BACKGROUND: Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections have radically increased worldwide due to the increase in HIV infections. The disease activity increases with progressive immunodeficiency.METHODS: A total of 216 HIV seropositive patients suspected of having mycobacterial infection were recruited for this study. Clinical samples were collected from each patient and cultured on Lowenstein-Jensen media. Detection and species identification were simultaneously done using Reverse Blot Hybridization Assay System. Also, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for each isolate were determined in 7H9 broth media for 10 antibiotics.RESULTS: In this study, 4 rapid and 4 slow-growing NTM species were isolated and identified. Mycobacterium fortuitum was the most common NTM species, 3/8 (37.5%), followed by Mycobacterium kansasii, 2/8 (25%). The cases were identified as pulmonary disease, 5/8 (62.5 %), disseminated infection, 2/8 (25%), and skin abscess, 1/8 (12.5%). M. chelonae and Mycobacterium avium were isolated from patients diagnosed with disseminated infection with treatment failure. The skin abscess was caused by infection with M. simiae. The results of the MIC testing were as follows: M. kansasii and M. fortuitum were susceptible to amikacin (AMK); M. avium to clarithromycin (CLA); M. fortuitum 2/3 (67%) to ciprofloxacin (CIP); 1/2 (50%) of M. kansasii isolates to CLA, and M.chelonae to rifampin (RIF), linezolid (LIN), AMK, and CIP atmedium and high concentrations.CONCLUSION: AMK showed incredible in vitro activity against M. kansasii and M. fortuitum. Also, M. avium was susceptible to CLA, whereas M. simiae and M. chelonae were resistant to the tested drugs in this study.

Background: There has been a significant decrease in HIV-related mortality following the introduction of antiretroviral therapies. This increase in life expectancy has caused an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Lipid metabolism could be affected by the virus itself or antiretroviral medications. In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the effect of first- and second-line HIV medications on lipid profile in HIV/AIDS patients. Methods: The present study is a retrospective cohort study. The medical records of 66 AIDS patients older than 18 years, who referred to the Behavioral Counseling Center of Imam Khomeini Hospital during the years 2009 to 2014, were retrieved. The patients were assigned into two groups including first- (36 patients) and second-line (30 patients) treatment groups. To ensure that the patients’ baseline information was matched, demographic information and baseline lipid profile were compared between two groups and no significant difference was found between them. To examine and compare the effect of HIV medications on lipid metabolism, patients’ lipid profile at the baseline and 6 months after treatment was compared. Results: The results showed that only triglyceride level was significantly affected by the type of HIV medication regimen (p<0.05). It was significantly higher in second-line medication group. Although the lipid profile (Cholesterol, HDL, and LDL levels) showed an overall increase over the course of treatment in both groups, it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: In both groups, following antiretroviral medications (the first-and second-line), lipid profiles increased. Moreover, the triglyceride level was higher in second-line medications. Therefore, early screening and lipid lowering agents should be considered in HIV/AIDS patients receiving the retroviral medications in long term to prevent further cardiovascular complications.