scholarly journals Prevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Infections among Incarcerated Individuals in Iran: A Cross-Sectional National Bio-behavioral Study in 2019

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1522
Author(s):  
Ghobad Moradi ◽  
Seyed Moayed Alavian ◽  
Fatemeh Gholami ◽  
Rashid Ramezani ◽  
Leila Ahangarzadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Drug Injection ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Treatment Protocols ◽  
Hbv Vaccination

Introduction: To realize the global goals of eliminating hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030, it is necessary to monitor the status of disease among target populations and undertake the required interventions. This study is the third round of surveys to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections among incarcerated individuals in different provinces of Iran. Methods: This study was conducted in five provinces of Iran (including Kurdistan, Ardabil, West Azerbaijan, Markazi, and Semnan) in 2019. The subjects of the study were selected from incarcerated people in prisons of all provinces that had not been studied in the previous two rounds of the surveys (in 2015 and 2016) in Iran. In this study, 15 prisons were selected and 2475 incarcerated individuals were enrolled into the study based on the multistage sampling method; the selected subjects were surveyed and their dried blood spot (DBS) samples were collected to test HBsAg and HCV-Ab. In cases with a reactive result for HCV-Ab, an HCV-RNA test was also performed on their serum samples. The relationships between independent variables and outcomes were evaluated via logistic regression. Results: Of all participants (2475 subjects) enrolled in the study, 54.18% were selected from northern provinces and 45.82% from the central provinces. The prevalence of HCV-Ab and HBsAg among incarcerated individuals was 5.66% (95% CI: 4.81% to 6.64%) and 2.42% (95% CI: 1.89% to 3.11%), respectively. Among HCV-seropositive individuals, 73.68% (95% CI: 64.70% to 81.01%) had current HCV infection (detectable HCV-RNA). The results showed that histories of imprisonment, drug use, unprotected sexual contact, drug injection, tattooing, and younger age in the first-time drug use in incarcerated individuals significantly increased the risk of HCV transmission. Among these behaviors, drug injection was more likely than other behaviors to result in contracting HCV in incarcerated individuals (OR: 22.91; 95% CI: 14.92–35.18; p < 0.001). Conclusion: To achieve international and national strategies targeted to eliminate HCV and HBV by 2030, it is necessary to pay special attention to prisons in Iran. It is recommended to continue HBV vaccination of eligible people in prisons. Developing screening and treatment protocols for individuals with HCV infection in prisons can help the country to achieve HCV elimination goals.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Viremic hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV infection, and vaccination status among prisoners in Stockholm County

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Gahrton ◽  
Gabriel Westman ◽  
Karin Lindahl ◽  
Fredrik Öhrn ◽  
Olav Dalgard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Stockholm County ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hbv Vaccine ◽  
Hbv Vaccination

Abstract Background Identification and knowledge of settings with high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is important when aiming for elimination of HCV. The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of viremic HCV infection among Swedish prisoners. Secondary aims were to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the proportion who have received hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination. Methods A cross-sectional study of all incarcerated persons (n = 667) at all prisons (n = 9) in Stockholm County was conducted. All prisoners are routinely offered opt-in screening for HCV antibodies (anti-HCV), HCV RNA, HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc and HIV Ag/Ab at prison in Sweden. Data on the results of these tests and the number of received HBV vaccine doses were collected from the prison medical records. The parameters of HCV RNA, anti-HCV, and occurrence of testing for HCV were analysed in multiple logistic regression models in relation to age, sex and prison security class. Results The median age was 35 (IQR 26–44) years, and 93.4% were men. Seventy-one percent (n = 471) had been tested for anti-HCV, 70% (n = 465) for HBsAg and 71% (n = 471) for HIV. The prevalence of anti-HCV, HCV RNA, HBsAg and HIV Ag/Ab was 17.0, 11.5, 1.9, and 0.2%, respectively among tested persons. The proportion of prisoners who had received full HBV vaccination was 40.6% (n = 271) among all study subjects. Conclusions The prevalence of viremic HCV infection among Swedish prisoners in Stockholm County was 11.5%, which is high in comparison to the general population. Therefore, when aiming for the WHO goal of HCV elimination, prisons could suit as a platform for identification and treatment of HCV infection. There is a need to increase testing for blood-borne viruses and to improve vaccination coverage against HBV in Swedish prisons.

