Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the main cause of infection that has the potential to cause chronic liver disease. Injecting drug users (IDUs) have a key role in HCV transmission in Iran. Knowledge of the distribution of various genotypes is essential for successful future research and control strategies.Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify HCV genotypes among chronic infected injecting drug users (IDUs) in Tehran, Iran.Patients and Methods: In this cross sectional study, we investigated HCV genotypes among 36 plasma samples from HCV infected IDUs (35 male and 1female, mean age: 33.67, and age range 20-62 years), referred to Research Center of Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization(IBTO) in Tehran from December 2008 to March 2009.HCV Genotyping was performed using type-specific primers.Results: Genotypes 3a, 1a and 1b were found in 58.3 %, 25% and 16.7 % patients, respectively.Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the high prevalence of genotype 3a among injecting drug users, which is also found in Europe and United states

Background: Reducing the risk of transfusion transmitted infections (TTI) is one of the main concerns of blood transfusion systems. Evaluation of HCV risk factors in HCV infected blood donors is critical for donor selection and ensuring blood safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate known and putative risk factors of HCV infection in Iranian blood donors. Methods: This matched case-control study was conducted on serologically confirmed HCV positive blood donors (cases) and serologically negative HCV blood donors came back to Iranian Blood Transfusion centers over the country from November 2015 to May 2017. Cases and controls were matched by donation status and interviewed for demographic, medical, and risk histories. Penalized conditional logistic regression model with backward selection method was used in data analysis. STATA software version 13 was used for statistical analysis.

Background: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood born virus and the major cause of liver diseases worldwide. Distribution of HCV genotypes varies depending on geographical regions and routes of infection. Knowledge regarding the distribution of HCV genotypes and related risk factors plays an essential role in the control of HCV infection in the community. Objectives: The current study aimed at determining the current distribution of HCV genotypes and related risk factors among Iranian blood donors. Methods: In the current analytical, cross sectional study, 106 HCV-infected blood donors with detectable HCV RNA over the country were interviewed by trained physicians through a post-donation questionnaire on demographic, medical, and risk history from November 2015 to May 2017. The hepatitis C virus genotype was determined by sequencing of a segment of non-structural 5B region in HCV genome. Penalized logistic regression model was used for statistical analysis through STATA software. Results: Hepatitis C virus genotype was determined in all subjects, and the genotype 3a was the most frequent (65, 61.32%), followed by 1a (31, 29.25%), and 1b (10, 8.49%). Based on the multivariable analysis results, tattooing (adjusted odds ratio: 2.76; 95% confidence interval: 1.03-7.37) was associated with HCV genotype 3a. Conclusions: According to the results, it seems that changes in molecular epidemiology of HCV infection and replacement of HCV genotype 1a with 3a, characterized by an increase in genotype 3a and decrease in genotype 1a have occurred over the last decade among Iranian blood donors. Tattooing was an independent risk factor for HCV infection by genotype 3a.

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of potentially life-threatening disorders, most often caused by deficiency of steroid 21-hydroxylase. Children with ambiguous genitalia, hermaphroditism, or signs and symptoms of CAH admitted to Children's Medical Center were enrolled in the survey, and 101 patients were found. Karyotyping, clinical examination, and paraclinical tests were done. HLA typing was done in patients with proven classical CAH and their parents. HLA antigens were typed in children with CAH-type 21-hydroxylase deficiency. The antigen frequencies were compared with those of the control population. The studies revealed that two HLA antigens, HLA-B18 and HLA-B21, showed a significant increase in frequency. The calculated relative risk value was high, distinguishing the population of patients and their parents. The relative risk among patients was 11.82 for HLA-B18 and 1.75 for HLA-B21 antigens. There was no relationship between HLA-DR antigens and CAH. Studies on the correlation between HLA and CAH indicate an association with HLA-B18 and HLA-B21 antigens, and they can be used as genetic markers of the disorder in the Iranian population, if they are restricted to Iranian patients.

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