Intra-familial Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Arak, Central Iran.

Background: The household transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major health problem. High incidence of HBV infection is observed within the household contacts of HBV carriers. We aimed to evaluate serological markers of hepatitis B infection among family members of HBV carriers in Arak, central Iran.

Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in Arak city, central province of Iran.

Background And Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide concern and it is the major cause of liver disease. Several genotypes of the HCV have been reported from different regions of the world. The determination of the HCV genotypes is important for the prediction of response to antiviral treatment and clinical outcomes.

Antimycobacterial activity assessment of three ethnobotanical plants against Mycobacterium Tuberculosis: An In Vitro study.

Objective/background: Resistances to herbal medicines are still not defined and finding natural remedies against drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) has research priority. The antimycobacterial susceptibility method for herbal extracts is unclearly defined and there is no standard method for assessment of the materials against bacteria. In the present study, time kill of three medicinal plants was determined against MTB.

Extensive Genetic Diversity among Clinical Isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Central Province of Iran.

Human tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) remains a significant disease in many countries. According to Iran's borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan, which are among the 22 high burden countries around the world, this study was conducted to analyze the current molecular epidemiology of tuberculosis and survey genetic diversity of Mtb strains in Markazi Province in center of Iran. In this experimental study, 75 sputum specimens and one gastric lavage from all smear-positive TB patients admitted to the public hospitals across the Markazi Province were cultured on specific mycobacterial culture media.

Serological response to one intradermal or intramuscular hepatitis B virus vaccine booster dose in human immunodeficiency virus-infected nonresponders to standard vaccination.

Purpose: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination is recommended for all human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients without HBV immunity. However, serological response to standard HBV vaccination is frequently suboptimal in this population and the appropriate strategy for revaccination of HIV-infected nonresponders remained controversial. We aimed to determine the serological response to one booster dose of HBV vaccine given by intradermal (ID) or intramuscular (IM) route in HIV-positive nonresponders to standard HBV vaccination.

Comparison of two durations of triple-drug therapy in patients with uncomplicated brucellosis: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Brucellosis remains the most common zoonotic disease throughout the world and especially in Iran. Several clinical trials have tested different therapeutic regimens for brucellosis, but few have assessed the optimal duration of treatment.

Methods: We performed a randomized controlled trial to compare a triple-drug regimen of doxycycline plus rifampicin for 6 weeks and streptomycin for the first 7 days with doxycycline plus rifampicin for 8 weeks and streptomycin for 7 days in patients with uncomplicated brucellosis in Arak, Iran.

Screening of family members of patients with acute brucellosis in an endemic area of Iran.

Background And Objectives: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease and it's still endemic in Iran. There are some reports regarding brucellosis infection in family members sharing same risk factors and remain unrecognized. However, few studies on the importance of family screening are available.

No correlation between interleukin-10 gene promoter polymorphisms and hepatitis B virus infection outcome.

Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the promoter region of the interleukin (IL)-10 genes have a role in determining hepatitis B virus (HBV) outcome.

Objectives: This study evaluates the correlation between HBV infection and SNP in IL-10 gene promoter.

Patients And Methods: Ninety-six HBV-infected patients (32 chronic hepatitis B infection patients, 34 healthy carriers, 30 spontaneously recovered cases) and 31 healthy controls were enrolled.

Serum profile of T helper 1 and T helper 2 cytokines in hepatitis C virus infected patients.

Background: T-helper (Th) lymphocyte cytokine production may be important in the immune pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Th1 cytokines such as; interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) are necessary for host antiviral immune responses, while Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) can inhibit the development of these effector mechanisms.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the serum profile of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in treated and non-treated HCV infected individuals.

Viral hepatitis and HIV infection among injection drug users in a central Iranian City.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of serological markers for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and occult HBV infection among injection drug users (IDUs) with isolated anti-hepatitis B core (anti-HBc).

Methods: A total of 153 male IDUs were tested for anti-hepatitis B surface (anti-HBs), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HBc, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV. The presence of HBV-DNA was determined in plasma samples of individuals with isolated anti-HBc (HBsAg negative, anti-HBs negative, and anti-HBc positive) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Determination of principal genotypic groups among susceptible, MDR and XDR clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Belarus and Iran.

Introduction: All members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex were assigned to one of the three principle genetic groups based on KatG463/GyrA95 polymorphism.

Materials And Methods: A total of 202 isolates of M. tuberculosis consisting of 50 susceptible, 121 MDR (multidrug resistant) and 31 XDR (extensively drug resistant) isolated from culture-confirmed tuberculosis patients in different regions of Belarus and Iran (Tehran and Markazi province).

Seroepidemiology of hepatitis A virus in children of different age groups in Tehran, Iran: implications for health policy.

Background: Hepatitis A is one of the most frequently reported vaccine-preventable diseases throughout the world and remains endemic in many areas. Studies in various communities have shown that Hepatitis A virus (HAV) prevalence rises with age. The current data regarding hepatitis A epidemiology in Iran is limited.