Alcohol misuse and illicit drug use are associated with HCV/HIV co-infection

2014 ◽  
Vol 142 (12) ◽  
pp. 2616-2623 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. SIMON ◽  
R. T. MICHITA ◽  
J. U. BÉRIA ◽  
D. C. TIETZMANN ◽  
A. T. STEIN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Alcohol Misuse ◽  
Injecting Drug Use ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Cross Sectional

SUMMARYWe studied hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence and risk factors for HCV infection in a sample of Brazilian HIV-positive patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 580 HIV-positive patients from a specialized HIV/AIDS diagnosis and treatment centre in southern Brazil. All patients were interviewed for socio-demographic and risk factors and tested for HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA detection. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors for HCV infection. A total of 138 (24%) patients had past or chronic hepatitis C. The following risk factors were associated with HCV infection for each gender: alcohol misuse and injecting drug use in women (P < 0·001) and low educational level, smoking drug use, and injecting drug use in men (P < 0·01). These results suggest that alcohol misuse, low educational level, smoking drug use, and injecting drug use are probable risk factors for HCV infection in HIV-positive patients. This information contributes to an understanding of the epidemiology of HIV/HCV co-infection in Brazil.

Prospective study of hepatitis C virus infection in hemodialysis patients by monthly analysis of HCV RNA and antibodies

2003 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 503-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina Moreira ◽  
João Renato Rebello Pinho ◽  
Jorge Fares ◽  
Isabel Takano Oba ◽  
Maria Regina Cardoso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus Infection ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Hcv Genotypes ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Time Required

The aims of this study were to (i) evaluate the prevalence and the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in hemodialysis patients in two different centers in São Paulo (Brazil), (ii) determine the time required to detect HCV infection among these patients by serology or PCR, (iii) establish the importance of alanine aminotransferase determination as a marker of HCV infection, and (iv) identify the HCV genotypes in this population. Serum samples were collected monthly for 1 year from 281 patients admitted to hospital for hemodialysis. Out of 281 patients, 41 patients (14.6%) were HCV positive; six patients seroconverted during this study (incidence = 3.1/1000 person-month). In 1.8% (5/281) of cases, RNA was detected before the appearance of antibodies (up to 5 months), and in 1.1% (3/281) of cases, RNA was the unique marker of HCV infection. The genotypes found were 1a, 1b, 3a, and 4a. The presence of genotype 4a is noteworthy, since it is a rare genotype in Brazil. These data pointed out the high prevalence and incidence of HCV infection at hemodialysis centers in Brazil and showed that routine PCR is fundamental for improving the detection of HCV carriers among patients undergoing hemodialysis.Key words: HCV genotypes, hemodialysis, hepatitis C, PCR, prevalence, incidence.

scholarly journals CORRELATION OF VIROLOGICAL AND CLINICAL PROFILE OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS B & C CO-INFECTION

1969 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 463-468
Author(s):  
JAVED IQBAL FAROOQI ◽  
RUKHSANAJAVED FAROOQI ◽  
RIAZMUHAMMAD ◽  
ZAFAR ALI ◽  
ABDURREHMAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Hepatitis ◽  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Chronic Hepatitis B ◽  
Abdominal Ultrasound ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Clinical Profile ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background: Both HBV super-infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C and HCV super-infectionin patients with chronic hepatitis B have been reported. In case of co-infection, hepatitis B and C interactwith each other and affect immune responses resulting in active HCV with inactive HBV, active HBVwith inactive HCV, both active and both inactive. The objective of our study was to find out andcorrelate the virological and clinical profile in our patients with chronic hepatitis B and C co-infection.Material and Methods: This observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted atMedical ‘A’ Ward, PGMI, LRH Peshawar and Author’s Private Hepatology Clinic, from July 2010 toJune 2014. All patients with HBsAg and Anti-HCV Reactive by ELISA for more than six months wereincluded in the study. Following investigations were carried out in these patients: Serum ALT, HBeAg,anti-HBe, HBV DNA PCR, HCV RNA PCR, and abdominal ultrasound. Data was entered and analyzedusing SPSS version 16.0.Results: A total of 130 patients were included in the analysis, out of which 81 (62.3%) were males.Mean age of patients was 40.52±14.27 years. Majority of patients belonged to age-group of 21-30 years.Mean serum ALT of patients was 83.69±60.48 U/L. Majority of patients belonged to ALT-Group of 41-80 U/L. Hepatitis C Virus was the dominant virus in 53% of patients. Chronic Hepatitis was thedominant clinical profile in 73% of patients.Conclusion: Hepatitis C Virus is the dominant virus in our patients with BC co-infection. There is nostatistically significant association between virological and clinical profile of these patients.Key Words: Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, BC Co-infection, Chronic Hepatitis, Cirrhosis,Hepatocellular Carcinoma

