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Toxoplasma gondii is found as an intracellular protozoan parasite in the Apicomplexa phylum that can be transmitted to the fetus and causes miscarriage, infection, and asymptomatic neonatal disease. In the present study, we characterized the seroprevalence rate of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in a population of Iranian women with a recent a spontaneous abortion. We examined our national and international databases including Irandoc, Magiran, SID, Medlib, Scopus, PubMed, and the Science Direct. The search strategy was carried out by using keywords and MeSH terms. The statistical analysis was performed by STATA 14.2. By using the random effects model and the fixed effects model the statistical analysis was performed while the heterogeneity was ≥75 and ≤50%, respectively. We used the chi-squared test and I² index to calculate heterogeneity among studies, and for evaluating publication bias, Funnel plots and Egger tests were used. The seroprevalence positive rate of IgG among women who had experienced abortion was observed 32% [95% confidence interval (CI): 20-45%] based on the random-effects model. The seroprevalence positive rate of IgM based on the fixed-effect model and positive IgG rate based on the random-effect model was evaluated 4% (95% CI: 3-6%) and 32% (9% CI: 3-42%) among women immediately after an abortion, respectively. According to the finding of our study, toxoplasmosis can be one of the most significant causes of abortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Criminalization of sexual relations outside the institution of marriage in Iran fosters – among other means – concealment as one of the safest methods to undermine social and legal impediments. In a context where any alternative practices of sexualities are subject to persecution, sexual concealments are applied as tactics for survival. The female body in such a normative-laden society is conditioned by its "openness" which makes it a subject of honor for family and kin and core for the management of desire and regulating the intimate for the theocratic state. Based on life stories of young women who have had pre-marital sexual relations in Tehran, this article addresses sexual concealment as the main method used by those women. Findings of the study suggest a three-fold model of concealment practiced in various social settings. Body concealment which was encouraged by the families and authorities to reduce the visibility of the female body during adolescence, engenders other types of concealment. Lesbian-like practices were utilized by women in homosocial settings to undermine the heteronormative social structure. Concealment of sexual orientations, desires and practices was applied to "keep the order of things in place" and to undermine the repressive policies and practices based on the socio-religious normative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Repeated referring of patients from North Baraan region especially from two villages (Timiart and Fesaran) to the Isfahan Research Center of Skin Disease and Leishmaniasis and the Isfahan Province Health Center (Iran) and also repeated writings of level unities to the Disease Control Unit of Health Center No, 1 of this area about the increasing number of rodents in the villages was showing that leismaniasis has an epidemiologic condition in this area. There was no study about the genus and species of reservoir rodents in the region. So, in this study we aimed to study the funa of region rodents and the rate of their involvement by leishmaniasis. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on local hunted rodents with Sherman live-traps. Their genus and species were identified using special key references. Samples were taken from animals' ears, beaks, paws, noses and tails by grinding method for both direct smear and culture in Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle (NNN) medium. Then, they were dissected and two direct smears from the liver and spleen of each one were prepared. The slides underwent direct microscopic exam after Giemsa staining to detect amastigote form of parasites. Findings: Among the total of 53 rodents, Rhombomys opimus comprised 38 (71.7%) and the remaining 15 (28.3%) were Meriones libycus. The rate of infection of Rhombomys opimus was (18.4%) and of Meriones libycus was (13.3%). Conclusion: The results suggested that Rhombomys opimus was the principal reservoir of cutaneous leishmaniasis and Meriones libycus was the second host in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]