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To investigate anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibodies in diabetic pregnant women in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran this experiment was performed. In current study the sera of 110 diabetic pregnant women as well as 110 non diabetic pregnant women referred to the hospitals affiliated with the Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences were assessed for anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies by ELISA and IFA methods. The ELISA assessments showed that 47 (42.7 %) and 3 (2.7 %) of diabetic women were positive for IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively. However, in the control group, 24 individuals (21.81 %) were positive for IgG antibody but no detection for IgM antibody. According to IFA method, 46 (41.8 %) and 3 (2.7 %) of diabetic women were positive for IgG and IgM antibodies, respectively, while in control group, 21 individuals (19.09 %) were positive for IgG antibody. In this method, IgM antibody was negative for all samples of control group (0 %). In both methods, the values obtained in the case group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p \ 0.05). Prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies in diabetic pregnant women was higher than that in non-diabetic pregnant women. It seems that screening tests for seeking patients and teaching the transmission routes should be considered as prenatal cares for diabetic women.

Toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic infection. In healthy individuals, the infection is largely asymptomatic, but in immunocompromised people the parasite can become widely disseminated, causing severe toxoplasmosis. In patients undergoing haemodialysis, the phagocytic process shows a highly significant impairment. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate toxoplasmosis in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing haemodialysis in Ahvaz hospitals, southwest of Iran. A total of 280 patients and 100 healthy subjects participated in this study. The presence of serum IgM and IgG antibodies against T. gondii was detected by ELISA and the presence of Toxoplasma parasites in whole blood was evaluated by GRA6 PCR. Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 82 (29.3 %) haemodialysis patients and 26 (26 %) controls. In addition, anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies were detected in 7.9 % of patients and in 4 % of controls. For both the antibodies, the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). PCR was performed with DNA extracted from blood samples of all patients and controls. PCR gave positive results with four of the 280 blood samples from patients but none for the control blood samples. The results revealed a high percentage of positivity for Toxoplasma antibodies in patients with ESRD undergoing haemodialysis and also confirmed the parasite in whole blood, indicating disseminated infection in these patients. Patients undergoing dialysis have a higher rate of active infection with Toxoplasma likely due to reactivation of a chronic infection. Thus, parasitological examinations of ESRD patients should be periodically carried out for monitoring and evaluating the possible dissemination of toxoplasmosis during haemodialysis.

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite causing toxoplasmosis in animals and humans. Primary maternal infection with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy is frequently associated with transplacental transmission to the fetus. However it is not certain whether Toxoplasma infection can cause recurrent abortion. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between Toxoplasma infection and abortion via detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in sera of women with obstetrical problems and compare the results with control group consisting of women with history of normal delivery. Sera from 130 women with abortion and sera of 130 women with normal delivery were tested for IgG and IgM anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by ELISA method. The present study revealed 24.6% of the samples with abortion and 21.5% of the samples with normal delivery were positive for IgG antibodies. However, statistical analysis indicated no significant differences (P > 0.05). In addition, IgM antibody was detected in one woman who had aborted but not in women with normal childbirth. This study showed no significant difference between the case and control groups in IgG anti-Toxoplasma antibody but detected one sample with IgM antibodies in woman with abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy. In order to determine the relationship between Toxoplasma infection and abortion, anti-Toxoplasma IgG avidity and PCR to discriminate between recent and prior infections are recommended.

Background:The aim of present study was describing a real-time PCR assay for the diagnosis and direct identification of Leishmania species on Giemsa-stained slides in south-west of Iran.Materials and methods: Altogether, 102 Giemsa-stained slides were collected from different part of south-west of Iran between 2008 and 2011. All the Giemsa-stained slides were examined under light microscope. After DNA extraction, real-time PCR amplification and detection were conducted with fluorescent SYBR Green I. For identification, PCR products were analysed with melting curve analysis.Results: One hundred and two archived slides from suspected lesion examined by microscopy and real-time PCR. The sensitivity of the real-time PCR on Giemsa-stained slid was 98% (96/102). The melting curve analysis (T m ) were 88.3¡0.2uC for L. tropica (MHOM/IR/02/Mash10), 86.5¡0.2uC for L. major (MHOM/IR/75/ER) and 89.4¡0.3uC for L. infantum (MCAN/IR/97/LON 49), respectively.Conclusion: This study is first report in use of real-time PCR for diagnosis and identification of Leishmania spp. in Iran. Up to now, in Iran, the majority of identification of Leishmania species is restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) of ITS1 and kinetoplast DNA. Our data showed that Giemsa-stained slides that were stored more than 3 years, can be use for Leishmania DNA extraction and amplification by real-time PCR. Compared to conventional PCR-based methods, the real-time PCR is extremely rapid with results and more samples can be processed at one time.