High Prevalence of Serum Cryoglobulins in Multitransfused Hemophilic Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 516-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Santagostino ◽  
M. Colombo ◽  
D. Cultraro ◽  
M. Muça-Perja ◽  
A. Gringeri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Hepatitis ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Rheumatoid Factor ◽  
Chronic Hepatitis C ◽  
Systemic Vasculitis ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Hybridization Technique ◽  
Serum Samples

Abstract The prevalence, clinical relevance, and risk factors of serum cryoglobulins in hemophilic patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are unknown. We studied 135 consecutive hemophilic patients (median age, 31 years; range, 10 to 69 years) with chronic hepatitis C, exposed to the virus for 10 to 41 years. A total of 67 patients were coinfected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and 3 (2%) had signs of cirrhosis. Serum samples were tested for the presence of cryoglobulins, hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers, including HBV-DNA by hybridization assay, and antibody to HCV by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Serum HCV-RNA was tested by polymerase chain reaction and typed with a hybridization technique. Samples were also tested for antitissue antibodies, immunoglobulins, rheumatoid factor, and C3 and C4 proteins of complement. Forty-two hemophiliacs (31%) circulated cryoglobulins (median levels, 166 mg/L; range, 66 to 480) predominantly type III (62%; and 29% type II). None of the patients had clinical signs or symptoms of systemic vasculitis. Cryoglobulinemic patients had more often serum HCV-RNA (95% v 80%, P &lt; .05), rheumatoid factor (20% v 6%, P &lt; .05), higher levels of IgG (2,354 ± 682 mg/dL v 1,928 ± 557 mg/dL,P &lt; .0005) and IgM (323 ± 226 mg/dL v 244 ± 243 mg/dL, P &lt; .05), and lower levels of serum C4 (19 ± 8 mg/dL v 24 ± 8 mg/dL, P &lt; .05) than patients without cryoglobulins. The risk of producing cryoglobulins was greater for 114 patients circulating HCV-RNA than for 21 nonviremic patients (odds ratio [OR] = 4.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1 to 22.0) and for the 31 patients with longer exposure to HCV (more than 26 years) than for the 24 patients with shorter (17 years or less) exposure (OR = 4.4 95% CI = 1.1 to 18.0). In conclusion a large number of multitransfused hemophiliacs with chronic HCV infection circulated serum cryoglobulins but none had clinical signs or symptoms of vasculitis. The risk of developing cryoglobulins parallels the duration of exposure to HCV.

scholarly journals High Level of Vaccination and Protection Against Hepatitis B with Low Rate of Hepatitis C HCV infection Markers among Hospital Health Care Personnel in North of Iran: A cross-Sectional study.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiva Saffar ◽  
Negar Khoshayand ◽  
Mohammad-Reza Parsaei ◽  
Gholam-Reza Ghorbani ◽  
Mohsen Aarabi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Surface Antigen ◽  
Booster Dose ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Health Care Personnel ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hbv Vaccination

Abstract Background : hepatitis B virus (HBV) and C virus (HCV) are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Health care personnel (HCP) are subjected to increased risk of these infections. Therefore, HBV vaccination and post-vaccination serologic testing (PVST) are recommended for them.Objectives: study was designed to investigate how well the vaccination guidelines for hospital HCP s were implemented. Moreover, the prevalence rates of HBV and HCV infections were calculated. To determine the presence of immunological memory, vaccinated personnel negative to antibody against HB surface antigen with one dose of HB vaccine were boosted.Methods: from 1 July to 30 November 2017, a cross-Sectional study among HCPs working in public hospitals were conducted. All HCPs from various professional categories potentially at risk of exposure to contaminated sources were included. The information was gathered via interview and self-administered questionnaire. The questions were focused on the demographic characteristics, HB vaccination and immunity status and time elapsed since initial vaccination series, and frequency of needelstick injuries during the past 12 months of their work. HBV seromarkers received a booster dose of the vaccine.Results : A total of 186 out of 766 participants were male and nurses comprised 71% of personnel. Although all HCP were vaccinated, 84% of them completed the course and less than 5% of them received PVST. According to the results, 0.78%, 4.6%, and 83% were serologically positive to HBV surface antigen, antibodies against HBV core, and S antigens, respectively. Approximately, 91% of seronegative participants responded to a booster dose and only 0.91% of the personnel had HCV was Anti-HCV positive.Conclusion : Most HCP received full HBV vaccination course. Although a minority did PVST, the HBV vaccine-induced long-term protection and HBV booster were not required. Therefore, policies should be made to increase the rate PVST after immunization. According to the results, the HCV infection rate was low and thus pre-recruitment screening was not necessary

