Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Hospitalized Patients With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in Zahedan, Southeastern Iran.

Background: Studies show that nearly 40 million people are living with human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) around the world and since the beginning of the epidemic, about 35 million have died from AIDS. Heterosexual intercourse is the most common route for transmission of HIV infection (85%). People with a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as syphilis, genital herpes, chancroid, or bacterial vaginosis, are more likely to obtain HIV infection during sex.

Pharyngeal carriage rate of Neisseria meningitidis before and after the Hajj pilgrimage, in Zahedan (southeastern Iran), 2012.

Background/aim: The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, which attracts more than 3 million Muslim pilgrims from around the world, has played a role in the global spread of meningococcal infection. We aimed to compare pharyngeal carriage of Neisseria meningitidis in Hajj pilgrims before departure and after returning to Iran, Zahedan.

Materials And Methods: This prospective and cross-sectional study was conducted among Hajj pilgrims in Zahedan (southeast Iran) in 2012.

Lack of Association between miRNA-146a rs2910164 and miRNA-499 rs3746444 Gene Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNAsmay alter its expression levels or processing and contribute to susceptibility to a wide range of diseases. Our study aimed to evaluate the possible association between miRNA-146a rs2910164 and miRNA-499 rs3746444 polymorphisms and susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in a sample of Iranian population. This case- control study was performed on 202 PTB patients and 204 healthy individuals.

Molecular and serological findings in suspected patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in Iran.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an arthropod-borne disease of humans associated with a severe clinical picture, including hemorrhagic syndrome and a high mortality rate. CCHF virus is widely distributed throughout large areas of the world. To characterize the serological status in CCHF patients, paired clinical samples were collected from suspected CCHF patients and analyzed by microbiological and other laboratory analyses with the aim of: determining the presence of neutralizing antibodies against CCHF virus; investigating the cross-reactivity of these neutralizing antibodies against virus isolated from the same outbreak and against other available laboratory strain; and studying the relationship between the isolated virus with other virus by whole genome sequencing.

Acute Q fever among febrile patients in Zahedan, southeastern Iran.

Aim: So far, few studies have been conducted on Q fever in Iran. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of acute Q fever in febrile patients admitted to Boo-Ali Hospital in Zahedan (southeastern Iran).

Materials And Methods: In this study, 105 febrile patients suspected ofhaving brucellosis were examined using indirect immunofluorescent assay kit for the detection of Coxiella burnetii IgM and IgG phase antibodies in their serum.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor -173 G/C polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary tuberculosis in Zahedan, Southeast Iran.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has an important role in controlling infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association between MIF -173 G/C functional polymorphism and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in an Iranian population from Zahedan Southeast Iran. This case-control study was done on 161 PTB and 142 healthy subjects.

Prevalence of crimean-congo hemorrhagic Fever among high risk human groups.

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), an acute viral infection, is a zoonotic disease which is transmitted to humans by infected ticks, direct contact with fresh meat or blood of infected animals (usually domestic livestock), or direct contact with the blood or secretions of an infected person. Livestock handlers, skin processors, veterinary staff, livestock market workers, and other personnel engaged in jobs requiring some contact with animals and/or animal products are at high risk for CCHF. Most reported cases of this disease in Iran belong to butchers and slaughterhouse workers.

Efficacy of high-dose methylprednisolone in patients with Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever and severe thrombocytopenia.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an acute viral haemorrhagic disease that is now endemic in south eastern Iran. The most important factor associated with mortality is a platelet count of less than 50,000/mL. The purpose of this study is to compare treated cases with severe thrombocytopenia using ribavirin with high-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP) with patients receiving ribavirin without HDMP.

Can serum ferritin level predict disease severity in patients with crimean-congo hemorrhagic Fever?

Objective: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an acute viral disease. Several factors have already been suggested to explain the pathogenesis as well as predict the disease severity. In our study we aim to investigate the role of serum ferritin level as a possible predicting factor of disease severity in these patients.

Diagnostic assays for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a highly contagious viral tick-borne disease with case-fatality rates as high as 50%. We describe a collaborative evaluation of the characteristics, performance, and on-site applicability of serologic and molecular assays for diagnosis of CCHF. We evaluated ELISA, immunofluorescence, quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and low-density macroarray assays for detection of CCHF virus using precharacterized archived patient serum samples.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen and anti hepatitis C antibody in zahedan city, iran: a population-based study.

