Hepatitis-C and hepatitis-B co-infections in patients with human immunodeficiency virus in Tehran, Iran

We carried out a study to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infections in HIV positive patients at a main referral center for HIV/AIDS in Iran. Serum samples from 201 HIV positive patients referring to a referral center for HIV/AIDS were analyzed for the presence of some hepatitis B [HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs] and Hepatitis C [anti-HCV] markers, during 2004- 2005. HBsAg was positive in 27 patients [13.4%], anti-HBc was positive in 60 patients [29.8%] and anti-HBs in 23 patients [11.4%]. Anti-HCV Ab was positive in 135 of 201 [67.2%]. HBV and HCV coinfection was observed in 73 of 201 [36.3%]. The maximum prevalence of HBV-HIV and HCV-HIV coinfections were seen in intravenous drug users; 61.2% and 85.1%, respectively [P<0.0001]. The minimum prevalence of HBV-HIV and HCV-HIV were seen in HIV patients wife [HIV+ patients who were infected by monogamous sexual contact with their HIV positive husband] both of them were 8% [P<0.0001]. This study showed that HBV-HIV and HCV-HIV coinfections are significant in patients with HIV/AIDS in Iran. A greater relevance was observed in the association between HCV and HIV. This study suggests that it is necessary to investigate risk factors and risk groups for these infections in Iran

Cytomegalovirus co-infection in patients with human immunodeficiency virus in Iran

Serum samples from 201 HIV positive patients were collected to determine the seroprevalence of CMV infection in Iranian HIV infected patients during March 2004 until March 2005 using conventional ELISA kits. An antibody level of>1.1 Iu/ml was considered positive. The seroprevalence of CMV infection was 94%.The maximum prevalence of CMV antibody was seen in patients with unsafe sex and IDUs. Prevalence of CMV was much higher in patients with low socioeconomic status and low level of education. 83% of patients with CD4<100 were CMV seropositive. Our study showed that a significantly high prevalence of CMV in HIV positive patients in Iran. By increasing the level of education and socioeconomic status the prevalence of CMV infection decreased