Multiplex RT-PCR assay for detection of Co-infection HIV-1 and HCV viruses in plasma samples

Background and Objective: HIV-1 and HCV infections especially in co-infected forms are among the most important infections transferred during blood transfusion.The screening of the blood products is valuable for preventing the transmission of infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate multiplex RT-PCR assay for detection of Co-infection HIV-1 and HCV Viruses in plasma samples. Materials and Methods: This laboratory study was done to evaluate the use of multiplex RT-PCR assay for simultaneous detection of HIV-1 and HCV genomes in plasma samples. The amplified genomes were detectable in 3% agarose gel base on difference in the numbers of nucleotides. The sensitivity and specificity of this assay was determined on healthy and infected subjects whome simultanously exhibit HIV-1 and HCV co-infection using plasma samples. Results: The specificity results showed that the primers used in this assay have no interaction with each other and other possible interfering agents. The clinical sensitivity and specificity of the assay has been considered as 90% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: Multiplex RT-PCR can be used for screening of blood donors due to high sensivity and specificity

Synergistic effect of programmed cell death protein 1 blockade and secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine in the induction of anti-tumor immunity by a therapeutic cancer vaccine

The use of DNA vaccines has become an attractive approach for generating antigen-specific cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes (CTLs), which can mediate protective antitumor immunity. The potency of DNA vaccines encoding weakly immunogenic tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) can be improved by using an adjuvant injected together with checkpoint antibodies. In the current study, we evaluated whether the therapeutic effects of a DNA vaccine encoding human papilloma virus type 16 (HPV-16) E7 can be enhanced by combined application of an immune checkpoint blockade directed against the programmed death-1 (PD-1) pathway and secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC) also known as CCL21 adjuvant, in a mouse cervical cancer model. The therapeutic effects of the DNA vaccine in combination with CCL21 adjuvant plus PD-1 blockade was evaluated using a tumor growth curve. To further investigate the mechanism underlying the antitumor response, cytolytic and lymphocyte proliferation responses in splenocytes were measured using non-radioactive cytotoxicity and MTT assays, respectively. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and IL-10 expression in the tumor and the levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 in supernatants of spleno-lymphocyte cultures were measured using ELISA. The immune efficacy was evaluated by in vivo tumor regression assay. The results showed that vaccination with a DNA vaccine in combination with the CCL21 adjuvant plus PD-1 blockade greatly enhanced cytotoxic T lymphocyte production and lymphocyte proliferation rates and greatly inhibited tumor progression. Moreover, the vaccine in combination with adjuvant and blockade significantly reduced intratumoral VEGF, IL-10 and splenic IL-4 but induced the expression of splenic IFN-γ. This formulation could be an effective candidate for a vaccine against cervical cancers and merits further investigation. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Wien

Erratum to: Synergistic effect of programmed cell death protein 1 blockade and secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine in the induction of anti-tumor immunity by a therapeutic cancer vaccine (Archives of Virology, (2017), 162, 2, (333-346), 10.1007/s00705-016-3091-5)

Unfortunately, the fourth author name “Mahdieh Mondanizadeh” was incorrectly published in the original version. The author name is corrected here and in the original publication as well. © Springer-Verlag Wien 2016