Amitis Ramezani; Ebrahim Kalantar; Arezoo Aghakhani; Mohammad Banifazl; Maryam Foroughi; Soudabeh Hosseini; Ali Eslamifar; Ali Esmaeilzadeh; Porisa Sadrpoor; Minoo Mohraz
Abstract
Background & Objective: Interleukin (IL)-10 is an important anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory cytokine. Some authors believe that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene have been associated with susceptibility to HIV infection and progression to AIDS, ...
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Background & Objective: Interleukin (IL)-10 is an important anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory cytokine. Some authors believe that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene have been associated with susceptibility to HIV infection and progression to AIDS, but its role is not clearly defined yet. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the association between HIV infection susceptibility and progression with SNP in the promoter region of the IL-10 gene. Methods: This study was carried out on 70 HIV infected patients (39 treatment naïve and 31 undertreatment) and 31 matched healthy controls. The biallelic polymorphisms in the IL-10 gene promoter (-592 ,-1082) were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Results: At position -1082, G/A was the most common genotype and A was the most prevalent allele and at position -592, A/C was the most prevalent genotype and -592 C was the most common allele in HIV positive patients; although there was not any significant difference between cases and controls regarding genotypes and alleles of these regions. Conclusion: Genetic polymorphisms of IL-10 promoter region may not associate with HIV infection outcome and the lack of this association suggests that other genes may influence on HIV infection course.
Ali Eslamifar; Amitis Ramezani; Kayhan Azadmanesh; Farahnaz Bidari-Zerehpoosh; Mohammad Banifazl; Arezoo Aghakhani
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women throughout the world. There are controversial reports on the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in breast carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of HPV-DNA in invasive breast carcinoma ...
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Background and Objectives: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women throughout the world. There are controversial reports on the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in breast carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of HPV-DNA in invasive breast carcinoma to determine the association between HPV infection and breast carcinoma. Methods: The study included formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples of 100 cases with invasive ductal carcinoma of breast and 50 control tissues of mammoplasty specimens. HPV-DNA was purified and amplified through GP5+/GP6+ and MY09/MY11 primers. Results: All tested carcinomas as well as normal tissues were negative for all types of HPV in PCR assay. Conclusion: Our results do not support the association between HPV infection and breast carcinoma. Further studies involving larger number of cases are required to elucidate the role of HPV infection in breast carcinogenesis.
Amitis Ramezani; Mandana Shams; Nader Zarinfar; Mohammad Banifazl; Arezoo Aghakhani; Ali Eslamifar; Fatemeh- Alsadat Mahdaviani; Ghorban Deiri; Masoomeh Sofian
Volume 9, Issue 1 , January 2014, , Pages 50-55
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Laboratory reference values are an important tool for clinical management of patients. Reference values being used in most laboratories in Iran have been provided from the established reference values from developed countries. However, several variables can affect on ...
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Background and Objectives: Laboratory reference values are an important tool for clinical management of patients. Reference values being used in most laboratories in Iran have been provided from the established reference values from developed countries. However, several variables can affect on these laboratory parameters. Therefore, this study was carried out to establish the reference values of hematological parameters in the blood donors of central province of Iran as a general population.
Methods: Blood samples of 1100 male blood donors were collected consecutively from Blood Transfusion Organization. Complete blood cell (CBC) count in 2012 and differential was performed using an automated hematology analyzer.
Results: The median and 95% reference values (2.5th-97.5th) for Hb and platelet counts were 15.5 g/dl (14.1-17.7) and 209 ×109 cells/L (151-322) respectively. The median for total WBC count, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte and eosinophil were 6.7 ×109 cells/L (4.3-11.2), %58 (%50-%70), 40% (30-49%), 0% (0-2) and %1 (0-3%), respectively.
Conclusion: The hematological profile of the population in central province of Iran was different from the reports of other countries and also the standards reference ranges described in textbook. So, further nationwide study should be carried out to establish the hematological reference values of the Iranian population as a whole.
Ali Eslamifar; Amitis Ramezani; Mohammad Banifazl; Akbar Khadem-Sadegh; Arezoo Aghakhani
Volume 7, Issue 3 , July 2012, , Pages 171-176
Abstract
Background and Aims: Pertussis is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease. Determination of the seroepidemiology of pertussis makes possible the evaluation of pertussis immunity in a population. In this study, we determined the seroprevalence of Bordetella pertussis IgG antibodies in different ...
