OBJECTIVES: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease that occurs worldwide, with a wide range of complications in immunocompromised patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among patients undergoing hemodialysis in Iran. METHODS: We searched English and Persian databases for studies reporting T. gondii seroprevalence in Iranian hemodialysis patients through December 31, 2017. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. RESULTS: A total of 10 studies containing 1,865 participants (1,048 patients and 817 controls) met the eligibility criteria. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against T. gondii were found in 58% (95% confidence interval [CI], 46 to 70) of hemodialysis patients and 40% (95% CI, 31 to 50) of healthy controls, while immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies were found in 2% (95% CI, 0 to 6) of hemodialysis patients and 0% (95% CI, 0 to 1) of healthy controls. The meta-analysis showed that hemodialysis patients were significantly more likely to be seropositive for IgG (odds ratio [OR], 2.04; 95% CI, 1.54 to 2.70; p < 0.001) and IgM (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.23 to 5.22; p < 0.001) antibodies against T. gondii infection than healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The current study revealed a high prevalence of T. gondii infection in hemodialysis patients. Since hemodialysis patients are immunocompromised and T. gondii can cause serious clinical complications, we recommend that periodic screenings for T. gondii infection should be incorporated into the routine clinical care of these patients.
Antibodies ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Iran* ; Mass Screening ; Parasitic Diseases ; Prevalence* ; Renal Dialysis* ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Toxoplasma ; Toxoplasmosis*

OBJECTIVES: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease that occurs worldwide, with a wide range of complications in immunocompromised patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among patients undergoing hemodialysis in Iran.METHODS: We searched English and Persian databases for studies reporting T. gondii seroprevalence in Iranian hemodialysis patients through December 31, 2017. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied.RESULTS: A total of 10 studies containing 1,865 participants (1,048 patients and 817 controls) met the eligibility criteria. ImmunoglobulinG (IgG) antibodies against T. gondii were found in 58% (95% confidence interval [CI], 46 to 70) of hemodialysis patients and 40% (95% CI, 31 to 50) of healthy controls, while immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies were found in 2% (95% CI, 0 to 6) of hemodialysis patients and 0% (95% CI, 0 to 1) of healthy controls. The meta-analysis showed that hemodialysis patients were significantly more likely to be seropositive for IgG (odds ratio [OR], 2.04; 95% CI, 1.54 to 2.70; p < 0.001) and IgM (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.23 to 5.22; p < 0.001) antibodies against T. gondii infection than healthy individuals.CONCLUSIONS: The current study revealed a high prevalence of T. gondii infection in hemodialysis patients. Since hemodialysis patients are immunocompromised and T. gondii can cause serious clinical complications, we recommend that periodic screenings for T. gondii infection should be incorporated into the routine clinical care of these patients.
Antibodies ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Iran ; Mass Screening ; Parasitic Diseases ; Prevalence ; Renal Dialysis ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Toxoplasma ; Toxoplasmosis

OBJECTIVES: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease that occurs worldwide, with a wide range of complications in immunocompromised patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among patients undergoing hemodialysis in Iran. METHODS: We searched English and Persian databases for studies reporting T. gondii seroprevalence in Iranian hemodialysis patients through December 31, 2017. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. RESULTS: A total of 10 studies containing 1,865 participants (1,048 patients and 817 controls) met the eligibility criteria. ImmunoglobulinG (IgG) antibodies against T. gondii were found in 58% (95% confidence interval [CI], 46 to 70) of hemodialysis patients and 40% (95% CI, 31 to 50) of healthy controls, while immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies were found in 2% (95% CI, 0 to 6) of hemodialysis patients and 0% (95% CI, 0 to 1) of healthy controls. The meta-analysis showed that hemodialysis patients were significantly more likely to be seropositive for IgG (odds ratio [OR], 2.04; 95% CI, 1.54 to 2.70; p < 0.001) and IgM (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.23 to 5.22; p < 0.001) antibodies against T. gondii infection than healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS The current study revealed a high prevalence of T. gondii infection in hemodialysis patients. Since hemodialysis patients are immunocompromised and T. gondii can cause serious clinical complications, we recommend that periodic screenings for T. gondii infection should be incorporated into the routine clinical care of these patients.

