International Journal of Medical Laboratory

247-255

Authors: Zivar Zangeneh, Alireza Andalib, Gholamreza Khamisipour *, Hamid Saadabadimotlagh, Sareh Zangeneh, Niloofar Motamed

Background and Aims: Cells and secreted molecules by the innate immune system are the essential factors in the pathogenesis and determining the severity of inflammation in COVID-19 patients. Severe inflammation results from increased activity of neutrophils, macrophages, and other cells with their products. Inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) increases the severity and pathogenesis of the disease caused by the virus. Phagocytes are armed with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), that upon stimulation by proinflammatory cytokines augment an immune response against pathogens. Materials and Methods: Two groups of patients were included with COVID-19 infection from the intensive care unit (ICU, n=52) and (non-ICU-care, n=54). Blood samples were collected to measure cells and serum parameters, including lymphocytes, neutrophils, platelet counts, accompanied with C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, TNF-α and iNOS levels. Results: In the ICU group, increased white blood cells (p=0.048), decreased lymphocytes (p=0.0007), increased neutrophils (p=0.001), decreased platelets, increase serum levels for lactate dehydrogenase (p =0.0001), c-reactive protein (p=0.003), TNF-α (p=0.018), and iNOS (p=0.008) were statistically obtained. Positive correlations were calculated between TNF-α and iNOS (r=0.65, p=0.0002) and with c-reactive protein (r=0.52, p=0.003) and with lactate dehydrogenase (r=0.68, p=0.0001). Conclusion: Inflammation due to macrophages and neutrophils activity in COVID-19 patients and increased mediators correlate with disease progression. It seems that control of the cell activity and their inflammatory cytokines would be considered for therapeutic goals. Changing the polarization of inflammatory macrophages to anti-inflammatory macrophages with therapeutic applications could prevent the severity of the provocative course of the disease.

264-274

Authors: Abbas Dabbaghzadeh, Javad Ghaffari *, Jamshid Yazdani Charati, Marziyeh Mohammadi kordkheyli, Fatemeh Pouresmaeil

Background and Aims: Allergic disorders such as asthma, urticaria, eczema, and allergic rhinitis are common worldwide, and allergens are the most common etiology and exacerbating factors. So, This study aimed to find the allergens in these patients with skin prick tests. Materials and Methods: All the allergic cases referred to an allergic clinic in the north of Iran were visited by an allergist and clinical immunologist. Based on patient history, physical examination, and diagnosis, we select food allergens and aeroallergens. A standard skin prick test was performed on all patients, and all data was then analyzed SPSS 20. Results: Two thousand one hundred and twenty-eight cases entered the study with a mean age of 27.65 ± 15.52 years old. 1235 (58.04%) females and 893 males (41.96%) participated in this study. Prevalence of allergic rhinitis, asthma, urticaria, and eczema were 717 (33.7%), 611 (28.8%), 550 (25.8%), and 250 (11.7%), respectively. The most common aeroallergens were Dermatophagoides farinae (75.9%), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (65.4%), feather (56.1%), and Candida (51.1%), respectively, in all patients. The most common food allergens were egg white (31.1%), cacao (29.7%), and egg yolk (28.9%), respectively, in all cases. Conclusion: Both aeroallergens and food allergens were the most common in all allergens by skin prick test. Therefore, it is important to find the relationship between sensitization and allergy.

284-290

Authors: Samira Hajimaghsoodi , Abbas Ali Jafari Nodoushan , Mohamad Hassan Akhavan Karbassi, Yasaman Yazdanparast *

Background and Aims: Candida albicans is the most prevalent opportunistic fungal species in the oral cavity. To date, several studies have been investigated the various factors associated with oral candidiasis. On the other hand, it has been proven that blood types antigens lead to some infectious factors. This study aimed to evaluate Candida albicans colonies in the saliva of dentistry students based on their blood type to detect a relationship between blood group and incidence of oral candidiasis. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 200 dentistry students were selected by a simple sampling method, including 100 individuals with blood type O and 100 with other blood types. The unstimulated salivary samples of all the participants were collected by spitting, cultured on Sabouraud medium, and then the isolated Candida albicans colonies were enumerated and recorded. Results: In the present study, samples comprised 77 males and 123 females, of whom 15.5% (31 individuals) carried colony-forming units > 40. The mean of Candida albicans colonies in the individuals' saliva with blood type O was 21.55, and it was 10.68 in the other groups. Besides, the differences were statistically significant (p = 0.024). There was no significant difference in Candida albicans colony count between O positive and O negative blood groups. Conclusions: The result of this study showed a significant relationship between the number of Candida albicans colonies of saliva and the individual’s blood type.

304-315

Authors: Vijayalakshmi Kuttath * , Shyamily Mohan

Background and Aims: This study aims to identify the level of motivation among blood donors and their intention to donate again and suggest remedial measures to rectify de-motivating influences. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among donors to collect data on variables related to the objective. Results: Most donors were men aged 18-24 years, graduates, and employed. The statistical analysis indicated a significant correlation between socio-demographic variables and intention to donate. Fear is the major de-motivating factor, and waiting hours at the blood bank were rated as inconvenient. Conclusion: Recognition of the positive and negative motivation factors and measures to remove misconceptions of donors will go on a long way in the recruitment and retention of blood donors.