Frequency and associated factors of proteinuria in Iranian HIV-positive patients.

BACKGROUND: Screening HIV-positive patients for proteinuria would result in early recognition of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). This would allow diagnosis and treatment of HIVAN at an early stage and hence prevent further disease progression. This study was undertaken to determine the frequency of proteinuria and its associated factors in Iranian HIV-positive patients. METHODS: In this study, 171 HIV-positive patients were screened for proteinuria. Proteinuria was defined as > or =1+ protein on the urine dipstick. A questionnaire was used to collect patient sociodemographic and clinical data. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV), serum albumin, and creatinine were tested in all patients. CD4 counts were obtained by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Out of 171 HIV-positive patients, 21 (12.3%) had proteinuria. There were no significant differences between patients with and without proteinuria with regard to age, sex, risk behaviors for HIV acquisition, stage of infection, concurrent antiretroviral therapy, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum albumin and creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and presence of anti-HCV or HBsAg. Patients with proteinuria had a lower CD4 count and creatinine clearance than those without proteinuria. CONCLUSION: Proteinuria was relatively high in Iranian HIV-positive patients. The group at higher risk was that of patients with lower CD4 counts and creatinine clearance.

Q fever endocarditis in Iran: A case report.

In this report, we describe the first chronic case of Q fever endocarditis in a 72-year-old woman in Iran. The patient developed radiation-associated heart disease status post (s/p) coronary artery bypass surgery, mitral and aortic valve replacements, and tricuspid valve repair. Endocarditis was also suspected due to a history of heart valve surgery. Blood cultures were negative, but a diagnosis of Q fever endocarditis was confirmed based on serologic titers (IgG phase I 1:32,768). The patient was treated with doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine.

Immunity to diphtheria and tetanus among blood donors in Arak, central province of Iran.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Tetanus and diphtheria are vaccine-preventable, infectious diseases with significant morbidity and mortality. Immunization by the diphtheria and tetanus toxoid (DT) has been applied in Iran for almost 50 years. However, there are very few data about the rate of immunity to these diseases in the adult population. the humoral immunity to tetanus and diphtheria among blood donors in Arak city, central provice of Iran were investigated. PATIENTS & METHODS: A total of 530 consecutive blood donor samples were collected from Blood Transfusion Organization, Central province of Iran. All samples were tested for diphteria and tetanus IgG antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: From 530 cases, 91.9% were male and 8.1% were female. 99.6% of cases had protective levels of diphtheria antibody. Protective levels of tetanus antibody were found in 96% of subjects. There was not any significant difference between diphtheria and tetanus antibodies levels and age and sex. CONCLUSION: The obtained data showed that high proportion of the adult population in Arak have sufficient protection against diphtheria and tetanus. The high protective level of immunity to diphtheria and tetanus in Iran can be due to widespread use of booster vaccines in Iranian high schools and during the military services or for pregnant women in their 3(rd) trimester.

A survey on the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium infections in symptomatic and asymptomatic men referring to urology clinic of labbafinejad hospital, tehran, iran.

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium infections are the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial infections in the world that cause urogenital infections in both men and women. It appears that infertility is a complication of these infections. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium in symptomatic and asymptomatic men and to assess risk factors associated with infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Urine specimens were collected from 200 men; 100 of them were symptomatic and 100 asymptomatic. Samples were examined by PCR to detect the infections. RESULTS: C. trachomatis was detected in 20% of symptomatic and in 4% of asymptomatic men (P < 0.001). The prevalence of M. genitalium was revealed to be 12% and 2% in symptomatic and asymptomatic men, respectively (P < 0.01). Four of 100 men in the symptomatic group were infected with both organisms. C. trachomatis infection was associated with dysuria, urethral discharge, testicular swelling, and genital ulcer (P < 0.05). M. genitalium infection was related with dysuria, testis inflammation, pelvic pain and low educational level (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the prevalence of infections at ages 30-39 years was more than other ages. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the role of these bacteria in urogenital infections, a screening test is recommended. Since the PCR assay is a highly sensitive and specific assay for the detection of these bacteria in male urine specimens, it provides a noninvasive technique for routine screening.