فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Background: The Bam earthquake in southeastern Iran turned an ancient city to dust, killing thousands and destroying 80% of all infrastructures. More than 30,000 people died and It left some 100,000 people homeless. Direct contact with polluted water increases the risk of infection, particularly wound infections, cellulitis, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and ear, nose and throat infections. The prevalence of NTM (non-tuberculosis mycobacteria) is difficult to obtain. The aim of this study was isolation of bacteria and mycobacterial agents especially atypical species from dermal lesions of children in Bam earthquake. Results: The study population included 32 girls and 56 boys. Of 88 samples, 3 mycobacteria were isolated (3.4%) of which 2 were M. chelonae (rapidly growing) and 1 was M. scrofulaceum (slowly growing). The most common isolated bacteria were E.coli (41%) and Coagulase negative staphylococcous (38%). Conclusion: Infectious disease epidemics may play a role in the post disaster period. Since atypical mycobacteria exist in soil, and some cases were reported from Iran, isolation of these microorganisms is of utmost importance especially in children after a disaster such as earthquake.