBsAb titers less than 10 mIu/ml were considered as non-responder while antiHBs≥10 mIu/ml was considered protective. Results: The overall response rate was 57.14% (28/49 patients). Protective HBsAb titers were detected in 44.89% patients following 3rd dose and reached to 57.14% after injecting the 4th shots. The mean HBsAb titers were 50.00 (±88.35) mIu/ml and 229.45 (±356.56) mIu/ml after the 3rd and 4th shots respectively. Responders showed significantly younger age in comparison to non-responders (P=0.013). The vaccine was well tolerated in all patients with no side effects. Conclusions: Regarding the relative good response rate following HBV vaccination in graft recipients, we suggest a post-transplantation enhanced regimen of 4-dose double-strength IM shots against HBV in patients without prior immunization.
Hematopathology
Hossein Ayatollahi; Azar Fani; Ehsan Ghayoor Karimiani; Fateme Homaee; Arezoo Shajiei; Maryam Sheikh; Sepideh Shakeri; Seyyede Fatemeh Shams
Abstract
Background and objective: The assessment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status has become of great importance in the diagnosis of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization ...
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Background and objective: The assessment of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status has become of great importance in the diagnosis of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization (CISH) to assess HER2 status of biopsy specimens. Methods: To elucidate the status of HER2 gene amplification, biopsies of breast carcinoma from 120 patients with 2+ IHC status were analyzed by qPCR and CISH. Results: The results of the two experiments were compared, and it was depicted that the concordance rate between CISH and qPCR assays was 88.1%.The quantification of HER2 gene with CISH and qPCR showed that there was a significant correlation (p value= 0.0001 and r= 0.808). Conclusion: The results of this research support the idea that qPCR is a precise and reproducible technique, which can be employed as a supplementary method to evaluate HER2 status.
Diagnostic Pathology
Lalit Singh; Nisha Marwah; Namita Bhutani; Devendra Pawar; Raman Kapil; Rajeev Sen
Abstract
Background and Objective: Adenocarcinoma of the prostate is the second most common cause of cancer. The loss of CD10 is a common early event in human prostate cancer and is seen in lower Gleason Score malignancies while increased and altered expression is seen in high Gleason Score tumors, lymph nodes ...
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Background and Objective: Adenocarcinoma of the prostate is the second most common cause of cancer. The loss of CD10 is a common early event in human prostate cancer and is seen in lower Gleason Score malignancies while increased and altered expression is seen in high Gleason Score tumors, lymph nodes and bone metastasis. Material and Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted on 75 patients suspected to have prostate cancer. Immunohistochemical profile was assessed for PSA, AMACR and CD10 immunostaining. The intensity of CD10 expression and pattern of CD10 staining of tumor cells was evaluated. Results: The patients were in age group of 50-90 years with a mean age of 70.97 ± 9.51 years. As the Grade Group/Gleason Score increased, the number of cases showing negative expression decreased and the pattern of expression changed from membranous to cytoplasmic to both types of expression. As the serum PSA levels increased the intensity of expression changed from focally positive to diffusely positive. The pattern of expression also changed from membranous to cytoplasmic to both (membranous + cytoplasmic) types of expression with an increase in PSA levels. Conclusion: By immunohistochemical analysis we can identify CD10 positive tumors, which may warrant more aggressive initial therapy. A number of drugs against CD10 are available based on which potential targeted therapies could be formulated.
Parviz Owlia; Zakaria Bameri; Mohsen Chitsaz
Volume 5, Issue 3 , June 2010, , Pages 137-142
Abstract
Background and Objective: Organisms producing CTX-M β-lactamases are emerging as a source of resistance to oxyiminocefalosporins such as ceftriaxone and ceftazidime. However, the laboratory detection of these strains is not well defined. In this study, phenotypic assay for screening of extended-spectrum ...
