Akram Najafi

Publications

• Multi-drug resistance and molecular pattern of erythromycin and penicillin resistance genes in Streptococcus pneumoniae

  Mohammad Kargar, Maryam Baghernegad, Sadegh Ghorbani Dalini, Akram Najafi

  African Journal of Biotechnology. 01/2012;

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• Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in bovine bulk milk samples in southern Iran

  Mohammad Kargar, Afsaneh Rashidi, Abbas Dosti, Sadegh Ghorbani Dalini, Akram Najafi

  Comparative Clinical Pathology. 01/2012;

• Rotavirus gastroenteritis in the South of Iran: high frequency of non-typeable genotypes in children under 5 years old

  Akram Najafi, Mohammad Kargar, Keivan Zandi, Maryam Zare, Tarlan Jafarpour, Amin Reza Akbarizadeh, Mehdi Kargar

  The First International and 12th Iranian Congress of Microbiology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Iran; 01/2011

• Epidemiological trend of gastroenteritis associated with enteric adenovirus in hospitalized children in Bushehr Province, Iran

  Akram Najafi, Hassan Shafiei, Afshin Barazesh, Shariat Najafi, Mah-Khanom Mohammadian, Katayoon Vahdat, Mohammad Kargar.

  The African Journal of Microbiology Research. 01/2011; 5(30):5402-5406.

  Enteric adenoviruses are one of the most significant etiological agents of severe viral gastroenteritis among infants and young children worldwide. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of enteric adenovirus gastroenteritis in hospitalized children less than 7 years of age in Borazjan,... [more] Enteric adenoviruses are one of the most significant etiological agents of severe viral gastroenteritis among infants and young children worldwide. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of enteric adenovirus gastroenteritis in hospitalized children less than 7 years of age in Borazjan, Bushehr Province, Iran. From October 2008 to September 2010, stool specimens from 375 children suffering from acute diarrhea were investigated for the presence of enteric adenoviruses using enzyme immunoassays (EIA). Demographic and clinical information were obtained through a standard questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS software. Out of the total collected samples, 5.1% were positive for enteric adenoviruses. Of the adenovirus episodes, 68.42% occurred during the first 2 years of life (P= 0.640). The highest prevalence of infection was identified in the spring (63.16%), followed by the autumn (21.05%), winter (10.53%) and summer (5.26%) seasons, respectively (P= 0.001). The most common clinical symptoms included diarrhea (84.21%), moderate dehydration (63.16%), fever (57.89%) and vomiting (42.10%). Overall, 69.23% of the children with acute gastroenteritis were not breast-fed and 30.77% were breastfeeding at the time of presentation of the adenovirus infection (P= 0.08). This study highlights the importance of enteric adenoviruses as an etiological agent of acute gastroenteritis, particularly among children less than 2 years old and during the cold seasons.

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• Epidemiological survey of group A rotaviruses infection among children less than 5 years with acute diarrhea in Shiraz, 2006-2007

  Mohammad Kargar, Tarlan Jafarpour, Akram Najafi

  Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences (ZJRMS). 01/2011;

  Abstract Background: Rotaviruses are recognized as the most common causes of severe gastroenteritis and death among children worldwide. WHO suggested hospital based surveillance to all around the world in order to evaluate the prevalence of rotavirus gastroenteritis. The aim of this study was to mon... [more] Abstract Background: Rotaviruses are recognized as the most common causes of severe gastroenteritis and death among children worldwide. WHO suggested hospital based surveillance to all around the world in order to evaluate the prevalence of rotavirus gastroenteritis. The aim of this study was to monitor the disease burden associated with rotavirus in hospitalized children in Shiraz. Material and Methods: One hundred and thirty-eight stool samples from hospitalized children (<5 years old) complicated with severe diarrhoea, at Shahid Dastgheib and Namazi hospitals in Shiraz, were collected during one year. All the stool specimens were tested for Group A of Rotaviruses with enzyme immunoassays (EIA). Demographic and clinical data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: Out of total collected samples rotavirus infection was detected in 48(34.78%). Of the rotavirus episodes, 70.83% occurred during the first 2 years of life. Diarrhaea (97.92%), vomiting (77.08%) and fever (52.08%) were the dominant detected clinical symptoms. The highest rate of detection of rotavirus was found in autumn (45.83%) and the lowest in spring (8.33%) (P = 0.012). In this study significant difference was not detected in the frequency of the rotavirus and the pattern of nutrition (P = 0.236). Conclusion: Because of the high frequency of rotavirus infection in studied population, it is suggest to continue rotavirus gastroenteritis surveillance in the other hospitals of Iran, Simultaneously.

