Prevalence and distribution of BK virus subtypes in renal transplant recipients referred to Golestan hospital in Ahvaz, Iran

Background: BK virus (BKV) belongs to the human Polyomaviridae and the primary BKV infection is occurred during childhood then the virus could be latent through life, especially in the kidneys and urinary system. It became reactive after an immunocompromised status, such as pregnancy or transplantation. Isolated BKV from different locations of the world is grouped into four subtypes using serological and genotyping methods. The BKV subtype I is the dominant one and has worldwide distribution. Objectives: According to our knowledge, there are no data about the BKV prevalence and its genotypes in southwest part of Iran. Considering the high prevalence of renal failure and kidney transplant patients in this part, and the role of BKV in graft rejection, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of BKV infection in renal transplant recipients referred to Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz City, Iran. Patients and Methods: Urine samples were collected from 122 kidney transplant recipients referred to Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran. The extracted DNA was amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction, and subtype of each positive sample was determined using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and sequencing methods. Results: From all study population, 51/122 (41.8%) urine samples were positive for BKV DNA and the other samples were negative (71/122). Forty-eight cases (94.11%) were subtype I and 3 others (5.89%) were subtype IV using the RFLP method. None of the patient’s urine samples were positive for subtypes II and III. Conclusions: Our work is the second study in Iran and considering huge numbers of transplantation in Iran and Khuzestan Province, south western of Iran, in addition to the role of this virus in kidney transplant rejection, routine evaluation of BKV positivity is recommended both for graft recipient and donors. This helps better transplantation result and may prevent graft rejection. © 2015, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Evaluating blood concentrations of trace elements Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Aluminium and Lead among dialysis patients in Ahwaz, 2012

Background: Heavy metal storage and essential elements deficiency account as the important problems in the dialysis patients. Geological and folklore diversity in different ethnic groups around the country may impact the heavy metals poisoning or trace elements deficiency. The aim of this study was to compare the blood concentrations of 5 trace elements between dialysis patients and their matched normal control volunteers.Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 33 dialysis patients (selected from a university hospital in Ahwaz) and 33 normal volunteers. All trace elements were assayed in serum samples except Lead (whole blood) using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Data were analyzed and compared. Results: the mean age of subjects (35 male and 31 female) were not significantly different (matched populations). Trace element concentrations in the case and control groups for Zinc was 86.35±12.9 and 80.8±11.7 (P=0.075), Copper 75.038±16.47 and 69.84±12.99 (P=0.020), Selenium 10.71±1.49 and 10.15±1.17 (P=0.098), Aluminium 0.58±0.25 and 0.34±0.24 (P=0.000), Magnesium 0.328±0.06 and 0.207±0.03 (P=0.000) and for Lead 2.714±0.64 and 1.67±0.68 (P=0.000) (µg/dl for all), respectively. Lead quantities were higher than the allowable range in the dialysis patients. Conclusion: Dialysis patients had higher concentrations of Magnesium, Aluminium and Lead in comparison with the normal controls. Furthermore, Aluminium poisoning should be avoided in such patients because of the mean serum Aluminum levels is close to the high normal range

The effect of dialysis on the Zinc, Copper, Selenium Aluminium and Lead blood levels in dialysis patients in Ahwaz during 2011-2012

Background: Variations in the blood levels of trace elements are reported as a problem in the dialysis patients. This may result in the deficiency of some trace elements or the overloading of the other elements. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dialysis on the blood level variations of Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Magnesium and the two heavy metals, Aluminium and Lead.Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 33 dialysis patients referred to Ahwaz (Iran) hospital. Serum samples for all the elements except for lead (whole blood) were assayed using the atomic absorption spectroscopy before and after dialysis.Results: Of 33 patients, 16 cases were male and 17 female. Mean age of the patients was 54.81±15.65. The levels of elements before and after dialysis for Zinc were 85.9±12.8 and 99.87±17.45 (P=0.000), Copper 75.36±16.6 and 73.78±26.69 (P=0.711), Selenium 10.71±1.49 and 10.63±1.56 (P=0.709), Aluminium 0.588±0.25 and 0.74±0.36 (P=0.067), Magnesium 0.328±0.068 and 0.263±0.049 (P=0.000), Lead 2.714±0.647 and 2.835±0.39 (P=0.233) (µg/dl for all). Lead levels were higher than the allowable level. Conclusion: Results show that dialysis can cause a reduction in magnesium level, overloading and poisoning with the two heavy metals, Aluminium and Lead