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Background & objective Pruritus is the most frequent chronic dermal complication of sulfur mustard (SM), which negatively influences the quality of life. Exact pathophysiology of SM-induced itching is unknown. The current study aimed at evaluating the possible association between SM-induced itching and the serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and their endogenous inhibitors, and serum levels of soluble forms of selectins (sL-, sP-, and sE-selectins) as adhesion molecules involved in the development of different inflammatory reactions. Methods Serum levels of MMP-9, MMP-9/ tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), and selectins were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and compared between the groups (n=368) with and without itching, and matched control groups (n=126). Results Serum levels of MMP-9 were significantly higher in the SM exposed group with itching, compared with that of the group without itching (medians: 894 and 624 pg/mL respectively; P-value =0.034). There was no relationship between the serum levels of MMP-9/TIMP-1, MMP-9/TIMP-2, MMP-9/TIMP-4, and itching in the patients exposed to SM. Median serum levels of sE- and sL-selectins in the exposed group with itching were higher than those of the exposed group without itching. These differences were statistically insignificant (P-values =0.084 and 0.095, respectively). Conclusion According to the results of the current study, the increased serum levels of MMP-9 and selectins 20 years after exposure may play role in the pathogenesis and persistence of SM-induced itching in the exposed individuals.

Exposure to SM leads to short and long term adverse effects on various organs including the skin. Cherry angioma is one of the late skin disorders in SM exposed individuals. The pathogenesis of abnormal angiogenesis in cherry angioma is not well known but the role of inflammatory mediators and certain hormones, including prolactin, in the regulation of angiogenesis in other diseases has been reported. Alterations in serum levels of prolactin and chemokines in SM-exposed victims and the impact on angiogenesis are indications of the role in SM-induced cherry angioma. As part of the SICS, this study seeks to evaluate the possible association of prolactin and chemokines in the emergence of SM-induced cherry angioma. The serum concentrations of prolactin, IL-8/CXCL8, RANTES/CCL5, MCP-1/CCL2, and fractalkine/CX3CL1 were titrated using sandwich ELISA technique. There was a significant difference in the level of prolactin between the exposed subgroups (with cherry angioma n=72; mean: 10.13) and without cherry angioma (n=268; mean: 13.13, p

Sulfur mustard (SM), with an old manufacturing history still remains as potential threat due to easy production and extensive effects.Increasing studies on SM indicates the interest of researchers to this subject. Almost all human body organs are at risk for complications of SM. This study offers organ-by-organ information on the effects of SM in animals and humans.The data sources were literature reviews since 1919 as well as our studies during the Iraq-Iran war. The search items were SM and its all other nomenclatures in relation to, in vivo, in vitro, humans, animals, eye, ocular, ophthalmic, lungs, pulmonary, skin, cutaneous, organs and systemic. Amongst more than 1890 SM-related articles, 257 more relevant clinicopathologic papers were selected for this review.SM induces a vast range of damages in nearly all organs. Acute SM intoxication warrants immediate approach. Among chronic lesions, delayed keratitis and blindness, bronchiolitis obliterans and respiratory distress, skin pruritus, dryness and cancers are the most commonly observed clinical sequelae.Ocular involvements in a number of patients progress toward a severe, rapid onset form of keratitis. Progressive deterioration of respiratory tract leads to "mustard lung". Skin problems continue as chronic frustrating pruritus on old scars with susceptibility to skin cancers. Due to the multiple acute and chronic morbidities created by SM exposure, uses of multiple drugs by several routes of administrations are warranted.

Sulfur mustard (SM) is highly toxic for various organs. The eyes, skin, respiratory tract, as well hematopoietic and immune systems are the main organs affected by SM. Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a potent cytokine that plays an important role in the hematopoietic and immune system. The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of GM-CSF and its relation to blood cell count and other inflammatory cytokines 20 years after SM exposure. The association of GM-CSF with the clinical severity of pulmonary, ophthalmic and dermatologic complications has also been studied. In this historical cohort study named as Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study (SICS), 369 SM exposed male participants and 125 unexposed volunteers were studied. The serum concentrations of cytokines were measured by ELISA technique. The severity of clinical complications was graded according to the criteria verified by the Medical Committee of the Foundation of Martyr and Veterans Affairs. The serum levels of GM-CSF in the SM exposed group did not display any significant differences with the control group. Median of GM-CSF was 7.33 and 9.39 pg/ml in the SM exposed group and the controls respectively. There was a positive correlation between the serum levels of GM-CSF and the percent of eosinophils only in the exposed group. Moreover, positive correlations were found between circulating levels of GM-CSF with IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6. This correlation was not observed between GM-CSF and IL-8 in both study groups. The serum levels of GM-CSF did not show any significant association with clinical complications.

Sulfur mustard (SM) was the most common chemical warfare agent used by Iraqi military forces against Iranian soldiers and civilians in border towns. Studies about late skin complications in SM-expo...