• Frequency, clinical characteristics, season and age distribution of Rotavirus gastroenteritis in the South of Iran

  Akram Najafi, Mohammad Kargar, Keivan Zandi, Maryam Zare, Tarlan Jafarpour, Amin Reza Akbarizadeh

  23rd International Congress of Pediatrics, Tehran, Iran; 01/2011

  Abstract Background: Rotavirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis and death among young children worldwide. A cross sectional-descriptive study was conducted (2005-2009) in four Pediatric Hospitals to monitor the disease burden, the clinical characteristics, season and age distribution of... [more] Abstract Background: Rotavirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis and death among young children worldwide. A cross sectional-descriptive study was conducted (2005-2009) in four Pediatric Hospitals to monitor the disease burden, the clinical characteristics, season and age distribution of rotavirus infection in Shiraz, Marvdasht, Jahrom and Borazjan, South of Iran. Methods: Overall, 788 fecal samples were collected from children aged <5 years old with diarrhaea admitted to hospitals in cities mentioned above. All the stool specimens were examined for the presence of group A rotavirus antigen by Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA). Finding: Out of the total collected samples, the median detection rate of group A rotavirus was 31.85% (range, 25.43%-46.01%). According to age distribution, 72.91% (183/251cases) of the rotavirus episodes occurred during the first 2 years of life. The highest prevalence of the virus isolation was observed in autumn (39.44%), followed by winter (35.06%), summer (14.34%) and spring (11.55%), respectively. Among the clinical characteristics of the rotavirus-infected patients, diarrhea (96.68%) was the most frequent and other identified symptoms included vomiting (71.56%), fever (57.82%), and convulsion (5.69%), respectively. Conclusions: Because of the high frequency of rotavirus infection is important to continue rotavirus surveillance in the other Iran regions to determine accurately the burden of rotavirus disease and the regarding immunization strategies.

• Frequency and Demographic Study of Rotavirus Acute Gastroenteritis in Children Hospitalized in Borazjan, during 2008-2009

  Mohammad Kargar, Akram Najafi, Keivan Zandi, Afshin Barazesh

  The Journal of Shaheed Sadoughi University of Medical sciences and Health Services. 01/2011; 19(1):94-103.

  Abstract Introduction: Rotaviruses are one of the most important causes of severe viral gastroenteritis and death among children, worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Rotavirus gastroenteritis in hospitalized children of Borazjan. Methods: This cross sectional – de... [more] Abstract Introduction: Rotaviruses are one of the most important causes of severe viral gastroenteritis and death among children, worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Rotavirus gastroenteritis in hospitalized children of Borazjan. Methods: This cross sectional – descriptive study was done on 375 stool samples of children younger than 7 years old hospitalized in 17 Shahrivar hospitals of Borazjan due to severe diarrhea. Group A Rotaviruses were identified by Enzyme Immunoassay(EIA) test. Data was analyzed by SPSS software. Results: Of the total, 91(24.27%) rotavirus infections were detected. The highest incidence was observed in children aged 12-17 months(6.93%). Diarrhea(91.21%), vomiting(64.83%), moderate dehydration (57.14%), abdominal pain (56.04%) and fever (53.84%) were the most frequent clinical symptoms. There was a significant relationship between the virus and seasons(P=0). The highest prevalence was in autumn (54.94%) while the least was in summer(2.20%). Conclusion: Because of the high frequency of rotavirus infection, surveillance and expanded program of immunization is necessary, especially in children less than 2 years old.

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• Burden and Typing of Rotavirus Group A in Children with Acute Gastroenteritis in Shiraz, Southern Iran

  Mohammad Kargar, Tarlan Jafarpour, Akram Najafi

  Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal. 01/2011;

  Background: Human rotavirus is the most significant cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide. In recent years, rotavirus genotyping by RT-PCR has provided valuable information about the diversity of rotaviruses circulating worldwide. The purpose of the present study is... [more] Background: Human rotavirus is the most significant cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide. In recent years, rotavirus genotyping by RT-PCR has provided valuable information about the diversity of rotaviruses circulating worldwide. The purpose of the present study is to monitor the prevalence of the different G genotypes of rotaviruses circulating in Shiraz, Southern Iran and detect any uncommon or novel types. Patients and Methods: During the period from December 2007 to November 2008, a total of 138 stool samples were collected from children less than 5 years old who were hospitalized for acute gastroenteritis. Rotavirus-associated diarrhea was investigated in fecal specimens with enzyme immunoassays (EIA). Rotavirus-positive specimens were genotyped by the Nested RT-PCR and by using different types of specific primers. Results: Out of total collected samples, 34.78% (48 cases) tested positive for rotavirus. The frequency of rotavirus genotypes G1, G2 and G4 was 6.25%, 2.08% and 27.08%, respectively. Mixed and non-typeable genotypes were detected in 33.34% and 31.25% of hospitalized children with acute diarrhea, respectively. G1/G3 mixed infection was the first of these rotavirus genotypes to be reported in Iran. Conclusions: The high frequency of rotavirus infection in this study highlights the necessity of the introduction of rotavirus vaccination program and continual surveillance for the detection of rotavirus genotypes circulating in other regions of Iran which will help to decrease the burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis in Iran.

