Cervical Infection with Herpes simplex

Tragically, genital tract infections are still a major public health problem in many regions. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of cervical infection with Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) among married women referring to Iranian Hospital, Dubai, UAE. In a retrospective cross-sectional survey, 201 female patients aged 16–80 years who referred to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Iranian Hospital, Dubai, UAE, in 2010 were enrolled. The patients were categorized into three age groups: 15–30 (group I), 31–40 (group II), and ≥41 years old (group III). A cervical swab sample was collected from each woman and the prevalence of cervical infection with HSV, CT, and NG was determined by PCR method. HSV, CT, and NG were detected in 6.5%, 10.4%, and 5.5% of swab samples, respectively. Regarding age, a significant difference was noticed for prevalence of NG and HSV between groups I and III. Because of public health importance of sexual transmitted diseases (STDs), their long-lasting impact on quality of life, and their economic burden, preventing measures and education of women seem necessary

Seroepidemiology of Varicella and value of self-reported history of Varicella infection in Iranian medical students

Objectives: We conducted this study to assess the seroprevalence of Varicella zoster virus (VZV) antibodies in a group of Iranian medical sciences students that were at risk of Varicella and the value of self-reported history as a predictor of immunity. Material and Methods: 255 medical, nursing and obstetrics students who had not entered as a student or worked in a hospital from 3 different schools were enrolled in the study in 2012 (Qazvin province, Iran). Demographics and other information as well as the history of Varicella were obtained through a self-administered questionnaire. Blood samples were collected to determine the Varicella IgG levels via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A statistical analysis was performed by calculating prevalences and their 95% confidence intervals. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, Cohen's kappa and positive and negative likelihood ratios of recalled history were determined. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 21.3±4.3 years. Seropositivity rate was 74.5%. The relationships between marital status, number of family members, and acquired VZV history with immunity against the virus were statistically significant. The overall rate of reported history was 57%. The positive and negative predictive values of self-reported history of Varicella were 91% and 47.3%, respectively. Conclusions: Immunization of students of Iranian medical sciences seems logical in the near future. Also, they should be tested for Varicella immunity regardless of the history of previous infection

Evaluation of Enteric Transmitted Hepatitis A Virus and Hepatitis E Virus Prevalence in Hormozgan, Southern Iran During Jan, 2016 – Apr, 2017

Background & Objective: Enteric transmitted hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) are responsible for major cases of acute viral hepatitis globally. Both infections may be accompanied by morbidity and even mortality in their outbreaks. They usually cause self-limited infections with an exemption for HEV that may establish a prolonged infection, especially in immunocompromised patients. We conducted this study to evaluate seroprevalence of HAV and HEV in Hormozgan province to better understand their distributions in the general population. Materials & Methods: The total antibodies against HAV, IgG and IgM antibodies against HEV were evaluated by commercially available Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA) kits in serum sample of 562 females and males between 1 to 86 years old gathered from June 2016 to April 2017 from four major counties of the province. Results: Out of 562 tested participants, 398 of them were female. The mean age of the 562 tested individuals was 35.74 ± 17.06 years (range: 1-86 years). Total anti-HAV antibodies were detected in 524 (93.2%) of individuals and 89 (15.8%) of them had detectable IgG against HEV, while 9 (1.6%) of subjects had anti-HEV IgM, too. Seropositivity rate of HAV and HEV was correlated with increasing age. Conclusions: As the results revealed, both viruses were endemic to the study area and the prevalence of HAV was practically high and the rate of HEV was considerable when compared with the rate in other parts of Iran

Comparison of HCV viral load and its genotype distributions in HCV mono- and HIV/HCV co-infected illicit drug users

Abstract Background Because of shared modes of transmission, patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are often co-infected with other types of hepatitis viruses and/or HIV. We studied HCV viral load and its genotype patterns among HCV mono- and HCV/HIV co-infected Illicit Drug Users in Fars province-Iran. Methods Totally, 580 HCV seropositive IDUs referred to Prof. Alborzi Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz, Iran, without receiving any anti-HCV treatment, were enrolled. After their HCV infections were reconfirmed by one step rapid diagnostic test, HCV RNA level and HCV genotypes were determined by Taq-man real-time PCR assays. Their HIV serostatus was determined and seropositive patients were excluded from the group. In addition, 104 HIV/HCV co-infected IDUs referred from Shiraz Behavioral Diseases Consultation Center (SBDC) were assessed for HCV RNA level and HCV genotype patterns, as well. Results The overall estimated HIV prevalence was 6.7% (39/580) among HCV seropositive IDUs. Genotype 1, the most prevalent genotype in both groups, was detected in 69% and 49% of co- and mono-infected IDUs, respectively. Median HCV viral load was significantly higher in HIV/HCV co-infected patients, compared with that among HCV mono-infected counterparts. Conclusions Given the higher baseline HCV viral load and GT1 attributed to poorer treatments response, HCV treatment must be more considered among HCV/HIV co-infected IDUs, compared to those mono-infected with HCV

Assessment of HCV Infection in Suspected Orphans Newborns by Real-Time PCR and HCV-Core Ag-Elisa

Background & Objective: HCV infection may be transmitted from an infected mother to her fetus in a low percentage; however, it is the most important route of infancy HCV infection. The chance of HCV transmission in HIV/HCV co-infected mothers is higher than that in HCV mono-infected ones. The aim of this study is to assess HCV infection status in orphan newborns in Shiraz, Iran by quantitative PCR assay and HCV core-Ag Elisa.Materials & Methods:  Twenty nine HCV suspected infants, 2-7 months old, were evaluated for HCV and HIV antibodies, HCV core antigen and quantitative genome viral load.Results: Although HCV-Ab was detected in all the studied infants, HCV-RNA was not detected in plasma or Peripheral Blood Mono-Nuclear Cells (PBMCs). HIV 1, 2 Abs were not detected in none of them, either. Conclusion: A few studies have been conducted on the HCV transmission from infected mothers to their infants. According to the present results, assessment of HCV viral load and HCV core-Ag can serve as reliable tests for the prediction or exclusion of HCV infection from mothers to infants