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Papers by ali sharafi

پزشکی بالینی ابن سینا, Dec 1, 2017

Background and Objective: Acanthamoeba is a free-living and opportunistic amoeba found in the wat... more Background and Objective: Acanthamoeba is a free-living and opportunistic amoeba found in the water, soil, and air. This amoeba causes granulomatous amoebic encephalitis in the immunocompromised patients and amoebic keratitis in the people using contact lenses. The genotypes of Acanthamoeba are pathogenic and non-pathogenic. Regarding this, the present study aimed to determine the frequency and genotypes of Acanthamoeba in the water pools and ponds of Khorramabad, Iran, using culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequencing methods in 2016. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on a total of 84 water samples collected from the water pools and ponds of Khorramabad. The samples were filtered using nitrocellulose syringe (0.45 μm); subsequently, they were cultured on 1.5% non-nutrient agar, covered by killed Escherichia coli and incubated at 27ºC. After the extraction of DNA from positive samples, PCR was performed using specific primers to detect and confirm Acanthamoeba. Then, for genotyping, the PCR products of positive samples were sequenced. Results: Out of the 84 water samples, 50 (59.5%) cases were positive for amoeba in the culture method. However, the results of the PCR revealed 35 (41.7%) positive samples for Acanthamoeba. The sequencing of the PCR products demonstrated that 17 samples were T4 genotype (pathogen), and the rest were other Acanthamoeba genotypes. Conclusion: This study indicated the high prevalence of Acanthamoeba species, especially the pathogenic type, in the water pools of Khoramabad that could be a source of infection risk for humans. Regarding the fact that almost half of the found genotypes were pathogenic (genotype T4) that are the main cause of amoebic keratitis, these water bodies could be a potential risk factor for the public health. Therefore, the health professionals should prevent contamination.

Heliyon, Aug 1, 2020

Culicidae mosquitoes are main vectors of arboviruses that cause arboviral diseases in humans. Stu... more Culicidae mosquitoes are main vectors of arboviruses that cause arboviral diseases in humans. Studies on fauna, ecology, biology, resting behaviors of Culicidae mosquitoes are important and greatly impacts the control of arboviral diseases that are transmitted by vectors. The aim of the present study was to determine fauna of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) based on morphological and molecular (genomic) identification and their habitats in Lorestan province, Western Iran. Meanwhile mosquito samples were examined for arbovirus infection. Culicidae mosquitoes were caught in 2015 and 2016 from human homes, animal dwellings, storehouses and pit shelters in Lorestan province, Western Iran, using an oral aspirator (hand catch), total catch, human and animal bait and light trap methods. The samples were identified on the genus and species. Six species of Culex and eight species of Anopheles were caught. One complex species (Cx. pipiens complex) and a hybrid between Cx. pipiens pipiens biotype pipiens and Cx. pipiens pipiens biotype molestus were identified. Among all of the trapped mosquitoes (4211), 94.68% were from genus Culex mosquitoes (3987), which indicate that this genus is the dominant in Lorestan province, Western Iran. Anopheles comprised of 201 individuals out of the total catch. Arboviruses were not detected in these samples.

PubMed, Oct 6, 2017

Background: The aim of this study was the seroepidemiological survey for detecting the status of ... more Background: The aim of this study was the seroepidemiological survey for detecting the status of human fasciolosis in Lorestan Province, western Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015-16. Based on statistical estimations, 1256 serum samples were collected from different parts of Lorestan Province, western Iran, and stored at -20 °C until use. The collected serum samples were analyzed at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran using indirect ELISA method. Results: Anti-Fasciola antibodies were detected in 16 (1.3%) individuals. Regarding the seropositivity to fasciolosis, no significant differences were found between age groups, sex, level of education and occupation; however significant differences were observed regarding location, consuming local freshwater plants and water resources (P<0.02.). Conclusion: Local freshwater plants and unfiltered water resources were probably the main sources of the infection. Health education by local health centers to elevate awareness of people, and providing facilities for safer drinking water, especially in rural areas may help decrease the risk of fasciolosis infection in this region.

Iranian Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Jul 11, 2018

Background: Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is one of the major zoonotic parasitic diseases caused by ... more Background: Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is one of the major zoonotic parasitic diseases caused by the larval stages of parasite Echinococcus granulosus. This is an endemic disease in a number of regions in Iran, such as Lorestan province, and is considered as a health problem. Objectives: Due to the close contact of nomadic people with sheep dog, this research aimed at studying the seroepidemiology of CE among in-migration and out-migration nomads of Lorestan province, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, among 5920 residents of nomadic areas, 315 people were randomly selected and serum samples were obtained from these individuals. IgG antibodies against CE were evaluated using the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Demographic data of all subjects were collected by a questionnaire, and the results were statistically analyzed using SPSS V.20 and STATA12. Results: According to the results, the seroepidemiology of CE among the nomads was 18 (5.7%); 13 (72.22%) were male and five (27.77%) were female yet the difference was not statistically significant. The highest prevalence (7.79%) was in the age group of 20 to 30 years old, yet no significant difference was observed between various age groups. In terms of education, more seropositive cases were found amongst subjects with low education, yet no significant difference was observed between educational level and seropositivity of CE. It should also be noted that all the participants were not aware of proper washing of vegetables and fruits. Conclusions: This study was conducted for the first time in Lorestan province, Iran, and showed that the seroprevalence among the nomadic population of Aligoudarz and Sepiddasht was considerable. In order to prevent zoonotic disease, increased awareness of nomads in understanding the transmission ways of disease is suggested through health education programs according to the educational level of the target population, the majority of whom are illiterate. Active surveillance is also recommended in these areas.

