Infection with hepatitis A virus (HAV) in patient with chronic liver disease (CLD; due to hepatitis B or hepatitis C) may cause severe disease and fulminant liver failure. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of HAV antibodies in patients infected with HCV or HBV in Iran (Jahrom city). A total of 159 patients with underlying CLD were recruited between September 2012 and February 2013. Serum samples were collected from each patient and tested for anti-HAV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The overall seroprevalence of total anti-HAV was 79·2%. Patients aged 20-30 years had the lowest (28·3%) anti-HAV seropositivity and those aged >50 years had the highest (95%) seropositivity. The overall prevalence of anti-HAV in patients with chronic HCV and HBV infection was 93·7% and 77·1%, respectively. The anti-HAV seropositivity in liver cirrhosis patients was 100% compared to CLD patients. Because of low HAV immunity in younger CLD patients, vaccination against HAV should be considered.

No abstract

Background and Aims: Accurate and rapid diagnosis is necessary for effective control and prevention of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). In present study, was evaluated real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assay along with diagnostic routine methods for the detection of all seven serotypes of FMD virus (FMDV), namely O, C, A, SAT1, 2, 3 and Asia 1 in biological samples at the reference laboratory for FMD, Iran. Materials and Methods: Two different RT-PCR assays targeting two different regions 5´ untranslated region (5´-UTR) and RNA polymerase (3D) of the FMDV genome were used to confirm the presence of FMDV in epithelial suspensions. Results: In the two methods the viral RNA in all tested archival serotypes of FMDV were detected. Specificity of this reaction was confirmed by the use of swine vesicular disease virus and blue-tongue. The amount of cycle threshold (C T) value of all seven serotypes was different and the lowest and highest of C T value achieved for SAT3, A, O types and SAT2, C types, respectively. Conclusion: The results showed that RT-PCR was more sensitive and effective than routine diagnostic methods. Furthermore, RT-PCR as a strong and valuable tool concomitant with diagnostic routine methods facilitate monitoring the fields FMDV strains and suggested that the use of the multiple diagnostic targets could enhance the sensitivity of the molecular methods for the detection of FMDV.

Background and Aims: chronic HBV infection is one of the most common viral infections in worldwide which many factors such as genetic factors are involved in pathogenesis of disease. Gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and its receptor (INFGR) play a critical role in the immune response to HBV infection. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are effective on level of gene expression, The aim of this study is explore the effect of -56T/C(SNP) located in promoter of gamma interferon receptor1 (INFGR1)gene on chronic HBV infection. Methods: Genomic DNA from peripheral blood samples of 150 chronically HBV infected patients and 150 healthy controls was extracted by phenol-chloroform method and DNA analysis and genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP method. Results: According to obtained genotyping and also statistical analysis, it was observed that between the patients and control group a significant difference existed and the genotypes of TC and CC were high in control group compared to the patients group. Conclusion: The host genetic factors can plays an important role in pathogenesis of HBV infection, Genetic variations in INFGR1 was related to several diseases, in this study we surveyed association between -56T/C (SNP) in INFGR1 and chronic HBV infection, the results of our study showed that presence of C and TC alleles in our population is related to decrease risk susceptibility to chronic infection.

No abstract