Evaluation of serum CA 125 level and its relation to surgical, histopathologic and ultrasonographic findings in patients with pelvic mass

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the levels of tumour marker CA 125 antigen and pelvic tumour size, histopathological type, stage, bilateral status, ascites, type of surgery, and postoperative complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 203 patients with a pelvic mass who were visited in the Shahid Sadoughi hospital in Yazd, Iran from 2007 to 2010. Data were analyzed by software SPSS v.14.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis, based on Fisher's exact test, showed that patients with pelvic mass who presented with either of bilateral involvement/ascites (p = 0.000), higher stage (p = 0.001), inability for complete resection (p = 0.000), or postoperative complications (p = 0.001) had significantly higher serum concentrations of CA 125 antigen. There was no relationship between serum level of CA 125 and such variables as tumor size (p = 0.883) and abdominal ultrasound findings (p = 0.297).

CONCLUSION

Using CA 125 as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in patients with newly-discovered pelvic mass can be helpful in some aspects, but cannot estimate size of the tumor and its solid/cystic status. It also cannot predict post-surgical complications of malignant pelvic masses.

Cancer in pregnancy: a 10-year experience in shahid sadoughi hospital, yazd, iran

INTRODUCTION

Although occurrence of cancer during pregnancy is rare, it leads to high morbidity and mortality in both mother and fetus. Recent trends in prolongation of child-bearing age have made cancer-associated pregnancies more frequent than past. As yet there are few documents concerning cancer and its related treatment outcomes during pregnancy. This study aimed at describing clinical characteristics of pregnant women with cancer in the Shahid Sadoughi hospital in Yazd, Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Case series were reviewed retrospectively, which included 19 pregnant women diagnosed with cancer in Shahid Sadoughi hospital from 2002 to 2012. Data collected comprised demographics, pregnancy characteristics and outcomes, type of cancer, clinical stage, treatment and oncological.

RESULTS

From 17 pregnant women with cancer, 4 women had gynecologic cancers and 13 had non-gynecologic cancers. The Following tumors were observed: breast [6], acute myeloblastic leukemia [3], uterine cervix carcinoma [3], ovary [1], chronic myelogenous leukemia [1], lymphoma [1], papillary carcinoma of thyroid [1], and pseudopapillary carcinoma of pancreas [1]. The mean age of patients was 30.6 years, and the mean gestational age at diagnosis was 21.1 weeks. Surgical treatment was performed in 3 patients, 6 patients were treated by chemotherapy, and in 3 by both.

DISCUSSION

Although cancer during pregnancy is uncommon, it is considered an important problem due to unsuitable maternal and fetal outcomes and lack of standard management guidelines. Our cases represent examples of feasible or justifiable managements for them.

Gastrointestinal helminths of camels (Camelus dromedarius) in center of Iran

Camels are multipurpose animals in Iran. As parasitic diseases are the major cause of impaired meat and milk production in this animal, the present study aimed at determining gastrointestinal helminthic infections of Iranian camels in the center of the country. Gastrointestinal (GI) tract of 144 carcasses of one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) slaughtered in Yazd, Esfahan and Kerman provinces' abattoirs were examined for adult helminths. Camels were from both sexes and different ages. Recovered parasites were identified according to described keys by light microscope. Of 144 tested camels, 117 were infected with at least one helminth species (81.3%). A total of 28 worm species from 14 genera were identified in the digestive tract of infected animals, including 26 species of nematodes and two species of cestodes. The infection rates in stomach, small intestine, and caecum/large intestine were 86.3%, 91.5% and 11.1%, respectively. However, no worm was found in the oesophagus. The recovered worms with infection rates are discussed in this paper. In the present study, Haemonchus tataricus, Trichostrongylus hamatus and Trichuris infundibulus are reported from Iranian dromedaries for the first time. Regarding high prevalence of infection, using anthelminthic drugs seemed necessary to improve the health and productivity of camels. On the other hand, the high rate of zoonotic species indicated that camels have important role in maintaining and transmitting infection to humans.