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Background and Aims: Pertussis is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease. Determination of the seroepidemiology of pertussis makes possible the evaluation of pertussis immunity in a population. In this study, we determined the seroprevalence of Bordetella pertussis IgG antibodies in different age groups in Tehran, Iran.
Materials and Methods: Overall, 1101 subjects between ages of 8 months and 20 years were tested for the presence of pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) and different lipopolysaccharides (LPS) antibodies by ELISA.
Results: The overall prevalence of pertussis antibodies was 48% and the mean antibody level was 44± 47.7 U/ml. Over half (53.1%) of the children aged 8 months to 6 years were negative for pertussis antibodies. Pertussis antibodies rates and levels were significantly different between age groups (P < 0.001) and their significant elevations were observed with increasing age.
Conclusion: Up to half of the vaccinated children lacked an antibody response to vaccine, so using a more immunogenically effective vaccine to ensure sufficient immunity is essential. We showed that B. pertussis infection is on the rise in Iranian adolescents and young adults. Booster vaccination of this age group appears to be the most logical approach to disease prevention in adolescents and control the circulation of the organism.
Safyeh Soufian; Arezoo Aghakhani; Minoo Mohraz; Mohammad Banifazl; Ali Eslamifar; Zahra Boland-Ghamat; Akbar Khadem-Sadegh; Amitis Ramezani
Volume 7, Issue 2 , April 2012, , Pages 80-85
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) results in dysregulation of the cytokine profile. A switch from a T helper 1 (Th1) to a Th2 cytokine has been proposed as an important factor in progression of HIV infection to AIDS. The aim of the present study was to assess ...
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Background and Objectives: Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) results in dysregulation of the cytokine profile. A switch from a T helper 1 (Th1) to a Th2 cytokine has been proposed as an important factor in progression of HIV infection to AIDS. The aim of the present study was to assess the level of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in HIV infected individuals in order to identify the switch from Th1 to Th2 cytokines.
Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 140 HIV infected patients (21 treatment naïve and 119 under treatment) and 35 matched healthy controls refereed to Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Tehran, Iran. The serum samples were checked with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10 and interferon (IFN)-gamma. The Chi-square and t2-tests were used with the SPSS 16 package program for statistical analysis
Results: A total of 140 HIV positive patients with mean age 36.9±9.2 years and 35 matched controls were enrolled in the study. IL-2 level was relatively higher and IL-10, IL-4 and IFN-gamma levels were relatively lower in the treatment naïve group than the under treatment group. Except for IL-2, all of the other cytokines exhibited a negative correlation with the CD4 cell counts and IFN-gamma levels showed the strongest negative correlation.
Conclusion: Our observations did not demonstrate switching of the type 1 to type 2 T helper cells cytokine profile in HIV infected patients and suggested more complex changes in Th1 to Th2 cytokine patterns in HIV infection.
Amitis Ramezani; Arezoo Aghakhani; Mohammad Banifazl; Zahra Boland-Ghamat; Maryam Foroughi; Latif Gachkar; Akbar hadem-Sadegh; Minoo Mohraz
Volume 7, Issue 1 , January 2012, , Pages 9-13
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Human T-cell lymphotropic viruses (HTLV) type 1 and 2 are retroviruses that share the same routes of transmission as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). As a consequence of epidemiologic similarities, HIV and HTLV-1/2 co-infection is frequent. Due to the limited data, this ...
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Background and Objectives: Human T-cell lymphotropic viruses (HTLV) type 1 and 2 are retroviruses that share the same routes of transmission as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). As a consequence of epidemiologic similarities, HIV and HTLV-1/2 co-infection is frequent. Due to the limited data, this study assessed the seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 infections in HIV infected patients in Tehran, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This case-control study was carried out in 180 HIV infected patients from Iranian HIV/AIDS Research Center in Tehran and 117 matched healthy controls. The serum samples were checked with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti HTLV-1/2.
Results: A total of 180 HIV positive patients with mean age 36.9±9.2 years and 117 matched controls were enrolled in the study. All cases and controls were negative for HTLV-1/2 infection.
