Sharvadze L, Tsertsvadze T, Gochitashvili N, Stvilia K, Dolmazashvili E
Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, Tbilisi, Georgia.
Georgian Med News. 2006 Mar(132):60-4.
The aim of the two year (2003-2005) study was to study the HIV prevalence among high risk behavior groups of persons with Herpes Zoster infection. For this purpose we have investigated the high risk group patients: 1257 prisoners (1st group), 1543 IDUs (2nd group) and 1350 persons including: homosexuals, persons with history of frequent unprotected sex and persons with hepatitis B and C (3rd group). We revealed the persons with current or previous history of Herpes Zoster, and studied HIV prevalence among them. Besides, we have studied the immune status of revealed HIV positive persons, relationship between disease (Herpes Zoster) severity and CD4 count. Herpes Zoster infection was diagnosed based on clinical symptoms, anamnesis and by detection of VZV specific IgM and IgG by ELISA. HIV infection was diagnosed by ELISA method and was confirmed by Western Blot. CD4 count was detected by immunophenotyping technique and was analyzed using a FACSCalibur flow cytometer. The total prevalence of HIV infection among high risk behavior group persons with Herpes Zoster infection was 18,9% (31 HIV cases out of 164). The disease (Herpes Zoster) severity and duration was associated with decreased rate of cellular immunity, CD4 count. Herpes Zoster has a positive predictive value for HIV infection, predominantly recurrent Herpes Zoster. Herpes Zoster should be recognized as a marker condition indicating the necessity of screening for HIV, especially in Georgia, the region where the problem of IDU exists.
为期两年（2003 - 2005年）的研究旨在调查带状疱疹感染高危行为人群中的艾滋病毒流行情况。为此，我们对高危人群患者进行了调查：1257名囚犯（第一组）、1543名注射吸毒者（第二组）以及1350人，包括同性恋者、有频繁无保护性行为史者和乙肝及丙肝患者（第三组）。我们找出了有带状疱疹现病史或既往史的人，并研究了他们当中的艾滋病毒流行情况。此外，我们还研究了检测出的艾滋病毒阳性者的免疫状态、疾病（带状疱疹）严重程度与CD4细胞计数之间的关系。带状疱疹感染依据临床症状、既往史以及通过酶联免疫吸附测定法检测水痘 - 带状疱疹病毒特异性IgM和IgG来诊断。艾滋病毒感染通过酶联免疫吸附测定法诊断，并通过蛋白质印迹法进行确认。CD4细胞计数通过免疫分型技术检测，并使用FACSCalibur流式细胞仪进行分析。带状疱疹感染的高危行为人群中艾滋病毒感染的总流行率为18.9%（164人中有31例艾滋病毒病例）。疾病（带状疱疹）的严重程度和持续时间与细胞免疫率降低、CD4细胞计数相关。带状疱疹对艾滋病毒感染具有阳性预测价值，主要是复发性带状疱疹。带状疱疹应被视为一种标志性病症，表明有必要进行艾滋病毒筛查，尤其是在存在注射吸毒问题的格鲁吉亚地区。
