Biomedical subjects

A Nadim

Publications and source records attributed to A Nadim.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1977

Studies on the epidemiology of sandfly fever in Iran. I. Virus isolates obtained from Phlebotomus.

A total of 62 virus isolates was obtained from 12,485 male and female sandflies (predominately Phlebotomus papatasi) collected in a village in central Iran during the summer of 1975. The overall virus isolation rate from female sandflies was 1 per 177 insects processed. Of the 62 virus strains obtained, 49 were identified as Sicilian virus, 11 as Karimabad, and 2 as a new member of the vesicular stomatitis serogroup. One isolate each of Sicilian and Karimabad virus was made from pools of male sandflies. The three virus types were active in the sandfly population simultaneously. Sicilian virus isolation rates showed little variation during the study period, suggesting continuous virus activity during the sandfly season. The implications of these findings for the epidemiology of sandfly fever are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1977

Studies on the epidemiology of sandfly fever in Iran. II. The prevalence of human and animal infection with five phlebotomus fever virus serotypes in Isfahan province.

Human and animal sera from an endemic area of sandfly fever in Iran were tested by plaque reduction neutralization method against five different Phlebotomus fever virus serotypes (Naples, Sicilian, Karimabad, Salehabad, and I-47). The overall prevalence of Naples, Sicilian, and Karimabad virus antibodies among the human population was 17%, 25%, and 66%, respectively. All sera were negative against Salehabad and I-47 viruses. Age-specific antibody rates suggested that Sicilian and Karimabad viruses were endemic in the study area but that Naples virus activity was sporadic. These observations were confirmed by isolations of Sicilian and Karimabad viruses from sandflies collected in the study area. Among the animal sera tested, evidence of Phlebotomus fever virus infection was detected only in gerbils. Of 38 Rhombomys opimus tested, 34% had neutralizing antibodies against Sicilian virus and 32% against Karimabad. These results indicate that gerbils are infected with these two viruses and possibly might serve as reservoirs or amplifying hosts. The serologic studies also suggest that the ecology of Sicilian and Karimabad viruses involves chiefly sandflies, gerbils, and man, an epidemiologic pattern previously demonstrated for cutaneous leishmaniasis in the same region of Iran.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1977

Studies on the epidemiology of sandfly fever in Iran. III. Host-feeding patterns of Phlebotomus papatasi in an endemic area of the disease.

Blood meals from 575 Phlebotomus papatasi collected in an Iranian village were identified by precipitin test. The majority of sandfly feedings (57.5%) were on birds, mainly chickens and pigeons. The remaining 42.5% were on mammals (humans, cows, mules, sheep, and goats) or were non-reactive. Calculation of forage ratios of each host species indicated that chickens, equines, and bovines were the preferred hosts of P. papatasi in the village. Results of this study demonstrate that P. papatasi has a much wider natural host range than indicated previously and suggest that this species is an opporunistic feeder and is not strongly anthropophilic. Observations on the diurnal activity of P. papatasi are also presented.

Animals↗

PubMed1977

Isfahan virus, a new vesiculovirus infecting humans, gerbils, and sandflies in Iran.

The characteristics and ecology of Isfahan virus, a new vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) serotype, are described. Two strains of the agent were isolated from pools of Phlebotomus papatasi collected in Iran in 1975. Its animal pathogenicity, growth rate, cytopathic effect, and plaque morphology are similar to those of the other VSV serotypes. Electron microscopic examination of the virus demonstrated a bullet shape, the presence of truncated particles and maturation at plasma membranes. Antigenic relationships between Isfahan virus and three other VSV serotypes (Cocal, Piry, and Chandipura) were demonstrated by complement fixation or neutralization tests. A high prevalence of Isfahan neutralizing antibodies was found in human sera from several regions of Iran, suggesting that the virus may be of some public health importance. All of the residents over 5 years of age in the village where the virus was isolated had been infected. Neutralizing antibodies to Isfahan virus were also found in sera of Iranian gerbils but not in domestic animals. Results of this study suggest that the ecology of Isfahan virus is distinct from the other VSV serotypes and involves chiefly humans, gerbils, and sandflies, a pattern also observed with cutaneous leishmaniasis and sandfly fever in Iran.

Animals↗

PubMed1976

[Epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in the urban population of the town of Pahlavi (North Iran)].

A survey of cardiovascular diseases was carried out in June-August 1973 in the city of Pahlavi, a port in the Caspian area in Iran. A representative sample was taken from persons aged 35 years and older from both sexes. The prevalence of high blood pressure (WHO definition) is 29,7% in men and 31,0% in women of this age group. ECG tracings were prepared and the prevalence of various abnormalities are presented. A considerable proportion of the population have ST segment and T wave abnormalities. Correlation between ECG abnormalities and blood pressure figures has been studied. This study shows that there is a relationship between ECG abnormalities of group 3, 4 and 5 (Minnesota Coding) and the levels of blood pressure.

Adult↗

PubMed1975

Re-establishment of cutaneous leishmaniasis after cessation of anti-malaria spraying.

Decrease or interruption of transmission of cutaneous leishmaniasis as a result of spraying of human dwellings with residual insecticides has been reported by several investigators. In this report the behaviour of the disease after cessation of spraying in the villages of Isfahan is studied. In 16 villages sprayed with DDT from 1966 through 1969, the incidence decreased from 8.2 per 1000 in 1965 to 0,7 per 1000 in 1969 but in 1970, the first year after cessation of spraying, the incidence increased to 15 per 1000, a 20-fold increase. The control villages did not show these changes, still having the incidence figure of more than 9 per 1000 per year. The study shows that insecticide spraying is not the fianl answer in the control of leishmaniasis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1974

Epidemiology of human brucellosis in Isfahan, Iran.

Studies on brucellosis were carried out to elucidate the epidemiology of the disease in Isfahan province, where Brucella melitensis is highly prevalent in animals and man. A positive milk ring test of 32% and 23% was found in unvaccinated goats and sheep respectively. Card and tube agglutination tests showed an infection rate of about 12% in sheep and goats and 42% in cattle. B. melitensis was isolated from 8% of 677 samples of fresh cheese examined.Of 1526 clinically suspected human cases, 476 showed laboratory evidence of brucellosis. Of these patients, 291 cases were from urban and 185 cases from rural areas. Cases from urban and rural areas were seen principally in the younger age groups. The median age of infection was 19.7 in urban and 15.7 in rural patients respectively. The infection was encountered mainly from April to August. This correlates with animal parturition and the greatest amount of sheep and goat milk production, which is introduced to the local market as fresh cheese. Raw dairy product consumption is the most probable way of Brucella transmission in urban patients. In rural areas, both dairy product consumption and contact with animals are sources of infection.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1974

Epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Severe outbreaks of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Kabul led to complaints from the public. It was felt that a study of the epidemiology of the disease in this city would help not only in organizing better control measures in Kabul, but also in dealing with similar conditions that might arise elsewhere because of urbanization and migration from rural to urban areas. A housing project in north-west Kabul was studied through house-to-house visits of selected households. The prevalence of active sores was 11.6% and that of scars 4.3%, indicating both the recentness and the severity of the outbreak. All ages and both sexes were involved. The finding of infected dogs suggests that these animals may be reservoirs of infection. A survey of sandflies in the Kabul area showed the presence of 7 species of Phlebotomus, 4 of which are potential vectors, and 4 species of Sergentomyia.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1972