Frequency of the Main Human Leukocyte Antigen A, B, DR, and DQ Loci Known to Be Associated with the Clearance or Persistence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in a Healthy Population from the Southern Region of Morocco: A Preliminary Study.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection represents a significant global health challenge, with its natural course largely influenced by the host's immune response. Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules, particularly HLA class I and II, play a crucial role in the adaptive immune response against HCV. The polymorphism of HLA molecules contributes to the variability in immune response, affecting the outcomes of HCV infection. This study aims to investigate the frequency of HLA A, B, DR, and DQ alleles known to be associated with HCV clearance or persistence in a healthy Moroccan population. Conducted at the University Hospital Center Mohammed VI, Marrakech, this study spanned from 2015 to 2022 and included 703 healthy Moroccan individuals. HLA class I and II typing was performed using complement-dependent cytotoxicity and polymerase chain reaction-based methodologies. The results revealed the distinct patterns of HLA-A, B, DRB1, and DQB1 alleles in the Moroccan population. Notably, alleles linked to favorable HCV outcomes, such as HLA-DQB1*0301, DQB1*0501, and DRB1*1101, were more prevalent. Conversely, alleles associated with increased HCV susceptibility and persistence, such as HLA-DQB1*02 and DRB1*03, were also prominent. Gender-specific variations in allele frequencies were observed, providing insights into genetic influences on HCV infection outcomes. The findings align with global trends in HLA allele associations with HCV infection outcomes. The study emphasizes the role of host genetics in HCV infection, highlighting the need for further research in the Moroccan community, including HCV-infected individuals. The prevalence of certain HLA alleles, both protective and susceptibility-linked, underscores the potential for a national HLA data bank in Morocco.

Inborn errors of immunity and related microbiome.

Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are characterized by diverse clinical manifestations that are dominated by atypical, recurrent, chronic, or severe infectious or non-infectious features, including autoimmunity, lymphoproliferative disease, granulomas, and/or malignancy, which contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality. Some data suggest a correlation between clinical manifestations of IEI and altered gut microbiota. Many IEI display microbial dysbiosis resulting from the proliferation of pro-inflammatory bacteria or a decrease in anti-inflammatory bacteria with variations in the composition and function of numerous microbiota. Dysbiosis is considered more established, mainly within common variable immunodeficiency, selective immunoglobulin A deficiency, severe combined immunodeficiency diseases, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, Hyper-IgE syndrome, autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal-dystrophy (APECED), immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy X-linked (IPEX) syndrome, IL-10 receptor deficiency, chronic granulomatous disease, and Kostmann disease. For certain IEIs, the specific predominance of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and cutaneous involvement, which is frequently associated with dysbiosis, justifies the interest for microbiome identification. With the better understanding of the relationship between gut microbiota, host immunity, and infectious diseases, the integration of microbiota modulation as a therapeutic approach or a preventive measure of infection becomes increasingly relevant. Thus, a promising strategy is to develop optimized prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, and fecal microbial transplantation to rebalance the intestinal microbiota and thereby attenuate the disease activity of many IEIs.

Anti-double stranded DNA antibodies: A rational diagnostic approach in limited-resource settings.

Context: Anti-double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid antibodies (dsDNA Abs) are highly specific markers of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Multiple methods are employed for their detection in routine diagnostics. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate a diagnostic approach for anti-dsDNA Abs using DNA-ELISA and Crithidia luciliae fluorescence test (CLIFT), in combination with antinuclear antibody (ANA) screening. Methods: We enrolled 113 patients-53 with SLE, 50 with other systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (OSARD), and 10 with non-autoimmune clinical conditions (NAICC).Patients' samples were tested for anti-dsDNA Abs using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and CLIFT, combined to ANA screening by indirect immunofluorescence assay (ANA-IIFA). Results: The mean age of patients was 39.94 ± 15 years (ranges: 11-85 years). Overall, specimens from 77.3%, 11.7%, and 20% of patients with SLE, OSARD and NAICC respectively were ELISA-positive; and those from 54.7% to 4% of patients with SLE and OSARD, respectively, were CLIFT-positive. CLIFT positivity was significantly associated with high ELISA titers (p = 0.002) and homogeneous ANA-IIF pattern (p = 0.0002). Conclusion: For better clinical relevance of anti-dsDNA antibodies, we suggest a combined detection strategy based on ELISA, CLIFT and ANA-IIFA, considering the clinical criteria of SLE.