Iranian journal of public health, Jan 4, 2021

Fascioliasis is a zoonotic disease caused by Fasciola spp. We report five serologically and molec... more Fascioliasis is a zoonotic disease caused by Fasciola spp. We report five serologically and molecularly confirmed cases in an emerging region in Iran. A retrospective, case series study, performed in Lorestan Province, west of Iran between January 2015 and June 2016. From 1256 patients examined, 16 patients had positive serum ELISA. Five cases were approved as infected with fasciolosis using stool exam and PCR. Age ranged from 24 to 80 yr with mean age of 45 years. All of patients were adults and four of them had abdominal and back pain. Other symptoms included fever and chills, coughing and sore throat, weight loss, cutaneous manifestations. All patients lived in the rural environment, and four reported the ingestion of raw aquatic plants such as watercress. In fecal examination for fluke eggs, four samples were positive for F. hepatica eggs. Conventional PCR analysis showed that five human stools were positive for F. hepatica. All of 5 patients were treated with the usual dose of triclabendazole. A history of recent consumption of raw aquatic plants (in 4 out of 5 patients) is an important finding, but in one patient the source of infection remained unclear. Lorestan should be considered as an emerging region for this disease and further research in this province should be carried out.

Progress in Biological Sciences, 2012

The main aim of this study was to obtain the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) glycop... more The main aim of this study was to obtain the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) glycoprotein, through either stable transgenic plants or using a transient expression system, and determine the yield, quality and finally the immunogenicity of the plant-made CCHFV glycoprotein in a mouse model. We designed and synthesized a codon-optimized G1/G2 gene from the G1 and G2 parts of the CCHFV glycoprotein by bioinformatic analysis. The synthetic construct was cloned into a plant expression vector and tobacco plants were both transiently and stably transformed. The transgenic plantlets or tobacco-derived hairy roots confirmed by PCR and Southern blot analyses. The intact 98 kDa G1/G2 glycoprotein was produced by a transient expression system at as much as 3.3 mg/kg fresh weight. The recombinant G1/G2 protein was analyzed in stable lines by G1/G2 ELISA and Western blot. The yield in the transgenic hairy root line was significantly higher than that in transgenic tobacco lines. Final...

Iranian journal of parasitology

The purpose of this study was to perform seroepidemiological investigation for determining the st... more The purpose of this study was to perform seroepidemiological investigation for determining the status of human fasciolosis in Pirabad Village, Lorestan Province, western Iran. Blood samples were taken from residents of the village including 801 individuals. Sera were separated and stored at -20°C until used. The samples were analyzed using ELISA. Anti-Fasciola antibodies were detected in 6 (0.7%) individuals. Difference between age, sex and drinking or swimming in the surface water with seropositivity to fasciolosis was not significant. Out of 7 shepherds, 1 (14.3%) was seropositive. Due to the small number of shepherds, comprehensive statistical inference in this regard cannot be done. Significant difference was detected between seropositivity to fasciolosis and consuming local freshwater vegetables during the last 6 months (P=0.001). Metacercariae carrying local freshwater plants might be the main source of contamination because consumption of these kinds of vegetables was confirm...

Iranian journal of parasitology, 2013

Leishmaniasis is a group of diseases that are created by intracellular parasites of Leishmania. C... more Leishmaniasis is a group of diseases that are created by intracellular parasites of Leishmania. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is considered as one of the health problems in some provinces of Iran. In this study, a total of 178 Giemsa-stained slides from confirmed cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis were examined. The slides were prepared from the patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis that referred to health centers and infected during the epidemic of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Poldokhtar city, Lorestan Province, Iran in 2006.Genomic DNA from each slide was extracted. After DNA extraction, ITS-PCR was used. Out of 178 slides, 129 (72.47%) samples had a band in the range of 485 bp and 49 (27.53%) samples 626 bp that matched L. tropica and L. major standard samples, respectively. This study showed that Leishmania DNA could be efficiently extracted and amplified even from old Giemsa-stained microscopic slides that were stored more than 6 yr. In this study was shown that both L. tropica and L. ma...

