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The impact of KIR –HLA genotype on hepatitis B virus clearance in Iranian infected individuals
AbstractKiller cell immunoglobulin like receptors (KIRs) have a principal role in regulating the effector functions of NK cells, particularly in viral infections. The major ligands for KIRs are human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible association ofKIR genes, their knownHLA ligands and compoundKIR –HLA genotypes with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Our study group consisted of 202 Iranian HBV-infected patients (52 spontaneously recovered, 50 asymptomatic carriers, 50 chronic sufferers and 50with liver cirrhosis) and 100 ethnic-matched healthy control subject...
Source: Medical Microbiology and Immunology - October 14, 2017 Category: Microbiology Source Type: research

Burkholderia cepacia complex in cystic fibrosis in a Brazilian reference center
AbstractTheBurkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) can cause a severe decline in lung function in cystic fibrosis (CF). Our objective was to determine the BCC prevalence and to evaluate its clinical impact on CF. Clinical and laboratory variables were determined for CF patients with BCC (Group-A  = 50 patients) and without BCC (Group-B = 134 patients). The microorganisms were identified by biochemical tests, the Vitek2®Compact test,recA-PCR andrecA-nested-PCR with species-specific primers and DNA sequencing. The patients were evaluated by the Shwachman –Kulczycki score (SKCS), Bhalla score (BS), spirometry and body mass ...
Source: Medical Microbiology and Immunology - September 30, 2017 Category: Microbiology Source Type: research

Human parainfluenza virus type 2 polymerase complex recognizes leader promoters of other species belonging to the genus Rubulavirus
AbstractLeader sequence, located at the 3 ′ terminus of paramyxovirus genomes, determines the degree of viral transcription and replication. The essential nucleotides in the leader sequence that influence viral propagation, however, have not been investigated in detail. In the present study, we show that polymerase complex of human parain fluenza virus type 2 (hPIV2) uses a luciferase-encoding hPIV2 mini-genome possessing the leader sequence from other closely related viruses as a template. Furthermore, we demonstrate that although hPIV2 polymerase complex can recognize the leader sequence of hPIV4B, mumps virus (MuV) an...
Source: Medical Microbiology and Immunology - September 7, 2017 Category: Microbiology Source Type: research

Simultaneous analysis of multiple T helper subsets in leprosy reveals distinct patterns of Th1, Th2, Th17 and Tregs markers expression in clinical forms and reactional events
AbstractLeprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused byMycobacterium leprae. Previous studies have demonstrated that the difference among clinical forms of leprosy can be associated with the immune response of patients, mainly by T helper (Th) and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Then, aiming at clarifying the immune response, the expression of cytokines related to Th1, Th2, Th17 and Tregs profiles were evaluated by qPCR in 87 skin biopsies from leprosy patients. Additionally, cytokines and anti-PGL-1 antibodies were determined in serum by ELISA. The results showed that the expression of various targets (mRNA) related to Th1,...
Source: Medical Microbiology and Immunology - September 5, 2017 Category: Microbiology Source Type: research

Time course of cellular HIV-DNA and low-level HIV viremia in HIV –HCV co-infected patients whose HCV infection had been successfully treated with directly acting antivirals
AbstractThis longitudinal study described cellular HIV-DNA changes and their correlation with HIV low-level plasma viremia (LLV) in HIV –HCV co-infected patients on successful antiretroviral and anti-HCV therapy by treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAA). Thirty-nine patients were examined prior to the start of DAA (T0), after week 12 (T1) and 24 weeks (T2) of anti-HCV therapy. Cellular PBMC HIV-DNA was analysed as an abso lute value and as the percentage of increase or decrease from T0 to T2. Patients were classified as having undetectable plasma HIV viraemia (UV) or LLV in the year before the start of anti-HCV ...
Source: Medical Microbiology and Immunology - September 1, 2017 Category: Microbiology Source Type: research