Background: There have been studies regarding the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis C antibody (HCVAb) in Iran. However, the majority of these have reported a variety of rates, depending on their study population, which limits the generalizability of their results to the general population. On the other hand, cultural diversity in the different provinces of Iran also necessitates the performing separate population-based studies in the various regions.

Association between tuberculosis and smoking.

Background: The association between smoking and tuberculosis (TB), which has been proven in multiple studies with different study population ethnicity, has not yet received sufficient attention in terms of TB control.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the association between TB and cigarette smoking in southeastern Iran, an endemic area for tuberculosis.

Patients And Methods: This prospective case-control study conducted at a University-Affiliated Hospital (Boo-Ali Hospital, Zahedan, and Southeastern Iran) from March 2007 to March 2012 enrolled 253 TB patients and 312 healthy controls.

Colorimetric nucleic acid testing assay for RNA virus detection based on circle-to-circle amplification of padlock probes.

We developed a molecular diagnostic method for detection of RNA virus based on padlock probes and colorimetric readout. The feasibility of our approach was demonstrated by using detection of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus as a model. Compared with conventional PCR-based methods, our approach does not require advanced equipment, involves easier assay design, and has a sensitivity of 10(3) viral copies/ml.

Current treatment of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in children.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a fatal viral hemorrhagic fever and is usually transmitted to humans by tick bite, or exposure to infected blood or tissues of infected livestock or humans. Although children can be infected with the CCHF virus, infection is unusual in the younger age group. Early diagnosis and treatment of CCHF infection is critical to the survival of patients and the control of the disease.

An old man with a mass in the retropharyngeal space.

In this article, we discuss clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and radiological findings in an old man with suppurative tender mass in the neck, accompanied by, fever, weight loss, malaise, fatigue, night sweat, cough, vomiting, and dysphagia. Pharyngeal exam revealed a huge retropharyngeal abscess.

The outcome of patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Zahedan, southeast of Iran: a comparative study.

Background: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever was rarely reported from Iran before 1999. In a recent outbreak, the disease has been reported from different provinces of Iran, especially from Sistan and Baluchestan. Ribavirin has been recommended by World Health Organization as a potential therapeutic modality for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

Clinical and epidemiologic features of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever among children and adolescents from southeastern Iran.

This study aimed to investigate the clinical and epidemiologic features of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever among 34 children and adolescents (mean age, 13.3 +/- 4.6 years) from a highly endemic region.

Hepatitis B and C virus infections in patients with hemophilia in Zahedan, southeast Iran.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in patients with hemophilia in Zahedan, Iran.

Methods: From March 2003 to January 2006, we evaluated 81 hemophiliac patients in Zahedan Hemophilia Center, southeast Iran, for hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV-Ab) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and evaluated the prevalence of HBV/HCV co-infection.

Results: The seroprevalence of HCV was 29.

Recurrent non-typhoidal salmonella bacteremia in a patient with interleukin -12p40 deficiency.

The South eastern region of Iran is an endemic area for salmonellosis. Sometimes bacteremia due to nontyphoidal salmonella occurs but certain patients are at increased risk for recurrent bacteremia. The risk of invasive salmonellosis and recurrent bacteremia is increased in the patients with immunosuppression, especially impaired cell-mediated immunity, lymphoproliferative diseases and in patients with IL-12 deficiency.

Spectrum of clinical disease in a series of hospitalized HIV-infected patients from southeast of Iran.

Objective: To determine the pattern of opportunistic infections (OIs) and non-infectious opportunistic diseases in hospitalized HIV-infected patients in Zahedan, southeast of Iran.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 52 HIV-infected patients (47 male, 5 female; age range, 21-54 years) who were admitted to Boo-Ali Hospital, Zahedan, Iran for evaluation and management of an HIV-related disorders from April 2000 to December 2005.

Results: Tuberculosis (TB) was the most common opportunistic infections (53.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Southeast of Iran.

In June 1999, a cluster of patients with viral hemorrhagic fever were reported in central provinces of Iran. Similar cases were subsequently verified in other parts of Iran. During June 1999 to February 2004, a total of 255 patients were recorded in Southeast of Iran.