---

Drug addicts, especially those practicing injection, are regarded as a major high-risk group for HIV infection. This study was performed to determine the burden of infection in 1061 drug addicts residing in the rehabilitational camp of Shiraz. In 1998, a survey in 1061 randomly selected drug abuse residing in the rehabilitational camp of Shiraz were performed in which demographic and other required data were collected using a questionnaire and samples from each subject were tested for anti-HIV by ELISA-II and then western blot. Overall, 0.76% of subjects were positive for anti-HIV detected by ELISA-II, 1.2% among intravenous and 0.33% among non-intravenous drug abusers, which, being several hundred times more than the prevalence in the general population. Points to the fact that drug addicts must be regarded very high-risk irrespective of their principle method of drug use. The high prevalence among non-intravenous addicts also may be indicative of the possibility that they have practiced high-risk injection sometimes during the period of addiction or imprisonment. Due to the low number of positive cases, no relation could be established between the age, duration and method of drug abuse, history of imprisonment, job, tattooing, marital status and HIV infection. Authors recommend widespread education of the community and drug abuser population in order to reduce the prevalence and spread of infection in addicts an the society, active case-finding among drug abusers, particularly before their referral to rehabilitational centers and developing control measures along with educational program to prevent the residents of these centers from access to drugs and practice of high-risk methods such as needle-sharing.

---

Background and Objective: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a definition of dysfunction of immune system in human that is induced by infection with a virus named human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The most high risk group in HIV infected people are intravenous drug users (IDUs) with unsafe sex. This study was conducted to evaluate knowledge and attitude of IDUs with unsafe sex about AIDS and relation with socioeconomic levels in Golestan province in North of Iran. Materials and Methods: This Cross-Sectional study was conducted on 134 IDUs in Golestan province during 2007. Samples were chosen by a random systematic method. Data was collected with interview by standard questionnaire. Data was analyzed by SPSS-16 and One-way ANOVA,T-test student, Kruskal-wallis, Mann-Whitney U and Kendall tests. Results: This study showed that 36.6% of samples had moderate knowledge about AIDS and 49.3% of them had negative attitude about AIDS. 67% of subjects had education between 6-12 years, 44.8% were married and 53% were jobless and without income. Level of knowledge had a significant relation with age (P<0.05) and education level (P<0.05). Older subjects had better knowledge. Level of knowledge in 25-34 years group was higher than other age. Well educated people had higher knowledge compared with low educated and illitrate subjects. Level of knowledge had a significant relation with attitude (P<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that 65% of subjects with high risk behavior on HIV/AIDS had a appropriate knowledge about transmission of HIV, but half of these population have a poor HIV/AIDS attitude.

---

Background and Objective: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) belongs to the retroviridae family and is the agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Treatment of HIV for the global health has made a special importance for the new antiviral drug discoveries in addition to HIV vaccine developments. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study single cycle replicable (SCR) HIV-1 virions with the capability of one cycle of replication were produced by the co-transfection of three plasmids of pmzNL4-3, psPAX2 and pMD2.G to the HEK cells and their replication capacity of the first generation SCR visions in HEK 293T, MT-2, and mouse spleen cells was examined by p24-capture ELISA, syncytium formation assay. The infectivity of the SCR-produced virions was also analysed on MT-2 cells. Results: Experiments showed the efficient production of SCR virions. Moreover, results indicated the replication potency of SCR virions on the investigated cells and the inactivity of the produced SCR HIV virions. Complete HIV antigens are expressed in their native forms by SCR virions, but this second viral particles lack the replication capacity. Conclusion: SCR HIV virions produced in this study are capable of one cycle of replication and will be inactivated thereafter.These features make SCR virions as a good candidate for HIV vaccine studies. Moreover, considering the one cycle replication, SCR virions do not need the severe biosafety concerns involved in retrovirus studies.

---

Background and Objective: HIV-1 and HCV infections especially in co-infected forms are among the most important infections transferred during blood transfusion.The screening of the blood products is valuable for preventing the transmission of infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate multiplex RT-PCR assay for detection of Co-infection HIV-1 and HCV Viruses in plasma samples.

Materials and Methods: This laboratory study was done to evaluate the use of multiplex RT-PCR assay for simultaneous detection of HIV-1 and HCV genomes in plasma samples. The amplified genomes were detectable in 3% agarose gel base on difference in the numbers of nucleotides. The sensitivity and specificity of this assay was determined on healthy and infected subjects whome simultanously exhibit HIV-1 and HCV co-infection using plasma samples.

Results: The specificity results showed that the primers used in this assay have no interaction with each other and other possible interfering agents. The clinical sensitivity and specificity of the assay has been considered as 90% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion: Multiplex RT-PCR can be used for screening of blood donors due to high sensivity and specificity.