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Background and Objective: Organisms producing CTX-M β-lactamases are emerging as a source of resistance to oxyiminocefalosporins such as ceftriaxone and ceftazidime. However, the laboratory detection of these strains is not well defined. In this study, phenotypic assay for screening of extended-spectrum β-lactamases producing strains and molecular assay for the identification of CTX-M β-lactamases genes was developed and used to investigate the prevalence of these enzymes among clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae in three general hospitals of Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: Phenotypic detection was used for screening of isolates by agar dilution method. A decrease of ≥3 doubling dilution in an MIC for either ceftriaxone or ceftazidime tested in combination with 4 mg/l clavulanic acid (prepared from Glasco Smith company) versus its MIC when tested alone, confirmed an ESBL-producing organism. The PCR assay consisted of four primer sets. Results: In initial screening test, 117 (69%) from 168 clinical isolates were positive and 51 isolates (31%) were negative. From the positive isolates, 96 isolates were positive in phenotypic confirmatory test. Using molecular assay, 117 strains potentially producing extended-spectrum-β-lactamases were examined for the presence of CTX-M enzymes: 88 strains (75.2%) were positive for blactx-m group І genes, 1 strain (0.85%) was positive for blactx-m group ІІІ genes , and 2 strains (1.7%) were positive for blactx-m group ІV. Conclusion: The prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) are increasing significantly in hospitals of Tehran. In other side, we found that the CTX-M І group had the most prevalence than other CTX-M groups.
Microbiology
Saeed Mirsadraee; Mihan Pourabdollah Toutkaboni; Mehrdad Bakhshayeshkaram; Mitra sadat Rezaei; Elham Askari; Sara Haseli; Nazanin Sadraee
Abstract
Background & Objective: Diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be challenging, especially when the realtime quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is not available or it is negative. In this study, we evaluated imaging and laboratory findings in a ...
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Background & Objective: Diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be challenging, especially when the realtime quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is not available or it is negative. In this study, we evaluated imaging and laboratory findings in a group of patients with a multidisciplinary diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: A total of 163 patients with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to a specialised respiratory centre in Tehran, Iran were enrolled in this study. The distribution and characteristics of presenting radiological and laboratory findings were evaluated and the relationship to the outcome was investigated. Results: RTPCR was positive in 92 patients. The diagnosis of COVID-19 in RT-PCR negative patients was made on clinical and radiological grounds (n=71). Also, 24 (14.7%) patients died. The common computed tomography (CT) scan findings included ground-glass (94%) and consolidating opacification (12%), mainly in the lower lobes (90%). Peripheral and central lung changes were observed in 90% and 52% of patients, respectively. Lymphopenia, positive CRP, and raised LDH were present in 32%, 65%, and 96% of cases, respectively. A raised LDH of >500U/L was the best predictor of death in these patients (R2=0.6623; OR=24.4). Other markers of outcome were male gender, age (>50 years), lymphopenia, and severe CXR changes. Conclusion: Diagnosis of COVID-19 can be challenging, and a multidisciplinary approach is often needed. Whilst RT-PCR is the standard diagnostic test, a negative test should be interpreted with caution. Blood tests and imaging can be useful in the diagnosis, monitoring, and risk assessment in patients with COVID-19.
Alireza Abdollahi; Hedieh Moradi-Tabriz; Baharak Mehdipour Aghabagher
Volume 6, Issue 3 , June 2011, , Pages 139-142
Abstract
Newborns’ bacterial infections due to group B Streptococcus (GBS) happen in two forms including early-onset disease or late-onset disease. In this paper, we report a case of early-onset GBS infection in a male infant. A 22-year-old primigravid woman delivers a term normal looking male infant. Nasal ...
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Newborns’ bacterial infections due to group B Streptococcus (GBS) happen in two forms including early-onset disease or late-onset disease. In this paper, we report a case of early-onset GBS infection in a male infant. A 22-year-old primigravid woman delivers a term normal looking male infant. Nasal flaring, grunting, and poor feeding presented soon after birth. An empiric treatment with intravenous ampicillin and amikacin initiated. On the second day, he was transferred to Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The intravenous antibiotics were changed to tazocin and vancomycin in NICU. The blood culture (BC) was positive for GBS. After 48 hours, respiratory distress symptoms disappeared, BC was negative, and ABG and CBC became normal. Finally, the infant was discharged after 15 days.GBS is a normal flora of women's gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Infants with early-onset GBS sepsis need very close observation including repeated vital signs evaluation.
