فهرست مطالب abbas shahbazi

Antimalarial drug resistance is one of the key challenges that the governments face in the fight against malaria. Molecular surveillance of antimalarial drug resistance supports early detection of how the recommended treatments work. This allows immediate action to reduce any threat and prevent it from spreading. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) mutants in Plasmodium falciparum resistance to primethamine in Iranian malaria patients.

In 2020, 27 patients (21 males and 5 females) with imported P. falciparum cases were studied. The Nested-PCR technique first confirmed the species identity for all samples and then amplified by the Semi-Nested-PCR method in order to detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in dhfr gene related to pyrimethamine resistance.

All samples in the 18S rRNA gene had species-specific bands for P. falciparum strains. In the sequence analysis of pfdhfr gene amplification after comparison with the standard strain (wild type), 21 patients had a double mutation (C59R+S108N) and 6 patients had a triple mutation (N51I+ C59R+S108N) of pyrimethamine resistance.

The results of this study showed that the susceptibility of P. falciparum to pyrimethamine in the treatment of malaria is significantly reducing. These findings have raised concerns about pyrimethamine resistance in P. falciparum. Due to the high emergence of double and triple mutants related to pyrimethamine resistance, the malaria surveillance and treatment systems in the region should pay more attention to the use of pyrimethamine.

This study investigated the presence of specific antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii infection among people with diabetes (type I and II) in comparison with control group. Overall 300 serum samples were collected equally from three groups including patients with type I and type II diabetes and non-diabetic healthy control that referred to Tabriz Central Laboratory in northwest Iran during July to Sep 2015. The level of specific IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii were measured using the chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) method. Chi-square and One-Way ANCOVA were used for data analysis. Overall, 300 samples from diabetic patients (type I and type II) and control group were examined and results showed 3, 8 and 2 cases were seropositive for anti- T. gondii IgM respectively. Anti- T. gondii IgG seropositivity in type I and type II diabetes and control groups were 69%, 63% and 59% respectively. We did not observe any statistical differences among all studied groups in terms of toxoplasmosis. There was no statistically significant relationship between all variables and seropositivity for anti-T. gondii antibodies in type I and II diabetes and non-diabetic groups. Although there was no statistically significant relationship between diabetes and toxoplasmosis further investigations especially experimental studies using animal models are needed. Furthermore, these findings would not be contrary to the need for healthcare in order to the prevention of infectious disease in diabetic patients.

The aim of this study was to identify the Trichomonas vaginalis strains/haplotypes based on identifying their probable variations in asymptomatic patients referred to Tabriz health centers, northwestern Iran.
Sampling was taken from 50-suspected women to T. vaginalis in northwestern Iran. The obtained samples were smeared and cultured. Fifty DNA samples were extracted, amplified and identified by nested polymerase chain reaction and PCR-RFLP of actin gene using two endonuclease enzymes: MseI and RsaI. To reconfirm, the amplicons of actin gene were directly sequenced in order to identify the strains/haplotypes.
PCR-RFLP patterns, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed definitely the presence of the G (n=22; 73.4%) and E (n=8; 26.6%) strains. Multiple alignments findings of genotype G showed five haplotypes and two amino acid substitutions in codons 192 and 211 although, no remarkable unique haplotype was found in genotype E.
The accurate identification of T. vaginalis strains based on discrimination of their unknown haplotypes particularly those which are impacted on protein translation should be considered in parasite status, drug resistance, mixed infection with HIV and monitoring of asymptomatic trichomoniasis in the region.

Acanthamoeba spp. is a free-living opportunistic protozoan parasites, which can be found in tap, fresh and bottled mineral waters, contact lens solutions, soil etc..
The present study is aimed to determine the Acanthamoeba spp. on the basis of their morpho-molecular aspects in different water sources of the West Azerbaijan province, Northwest of Iran..
In this cross-sectional study, 60 water samples were collected from rivers and tap waters during June to September 2015. The water samples were filtered through a cellulose nitrate filter and cultured on non-nutrient agar medium. The extracted DNAs were amplified and some ampliqons were sequenced using partial 18S rRNA for genotyping and phylogenetic analyses..
Twenty-seven (45%) out of 60 water samples were positive to Acanthamoeba spp. using both culture and morphological examinations. In addition, 24 (40%) out of 27 positive samples in culture method were confirmed by PCR to be Acanthamoeba spp..
A relatively high prevalence of Acanthamoeba spp. in rivers reflects a risk alert for threatening human health in the region. However, well hygienic status of the tap waters considering Acanthamoeba spp. cannot be ignored in western co-border regions of Iran-Iraq. This study can also serve as a platform for further explorations of water sources in Iran and neighboring countries..

