Co-administration of rotavirus nanospheres VP6 and NSP4 proteins enhanced the anti-NSP4 humoral responses in immunized mice

Inconveniences associated with the efficacy and safety of the World Health Organization (WHO) approved/prequalified live attenuated rotavirus (RV) vaccines, sounded for finding alternative non-replicating modals and proper RV antigens (Ags). Herein, we report the development of a RV candidate vaccine based on the combination of RV VP6 nanospheres (S) and NSP4_112-175 proteins (VP6S + NSP4). Self-assembled VP6S protein was produced in insect cells. Analyses by western blotting and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated expression of VP6 trimer structures with sizes of ≥140 kDa and presence of VP6S. Four group of mice were immunized (2-dose formulation) intra-peritoneally (IP) by either¨VP6S + NSP4¨ or each protein alone (VP6S or NSP4_112-175) emulsified in aluminium hydroxide or control. Results indicated that VP6S + NSP4 formulation induced significant anti-VP6 IgG (P < 0.001) and IgA (P < 0.05) as well as anti-NSP4 IgG (P < 0.001) and enhancement of protective immunity. Analyses of anti-VP6S and anti-NSP4 IgG subclass (IgG1 and IgG2a) showed IgG1/IgG2a ≥6 and IgG1/IgG2a ≥3 ratios, respectively indicating Th2 polarization of immune responses. The combination of VP6S + NSP4 proteins emulsified in aluminum hydroxide adjuvant might present a dual universal, efficient and cost-effective candidate vaccine against RV infection.

Prevalence of enteric adenovirus and co-infection with rotavirus in children under 15 years of age with gastroenteritis in Qom, Iran

AIM

The current study is the first performed in Qom to determine the prevalence of adenovirus and co-infections with rotavirus in children aged <15 years with gastroenteritis symptoms.

BACKGROUND

Gastroenteritis-associated viral infections are a cause of death among young children worldwide, especially in developing countries. The Adenovirus species F (40 and 41) are responsible for a range of acute diarrhea cases among infants and children.

METHODS

Over a period of 9 months, a total of 130 children suffering from intestinal problems who referred to the infectious ward of Children's Hospital were enrolled in the current study. After clinical examination and collection of demographic information, fecal samples were obtained from the patients. Viral genomes were extracted with a commercial kit and amplified and typed by adenovirus-specific PCR assay. Adenovirus-positive samples were also evaluated for co-infection with rotavirus.

RESULTS

Patients had a mean±SD age of 2.66±2.72 years; 63.1% of patients were male and 36.9% were female. Adenovirus infection was identified in 23 cases (17.7%), 21 (91.0%) and 2 (9.0%) of which were type 41 and type 40, respectively. Fever was the most common clinical manifestation among adenovirus-positive patients. No significant difference was observed between adenovirus infection and clinical symptoms, seasonal pattern, or serum laboratory results. Co-infection was found in only 5 cases (21.7%).

CONCLUSION

This study was the first to demonstrate adenovirus infection with a relatively high prevalence among children, especially infants, in Qom. The findings further revealed co-infection with rotavirus, indicating a health problem in this region.

Discovery of Novel Pyruvate Kinase Inhibitors Against Leishmania major Among FDA Approved Drugs Through System Biology and Molecular Docking Approach

Objectives

Leishmaniasis is one of the common forms of neglected parasitic diseases that cause a worldwide disease burden without any effective therapeutic strategy. Control of the disease currently relies on chemotherapy because most of the available drugs have toxic side-effects and drug-resistant strains have emerged. Therefore, the development of new therapeutic strategies to treat patients for leishmaniasis has become a priority. The first step in drug discovery is to identify an effective drug target by methods such as system biology. Protein kinases are a promising drug target for different diseases. Due to lack of a functional krebs cycle in Leishmania species, they use glycolysis as the only source of ATP generation. Pyruvate kinase is the enzyme involved in the last step of glycolysis and considered as essential enzyme for the Leishmania survival.

Materials and Methods

This study sought to discover FDA approved compounds against the leishmanial pyruvate kinase protein. Our approach involved using quantitative proteomics, protein interaction networks and docking to detect new drug targets and potent inhibitors.

