Pandemic Flu in Islamic Republic of Iran; A Review of Health System Response From July to November

Abstract

Background: The aspects of the epidemiology of bloodstream Candida infections including clinical features, the causal agents, underlying conditions, and risk factors have not been well-defined in Iranian pediatric patients. The aim of this observational study was to identify uncommon Candida species isolated from blood and other normally sterile specimens of the neonates and children admitted to intensive care units at Children's medical center, Tehran, Iran. Methods: The study was carried out prospectively on patients < 16 years, who were hospitalized in Children's medical center, Tehran, Iran, during 25 months, from June 2014 to July 2016. Blood and other normally sterile specimens were collected from 6,075 pediatric patients and only pure growth of yeasts were included the study. The yeast isolates were subjected to DNA extraction, PCR of ITSregion, and sequencing followed by Blast analysis to accurately identify the species. Results: A total of 16 out of 136 isolates were recognized as uncommon or rare Candida species. According to the sequence analysis, these isolates were identified as C. orthopsilosis (N = 5, 3.7%), C. glabrate (n = 4, 2.5%), C. dubliniensis (n = 2, 1.5%), C. lusitaniae (n = 2, 1.5%), C. kefyr (n = 2, 1.5%), and C. intermedia (n = 1, 0.75%) Conclusions: Candida species, which were once considered harmless, have now been recognized as causative agents of candidemia. It is essential to consider, manage, and control the conditions that lead to the development of these unusual but severe cases of candidemia.

Toxic Shock Syndrome Following Influenza-like Illness: The First Case Report in a Young Child

“…Influenza causes a significant morbidity and mortality among children (1). The mortality rate of disease in Iranian infants was 7.4% in 2009 (2).…”

The Health Organization Resilience in Covid-19 Pandemic

“…Studies have shown that the Iranian health system has been moderately resilient against COVID-19, with governance being the weakest function across the country [15]. Ineffective approaches of the government and the public in managing the spread of the disease and indecisive leadership have been among the key policy challenges of the country's health system in the face of this pandemic [16].…”