Maryam Khalili; Zahra Alyani
Volume 3, Issue 3 , June 2008, , Pages 140-145
Abstract
Background and Objective: Oral cancer accounts for less than 3% of all cancers. Despite recent improvement in diagnostic and treatment methods, the overall survival of the disease is unfavorable. Several studies have been performed to assess factors influencing lymph node metastasis and prognosis. ...
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Background and Objective: Oral cancer accounts for less than 3% of all cancers. Despite recent improvement in diagnostic and treatment methods, the overall survival of the disease is unfavorable. Several studies have been performed to assess factors influencing lymph node metastasis and prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate some clinical and pathological factors influencing lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 111 cases of oral SCC registered from 1991 to 2001 were retrieved from the archive of the Department of Pathology of Cancer Institute. Cases were divided into two groups based on the presence of lymph node metastasis. Patients’ pathological reports and medical records were reviewed and variables such as age, gender, occupation, disease duration, site and greatest diameter of tumor and histopathologic grade were compared between metastatic and non-metastatic groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS package and t, chi square, Mann-Whitney and Fisher’s exact test with pResults: Among the studied factors, patients’ gender (female), the disease duration (more than 12 months) and tumor size based on T1–T4 category were significantly related to lymph node metastasis. Other factors failed to show any correlation with lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, women with large tumors lasting more than 12 months might be of greater risk for lymph node metastasis.
Katayoun Ziari; Mojgan Sanjari; Moeinadin Safavi
Abstract
Background & objective: papillary thyroid cancer is the most common cancer of thyroid accounting for 75%-85% of all thyroid malignancies. Recently, β-catenin has been determined to play a role in clinical course of human epithelial cancers. This study was designed to reveal the association of ...
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Background & objective: papillary thyroid cancer is the most common cancer of thyroid accounting for 75%-85% of all thyroid malignancies. Recently, β-catenin has been determined to play a role in clinical course of human epithelial cancers. This study was designed to reveal the association of β-catenin marker and papillary thyroid carcinoma behavior. Methods: 63 paraffin blocks of papillary thyroid carcinoma were stained with ready to use monoclonal β-catenin antibody according to manufacturer’s instructions. Memberanous, cytoplasmic and nuclear staining was scored according to intensity of immunoreactivity. β-catenin immunostaining association with clinical parameters like number of recurrences and cumulative dose of radioiodine therapy were analyzed using SPSS version 15. Histopathologic parameters like tumor stage, grade, capsular invasion, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node involvement, distant metastasis and other variables were also evaluated for association with β-catenin immunoreactivity Results: 77.8% of papillay thyroid carcinoma were well differentiated and the remaining were poorly differentiated. Loss of β-catenin membrane immunostaining depicted correlation with number of recurrences (p=0.023% , Pearson correlation= -0.285). Its loss of memberanous staining correlated similarly with cumulative dose of radioiodine (p= 0.046, Pearson correlation = -0.253). Loss of membranous β-catenin was significantly associated with some histopathologic findings like nodal involvement (p<0.001), distant metastasis (p=0.003) and tumor dedifferentiation (p< 0.001). Conclusion: Loss of β-catenin membranous staining and its cytoplasmic accumulation were associated with aggressive clinicopathologic behavior. The exact effect of radioiodine exposure on β-catenin pathway remained to be determined in future.
Marjan Heshmati; Taki Tiraihi
Volume 1, Issue 4 , September 2006, , Pages 161-168
Abstract
Background and Objective: Sciatic nerve transection is characterized by a rapid wave of motoneuron death associated with progressive synaptic lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long term synaptic changes. Materials and Methods: This basic study was carried out on paraffin- or resin-embedded ...
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Background and Objective: Sciatic nerve transection is characterized by a rapid wave of motoneuron death associated with progressive synaptic lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long term synaptic changes. Materials and Methods: This basic study was carried out on paraffin- or resin-embedded tissue blocks for evaluation of synaptophysin and choline acetyl transaferase (CHAT) immunoreactivities and the ultrastructural changes in the synapses of spinal motoneurons following sciatic nerve axotomy in the newborn rats. Results: The results showed that there was a progressive decrease in the percentage of survived motoneurons and high percentage of chromatolytic motoneurons. There was also a high percentage of degenerated motoneurons with dotted pattern synaptophysin immunoreactivity, low percentage of intact motoneurons with complete synaptophysin labeling, and high percentage of motoneurons with low CHAT labeling. The ultrastructural study showed that there were many motoneurons with synaptic pathological changes including irregularity of the synaptic membrane and displacement of synaptic vesicles. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that there is a delayed synaptic lesion in axotomized motoneurons of newborn rats.