Results

Pyruvate kinase was determined as the potential drug target based on protein network analysis. The docking studies suggested trametinib and irinotecan with high binding energies of -10.4 and -10.3 kcal/mol, respectively, as the potential chemotherapeutic agents against L. major.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the importance of integrating protein network analysis and molecular docking to identify new anti-leishmanial drugs. These potential inhibitors constitute novel drug candidates that should be tested in vitro and in vivo to determine their potential as an alternative chemotherapy in the treatment of leishmaniasis.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 spike (S) protein based vaccine candidates: State of the art and future prospects

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) which is responsible for a global pandemic that started in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. To prevent the worldwide spread of this highly pathogenic virus, development of an effective and safe vaccine is urgently needed. The SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV share a high degree of genetic and pathologic identity and share safety and immune-enhancement concerns regarding vaccine development. Prior animal studies with first generation (whole virus-based) preparations of SARS-CoV vaccines (inactivated and attenuated vaccine modalities) indicated the possibility of increased infectivity or eosinophilic infiltration by immunization. Therefore, development of second and third generation safer vaccines (by using modern vaccine platforms) is actively sought for this viral infection. The spike (S) protein of SARS-CoVs is the main determinant of cell entry and tropism and is responsible for facilitating zoonosis into humans and sustained person-to-person transmission. Furthermore, 'S' protein contains multiple neutralizing epitopes that play an essential role in the induction of neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) and protective immunity. Moreover, T-cell responses against the SARS-CoV-2 'S' protein have also been characterized that correlate to the IgG and IgA antibody titres in Covid-19 patients. Thus, S protein is an obvious candidate antigen for inclusion into vaccine platforms against SARS-CoV-2 viral infection. This manuscript reviews different characteristics of S protein, its potency and 'state of the art' of the vaccine development strategies and platforms using this antigen, for construction of a safe and effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

High viral load detection of human Cosavirus in Iranian pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis

AIM

The present study implemented an RT-qPCR assay for the detection and quantification of human cosavirus in stool specimens from pediatric patients involved in acute gastroenteritis.

BACKGROUND

Human cosavirus is a newly recognized virus that seems to be partly related to acute gastroenteritis in pediatric patients. However, the relationship between human cosavirus and diseases in humans is unclear.

METHODS

From January 2018 to December 2019, a total of 160 stool samples were collected from pediatric patients presenting with acute gastroenteritis in a hospital in Karaj, Iran. After viral RNA extraction, RT-qPCR was performed to amplify the 5'UTR region of the human cosavirus genome and viral load was analyzed.

RESULTS

The human cosavirus genomic RNA was detected in 4/160 (2.5%) stool samples tested. The maximum viral load was determined to be 4.6×10⁶ copies/ml in one sample obtained from a 4-year-old patient.

CONCLUSION

The human cosavirus as a new member of the Picornaviridae family was illustrated in fecal samples from pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis in Iran. This is the first documentation of human cosavirus circulation in Iranian children.

Laboratory Parameters in Detection of COVID-19 Patients with Positive RT-PCR; a Diagnostic Accuracy Study

INTRODUCTION

The role of laboratory parameters in screening of COVID-19 cases has not been definitely established. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of laboratory parameters in predicting cases with positive RT-PCR for COVID-19.

METHODS

This diagnostic accuracy study was conducted on suspected COVID-19 patients, who presented to Behpooyan Clinic Medical center in Tehran (Iran) from 22 February to 14 March, 2020. Patients were divided into two groups based on the results of real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for COVID-19, and the accuracy of different laboratory parameters in predicting cases with positive RT-PCR was evaluated using area under the ROC curve (AUC).

RESULTS

Two hundred cases with the mean age of 41.3± 14.6 (range: 19-78) years were studied (0.53% male). The result of RT-PCR for COVID-19 was positive in 70 (35%) cases. Patients with positive RT-PCR had significantly higher neutrophil (NEU) count (p = 0.0001), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.04), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p = 0.0001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p = 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p = 0.0001), and Urea (p = 0.001) levels in serum. In addition, patients with positive RT-PCR had lower white blood cell (WBC) count (p = 0.0001) and serum albumin level (p = 0.0001) compared to others. ALT (AUC = 0.879), CRP (AUC = 0.870), NEU (AUC = 0.858), LDH (AUC = 0.835), and Urea (AUC = 0.835) had very good accuracy in predicting cases with positive RT-PCR for COVID-19, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that level of LDH, CRP, ALT and NEU can be used to predict the result of COVID-19 test. They can help in detection of COVID-19 patients.

