Diagnosis of hepatitis B is routinely based on of serological assay of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is generally defined as the detection of HBV -DNA in the serum or tissues of subjects who have negative test for HBsAg. Transmission of HBV infection has been documented from HBsAg negative, anti-HBc positive blood and organ donors. The aim of this...

Background Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) is an important vector for many human diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility level of larval and adult stages of Cu. quinquefasciatus to different groups of WHO recommended insecticides for vector control. Methods Larval stages of the Culex mosquitoes were collected from their natural habitats in Rafsanjan Coun...

OBJECTIVES To investigate the prevalence of post stroke depression and its association with hospital admission conditions. METHODS In this case-control study, 120 patients with ischemic cerebral stroke from Aliebne-Abitaleb Hospital, Rafsanjan, Iran, during 2004-2006 were evaluated. Sixty patients were hospitalized near very ill patients (including patients with delirium, decreased consciousn...

BACKGROUND Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) remains a serious public health concern in Kerman Province, eastern Iran. This study was aimed to conduct a comprehensive review and highlights various aspects of CL in the province of Kerman. METHODS This article mainly focuses on the studies published in the past 26 years on CL in the province. Current data for the present status were obtained through...

OBJECTIVE To assess the incidence of depression and its contributing factors after an episode of stroke. METHODS This prospective study was performed on 200 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to Aliebne-Abitaleb Hospital in Rafsanjan, Iran, from September 2006 to September 2007. The diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke was made by a neurologist and confirmed by MRI. Freque...

OBJECTIVE To compare heart rate variability (HRV) and QT dispersion in comatose patients with normal brainstem function and with brain death. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional comparative study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY The Intensive Care Unit of Ali-Ebn-Abitaleleb Hopital, Rafsanjan Medical University from September 2007 to June 2009. METHODOLOGY Fourteen brain death patients with clinical...