scholarly journals Hepatitis C Core Antigen Testing to Diagnose Active Hepatitis C Infection Among Haemodialysis Patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
XZ Wong ◽  
CC Gan ◽  
R M ◽  
R Y ◽  
S G ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Core Antigen ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Hepatitis C Infection ◽  
Hcv Treatment ◽  
Serological Screening ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Spearman Test

Abstract BACKGROUNDHepatitis C virus (HCV) infects more than 71 million people worldwide and chronic HCV infection increases the risk of liver cirrhosis and failure. Haemodialysis (HD) is one of the renal replacement therapies with risk of HCV transmission. Anti-HCV antibodies are the serological screening test for HCV infection that does not detect active phase of infection. Majority HCV infected HD patients in Malaysia do not have further HCV RNA performed due to high cost and thus HCV treatment is less frequently offered. HCV Core Antigen (HCV Ag) can potentially be used to diagnose active HCV infection in HD population in comparison to HCV RNA, at lower cost. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the correlation between HCV Ag and HCV RNA and to identify the prevalence of active HCV infection among HCV seropositive HD patients from dialysis centres across West Malaysia from July 2019 to May 2020. Pre-dialysis blood was taken and tested for both HCV Ag and HCV RNA tests. HCV Ag was tested with Abbott ARCHITECT HCV Ag test.RESULTS We recruited 112 seropositive HD patients from 17 centres with mean age of 54.04±11.62 years, HD vintage of 14.1±9.7 years, and male constitute 59.8% (67) of the study population. HCV Ag correlates well with HCV RNA (Spearman test coefficient 0.833, p<0.001). The sensitivity was 90.7%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) 100%, negative predictive value (NPV) 76.5%, and accuracy 92.9%. For HCV RNA level >3000 IU/mL, HCV Ag had a higher sensitivity of 95.1% and greater correlation (Spearman test coefficient 0.897, p<0.001). The prevalence of active HCV infection was 76.8% among HCV seropositive HD patients. CONCLUSIONS Although HCV Ag is less sensitive, it shows an excellent correlation with HCV RNA and has 100% PPV. HCV Ag can be considered as an alternative diagnostic tool for chronic active HCV infection among HD cohort, who can then be considered for HCV treatment. For seropositive HD patient with negative HCV Ag, we recommend to follow-up with HCV RNA test.

scholarly journals Investigation of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in the blood of hemodialysis patients from Peshawar, Pakistan.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abid ali ◽  
Gul Nabi Khan ◽  
Muhammad Salman ◽  
Muhammad Numan Khan ◽  
Asad Ullah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Hepatitis Virus ◽  
Close Relation ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Dialysis Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
High Prevalence

Abstract Aim: High prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Hepatitis B (HBV) has reported among dialysis patients throughout the world. The aim of this study was to find out the frequency of HCV and HBV both in Hemodialysis (HD) at District Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2018 to March 2019. The infections were investigated through serological and molecular techniques. The polymerase chain reaction was performed for only HCV RNA detection in HD patients. The data obtained were compared with available past studies from Pakistan.Results: To evaluate the frequency of HCV, HBV, and co-infection in HD patients. 200 blood samples were collected from dialysis patients who visited Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. Among 200, HCV infected were diagnosed in 22%, HBV in 8%. The percentages of male to female diagnosed patients with HCV were 21% and 20% respectively. Moreover, the chi-square test of association among variables based on our empirical findings, it is clear that odds of HCV positive among males is 3.467 times greater than female, with statistically significance (P= 0.012*) against 50 and above age group.. Conclusion: The percentage of HCV positive was found higher in the overall HD patient population. Only 7.5% of patients were found Negative of HBV and HCV in both males and females visited hospitals for dialysis. The high prevalence of hepatitis viruses among HD patients indicates a close relation between HD centers and hepatitis virus transmission. Therefore, preventive control measures are essential to reduce hepatitis transmission in HD centers

