Objective: To investigate the expression levels and clinical significance of serum suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) and associated cytokines in HIV/TB co-infected patients. Methods: The serum levels of SOCS3, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and IL-22 were quantified by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in 50 HIV-infected patients, 48 HIV/TB co-infected patients and 50 healthy donors. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between SOCS3 and other seven cytokines. Results: Serum levels of SOCS3 expression in HIV/TB co-infection group were significantly higher than those in HIV-infection alone and the control group. There was also significant correlation between SOCS3 and IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-2 in HIV/TB co-infection group. Conclusions These findings indicated that SOCS3 may play an important role in the immune response of patients with HIV/TB co-infection and it may be helpful in the diagnosis of HIV/TB co-infection.

Objective: To investigate the situations of AIDS related knowledge, sexual behavior with various partners among HIV positive patients in Shenzhen before highly active anti-retroviral therapy, and to provide evidences for health education intervention. Methods: Questionnaire survey and information collection were carried out among HIV positive patients, under the informed consent, during the first physical examination before highly active anti-retroviral therapy. Results: The overall awareness rate of AIDS knowledge was 91%, 94.46% and 80.95% respectively for homosexual and heterosexual populations, with significant difference between the two groups (χ²=21.254, P<0.001). In addition, there were significant differences in the factors related to education, income, route of infection, marital status, residence and other related factors (P<0.05). In HIV positive MSM, primary sexual behavior occurred mainly at the age of less than 30 (96.8%) and in university or earlier stage (58.3%), college students as the first sexual partner accounted for 44.9%, and once used Rush accounted for 42.7%. There were significant differences in the number of temporary sexual partners and condom use frequency between homosexual and heterosexual subjects (P<0.05). Conclusions Individuals infected with HIV via different routes are variant on AIDS cognition. Health education on AIDS related knowledge and sexual security before and after antiviral treatment can not only improve the awareness rate of HIV/AIDS infection, but also can reduce the risk of the spread of HIV/AIDS.