The Relationship between Plasma Levels of Interleukin-6, Multiple Organ Dysfunction and Mortality in Orthopedic Patients.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin 6 (IL-6) functions as both a pro-inflammatory cytokine and an anti-inflammatory cytokine. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the levels of IL-6 in patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). METHODS: Level of IL-6 was assessed and recorded for 14 days subsequent to the injury in 161 multiple trauma patients. MODS were diagnosed using Marshal Score. Injury Severity Scoring (ISS) was measured for all patients. RESULTS: The results of this study indicated that there was a significant relationship between the level of IL-6 and ISS on the first and second days post trauma (P=0.0001). The high level of IL-6 on the second day post trauma was associated with high mortality rate. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests the second day as the golden time for measuring the serum levels of IL-6. These findings warn us to take more health care actions in patients with higher serum levels of IL-6 on the second day.

Study on Rotavirus Infection and Its Genotyping in Children Below 5 Years in South West Iran.

BACKGROUND: Human rotaviruses are the most important agents for severe dehydrating diarrhea in children below 5 years old. Rotaviruses (RV) is a serious public health problem in developing and developed countries. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of rotavirus infection and their genotypes in children younger than 5 years of age with acute diarrhea in Ahvaz, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this study, 200 stool samples from children below 5 years of age with acute diarrhea were collected between October 2011 and March 2012. Initially all stool samples were tested for rotavirus antigen by ELISA, and positive samples were confirmed by RT-PCR targeting the VP6 rotavirus gene. Determination of rotavirus genotypes was carried out by performing RT-PCR for G and P types. Altogether, 15 samples were sequenced. RESULTS: Out of 200 stool samples, 100 (50%) had rotavirus antigen detected by ELISA and 73 (36.5%) were found positive by RT-PCR. Of the rotavirus strains identified, only 63 (86.3%) were positive for both VP7 and VP4 while 10 (13.7%) strains were found nontypeable. Rotavirus infection accounts for 36.5% of gastroenteritis cases in samples from symptomatic children. The most prevalent rotavirus genotypes were G1P [8] (80%) followed by G2P [4] (20%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that group A rotavirus is a major pathogene of acute diarrhea in Ahvaz city. The genotypes circulating are similar with those of other countries.

Study of the Association of Mutant HBsAg Gene and Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is responsible for chronic, acute, and fulminant hepatitis, which are prevalent worldwide. Chronic HBV may lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Several epidemiological studies have indicated that hepatitis B virus is involved in B-cell Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between hepatitis B infection and Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paraffin embedded of 41 block samples including 12 (29.26%) Hodgkin and 29 (70.73%) non-Hodgkin patients were collected. Next, DNA extraction was carried out for all the samples followed by HBV DNA detection by the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The positive HBV DNA samples were sequenced, and HBV genotypes and HBV subtypes were determined. RESULTS: Three out of 12 (25%) Hodgkin samples and seven out of 29 (24.13%) non-Hodgkin showed positive HBV DNA results. The results of sequencing revealed that the D genotype was predominant among the positive HBV patients. Interestingly an unpredictable amino acid proline was detected in position 88 of the HBs gene, which indicates a new mutation in the "S" region of HBV DNA in patients with Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: A high rate of 25% and 24.13% of HBV DNA was detected among patients with Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, respectively.

Occult hepatitis B virus among the patients with abnormal alanine transaminase.

BACKGROUND: The occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is defined as the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the sera or in the liver biopsy and the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by serological test. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to evaluate the occult HBV infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and determine HBV genotyping among the patients with abnormal alanine transaminase (ALT) in Ahvaz city, Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The sera of 120 patients, 54 (45%) females and 66 (55%) males, with abnormal ALT 40-152 IU were collected. All the patients were negative for HBsAg for more than one year. The patients` sera were tested by PCR using primers specified for the S region of HBV. Then the positive PCR products were sequenced to determine HBV genotyping and phylogenic tree. RESULTS: Of these 120 subjects, 12 (10%) patients including 6 (5%) males and 6 (5%) females were found positive for HBV DNA by PCR, which indicated the presence of occult HBV infection among these patients. The sequencing results revealed that genotype D was predominant with sub-genotyping D1 among OBI patients. CONCLUSIONS: Occult hepatitis B infection is remarkably prevalent in Ahvaz, Iran, and should be considered as a potential risk factor for the transmission of Hepatitis B Virus throughout the community by the carriers.