Background and Objectives: Leishmanin skin test (Montenegro test) is a best indicator for evaluation of delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and cell-mediated immunity in leishmaniasis. A standard antigen is needed for this test. In this research, several batches of leishmanin antigen were produced under standard conditions, and their immunogenicity, specificity, sensitivity and potency were evaluated.

  Methods: In order to produce leishmanin, standard strain of Leishmania major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) was cultured in equal volume of�liquid medium of D-MEM and Tc Medium 199 in large scale. Parasites from stationary phase of growth were harvested and washed under strict standard conditions and used for preparation of leishmanin. Immunogenicity of prepared antigen was tested by skin testing in pre-immunized guinea pigs. Specificity of the reagent and abnormal sensitization were evaluated by skin testing in healthy individuals in non-endemic areas of Tehran and Tabriz. Sensitivity and potency of leishmanin reagent were evaluated by skin testing in recovered individuals from cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in endemic areas of rural and urban areas.

  Results: The findings indicated the productions of leishmanin are sterile and safe with high immunogenicity. Specificity of the products was shown to be higher than 99% with no abnormal sensitization to reagent. Sensitivity and potency of preparations were determined > 96% with mean induration between 15-18 mm in endemic areas of rural CL, and > 93% with mean reactivity of 12-14 mm in endemic areas of urban CL.

  Conclusion: The findings indicated that this product is safe and sterile with high immunogenicity, specificity, sensitivity and potency and has no abnormal sensitization. These products which are easily available inside the country could be used easily for skin testing and detection of delayed-type hypersensitivity response in leishmaniasis.

 Background & Objectives: Toxoplasmosis is an important zoonosis parasitical disease. Infection with Toxoplasma gondii in transmission of parasite to fetus or its reactivation among immune-compromised persons can lead to server clinical symptoms. The aim of study was to determine immune level of Toxoplasmosis among women who were to get married and have referred to Health Center of Ardabil.

  Methods: In this study 272 blood samples of women who had referred to health center of Ardabil in 2007 were collected. Samples were tested with ELISA method to detect Anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG Antibodies.

  Results: The tests showed that 42.3% of women were IgG Positive, 57.2% were IgG negative and 2.6% women were IgM positive and also IgG positive. They have ( IgG positive women) 11.3% family history of abortion, 96.5% eating raw vegetables, 92.2% eating half cooked meat, 89.6% not washing the vegetables with disinfectants, 29.6% animal contact, 57.4% contact with raw meat and 94.8% used piped water.

  Conclusion: Since 57.7% of women who were to marry in Ardabil city were negative from the view point of Toxoplasmosis, health education for elimination of risk factors especially within pregnancy period seems mandatory.

  Background & Objectives: Consumption of ω3 fatty acids supplementation inhibits oxidative stress injury, increases activity of antioxidant enzymes and decreases lipid peroxidation in gastric cancer patients. In this study, we examined effects of ω-3 fatty acid intakes on oxidative stress in gastric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

  Methods: This double blind clinical trial study was conducted on 30 adult patients (15 cases and 15 controls) with gastric cancer during chemotherapy in Ardabil city in 2010. Case and control groups were selected by randomized allocation. Three grams ω -3 fatty acid supplementation (1.8 g EPA & 1.2 g DHA in 10 g fish oil) and placebo were given case and control groups for 45 days, respectively. Anthropometric indices (weight, height & BMI) were measured. Blood samples were taken and then biochemical factors including triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, MDA, and total antioxidants were evaluated at the beginning, middle and end of the study . The data were analyzed by using Paired sample t-test, Independent sample t-test and repeated measures test.

  Results: MDA, Weight and BMI of omega group after intervention were significantly more than control group at the end of the study (p<0.05). Weight and BMI were decreased but serum MDA was significantly increased in control group during the study (p<0.05). Weight, BMI , and total antioxidants were significantly increased in omega group during day 30-45, (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in other biochemical factors at the end of study.

  Conclusion: The present investigation shows administration of ω3 fatty acid supplements to gastric cancer patients during chemotherapy increases the total antioxidants capacity and prevents the enhancement of oxidative stress.

  Background & Objectives: Coronary artery disease is the main cause of mortality in developing and industrial countries. Recently the involvement of infectious agents as a risk factor for Acute Coronary syndrome is drafted. So this study was designed to investigate the probable association between Acute Coronary syndrome and Helicobacter pylori infection.

  Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 300 hospitalized patients with the diagnosis of Acute Coronary syndrome (UA and MI) and 300 hospitalized patients without the history of coronary heart disease. Anti Helicobacter pylori Antibody level was determined by as an indicator of infection history. Using chi-square and t- test the results were analyzed in SPSS software.

  Results: Results showed that 79 patients (26.3%) in control group and 122 patients (40.6%) in case group were seropositive and the difference was significant. Relationship between cronory diseases risk factors and levels of IgG was not significant. Also the results showed that the rate of hypertension in seropositive patients in case group was significantly upper than control group.

  Conclusion: Regarding the findings of this study we can conclude that Helicobacter pylori infection probably is a risk factor for Acute Coronary Syndrome. Thus, further studies are needed to elucidate the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and Acute Coronary Syndrome.

  Background & objectives: Addiction is one of the problems in world threating the social, economic and culture factors. It is essential to have an accurate knowledge about the characteristics of drug users in order to diminish the high-risk behaviors of intravenous drug addicts. This research has been done to assess relationship between individual characteristics and high risk behavior in intravenous drug addicts.

  Method: In this descriptive-analytic research, 360 drug users were selected from different places in Ardabil city and interviewed by a prepared questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical tests including t-test, Pearson correlation and ANOVA with SPSS statistical software.

  Results: The results showed that the age, gender, material status, job position, age of addiction start, age of injection start, injection frequency, injection frequency per day, syringe supply place and the partner’s gender during recent few months had no significant difference compared to drug users with needle sharing and without needle sharing. The educational level of drug users with needle sharing was lower (P=0.037) and the number of new syringe usage per month was also lesser (P=0.001). They predicted to be more likely infected with AIDS (P=0.001) and had a less argument with their partner about using condom, also mostly have not used condom at their last sexual relationship (P=0.001). The average number of their partners during last three months was high (P=0.003) and there was a meaningful relationship between true sense of peril and using condom in drug users with needle sharing group (p=0.001).

  Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between the true sense of danger and the using condom. It is necessary to have an appropriate advertising to increase using condoms among injecting drug users.

� Background &objectives: Celiac disease is a gastrointestinal disorder that genetic factors have a role on its pathogenesis. The aim of the present study was to determine HLA alleles encoding HLA DQ2 and HLA DQ8 in patients with celiac disease.

� Methods: This descriptive analytical study was conducted on 105 patients with IBS whom referred to the gastroenterology unit in Ardabil, Iran. The patients with positive celiac serology of IgA anti-tTG test were done an endoscopic duodenal biopsy. HLA DQ2 and DQ8 testings were performed on patients. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics together with Mann-Whitney U and Fisher&rsquos exact tests by SPSS-16.

� Results: 14 patients were found positive for IgA antibodies against tTG. From these 14 patients 2 (14.3%) were male and 12 (85.71%) female. All of 14 patients (100% of case) had also abnormal intestinal pathology according to the modified Marsh classification and 10 patients had type IIIC. 11 patients had only HLA DQ2, 2 patients had only HLADQ8, and one patient had both HLADQ2 andDQ8.

� Conclusion: Most of patients had positive HLA D Q2. The present study emphasizes that HLA genotypes are an important background to CD development.