Head and Neck Pathology
Lisnawati Rachmadi; Ela Laelasari; Yayi Dwina Bilianti; Kusmardi Kusmardi
Abstract
Background & Objective: The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) is significantly associated with tumor invasion and metastasis. Little is known regarding the potential of these markers in predicting cancer metastasis in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ...
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Background & Objective: The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) is significantly associated with tumor invasion and metastasis. Little is known regarding the potential of these markers in predicting cancer metastasis in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (LSCC). Therefore, this study aimed to dissect the potential of these markers in predicting the lymph node metastasis in LSCC patients.Methods: Sixty tissue samples were obtained from the patients diagnosed pathologically with LSCC who underwent partial or total laryngectomy. The expression of MMP-9 and CCR7 was measured using the immunohistochemistry staining in the tissue samples of LSCC patients. The ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve was used to determine the most significant cut-off points of expression according to the highest sensitivity and specificity of both the markers to predict the lymph node metastasis in LSCC. Then, the relationship between the clinicopathology features and the expression of MMP-9 and CCR7 was evaluated.Results: The expression of both MMP-9 and CCR7 was significantly correlated with the lymph node metastasis in LSCC (P<0.001). Furthermore, CCR7 expression exhibited the highest prediction accuracy (AUC 95.7%) and sensitivity (100%) in predicting the lymph node metastasis in LSCC compared to that of MMP-9 (AUC 92.9%, sensitivity 90%). We also found that patients with larger tumor size (> 4 cm) had significantly higher expression of MMP-9 and CCR7 (P<0.002 and P<0.001, respectively). The Elevated expression level of CCR7 statistically correlated with higher MMP-9 expression (P<0.001).Conclusion: MMP-9 and CCR7 might be beneficial as predictors of lymph node metastasis in LSCC patients.
Masomeh Bayani; Sepideh Siadati; Seddigheh Esmaeilzadeh; Samaneh Asgari; Saeed Salmani
Volume 8, Issue 3 , July 2013, , Pages 171-177
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Chicken pox has potential complications during pregnancy for both the mother and her baby. The aim of this study was to determine the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immune status in pregnant women in Babol and its surrounding neighborhoods.
Materials and Methods: This seroepidemiological ...
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Background and Objectives: Chicken pox has potential complications during pregnancy for both the mother and her baby. The aim of this study was to determine the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immune status in pregnant women in Babol and its surrounding neighborhoods.
Materials and Methods: This seroepidemiological study was carried out on 427 pregnant women referred to Rohani Hospital, Babol, northern Iran from 2010 to 2011. The immune status (IgG level) was determined using ELISA method and correlation with age, place of residence, history of VZV infection and the number of siblings were evaluated.
Results: The mean age of the subjects was 27.16 + 5.7 years and their mean antibody level was 103.552 + 63.37 U/ml. Out of 427 pregnant women studied, 8.7% were seronegative, 1.2% were equivocal and 90.2% were seropositive. There was no correlation between age, the place of residence (urban or rural) and titer of antibody. However, higher antibody titer was found in women with more siblings.
Conclusion: Considering 90.2% of pregnant women were VZV seropositive, evaluation of VZV antibody in order to prevent complications in non-immune pregnant women and vaccination for women with age less than 25 years old and no VZV infection history, prior to pregnancy is recommended.
Ali Eslamifar; Amitis Ramezani; Mohammad Banifazl; Akbar Khadem-Sadegh; Arezoo Aghakhani
Volume 7, Issue 3 , July 2012, , Pages 171-176
Abstract
Background and Aims: Pertussis is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease. Determination of the seroepidemiology of pertussis makes possible the evaluation of pertussis immunity in a population. In this study, we determined the seroprevalence of Bordetella pertussis IgG antibodies in different ...