G6PD Enzyme Deficiency in Neonatal Pathologic Hyperbilirubinemia in Yazd

BACKGROUND

About 7.5% of the world population carries one or two deficient copy of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) genes. According to WHO, its prevalence in Iran is 10 to 14.9%. This study aimed on determination of frequency of G6PD deficiency in neonates with jaundice who were hospitalized during 6 months (September 2008 to February 2009) in the city of Yazd, Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 105 icteric neonates in the hospitals of Yazd were evaluated. Data was collected from hospital records, and the G6PD activity was measured by photometric biochemical assay. Statistical analysis of data was performed by the SPSS-16 software, using Student's t-test and Pearson's chi-squared test.

RESULTS

Between all of studied neonates, 19 (18.1%) had G6PD deficiency, and consisted of 15 boys (29.4% of boys) and 4 girls (7.4% of girls). In 100% of cases, the jaundice began in the first week after birth. The average total serum bilirubin at hospitalization was 17.22 mg/dL. In 31.5% of the G6PD-defficient neonates, exchange transfusion became necessary, which is significantly more than the rate in G6PD-sufficient (4.6%) neonates (P-value<0.05).

CONCLUSION

In general, the frequency of G6PD deficiency in this study seems quite high. Regarding its severity and frequent need for exchange transfusion, we recommend that all of the icteric neonates should be evaluated for G6PD activity. Also, it is better to test for G6PD deficiency in all of the neonates, to detect its presence and to prevent its complications such as favism and oxidant drug-induced hemolysis, since the test has a low cost.

Eimeria infection in camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Yazd province, central Iran

This study was carried out during the winter of 2008 to the summer 2010 to determine the rate of infection of Eimeria spp. in dromedary camels in Yazd province, Iran at that period. A total of 305 faecal samples were taken per recta from live and slaughtered, apparently healthy camels 9 months to 23 years old. Using saturated zinc sulfate solution floatation technique, samples were prepared and investigated microscopically to detect Eimeria spp. oocysts. Results revealed that the overall frequency of infection in samples was 9.51%. Identified species were Eimeria cameli (47.5%), Eimeria dromedarii (42.5%) and Eimeria bactriani (10%). The rate of infection was higher in the winter season, and in camels aged 5 to 10 years old. Statistical analysis showed that there is a significant difference between infection rate and season, but no effect by age or sex on eimeriosis was found. Since most of the positive cases in our study were adult, our findings suggest that older camels may play an important role in spreading infection as asymptomatic oocyst shedders.

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in Camels and Involved People in Yazd Province, Iran

BACKGROUND

Although infection of dromedary camels with Cryptosporidium spp. is rare in Iran, it is considered a zoonotic threat to the keepers and herders of camels. Thus we investigated the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in these two hosts in Yazd Province, a semi-arid region in center of Iran.

METHODS

This study was conducted during 4 seasons (winter 2008, summer 2009, winter 2009 and summer 2010). Fecal samples (n=200) were collected from live camels. Also, 100 abomasal mucosa and related fecal samples of the slaughtered camels were investigated. Stool samples from 100 individuals who were in persistent contact with camels were also obtained. After staining by modified Ziehl-Neelsen method, the prepared specimens were studied microscopically. Results were analyzed using SPSS 16.

RESULTS

The rate of infection in feces and abomasal mucosa of camels were 20.33% and 12%, respectively. In addition, simultaneous fecal and mucosal infection was detected in 3 cases in winter. Statistical analyses showed no significant relation between infection and age of camels, as well as their sex and the season. Cryptosporidiosis in people who were in long-term contact with camels was also investigated microscopically by obtaining stool samples of 100 individuals (50 in summers, 50 in winters), 24 of them being infected with Cryptosporidium spp. The rate of infection was higher in winter than summer (16/50 compared with 8/50).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in camels and involved humans in Yazd Province is relatively considerable and of public health importance.