Correlation between Epstein-Barr virus infection and disease activity of systemic lupus erythematosus: A cross-sectional study

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease for whose pathogenesis viral infections are important. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the main infectious etiological agent. This study aimed to quantitative evaluation of EBV in SLE patients. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 40 patients with SLE diagnosed based on American College of Rheumatology criteria were selected using purposive sampling. All were included in the study after obtaining informed consent for participation. Whole blood samples were taken and buffy coat preparations were isolated to determine viral load using the real-time polymerase chain reaction method and assessment with the SLE disease activity index (SLE-DAI). Results: From a total of 40 patients, 37 cases (92.5%) were women. The EBV test was positive in 67.5% and mean viral load was 5396 ± 1891.9 copy/ml. Twenty of forty patients had active and 50% inactive disease, mean EBV viral loads being 6798 and 28.25 copy/ml, respectively (P-value = 0.003). In terms of the severity of disease activity, 17.5 % of female patients had mild to moderate activity, whilst 32.5% of them had severe activity, with respective viral loads of 5,803.3 and 29.73 copy/ml (P-value = 0.003). Conclusion: The Epstein-Barr viral load in SLE patients with active disease was found to be markedly higher than in inactive cases. Thus, EBV may have an important role in the pathogenesis and activity of SLE. Keywords: Epstein-Barr virus, viral load, systemic lupus erythematosus, real-time PCR, human, infectio

The incidence of cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B genotypes in kidney transplant recipients in Iran

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common opportunistic viral infection in kidney transplant recipients. CMV classification is usually based on its glycoprotein B (gB) genotypes, which divides the virus into 4 strains (gB1�4). Objective: To determine the incidence of CMV genotypes in Iran and their relation to various clinical factors. Methods: We studied 80 renal transplant recipients admitted to our transplant referral center between 2014 and 2015. All of the studied patients were monitored every 1�2 weeks for CMV infection by immunofluorescence method. There were 34 CMV-infected patients whose sera were studied with sequencing technique to identify the 4 CMV genotypes. All patients were followed up to 6 months after transplantation. Results: gB1 was the most common genotype (35.3); it was followed by gB3 and gB4 (each with 17.6 ), gB2, and mixed gB1,3 and gB1,2 (each with 14.7). Age (p=0.037), time of infection after transplantation (p=0.011), and biopsy-proven rejection (p=0.012) were associated with CMV genotype. After adjusting for covariates, significant associations were found between genotype gB1 and family relationship (p=0.047) as well as HLA mismatch (p=0.014); genotype gB3 and family relationship (p=0.011); and genotype gB4 and age (p=0.019). Conclusion: The most common CMV gB genotype in CMV-infected kidney transplant recipients in Iran was gB1. We recommend considering related therapeutic applications in the management of such patients. © 2018 Iranian Society for Organ Transplantation. All rights reserved

In-vitro evaluation of miR-101-5P effect on herpes simplex virus replication

Background: Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is known worldwide for its serious disease and a kind of infection that involves nervous system throughout human lifelong. HSV-1 infection is much more considerable in immunocompromised patients and due to the growing resistance to its main drug, acyclovir, alternative treatments are required. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate host and viral gene expression, post-transcriptionally. One previous study has shown that mir-101-3p expression may play role in HSV-1-infected cells. Methods: In this study, synthesized mimic hsa-miR-101-5p was transfected to HSV-1-infected Hela cells to observe its effect on HSV-1 replication via microscopic observation. Findings: Hela cells transfected by hsa-miR-101-5p produced less viral progeny, and expressed less cytopathic effects. Conclusion: Considering the effect of hsa-miR-101 in suppressing HSV-1 replication without affecting cell viability, this achievement can give us new insights in treatment of HSV-1 infection. © 2018, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved

Evaluation of natural killer cell activity in pre and post treated breast cancer patients

Aim: To evaluate natural killer (NK) cells activity in breast cancer patients and its comparison with normal individuals. Settings and Design: Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of spontaneous tumor in humans, and NK cells are the first line defense against such tumors. There is a reverse correlation between NK activity and metastasis and reducing the tumor mass by surgery may be monitoring the NK activity. In this study, we evaluate NK activity in pre and post mastectomy patients. Materials and Methods: Eighteen patients with invasive ductal carcinoma attended to cancer research institute were included in this study. NK cells were evaluated in pre and post mastectomy patients. PBMCs were isolated by ficoll hypaque. NK cell activity ( lysis of K562) was evaluated by flowcytometer. Statistical Analysis Used: One way analysis of variation (ANOVA) and KruskalWallis nonparametric test were employed using SPSS software. Results: While NK cell activity was greatly impaired in breast cancer patients (average lysis of K562 target cells: 24.4 vs. 62.5 in healthy controls, n = 18), it was found to be significantly increased after mastectomy (37.7). Conclusions: Mastectomy may lead to increased activity of NK cells among patients suffering from breast cancer and their increased activity may produce positive therapeutic effect