Purpose: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is the most well-known eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder (EGID) characterized by the presence of a high number eosinophils within the esophageal epithelium and the clinical signs. Biopsies of patients with suspected EoE may not show a high number of eosinophils, however the presence of granules may help with the diagnosis. This study aims to evaluate the presence of cell-free eosinophil granules in the esophageal tissue of patients with suspected and confirmed EoE to accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of patients with low eosinophil count. Methods: Fifteen patients with confirmed EoE and 15 suspected of EoE were included in this study. Patients' esophageal tissue biopsies were stained using immunohistochemistry (IHC) to identify eosinophils and their cell-free granules. For testing, anti-major basic protein (MBP) and anti-chemokine receptor type 3 (CCR3) were used as primary antibodies and a double-staining kit containing secondary antibodies conjugated to the enzyme and related chromogens were used. Results: Cell-free granules with different degrees were observed in 53.3% and 93.3% of suspected and confirmed EoE samples, respectively. Furthermore, in esophageal biopsy of 73.3% of patients with suspected and 93.3% of patients with a definitive diagnosis of EoE, basal layer hyperplasia (BLH) was recognized. Conclusion The results of the present study showed that IHC can be applied to detect cell-free eosinophil granules in esophageal tissue. Observation of granules and basal cell hyperplasia in biopsies of suspected EoE patients whose eosinophil count is below the threshold can be valuable findings to make a definitive diagnosis for these patients.

Purpose: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is the most well-known eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder (EGID) characterized by the presence of a high number eosinophils within the esophageal epithelium and the clinical signs. Biopsies of patients with suspected EoE may not show a high number of eosinophils, however the presence of granules may help with the diagnosis. This study aims to evaluate the presence of cell-free eosinophil granules in the esophageal tissue of patients with suspected and confirmed EoE to accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of patients with low eosinophil count. Methods: Fifteen patients with confirmed EoE and 15 suspected of EoE were included in this study. Patients' esophageal tissue biopsies were stained using immunohistochemistry (IHC) to identify eosinophils and their cell-free granules. For testing, anti-major basic protein (MBP) and anti-chemokine receptor type 3 (CCR3) were used as primary antibodies and a double-staining kit containing secondary antibodies conjugated to the enzyme and related chromogens were used. Results: Cell-free granules with different degrees were observed in 53.3% and 93.3% of suspected and confirmed EoE samples, respectively. Furthermore, in esophageal biopsy of 73.3% of patients with suspected and 93.3% of patients with a definitive diagnosis of EoE, basal layer hyperplasia (BLH) was recognized. Conclusion The results of the present study showed that IHC can be applied to detect cell-free eosinophil granules in esophageal tissue. Observation of granules and basal cell hyperplasia in biopsies of suspected EoE patients whose eosinophil count is below the threshold can be valuable findings to make a definitive diagnosis for these patients.

Purpose: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is the most well-known eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder (EGID) characterized by the presence of a high number eosinophils within the esophageal epithelium and the clinical signs. Biopsies of patients with suspected EoE may not show a high number of eosinophils, however the presence of granules may help with the diagnosis. This study aims to evaluate the presence of cell-free eosinophil granules in the esophageal tissue of patients with suspected and confirmed EoE to accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of patients with low eosinophil count. Methods: Fifteen patients with confirmed EoE and 15 suspected of EoE were included in this study. Patients' esophageal tissue biopsies were stained using immunohistochemistry (IHC) to identify eosinophils and their cell-free granules. For testing, anti-major basic protein (MBP) and anti-chemokine receptor type 3 (CCR3) were used as primary antibodies and a double-staining kit containing secondary antibodies conjugated to the enzyme and related chromogens were used. Results: Cell-free granules with different degrees were observed in 53.3% and 93.3% of suspected and confirmed EoE samples, respectively. Furthermore, in esophageal biopsy of 73.3% of patients with suspected and 93.3% of patients with a definitive diagnosis of EoE, basal layer hyperplasia (BLH) was recognized. Conclusion The results of the present study showed that IHC can be applied to detect cell-free eosinophil granules in esophageal tissue. Observation of granules and basal cell hyperplasia in biopsies of suspected EoE patients whose eosinophil count is below the threshold can be valuable findings to make a definitive diagnosis for these patients.

