Occult HCV infection is a form of chronic HCV infection characterized by absence of detectable anti-HCV antibodies or plasma HCV-RNA but presence of HCV-RNA in liver biopsy and/or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The aim of this study was to determine the presence of HCV-RNA in PBMCs of patients with lymphoproliferative disorders. One hundred and four consecutive patients with lymphoproliferative disorders admitted to Firouzgar Hospital from January 2010 to March 2011 were recruited in this cross-sectional study. A 6-ml sample of whole blood was taken from the patients, the total RNA was extracted from the samples after the separation of plasma and PBMCs. The HCV-RNA of the samples was amplified by reverse transcriptase-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nested PCR). The HCV genotypes of the positive samples were tested using the INNO-LiPA™ HCV II kit, and the HCV genotypes were then confirmed by sequencing of the 5'-UTR fragments after the PCR products were cloned into a pJET1.2/blunt cloning vector. The mean age of the patients was 48.3 ± 1.76 years (range: 16-83). HCV-RNA was found in PBMCs from 2 (1.9%) of the 104 patients. Genotyping showed that the patients were infected with HCV subtype 1a. One patient suffered non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and the other suffered chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Patients with lymphoproliferative disorders with negative anti-HCV antibodies and negative plasma HCV-RNA may have occult HCV infection. Therefore, in the absence of a liver biopsy, the testing of PBMCs for the detection of genomic HCV-RNA may be beneficial.

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Background/aim: One of the factors that affect the occurrence of acne is the presence of Propionibacterium acnes. The present study was conducted to compare the culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for identifying P. acnes in lesions isolated from patients with acne. Materials and methods:To examine the presence of P. acnes, 70 samples of acne lesions were collected. Microbial culture and the PCR molecular technique were used to identify P. acnes.Results: Of the total of 70 samples, 14 cases (20%) were identified as P. acnes positive using microbial culture and 58 cases (82.85%) using PCR. The results obtained showed the lack of a relationship between the frequency of P. acnes and factors such as sex, family history of acne, and history of treatment with either of the techniques examined (i.e. the microbial culture and PCR). In contrast, a significant relationship was observed between the frequency of P. acnes and age with the culture method. Conclusion:Given the limitations in the identification of P. acnes using microbial culture, PCR is proposed as a better method with a higher efficiency.

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BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common neurological autoimmune disease, characterized by multifocal areas of inflammatory demyelination within the central nervous system. It has been hypothesized that the stimulation of the immune system by viral infections is the leading cause of MS among susceptible individuals.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the varicella zoster virus (VZV) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.Patients and MethodsPlasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from MS patients (n = 82) and controls (n = 89) were screened for the presence of anti-VZV antibodies and VZV DNA by the ELISA and PCR methods. DNA was extracted from all samples, and VZV infection was examined by the PCR technique. Statistical analysis was used to investigate the frequency of the virus in MS patients and a healthy control group.ResultsOf all the MS patients, 78 (95.1%) and 21 (25.6%) were positive for anti-VZV and VZV DNA, respectively. Statistical analysis of the PCR results showed a significant correlation between the abundance of VZV and MS disease (P < 0.001). However, there was no significant correlation between the abundance of anti-VZV antibodies and MS disease by the ELISA method.ConclusionsThese results support the hypothesis that VZV may contribute to MS in establishing a systemic infection process and inducing an immune response.