---

Background and Objective: Risk factors of tuberculosis vary in communities according to different socioeconomic conditions. Knowing these risk factors help to control the disease. This study was done to determine the main risk factors of pulmonary tuberculosis acquisition in hospitalized patients. Materials and Methods: In this data based, case-control study 173 tuberculosis patients (as cases) and 305 non tuberculosis patients (as controls) hospitalized in Razi hospital in Ahvaz, Iran during 2001-07 were gone under investigation. Risk factors included injecting drug addiction, smoking, HIV infection, diabetes mellitus, imprisonment and corticosteroid usage. Data were analyzed using SPSS-13, Chi-Square and Fisher exact tests. Odds ratio was determined for risk factors. Results: Frequencies of the main risk factors in case and control groups were as: smoking 54.3%, 14.8% (p=0.0001, OR: 6.5), HIV infection 11.5%, 3% (p=0.0002, OR: 4.3), injecting drug addiction 18%, 3.3% (p=0.0001, OR: 6.7), diabetes mellitus 22.5%, 5.9% (p=0.0001, OR: 4.6) and imprisonment 20.2%, 3.9% (p=0.0001, OR: 6.2), respectively. Corticosteroid use and renal failure were similar in cases and controls. Conclusion: This study showed that smoking, HIV infection, injecting drug addiction, diabetes mellitus and imprisonment were the main risk factors for tuberculosis acquisition in this region.

---

Background and Objective: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic is increasing word-wide. Tuberculosis is the main cause of death and low quality of life in HIV infected patients. The prevalence of Tuberculosis in HIV infected patients varies in different areas according to socioeconomic, cultural and geographical situation. This study was done to asses the pulmonary Tuberculosis risk factors in hospitalized HIV positive patients in Ahvaz, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this data based study all medical files of admitted HIV positive patients in Razi hospital in Ahvaz in south west of Iran were reviewed during 2001-09. Demographic characteristics and HIV Tuberculosis related variables were analyzed using SPSS-16, Fisher's exact test and Odds Ratio. Results: Out of 123 HIV cases 99 (80.5%) were injecting drug user (IDU), sixty eight (55.3%) had imprisoment history. Eighty one patients (65.8%) had Tuberculosis, in which 46 had co-morbidities such as infective endocarditis or viral hepatitis, 79 cases were IDU, 61 cases had imprisonment history and 24 cases had CD4 count below 200. There was a significant association between Tuberculosis and IDU, imprisonment and CD4 count (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the rate of Tuberculosis in HIV positive patients is higher than the rate in previous studies performed in Iran. Also exposure to Tuberculosis cases in prison, IDU and low CD4+ T- lymphocyte count are the main risk factors for Tuberculosis acquisition.

---

Background and Objective: Fusarium solani is the common etiological agent of fungemia and disseminated fusariosis, which is associated with high incidence of mortality in immune-compromised host. Due to high level of resistance of antifungals in Fusarium solani, rapid and specific identification of organism is essential. This study was done to evaluate the PCR method for rapid and specific diagnosis of Fusarium solani in serum samples of HIV positive patients. Methods: In this descriptive study, the PCR test based on mitochondrial cytochrome b gene as the target gene with 330 bp product was optimized. PCR was applied on 45 serum samples of HIV positive patients after evaluation of sensitivity and specificity of the test. Results: In the optimized PCR test, the 330 bp product was amplified. The sensitivity of the test was a copy of Fusarium solani genome, and its specificity was 100%. Among 45 serum samples, 9 cases (20%) were positive for Fusarium solani. Conclusion: The PCR method has functional capabilities for direct, rapid and specific clinical diagnosis of Fusarium solani in HIV positive patients.

---

Background and Objective: Sea cucumber (Holothuria leucospilota) is used for food purposes and traditional medicine in the South East and East Asia. This study was done to determine the antiviral effect of methanolic extract, of Holothuria leucospilota species against HIV-1 virus. Methods: In this laboratory study, sea cucumbers were collected from Larak Island, Persian Gulf, Iran at depths of 10-30 m. Methanol solvent was used for extraction process. Extract was concentrated by rotary evaporator at 40-45 degree C, and subsequently was prepared in the form of dry powder using vacuum freeze dryer lyophilization. Results: The extract in 100 and 1000 µg/ml of concentrations inhibited by 94% and 92.5% the replication of HIV-1, respectively. 10 µg/ml of extract had not specific antiviral effect. Approximately the half of concentration of extract (35.89 µg/ml) prevents 50% of proliferation of HIV-1, which was 50% toxic of on host cells (P<0.05). Conclusion: Sea cucumber methanolic body wall extract of Holothuria leucospilota species had no antiviral effect against HIV-1 virus. It can be due to cytotoxic effect of extract on the host cells.

---

Background and Objective: Cognitive behavioral therapy based on religion can increase the religious mind. This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy based on religion on depression and quality of life in patient with HIV/AIDS.

Methods: In this quasi -experimental study with pretest, post test and follow up with control group, 30 patients with HIV were non-randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Patients in intervention group were received 12 sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy based on religion, but patients in control group did not receive any intervention. Beck depression test (BDI-II) and quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL-Brief) were used.

Results: The rate of depression in intervention group significantly reduced in compared to controls (P<0.05). The rate of quality of life significantly increased in intervention group in comparision with controls group (P<0.05). These results significantly persisted after follow- up period (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The cognitive behavioral therapy based on religion is effective on decrease of depression and increase of quality of life in patients with HIV/AIDS.