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Background and Objective: Prisoners are among the high risk population for contagious infections such as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), HBV (Hepatitis B Virus), HCV (Hepatitis C Virus), TB (Tuberculosis), and other dangerous diseases. In spite of other countries in the world, data about the prevalence and risk factors for infectious diseases among prisoners are spars in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV and TB coinfections among male prisoners suffering from HIV.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 100 HIV patients were selected. Microscopic examination (acid fast staining) was applied on sputum specimens and serological (HBsAg, anti- HCV) and molecular (Real time PCR and DNA sequencing) investigations carried out on patient’s sera.
Results: Among 100 prisoners affected with HIV, the prevalence of HCV, HBV and TB infections were 45%, 3%, and 9%, respectively. All HBV positive cases were genotype D, subgenotype ayw2. Among the HCV positive subjects, 34 (75.5%) and 11 (24.5%) were genotype 1a and genotype 3a, respectively. There was no significant relation between age, CD4 and transmission route of HCV in male prisoners affected with HIV. Drug injection was the main route for the acquisition of HCV, HBV infections.
Conclusion: This study showed that a high prevalence of HCV and TB infections among male prisoners affected with HIV.

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Background and Objective: The co-infection of tuberculosis (TB) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a significant global health challenge. Golestan Province is considered one of the most important hubs for TB. This study was conducted to simultaneously evaluate the clinical epidemiology of TB and COVID-19 in patients admitted to the Fifth Azar Educational-Therapeutic Center in Gorgan, Iran.
Methods: This retrospective, descriptive-analytical study was performed on 22 patients (12 men and 10 women) with active or old TB and COVID-19 admitted to the Fifth Azar Educational-Therapeutic Center in Gorgan, Iran, during 2020-2022. Clinical data and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results were extracted from patients’ records in the hospital. These data, encompassing nasopharyngeal swab specimens from the upper respiratory tract, as well as tracheal aspirate specimens, were compiled into a checklist format.
Results: Of the 22 patients, 13 were deceased and 9 recovered. Patient hospitalization wards included the intensive care unit (ICU) (36%), respiratory isolation (36%), surgery (4.5%), and infectious diseases (23%). All patients ICU-admitted (100%) were in the deceased group (P<0.05). The clinical symptom of dyspnea was present in all 13 deceased patients (P<0.05). Laboratory results showed that alanine transaminase (ALT) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) values were significantly higher in the deceased group than in the recovered group (P<0.05). Hematological indices, including white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), were significantly higher in the recovered group compared to the deceased group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The probability of death is higher in patients with TB and COVID-19 co-infection who experience dyspnea, require ICU admission, and have increased ALT and BUN laboratory values.