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Introduction & Objective: The role and frequency of HHV-6 and HHV-7 in central nervous system (CNS) diseases of our children are unclear. The aim of this study was to search for the presence of HHV-6 & HHV-7 DNA-s in CSF samples in children with meningoencephalitis. Materials & Methods: In a cross- sectional study (2007-2009) done in the pediatric ward in Hazrat Rasoul hospital, Tehran ,Iran ,150 CSF samples were obtained from children with meningoencephalitis. The conventional and BACTEC Ped Plus medium; Latex agglutination tests; and in some cases bacterial PCR assay were used. We examined the DNA-s of HHV-6 & HHV-6 quantitavively by real time - PCR in the CSF samples. Results: Cases were 91 (60.7%) male; 59 (39.3%) female; 1-180 months old. Fever (>38.5 C) was observed in 74%; irritability in 70% and convulsion in 53% of cases. All herpes viruses were detected in 18 (12%) cases, HHV-6 DNA was detected in 6 cases and HHV-7 DNA detected in 2 cases with no correlation with age, sex and clinical signs. Conclusion: HHV-6 & HHV-7 were found in nearly 6% of all studied cases. HHV-6 was slightly more frequent than HHV-7 and its incidence is lower .Our data indicates that herpes viruses are not uncommon causes in children with meningoencephalitis. Our findings are different from those of previous studies perhaps due to the epidemiologic and geographic variations (differences in methods and age groups should be added to this). (Sci J Hamadan Univ Med Sci 2011;18(1):37-41)

Soil water and nutrient availability are major limiting factors for crop production in the Canadian prairies. Most variations in soil properties observed across prairie farm fields are the result of the effect of landscape on water and soil redistribution. The relationships among soil chemical properties (pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, and available nutrients), soil water, elevation, and canola seed yield were investigated in a transect across a hummocky, undulating farm field in the Brown soil zone of south-central Saskatchewan. Overall, seed yield was highest in foot slope positions in the landscape where soil organic matter, nutrients, and available water content were higher. Correlations between soil properties and seed yield were highest for pH (R = −0.46, P < 0.01), which was followed by organic C % (R = 0.27, P < 0.05), water content (R = 0.23), extractable potassium (K) (R = 0.18) and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) supply rates to exchange resin membranes (R = 0.15). Extrac...

Role of Helicobacter pylori in Nasal Polyp Formation: A Case- Control Study in Tehran, Iran The etiological factors for nasal polyps include infection, inflammation or an imbalance of a metabolic pathway. This study was designed to compare serum Helicobacter pylori antibodies and H. pylori–DNAs between cases of nasal polyp and controls (nasal fracture).

Typhoid fever is endemic in Iran. Isolation of S. typhi is a gold standard for diagnosis. Laboratory diagnosis of S. typhi infection relies on serological tests such as the Widal test. This study describes seroprevalence of TO and TH antibody in nonfebrile healthy and febrile with non-typhoid illness. For detection of sensitivity and specificity of Widal test in typhoidal fever diagnosing Widal test was performed on serum specimen of the culture-positive cases of typhoid fever in children aged between 1 and14 years in Tehran, A cross –sectional study was carried out. Widal tests were performed on 40 healthy nonfebrile children; 40 patients with non typhoidal febrile illness and 58 cases with bacteriologically documented typhoid fever specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values and the efficacy of the test were determined. Agglutinin titres ≤ 1:40 were considered normal for TO and TH at 96.25% and 93.75% confidence levels, respectively. Titres above these levels. TO>1:40 and TH>1:40, were considered to be abnormal. 25% of patients showed no response to either agglutinin (TH and TO); and 44.8% of cases shown no response for TO agglutinin. TO >1/320 was not seen in any cases but TH >1/320 was detected in 20.6% of cases. Salmonella typhi TO and H agglutinin titers > 1/40 were considered to be significant with 75.86% sensitivity and 93.75% specificity, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 89.79% and 84.26%, respectively. This study suggests that seroprevalence studies in healthy children can help as validate use for particular serological cut-off point.

Background and Objective Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS) is an important pharyngotonsillitis etiologic agent in children. The objective of this study was diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis based on rapid antigen detection test and conventional pharyngeal culture. Materials and Methods The rapid GABHS antigen detection test was compared to culture on blood agar, the gold standard for the diagnosis of this etiologic agent. Results Streptococcal antigen was detected in pharyngeal specimens of 34.5% of cases by rapid strip test. We detected group A Streptococcus in 17.2% of pharyngeal culture. There was no agreement between two methods ( PV < 0.1). The negative pharyngeal culture results are probably due to antibiotic usage in 43.2% of patients. Positive rapid test results in pharyngeal swab was age dependent ( P < 0.05). There was good correlation between observing the “petechia in pharynx of patients” and positive rapid test in pharyngeal swab (P < 0.004). Throat culture results were relatated to previous antibiotic usage ( P < 0.03). Conclusion The rapid test in pharyngeal swab is helpful for rapid diagnosis and treatment of GABHS pharyngitis. Diagnosis of GABHS pharyngitis based on soley clinical findings is misleading in the majority of cases. Petechia observed in pharynx of the cases was highly predictive of streptococcal pharyngitis.

