Background: Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes genital disease and the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. The most frequent risk factors associated with chlamydial infection are related to sexual behavior, multiple partners, and inconsistent condom use. Presenting primarily as urtheritis in men and cervicitis in women, CT a major cause of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease and subsequent infertility in women, eye and lung infection in newborns and other manifestations. Identification of CT-infected patients may prevent its spread and thereby reduce the high morbidity associated with CT infections. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a sensitive and specific method for the detection of small quantity of bacterial DNA in clinical samples. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of C. trachomatis by PCR in genital samples from patients in the city of Kerman.
Methods: A total of 130 genital samples including 64 endocervical and 66 urethral swab samples were collected by physicians. Nucleic acid was extracted from each sample using a commercial DNA extraction kit. PCR primers specific for a conserved region of the C. trachomatis omp2 gene, encoding an outer membrane protein, were used for amplification.
Results: A total of 9.2% (6.25% of cervicitis and 12.1% of urethritis) of the samples were found positive for CT using this PCR method.
Conclusions: The present study shows a high prevalence of CT infection, especially in men with urethritis. Such patients should be referred to genitourinary clinics for treatment and partner notification. Given its worldwide prevalence, further CT studies on more populations are needed to assess potential public health implications of these infections.
Background: Creatine kinase is a cardiac biomarker that is used for the assessment of ischemic injuries and myocardial infarction. The present study was designed to evaluate effects of oxytocin administration during ischemia and reperfusion periods on CK-MB levels in the coronary effluent of isolated rat heart and the possible role of oxytocin receptor, nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin and mitochondrial ATP-dependent potassium channels in this regard.
Methods: Male wistar rats (n=8) were anesthetized with sodium thiopental and their hearts were transferred to a Langendorff perfusion apparatus. All animals were randomly divided into nine groups as follow in the ischemia-reperfusion group, hearts underwent 30 min of regional ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. In oxytocin group, hearts were perfused with oxytocin 5 min after ischemia induction for 25 min. In other groups, 35 min prior to oxytocin perfusion, atosiban (a non-specific oxytocin receptor blocker), L-NAME (an NO synthase inhibitor), indomethacin (a non-specific cyclooxygenase blocker) and 5-HD (a specific mKATP channel blocker) were perfused for 10 min. In all groups, we measured CK-MB levels in the coronary effluent at the end of reperfusion. Moreover, coronary flow (mL/min) was measured at baseline, during ischemia period and 60 and 120 min after reperfusion.
Results: Oxytocin administration significantly reduced CK-MB level in oxytocin group as compared to ischemia-reperfusion group. Administration of atosiban, L-NAME, indomethacin and 5-HD prior to oxytocin perfusion abolished the effects of oxytocin on CK-MB levels.
Conclusion: Administration of oxytocin during ischemia and reperfusion periods deceased CK-MB levels but infusion of atosiban, L-NAME, 5-HD and indomethacin inhibited oxytocin from exerting its effects.
Conclusion: The best response was in the combined treatment group with methylprednisolone and IVIg, and the lowest response to treatment was observed in those receiving methylprednisolone alone.
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