Purpose: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is the most well-known eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder (EGID) characterized by the presence of a high number eosinophils within the esophageal epithelium and the clinical signs. Biopsies of patients with suspected EoE may not show a high number of eosinophils, however the presence of granules may help with the diagnosis. This study aims to evaluate the presence of cell-free eosinophil granules in the esophageal tissue of patients with suspected and confirmed EoE to accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of patients with low eosinophil count. Methods: Fifteen patients with confirmed EoE and 15 suspected of EoE were included in this study. Patients' esophageal tissue biopsies were stained using immunohistochemistry (IHC) to identify eosinophils and their cell-free granules. For testing, anti-major basic protein (MBP) and anti-chemokine receptor type 3 (CCR3) were used as primary antibodies and a double-staining kit containing secondary antibodies conjugated to the enzyme and related chromogens were used. Results: Cell-free granules with different degrees were observed in 53.3% and 93.3% of suspected and confirmed EoE samples, respectively. Furthermore, in esophageal biopsy of 73.3% of patients with suspected and 93.3% of patients with a definitive diagnosis of EoE, basal layer hyperplasia (BLH) was recognized. Conclusion The results of the present study showed that IHC can be applied to detect cell-free eosinophil granules in esophageal tissue. Observation of granules and basal cell hyperplasia in biopsies of suspected EoE patients whose eosinophil count is below the threshold can be valuable findings to make a definitive diagnosis for these patients.

Purpose: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is the most well-known eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder (EGID) characterized by the presence of a high number eosinophils within the esophageal epithelium and the clinical signs. Biopsies of patients with suspected EoE may not show a high number of eosinophils, however the presence of granules may help with the diagnosis. This study aims to evaluate the presence of cell-free eosinophil granules in the esophageal tissue of patients with suspected and confirmed EoE to accelerate the diagnosis and treatment of patients with low eosinophil count. Methods: Fifteen patients with confirmed EoE and 15 suspected of EoE were included in this study. Patients' esophageal tissue biopsies were stained using immunohistochemistry (IHC) to identify eosinophils and their cell-free granules. For testing, anti-major basic protein (MBP) and anti-chemokine receptor type 3 (CCR3) were used as primary antibodies and a double-staining kit containing secondary antibodies conjugated to the enzyme and related chromogens were used. Results: Cell-free granules with different degrees were observed in 53.3% and 93.3% of suspected and confirmed EoE samples, respectively. Furthermore, in esophageal biopsy of 73.3% of patients with suspected and 93.3% of patients with a definitive diagnosis of EoE, basal layer hyperplasia (BLH) was recognized. Conclusion The results of the present study showed that IHC can be applied to detect cell-free eosinophil granules in esophageal tissue. Observation of granules and basal cell hyperplasia in biopsies of suspected EoE patients whose eosinophil count is below the threshold can be valuable findings to make a definitive diagnosis for these patients.

Objective: To investigate Echinococcus (E.) granulosus genotypes as the causative agents of hydatidosis in humans in the southwest of Iran (Khuzestan province). Methods: In this study, isolates of 80 archived human paraffin embedded hydatid cysts were collected from pathology laboratories in Ahvaz city, Khuzestan province. DNA was extracted and examined by nested-PCR of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), and PCR-RFLP. In addition, the sequences of fragments of genes coding for Cox space1 and NADH dehydrogenase 1 (ND1) were also examined. Results: Of the 80 paraffin samples, 44 (55.0%) were from the liver, 27 (33.8%) from the lung, and the rest from other organs. The amplified hydatid genomic DNA showed that the cysts were E. granulosus strains. The results of PCR-RFLP and sequencing analysis revealed the presence of G1 genotype (sheep strain) in all human isolates. Furthermore, no camel strain (G6) was detected among all samples in the regions studied. Conclusions: The molecular findings indicate that the predominant genotype involved in E. granulosus transmission in southwest of Iran is the common sheep strain (G1), which occurs in human populations. These results may have important implications for hydatid disease control in the studied areas.