Enterovirus Detection in Patients Suspected Aseptic Meningitis by RT-PCR in Kermanshah, Iran

Background: Aseptic meningitis is frequently caused by viral agents, particularly human enterovirus. Several methods of Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR) have recently been introduced and modified for better diagnosis of enteroviral infection in meningitis. This study aimed to determine enteroviruses in patients with suspicion of aseptic meningitis using RT-PCR in the West of Iran. Methods: In this study, 120 CSF samples were collected from patients hospitalized with the suspicion of aseptic meningitis in Imam Reza Hospital of Kermanshah, Iran. RT-PCR was used to diagnose enteroviruses. The cDNA recovered from RT-PCR was purified using a DNA purification kit and sequenced to confirm viral genome. Sequence data were analyzed for homology using the Gen Bank database. Results: The samples were collected from 63 (52.5%) men and 57 (47.5%) women with an average age of 31.5 ± 29.4 years. Of the samples tested, 4 cases (3.33%) yielded positive results for enterovirus. The results of sequence data analysis confirmed all positive cases as Enterovirus type 71. The biochemical (protein and glucose) and cytological analyses of positive CSF samples showed no significant changes. Conclusion: According to the results, Enterovirus type 71is one of the common causes of enteroviral meningitis in patients in Kermanshah. The RT-PCR technique can rapidly diagnose Enterovirus type 71 and help better treatment of the patients and prevent the unnecessary use of antibiotics. So, molecular methods can reduce the cost of patients’ treatments and prevent drug resistance among bacteria. It can also provide a better picture of enteroviral infection in our region

In silico Analysis and Molecular Modeling of RNA Polymerase, Sigma S (RpoS) Protein in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

Background: Sigma factors are proteins that regulate transcription in bacteria. Sigma factors can be activated in response to different environmental conditions. The rpoS (RNA polymerase, sigma S) gene encodes sigma-38 (σ38, or RpoS), a 37.8 kDa protein in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) strains. RpoS is a central regulator of the general stress response and operates in both retroactive and proactive manners; not only does it allow the cell to survive environmental challenges; it also prepares the cell for subsequent stresses (cross-protection). Methods: The significance of RpoS for stress resistance and protein expression in stationary-phase P. aeruginosa cells was assessed. The goal of the current study was to characterize RpoS of P. aeruginosa PAO1 using bioinformatics tools. Results: The results showed that RpoS is an unstable protein that belongs to the sigma-70 factor family. Secondary structure analysis predicted that random coil is the predominant structure followed by extended alpha helix. The three-dimensional (3D) structure was modeled using SWISS-MODEL Workspace. Conclusion: Determination of sequence, function, structure, and predicted epitopes of RpoS is important for modeling of inhibitors that will help in the design of new drugs to combat multi-drug-resistant (MDR) strains. Such information may aid in the development of new diagnostic tools, drugs, and vaccines for treatment in endemic regions

Oncoviruses: Induction of cancer development and metastasis by increasing anoikis resistance

The phenomenon of cell death is a vital aspect in the regulation of aberrant cells such as cancer cells. Anoikis is a kind of cell death that occurs when cells get separated from the extracellular matrix. Some cancer cells can inhibit anoikis in order to progress metastasis. One of the key variables that might be implicated in anoikis resistance (AR) is viral infections. The most important viruses involved in this process are Epstein-Barr virus, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B virus, human herpes virus 8, human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1, and hepatitis C virus. A better understanding of how carcinogenic viruses suppress anoikis might be helpful in developing an effective treatment for virus-associated cancers. In the current study, we review the role of the mentioned viruses and their gene products in anoikis inhibition