Relative frequency of infections among hospitalized injecting drug user-HIV positive patients in Razi hospital, Ahvaz, SW Iran (2001-2003)

Frequency of infections in Injecting Drug Users (IDU) varies in different areas according to socioeconomic and geographic situation as well as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection rate. The present study was performed to determine the frequency of infections in IDU-HIV positive patients. Forty known cases of HIV infected (by positive ELISA and western blot tests) were investigated for various infections in Razi hospital in Ahvaz, South West of Iran during 2001–2003. Medical charts including age, duration of addiction, imprisonment, site of infection, signs and symptoms, laboratory findings, imaging result and echocardiography report were prepared. Data were analyzed in SPSS software by using descriptive statistical methods. Forty IDU-HIV positive male patients with a mean age of 25±6.3 years were included in this study. More than 50% of patients had a history of imprisonment. Bacterial infection diagnosed in 40% and viral infection in 100%. Three patients died due to mixed infection and AIDS. The obtained rate of infections in IDU-HIV positive in Ahvaz was very higher than expected. Rapid diagnosis of above mentioned infections, appropriate management and treatment can prevent or postpone progressing of AIDS.