Comparison of Zinc Plasma Level in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and HIV Negative Group in Imam Khomeini Hospital in 2005

This study was designed to assess level of zinc in a group of HIV+ patients’ serum and to compare it with HIV negative cases. Determining the relationship between zinc level of serum and immune cells’ count was another aim of this study. this cross-sectional study was conducted with 96 people in 2 groups: 48 HIV+ and 48 HIV–. HIV negative group was divided into two subgroups: IV Drug Users (IDUs) and non- IDUs. Zinc level of serum was measured with atomic absorption method and statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS. Zinc level was compared in different groups. overall mean of zinc level in main groups had significant difference. HIV+ group also showed a significant difference with two other groups. In addition, zinc level in the two HIV– groups had significant difference. There was a relationship between CD4 cell count and zinc level of serum. Zinc showed the lowest levels in HIV+ IDUs, then HIV– IDUs and finally HIV– non-IDUs. The results show a decrease in zinc level in HIV+ cases which causes a decrease in detrimental parameters of survival such as CD4 cells.