Distribution of Human Papillomavirus and Antisperm Antibody in Semen and Its Association with Semen Parameters Among Infertile Men

BACKGROUND

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be associated with infertility. Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been identified as a potential agent in male infertility. Also, anti-sperm antibodies (ASA) have been detected in men with infertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and association of HPV and ASA in infected semen of infertile men.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was performed on 96 infertile men referring to infertility treatment center of Kashan University of Medical Sciences during March 2017 till September 2017 in Iran. Semen analysis and diagnostic PCR test were performed for detection of HPV DNA. The semen parameters in HPV infected and ASA positive samples were compared with HPV non-infected and ASA negative samples. Chi square test was used to determine the correlation between variables and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

HPV DNA and ASA were detected in 17.4% and 15.2% of 96 semen samples, respectively. Semen volume, sperm count, sperm motility and the normal morphology rate were significantly decreased in HPV-positive subjects (p=0.004, p= 0.016, p<0.001, and p=0.017, respectively). Also, sperm motility was significantly decreased in ASA-positive subjects (p=0.002), also patients with HPV infection had a higher rate of ASA than the non-HPV group. In contrast to ASA, HPV infection had a significant correlation with education level (p=0.039).

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that asymptomatic seminal infection of HPV and ASA by adversely affecting sperm quality, in particular sperm motility and count, may play an important role in male infertility.

Prevalence of astrovirus, adenovirus, and sapovirus infections among Iranian children with acute gastroenteritis

AIM

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Human Astroviruses (HAstVs), enteric Adenoviruses (HAdVs), and Sapoviruses (SaVs) in acute diarrhea patients, as well as their relation to age, sex, and season.

BACKGROUND

Acute gastroenteritis is one of the most common diseases affecting children <5 years old and viral agents with approximately >75% are the major causative agent of acute infectious diarrhea. After Rotavirus and Norovirus, the greater viral agents of acute gastroenteritis include HAstVs, HAdVs, and SaVs. To the best of our knowledge, there are sparse studies in Iran detecting at least three enteric viruses as causative agents of diarrhea simultaneously.

METHODS

The sample was collected from children referring to pediatric medical centers in Tehran, Iran; they were tested for Astrovirus, enteric Adenovirus, and Sapovirus by conventional PCR method. The association of incidence of viral enteric agents was evaluated with age, sex and seasonal pattern in children <5 years old.

RESULTS

The positive case number among acute gastroenteritis patients was 17/120 (14.1%). Patients ranged in age within 1-60 months, but 52.9% were aged ≤ 12 months. Males comprised the majority (70.6), and the male: female ratio was 2.4. HAstV was the most frequently detected virus (6.7%), while SaVs were detected only in 2.5% of cases. Mixed infections were not detected in these samples. The highest rate of HAstV was identified in winter (66.7%), HAdV in fall (66.7%), and SaV in winter (33.3%).

CONCLUSION

These findings underscore the importance of monitoring the epidemiology of HAstV, HAdV, and SaV as causative agents of viral diarrhea infections.

Detection and characterization of rotavirus G and P types from children with acute gastroenteritis in Qom, central Iran

AIM

The aim of the study is to estimate the burden of Rotavirus gastroenteritis as well as predominant genotypes of Rotavirus among children less than 5 years of age referring to Pediatric University Hospital in Qom, Iran.

BACKGROUND

Gastroenteritis is the fourth most common cause of death and accounts for 16% of all deaths in children <5 years of age worldwide.

METHODS

During two years, 130 patients referring to a pediatric hospital were enrolled in this study. After RNA extraction, Rotaviruses were detected by the VP6 gene. Then, G-typing (G1, G2, G3, G4, G8, G9, and G12) and P-typing (P4, P6, and P8) were performed using RT-PCR and specific primers.

RESULTS

The results of the PCR revealed that from a total of 130 patients, 22 cases (16.9%) showed positive VP6 by RT-PCR. G1 was mostly the predominant serotype (27%), accounting for 22% of all VP7-positive isolates, followed by G9 (18%), G2 (9%), G3 (9%), and G4 (9%). None of the strains revealed the presence of G8 genotype (0%), and 5 specimens (23%) were non-typable. The frequency of P typing was P8 (50%), P6 (23%), P4 (14%), and 3 samples were P-non-typable (13%), respectively. The dominant G-P combination was G1 [8] (32%).

CONCLUSION

Such studies based on typing methods assists in the Rotavirus vaccine introduction by policymakers and design of new effective vaccines.

