J Res Med Sci
-
Detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomes without detectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs-Ag) is termed occult HBV infection (OHBV) that may be transmitted by blood transfusion or organ transplantation and has acute reactivation when an immunosuppressive status like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection occurs. We aimed to evaluate OHBV in HIV-infected patients with isolated antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) in Isfahan, Iran. ⋯ It seems that occult HBV might be assessed and be treated in HIV-infected patients.
-
Serum uric acid level and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors in prediabetic subjects.
Excess serum uric acid (UA) accumulation can lead to various diseases. Increasing evidences reveal that UA may have a key role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. Little is known about the associations of UA levels with cardiometabolic risk factors in prediabetic individuals. This study was designed to evaluate the association between UA and cardiometabolic risk factors in prediabetic subjects with family history of diabetes compared with those with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). ⋯ High UA level was associated with some cardiometabolic risk factors in prediabetic individuals compared with normal person. UA level was also a significant predictor for prediabetes condition.
-
Health science students are at an increased risk of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection even under accidental infection. The aims of this study were to assess the seroprevalence of HAV in 1(st) year medical students and to determine the risk factors of HAV vaccination program among this population. ⋯ Our results indicate that more than one-third of the medical students in all three faculties were seronegative for IgG anti-HAV and hence at an increased risk of developing HAV infection as a result of occupational exposure. Therefore, we suggest students in a health care set up should undergo vaccination against HAV after prevaccination immunity screening.
-
Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) are a multi-factorial traits and significantly heritable. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzyme is involved in detoxification of reactive oxygen species. The present study aimed at finding out the association between GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in Iranian population. MAP, as the important indicator of blood pressure, is calculated by weighted averaging of SBP and DBP. ⋯ This study demonstrated that GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene increase the arterial pressure; hence, it can predict the susceptibility to cardiovascular disease.
-
Drug injection is one of the most prominent risk factors for transmission of viral hepatitis. Prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is generally higher in prisoners compared with the general population. The object of this study was to assess the markers of HBV and related risk factors among intravenous drug users (IVDU) in prisoners. ⋯ The results suggest that history of sharing needle had a significant association with HBsAg positivity. It seems that educational programs for injecting drug related behaviors, especially syringe sharing, are needed for IVDU.