[Zinc plasma level in patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection that come to high risk behavior consult center or admit in infectious disease ward in Imam Khomeini Hospital and compare to HIV negative group in 2005]

Background: zinc is one of the essential micronutrients and its role in immune system function is an interesting matter for researchers. HIV/AIDS as an immune system disorder, presents with impairing in elements of immune system. This study was designed for assessment of zinc level of serum in a group of HIV+ patients and compare with non-HIV people. Determining relationship between zinc level of serum and count of immune cells was another aim of this study

Materials and Methods: this cross-sectional study was conducted with 96 people in 2 groups: 48 HIV+ and 48 HIV-. HIV negative group was divided in 2 subgroups: IV Drug Users (IDUs) and non- IDUs. Zinc level of serum was measured with atomic absorption method and statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS for Windows. Levels of zinc were compared in different groups

Results: overall means of main groups had significant differences, and HIV+ group showed a significant difference with 2 other groups too. In addition, 2 groups of HIV- had significant difference. There was a relationship between count of CD4 cells and zinc level of serum. Zinc showed lowest level in HIV+ IDUs, then HIV- IDUs and finally HIV- non-IDUs

Conclusions: the results demonstrate zinc level impairment in HIV+ cases and its association with decrease in determinant parameters of survival such as count of CD4 cells

[Zinc plasma level in patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection that come to high risk behavior consult center or admit in infectious disease ward in Imam Khomeini hospital and compare to HIV negative group in 2005]

Zinc is one of the essential micronutrients and its role in immune system function is an interesting matter for researchers. HIV/AIDS as an immune system disorder, presents with impairing in elements of immune system. This study was designed for assessment of zinc level of serum in a group of HIV[+] patients and compare with non-HIV people. Determining relationship between zinc level of serum and count of immune cells was another aim of this study. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 96 people in 2 groups: 48 HIV[+] and 48 HIV[-]. HIV negative group was divided in 2 subgroups: IV Drug Users [IDUs] and non- IDUs. Zinc level of serum was measured with atomic absorption method and statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS for Windows. Levels of zinc were compared in different groups. Overall means of main groups had significant differences, and HIV[+] group showed a significant difference with 2 other groups too. In addition, 2 groups of HIV[-] had significant difference. There was a relationship between count of CD4 cells and zinc level of serum. Zinc showed lowest level in HIV[+] IDUs, then HIV[-] IDUs and finally HIV[-] non-IDUs. The results demonstrate zinc level impairment in HIV[+] cases and its association with decrease in determinant parameters of survival such as count of CD4 cells