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Background Given the importance of Hepatitis A (HAV) and Hepatitis E (HEV) infection in careers like street sweeping, this study was conducted to determine the exposure rate in urban solid waste collectors/sweepers in the south of Iran. Materials and methods In this cross-sectional study, the sera samples of 385 waste collectors/sweepers from all districts of Shiraz, southern Iran, were collected. A questionnaire was used to gather data on their demographic and occupational characteristics, as well as their awareness of viral hepatitis disease. The rate of HAV and HEV sero-prevalence was determined by commercial ELISA kits. Results All partisans were male with a mean age of 41 ± 8 years. ELISA assay showed that all of participants were positive for anti-HAV Ab. Moreover, 62out of 385 (16.1%) subjects were positive for anti-HEV IgG Ab. Also, statistical analysis showed that the frequency of IgG Ab against HEV among the age group of 20–30, 31–40, 41–50 and over 50 years old was 4.5%, 10.1%, 17.4%, and 36.7% that was statistically significant (P

Otomycosis is a superficial infection of the external ear caused by fungal pathogens. The genera Aspergillus and Candida are considered the main fungal causative agents, with the predominance of Aspergillus section Nigri. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical symptoms of patients with otomycosis and predisposing factors and to identify fungal etiological agents using molecular approaches. We also present an overview of published papers on tympanic membrane perforation (TMP) secondary to otomycosis.An otorhinolaryngologist collected specimens from external ear canals of patients with suspected otomycosis based on the patient's history and clinical examinations. The specimens were collected using sterile swabs. Fungal isolates were confirmed in clinical specimens by direct microscopy and culture methods. Fungal isolates were identified based on molecular approaches.In total, specimens from 211 patients with suspected otomycosis were examined. The presence of fungi was confirmed in about 51% of patients based on fungal elements in direct microscopy and culture-positive fungi. Aspergillus tubingensis was the most commonly isolated species (52.77%), followed by Aspergillus niger (25.92%). Otomycosis due to infection with Candida species was observed in 16% of cases. Of note, in 36.11% of cases, otomycosis was associated with TMP.A mycological examination is indispensable for a correct diagnosis in patients with otitis extern. TMP should be considered in patients with otomycosis, as it appears to be relatively common in this population.

Background The sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 disease originated in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. There have been few reports on the clinical course of the disease, but detailed information on the risk factors for increased hospital stay and mortality is not available. In this study we aimed to present the details of 53 confirmed COVID-19 cases to share the clinical course and the risk factors for longer hospital stay and death. Methods In this study, we enrolled fifty-three patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection from a referral academic hospital in Tehran, Iran admitted between March and April 2020. Patients’ demographics, laboratory tests, treatments, length of hospital stay (LOHS), and final outcome were recorded and analyzed. Results Fifty-three patients were included in this study. The higher LOHS was associated with clinical symptoms, including hemoptysis (IRR= 0.73, P-value= 0.02), diarrhea (IRR= 0.78, P-value= 0.01), headache (IRR= 0.81, P-value= 0.05), and dry cough (IRR= 0.82, P-value= 0.05). Mortality was associated with older age (Odds ratio=1.148, 95%CI=1.032-1.276), lower calcium level (Odds ratio=0.087, 95%CI=0.010-0.788), lower serum albumin (Odds ratio=0.036, 95%CI=0.002-0.655), as well as increased level of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (Odds ratio=1.468, 95%CI=1.086-1.985), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (Odds ratio=1.004, 95%CI=1.000-1.007), and urea (Odds ratio=1.023, 95%CI=1.006-1.039). Conclusion Our study identified that decreased levels of O2 saturation, platelet count, calcium, albumin, and increased NLR, LDH, urea and old age were correlated with mortality. Also, LOHS was significantly associated with clinical findings, such as hemoptysis and diarrhea. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection of nails which is mainly caused by dermatophyte species and less often by yeasts and non-dermatophyte molds. We present a case of onychomycosis due to Aspergillus clavatus for the first time worldwide. The patient was an immunocompetent 32-year-old woman who identified with Psoriasis of the nail. The presence of A. clavatus in a nail sample was confirmed using microscopic and culture analysis followed by PCR of the β-tubulin gene. After antifungal susceptibility test, it is revealed that the isolate was resistant to the majority of common antifungal drugs, but finally the patient was treated with itraconazole 200 mg daily. A. clavatus and drug-resistant A. clavatus have not previously been reported from onychomycosis.