Infection with Trichostrongylus spp. is common among human and herbivorous in most parts of Iran, especially in southern and northern ar­eas. The aim of present study was to identify Trichostrongylus spp. among hu­man population using excreted egg specimens, by the molecular method, in Ma­zandaran Province, northern Iran. Overall, 33 positive fecal specimens were randomly sampled and ex­amined. PCR amplification of ITS2-rDNA region was performed on the iso­lated egg and then a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pro­file was considered to discriminate of Trichostrongylus spp. A total of 33 positive fecal specimens, 29(78.9%), 4(12.1%) were found T. colubriformis and T. axei respectively. Our data appear the molecular evi­dence of both human T. colubriformis and T. axei infections in North of Iran. T. colubriformis was the probable most common zoonotic species caus­ing human trichostrongylosis infection in the area.

Leeches are a group of round worm that belonged in Hirudina order. They live in freshwater, soil and wetlands. Some leeches are predators and feeding of worms, insect’s larvae and snails, whereas some of the other is bloodthirsty and feeding invertebrates and vertebrates. Although leeches can have important therapeutic but sometimes cause serious problems in humans and animals. In the present report, a 22 year old woman living in Tabriz admitted to infectious diseases ward of Sina hospital, with diarrhea, nausea and gastroenteritis symptoms. After clinical and parasitological experiments, leeches were confirmed in the patient's gastrointestinal secretions.

Toxoplasmosis is a disease parasite which can infect human and animals. The infection may be serious if is transmitted to the fetus during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of specific antibodies and the associated risk factors for toxoplasmosis in students attending high-school in Ajabshir. In this descriptive study, 549 blood samples were collected from high school girls. The samples divided into two groups (147 and 402 samples from rural and urban schools respectively). IgG and IgM specific antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results of study showed that from 402 urban samples, 50 (12.4) and 34(8.5) cases and from 147 rural samples, 38 (25.9) and 32 (21.8) cases were seropositive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies respectively. Of the risk factors studied, the significant association was found between T. gondii-specific antibodies with residency and age. Based on data found in our study, 87.6% of young girls from urban areas in Ajabshir did not have antibodies to Toxoplasma and this is a very important issue, because these young women were in fertile age. Therefore required Preventive and control programs especially in these cases in order to reduce the rate of disease.

Cryptosporidiosis is a common coccidian parasite infection in patients with diarrhea that has worldwide distribution especially in developed countries. There­fore, the aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infec­tion in patients with gastroenteritis admitted to hospitals of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences by parasitological and molecular methods in Sari, Iran. Stool samples were collected from 348 patients with gastroenteritis admit­ted to the hospitals of Medical University in the Sari and Ghaemshahr cities in Mazanda­ran Province, Northern Iran in 2010-2011. Oocysts of Cryptosporidium identi­fied using Formalin-Ether concentration method and stained by Aacid-fast staining (AFS) and Auramine phenol fluorescence (APF). Genomic DAN extracted from micro­scopically positive samples and nested PCR -RFLP by using SSU rRNA that identifies of the species of cryptosporidium. In 348 patients with gastroenteritis, the most clinical symptoms were diar­rhea, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, fever and weight loss. 2.3% (8 cases) of diarrheal samples tested by both microscopy and molecular methods were positive for the pres­ence of cryptosporidium. Nested PCR products yielded unique bands of 846 bp, corre­spond to cryptosporidium. Species diagnosis carried out by digesting the second­ary PCR product with SspI restriction enzyme, which noted 3 clearly bands of 449, 254, and 108 bp correspond to Cryptosporidium spp. The results of present study on Cryptosporidium spp. in this area can make a background data for control programs and further molecular analyses. Thus, further work needs to determine the origin of Cryptosporidium species in this area.

Quality assessment of conferences and congresses and their performance seems inevitable due to the status and problems of holding them. Therefore, the aim of this study was the situational analysisof conferences and congresses held in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences during the years 2005-2010. In this descriptive study, five checklists were designed through literature review and panel meetings of experts to assess the quality and performance of conferences and congresses held in the University during the years 2005-2010. There were a total of 40 questions in the checklists extracted from the interviews of the responsible bodies. The data were analyzed using SPSS 19. There were no statutory duties assigned to any of the committees. No indicator was used for selecting committee members. None of the conferences had been recalled at least a year prior. The university priorities had no role in organizing the conferences. Evaluation results were not available, and the conferences had very poor performance. Regarding the results of this study and the importance and costs of the scientific meetings, it is necessary to revise planning, poll-making and regular evaluation of these meetings to overcome weaknesses and improve the quality of the conferences and congress in the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.