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Background and Aims: Pertussis is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease. Determination of the seroepidemiology of pertussis makes possible the evaluation of pertussis immunity in a population. In this study, we determined the seroprevalence of Bordetella pertussis IgG antibodies in different age groups in Tehran, Iran.
Materials and Methods: Overall, 1101 subjects between ages of 8 months and 20 years were tested for the presence of pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) and different lipopolysaccharides (LPS) antibodies by ELISA.
Results: The overall prevalence of pertussis antibodies was 48% and the mean antibody level was 44± 47.7 U/ml. Over half (53.1%) of the children aged 8 months to 6 years were negative for pertussis antibodies. Pertussis antibodies rates and levels were significantly different between age groups (P < 0.001) and their significant elevations were observed with increasing age.
Conclusion: Up to half of the vaccinated children lacked an antibody response to vaccine, so using a more immunogenically effective vaccine to ensure sufficient immunity is essential. We showed that B. pertussis infection is on the rise in Iranian adolescents and young adults. Booster vaccination of this age group appears to be the most logical approach to disease prevention in adolescents and control the circulation of the organism.
Zohreh Yousefi; Nourieh Sharifi; Farnoosh Sadatmand; Soodabeh Shaid Salles
Volume 4, Issue 4 , September 2009, , Pages 172-176
Abstract
Background and Objective: Histopathological evaluation of granulosa cell tumors (GCT) of the ovary may be confused morphologically with a wide variety of the tumors. Immunohistochemical staining for inhibin and calretinin can be used for better diagnosis. Although it has been suggested that inhibin can ...
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Background and Objective: Histopathological evaluation of granulosa cell tumors (GCT) of the ovary may be confused morphologically with a wide variety of the tumors. Immunohistochemical staining for inhibin and calretinin can be used for better diagnosis. Although it has been suggested that inhibin can be a sensitive marker for GCT, it maybe had negative results in some cases. In addition, caltrinin has been proposed as a marker for GCT. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunohistochemical methods (IHC) including a comparison of calretinin and inhibin markers in the diagnosis of these tumors. Patients and Methods: This prospective study carried out from 2000 to 2009 at Ghaem and Omid hospitals, Mashad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. A total of 23 ovarian GCT specimens were immunostained with commercially available antibodies to find out calretinin and inhibin immunoreactivity. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistical method. A P value of =Results: For diagnosing GCT, the sensitivity of calretinin was 100% and that of the inhibin was almost 73.9%. The extent and severity of staining was more extensive for calretinin compared to inhibin PConclusion: Calretinin is a more sensitive biomarker for GCT than inhibin.
Massoud Hajia; Abbas Mahmoodzadeh; Hassan Morovati
Volume 3, Issue 4 , September 2008, , Pages 197-202
Abstract
Background and Objective: Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) has been historically the most prevalent opportunisticinfection in patients infected with the human immunodeficiencyvirus. Culture of the organism has not been faced with suitable success in artificial media, while various results have been ...
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Background and Objective: Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) has been historically the most prevalent opportunisticinfection in patients infected with the human immunodeficiencyvirus. Culture of the organism has not been faced with suitable success in artificial media, while various results have been reported for cell culture media. The aim of this study was proliferation of Pneumocystis carinii on the Razi Bovine Kidney (RBK) cell line and to compare growth rate with ‘Vero’ and ‘MRC-5’ cell lines. Materials and Methods: We used 6 rats (Sprague-Dawley) provided from Razi Institute to infect with Pneumocystis carinii after suppressing the immune system with methylprednisolone acetate (40 mg/kg). Methylprednisolone acetate was used subcutaneously once a week for 8 weeks. Samples were homogenized after separation of the lung tissue. Microscopic examination was applied for prepared smears to confirm the presence of Pneumocystis carinii. Purified trophozoites were then inoculated into the cell line flasks. Growth rate was estimated by counting the trophozoite in each day. Results: Number of cultivated organisms was increased after 5 days incubation in all applied cell lines. Growth rate of Vero, MRC-5 and RBK were 3, 3, and 3.75 times more respectively in comparison with number of the calculated cells in first day. Hence the difference between RBK and two other cell lines was significant (p = 0.023). Conclusion: RBK cell line is suitable to proliferate Pneumocystis carinii.