Optimization of non-detergent treatment for enveloped virus inactivation using the Taguchi design of experimental methodology (DOE)

In mammalian cell culture technology, viral contamination is one of the main challenges; and, so far, various strategies have been taken to remove or inactivate viruses in the cell-line production process. The suitability and feasibility of each method are determined by different factors including effectiveness in target virus inactivation, maintaining recombinant protein stability, easiness-in terms of the process condition, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. In this research, Taguchi design-of-experiments (DOE) methodology was used to optimize a non-detergent viral inactivation method via considering four factors of temperature, time, pH, and alcohol concentration in an unbiased (orthogonal) fashion with low influence of nuisance factors. Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV1) and Vero cell-line were used as models for enveloped viruses and cell-line, respectively. Examining the cytopathic effects (CPE) in different dilutions showed that pH (4), alcohol (15%), time (120 min), and temperature (25 °C) were the optimal points for viral inactivation. Evaluating the significance of each parameter in the HSV-1 inactivation using Taguchi and ANOVA analyses, the contributions of pH, alcohol, temperature and time were 56.5%, 19.2%, 12%, and 12%, respectively. Examining the impact of the optimal viral treatment condition on the stability of model recombinant protein-recombinant human erythropoietin, no destabilization was detected.

Association of IL28B (IFNL3) rs12979860 mRNA levels, viral load, and liver function among HCV genotype 1a patients

AIM

The present study was designed to evaluate the correlation of interleukin 28B (IL28B, IFNL3) rs12979860 mRNA levels, viral load, and liver function among hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients genotype 1a.

BACKGROUND

HCV is considered essentially hepatotropic and is a major health problem around the world.

METHODS

This study included 100 HCV-infected patients with HCV genotype1a (G1a) and rs12979860 CC genotype. These patients were divided into two groups according to HCV treatment. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and HCV Load were measured and recorded for each patient. IL28B mRNA levels were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction assay, and their correlation with clinical data were analyzed. STRING was applied to construct a network and identify interactions between IL28B (IFNL3) and its significant neighbor proteins.

RESULTS

The results revealed a significant relationship between the ALT as well as ALP levels with IL28B rs12979860 mRNA expression level in men, and also with age >50 years. In the treated group, AST level and HCV load had a significant relationship with IL28B mRNA expression level. The results showed that the level of ALP and AST decreased significantly with increased IL28B mRNA expression level in the treated and untreated group, respectively. STRING database showed that IL28B (IFNL3) interacted with ten important neighbor proteins with some of these proteins being involved in signal transduction pathway activating antiviral response.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that rs12979860CC genotype could predict IL28B mRNA expression level in HCV-infected patients with G1a. Furthermore, IL28B mRNA expression level may serve as a useful marker for the development of G1a HCV-associated outcomes.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among HIV Patients in Jahrom, Southern Iran

Toxoplasma gondii is an important opportunistic agent especially in immunocompromised hosts and can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Hence, detection and monitoring of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies are of a great interest in HIV-infected patients. A study on the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors was carried out among HIV-infected patients in Jahrom, southern Iran. The prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies was 21.1% in HIV-infected patients by ELISA. PCR was performed on all of the samples, and 1 of the blood samples was positively detected. Among the HIV patients, anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were significantly higher in age group of 30-39 years old (P=0.05). The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in patients with CD4⁺<100 cells/μl was 33.3% that was significantly higher than the other groups (P=0.042) with or without IgG antibodies. The CD4⁺ count mean of seropositive patients was lower than that of seronegative patients. The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in patients with highly active antiretroviral therapy was significantly less than patients without therapy (P=0.02). In conclusion, this study showed low seroprevalence of latent toxoplasmosis among HIV-infected patients in the region and confirmed the need for intensifying prevention efforts among this high-risk population and also the risk of toxoplasmosis reactivation which could be important among this population.

Impact of HIV infection in patients infected with chronic HCV (genotypes 1a and 3a): virological and clinical changes

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection has become a serious public health problem. The influence of HIV/HCV coinfection on plasma HCV RNA loads and clinical criteria which are usually regarded as a predictor of the progress of liver disease have not been reliably evaluated.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the impact of HIV infection on HCV RNA load and clinical indexes in Yazd and Tehran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HCV/HIV-coinfected patients and HCV-monoinfected controls were examined and compared for plasma HCV RNA and related risk factors such as HCV genotypes, liver enzymes, and transmission routes.

