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Abstract Background: West Nile virus is an infection that is most commonly caused by infected mosquito bites, however, blood transfusions, organ transplants, breast feeding, pregnant mother-to-the fetus transmission, and occupational transmission among laboratory and medical staff are also the less common routes of infection. Given the endemic nature of this virus in the Middle East, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of this virus in regular blood donors, as the reliable source of blood supply needed for patients in hospitals. Methods: In this descriptive analytical study, venous blood samples were collected from 259 regular blood donors referred to the Blood Transfusion Organization of Kurdistan. After separating blood serum, the amount of IgM and IgG antibodies against West Nile virus was measured via ELISA test. Results: Concerning antibodies, IgG and IgM against West Nile virus were positive in 14 patients (5.4%) and 3 patients (1.2%), respectively. Seropositive IgG levels were observed in 11 patients over the age of 40 (12.5%) but only in 3 patients under 40 years of age (1.8%). The difference was statistically significant (OR = 7.95; 95% CI: 2.16–29.32; p < 0.01). Conclusion: Given the value of blood and blood products obtained from regular blood donors for therapeutic purposes and the significant prevalence of the virus and considering the presence of cases with positive IgM, it seems necessary to screen blood donors in blood transfusion centers in the western parts of Iran.

Background and Aim: Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacillus which causes stomach ulcer and chronic gastritis. Curcumin is the effective component of turmeric. Considering the high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and also safety and antimicrobial effects of turmeric we investigated the effect of curcumin on patients with Helicobacter pylori infection. Materials and Methods: We selected 40 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms suspected of Helicobacter pylori infection. These patients had undergone endoscopy, and their biopsies were positive for RUT. Serum specimens of the participants were tested for serum Hpylori IgG. Patients who had positive samples for both tests were considered positive for Helicobacter pylori. We gave the three-drug treatment regimen including clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and omeprazole as the treatment base to both groups for two weeks. Curcumin capsule (500 mg ) was administered for the treatment group and placebo for the control group in addition to the therapeutic regimen. Then PPI treatment was started for one and a half months after cessation of the three-drug regimen. UBT test was performed two weeks after cessation of the medications in both groups. Results: The mean age of the patients was 41.53 ± 12.65 years. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of gender (P = 0.32) and age (P = 0.6). Also, no significant differences were found between the two groups in relation to other demographic data and risk factors(P> 0.05). Also, eradication rates of the infection in the two groups showed no significant difference (P> 0.05). Conclusion: The addition of curcumin as a supplement to the standard treatment regimen for Helicobacter pylori infection is not effective in the treatment and eradication of the infection

Background and aims: Maternal primary and recurrent infection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) may be transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy and may have complications such as death or growth, along with the development retardation of the fetus and infant. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies against CMV in young women, Sanandaj, Iran. Methods: To this end, 90 women (15-40 years old) referring to a clinical laboratory were randomly selected and announced their informed consent to participate in this cross-sectional study. Demographic information and women’s data were collected, including pregnancy, history of abortion, and history of blood transfusion. Then, women’s sera were measured for CMV IgG and IgM antibodies using the electrochemiluminescence technique. Finally, the data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software. Results: The prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies against CMV in women was 92.2% (95% CI = 86.5-97.8) and 0%, respectively. In addition, the average CMV IgG antibody level was about 137.52 ± 85.215 SD IU/mL. The results revealed a significant statistical association between IgG antibody and pregnancy (P value = 0.012) while there was no association between CMV IgG antibody and other demographic data. Conclusions: In general, high percentages of women had CMV IgG antibody whereas 7.8% of them were susceptible. They are expected to acquire CMV primary infection, and therefore, the screening of antibodies to CMV is suggested for prenatal care.

Background and Aim: Methotrexate (MTX) is commonly used in the treatment of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but, its hepatotoxicity potential, always has been a major concern. The aim of this study is to determine the rate of liver fibrosis by transient elastography (TE) method and its relationship with cumulative dose of MTX and duration of treatment, in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving MTX. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included RA patients receiving MTX for more than 6 months. Hepatic fibrosis was determined by TE on the basis of the rate of liver stiffness. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the results of liver stiffness measurement. Demographic, clinical and biochemical parameters were compared between the two groups. Correlation of the cumulative dose of MTX and duration of MTX treatment with the liver fibrosis was assessed. Results: The study included 51patients, with a mean age of 52.53)±9.95) years. 44(86.3%) patients were women. The cumulative dose of MTX was less than 4000 mg in 45 (88.2%) patients and more than 4000 mg in 6 (11.8%) patients with a mean treatment duration of 54.14±(40.94) months. The median (IQR) value of liver stiffness was 4.70 (3.60 – 5.50) kPa. The presence of liver fibrosis was detected in 11 (21.6%) patients. There were no significant relationships between liver fibrosis and cumulative dose (P= 0.21) of MTX and also duration of MTX treatment (P= 0. 30). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that only increased serum level of ALT was associated with presence of liver fibrosis (OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.13; p = 0.01). Conclusion: According to the results of this study severe hepatic fibrosis was not common in the patients who had received methotrexate. Increasing the duration of methotrexate administration and the cumulative dose of the drug had no effect on the incidence of hepatic fibrosis. Increased serum ALT levels in RA patients were associated with high rate of liver stiffness and increased risk of hepatic fibrosis.

