Abstract Since emerging coronaviruses have always become a human health concern globally especially severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and a novel coronavirus was introduced in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 (called SARS‐CoV‐2), many researchers focused on its epidemics, virological and clinical features. SARS‐CoV‐2 is classified as Betacoronaviruses genus and Sarbecovirus subgenus (lineage B). The virus shows a great similarity with SARS‐CoV and bat SARS‐like coronaviruses. In this study, we evaluate SARS‐CoV‐2 virus phylogeny and evolution by using current virus and related sequences.
Introduction: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a global concern due to its association with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. The interplay between viral load, the immune system, and host factors is critical in tumorigenesis. Autophagy is a significant contributor to immune system function, since vitamin D plays an important role in this context. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the association between ATG5 (rs506027 and rs510432) and ATG16L1 (rs2241880 and ATG16 rs2241879) polymorphisms, viral load, and vitamin D with HBV pre-C/C mutations in Iraqi patients with CHB. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 134 CHB patients were evaluated for ATG polymorphisms, viral load, and vitamin D levels. Blood samples were collected after obtaining ethical consent, and the mutations were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by Sanger sequencing. Serum samples from CHB patients were used for viral load and vitamin D assessment. Results: The evaluation of patients revealed that 67 (44.6%) were male and 83 (55.4%) were female, with a mean age of 36±12.7 years and a mean duration of infection of 5.2±4.8 years. Mutations in pre-C/C were observed in 20% (27/134) of the patients. There was a significant association between all evaluated ATG polymorphisms and pre-C/C mutants (P<0.05). Furthermore, there was an association between viral load and mutations in pre-C/C (P=0.03), while no statistically significant difference was found between vitamin D levels and pre-core/core mutants or viral load. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates a higher frequency of ATG5 (rs506027 and rs510432) and ATG16L1 (rs2241880 and ATG16 rs2241879) polymorphisms, as well as a higher viral load in Iraqi CHB patients with HBV pre-C/C mutations.
Beta (β) thalassemia major is a genetic blood disorder with a deficiency in the hemoglobin beta chain, requiring blood transfusion therapy. Multiple blood transfusions increase the risk of transmitting blood-borne infections. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Iranian individuals with β-thalassemia major. A total of 164 patients with β-thalassemia major were recruited for this study. HCV RNA testing was done on plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from the HCV seropositive samples (with reverse transcriptase-nested polymerase chain reaction [PCR] method using primers from the 5'-untranslated region [UTR]), and all HCV RNA positive samples were genotyped by the restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. For confirmation of the HCV genotyping in PBMCs of occult HCV infection [OCI]-positive patients, the PCR products of two different regions of HCV (5'-UTR and nonstructural protein 5B [NS5B]) were sequenced. Of 164 patients, 29.3% were positive for anti-HCV antibodies, and HCV RNA was detected in the plasma specimens of 13.4% patients and in the PBMC samples of 15.2% participants. The genomic HCV-RNA was detected in PBMC samples in 3 (6.3%) of the total 48 individuals who were HCV seropositive, and plasma HCV-RNA negative (occult HCV infection). The subtypes of HCV in the plasma and PBMC samples of three participants were not identical. This study shows that among this group of Iranian patients with β-thalassemia major, 13.4% had active HCV infection and 6.3% had occult HCV infection as evidenced by HCV RNA detected in PBMC specimens. Therefore, the design of a prospective study that focuses on the diagnosis of OCI can be very valuable and provide more information.
Background: JC polyomavirus (JCV) is an epitheliotropic and neurotropic virus that identified in relationship with some devastating complications such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and linked to colorectal cancer. The aim of current study was to identify the prevalence of JCV in colorectal cancer for the first time in Iran. Methods: This retrospective case-control study was conducted by the hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran from 2011 to 2016. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks were used for DNA extraction by QIAamp® DNA FFPE Tissue Kit. The SYBER Green Real-time PCR assay performed by specific primers for JCV T-Large Ag. Melting curve analysis used for evaluation of amplification specificity. Positive control cloned in pTZ57R/T plasmid by Generay Biotechnology system. Results: Of 157 specimens 66 were colorectal cancer by the mean age (y) ± std. deviation 59.35±14.48 and 91 healthy control by the mean age (y) ± std. deviation 57.21±14.66. All 157 specimens tested for JCV T-Large Ag gene by Real-time PCR method and we found that there was not any positive result although the melting analysis showed specificity of positive control amplification. Conclusion: Low prevalence of JCV infection in Iranian CRC population confirmed by the current study results; there was not any JCV positive result in CRC and healthy control groups. Further studies by broader and different populations are recommended.
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In the Materials and methods subsection of the Abstract, there is an error in the first sentence.The correct sentence is: Anticancer effects of the following potential probiotic groups were investigated in LS174T cancer cells compared to IEC-18 normal cells.There are errors in the Copyright statement.
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