Utilization of the Health Ministry recommended services by Iranian HIV/AIDS patients

"nBackground: Behavioral Consultation Centers are the main organizations responsible for providing HIV/AIDS patients with services according to the Iranian Ministry of Health guidelines. In this study we assessed provision of these supposed services to Iranian HIV/AIDS patients referring to Behavioral Consultation Centers. "nMethods: One hundred seventy one clinical files were selected by systematic random sampling from the files of all new HIV/AIDS patients accepted at Imam Khomeini behavioral consultation center who were registered during 2005-2006 and were followed for at least six months. Data were extracted from files and included consultation, vaccination, laboratory and treatment services. "nResults: Family planning and HIV prevention methods consultation were performed for 32.5% and 2.29% of patients respectively. CD4 count was done for 69% of patients. 65.6% of patients who needed anti-retroviral treatment were given medication. Hepatitis B and Td vaccination were done for 21.7% and 3.5% of patients respectively. Coverage of pneumococal and influenza vaccinations was less than 5%. 79.5% of patients who needs tuberculosis prophylaxis were given medication. TB case finding was 14% during one year and the cure rate for patients under anti TB treatment were 95.8%. "nConclusion: Coverage of consultations and vaccination services are very low. Antiretroviral therapy coverage is intermediate. TB case finding and its cure rate are appropriate

The impact of sofosbuvir/daclatasvir or ribavirin in patients with severe COVID-19

OBJECTIVES: Sofosbuvir and daclatasvir are direct-acting antivirals highly effective against hepatitis C virus. There is some in silico and in vitro evidence that suggests these agents may also be effective against SARS-CoV-2. This trial evaluated the effectiveness of sofosbuvir in combination with daclatasvir in treating patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Patients with a positive nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 on RT-PCR or bilateral multi-lobar ground-glass opacity on their chest CT and signs of severe COVID-19 were included. Subjects were divided into two arms with one arm receiving ribavirin and the other receiving sofosbuvir/daclatasvir. All participants also received the recommended national standard treatment which, at that time, was lopinavir/ritonavir and single-dose hydroxychloroquine. The primary endpoint was time from starting the medication until discharge from hospital with secondary endpoints of duration of ICU stay and mortality. RESULTS: Sixty-two subjects met the inclusion criteria, with 35 enrolled in the sofosbuvir/daclatasvir arm and 27 in the ribavirin arm. The median duration of stay was 5 days for the sofosbuvir/daclatasvir group and 9 days for the ribavirin group. The mortality in the sofosbuvir/daclatasvir group was 2/35 (6%) and 9/27 (33%) for the ribavirin group. The relative risk of death for patients treated with sofosbuvir/daclatasvir was 0.17 (95% CI 0.04-0.73, P = 0.02) and the number needed to treat for benefit was 3.6 (95% CI 2.1-12.1, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Given these encouraging initial results, and the current lack of treatments proven to decrease mortality in COVID-19, further investigation in larger-scale trials seems warranted