ABSTRACT
Measurement of adenosine deaminase and its isoenzymes in serum has been used for diagnosis and differentiation of intracellular infections and malignancies of immune cells. The aim of this study was to compare ADA levels and its isoenzymes in HIV positive patients and HIV positive patients co-infected with hepatitis B and C and healthy individuals, as a quick and low-cost diagnostic biochemical marker. This historical cohort study included 97 HIV positive IDU patients. After obtaining blood samples, serum was separated and examined for hepatitis B and C. We used Guisti method for measurment of ADA activity and EHNA inhibitor for the activity of its isoenzymes. Data analysis was performed by SPSS 16 [SPSS Inc., Chicago]. Our results showed that there was a high prevalence of HBV and HCV in HIV positive IV drug users. We found that total ADA activity in the patients groups was significantly higher than control group. Also HIV-HCV group showed a higher activity of this enzyme in comparison to HIV positive groups. Significant differences were found in regard to ADA2 isoenzymes among the four groups [P<0.05]. But ADA1 activity showed no significant difference. CD4+ counts were lower in HIV-HCV and HIV-HBV patients than HIV positive patients. ADA activity was considerably increased in HIV positive patients co-infected with either HBV or HCV. According to the results of this study and because of its low cost and simplicity to perform, in addition to other markers, measurement of ADA activity in serum is a sensitive biological marker for assessment of intracellular infections, particularly hepatitis in HIV positive patients