Association between Endothelial Selectin (E-selectin) gene polymorphisms and E-selectin level with visceral leishmaniais, in an ARMS-PCR based study

Background: In the visceral leishmaniasis (VL), parasites reside in reticuluendothelial system, mainly in macrophages. Endothelial Selectin (E-selectin) might play an important role in leukocyte-endothelium interactions and inflammatory cell recruitment. The aim of this study was determining E-selectin level and its polymorphism in three groups, patients, seropositive and healthy individuals. Methods: Serum soluble E-selectin levels as well as 2 polymorphisms of E-selectin (Ser128Arg and Leu554Phe) were measured in a cohort of patients with documented VL (n=64), a healthy control group (n=74) and a seropositive for VL but without any symptoms (n=81). Circulation concentration of E-selectin levels was measured by ELIS. The amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR procedure was used for detecting polymorphisms. Results: The mean of E-selectin levels significantly differed between three groups (P<0.026), and were increased in patients in comparison with other groups. Difference was more considerable between two groups of patients and healthy ones (patients 92.8 ng/ml; healthy individuals 71.9 ng/ml). Polymorphisms were associated with soluble E-selectin levels and altogether explained 14.4%, 7.2%, and 8.7% in patients, seropositive and seronegative healthy individuals, respectively. Distribution of polymorphisms of 128Ser/Arg and 554Leu/Phe among three groups was not different significantly; however, there was a considerable arrangement in distribution of Ser128Arg polymorphism and 128Arg allele in healthy group was more than two fold of patients (55% against 20%). Conclusion: The association between soluble E-selectin levels and visceral leishmaniasis suggests that this molecule might have significant role in the inflammatory process in VL. Moreover, frequency of 128Arg allele in healthy group was higher than patients

Gene polymorphism in transforming growth factor-beta codon 10 is associated with susceptibility to Giardiasis

Secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) antibodies have a central role in anti-Giardial defence. It has been demonstrated that transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-P1) stimulates B lymphocytes to produce and secrete S-IgA. We sought to determine the association between TGF-β1 polymorphism (T+869C) with susceptibility to Giardiasis. The TGF-β1 genotypes and levels of salivary (S-IgA) were analysed in individuals with Giardiasis (97 symptomatic and 57 asymptomatic) and controls (n = 92). Individuals with symptomatic Giar- diasis had the lowest levels of S-IgA compared to individuals in asymptomatic Giardiasis and control groups (97%, 73% and 43%, <1 g L-1, respectively, P = 0.002). The frequency of allele C and CC genotypes of TGF-β1 polymorphism was significantly higher among symptomatic patients than asymptomatic and control groups. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the individuals homozygous for allele C of TGF-β1 had a significantly higher risk for symptomatic Giardiasis with odds ratio of 2.76 (95% CI: 3.88, 1.71, P = 0.007). Among the participants with TT genotype per cent of individuals with S-IgA level of more than 1gL″1 was almost twice the percentage in CC genotype individuals (14% versus 7% respectively P = 0.01). Our data suggest that CC genotype of TGF-β1 polymorphism at codon 10 is associated with occurrence of Giardiasis. ©2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Rapid detection of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (G241R and K469E) polymorphisms by a novel PCR-SSP assay

Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) is a cell surface glycoprotein member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and is actively involved in immune and inflammatory responses. We introduce a novel polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) method for rapid and simultaneous genotyping of ICAM-1 G241R and K469E polymorphisms. In a total of 184 DNA samples that have been previously analyzed for these polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique, re-genotyping of all samples with this new assay showed accurate and reproducible results. As PCR-SSP-based genotyping protocols are more convenient and cost-effective to do, it could therefore offer a valuable tool for assessment of ICAM-1 polymorphisms to which more confirmatory studies are needed. © 2007 Blackwell Munksgaard

E-selectin gene polymorphisms in Iranian chronic hepatitis B patients

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to detect the substitutions Ser128Arg (A128C) and Leu554Phe (T554C) which are responsible for E-selectin polymorphisms in patients with chronic hepatitis B and healthy controls. We investigated possible association of the Ser128Arg and Leu554Phe gene polymorphisms in the E-selectin gene with susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B. Methods: Sixty-three patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and 150 healthy subjects were recruited sequentially as they presented to clinic. Classification of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients was as asymptomatic carrier state (34 patients) and chronic hepatitis B (29 patients). Genomic DNA was isolated from anticoagulated peripheral blood Buffy coat using Miller�s salting-out method. The presence of the E-selectin gene polymorphisms was determined by using polymerase chain reaction amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS). Results: Distribution of E-selectin 128 (A+C-, A+C+, A-C+) genotypes and E-selectin 554 (C+T-, T+C-, C+T+) genotypes were not statistically different in chronic hepatitis B patients and controls (P=0.41 and 0.96, respectively). Also, two groups had no significant difference in distribution of frequencies of allele 128A (P=0.41), 128C (P=0.15), allele 554C (P=0.85), and allele 554T (P=0.76). Carrying of allele 128A (OR=0.58, 95 CI=0.16-2.12), 128C (OR=1.52, 95 CI=0.84-2.74), 554C (OR=1.24, 95 CI=0.12-12.08), and allele 554T (OR=0.88, 95 CI=0.38-2.01) were not risk factors for susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B infection. Conclusions: Carrying E-selectin gene polymorphisms of Ser128Arg and Leu554Phe is not considered risk factor for susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B infection. © 2007, Kowsar Medical Publishing Company. All rights reserved

