title: Sero-Prevalence of Bloodborne Tumor Viruses (HCV, HBV, HTLV-I and KSHV Infections) and Related Risk Factors among Prisoners in Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran, in 2008.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prisoners are at high risk of blood borne and sexually transmitted infections due to their high involvement in risky behaviors. In this descriptive/cross-sectional study, the prevalence, sero-prevalence, and risk factors for bloodborne tumor viruses including HTLV-I, HBV, HCV, and KSHV were evaluated among inmates of two central prisons in the northeast of Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Blood samples of 1114 inmates were analyzed for the presence of anti HTLV-I, KSHV, and HCV antibodies and HBsAg by ELISA. PCR tests were performed to confirm the presence of these viruses in plasma and identify the current infections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sero-prevalence of HCV, HBV, HTLV-I, and KSHV was 24.5%, 4.2%, 3.4%, and 3.2% and the prevalence of HCV, HBV, HTLV-I, and KSHV was 19.1%, 2.1%, 2%, and 3%, respectively. HCV infection was significantly associated with history of imprisonment, tobacco consumption, alcohol consumption, intravenous drug use, length of imprisonment, and type of crime committed. Thirty one (2.8%) prisoners had HCV-KSHV co-infection, 16 (1.5%) had HCV-HTLV-I co-infection, and 14 (1.3%) had HBV-HCV co-infection. Triple co-infection was observed in seven cases and one case had four infections concomitantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This epidemiological study indicated different rates and transmission risks for these viruses. HCV was the most contagious viral infection and HTLV-I was the weakest in the prisoners. Apart from KSHV infection which its prevalence was as twice as in the general population, the prevalence of HBV and HTLV-I in prisoners was nearly in ranges of the general population.
authors.affiliation: Inflammation and Inflammatory Diseases Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khajedaluee
authors.affiliation: University of Applied Science and Technology, Mashhad Branch Region 6, (Prison Organization), Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Babaei
authors.affiliation: Center of Pathological and Medical Diagnostic Services, Iranian Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Rosita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vakili
authors.affiliation: Inflammation and Inflammatory Diseases Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Narges
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Valizade
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Fateme
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Homaei Shandiz
authors.affiliation: Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases (BRCGL), Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran; Middle East Liver Diseases (MELD) Center, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Moayed
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Alavian
authors.affiliation: Inflammation and Inflammatory Diseases Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seyed Nozadi
authors.affiliation: Hepatitis B Molecular Laboratory, Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Mohammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Jazayeri
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department, Arash Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Tahereh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hassannia
keywords: Epidemiology; Hepatitis B Virus (HBV); Hepatitis C Virus (HCV); Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type I (HTLV-I); Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpes Virus (KSHV); Prison