Anahita Bavand; Arezoo Aghakhani; Minoo Mohraz; Mohammad Banifazl; Afsaneh Karami; Majid Golkar; Jalal Babaie; Parviz Saleh; Setareh Mamishi; Amitis Ramezani
Abstract
Background & Objective: Toxoplasma gondii infection has public health importance and can lead to serious diseases in immunosuppressed patients, such as HIV cases. Appropriate control of T. gondii infection in HIV patients requires information about the prevalence of T. gondii antibodies and DNA in ...
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Background & Objective: Toxoplasma gondii infection has public health importance and can lead to serious diseases in immunosuppressed patients, such as HIV cases. Appropriate control of T. gondii infection in HIV patients requires information about the prevalence of T. gondii antibodies and DNA in different population. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and DNA in HIV patients in Tehran, Iran.Methods: A total of 149 HIV patients from the Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Tehran, Iran were enrolled in the study. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM were detected by ELISA and T. gondii DNA was evaluated by PCR and quantitative real-time PCR. IgG positive samples were also assessed for their avidity. Results: Anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM were positive in 46.3% and 2.7% of cases respectively. 92.7% of our patients showed past infection and 4.3% revealed recently acquired toxoplasmosis based on their IgG avidity test. T. gondii DNA was not detected by PCR but real-time PCR results showed DNA in 4.7% of total patients and 13.1% of the IgG seropositive cases.Conclusion: Our findings indicated that latent toxoplasmosis was relatively prevalent in our study population, but new T. gondii infection had low prevalence. Almost half of our patients were IgG negative and at risk of acquiring toxoplasma infection. Low copy numbers of DNA were detected in 4.7% of the cases without any clinical manifestation. Therefore, detection and monitoring of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies and DNA in HIV patients is substantial to estimate the risk of reactivation and new infection.
Masoomeh Sofian; Mohammad Banifazl; Masoomeh Ziai; Arezoo Aghakhani; Ali-Asghar Farazi; Amitis Ramezani
Volume 11, Issue 4 , October 2016, , Pages 328-333
Abstract
Background: The household transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major health problem. High incidence of HBV infection is observed within the household contacts of HBV carriers. We aimed to evaluate serological markers of hepatitis B infection among family members of HBV carriers in Arak, central ...
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Background: The household transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major health problem. High incidence of HBV infection is observed within the household contacts of HBV carriers. We aimed to evaluate serological markers of hepatitis B infection among family members of HBV carriers in Arak, central Iran. Methods: Data were collected from the 100 chronic HBV carriers (subjects with positive HBsAg for at least 6 months period) as index cases and 700 members of their family. Then, we checked serologic markers of hepatitis B [hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti- HBs)] using the ELISA test. Results: The prevalence rate of HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc among household members was 23.3%, 20.4% and 23% respectively. Isolated anti-HBc (positive anti-HBc with negative HBsAg and anti-HBs) found in 0.4% of family members. Mothers and children with 47.6% and 17.2% had the highest and lowest rates of HBV infection, respectively (P=0.00). There was a significant difference between mothers and spouses of index case (47.6% and 29.8%) regarding HBsAg positivity (P=0.03). Conclusion: The low rate of HBV infection reported in children reveal the effective prevention of HBV transmission with the universal vaccination programs and also importance of pregnant women screening for HBV serological markers.
Manizheh Jozpanahi; Amitis Ramezani; Shahrzad Ossareh; Mohammad Banifazl; Anahita Bavand; Setareh Mamishi; Arezoo Aghakhani
Volume 11, Issue 3 , July 2016, , Pages 210-215
Abstract
Background: Primary infection with BK virus (BKV) is occurred during childhood and usually asymptomatic, but after initial infection, BKV may persist lifelong in the kidney and genitourinary tract. Reactivation may occur in individuals with compromised immunity such as renal transplant recipients. Due ...
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Background: Primary infection with BK virus (BKV) is occurred during childhood and usually asymptomatic, but after initial infection, BKV may persist lifelong in the kidney and genitourinary tract. Reactivation may occur in individuals with compromised immunity such as renal transplant recipients. Due to the role of BKV in BK virus-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) and potentially renal allograft rejection, the detection of BKV in renal transplant candidates is very important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of BK viremia in end stage renal disease cases who were candidates for renal transplantation. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 50 cases with end stage renal disease who were candidates for renal transplantation were recruited from the main dialysis unit in Tehran, Iran. Presence of BK viremia was determined in plasma samples of cases using real time PCR. Results: A total of 50 renal transplant candidates with mean age 37.8±13 yr were enrolled in the study. Fifty two percent of subjects were male. Forty six (92%) of them were under HD and 4 (8%) were on PD. BK virus was not detected in any plasma samples of renal transplant candidates. Conclusion: This study showed absence of BK viremia in our renal transplant candidates. However, due to the important role of BKV in BKVAN and renal graft failure and rejection, further studies involving larger number of cases are required to elucidate the rate of the BKV in renal transplant candidates.
