unavailable
unavailable
Background: Tuberculosis is still a major health problem around the globe. Better knowledge of different aspects of the disease, including immunology and immuno-pathogenesis, promises better control measures. Studies regarding quantitative and qualitative changes of lymphocytes have developed our knowledge to a great extent. In this study, quantitative deficiencies of lymphocyte sub-populations and their activation markers have been evaluated. Materials and Methods: Following documentation of smear positive pulmonary Tuberculosis in adult patients referred to Massih Daneshvari Hospital, 40 new cases without any other immunodeficiency conditions such as HIV, CRF, etc were randomly selected. Tuberculin skin test (TST) and chest radiography were performed for each case, and flow-cytometry was done from peripheral blood for lymphocyte sub-populations as CD3, CD4, CD8, CD4/CD8 ratio, CD19, CD16+56, and for Lymphocyte activation markers including CD25, CD69 and HLA-DR. Comparison was made with the historical control group in a study in same city, age as well as same flow -cytometry operator and same including & excluding criteria. Statistical analysis of data using Spearman’s rho, Mann- Whitney U, and Asymp. Sig. (2-tailed) was done. Results: 18 cases (45%) were male and 22 (55%) were female .Age distribution had a minimum of 17 and a maximum of 80 with a mean of 44.18 (19.65). Considering flow-cytometric marker correlation’s, HLA-DR had significant relation to age (P=0.002). The ratio of CD4+ cells also had significant relation to CD3, CD16+56 and HLA-DR markers. A significant difference was found only in the total of CD3+ lymphocytes by comparing PPD positive cases (>or =10mm) with PPD negative patients. The ratio of CD4+ was significantly lower than the normal population, and CD8+ was significantly higher comparing to the control population. The CD4/CD8 ratio was also significantly lower than the normal population. Conclusion: Expression of lymphocyte sub-populations during the course of pulmonary Tuberculosis disease showed positive or negative correlation. By comparing lymphocyte sub-populations of TB patients with the control group, it is concluded that CD4+, CD8+, and CD4/CD8 ratio show significant differences that confirm significant quantitative defects in lymphocytes due to tuberculosis disease. (Tanaffos 2002; 1(4): 37-44)
Background: Diabetics are prone to tuberculosis infection in part due to cellular immunity dysfunction, but the precise mechanism has not been fully understood yet. Materials and Methods: This study was performed in NRITLD between August 1999 and August 2001 to elucidate the quantitative status of cellular immunity. We measured the number of B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, Natural Killer (NK) cells, and their sub-units in three groups of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and pulmonary tuberculosis associated with DM (TB+ DM); and compared their results with age - matched healthy controls. Results: The number of these cells had not significant quantitative difference in TB and also DM patients comparing with healthy controls. A significant difference in total number of T lymphocytes and sub- units of helper T cell was observed in patients with concomitant TB and DM. Conclusion: These results indicate that patients with diabetes mellitus type II do not quantitatively develop cellular immunity dysfunction, a finding that may be seen in patients with concomitant TB and DM. (Tanaffos 2002; 1(4): 45-50)
Background: The measurement of breath ethane and pentane has offered noninvasive method for evaluating of lipid peroxidation in occupations exposed to free radicals and whole body radiation. However, the methods introduced up to this date have particular complexities, that makes such measurements not easily accessible for routine monitoring of high risk occupational groups. Materials and Methods: The new sampler consists of a 5-centimeter stainless steel syringe packed with Carboxen - 1000. Sampler, after heat conditioning (200 0 C for 2 hours) was utilized for adsorption of breath alkanes and isoprene, it was subsequently injected in the injection port of gas chromatography (GC) for analysis. Results: Breath pentane and isoprene were analyzed just with gas chromatograph without auxiliary cryfocusing equipment or a thermal desorber with sensitivity of ≥15 ρmol/l. Humidity of breath volume up to 320ml did not cause problems in sampling and analysis of breath alkanes. Conclusion: This study introduces a reliable and practical method for to measure breath pentane and isoprene. (Tanaffos 2002; 1(4): 51-59)
Background: This study describes the status of 548 smokers who participated in the monthly quitting course of the first “ Smoking Cessation Clinic” in Iran between the years 1998 through 2000. Materials and Methods: All the target population completed the educational courses, which consisted of 7 sessions of 90 minutes in the groups of 6-15. Cigarette intake per/day among the smokers was: in 92 cases (16.9%) less than 10 cigarettes, in 262(48.1%) between 11-20 cigarettes, and in the remaining 191(35%) more than 20 cigarettes. Results: The percentages of cessation in these three groups were 95.7%, 89.3%, and 83.8% respectively. This shows that the quitting rates among those who smoke less are significantly high (X2 for trend: p=0.003). Among them, 193(35.2%) attended all the visits regularly, 177(32.3%) were absent for one session and 178(32.5%) for 2-3 sessions. The quitting percentage in these groups were 94.8%, 93.8%, and 75.8% respectively, the relationship remains significantly associated with the lower absence rate (p=0.0001). There was no significant difference between the percentage of men and women who failed to complete the educational monthly course for any reasons (p=0.72). Besides, no significant difference was observed between both genders who had succeeded to quit (p=0.12). Conclusion: The results confirm that the cessation rate in those who have smoked less cigarettes and attended the clinic courses more regularly were significantly more successful than the others. (Tanaffos 2002; 1(4): 61-67)
Background: Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disease, in which cardiac involvement is one of the most important causes of death. Conduction abnormalities are the most common cardiac finding. Materials and Methods: Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic changes of 40 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis who referred to a cardiac unit were evaluated. For all cases, a complete history, 12-lead ECG, and a transthoracic echocardiogram were achieved. None of them had history of underlying heart disease. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistical parameters. Results: The study population included 24 females and 11 males with the mean (±SD) age of 47.8±8.6 years. Echocardiographic indices including systolic function and total cardiac function indices as well as the size of cavities and valves status were in normal limit in most patients. Only in 5% of patients, ejection fraction (EF) was slightly diminished. In 42.5% of cases, diastolic dysfunction was detected. Electrocardiographic evaluation showed first degree AV block only in one case and T inversion in leads V1-V6 in another subject. Conclusion: Our study showed that cardiac involvement presenting as electrocardiopraphic abnormality was seen in 2 cases. Diastolic involvement was a remarkable finding in our study. This as well as a slight decrease of 5% in EF requires further investigation. A study with a greater sample size, better follow up, and using other diagnostic means, can be helpful. (Tanaffos 2002; 1(4): 69-72)
ent of the airway stenosis due to Wegener’s Granulomatosis Disease (WGD) is controversial. A 37-year-old woman with WGD and severe subglottic stenosis was treated successfully by resection and anastomosis of the subglottic area. Twelve months after the operation, she enjoys normal breathing and near normal voice. (Tanaffos 2002; 1(4): 73-76)
Background: Primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma (PMBL) is an aggressive non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and has distinct clinico-pathologic as well as molecular characteristics. Mutation of P53 has been reported in PMBL in 13-16% of cases in the previous studies. The role of Retinoblastoma (Rb) gene, another tumor suppressor gene, in this type of lymphoma genesis has not been established yet. Previous studies showed the absence of bcl-2 gene expression in PMBL. Materials and Methods: To determine the pathogenic roles of these two tumor suppressor genes and bcl-2, an anti - apoptotic factor, we analyzed formalin fixed paraffin embedded blocks of ten cases of PMBL by Immunohistochemical staining (IHC). Results: Six cases were P53 positive, and 8 cases were strongly positive for Rb. There were also strong cytoplasmic positivity for bcl-2 antibody in 6 cases. Two P53 positive cases were negative for bcl-2, and nuclear staining for P53 and positive reaction for bcl-2 were detected concurrently in 4 cases. Conclusion: Our study showed high Rb protein expression (80%) in PMBL, and it implies cell cycle derangement. Rb protein does not seem to be involved in pathogenesis of PMBL. Extensive P53 expression by tumor cells correlates with clinico-pathologic features of PMBL. We observed bcl-2 over expression in 60% of the cases; thus, we suggest the role of this factor in pathogenesis of PMBL. The discrepancy between P53 mutation and bcl-2 over expression in previous studies and the study at hand can be explained by different methods of detection, technical factors, and various fi