We designed an artificial neural network (ANN) to diagnose cirrhosis in patients with chronic HBV infection. Routine laboratory data (PT, INR, platelet count, direct bilirubin, AST/ALT, AST/PLT) and age were collected from 144 patients. Cirrhosis in these patients was diagnosed by liver biopsy. The ANN's ability was assessed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and the results were compared with a logistic regression model. Our results indicate that the neural network analysis is likely to provide a non-invasive, accurate test for diagnosing cirrhosis in chronic HBV-infected patients, only based on routine laboratory data.

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Cases of botulism in the northern province of Iran were studied in March and April 1997. A total of 27 patients were affected; 1 patient died. The samples were sent to the Department of Bacteriology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, for investigation. To identify the food source, several patients were interviewed and a case control investigation was conducted among families of hospitalized patients. Clinical and food specimens were tested. Toxin testing was positive for 37% of serum and stool specimens. Type A botulinal toxin was detected in cheese and Clostridium botulinum type A was isolated from cultures of clinical specimens and the cheese. This is the first documented outbreak of botulism due to Clostridium botulinum type A following consumption of cheese in Iran.

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Background and Aims A ten year-old girl with hyper IgE syndrome caused by DOCK8 mutation was admitted to our hospital due to neuropsychiatric symptoms. Cranial MRI revealed multifocal cerebral lesions. Our aim was to clarify the etiology of these lesions by extended microbiology tests and comprehensive search in the literature then provide her with proper treatment options. Methods Multiple blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples and were examined for bacterial and fungal culture, Aspergillus and Cryptococcus antigen, HSV, CMV, Mycobacterium and Toxoplasma PCR, panfungal PCR and for Toxocara and E. hystolytica serology. Brain biopsy was also done for histology, bacterial and fungal culture. Results All diagnostic assays showed negative results therefore causative agents could not be identified For treatment, ceftriaxon and metronidazole combination was initially used accompanied by slight clinical and neuroradiological progression. Considering the possible presence of vascular brain lesions, high dose parenteral steroid treatment was introduced together with preemptive parenteral voriconazol therapy. Further progression in the clinical and radiological status was observed. Although there is no report of cerebral toxoplasmosis in this disorder, empirical antitoxoplasma treatment was initiated with significant clinical improvement and radiological regression after 6-week therapy. Retrospective tests of CSF for Toxoplasma serology showed IgG titer increment. Conclusion To our knowledge this is the first paper on cerebral toxoplasmosis in hyper IgE syndrome to date. In case of cerebral lesions in these patients Toxoplasma reactivation should be considered inspite of negative Toxoplasma PCR and antitoxoplasma treatment sould be introduced in the absence of other etiologic factor.

In 2003 and 2004, 2,049,170 persons aged 5-25 y were vaccinated against measles and rubella in Tehran. Adverse events were actively monitored. A total of 688 adverse events was reported in 476 vaccine recipients with a female dominance (female to male ratio 2.2). Severe adverse events were noted in 13 cases: seizures within 48 h of vaccination (n = 9), encephalopathy (n = 2), flaccid paralysis (n = 1) and anaphylaxis (n = 1).