Mitra Barati

Publications of Mitra Barati

• Varicella Zoster antibodies among health care workers in a university hospital, Teheran, Iran.

  Authors: Mahshid Talebi-Taher, Maria Noori, Ahmad-Reza Shamshiri, Mitra Barati

  International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health. 01/2010; 23(1):27-32.

  This study was designed to evaluate the immune status of health care workers against varicella zoster in a university hospital in Teheran, Iran, and to compare the history of chickenpox infectionThis study was designed to evaluate the immune status of health care workers against varicella zoster in a university hospital in Teheran, Iran, and to compare the history of chickenpox infection with the presence of varicella antibodies in this population. Serologic testing for varicella was performed for 405 health care workers with different job categories and at different age. The enzyme immunoassay was used for determining IgG antibodies against varicella zoster virus. A total of 405 health care workers, aged 19-50 years (median: 29 years), were examined. Of these, 289 (71.4%) were found to be seropositive. No statistically significant differences were observed between gender, age, or occupation, and seropositivity (p = 0.09, 0.75, 0.54. respectively). Statistical analysis revealed that the correlation between chickenpox history and seropositivity showed a 62.3% sensitivity, 72.4% specificity, 84.9% positive predictive value, and 43.5% negative predictive value. Serologic screening of health care workers is essential to determine their immunity to varicella, regardless of the age, occupation and history of infection. This population is recommended to be considered a target group for future immunization programs in Iran.

• Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 and the diagnosis of sepsis.

  Authors: Mitra Barati, Farshid Rahimi Bashar, Reza Shahrami, Mohammad Hossein Jarrah Zadeh, Mahshid Talebi Taher, Marzieh Nojomi

  Journal of critical care. 11/2009;

  PURPOSE: Early diagnosis and assessment of the systemic inflammatory response to infection are difficult with usual markers (fever, leukocytosis, C-reactive protein [CRP]). Triggering receptorPURPOSE: Early diagnosis and assessment of the systemic inflammatory response to infection are difficult with usual markers (fever, leukocytosis, C-reactive protein [CRP]). Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1) expression on phagocytes is up-regulated by microbial products. We studied the ability of soluble TREM-1 (sTREM-1) to identify patients with sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plasma samples were obtained on intensive care unit admission from patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome for sTREM-1 measurement. RESULTS: Soluble TREM-1, CRP concentrations and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were higher in the sepsis group (n = 52) than in the non-infectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome group (n = 43; P = .00, .02, and .001, respectively). Soluble TREM-1, CRP concentrations, white blood cell count and ESR were higher in the sepsis group than in the non SIRS group (n = 37; P = .04, .00, .01, and .00, respectively). In a receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, ESR, CRP and sTREM-1 had an area under the curve larger than 0.65 (P = .00), in distinguishing between septic and non-infectious SIRS patients. CRP, ESR, sTREM-1 had a sensitivity of 60%, 70% and 70% and a specificity of 60%, 69% and, 60% respectively in diagnosing infection in SIRS. CONCLUSION: C-reactive protein and ESR performed better than sTREM-1 and white blood cell count in diagnosing infection.

• Comparison of WBC, ESR, CRP and PCT serum levels in septic and non-septic burn cases.

  Authors: Mitra Barati, Faranak Alinejad, Mohammad Ali Bahar, Mahbobe Satarzadeh Tabrisi, Ahmad Reza Shamshiri, Nosrat-Ol-Lahe Bodouhi, Hamid Karimi

  Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries. 06/2008;

  Diagnosis of sepsis is difficult, particularly in cases of burn where signs of sepsis may be present in the absence of a real infection. This study compared serum levels of procalcitonin (PCT),Diagnosis of sepsis is difficult, particularly in cases of burn where signs of sepsis may be present in the absence of a real infection. This study compared serum levels of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and white blood cell (WBC) among 60 burned people with and without infection, in order to assess the value of the information for diagnosis of sepsis. A significantly higher PCT level was observed in the septic group compared to those without sepsis (8.45+/-7.8 vs. 0.5+/-1.0, respectively, p<0.001); no significant differences were found in CRP or WBC levels, neutrophil count or ESR. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve in the diagnosis of sepsis was 0.97 for PCT (p<0.001) with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 89.3%. Non-survivors had a mean PCT level significantly higher than that of survivors. Thus the serum PCT level was a highly efficient laboratory parameter for the diagnosis of severe infectious complications after burn, but WBC, neutrophil, ESR and CRP levels were of little value.