Conclusion: HTLV-1/2 infection is negligible in HIV infected patients in Tehran, Iran, although intravenous drug use is the most common route of HIV transmission in our study subjects.
Ali Eslamifar; Amitis Ramezani; Mohammad Banifazl; Arezoo Aghakhani
Volume 7, Issue 1 , January 2012, , Pages 27-31
Abstract
Background and Objectives: HIV infected patients are at risk for vaccine-preventable infections such as tetanus and diphtheria (Td). In these patients, these antibodies tend to decline faster. Due to the limited data, this study assessed the seroprevalence of tetanus and diphtheria antibodies in HIV ...
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Background and Objectives: HIV infected patients are at risk for vaccine-preventable infections such as tetanus and diphtheria (Td). In these patients, these antibodies tend to decline faster. Due to the limited data, this study assessed the seroprevalence of tetanus and diphtheria antibodies in HIV infected patients in Tehran, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This case-control study was carried out in 180 HIV infected patients from Iranian HIV/AIDS Research Center in Tehran and 90 matched healthy controls. The serum samples were checked with ELISA for tetanus and diphtheria antibodies.
Results:A total of 180 HIV positive patients with mean age 36.9±9.2 years and 90 matched controls were enrolled in the study. Tetanus antibody was lower in HIV group when compared with control group. There was no significant difference in the mean serum levels of diphtheria antibody in HIV positive patients when compared with the controls. About 93.3% and 96.6% of HIV infected patients had protective diphtheria and tetanus antibodies respectively. Mean tetanus and diphtheria antibodies levels were not significantly different based on the circulating CD4+ cells.
Conclusion: HIV positive cases, who had received primary Td vaccination before they contracted HIV infection, can be expected to be protected against diphtheria, whereas revaccination against tetanus must be considered.
Mohammad Banifazl; Amitis Ramezani; Ali Eslamifar; Arezoo Aghakhani
Volume 6, Issue 1 , January 2011, , Pages 3-7
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted diseases worldwide and is the etiological agent of cervical and other anogenital malignancies. Since HPVs have been shown to possess oncogenic potential, an association between HPV infection and prostatic cancer ...
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Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted diseases worldwide and is the etiological agent of cervical and other anogenital malignancies. Since HPVs have been shown to possess oncogenic potential, an association between HPV infection and prostatic cancer (PCa) has been suggested. There are conflicting reports on the impact of HPV infection on the development of prostate cancer. The aim of this article is to review the studies that investigated the association between HPV and PCa. The results of this review demonstrated the divergent frequencies of HPV positivity in PCa in different geographic areas.
Amitis Ramezani; Ali Eslamifar; Arezoo Aghakhani; Ebrahim Kalantar; Mohammad Banifazl; Akbar Velayati
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2009, , Pages 71-74
Abstract
Background and Objective: The outcome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may be influenced by host factors like Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA). We have investigated HLA-A and DRB1 alleles in patients with persistent hepatitis B infection compared to subjects who had spontaneously recovered from ...
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Background and Objective: The outcome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may be influenced by host factors like Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA). We have investigated HLA-A and DRB1 alleles in patients with persistent hepatitis B infection compared to subjects who had spontaneously recovered from HBV infection. To complete the findings of this study we performed another survey in certain HLA alleles that were significantly related to the outcome of HBV infection. The current study aimed to determine association between HBV infection outcome and HLA-A and DRB1 genotyping in North part of Iran. Patients and Methods: Ninety-four HBV infected patients were enrolled in this cross sectional study. First HLA-A and DRB1 alleles were analyzed by using low resolution PCR sequence-specific-primer (PCR-SSP) and then we used high resolution PCR-SSP method for subtyping HLA-A*33 and DRB1*13 alleles which were significantly related to the outcome of HBV infection. Results: HLA-A*33 allele was significantly higher in persistent group than recovered group and sub typing showed HLA-A*3303 in 75% and HLA-A*3301 in 25% of cases. HLA-DRB1*13 allele was significantly lower in persistent group than in recovered group and its subtypes were DRB1*1301 in 66.7% and DRB1*1303 in 33.3% of subjects. Conclusion: Host HLA polymorphism is an important factor to determining the outcome of HBV infection. HLA-A*3303 and DRB1*1301 were the predominant subtypes of HLA-A*33 and DRB1*13 alleles in Iranian HBV infected patients.
