Showing 5 results for Zahraei
M Karami, Sm Zahraei, Mm Gouya,
Volume 12, Issue 4 (Vol.12, No.4 2017)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The Haemophilus influenzae (Hib) conjugate vaccine (HibCV) using a pentavalent formulation was introduced to the Iranian routine immunization program from November 2014. Iran is preparing to include Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV), as well. Measuring and monitoring the impact of HibCV and PCV are necessary to provide evidence for introduction and sustained administration of this vaccine.
Methods: We addressed the possibility of implementing the "3-tiered approach to IB VPD surveillance" as proposed by the World Health Organization using a feasibility study. Expert opinions were asked to address published literature regarding the study design and methods of measuring the impact of newly introduced vaccines.
Results: There are different methods and study designs to measure the impact of new vaccines, including population based active surveillance systems and vaccine effectiveness studies. The results of the feasibility study and expert opinions highlighted the superiority of a sentinel hospital-based surveillance system in Iran.
Conclusion: It is necessary to conduct some systematic reviews and meta-analyses to provide evidence for the trend of Hib and Streptococcus pneumonia related diseases, i.e. invasive bacterial diseases including meningitis, pneumonia, and sepsis. To monitor indirect effects of the PCV vaccine, implementing periodic surveys on the prevalence of nasopharyngeal carriers are recommended.
M Karami, Kh Rahmani, Gh Moradi, Mm Gouya, A Sabouri , K Entezar Mahdi , Gh Kamali, Sm Zahraei,
Volume 16, Issue 1 (Vol.16, No.1 2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Elimination and eradication of measles requires designing and implementing an enhanced surveillance system. The purpose of this study was to review the measles surveillance system in Iran.
Methods: The data of this study were obtained from the surveillance system of the Center for Communicable Disease Control; a review of the records, documents, books, and published articles; and interviews with process owners and experts of measles surveillance in 2017-2019.
Results: Iran has a surveillance plan to eliminate the measles. The current design for suspected cases of measles in Iran is a case-based surveillance system, in which for each identified case with fever and maculopapular rashes, some activities such reporting, laboratory confirmation, clinical and epidemiological investigation and case registration in individual forms are done.
Conclusion: Complete surveillance of cases suspicious of measles and high coverage of vaccination in children less than 2 years in a cohesive surveillance system and rapid response to the outbreak have led to lack of occurrence of indigenous measles in Iran. Although the current status of the measles surveillance system in Iran seems to be favorable, since Iran is at the stage of measles elimination, it is essential to increase the sensitivity of the reporting system for suspected cases of measles and to maintain the status of vaccine coverage to save elimination status.
Mm Gouya, Sm Zahraei, Gh Moradi, M Karami, S Mahmodi, Sh Shah Mahmoodi , E Ghaderi, F Kaveh, A Norouzinejad , K Hajibagheri, Kh Rahmani,
Volume 16, Issue 2 (Vol 16, No.2 2020)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: : According to the global strategy for polio eradication, targeted surveillance of the disease is one of the main tasks of the health system. The purpose of this study was to review the status and surveillance of poliomyelitis/acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in Iran.
Methods: The present study was a review on the processes, structures and achievements of the poliomyelitis/AFP surveillance system in Iran during 2017-2019. The data of this study were obtained from the surveillance system of the Center for Communicable Disease Control; a review of the records, documents, books and published articles; and interviews with process owners and experts of poliomyelitis/AFP surveillance.
Results: The polio eradication program in Iran is based on the action plan of the World Health Organization that was introduced initially in 1988. Currently, the surveillance system of AFP is active at three levels: country, university, and city. The number of poliomyelitis cases in the country decreased from 50 cases per year in 1985 to zero in 2001, and Iran has been a polio-free country since 2001. The final report on polio eradication in Iran was approved by the regional commission on polio detection in April 2006.
Conclusion: The surveillance system of AFP has had a proper effectiveness throughout the country. Maintaining this situation in the country requires an increase in the sensitivity of the surveillance system of the disease, regular monitoring of vaccine coverage, strict implementation of international health regulations, especially on the eastern borders of the country, and providing technical assistance to neighboring countries.
S Heidari, M Karami, Sm Zahraei, I Sedighi, F Azimian Zavareh,
Volume 17, Issue 3 (Vol 17,No.3, Atumn 2021 2021)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Given the importance of the early detection of any outbreak or change in the trend of meningitis, this study was conducted to estimate the fixed and dynamic alarm threshold levels of meningitis and its outbreak in Iran.
Materials and Methods: In this study, the data of all patients from 20¬ March 2016 to 20 March 2019 were extracted from the National Meningitis Disease Surveillance System. Alarm threshold levels were calculated separately for different seasons and provinces. To determine the alarm threshold levels, four methods of Upper Control Limit (UCL), relative increase, statistical cut off points, and recommendations provided by the World Health Organization were used.
Results: The alarm threshold levels for confirmed cases were determined for Iran according to the upper limits of cumulative sum (CUSUM) algorithm and the statistical cut off points based on the 90th percentile, 2 cases per day for Iran. The fixed amount was 3 to 5 cases per week in populations under 30,000 and 5 to 7 per week in populations between 30,000 and 100,000. According to the relative increase method, a 30% increase in one week compared to previous weeks was considered as the threshold level.
Conclusion: The use of alarm threshold levels reported in this study can be a basis for detecting meningitis outbreaks.
Tina Fallah, Ameneh Elikaei, Roxana Mansour Ghanaie, Abdollah Karimi, Iraj Sedighi, Marjan Tariverdi, Arezu Amirali, Tayebe Nazari, Negin Nahanmoghadam, Alireza Nateghian, Seyed Hamidreza Monavari, Seyed Mohsen Zahraei, Sussan Mahmoudi, Masoud Alebouyeh,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (Vol.19, No.1, Spring 2023)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Identification of rotavirus genotypes in children is clinically important. This study aimed to determine the spectrum of rotavirus genotypes and assess their correlation with demographic variables and clinical manifestations in hospitalized children.
Methods: To determine rotavirus genotypes, rotavirus positive stool samples of symptomatic children were included in the study between December 2019 and March 2020. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis for VP7 and VP4 genes were performed following standard protocols. Genotypes were determined using specific primers. Validation of results was done through sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 20 and GraphPad version 9.5.0.
Results: Among the infected patients, three genotypes emerged as dominant in the studied population. The study demonstrated a significant correlation between genotype frequency and seasonal variations (p-value=0.0077), as well as between genotypes, hospitalization, and severity of diarrhea. While significantly more types of rotavirus group A were identified with increasing age, no correlation was observed between the genotypes and gender (p-value=0.473). Furthermore, there was no significant association between genotype, dehydration rates, and the presence or absence of fever.
Conclusion: This study revealed a relatively high diversity of rotavirus genotypes in children. The findings suggest the need for further research to validate the identified correlations between certain genotypes and age groups, seasonal variations, clinical symptoms, and the efficacy of available vaccines.
