Association between human herpesviruses and multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and potential association between infection with different herpes viruses and multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed by finding relevant cross-sectional and case-control studies from a large online database. Heterogeneity, Odds ratio (OR), and corresponding 95% Confidence interval (CI) were applied to all studies by meta-analysis and forest plots. The analysis was performed using Stata Software v.14. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-four articles (289 datasets) were included in the meta-analysis, 128 (245 datasets) of which were case/control and the rest were cross-sectional. The pooled prevalence of all human herpes viruses among MS patients was 50% (95% CI: 45-55%; I2 = 96.91%). In subgroup analysis, the pooled prevalence of Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6), Human herpes virus 7 (HHV-7), and Human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) was 32%, 52%, 74%, 41%, 39% 28%, and 28%, respectively. An association was found between infection with human herpes viruses and MS [summary OR 2.07 (95% CI (1.80-2.37); I2 = 80%)]. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that EBV, VZV, and HHV-6 infection are associated with multiple sclerosis and can be considered as potential risk factors for MS. Although the exact molecular mechanism of the role of herpes viruses in the development of MS is still unknown, it seems that molecular mimicry, the release of autoreactive antibodies, and inflammation in the CNS following viral infection can be important factors in the induction of MS.

Association between Epstein-Bar virus and colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and any potential association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed by finding relevant cross-sectional and case-control studies from main online databases. Heterogeneity, odds ratio (OR), and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were applied to all studies through meta-analysis and forest plots. The analysis was performed using STATA Software v.14.1. RESULTS: Twenty-three articles were included in the meta-analysis, eight of them were case/control and 15 were cross-sectional. The pooled prevalence of EBV among 1954 CRC patients was 18% (95% CI: 12%-26%; I2 = 93.14%). Furthermore, in geographical regions, the highest and lowest prevalence of EBV was observed in South America 30% (95% CI: 18%-43%) and Africa 0% (95% CI: 0%-5%), respectively. An association was found between EBV infection and CRC [OR = 3.4 (95% CI (1.13-10.27); I2 = 72.3%)]. CONCLUSION: EBV infection is associated with CRC and can be considered a potential risk factor for the development of CRC. Although the exact molecular mechanism of EBV infection in the development of CRC is still unknown, it seems that latent infection by EBV, intestinal damage, and inflammation can be important factors in the induction of CRC.

Association between human polyomavirus infection and brain cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and potential association between the infection with some members of the polyomaviridae family of viruses and development of the brain tumors. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed by finding relevant cross-sectional and case-control studies from a large online database. Heterogeneity, OR, and corresponding 95% CI were applied to all studies by meta-analysis and forest plots. The analysis was performed using Stata Software v.14. RESULTS: Twenty-three articles (33 datasets) were included in the meta-analysis, four (four datasets) of which were case/control studies and the rest were cross-sectional. The pooled prevalence of polyomaviruses among brain cancer patients was 13% (95% CI: 8-20%; I2 = 96.91%). In subgroup analysis, the pooled prevalence of JCV, SV40, BKV and Merkel cell polyomavirus was 20%, 8%, 6%, and 16%, respectively. An association was found between polyomavirus infection and brain cancer [summary OR 7.22 (95% CI (2.36-22.05); I2 = 0%)]. The subgroup analysis, based on the virus type, demonstrated a strong association between JCV infection and brain cancer development [summary OR 10.34 (95% CI 1.10-97.42; I2 = 0%)]. CONCLUSION: The present study showed a significant association between polyomavirus infection and brain tumors. Moreover, these results suggest that polyomavirus infection may be a potential risk factor for the development of brain cancer.

The emerging role of probiotics as a mitigation strategy against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

COVID-19 is an acute respiratory infection accompanied by pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has affected millions of people globally. To date, there are no highly efficient therapies for this infection. Probiotic bacteria can interact with the gut microbiome to strengthen the immune system, enhance immune responses, and induce appropriate immune signaling pathways. Several probiotics have been confirmed to reduce the duration of bacterial or viral infections. Immune fitness may be one of the approaches by which protection against viral infections can be reinforced. In general, prevention is more efficient than therapy in fighting viral infections. Thus, probiotics have emerged as suitable candidates for controlling these infections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, any approach with the capacity to induce mucosal and systemic reactions could potentially be useful. Here, we summarize findings regarding the effectiveness of various probiotics for preventing virus-induced respiratory infectious diseases, especially those that could be employed for COVID-19 patients. However, the benefits of probiotics are strain-specific, and it is necessary to identify the bacterial strains that are scientifically established to be beneficial.

A contemporary review on pathogenesis and immunity of COVID-19 infection.

Emerging of the COVID-19 pandemic has raised interests in the field of biology and pathogenesis of coronaviruses; including interactions between host immune reactions specific, and viral factors. Deep knowledge about the interaction between coronaviruses and the host factors could be useful to provide a better support for the disease sufferers and be advantageous for managing and treatment of the lung infection caused by the virus. At this study, we reviewed the updated information on the pathogenesis of the COVID-19 and the immune responses toward it, with a special focus on structure, genetics, and viral accessory proteins, viral replication, viral receptors, the human immune reactions, cytopathic effects, and host-related factors.

Molecular Imaging and Oral Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy.

Oral cancer is known as one of relatively common type of cancer worldwide. Despite the easy access of the oral cavity to examination, oral tumors are diagnosed in more advanced stages of the disease. Imaging techniques have been recently emerged as non-invasive approaches to detect molecular and cellular changes in living cells and organisms. These techniques such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) could help physicians to screen patients with oral tumors particularly oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in early stage of the disease. In this review, we discuss that early detection and diagnosis of oral tumors through using more robust and precise imaging techniques and a variety of cellular/molecular biomarkers not only could lead to more effective and less aggressive form of treatment for the disease but also could improve survival rates and lower treatment costs. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3055-3060, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Investigation of viral infection in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis among Iranian patients in Tehran.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease, which can be lethal with chronic complications. Viral infections may be associated with IPF and other fibrotic lung diseases. In the present study, we investigate for the first time in Iran the related viral etiology of IPF in order to detect three respiratory viruses; human adenovirus, enterovirus and bocavirus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study which was supported by Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. The diagnostic criteria for IPF were based on internationally accepted clinical and imaging criteria in accordance with the 2011 IPF guidelines. 30 nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs or broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) samples were obtained from the lung of IPF patients that were diagnosed by a sophisticated practitioner from April 2015 to February 2016. Real-time (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was performed to detect the three viruses. Fluorescence dye of a labeled probe recorded the results in order to create positive and negative controls. SPSS version 20 software was used to calculate basic descriptive and frequency features. RESULTS: Of 30 specimens, 13 (43.4%) were male and 17 (56.6%) were female with the total mean age ± standard deviation 68.2 ± 12.0. RT-PCR assay results illustrated there was no infection of human adenovirus, enterovirus, and bocavirus detected in these samples. Significant results between IPF incidence and variables were not significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The causes of IPF in Iranian patients need more research although, based on the results of this study, there was no association between human adenovirus, enterovirus, bocavirus, and IPF.