Arezoo Aghakhani; Amitis Ramezani; Minoo Mohraz; Mohammad Banifazl; Ali Eslamifar
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2009, , Pages 80-84
Abstract
Background and Objective: Presence of hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) is defined, as isolated anti-HBc. little is known about the clinical significance of the isolated anti-HBc in hepatitis ...
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Background and Objective: Presence of hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) is defined, as isolated anti-HBc. little is known about the clinical significance of the isolated anti-HBc in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. The aim of this study was to assess the significance of anti-HBc as the only marker of HBV infection in high risk patients. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 395 patients including 289 patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD) and 106 HIV infected subjects were enrolled. HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, Hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were tested in all subjects. The presence of HBV-DNA was determined quantitatively in plasma samples of patients with isolated anti-HBc by real-time PCR. Results: Of 395 patients, 40 (10.13%, 95% CI, 7.1%-13.1%) had isolated anti-HBc. HBV-DNA was detectable in 12 of 40 patients (30%, 95% CI, 15.8%-44.2%) who had isolated anti-HBc. Conclusion: Our study showed that detection of isolated anti-HBc could reflect unrecognized HBV infection; hence, screening of these patients is useful to preventing of HBV transmission.
Amitis Ramezani; Ali Eslamifar; Latif Gachkar; Zahra Pournasiri; Mohammad Banifazl; Arezoo Aghakhani; Mohammad Rabbani; Mohammad Amin Faghih; Ali Akbar Velayati
Volume 3, Issue 4 , September 2008, , Pages 186-190
Abstract
ABSTRACT Background and Objective: There have been concerns over possible association between mercury and neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants. In this study we aimed to determine whether blood levels of mercury are above safe values in Iranian infants or not. Materials and Methods: A ...
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ABSTRACT Background and Objective: There have been concerns over possible association between mercury and neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants. In this study we aimed to determine whether blood levels of mercury are above safe values in Iranian infants or not. Materials and Methods: A total of 85 infants (0, 2, 4 and 6 months old) were enrolled in this study. All of them received vaccines according to Iranian immunization schedules. We measured total mercury in all blood samples by cold vapor atomic absorption. Results: The mean concentration of blood mercury in our subjects were as follows: newborns as 33.95 ± 11.86 nmol/l (with a range of 23.93-52.84), 2 months as 32.94 ± 11.76 nmol/l (with a range of 23.92-52.84), 4 months as 30.44 ± 10.44 nmol/l (with a range of 23.92-50.85) and 6 months as 37.93 ± 12.97 nmol/l (with a range of 21.43-52.34). There was not any significant difference for the mean concentration of blood mercury in those age groups. The lowest level of blood mercury detected was 21.43 nmol/l and the highest level was 52.84 nmol/l. Conclusion: The finding of this study showed that approximately 33% of the infants had blood mercury levels above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommended reference dose of 5.8 μg/l (29 nmol/l). Therefore, it is needed to reduce exposure of infants to mercury from all sources including thimerosal containing vaccines (TCVs) in Iran.
Amitis Ramezani; Arezoo Aghakhani; Mohammad Reza Sharif; Mohammad Banifazl; Ali Eslamifar; Ali Akbar Velayati
Volume 3, Issue 3 , June 2008, , Pages 125-128
Abstract
Background and Objective: Anemia is a common manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, occurring in approximately 30% of patients with asymptomatic infection and in as many as 75% to 80% of those with AIDS. Anemia has been associated with decreased quality of life and decreased ...
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Background and Objective: Anemia is a common manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, occurring in approximately 30% of patients with asymptomatic infection and in as many as 75% to 80% of those with AIDS. Anemia has been associated with decreased quality of life and decreased survival. In this study we aimed to determine the prevalence and related factors of anemia in HIV-infected patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 143 HIV positive patients who referred to behavioral disease consulting center in Tehran were screened for anemia. Mild to moderate anemia was defined as hemoglobin (Hb) 8-14g/dl for men and 8-12g/dl for women; severe anemia was defined as Hb less than 8g/dl for both males and females. sociodemographic data were collected using a questionnaire. In all patients, CD4 lymphocytes counting were done by flowcytometry. Results: It was found out that 143 HIV positive patients with a mean age of 37.1+ 2 years were enrolled in our study. The mean Hb level was 13.5 ± 2.1 g/dl. Mild anemia occurred in 46% of subjects while severe anemia was not observed. There was not any significant difference between patients with and without anemia regarding age, gender, stage of the infection, CD4 cells count and concurrent anti-retroviral therapy. We also found significant difference between anemia and risk behaviors for HIV acquisition. Conclusion: Our results showed that mild to moderate anemia was frequent in HIV positive patients but severe anemia was not prevalent in this study population.
