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Background: Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) refers to the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the serum or liver of individuals who tested negative for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg). This study aimed to determine seropositivity for antibodies against HBV core antigen (anti-HBc) and the frequency of OBI among the HBsAg non-reactive blood donors in Mashhad, northeastern Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, serum samples of HBsAg-negative blood donors were examined for anti-HBc during June and August 2018. Anti-HBc-positive samples were tested for antibodies against HBsAg (anti-HBs), and those with negative results were classified as isolated anti-HBc cases. The presence of HBV DNA in the C, S, and X gene regions was assessed by a qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction method in all HBsAg-negative samples. OBI subjects were detected by the presence of at least one HBV genomic region. Results: Of 540 HBsAg-negative donors, 29 (5.4%; 95% confidence interval: 3.6--7.6%) showed seroreactivity for anti-HBc, of whom 18 individuals were also seropositive for anti-HBs. All donors showed negative results for all three HBV genes regardless of their serum anti-HBc status. Conclusion: Based on our findings, we suggest routine screening of Iranian blood donation volunteers for serum anti-HBc and anti-HBs but not HBV DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects 58 million people globally. The frequency of HCV infection in the general Iranian population is less than 0.5%; however, a concentrated epidemic was reported among people who use drugs, particularly those with a history of drug injection. Objectives: This cross-sectional study was performed to assess the prevalence of HCV infection among high-risk groups outside of prison in northeastern Iran. Methods: A total of 962 participants in Razavi Khorasan province were enrolled from 2018 to 2022. They included drug users referred to drug treatment and harm reduction centers and individuals with a history of crimes such as drug use or imprisonment who worked in a private industrial unit. Serum anti-HCV antibodies were assessed using a rapid or ELISA kit, and seroreactive samples were confirmed by single-step reverse transcriptase or qualitative real-time polymerase chain reactions. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of 707 males and 255 females was 39.8 ± 10.2 years. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected from 129 samples (13.41%), of which 107 were available for polymerase chain reaction testing. HCV RNA was detected in 88 cases (75.2%); the total viremia rate was calculated as 9.26% (88/950). Logistic regression analysis revealed that HCV infection among drug users was significantly associated with older age (P = 0.002), being single (P = 0.009), and history of drug injection (P < 0.001) or incarceration (P = 0.04). Conclusions: The findings showed a considerably high prevalence of HCV infection among people who use drugs in northeastern Iran. To achieve the global goal of viral hepatitis elimination by 2030, we strongly recommend stricter screening and treatment of this infection among such hard-to-access populations in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: People who use drugs, particularly injection drug users (IDUs) are known as the major source of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of HCV infection using rapid point-of-care testing and to assess liver fibrosis by non-invasive lab tests among addict populations of Mashhad, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, drug users who referred to drug treatment and harm reduction centers of Mashhad were enrolled during March and December 2019. A rapid test kit was used to assess the presence of anti-HCV antibodies and a realtime PCR was performed to confirm the infection. The AST-platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score were used to investigate liver fibrosis in patients with positive HCV RNA. A P value <0.05 was considered as significant. Results: A total of 390 drug users aged 15-74 years were assessed. Sixty-four individuals showed positive results for anti-HCV (16.4%), of whom 58 blood samples were available for PCR test. The viremic rate among the latter group was calculated at 84.5% (49/58); the total viremia prevalence was 12.8% (49/384). Multivariate analysis revealed that being single (P = 0.040) or divorced/ widow (P = 0.011) and history of drug injection (P < 0.001) and tattoos (P = 0.021) were significantly associated with current HCV infection. Using APRI and FIB-4 indices, significant liver fibrosis was identified in 14.3% and 18.4% of cases, respectively. Conclusion: HCV infection screening using rapid tests and examining liver fibrosis by non-invasive lab tests appear to be practicable and useful among poor populations in settings such as drug treatment centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anemia is one of the main conditions that impose an adverse impact on the socioeconomic state of any country; however, evidence on the prevalence of anemia is scant in Northeastern Iran. This study was conducted to determine the overall and age- and sex-specific prevalence of anemia in the city of Mashhad, Iran. In a cross-sectional, population-based survey, 1675 individuals aged 1-90 years (29.1±18.5 years) were selected from approximately 2.4 million residents by a multistage cluster sampling method during May to September 2009. Blood samples were evaluated to determine erythrocyte indices and anemia was defined according to hemoglobin (Hb) levels based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The prevalence of anemia was 9.7% with considerable difference between both sexes; 6.2% and 12.7% in males and females, respectively (P<0.001). The higher prevalence of anemia was detected in females of 15-54 and ≥ 65 years old (16% and 12.5%, respectively). However, the higher rates were observed in males 65 years and older as well as boys below 5 years old (16.3% and 14.6%, respectively). Current findings show that anemia is a considerable public health problem in the population of Mashhad, Iran, especially among the pre-school children, adult women and the elderly. Great attention should be paid to the pre-school boys who are more affected by anemia than what was previously assumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]