The aim of this study was to assess the cytotoxic effects of various concentrations of miltefosine on Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) and L. tropica (MHOM/IR/02/Mash10) promastigotes and to observe the programmed cell death features. The colorimetric MTT assay was used to find L. major and L. tropica viability and the obtained results were expressed as 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50). Also, 50% effective doses (ED50) for L. major and L. tropica amastigotes were also determined. Annexin-V FLUOS staining was performed to study the cell death properties of miltefosine using FACS analysis. Qualitative analysis of the total genomic DNA fragmentation was performed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, to observe changes in cell morphology, promastigotes were examined using light microscopy. In both strains of L. major and L. tropica, miltefosine induced dose-dependent death with features of apoptosis, including cell shrinkage, DNA laddering, and externalization of phosphatidylserine. The IC50 was achieved at 22 µM and 11 µM for L. major and L. tropica after 48 hr of incubation, respectively. ED50 of L. major and L. tropica amastigotes were 5.7 µM and 4.2 µM, respectively. Our results indicate that miltefosine induces apoptosis of the causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, L. major did not display any apoptotic changes when it was exposed to miltefosine in concentrations sufficient to kill L. tropica.

Background:Blastocystis hominis is a common globally distributed parasite. The prevalence of this parasite has been shown to vary among different countries. Molecular studies have also shown that there is a high level of genetic diversity among Blastocystis spp. isolated from humans and animals. Extensive information on parasitic genotypes will aid in devising more effective strategies for the identification and potential control of these pathogenic parasites.Objectives:This study aimed to gain information on the prevalence and abundance of Blastocystis subtypes in Iran.Materials and Methods:Over a period of 3 months, 1,410 stool samples were collected and examined by microscopy. Samples found to be positive for B. hominis were concentrated and phylogenetic analysis was subsequently performed. A questionnaire was completed by all study participants.Results:Blastocystis hominis was found to have a prevalence of 3.33% in the study population. There was no significant association of Blastocystis infection with age (P = 0.3) or gender (P = 0.57). The Blastocystis subtypes (ST) identified in this study were ST3, ST4, ST5, and ST7 with the most prevalent being ST4 (40.9%).Conclusions:The prevalence of B. hominis in the study area was lower than that reported for most developed countries, and unlike in other countries in the Middle East, ST4 was the most prevalent subtype.

Introduction: Leishmaniasis, as a major health concern exists in 14 out of 22 countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). Therefore, the aim of present investigation was to evaluate the epidemiological features and spatial distribution of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) during six consecutive years (2009-2014). Material and methods: In current retrospective cross-sectional study among 2009-2014, simple direct smear was taken from all suspicious CL subjects who referred to health centers affiliated to Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. For each patient a questionnaire including some demographic details was filled. Eventually data analysis was done by SPSS.16. Results: Trend of CL in the region was unstable. Spatial distribution of CL in central and west cities was higher than in others. During the years, a total of 4137 smear positive individuals were diagnosed. Of these 55.7% lived in urban and 44.3% lived in rural districts. Frequency of CL was higher in men (60.1%) than in women (39.9%). Also based on age range, 11-30 was the most afflicted group (45.7%). Anatomic location of ulcers was as follows: hands 45.7%, feet 27.4%, face 19.1% and other places 7.8%. Conclusions: Regarding high incidence of CL in southwest of Iran, special programs related to vector and reservoir control should be adopted and implemented. Traffic control of immigrants and travelers from neighboring endemic countries, also can be helpful.