Evaluation of patients with common variable immunodeficiency and detection of IL-2 as a cell-mediated immune index

Background: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most prevalent primary immunodeficiencies characterized by impaired antibody responses, defect in T-cell proliferation and secretion of cytokines, especially IL-2. This study aimed to evaluate the function of cellular immune system in CVID patients based on Il-2 level, as a cell-mediated immune index, as well as the clinical and paraclinical evaluation of such patients. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 20 CVID and 10 healthy participants referred to the Immunology and Allergy Department at Children Medical Center in Kashan. The clinical and paraclinical findings of the patients were collected using the questionnaire. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured with PHA in both groups and then the supernatants were collected for quantification of IL-2 secretion using the ELISA method. Results: CVID was seen in 85% of the cases hospitalized with infection. The most common infection was respiratory tract infection the opportunistic infections and autoimmunity were seen in 5-10% and 40% of the cases, respectively. Delayed-type hypersensitivity response was negative in 65% of the patients. Moreover, IL-2 level was zero in15 patients and lower than that of the control group in 5 patients (P<0.05). Conclusion: All patients showed deficiency in T-cell function with decreased IL-2 production. The manifestations of this deficiency are a high incidence of autoimmunity, granulomatosis, bronchiectasis and recurrent infections in the patients in spite of monthly IVIG injections

Effects of Zinc Supplementation on Serum Zinc and C-Reactive Protein Concentrations in Hemodialysis Patients

Objective: We examined the effects of zinc supplementation on serum zinc and C-reactive protein concentrations in hemodialysis patients. Design: This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Setting: This study was conducted at the Shahid Faghihi and Namazi Dialysis Centers in Shiraz, Iran. Patients: Fifty-five hemodialysis patients (32 men and 23 women) participated after meeting the following criteria: zinc deficiency, treated for a minimum of 6 months; no record of hospitalizations in the preceding 3 months; and hemodialysis treatment 2 to 3 times per week. Intervention: Patients were randomly divided into two groups. The zinc supplementation group (n = 28) received a 220-mg zinc sulfate capsule, and the control group (n = 27) received a placebo capsule (220 mg corn starch), for 42 days. Main Outcome Measures: Fasting, predialysis serum samples were collected on days 0 and 42 to determine serum zinc and C-reactive protein levels. Results: After supplementation, subjects in the zinc-supplemented group showed significant increases in serum zinc concentrations, from 57.4 ± 2.4 μg/dL SEM on day 0 to 88.4 ± 4.8 μg/dL SEM on day 42. Serum C-reactive protein concentrations were initially high among subjects in the control (15.1 ± 3.9 mg/L SEM) and zinc-supplemented (13.5 ± 3.8 mg/L SEM) groups. Serum C-reactive protein concentrations in the control group increased throughout the study period, but did not reach statistical significance. A progressive decrease in serum C-reactive protein concentrations was observed in the zinc-supplemented group from the beginning (13.5 ± 3.8 mg/L SEM) to the end (10.5 ± 3.5 mg/L SEM) of the study, but this event was not significant. Conclusion: Zinc supplementation intake may cause an increase in serum zinc concentrations, leading to a decrease of inflammation in hemodialysis patients. © 2009 National Kidney Foundation, Inc

Characterization of virulence genes in typical and atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a major cause of diarrhea in infants and children in developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of EPEC in children with diarrhea by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method targeting the eae gene. The presence of virulence gene including bfpA was also investigated by PCR, for the differentiation of typical and atypical EPEC strains. We also sought to determine the presence of virulence gene including efa-1, fimH and lpfDo113 of the isolated strains. Stool samples were collected from 313 less than 5 years old children with diarrhea at Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Kashan, Iran, from November 2009 to May 2010. Specimens were examined by PCR test to determine the eae gene to detect of EPEC pathotype and also the frequency of genes coding virulence factors of EPEC such as bfpA, efa-1, fimH and lpfDo113 were analyzed. Results showed that 51 cases (28.6) out of 178 E. coli isolated were EPEC. The percentage of isolated EPECs carrying virulence genes were bfpA (tEPEC) (11.8), efa1 (2), fimH (98) and lpfDo113 (13.7). Variable frequency of EPEC virulence factors isolated from children with diarrhea needs further studies for creating epidemiological map of diarrheal infections caused by EPEC. © 2011 Academic Journals