High Prevalence of Serum Cryoglobulins in Multitransfused Hemophilic Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (2) ◽  
pp. 516-519
Author(s):  
E. Santagostino ◽  
M. Colombo ◽  
D. Cultraro ◽  
M. Muça-Perja ◽  
A. Gringeri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Hepatitis ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Rheumatoid Factor ◽  
Chronic Hepatitis C ◽  
Systemic Vasculitis ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Hybridization Technique ◽  
Serum Samples

The prevalence, clinical relevance, and risk factors of serum cryoglobulins in hemophilic patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are unknown. We studied 135 consecutive hemophilic patients (median age, 31 years; range, 10 to 69 years) with chronic hepatitis C, exposed to the virus for 10 to 41 years. A total of 67 patients were coinfected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and 3 (2%) had signs of cirrhosis. Serum samples were tested for the presence of cryoglobulins, hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers, including HBV-DNA by hybridization assay, and antibody to HCV by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Serum HCV-RNA was tested by polymerase chain reaction and typed with a hybridization technique. Samples were also tested for antitissue antibodies, immunoglobulins, rheumatoid factor, and C3 and C4 proteins of complement. Forty-two hemophiliacs (31%) circulated cryoglobulins (median levels, 166 mg/L; range, 66 to 480) predominantly type III (62%; and 29% type II). None of the patients had clinical signs or symptoms of systemic vasculitis. Cryoglobulinemic patients had more often serum HCV-RNA (95% v 80%, P < .05), rheumatoid factor (20% v 6%, P < .05), higher levels of IgG (2,354 ± 682 mg/dL v 1,928 ± 557 mg/dL,P < .0005) and IgM (323 ± 226 mg/dL v 244 ± 243 mg/dL, P < .05), and lower levels of serum C4 (19 ± 8 mg/dL v 24 ± 8 mg/dL, P < .05) than patients without cryoglobulins. The risk of producing cryoglobulins was greater for 114 patients circulating HCV-RNA than for 21 nonviremic patients (odds ratio [OR] = 4.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1 to 22.0) and for the 31 patients with longer exposure to HCV (more than 26 years) than for the 24 patients with shorter (17 years or less) exposure (OR = 4.4 95% CI = 1.1 to 18.0). In conclusion a large number of multitransfused hemophiliacs with chronic HCV infection circulated serum cryoglobulins but none had clinical signs or symptoms of vasculitis. The risk of developing cryoglobulins parallels the duration of exposure to HCV.

scholarly journals Prevalence of hepatitis C virus genotypes in HIV positive patients referring to the consultation center for behavioral diseases, Sanandaj, Iran

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samira Amini ◽  
Mazaher Khodabandehloo
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis C Virus ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Melting Curve ◽  
Hcv Infection ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Melting Curve Analysis ◽  
Hcv Rna ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Hcv Antibody

Background and Objectives: Co-infection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is in- creasing due to similar transmission pathways. Chronic HCV infection is the most common complication among HIV-infect- ed individuals. Information on the frequency of HCV infection on Iranian HIV-infected individuals is scarce. The aim of this study was the detection of HCV prevalence and genotypes among HIV-infected people in Sanandaj, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, whole blood samples were taken from 185 HIV positive individuals referring to Consultation Center for Behavioral Diseases, Sanandaj, Iran. The ELISA test was done on samples for anti-HCV antibodies. RNA was extracted from only anti-HCV antibody positive samples. An RT-PCR test was conducted to detect HCV RNA. Genotypes of HCV were detected by melting curve analysis by specific primers and probes. Test results and demographic information were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: The mean age of individuals was 39.3 ± 9.4 years. Out of 185 individuals 99 (53.5%) were positive for anti-HCV antibodies. Out of 99 antibody positive individuals, 44 had HCV RNA. Among 44 RNA positive individuals, genotypes and subtypes of HCV were as 26 (59.1%) 1a, 17 (38.6%) 3a and one (2.2%) 4. There was a significant association between an- ti-HCV antibody and demographic variables including, age, gender, occupation, and CD4+ T-cell count (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: The present study reveals that HIV/HCV co-infection is high in the study population. It is recommended similar studies should be done in other HIV infected populations for management of HIV/HCV co-infection

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