Journal of School of Public Health and

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A total of 509 Anopheles Stephensi and 20 Anopheles Culicifacies mosquitoes were collected during two seasonal activity peaks (June, July, August and September) in the years 2000 and 2001, from 36 localities around Minab, Iranshahr and Kahnouj cities. The identity of specimens was confirmed using Shahgodian PAN morphological key. DNA was extracted from the head and thorax of all specimens and subjected to nested PCR using species-specific primers for Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum. Three An. Stephensi mosquitoes from Minab and one An. Culicifacies mosquito from Iranshahr were positive for P. vivax, while one An. Stephensi was shown to harbor both P. vivax and P. falciparum.

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Background and Aim: Iran managed to eradicate the wild poliovirus in 2000. However, a large number of AFP cases are still detected each year because of close surveillance: there were 450 reported AFP cases in 1382. The expected number of cases for the year 1382 in the province of West Azarbayjan (with an under-15 population of 1100000) was 11, while the observed number was more than 6 times greater (70 cases). In this study we investigated the non-polio enteroviral agent which could cause the AFP cases especially in Azarbayjan Province. Hence, the main purpose of the study was to identify circulating non-polio enteroviruses, using cell lines RD, Hep2, L20 and RT-PCR.

Material and Methods: All stool specimens of AFP cases were treated with chloroform and then injected into the above-mentioned cell lines. The isolated viruses were identified by the NT method. In cases where polioviruses were isolated, intratypic differentiation (wild vs. vaccine strains) using hybridization and ELISA tests. Finally, we performed RT-PCR with pan-EV primers on all samples.

Results: Using cell cultures, we were able to isolate 10 viruses, 9 of which were isolated by the RD cell line and this is regarded as the most sensitive cell line. The RT-PCR also identified 16 different viruses, 7 of which were not isolated on the RD line. Thus, RT-PCR could increase viral detection by 10%, indicating a high degree of high sensitivity.

Conclusion: Although the combination of cell culture and RT-PCR for detection and identification of non-polio enteroviruses causing AFP is invaluable, more than 75% of AFP patients were enterovirus negative. Therefore, they must be checked for other agents such as flavivirus (viral) and Campylobacter jejuni (bacterial).

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Background and Aim: The normal plasma fatty acid (FA) composition changes in hypertriglyceridemic obese and overweight indiuviduals. The objective of this study was to determine the plasma fatty acid composition in hypertriglyceridemic obese or overweight subjects with different FABP2 genotypes.

Methods and Materials: Forty-six hypertriglyceridemic subjects (33 men and 13 women, 25-60 years old) referred to the Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center (EMRC), Shariaty Hospital in Thehran, between Mehr and Esfand 1386 (September 2007-March 2008), were genotyped for FABP2 polymorphism by PCR-RFLP. In addition, their blood lipid profile was determind enzymetically, photometrically and immunoturbidometrically, and their plasma fatty acid composition by gas-choromatography. Also, body weights and heights were measured and body mass index calculated.

Results: Positive associations were observed between Thr54 polymorphism in FABP2 protein and plasma lipid fractions (SFA, PUFA, ω-6-, ω-3- and total fatty acids (P<0.001 )). No significant differences were observed between PPARα polymorphism and plasma fatty acid composition, except for ω-3 fatty acids,

Conclusion: In obese or overweight hypertriglyceridemic subjects the plasma fatty acid compositions are different. The levels of some fatty acids are higher, while those of some others are lower, in different FABP2 genotypes. On the whole, higher levels of SFA, PUFA, ω-6, ω-3, and total fatty acids were more pronounced in Thr54- than in Ala54-carrieres.

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Background and Aims: Nocardia asteroides complex is the most common cause of infectious diseases due to nocardiosis. Interspecies differentiation of Nocardia genera is essential for prognosis and timely proper treatment, as well as for epidemiological studies. Since each genus has its own antibiotic resistance, precise careful diagnosis is of prime importance. As compared to biochemical and phenotypic methods, the efficacy of molecular methods for fast and accurate identification of Nocardia species has been proven. The aim of this study was to detect for the first time Nocardia asteroides complex in clinical isolates using real time polymerase chain reaction (Real-Time PCR).
Materials and Methods: Out of the 25 clinical isolates suspected to be Nocardia asteroides genus 10 were identified as Nocardia asteroids complex by biochemical and phenotypic methods, followed by genomic DNA extraction of the suspicious isolates. Nocardia asteroides complex positive controls were prepared using standard strains. Real-time PCR was conducted on all the 10 suspicious isolates. The final real-time PCR samples were sent for sequencing to verify the identified species.
Results: Based on sequencing results 3 of 10 clinical isolates suspected to be identified as Nocardia asteroides complex were confirmed as belonging to the Nocardia asteroids complex genera ─ Nocardia asteroids, Nocardia farcinica, and Nocardia nova.
Conclusion: This study shows that, as compared to biochemical and phenotypic methods, real-time polymerase chain reaction is faster and more specific, and is considered as an efficient method, for Nocardia interspecies identification and differentiation.