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Objectives: Doxycycline is commonly prescribed as the primary prophylactic treatment for women undergoing hysterosalpingography (HSG). This study aimed to compare the prophylactic effectiveness and safety of azithromycin and doxycycline in terms of treating infections caused by HSG. Materials and Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial enrolled 107 women referred to Amiralmomenin Hospital in Arak, Iran, for HSG. After evaluation based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, the participants were randomly allocated to either the doxycycline or azithromycin group. The primary outcome was the incidence of adverse effects. The patients were also followed up to determine PCR test results for the clearance of chlamydia infection. Results: The cumulative incidence of side effects was 1.85% in the doxycycline group, with adverse effects observed in only one patient. Conversely, no adverse effects were reported in the azithromycin group (P = 0.505). In the doxycycline group, one patient (1.85%) tested positive in the PCR test, while no positive PCR tests were recorded in the azithromycin group. Neither group exhibited cases of fever or required additional treatments. The results of statistical analyses did not reveal any statistically significant differences between the compared groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: A single dose of azithromycin could be considered interchangeable with a 1-week course of doxycycline as antibiotic prophylaxis in women undergoing HSG, as it provides similar effectiveness and safety.

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a public health concern with over 6.5 million cases and 390,000 deaths around the world. This research aimed to find an association between computed tomography (CT) scores and clinical and laboratory findings to estimate the extent of lung infection in patients with COVID-19. The study sample enrolled 129 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from January to February 2020. The chest CT images and clinical data were reviewed, images were segmented and scored by the degree of involvement from 0 to 4, and the relationship between them and clinical and laboratory findings were analyzed statistically. This study included 74 men and 59 women with a mean age of 55.08 years. Different abnormalities were observed; the mean CT score was 8.52 (7.83 to 9.21) and the most frequent lesions were GGO and consolidation. Our results revealed significant differences between groups categorized by dyspnea, sore throat, and low oxygen saturation concerning CT scores. There was also a significant correlation between CT scores and WBC counts and CRP levels (P

Background and Objective: Sexually infections transmitted by bacteria are one of thetherapeutic and social problemsworldwide. The Real-time PCR assay is one of the most sensitive diagnostic and screening methods for these infections. The purpose of this study wassimultaneous detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitaliumusing the TaqMan duplex real-time polymerase chain reaction. Materials and Methods: In the present study, we used extracted DNA from women with vaginal infections available in the bank ofthe molecular and medicalresearch center, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran. The duplex real-time PCR was evaluated to detectChlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasmagenitalium in 110 vaginal andendocervical samples. To validate the diagnostic performance of the designedmethod, the tests were compared with a commercial diagnostic kit. Results: The size of the ampliconsOmpA, 135 bp and MgPa, 145bp,indicated the accuracy of the primers designing procedures. The analysis of a panel of human STI revealed no cross-reactivity in the method. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of developedTaqMan duplex real-time PCR were 97% and 75%, respectively,compared to a commercial diagnostic kit. Conclusion: The results indicated that the used TaqMan duplex real-time PCR technique is specific and cost-effective and can be an excellent alternative to commercial kits for simultaneously detecting C. trachomatis and M. genitalium. Although the disadvantage of this method is its high cost, this disadvantage has significantly been resolved by the multiplex method.

Background and Objectives: The detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum is usually done through culture. With the change of the smallest effective factor in culture, we face the lack of growth of these bacteria, which is one of the important reasons to find a suitable alternative for the diagnosis of this bacterium. UreD is a protected gene in this bacterium. The aim of this was to evaluate the ability of antigenic regions of UreD protein to bind to patients' serum antibodies. Materials and Methods: Antigenic regions of UreD protein were predicted using IEDB software with five different methods: Emini Surface Accessibility Prediction, Kolaskar and Tongaonkar Antigenicity, Chou and Fasman beta turn prediction, Karplus and Schulz flexibility scale, Ellipro –Epitope prediction based upon structural protrusion. Antigenic regions of UreD gene was clonned, expressed and purified. The antigenicity of this recombinant protein against the antibodies in the serum of people infected with U. urealyticum infections was checked in western blotting. Results: The results showed that the antigenic regions of the UreD protein was producted and its antigenicity was demonstrated in western blotting. Moreover, all sera from patients infected with U. urealyticum reacted to the recombinant antigen. Conclusion: Specimens from people infected with U. urealyticum infection was positive in Western blotting suggesting that UreD protein has antigenic properties. Therefore, it can be used as a suitable candidate for the design of diagnostic kits and U. urealyticum vaccine.

Background. According to the contagious ability of the new virus, SARS-CoV-2, characterization of viral shedding duration in the period of infection is highly valuable in terms of providing quarantine guidelines and isolation policies. Therefore, we aimed at viral shedding determination in 58 COVID-19 confirmed Iranian subjects in different stages. Methods. 58 COVID-19 confirmed Iranian subjects including 21 outpatients and 37 inpatients were investigated. The analytical data and clinical properties were documented in the standard questionnaire. The RT-PCR tests were done two and three weeks after the symptoms initiation. Results. Viral eradication occurred in 44.8% two weeks after illness initiation whereas in 71% who achieved a negative PCR test in the third week. Moreover, prolonged viral shedding was observed in hospitalized cases in comparison to outpatients. Almost 30% of patients continued viral shedding three weeks after disease initiation. Conclusion. A longer duration of viral shedding in hospitalized cases rather than outpatients was observed in this study. The results similar to other investigations call into question if the current policies are enough to prevent the viral spread or not. This study should be done on a larger sample to provide an appropriate time in isolation policy.