How to cite this article:
Jozpanahi M, Ramezani A, Ossareh S, Banifazl M, Bavand A, Mamishi S, et al. BK Viremia among Iranian Renal Transplant Candidates. Iran J Pathol. 2016; 11(3):210-5.
Seyed Ali Asghar Fakhrmousavi; Azar Hadadi; Seyed Hamed Hosseini; Maryam Rahbar; Reza Hamidian; Amitis Ramezani; Gholamreza Pourmand; Effat Razeghi
Volume 11, Issue 2 , April 2016, , Pages 127-132
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis B virus potentially accelerates graft rejection and mortality in renal transplantation population. Vaccination of graft candidates without prior immunization against HBV seems essential before transplantation but some candidates of transplantation have not received HBV vaccine at ...
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Background: Hepatitis B virus potentially accelerates graft rejection and mortality in renal transplantation population. Vaccination of graft candidates without prior immunization against HBV seems essential before transplantation but some candidates of transplantation have not received HBV vaccine at the time of receiving graft. We aimed to evaluate immunogenicity of an enhanced regimen (4 doses of double-strength intramuscular shots) after kidney transplantation in candidates without history of prior HBV vaccination. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted, 49 renal graft recipients in Sina Hospital (Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran) of age >18, receiving graft within past 6 months and negative history of hepatitis B vaccination from 2010-2011. Participants received 40 μg intramuscular (IM) shots of a recombinant vaccine in the months 0, 1, 2 and 6. The titer of HBsAb was measured 8 weeks after the 3rd and 4th injections. Cases with HBsAb titers less than 10 mIu/ml were considered as non-responder while antiHBs≥10 mIu/ml was considered protective. Results: The overall response rate was 57.14% (28/49 patients). Protective HBsAb titers were detected in 44.89% patients following 3rd dose and reached to 57.14% after injecting the 4th shots. The mean HBsAb titers were 50.00 (±88.35) mIu/ml and 229.45 (±356.56) mIu/ml after the 3rd and 4th shots respectively. Responders showed significantly younger age in comparison to non-responders (P=0.013). The vaccine was well tolerated in all patients with no side effects. Conclusions: Regarding the relative good response rate following HBV vaccination in graft recipients, we suggest a post-transplantation enhanced regimen of 4-dose double-strength IM shots against HBV in patients without prior immunization.
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.
Ali Eslamifar; Farrokh Tirgari; Rasool Hamkar; Amitis Ramezani; Hossein Frootan pishbigar; Shahrum Mirmomen; Azin Nahvigoo; Vahideh Shahnazi; Zahra Deljoodokht; Shifteh Vahidi; Arezoo Aghakhani
Volume 2, Issue 1 , January 2007, , Pages 11-16
Abstract
Background and Objective: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the possible etiologic factors in development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In this study we aimed to study the role of HPV in ESCC.
Patients and Methods:In this study, 140 cases of ESCC were analyzed for the ...
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Background and Objective: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the possible etiologic factors in development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In this study we aimed to study the role of HPV in ESCC.
Patients and Methods:In this study, 140 cases of ESCC were analyzed for the HPV DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using GP5+/GP6+ primers for L1 open reading frame (ORF) to amplify a 150-bp segment of HPV L1 ORF. This region was subsequently sequenced to identify the type of HPV.
Results:A total of 140 patients enrolled in our study. In this respect, 50.7% of them were females and 49.3% were males, aged between 20 and 81 years old. In addition, 33 tumor specimens (23.6%) and 12 (8.6%) non-involved tumor margins were HPV positive. In HPV positive tumor cases, 36% were also positive in tumor margins. The HPV positive cases were 21.7% males and 25.3% females. There was no correlation between the presence and types of HPV with patients’ sex and age. The frequency of HPV subtypes in tumoral regions were as follow: HPV-16: 60.6%, HPV-18: 30.3%, HPV-33: 6.1%, and HPV-31: 3 %. We found only HPV-16 in tumor margins.
Conclusion:Our results support a causal association between HPV infection and ESCC which is consistent with HPV studies conducted in other high-risk areas.