Sulfur mustard (SM) has widely been used against the military and civilians during the Iraq-Iran war (1980–1988). It mostly affects the respiratory system. A large historical cohort study was designed to evaluate the pulmonary status of non-military victims in Sardasht, Iran, in comparison with a matched control group 20 years after a single massive exposure. The exposed group was divided into two subgroups of hospitalized and non-hospitalized based on the severity of the injuries indicated by hospitalization a few days following exposure. All participants’ respiratory symptoms and signs were evaluated by internists. Dyspnea (n = 261; P = 93.2%) was the most common symptom. Chronic cough, cough severity, sputum, hemoptysis, dyspnea, pattern of dyspnea, severity of dyspnea (P

To describe the long-term health status of Sardasht civilians 20 years after sulfur mustard exposure, a historical cohort study was carried out in Sardasht (Iran) that included 372 exposed and 128 unexposed civilians. Their symptoms, diagnoses, drug use, and general health were compared. The most common complaints were about the respiratory system (93.5%), eyes (52%), skin (94.7%), and anxiety and depression (69.2%). Respiratory (42.5%), skin (75.5%), ophthalmic (19.6%), and mental (62.7%) diseases were diagnosed by specialists and they were more common in the exposed group than the control group (P < 0.001). Most of the exposed group had used drugs (70.6%), which was more than control group (42.8%). It seems that exposure to sulfur mustard caused a lot of health problems in Sardasht. Identifying the pathophysiology of these problems can help them more, but more investigation is needed.

Purpose Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a major cause of hospital admission and inpatient morbidity. The department of internal medicine is not an exception to this issue. This study was performed to determine the nature and frequency of ADRs in an internal medicine ward in Iran. Methods This survey was a prospective observational study based on admissions of 400 patients to the internal medicine ward over a 15-week period. Patients were intensively followed in order to assess any ADR as a cause of admission or occurring during hospitalization. Any suspicious ADR was confirmed by a pharmacist/pharmacologist. Results There were 47 patients of 400 patients (11.75%) that experienced at least one ADR. ADR leading to the admission was seen in seven cases (1.75%) and in 40 (10%) it occurred during hospitalization. ADRs were identified as preventable reactions in 50% of cases and as predictable in 94.3%. The severity of 18.6% of the ADRs was identified as mild, 62.9% as moderate, 14.3% as severe and 4.3% as lethal. Gastrointestinal system disorders (44.3%) represented the most frequent ADRs. The therapeutic groups that most commonly associated with suspected ADRs were antineoplastic, immunosuppressive and medicines used in palliative care (54.8%). Conclusions ADRs are common among hospitalized patients in department of internal medicine and can be severe and even lethal. Since most ADRs occurred during hospitalization in studied patients and half of them were preventable, prevention strategies should be considered in hospitals. Also, our findings confirmed the role of hospital pharmacists in the reducing ADRs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

There is lack of data on the prevalence of latex allergy in the health care setting in Iran. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of type I latex allergy and type IV allergy to latex and rubber additives among the operating room staff with glove-related symptoms in 13 general hospitals in Tehran. Skin-prick tests with commercial latex extract, patch tests with latex and 25 rubber additive series, and total and latex-specific IgE detection were performed on the operating room staff who reported latex glove-related symptoms. Five hundred twelve self-administered questionnaires (100%) were completed by all operating room staff and latex glove-related symptoms were reported by 59 (11.5%) employees. Among all symptomatic operating room staff tested, the prevalence of type I latex allergy was 30.5% and the prevalence rates of type IV allergy to latex and rubber additives were 16.7 and 14.6%, respectively. The most positive patch test result with rubber additives was related to tetramethylthiuram monosulfide (38.5%). The risk factors for type I latex allergy were female sex (p = 0.009) and positive patch test with rubber additives (p = 0.012). Subjects who had positive patch test with latex were significantly more likely to have positive patch test with rubber additives (p < 0.0001). Our results showed a high prevalence of type I latex allergy and type IV allergy to latex and rubber additives. Based on this study, we recommend eliminating powdered latex gloves from the operating rooms of the 13 studied general hospitals and support the substitution of powder-free latex gloves.

Background Melasma is an acquired hypermelanosis of the face. There is little information on its prevalence during pregnancy in Iran. Objective To determine the prevalence and awareness of melasma during pregnancy at the Shahed University Hospitals of Tehran, Iran. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out by clinical examination and questionnaire on 400 pregnant women. Results The prevalence of melasma was 15.8%[95% confidence interval (CI) 12.3–19.4]. Malar pattern was seen in 65.9% of cases, whereas 33.8% of the patients had a centrofacial pattern. No case with a mandibular pattern was found. Positive family history of melasma was present in 54.7% of the cases. There was a statistically significant relation between melasma and ethnicity, phototype and grade of parity. However, no significant relation was observed between melasma and use of sunscreens, history of thyroid or liver disorders, trimester of pregnancy or phenotype (eye and hair color). 11.3% of the patients declared that they have developed melasma after using OCP Oral Contraception. Patients had little awareness of the etiology of melasma. In fact, 68.8% of the patients had no knowledge of its etiology. The effective factors or etiologies for melasma were stated as: 14.5% pregnancy, 9.8% sun exposure, 4.9% liver disorders, 4.9% nutrition and 1.6% sex of newborn. Conclusions Our study confirms that melasma is common among pregnant women in Tehran, Iran. They had a low level of awareness of the etiology of melasma. There is a need for educational programs on the etiology and prevention of melasma in Iranian women.