Medical journal of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, 2015

Background and Objectives: Two clinical forms of leishmaniasis exist in Iran: cutaneous and visce... more Background and Objectives: Two clinical forms of leishmaniasis exist in Iran: cutaneous and visceral. According to the sporadic reports of new cases of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) in Lorestan province, real status of VL is not clear, so this study aimed to describe the seroprevalence of VL in Delphan city. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive analytic study, blood samples were collected from children ≤ 12 years and 10% of adults by a multi-stage randomized cluster sampling from January 2012 to September 2012. The sero-prevalence evaluation was done by Direct Agglutination Test (DAT). Based on different studies in Iran, the 1/800 and 1/1600 titers were considered as the infection with L. infantum and the of titers ≥ 1/3200 accompanied with clinical symptoms was considered as VL disease. Results: 800 collected serum samples, 21(2.62%) showed anti-Leishmania antibodies at titers of 1/800 and 1/1600, whereas 5(0.62%) showed anti-Leishmania antibodies at titers of ≥1/3200. But just...

Clinical Biochemistry, 2013

Multidrug resistance to anticancer drugs, which is often associated with enhanced expression of t... more Multidrug resistance to anticancer drugs, which is often associated with enhanced expression of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter P-glycoprotein (encoded by the ABCB1 gene) may limit the effects of cancer therapy. Epigenetic regulation of ABCB1 expression may thus have a clinical impact. A detailed assessment of ABCB1 promoter methylation is of importance for predicting therapy outcome and prognosis. Thus, validated methods for the analysis of ABCB1 promoter methylation are urgently required. In the present study, high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis of the CpG island regions covering the distal promoter of the ABCB1 gene was developed and compared with pyrosequencing. In addition, the clinical effects of the methylation status of the ABCB1 promoter were analyzed in patients with breast and ovarian carcinoma prior and subsequent to chemotherapy treatment. HRM analysis of ABCB1 methylation correlated with the results of pyrosequencing (P=0.001) demonstrating its analytical validity and utility. Hypermethylation of the analyzed ABCB1 promoter region was significantly correlated with low levels of the ABCB1 transcript in tumors from a subset of patients with breast and ovarian carcinoma prior to chemotherapy but not following treatment. Finally, high ABCB1 transcript levels were observed in tumors of patients with short progression-free survival prior to chemotherapy. Our data suggest the existence of functional epigenetic changes in the ABCB1 gene with prognostic value in tumor tissues of patients with breast and ovarian carcinoma. The clinical importance of such changes should be further evaluated.

Journal of the Bangladesh Agricultural University, 2012

To study the effect of months, seasons, age and sex on visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in human, data... more To study the effect of months, seasons, age and sex on visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in human, data were collected during March 2010 through February 2011 from the register book of Upazila Health Complex (UHC) of Trishal, which is an endemic region for VL in the Mymensingh district. Besides, 70 blood samples were collected from suspected VL human patients to compare microscopy with rK39 immunochromatographic strip test. Additionally, 50 cattle blood samples were also collected from houses with active or recently-treated VL patients to determine the possible animal reservoir of VL through rK39 strip test. Of the suspected VL patients in the UHC registered book, 43.8% were seropositive. The percentages of seropositive cases were higher in September (73.3%), November (67.2%) and August (65.5%) than in May (18.5%), June (27.5%) and March (36.7%). The rainy season (58.4%) and the winter season (50.6%) showed higher seropositive than the summer (30.7%) season which was significan...

Journal of Research in Health Sciences, 2017

Background: Homeless people are at a higher risk of blood-born infectious diseases. The aim of th... more Background: Homeless people are at a higher risk of blood-born infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and related risk factors among male homeless people. Study design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: This study was conducted in Khorramabad City, western Iran from January to June 2015. A pre-designed validated questionnaire was used to collect the data on behavioral and other potential risk factors. Blood samples were taken in order to diagnose HIV, hepatitis B and C infections. The prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B, C and related risk factors was reported with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The participants were 307 male homeless people with a mean (±SD) age of 35.86 (±9.62) yr. The prevalence of HIV, HBs Ag, and HCV Ab positive cases was 6.51% (95% CI: 4.23, 9.90), 0.98% (95% CI: 0.31, 3.00), and 31.27% (26.31, 36.71), respectively. The prevalence of co-infections of HIV and HCV Ab+ was 5.76% (95% CI: 1.34, 8.51). The mo...

International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2016

Background: Despite the progress made, animal bites and rabies are one of the important health pr... more Background: Despite the progress made, animal bites and rabies are one of the important health problems in the country. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of animal bites and rabies during 2004-2014 in Lorestan Province to prevent them in population of the province for the future prospective aspects. Materials and Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, all those cases bitten in the province, during 2004 and 2014, were studied. The required information about the age, sex, the bitten organ, type of the invasive animal time, and location of the event were collected in questionnaires and then analyzed. Results: The total number of cases of animal rabies during the period of study was 43,892, shown at the rate of 223.23 in 100,000 people. Seventy-eight percent of animal bites in rural areas, 41.42% in the ages 10-29-year-old, 26.8% of cases were students, 56.77% leg bites, and 82.5% of dog bites. Four cases of human rabies were observed during this period. Conclusions: Rate of animal bites and rabies is high in Lorestan Province. Controlling animals such as dogs and cats in the province through training people at risk, especially among the students, rural areas and inter-sectorial coordination to eliminate stray animals should be considered over and over. Preventive actions to avoid bites are a priority.

Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2013