Amebiasis is an intestinal illness caused by a one-celled parasite (amoeba) called Entamoeba (E) histolytica. E histolytica and E dispar are morphologicallyundistinguishable but have genetic and functional differences. E. histolytica is invasive andcause amoebiasis, but E dispar cause an asymptomatic colonization which does not need to bemedically treated. We have performed a nested multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)targeting small subunit rRNA (Ribosomal ribonucleic acid) gene for differential detection of Ehistolytica and E dispar directly from stool samples.
All the fecal samples collected without preservation and were screened for amebiccells by parasitological methods. Fecal samples that containing amebic cells were stored at -20ºC until DNA extraction. DNA extraction was down by using a DNA extraction kit. Thegenus specific primers were designed using nucleotide sequences of 18S-rRNA gene ofEntamoeba.
Thirty one (4.28%) stool samples out of 724 samples were positive for E histolytica/E dispar. The nested multiplex PCR illustrated that the size of diagnostic fragments of PCR products was obviously different for two Entamoeba species, the specific product size for Ehistolytica and E dispar was 439 and 174 bp. The nested multiplex PCR was positive in 25 outof 31 stool specimens that 17 (54.8%) samples were positive for E dispar and 8 (25.8%)samples were positive for E histolytica.
Nested multiplex PCR was useful for the specific detection of E histolytica and Edispar in stool samples. In current study we detected that E dispar was more prevalent in our study area.

Strongyloides stercoralis is a human’s intestinal nematode with global expansion. This parasite is common in tropical and subtropical regions. The 11-year-old male patient from Miyandoab with 39 °C fever referred to Tabriz Children Hospital، Tabriz، Iran، and admitted with the acute myeloid leukemia Tcell type cramping abdominal pain and severe diarrhea associated with cervical lymphadenopathy. Patient was undergoing to induction therapy with Prednisolone، Vincristin، Daunoru-Bicin، and L-Asparginase. Due to severe diarrhea and dehydration، it was conducted stool examination and detected Strongyloides stercoralis rhabditiform larvae. The patient were treated with Albendazol and serum therapy.

Plasmodium vivax is the most widespread species of Plasmodium in humans and causing about 80 million clinical cases annually. This study was under­taken to detect P. vivax in asymptomatic treated vivax malaria patients to trace la­tent/sub-patent malaria infection. The venous blood of all detected cases with P. vivax in Bashagard, Minab and Roodan Districts in Hormozgan Province from 2009 to 2010 was examined by microscopic and nested PCR methods for presence of the parasite. In microscopic examination of peripheral blood smears, all samples were negative for the presence of the parasites. But, we detected two P. vivax related bands in the electrophoresis of the nested PCR products (120 bp). Following up the malaria cases after treatment by a combination of methods, or new diagnostics such as RDTs can be included in the priorities of ma­laria elimination program in Iran.

Nowadays, with the development of science and communication, collaboration with other countriesand universities seems inevitable to universities. The aim of this study was to analyze the situation of internationalrelations management and inter-university collaboration (IRM-IUC) in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (TUMS),Iran, during the years 2005-2010.
In this descriptive study, one checklist was used for analysis of the inter-university collaboration management and another one for the situation analysis of international relations management which included 4 sections itself. There were a total of 56 questions designed and developed through literature review and the expert panel.
The results indicated the poor performance of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in the international relations management and inter-university collaboration fields. Most of the reviewed items had not been adequatelypaid attention to in the management of international relations and only one out of 14 evaluated items was considered inthe field of inter-university collaboration.
In line with the overall globalization process, education and research have also become globalizedprocesses, and as a result, it is necessary for universities to develop effective ties and relationships with otherorganizations. However, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences has not been doing quite optimally in this regard. Thus,it is suggested that, based on the shortcomings pointed out in this study, new appropriate plans and policies be set todevelop fruitful and effective relations and correspondences with other universities and countries.

The endemicity and transmission intensity levels of malaria are related to genetic diversity of the parasites. Merozoite surface protein 3β (MSP3β) is an important marker for assessing the polymorphic nature of Plasmodium vivax while it is also a vaccine candidate against the parasite. Patients and In this study we investigated the genetic structure of P. vivax population by sequence analysis of a polymorphic region of the P. vivax MSP3β gene in isolates from Iran. Blood samples were collected from 100 patients with clinical symptoms. DNA was extracted and the target gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The sequences of 17 samples were used for sequence analysis using nucleotide Blast search and ClustalW multiple alignment. Phylogenetic tree was derived to describe the geographical branching and relationships. A large number of nucleotide insertions and deletions were observed in the sequences of polymorphic region of PvMSP3β gene that were not specific in each biotype. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was found extensively in the sequences. The phylogenetic analysis did not show any significant geographical branching. The lack of any geographical branching and extensive polymorphism in MSP3β gene of P. vivax isolates suggests that more investigations are needed to find a more suitable gene in order to develop a vaccine.