Evaluation of bone mineral density in Iranian HIV/AIDS patients

Bone disorders have emerged as a worrisome complication in HIV-infected patients in recent years. It is not clear that HIV infection itself or antiretroviral treatment or both are causes of bone loss. However, most studies have found a high prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in HIV/AIDS patients. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in HIV-infected patients either untreated or receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy as compared with HIV negative persons. We also assessed the factors associated with these conditions. Bone Mineral Density was assessed by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry scans at the hip and lumbar spine in 36 AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy and 44 HIV infected patients not receiving antiretroviral therapy [na‹ve patients] and 40 HIV negative individuals as control. Factors that affect BMD were also determined. Prevalence of osteopenia or osteoporosis in different regions was significantly higher in HIV/AIDS patients compared with HIV negative subjects [77.3% in HIV positive na‹ve patients, 86.1% in HAART-treated patients and 60% in the control group, P=0.002]. Mean serum alkaline phosphatase was higher in HIV/AIDS patients than the control group [P=0.003]. Osteopenia and osteoporosis in HIV-infected patients were associated with duration of HIV infection [P<0.0001] and antiretroviral treatment [P=0.012]. Prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in HIV/AIDS patients was higher than HIV negative individuals. Osteopenia and osteoporosis in HIV/AIDS patients was associated with duration of HIV infection and antiretroviral treatment

Assessing the prevalence of HIV among Afghan immigrants in Iran through rapid HIV testing in the field

Throughout the world, many migrant and mobile populations are at elevated risk for HIV. Iran has a large immigrant population from neighboring Afghanistan; however, few data exist on the prevalence of HIV in this community. In 2008, we conducted a study to assess the presence of HIV infection among 477 immigrants in a town to the northeast of Tehran using a rapid test in the field. HIV prevalence was 0.2% [95% CI 0.005-1.2] with one person HIV-positive. We recommend periodic HIV sero-surveillance with detailed behavioral measures for this population in the future

Fever in patients with HIV infection in a teaching hospital in Iran

Fever, is a common sign during the course of HIV infection. The aim of this study was to describe the etiology and clinical characteristics of fever among HIV/AIDS patients in a teaching hospital in Iran. In this existing data study, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of admitted HIV/AIDS patients with fever to Imam Khomeini hospital, from October 1995 to March 2005 to assess the causes of their fever. Totally, 125 admissions were performed for 120 patients. The mean [ +/- SD] age was 34.8 +/- 14.7 years. The final diagnosis of fever was determined in 65.6% of all admissions. Mostly [34.4%], the cause of fever remained undiagnosed. Pulmonary tuberculosis was the most commonly identified etiology of fever [33.6%], followed by opportunistic infections such as oral candidiasis, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and cerebral toxoplasmosis. Tuberculosis is the most common infection in Iranian HIV/AIDS patients and appropriate workup should be considered in all feverish HIV/AIDS patients