evaluation of association between HLA and disease progression among HIV/ADIS patients referred to Imam Khomeyni Hospital

Background: Human leukocyte antigen [HLA] class I and class II is believed to play a major role in the immune response to HIV, and are known to be associated with rates of progression to AIDS. This study measured the rates of variation within well-defined epitopes to determine associations with the HLA-linked exposure of disease progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between HLA and disease progression among Iranian HIV/AIDS patients in comparison with general population. Materials and methods: In this case- control study, the role of HLA class I [A, B] and class II [DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1] alleles were investigated in 48 HIV infected Iranian patients compared with 100 healthy individuals. HLA typing was carried out by PCR amplification using sequence specific primers [PCR-SSP]. The primer was supplied by the standard kit. The disease progression was determined based on changes in stage of disease. Results: Among 48 HIV infected patients and the control group a>positive association was observed with HLA- DRB1* 0301 [1.32< OR< 7.09, P= 0.0037], HLA- DQA1 * 0501[1.01< OR< 4.97, P=0.03], HLA- DQB1 * 0201 [0.98< OR< 3.50 P= 0.04] as well as a negative association with HLA- DRB1 * 1301 [0.01< OR< 0.98, P= 0.022] in HIV progression. In this study, no significant association was found with the analyzed HLA-B*2701 and HLA-B* 5701 alleles in the case of HIV progression. Conclusion: In our study among HIV infected patients the HLA- DRB1 * 0301, HLA- DQA1 * 0501 and HLA- DQB1 * 0201 were the most important predictors for the HIV progression, whereas, HLA- DRB1 *1301 detected as strong protectors. As the results of the limitations in present study such as being small sample size, studies among a larger population would be necessary to in HIV infected patients with predisposing HLA alleles for early therapy

Genotyping pattern among Iranian HCV positive patients

Successful treatment to eliminate HCV RNA depends on the identified genotype. In the present study, we compared the frequency of different HCV genotypes, during four years study [2004 till 2008]. Sera specimens were received from 16 provinces of Iran. We used High Pure Viral Nucleic Acid Purification kit for extraction and samples were tested with improved form of RT-PCR technique. HCV genotypes were determined using Amplisense PCR kit and Amplicor HCV Monitoring Version 2 test utilized a reverse transcription [RT]-PCR approach to quantitative HCV RNA. Two hundreds six HCV positive specimens were entered to the study out of 389 tested samples. Type 3a was the most frequent type [46.6%], followed by type 1 [including 1a and 1b with 25.73% and 17.47% for each respectively] with 43.2%. Looking through collected results of the four years study confirmed the rate of HCV infection in those single genotypes 1b, 3a were slightly increased from 12.22% and 38.88% in the first year to 18.66 and 46.51% in the fourth year of the study period. The analyzed data proved that some patients were infected with two different types. High viral load was also more correlated to genotype 1 than other types

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus among out patients of a private laboratory in Tehran

With an estimated 170 million infected individuals, hepatitis C virus [HCV] has a major impact on public health. Frequency of HCV infection was studied in 785 referred patients to a private Laboratory, Tehran, Iran from April 2003 until March 2006 by PCR method. Analyzed results revealed infection rate was 40.27%, 35.51% and 33.09% in the first, second and third year, respectively. Frequency rate of the infection shows a fluctuated shape during months of three years. Maximum rate of the HCV infection was in May of the first and in June of the second and third year, respectively. It shows decrease and increase within rest months in each year. HCV infection rate was higher in 31 to 40 years old group of patients. Analysis of the data revealed higher HCV infection in men than women had. It was concluded that HCV frequency pattern underlines specific attention to suspected patients during high rate time

Diagnosis of brucellosis by use of BACTEC blood culture and confirmation by PCR

Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonotic diseases in Iran. Growth of Brucella is slow and blood cultures of these bacteria are time-consuming via classical methods. We try to evaluate BACTEC 9120 system capacity in order to detect of bacteremia due to Brucella spp and to confirm isolated bacteria by PCR. Blood culture sample of 102 suspected patients evaluated by BACTEC 9120 system. They were subcultured when the machine detected their growth; if not; blind subcultures were performed on days 7, 14, 21 and 28. Forty-one of 102 suspected patients showed bactermia. Isolation rate of Brucellawas 40.2%. All patients were detected by BACTEC 9120 system. All positive blood culture was detected via BACTEC 9120 and blind subcultures. No positive blood culture bottles were missed by the system. Our data obtained by using the BACTEC 9120 system indicates a more rapid detection of Brucella than conventional methods