Introduction: Mouth and tongue are prone to various changes resulting from inflammatory reactions, due to their contact with various factors,. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of helicobacter pylori infections and its relationship with coated tongue in the patients referring for urease breath test. Materials & Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 606 patients including 70 men (i.e.,34.7%) and 132 women (i.e.,65.3%) referring to Liver and Digestive research center of Sanandaj Tohid Hospital during the last season of 2015 and the first season of 2016 for urea breath test. The participants were selected through randomized systematic method (i.e., one out of three individuals).In this regard,202 patients meeting the inclusion criteria and expressing their consent were evaluated. The data were analyzed in SPSS software so that the questions were examined using descriptive statistics and the hypotheses were analyzed using chi-square and logistic regression test. Findings: The result indicated that men and women constituted 70 (i.e., 34.7%) and 132 (i.e.,65.3%) of the sample group. The average age of the patients was 30.77 and the standard deviation was 17.40, ranging from 7 to 75 years old. In addition,it was revealed that 41.1% of the patients with coated tongue had Helicobacter pylori infection, whereas this value was 22.7% in the participants with non-coated tongue. The findings showed that there was a significant relationship between coated tongue and Helicobacter infection (P=0.025). Meanwhile, logistic regression test confirmed the coated tongue as a prognostic(P=0.015). Discussion & Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, there was a higher risk of Helicobacter pylori infection in women with coated tongue who were older than 30. However, more research is recommended for more reliable results.

Background and Aim: Various studies have shown a correlation between the prevalence of hepatitis A and community health level. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroepidemiology of hepatitis A virus and its related factors in the patients referring to medical diagnostic laboratories in Sanandaj. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical (cross-sectional) study we selected 200 individuals referring to medical diagnostic laboratories in Sanandaj from January 2016 to May 2017 - and their serum HAV Ab levels were measured by ELISA method. Demographic data and risk factors for hepatitis A infection were recorded in a questionnaire for every participant. We divided the participants into seropositive and seronegative groups. The groups were compared with each other in regard to demographic characteristics and risk factors for hepatitis A infection. Results: 151 (75.5%) subjects were seropositive including 101 (67%) women and 50 (33%) men. Among different age groups, the highest rate of seropositivity was observed in 43 patients (28.5%), between 30 and 40 years of age and the lowest rate belonged to 4 (6.2%), individuals between 11 and 20 years of age, which showed a significant difference between different age groups (P = 0.000). The percentage of seropositive patients was significantly higher in the age group of less than one year compared to those in the age groups of 1 to 10 years (P = 0.001) and 11 to 20 years (P = 0.005). There was no significant relationship between the groups in regard to gender, place of residence, education level and occupation (P> 0.05). The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that the presence of underlying diseases resulted in a 3 fold increased risk of hepatitis A (OR: 2.71; Cl 95%: 1.13 - 6.48). Comparison of the other risk factors showed no significant relationship between the two groups. Conclusion: Considering the association of this antibody with increasing age, determination of the serum level of this antibody in different parts of the country by public health organizations at different time intervals and in different age groups seems necessary. Also, considering the correlation between underlying diseases in susceptible individuals and antibody- positivity and also the importance of vaccination, close attention of these organizations to this issue is necessary.

Background: Recently, interferon-free treatment has been considered for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C due to their high therapeutic success and lack of serious side effects. The combination of Sofosbuvir and Daclatasvir is effective in the treatment of the disease because of its pan-genotype. In the present study, the effectiveness of Sovodak, which is a combination of the aforementioned two drugs in one tablet, in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C and cirrhosis was investigated. Methods: Patients with chronic hepatitis C whose diagnosis was confirmed by HCV RNA–PCR test were included in the study. These patients received one Sovodak tablet daily (for 12 weeks for non-cirrhotic patients and 24 weeks for cirrhotic patients). Sustained virologic response (SVR) was assessed by PCR test 12 weeks after the end of the treatment and one year later. Also, serum levels of liver enzymes, platelet count, and liver stiffness (using elastography method) were measured and their levels were compared before and after treatment in patients. Results: Findings related to the PCR test in patients showed that the level of SVR was 100% in patients 12 weeks after treatment (SVR-12). In three cirrhotic patients who received only 12 weeks of drug treatment, the disease recurred a year later. According to the results, ALT and AST serum levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.001), and platelet count level was increased (P < 0.001) one year after the end of

ABSTRACT Background and Aim: Considering the increasing trend of thyroid cancer and increased number of new cases we performed this study to determine the risk factors for thyroid cancer in Kurdistan Province. Materials and Methods: 80 patients and 80 controls were matched and entered into this case-control study from September 2009 to September 2016 in Kurdistan Province. Data were collected by reviewing the records of the patients, making phone calls and face-to-face interviews. Using SPSS v.20 software, data analysis was performed by chi-square test, T-test and logistic regression. Results: The results showed that there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of gender, marital status, residential place, and profession. Thyroid cancer showed significant relationships with obesity, history of thyroid cancer in family, use of levothyroxine and TSH level. Conclusion: The results of the study highlighted the importance of TSH level, obesity, history of thyroid cancer in family, and use of levothyroxine which can be considered as risk factors for thyroid cancer by education and health planners. Keywords: Risk factors, Thyroid cancer, Kurdistan Province. Received: Dec 18, 2017 Accepted: May 22, 2018