First Report of Prevalence of Blood-Borne Viruses (HBV, HCV, HIV, HTLV-1 and Parvovirus B19) Among Hemophilia Patients in Afghanistan

Transfusion of fibrinogen concentrate before dental extractions in patients with afibrinogenemia: a narrative review supported by a case report with a proposed treatment protocol

Afibrinogenemia is a coagulation disorder that occurs with a frequency of 1-2 cases/1,000,000 population and is characterized by a lack of capacity to synthesize fibrinogen. The predominant symptoms related to fibrinogen deficiency are mucocutaneous bleeding, bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, genital tract or other vascularized tissues as well as excessive bleeding after minor injuries or accidental cuts. Thromboembolic complications and impaired wound healing may also occur. Due to the rarity of the disease, there are no recommendations about fibrinogen substitution before dental procedures (including dental surgery). The purpose of this review is to discuss the indications for the transfusion of a coagulation factor in the preparation of a patient with afibrinogenemia for dental extraction. The article is a narrative review with a proposed management protocol for the dental procedure. The authors have included information from previously published case reports, research studies, and review papers as well as their own case report.

Immigrating and vicinity are not risk factors in the prevalence and transmission rate of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1: A Survey in an endemic region of Iran and Afghan refugees

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus associated with two life-threatening diseases; HAM/TSP and ATLL. Due to the slow-growing HTLV-1 infection worldwide, WHO urged for elimination. A large border with Afghanistan, northeast Iran is an endemic region for HTLV-1 infection. Historically, Afghanistan has common sociocultural similarities to Persian peoples. This study was conducted to evaluate HTLV-1 prevalence in Afghan refugees. Also, the HTLV-1 transmission rate and understanding of whether or not the Silk Road has been the route of HTLV-1 infection to Iran were investigated. This case-control study was conducted in a rural area of Fariman city, with Afghan residents who migrated around 165 years ago, from 1857, the Treaty of Paris at the end of the Anglo-Persian war, and a refugee camp in Torbat-e-Jam city. These populations in HTLV-1 endemic area were compared to a segregated population of Afghan refugees in Semnan, the centre of Iran. Blood samples of 983 volunteers were assessed with the ELISA method for the presence of HTLV-1 antibodies and then confirmed by PCR technique. All samples from Afghan refugee camps, Semnan and Torbat-e-Jam, were negative for HTLV-1 infection. However, the prevalence of HTLV-1 infection in Fariman, a rural population of Afghan origin, was approximately 2.73%. The results showed that HTLV-1 is not endemic in Afghanistan, a war-stricken region with refugees distributed worldwide. The land Silk Road has not been the route of HTLV-1 transmission to Northeastern Iran. Importantly, HTLV-1 endemicity might occur during a long time of living in an endemic area.

The Profile of Markers of Bone Turnover, Inflammation and Extracellular Neutrophil Traps on Bone Mass in Haemophilia and the Development of Haemophilic Arthropathy

Background: The aim of the study is to evaluate selected biomarkers of bone turnover, inflammation, neutrophil trap and factors predisposing haemophiliacs to bone loss, and to analyse their relationship with clinical features, treatment and complications. Methods: The levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6); citrullinated histone (CH3); osteocalcin (BGLAP); bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP); N-terminal procollagen type I propeptide (P1NP); and C-terminal collagen type I telopeptide (C1CP) were examined in 60 patients with haemophilia. Results: The cut-off value for BGLAP is 26.41 ng/mL, and 929.7 pg/mL for CH3. There is a statistically significant difference between BGLAP, BALP, C1CP and CH3 concentrations, depending on the prophylaxis used. The median concentration of BGLAP in patients taking the factor on demand is 28.0 ng/mL, BALP 322.5 U/L, C1CP 191.2 ng/mL and CH3 1114.4 pg/mL. In patients taking recombinant coagulation factor VIII/IX as prophylaxis of bleeding, the median BGLAP concentrations are 35.9 ng/mL, BALP 280.9 U/L, C1CP 161.6 ng/mL and CH3 952.5 pg/mL. BGLAP and BALP concentrations are dependent on the development of haemophilic arthropathic. Conclusions: The concentrations of selected markers of bone turnover and NETs may help to identify patients at particular risk of developing haemophilic arthropathy and bone metabolic turnover abnormalities.

Updates on the Epidemiology of the Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Infection in the Countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization with Special Emphasis on the Situation in Iran

Background: The epidemiology and prevalence of the Human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) infection represent a recommended priority by global health agencies. An in-depth revision to update the status of this infection in countries including those of the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) of the World Health Organization is hence required. Methods: Ninety-seven studies evaluating the HTLV-1 infection in low- and high-risk populations in EMRO countries were retrieved from the international electronic databases and were used to assess the epidemiological status of the infection in these countries. Results: Most epidemiologic reports were published from Iran, with more than 50% of Iranian prisoners and around 4% of healthy individuals reported to have the infection. In Egypt, a considerable prevalence of the virus spans around 1.11% of blood donors. Foci of HTLV-1 infection are also present in some countries and require a careful epidemiological evaluation. In the other EMRO countries, a lower prevalence that does not exceed 1% was reported. Conclusion: The epidemiology and prevalence of HTLV-1 in the EMRO countries require a tight revision and update. Published studies reveal a scarce distribution of the virus in the African countries of EMRO, while a lower prevalence is denoted in the Asian countries of EMRO, except in Iran, where the prevalence is high.

Practical Recommendations for Treatment of Dental Patients with Congenital Bleeding Disorders during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review

At the end of 2019, a new disease -COVID-19-was identified, and a few months later, the World Health Organization announced a pandemic. It is now known that SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and most confirmed infections are mild to moderate. The situation is particularly difficult for dentists due to the high risk of virus transmission in the dental surgery. Complications including, but not limited to, problems with the respiratory and cardiovascular systems have been reported in patients with SARS-CoV-2. Several changes in the coagulation system, such as lower platelet numbers or increased prothrombin time, as well as increased D-dimer and fibrinogen, were observed. This review is intended to systematize the knowledge on the treatment of patients with congenital bleeding disorders (CBD) during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Extensive literature research was conducted into COVID-19 and the general medical and dental treatment of patients with CBD. Case studies, research results and recommendations of international societies were used in the study. The results of this research are presented in the form of recommendations for the treatment of patients with coagulopathies. It should be remembered that the impact of COVID-19 on the health condition of patients with CBD is unknown to date.