RESULTS

A total of 54 HCV/HIV-coinfected patients and 88 HCV-monoinfected controls were studied. The HCV RNA load mean was significantly higher in HCV/HIV-coinfected patients than in HCV-monoinfected patients (p < 0.001). HCV RNA load mean in patients infected with HCV without anti-HCV therapy was lower than HIV/HCV patients with and without highly active antiretroviral therapy that this difference was significant (p < 0.001). The HCV RNA levels were significantly higher in HIV/HCV genotype 3a coinfected patients than in genotype 3a monoinfected patients (p < 0.001). HIV RNA levels were lower in genotype 1a infected patients than in genotype 3a infected patients, but this difference was not significant statistically. The ALT mean levels were significantly higher in genotype 3a HIV/HCV-coinfected patients than in genotype 3a HCV-monoinfected patients (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

HIV/HCV coinfection leads to a significant increase in plasma HCV RNA. Further evaluations of the effects of ART and HIV infection on the course of HCV infection and the response to treatment against HCV infection in other and different genotypes are also needed. Moreover, HIV-infected patients should be screened regularly for HCV coinfection, particularly if they are in high-risk groups such as IDUs and recipients of blood transfusions.

Epidemiology of Rotavirus-Norovirus Co-Infection and Determination of Norovirus Genogrouping among Children with Acute Gastroenteritis in Tehran, Iran

Background:

Enteric viruses, particularly human rotavirus and norovirus, have been shown to replace bacteria and parasites, as the most common pathogens responsible for acute diarrhea. However, there are still few epidemiological data on the simultaneous occurrence of these viruses in Iran. In this regard, the aim of this study was to assess the useful epidemiological data on the gastroenteritis associated with rotavirus-norovirus mixed infection and to examine the prevalence of norovirus genogrouping among children aged less than five years old in Iran.

Methods:

A total of 170 stool samples were collected from children under five years of age with the clinical signs and symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, from May 2013 to May 2014. For the detection of both rotavirus and norovirus, total RNA was extracted from all samples, followed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). For both detected rotaviruses and noroviruses, genogrouping was performed.

Results:

Of 170 samples, 49 (28.8%) and 15 (8.8%) samples were found to be positive for rotavirus and norovirus infections by RT-PCR. Interestingly, 6 (3.5%) patients were positive for both infections. Among the 15 norovirus-positive patients, 13 (86.6%) and 2 (13.3%) belonged to genogroups GII and GI.

Conclusion:

The norovirus genogroup GII and rotavirus lead to the serious infections in children with acute gastroenteritis. However, more well-designed studies are needed to further elucidate the role of other enteric viruses in acute gastroenteritis

Distribution of IL-28B genotypes in patients with hepatitis C and healthy individuals in Jahrom city

AIM

The purpose of this study was to compare the distribution of interleukin (IL)-28B genotypes between Iranian healthy individuals and patients with chronic hepatitis C based on the genotype.

BACKGROUND

Polymorphisms in the region of IL-28B gene have been identified as the strongest genetic pretreatment predictor of sustained virological response (SVR) in hepatitis C infection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this study, 147 patients with chronic hepatitis C and 80 healthy individuals were included. The IL-28B rs12979860 and rs8099917 polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-RFLP method and the frequency of IL-28B polymorphisms with respect to HCV genotypes was also determined.

RESULTS

The frequencies of rs12979860 TT, CC and CT genotypes in the chronic hepatitis C patients and healthy individuals were as follows: 10.8% vs. 11.3%, 38.7% vs. 46.2% and 50.3% vs. 42.5%. Also, the frequencies of rs8099917 TT, GG and GT genotypes in the chronic hepatitis C patients was 61.9%, 6.1% and 32% and in controls was 47.5%, 11.2% and 41.3%. The differences in the distribution of rs12979860 genotypes and alleles between HCV genotype 1 and HCV genotype 3a infected patients were statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The rs12979860 C allele is the favorable allele for the spontaneous clearance of HCV. It seems that the impact of IL-28B polymorphism on the spontaneous clearance of HCV genotype 3 is more prominent than HCV genotype 1, which results in the observation of higher rs12979860 C allele frequency in chronic hepatitis C patients with HCV genotype 3 than HCV genotype 1.