• Prevalence of Rotavirus gastroenteritis and circulating genotypes in children hospitalized in Borazjan, during 2008-2009

  Kargar M, Najafi A, Zandi K

  Iranian South Medical Journal of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. 01/2011; 14(4):246-255.

• Epidemiology of enteric Adenoviruses associated with pediatric gastroenteritis in, Southern Iran

  Akram Najafi, Hassan Shafiei, Afshin Barazesh, Shariat Najafi, Mah-Khanom Mohammadian, Katayoon Vahdat

  25th Iranian Congress of Clinical Microbiology, Shiraz,Iran; 01/2011

• Molecular Epidemiology of Rotavirus Strains Circulating among Children with Gastroenteritis in Marvdasht, Iran

  Kargar M, Zare M, Najafi A

  Iranian J Pediatr. 01/2011;

  Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of rotavirus disease and investigate the genotypes of rotavirus strains causing acute gastroenteritis among children aged <5 years old in Marvdasht, Iran. Methods: One hundred and forty-one children, aged from 1 month to 5 years, aff... [more] Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of rotavirus disease and investigate the genotypes of rotavirus strains causing acute gastroenteritis among children aged <5 years old in Marvdasht, Iran. Methods: One hundred and forty-one children, aged from 1 month to 5 years, afflicted with severe diarrhea were enrolled during January 2007 to December 2008 and their stool samples were analyzed with enzyme immunoassays (EIA) for group A of rotaviruses. Rotavirus-positive specimens were genotyped by the Nested RT-PCR and using different types of specific primers. Findings: Out of total collected samples rotavirus infection was detected in 40(28.37%). Of the rotavirus episodes, 72.91% occurred during the first 2 years of life (p=0.038). The highest prevalence of infection was identified in summer (52.50%) and the lowest in winter (7.50%). The most common clinical features included diarrhea (96.25%), vomiting (82.50%) and fever (45.0%). Mixed genotypes were the predominant G type (60.0%), followed by non-typeable (12.50%), G2 (12.50%), G4 (10.0%) and G1 (5.0%) genotypes. G3/G8 mixed infection was the first of these rotavirus genotypes to be reported in Iran. Conclusion: Regarding to high frequency of rotavirus infection, continuous surveillance is needed to inform diarrhea prevention programs as well as to provide information about the occurrence of new rotavirus strains. This will assist policy makers in decision making on rotavirus vaccine introduction.

• First molecular detection of group A rotavirus in urban and hospital sewage systems by Nested-RT PCR in Shiraz, Iran

  Mohammad Kargar, Negin Javdani, Akram Najafi

  Journal of environmental science and health. Part A, Environmental science and engineering & toxic and hazardous substance control. 01/2011;

• Genotypic distribution of rotavirus strains causing severe gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old in Borazjan, Iran.

  Kargar M, Najafi A, Zandi K

  The African Journal of Microbiology Research. 01/2011; 5(19):2936-2941.

• Prevalence of cryptosporidium in hospitalized children under 5 years of age due to gastroenteritis (Borazjan- 2010)

  Moradali Fouladvand, Afshin Barazesh, Hasan Malekizade, Akram Najafi

  The 7th National & the 2nd Regional Congress on Parasitology & Parasitic Diseases, Tehran, Iran; 01/2010

• Molecular and Epidemiological Trend of Rotavirus Infection among Hospitalized Children in Borazjan

  Kargar M, Najafi A, Zandi K, Shafiei H

  The 4th National Conference of Clinical Microbiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran; 01/2010

• Epidemiological study of Rotavirus acute gastroenteritis in children hospitalized in Borazjan, during 2008-2009

  Kargar M, Najafi A, Zandi K, Barezesh A, Vahdat K

  The 16th National and 4th International Conference of Biology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran; 01/2010

• A Survey on Circulation Rotavirus Genotypes by Nested RT-PCR in under 7 Years Old Children Hospitalized in Borazjan from 2008 to 2009

  Akram Najafi

  01/2010

  Degree: MSc.

  Supervisor: Dr.Mohammad Kargar