Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection (original) (raw)

2019

Occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (OBI); the presence of HBV DNA in the absence of HBsAg, has been recognized as one of the possible phases in the natural history of chronic HBV infection. OBI is a known clinical entity in some clinical settings including blood transfusion, cryptogenic cirrhosis, dialysis patients, solid transplantation, etc. The molecular basis of OBI is closely related to the peculiar life cycle of the HBV, and in particular to the long-lasting persistence of HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) organized as a minichromosome into the nucleus of the infected hepatocytes. This feature together with the long half-life of liver cells imply that HBV infection, once occurred may continue for life, even in condition of strong inhibition of viral transcription and replication. In addition to cccDNA stability, other factors such as immune responses, viral mutations, epigenetic mechanisms, and co-infection are associated with occult infection. Importantly, all...

Effect of Platelet-derived Microparticles on the Production of IgG Antibody from Human Peripheral Blood B-Lymphocytes

Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, 2016

Background and purpose: Platelets communicate with different immune cells and can activate B-lymphocytes and induce the production of antibodies from these cells. Platelet microparticles (MPs) originate from platelets and express the surface markers of platelets. This study aimed at investigating the ability of these microvesicles on production of antibodies from B-lymphocytes. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, platelet MPs were isolated from platelet concentrates and B cells were isolated from human whole blood. Then MPs were co-cultured with Blymphocytes. In different days of culture, the production of IgG antibodies was studied in the supernatants of culture medium using ELISA method. The results were analyzed by paired-samples t-test. Pvalue < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Platelet MPs stimulate the production of antibodies by B-lymphocytes. During 5-day coculture, significant increase was observed in the production of IgG antibodies...

Injection of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) for the treatment of Coronavirus induced cytokine storm

Medical Journal of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Background. COVID-19 disease is the cause of daily morbidity and mortality worldwide due to its high transmissibility and pathogenicity. To date, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) injection has been used as one of the various treatments for this disease. This study aimed to determine the effect of IVIg injection on the treatment of patients with Coronavirus-induced cytokine storm. Methods. A total of 174 patients with COVID-19 were included in this study based on their clinical characteristics and laboratory findings and were divided into two groups of IVIg recipients and non-recipients according to the treatment they received. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. IVIg was used to treat merely 20 patients and Kaletra and hemoperfusion drugs were used more among IVIg recipient patients (P=0.003 and P=0.001, respectively). COVID-19-positive PCR tests were significantly more frequent amon...

Evaluating the gyrA Gene Mutation in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates in Sari Imam Khomeini Hospital, Iran

Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, 2018

Background and purpose: Increasing resistance to Quinolones in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia in Sari, has caused many problems in treatment. Mutation in gyrA gene lead to changes in amino acids and resistance against Fluoroquinolones in E. coli and K. pneumonia. This study aimed at identifying remarkable mutations in E. coli and K. pneumonia isolates using PCR-SSCP analysis. Materials and methods: Antibiotic sensitivity test (ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid) was performed using Agar Disk Diffusion method. Resistance to fluoroquinolones was confirmed by E-test. (MIC experiment). We used PCR-SSCP method to detect mutation in gyrA (ser83 – asp 87) genes. Then, the PCR products were randomly sequenced. Results: From 103 isolates, 65 (63.2 %) were E. coli and 38 (36.8%) were K. pneumoniae. In all E.coli isolates resistant to Ciprofloxacin, at least one mutation was observed. Also, in all K. pneumoniae samples resistant to Ciprofloxacin, at least one mutation was seen and in 14 ...

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