Background and objectives: The aim of this study was the detection of S.pneumoniae infection by rapid urinary test and blood culture in children with pneumonia in comparison with healthy children. Material and Methods: This case control study was carried out in pediatric ward of Rasoul Akram hospital in Tehran, Iran (2006 - 200٧).Fifty-four Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and 50 healthy children were selected by simple sampling. The urinary antigen detection test (BINAX NOW co.) was performed on both cases and controls and blood culture was done for the cases suffered from Pneumonia. Results: Pneumococcal antigenuria is detected in 31.5 % of CAP and 6 % of controls groups. There is Significant difference between cases and controls (fisher test CI 95%, P =0.01). None of the children with nonpneumococcal Pneumonia (positive culture) has antigenuria. Conclusion: The possibility of diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia in children, by means of blood culture, is low. Thirty-one percent of CAP is due to S.pneumonia, by using the rapid antigenuria test. There fore, we recommend using rapid urinary antigen test, in addition to blood Culture test. Key words: CAP (community-acquired pneumonia) S pneumoniae urinary antigen test (BINAX now), Blood culture, Children

Background and objectives: Paranasal sinuses are the common place for infection in children and adults. Early and effective antibiotic treatment is necessary to reduce the infection period and mucosal injuries, and to prevent from the Involvements of orbit or CNS. This article aims to clarify the Serum immunoglobulins accompanying by Sinusitis in Children. Material and Methods: the Subjects of this Cross-Sectional study were 400 patients with paranasal sinusitis confirmed by imaging techniques. The study was conducted in infectious and ENT Clinics of Rasoul Akram hospital in 2003-2004. We measured the Levels of serum immoglobulins including IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE by standard radio-immunodiffusion test, and Compared with normal range of each age group. The data was analyzed by SPSS software (11.5) Results: The Subjects aged 4.42±2.62 are both male (70.7%) and female (29.3%). Maxilla is the most Common Sinus involved. Thirty-eight of them (95%) have increased IgG Level. Forty-four percent of children suffered from rhinosinusitis have been diagnosed with Immune-humoral disorders: the increase of IgE (N=9), Lack of IgA (N=3), decrease of Isolated IgG (N=2), decrease of both IgG and IgA (N=1) and Hyper IgM syndrome (N=3). There is Significant Correlation between different Immunoglobulins and duration of Sinusitis (P

The prevalence of primary infection with T. gondii in pregnant women and risk of congenital infection in their neonates in various parts of Tehran are unknown. The prevalence rate of antibodies to T. gondii ranges from 24% in Tehran to 62.7% in Babol. This study describes the epidemiology of toxoplasma infection in pregnant women in Tehran and risk factors of congenital toxoplasmosis in newborn among preterm infants and full- term infants born from these mothers. A cross sectional study was carried out in 140 primiparus women living in various part of Tehran. Initially from each case a questionnaire was completed by the authorized physician, followed by clinical exams in newborns. The birth certificate was the data source used for such as gestational age, birthweigt, etc. The centrifuged blood specimens from all pregnant women are screened using an assay for Toxoplasma- specific IgM and IgG based on preliminary evidence in Iran. Specific toxo- IgM was positive in 7.1% (90% of them were also IgG positive) , toxo – IgG was positive in 34.3% of mothers. Mean age of IgG positive mothers (22.49±4.22), mean age of IgM positive mothers (19.90± 3.48). There were significantly differences between living place of mothers and IgG positive (p=0.007) . There were significantly differences between living place of mothers (East and central) and IgM positive (Fisher test = 0.023). Elaborating an epidemiological profile and risk correlates might help focus prenatal education and newborn screening strategies. Prenatal screening could be more easily justified in central part of Tehran because low incidence populations detected and probably treatment of mothers infected during pregnancy led to lower rates of transmission to the newborn. In contrast, in eastern part of Tehran due to high seroprevalence rate detected, newborn screening is relatively inexpensive and efficient.

Background Rapid diagnosis and early treatment of bacterial meningitis in children is so important. Goal of study: Comparison the amount of procalcitonin, in CSF of children with bacterial and non bacterila meningitis. Methods A cross sectional study conducted in Rasoul Akram and Bahrami hospital in Tehran during 2 years (2011–2013) upon 57 children with suspected meningitis selected Convenience. CSF samples obtained, and routine laboratory examinations (cell count, protein, suger, smear, culture) had done. 0/5–3 cc of CSF was collected and stored at- until assayed. Amount of Procalcitonin (ELISA Ray biotech kit) detected in CSF. A receiver-operating – characteristic curve (ROC) was constructed to illustrate various cut-offs of Procalcitonin levels in differentiating between 2 groups of meningitis. Results 57 children with menigitis were between 1 months-13 years; mean age 26.5: ± 2.98 months, were enrolled in this study. Mean age of 30 cases with bacterial meningitis was 2.5 years, and in 27 cases with aseptic menigitis was 1.6 years. For differentiation of bacterila meningitis; A PCT level in CSF >=0.235 ng/mL had a sensitivity of 96.4% and a specificity of 80%. We evaluated whether procalcitonin (PCT) might aid diagnosing serious bacterial infections in a general paediatric ICU population. 201 patients accounted for 332 PCT samples. Conclusion The presence of PCT in CSF can potentially assist clinicians in faster diagnosis and appropriate treatment in bacterial meningitis. These data suggest PCT can assist in identifying patients without bacterial meningitis and limit antimicrobial use.

Background and objective Frequency and clinical manifestations of congenital toxoplasmosis in Iran is not determined, object of study was to determine the Frequency of positive serologic neonates for Toxoplasma from birth and follow up of them. Methods In a cohort prospective study (2011–2012), Cord blood sample obtained from 270 neonates, toxoplasma serology tests (IgG, IgM) done, cases with positive toxo-IgM treated and followed Finding Positive IgM and IgG determined 1.5%, 44.1% respectively. The most common manifestation was Eye (50%) and brain (50%). Conclusion Early treatment of infected neonates and wide variation of toxoplasma infection in country is so important. Adding the toxoplasma serologic tests to neonatal screening test is needed and recommended.