عبدالله رفیعی

Blastocystis hominis is one of the most common protozoa found in the intestines of humans and animals. However, its pathogenicity, diagnosis, and treatment remain a challenge. The purpose of the present study was to determine and evaluate the knowledge and practice of Ahvaz laboratory workers regarding Blastocystis hominis during the years 2018 to 2019.

The present a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 464 laboratory employees working in private and public laboratories in Ahvaz, Iran, during the years 2018-2019. The present study used a questionnaire and face-to-face and electronic interviews to evaluate the level of knowledge and practice of the laboratory staff regarding the protozoan Blastocystis hominis. The collected data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical tests, t-test, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and Tukey's post hoc test.

Out of the 464 participants in the study, 22.8% answered the questions through face-to-face interviews, and 77.2% answered the questions electronically. The minimum and maximum number of participants were associates (10.3%) and experts (56.7%), respectively. 67% of the participants had more than 10 years of work experience. More than 85% were aware of the protozoan nature of Blastocystis hominis. Over 50% of the participants considered Blastocystis hominis as one of the causes of diarrhea and abdominal pain, but their awareness of other clinical symptoms such as hives was low (12.3%). The practice of about 93% of the participants in using the direct expansion method was acceptable as a suitable diagnostic method for Blastocystis hominis. The relationship between work experience and their practice regarding this protozoan was also significant (p=0.007).

The present study indicated that laboratory staffs had an acceptable level of knowledge about Blastocystis hominis, but their performance in dealing with this protozoan was not at an acceptable level. Despite having proper knowledge about this protozoan, it seems that it has not received the attention it deserves within the laboratory community, and it is not of special importance among the intestinal parasites that are routinely reported. Therefore, it is important to bring more focus on this parasite in the field of medicine, especially in the teaching of parasitology to students of various medical fields, as well as through scientific conferences and refresher courses. This would help ensure the adoption of correct diagnostic and treatment methods for Blastocystis hominis.

Invasive fungal sinusitis is an uncommon and invasive infection that occurs often in patient with immunocompromised condition. Due to increase in people with this condition، increasing the number of cases with this infection was seen. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the predisposing factors، clinical finding and early diagnosis of this disease. Subjects and

This is a retrospective study undertaken from 2001 to 2006. All patients، admitted with initial diagnosis of invasive fungal rhinosinusitis، were evaluated. In order to verify mucor mycosis; cultures and smears of nasal and sinus secretions as well as tissue biopsy were taken from all patients. The predisposing factors and clinical finding that led to early diagnosis of the disease were evaluated.

of 25 patients (18 females and 7 maels)، with a mean age of 56. 6 years old. Pathologic report was positive for mucor mycosis in 15 patients. The most common underlying cause was diabetes mellitus (76%). The most clinical finding was nasal necrosis (88%)، and the most involved sinus was maxillary sinus (76%). While the most involved cranial nerve was facial nerve (46%). Orbital complication was seen in 19 patients (76%). Cerebral complication in 4 patients (16%) and death occurred in 7 patients (28%).

The clinical challenge of diagnosing and treating invasive fungal sinusitis is evident by the high mortality rates for this disease. Early diagnosis with aggressive medical and surgical intervention is critical for survival.