Sara Jam; Duman Sabzevari; Arezoo Aghakhani; Ali Eslamifar; Mohammad Banifazl; Amitis Ramezani
Volume 2, Issue 4 , September 2007, , Pages 144-148
Abstract
Background and Objective: Pseudomonas aeruginosa has become a frequent cause of nosocomial infections, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs). Many reports have documented high rates of resistance in this species to commonly-used broad-spectrum antibiotics. The aim of this study was to assess the ...
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Background and Objective: Pseudomonas aeruginosa has become a frequent cause of nosocomial infections, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs). Many reports have documented high rates of resistance in this species to commonly-used broad-spectrum antibiotics. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro activity of some antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains to determine the susceptibility patterns of isolates to different antibiotics. Materials and Methods: A total of 233 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates obtained from various clinical specimens of hospitalized children in Ali-Asghar hospital of Tehran (Iran) were considered for susceptibility test. These strains were tested against 12 different antibiotics by a disk diffusion method. Of these isolates, 33.9% were from trachea, 31.8% from urine, 6.9% from eye, 5.2% from blood, 5.1% from ear, 1.3% from cerebrospinal fluid, 1.2% from stool, and 14.6% from other sites. In addition, 48.5% of P. aeruginosa strains were isolated from patients in ICUs. Results: The most active antimicrobials were amikacin and other active compounds were gentamicin, ceftazidime, and ciprofloxacin respectively. Isolates from ICUs were more resistant to amikacin and gentamicin as compared to those from non-ICU wards (p<0.05). Isolates from trachea were more resistant to amikacin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin and ceftazidime than those from other sites (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that amikacin was the most active agent against P. aeruginosa followed by gentamycin, ceftazidime, and ciprofloxacin. According to our in vitro study results, active antibiotic susceptibility testing and surveillance should be continued in order to curtail the problem of antibiotic resistance.
Amitis Ramezani; Minoo Mohraz; Mohammad Banifazl; Latif Gachkar; Sara Jam; Ali Eslamifar; Farhad Yaghmaie; Kambiz Nemati; Arezoo Aghakhani
Volume 2, Issue 4 , September 2007, , Pages 154-158
Abstract
Background and Objective: Dyslipidemia has become a common problem in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, especially in patients on combination antiretroviral therapy. In this study we aimed to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia and metabolic abnormalities in 2 groups of HIV infected patients ...
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Background and Objective: Dyslipidemia has become a common problem in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease, especially in patients on combination antiretroviral therapy. In this study we aimed to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia and metabolic abnormalities in 2 groups of HIV infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and antiretroviral-naive patients. Patients and Methods: Forty HIV infected patients treated by HAART as a case group (6 females and 34 males) with a mean age of 40.7 ± 10 years and 15 HIV naïve as a control group (2 females and 13 males) with a mean age of 38.40 ± 8.3 enrolled in this study. The two groups were well matched in respect to age, sex and CD4 cell counts. A standardized questionnaire with epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic data was completed by physicians. Blood samples were obtained for metabolic measurements. CD4 positive cell count was measured by f lowcytometry. Results: Levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, lactate, and FBS were elevated in 24%, 37%, 3.7%, 44.4%, 29.6% and 11% of patients respectively. There was a significant difference regarding mean total cholesterol and LDL between treated group and controls (p<0.05). There was also no significant difference between treated group and controls regarding triglyceride, HDL, lactate and FBS levels. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that metabolic abnormalities are relatively common in HIV-infected patients receiving HAART. Therefore, it is recommended to screen the HIV infected patients on HAART for metabolic disorders, potential of morbidity, and possible long-term cardiovascular risk factors.