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis D Virus and its Risk Factors in the West of Iran

Despite the decreasing trend in hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection worldwide, the importance of this disease cannot be underestimated. The aim of this study was to evaluate patients positive for HBsAg with respect to HDV infection and related factors. Patients with chronic hepatitis B who presented at Hamedan Province Hepatitis Community Center in 2002-2007 were included. A questionnaire covering demographic variables and history of hepatic disease was completed for each patient. Necessary tests were performed and antibodies to HDV were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of 81 HBsAg positive patients, 14 (17.3) contained anti-HDV IgG. Only one of the patients with anti-HDV IgM was positive for HBsAg. Of the anti-HDV IgG positive patients, two (14.3) were women. Among the women examined in this study, 24 (35.8) were anti-HDV IgG negative (p = 0.21), and of these, six (42.8) were HBeAg positive while 17 (25.4) of the anti-HDV IgG negative women were positive for HBeAg (p = 0.16). The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B among anti-HDV IgG positive and negative patients was 28.6 and 39.2 respectively (p = 0.31). Because of the relatively high rate of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HDV co-infection in our study subjects, it is vital that healthcare providers and policy makers to recognize the risk factors associated with this HBV and HDV co-infection as well as the reasons for this increased anti-HDV serology in HBV carriers. © 2010 Taiwan Society of Microbiology

Seroprevalence of Immunoglobulin G antibodies against pertussis toxin among asymptomatic medical students in the west of Iran: a cross sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pertussis is a highly communicable, vaccine-preventable respiratory infection. Immune response against this disease can be induced by infection or vaccination. Protection after childhood vaccination is minimal after ten years. Our aim was to assess pertussis immunity state in a population of healthy young medical students.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this seroepidemiological survey, blood samples were obtained from 163 first-year medical students in Hamedan University, Iran. Serum level of IgG against pertussis toxin (IgG-PT) was measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. For qualitative assessment, IgG-PT levels more than 24 unit (U)/ml were considered positive. Data was analysed qualitatively and quantitatively considering gender and age groups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were 83 males and 80 females, with a mean age of 19.48 years, Prevalence of IgG-PT was 47.6% with mean level of 71.7 u/ml (95% confidence interval: 68.1–75.3). No statistically significant difference was observed with respect to sero-positivity of IgG-PT between males and females (45 cases (54%) vs. 34 cases (42%); P = 0.06). Mean IgG-PT levels in males and females were 84 U/ml and 58.8 U/ml, respectively (P = 0.91).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A considerable proportion of our study population with a positive history of childhood vaccination for pertussis was not serologically immune to pertussis. A booster dose of acellular pertussis vaccine may be indicated in Iranian, medical students regarding their serologic conditions and outstanding role in health care systems.</p

Association of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphism and susceptibility to human brucellosis

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the polymorphism within the intron 2 of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene (IL-1Ra) on the susceptibility to or development of brucellosis. A total of 255 patients with brucellosis and 162 healthy volunteers were genotyped for polymorphisms in intron 2 of the IL-1Ra gene. The frequency of allele 2 of the IL-1Ra gene was significantly higher in patients with brucellosis compared with the controls (24.5 vs 18.5, P = 0.03). Although the heterozygosity was more prevalent in patients than in control individuals, it did not have any statistical significance (P = 0.1). Alleles 3, 4, and 5 were absent in our study population. This work is the first that verifies a significant association between genetic polymorphism of IL-1Ra and susceptibility to brucellosis. © 2006 Blackwell Munksgaard

Association of the Phe206Leu allele of the L-selectin gene with coronary artery disease

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the association between the L-selectin Phe206Leu polymorphism and coronary artery disease. Methods: A total of 322 patients (221 men and 101 women) with coronary artery disease in one or more vessels documented by angiography were studied; 157 subjects (85 men and 72 women) without atherosclerosis were included as controls. All subjects were genotyped for the L-selectin Phe206Leu gene polymorphism using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP). To assess disease severity, all patients were classified by numbers of coronary arteries with 50 stenosis. Results: A significantly increased frequency of the 206Leu mutant allele was observed in patients with coronary artery disease compared to the controls. The 206Leu allele frequency occurred in 42 of the patients with coronary artery disease compared to 30 of the controls (p < 0.009). No association was found between the severity of coronary artery disease and the L-selectin Phe206Leu polymorphism. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that carriage of L-selectin 206Leu mutant allele could contribute to susceptibility of Iranian individuals to contracting coronary artery disease. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG

Association between recipient ICAM-1 K469 allele and renal allograft acute rejection

Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) genetic polymorphisms (G241R and K469E) have been implicated in several autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Investigating a sample of living-unrelated donor (LURD) kidney transplant pairs, we revealed an association between recipient K469 allele (P = 0.013) and K/K genotype (P = 0.042) with renal allograft acute rejection. © 2007 The Authors