Analytical assessment of interleukin - 23 and -27 cytokines in healthy people and patients with hepatitis C virus infection (genotypes 1 and 3a)

BACKGROUND

The immune system plays important roles in determining the outcomes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Interleukin-23 and -27 (IL-23 and IL-27) are two novel IL-12 cytokine family members known to enhance the T-lymphocyte response, but their precise involvement in HCV infection is not well known.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the serum IL-27 and IL-23 levels in patients with HCV infection and in healthy individuals.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this case-control study, we assessed IL-23 and IL-27 levels in serum of 37 healthy individuals and 64 patients with chronic HCV using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The relationship of cytokines level with liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), HCV genotype and viral load were analyzed. The differences of these cytokine levels in the groups of treatment and no treatment was compared. HCV genotypes were classified by HCV-specific primers methods. HCV RNA loads were determined by fluorescence quantitative PCR.

RESULTS

Serum level of IL-23 was higher in HCV infected patients compared to control group (P = 0.005). However, no significant difference was seen in IL-27 serum level between patients compared to the control group (P = 0.65). There was no significant difference in IL-23 and IL-27 level between genotype 1 HCV-infected- and 3a HCV-infected- patients. Positive moderate correlation between IL-23 and IL-27 with viral load was found in type 3a and 1 HCV-infected patient. Positive relative correlation was seen between ALT and IL-23 in 1a HCV-infected patients, which was higher than 3a HCV-infected patients; but there were no significant difference between serums liver enzymes with IL-23 and IL-27 in respect to genotype 3a and 1a HCV-infected patients.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings may reflect a vigorous pro-inflammatory reaction orchestrated by the host immune system against chronic HCV. Also, a better understanding of the involvement mechanism considering the correlation between other genotypes with inflammatory cytokines in various stages of disease can be obtained.

WITHDRAWN: An overview of the present status of hospital waste management in Kerman, Iran

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Molecular epidemiology of different hepatitis C genotypes in serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells in jahrom city of iran

BACKGROUND

The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is considered essentially hepatotropic, yet the virus compartments have also been found in important extra hepatic sites. Detection of HCV RNA in extra hepatic reservoirs such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is important for determining disease progression and treatment effectiveness.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to determine different HCV genotypes in patients' plasma and PBMC specimens, in Jahrom city of Iran.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Blood samples of 137 patients with established HCV were collected at the Honari clinic. These patients were anti-HCV and plasma HCV RNA positive. After plasma RNA extraction and obtaining a pellet of approximately 3-5 × 10(6) PBMCs, Real-time PCR was performed, using specific-genotype primers. Finally, data analysis was done by the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software.

RESULTS

Subtype 3 was the most common genotype in plasma (57.7%) and PBMCs (51.1%). Subtype 1a was detected in 36.5% and 30.7% of plasma samples and PBMCs, respectively whereas subtype 4 was not detected in any of the cases. There was a genotype difference between plasma and PBMCs of 12.4% of patients. In four patients no genotype was detected in their plasma but genotype 3 was detected in the PBMCs.

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested that determination of the target genotype by plasma subtyping for choosing the proper antiviral therapy is essential but may result in therapy failure. HCV genotyping in PBMC samples, along with plasma specimens, might be more beneficial. Therefore determining the HCV genotype in PBMCs, before beginning the therapy is useful due to the possibility of occult infection detection.

Polymorphisms within the Promoter Region of the Gamma Interferon (IFN-γ) Receptor1 Gene are Associated with the Susceptibility to Chronic HBV Infection in an Iranian Population

BACKGROUND

chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a multifactorial disease that can result in serious clinical complications. Host genetic background especially the genes that encode immunologic factors like INF-γ and its receptor (IFN-γ R) are critical in the pathogenesis of infection.

OBJECTIVES

The current study aimed to investigate the association between two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at positions -611 and -56 within the promoter region of gamma interferon receptor1 gene (IFN-γ R1) and chronic HBV infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Genomic DNA from peripheral blood samples of 200 chronically HBV infected patients and 200 healthy blood donors, as controls, were collected and genomic DNA was extracted by phenol-chloroform method and DNA analysis genotype identification was performed by PCR-RFLP.

RESULTS

The results indicated that both SNP's frequency had a significant difference in the patient and control groups. At position -56, TT genotype was associated with patient group and P value was 0.002 and at position -611, GG genotype was further observed in control group and P value was 0.006.

CONCLUSIONS

Presence of G allele at position -611 within promoter of IFN-γ R1 gene in the enrolled population for the study was related to lower risk of disease, and presence of T allele at position -56 was also related to susceptibility to chronic HBV infection. Men had higher frequency of chronic HBV infection, which might be the result of high risk behavior.