Publications by authors named "Ehsan Mostafavi"

Background: To reduce the clinical burden of COVID-19, healthcare providers, and policymakers need a clear understanding of the illness severity during epidemic waves. This study aimed to identify the clinical severity of patients with COVID-19 during different stages of an epidemic wave (pre-peak, peak, post-peak) in four provinces in Iran.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of the data on COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals (25,382 cases), which were recorded in the Medical Care Monitoring Center.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious health issue, and this study investigates the presence of Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella spp. in heart valves in Iran.
  • The research examined 146 patients who had heart valve surgery and found C. burnetii in 12 patients and Bartonella quintana in 15 patients, with two new C. burnetii genotypes identified.
  • The study suggests that more research is needed to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment methods for Q fever endocarditis and Bartonella endocarditis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aim: Dengue virus (DENV) and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) are the most common arthropod-borne viruses (Arboviruses) globally. So far, no autochthonous cases of DENV and CHIKV infections have been reported in Iran. Nevertheless, due to the recent identification of Aedes aegypti in the south and Aedes albopictus in the north of Iran, the country is at a serious risk of local outbreaks of these infections.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study focuses on Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), which is a tick-borne viral disease, and aims to examine the presence of specific bacterial infections among individuals who are suspected of having CCHF in Iran.
  • Researchers analyzed 260 serum samples from patients who tested negative for CCHF virus, finding 3.46% positive for brucellosis and 3.07% for Q fever, while no borreliosis or ehrlichiosis cases were detected.
  • The findings suggest that bacterial infections like brucellosis and Q fever should be considered when diagnosing CCHF, and further broad investigations into bacterial infections with similar symptoms are recommended.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Tularemia, caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, is a common infectious disease that can affect humans and animals.
  • In 2020, a tularemia outbreak occurred in a northwestern village in Iran, affecting 15 people who had the oropharyngeal form of the disease.
  • The outbreak was likely connected to the consumption of contaminated drinking water in the area.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Up to now several studies estimate the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and TB among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Iran; however, their results are inconsistent. This study aimed to estimate the overall prevalence of HBV, HVC, and TB among Iranian PLWH.

Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis six databases including Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, MagIran, Scientific Information Database (SID), and Barakat Knowledge network system were searched up to October 2023 with no language restriction.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Rickettsia occurs worldwide and rickettsiosis is recognized as an emerging infection in several parts of the world. Ticks are reservoir hosts for pathogenic Rickettsia species in humans and domestic animals. Most pathogenic Rickettsia species belong to the spotted Fever Group (SFG).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - The study examines the presence of rickettsial species in ticks and ruminants in western Iran, highlighting a lack of prior knowledge on the topic despite its clinical importance.
  • - Researchers collected 250 blood samples from sheep and goats alongside 244 ticks, using advanced molecular methods like qPCR to detect rickettsial DNA, finding a significant presence of these pathogens in ticks.
  • - The findings, which showed rickettsial DNA in 53.7% of the tick samples and no presence in ruminant blood, suggest a need for increased awareness and monitoring of rickettsioses in Iran's public health system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The control and prevention of rodent-borne diseases are mainly based on our knowledge of ecology and the infectious status of their reservoir hosts. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of , , and arenavirus infections in small mammals and to assess the potential of disease occurrence in East Azerbaijan, northwest of Iran, in 2017 and 2018. Spleen and lung samples were obtained from all trapped small mammals.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Plague, a lethal zoonotic disease, primarily circulates within rodent populations and their fleas. In Iran, the widely distributed jird, Meriones persicus, serves as the principal reservoir for plague, with a belief in the existence of five out of its six recognized subspecies within the country. However, these subspecies are classified into four mitochondrial cytochrome b sub-lineages (IA, IB, IIA, IIB).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

It is important to honor the contributions of scientific leaders who have dedicated their lives to advancing knowledge and serving their country. One way is to document their experiences and personalities in a documentary format, which can serve as a historical record and an inspiration for future generations. Dr.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Spontaneous miscarriage, a leading health concern globally, often occurs due to various factors, including infections. Among these, Coxiella burnetii and Brucella spp. may have adverse effects on pregnancy outcomes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The Iranian healthcare system does not adequately recognize Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) as a common illness, especially in children, highlighting a need for increased awareness.
  • A six-year-old boy in southeast Iran exhibited symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, and skin rashes, and was diagnosed with a rickettsial infection caused by Rickettsia conorii subsp. israelensis, which was confirmed through clinical tests.
  • Early symptoms of MSF can include rashes and abdominal pain, and diagnostic methods such as indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) tests and real-time PCR are essential for accurate identification of the disease.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The present study aims to provide an insight to the comprehensive efforts of Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII) regarding COVID-19 management, research, achievements, and vaccine production, though there are many challenges. The relevant literature review was investigated through national and international database and also reports from the related research departments. Six strategies were taken by PII to manage the pandemic of COVID-19.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Strengthening surveillance systems is a key aspect of outbreak response and was particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Respiratory pathogens spread rapidly, and laboratory capacity is key to monitoring the spread. Prior to the pandemic, Iran had established a rapid response team and laboratory network to provide identification, monitoring, and detection of emerging infectious diseases, but did not have the laboratory capacity to respond to COVID-19.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The causative agent of plague, Yersinia pestis, is maintained in nature via a flea-rodent cycle. Western Iran is an old focus for plague, and recent data indicate that rodents and dogs in this region have serological evidence of Y. pestis infection.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • This study evaluated the effectiveness of the PastoCovac Plus vaccine as a booster compared to the original vaccines (ChAdOx1-S and BBIBP-CorV) in volunteers who had already received two doses of either.
  • A total of 194 previously vaccinated participants were divided into groups to receive either the PastoCovac Plus or another dose of their initial vaccine, with serum samples collected before and four weeks after the booster to measure antibody levels.
  • Results showed significant increases in anti-spike IgG levels for those receiving the PastoCovac Plus booster, with no notable differences in neutralizing antibody levels, indicating that both booster options are similarly effective.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

COVID-19 pandemic has been managed through global vaccination programs. However, the antibody waning in various types of vaccines came to notice. Hereby, PastoCovac Plus as a protein subunit vaccine was investigated in immunized health care workers by COVAXIN (BBV152).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Tularemia and Q fever are endemic diseases in Iran; however, little information is available on the prevalence of the causative agents, Coxiella burnetii and Francisella tularensis, in Iranian ticks. This study investigated C. burnetii and F.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In line with the commemoration of the scientists who played a significant role in advancing knowledge and providing services to the country, it is imperative to publish their biographies so that their lives and achievements are recorded in the history of the country and serve as an example for future generations. Dr. Bijan Sadrizadeh, a physician and a public health specialist, undertook many valuable activities, particularly in the field of public health in Iran and the world during more than 60 years of great services, including the promotion of public health in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the development of I.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The optimal booster vaccine schedule against COVID-19 is still being explored. The present study aimed at assessment of the immunogenicity and antibody persistency of inactivated-virus based vaccine, BBIP-CorV and protein-subunit based vaccines, PastoCovac/Plus through heterologous and homologous prime-boost vaccination. Totally, 214 individuals who were previously primed with BBIBP-CorV vaccines were divided into three arms on their choice as heterologous regimens BBIBP-CorV/PastoCovac (n = 68), BBIBP-CorV/PastoCovac Plus (n = 72) and homologous BBIBP-CorV (n = 74).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF