Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL)

Background: Animal bites, especially dog bites, are common health problems which are rarely addressed. It is estimated that 15 million people are bitten by animals worldwide annually. Diseases caused by animal bites are problematic matters in the world as well as in Iran. The main disease caused by animal bites is rabies. Rabies is a fatal acute viral disease causing inclusive symptoms in the central nervous system in domestic and wild carnivores. Humans and other warm-blooded mammals are often randomly involved with an infected animal bite. Objectives: Due to the increasing number of cases of animal bites in the County of Shush (southwestern Iran) because of its geographical status as a farming-animal husbandry region as well as the residents that are more exposed to animal bites, this study was designed to investigate the epidemiology and prevalence rate of animal bites in this county during 2000-2004. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional research, a particular questionnaire was filled out for all the cases. The questionnaire included questions about demographic and epidemiologic characters such as, occupation, sex, age, biting animal type, treatment type, bite site, etc. Data analysis through SPSS and Excel software was performed and the percentages and mean of statistical figures were determined. Finally, descriptive statistics was used in the forms of tables and graphs to summarize the data. Results: Findings of this study indicated that the average prevalence of animal bites during the above five years was 1.3 per 1000 population and there was an increased trend in the prevalence rate of animal bite in this county. During these five years, a total number of 1300 cases of animal bites were recorded: males 971 (74.7%) and females 329 (25.3%). The numbers of animal bites in rural and urban areas were 1061 (81.6%) and 239 (18.4%), respectively. Therefore, a 4.4-time rate of animal bites was recorded for rural areas. Moreover, the majority of animal bites (31.9%) were determined in the age group of 10-20. In terms of employment, students with 390 cases (30%) comprised the highest work-related group. From the viewpoint of bite site, the most prevalent biting site was feet with 907 cases (69.7%), followed by hands with 236 (18.2%) cases, while only one bite was recorded on the neck area. Totally, 95.8% of bites were confirmed to be applied by dogs; however, cats were responsible for only 3.3% of bites. During the five years of the study, 155 stray dogs in rural areas and 84 in urban areas were hunted. Conclusions: Due to the demographic status of Shush County, its high rural population engaged in agriculture and livestock farming, keeping dogs at home for job demands and a great percentage of animal bites among students, educational programs for students in schools and for farmers should be prioritized regarding first aid for prevention of animal biting.

Background: Approximately, one-third of the worlds population are in the influence of intestinal parasite infections (IPIs). The infections can cause a whole range of clinical symptoms such as watery or mucoid diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting and nausea, abdominal pains, as well as a fever. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate IPIs in Shush County, southwest Iran, during 2014 -2016. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional survey, 15132 stool samples were collected during 2014 -2016. The stool samples were evaluated microscopically for the presence of parasite trophozoites, cysts, and eggs using direct and formalin-ether concentration methods. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 and statistical Chi-square test. Results: Of the 15132 stool samples, 778 (5.14%) were positive for IPIs, where 429 (55.14%) were female and 349 (44.85%) were males, respectively. Entamoeba histolitica/dispar was detected as the most common parasite in 313 (2.06%) specimens (172 females, 141 males). Other parasites were included, 158 (1.04%) Giardia lamblia (83 females, 75 males), 150 (0.99%) Blastocystis hominis (84 females, 66 males), and 155 (1.02%) Entamoeba coli (90 females, 65 males). Furthermore, 2 (.0.013%) Trichuris trichiura were detected only in males. Conclusions:The results show that a relatively high prevalence of intestinal parasite infections were observed among individuals. Since the parasitic infections can cause malabsorption, severe diarrhea, paralytic ileum, intestinal obstruction, cholecystitis, liver inflammation, pulmonary, as well as renal complications, the health authorities of Shush County must pay more attention to control and prevent the transmission of intestinal parasites to individuals.

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the ratio of patients with hypertension for whom coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been diagnosed in the world. In addition, the effect of COVID-19 on the outcomes of hypertension was evaluated. Methods: To find articles published by July 2020, a comprehensive systematic search was carried out in five electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. The meta-analysis entailed all relevant articles on the clinical and epidemiological features of patients with COVID-19. Two researchers independently reviewed the eligible post-selection studies, and finally, the discrepancies between the opinions of the two researchers were resolved by a third arbitrator. Two researchers independently examined the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results: The pooled prevalence of high blood pressure in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 worldwide was obtained as 31% (95% CI: 23 - 38%). The changes for hypertension prevalence in different studies included in the meta-analysis varied from 2 to 64%. Moreover, the results of subgroups analysis based on different countries demonstrated that the prevalence of hypertension in patients with COVID-19 in China and other countries was 29% (95% CI: 24 - 34%) and 32% (95% CI: 19 - 46%), respectively. Conclusions: The evidence revealed that a health condition that commonly accompanies and affects the outcomes of COVID-19 is hypertension. Therefore, COVID-19 patients with hypertension should be given priority and benefit from a preventive, therapeutic approach. Furthermore, essential training should be provided by health policymakers.