SERO-PREVALENCE OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS IN IRAQI INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: Determine the frequency of anti-viral capsid antigen IgM, IgG and IgA in inflammatory bowel disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: Case controlled study conducted during involved 60 Crohn's disease, 60 ulcerative colitis and 60 subjects as a control group with negative gastroin¬testinal symptoms. Diagnosis and disease classification were established according to Montreal disease classification of inflammatory bowel diseases. Measurement of serum anti-VCA IgM, IgG and IgA was done, using ELISA method. RESULTS: Results: The current results showed a higher frequency of EBV seropositivity among both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis 96.67% in comparison with controls 78.33. None statistical significance observed according to sex of patients. IgM were significantly associated with younger than 16 years 33.33%. IgA anti-VCA were significantly frequent within 17-40 years old comprising 100%. Patients with colonic and ileocolonic site of lesions were significantly have frequent anti-VCA IgA 96.43% and 96%. In ulcerative colitis IgM subtype of anti-VCA 35.71% frequent in extensive colitis. Anti-VCA IgG were statistically significant with moderate and severe ulcerative colitis cases 100%. Also, anti-VCA IgA associated with severity of ulcerative colitis 100% of mild cases, 96.43% of moderate cases and 100% of severe cases. CONCLUSION: Conclusion: EBV seropositivity were detected among IBD cases, however viral infection might be associated with distinct and severe cases that requires anti-viral therapy.

Interleukin- 17agene Polymorphism, Serum Level and Its Tissue Expression in Iraqi Patients Gastric Lesions.

BACKGROUND: T-helper 17 plays a novel role in inflammation in gastritis by producing IL-17A, IL-17A gene polymorphisms that might be responsible for disease susceptibility and development of different gastric lesions. OBJECTIVE: The aims of study was to determine the association of IL-17A (G197A) genotype and allele frequency with disease phenotype and risk with different gastric lesions. METHODS: Case controlled study involved 30 gastroduodenal ulcer, 30 chronic gastritis and 30 subjects as a control group with negative endoscopic findings. After genomic DNA extraction, IL-17A (G197A)ARMS-PCR genotyping were done for all cases. Serum IL-17A was measured using ELISA method and tissue expression was visualized using immunohistochemistry staining method. RESULTS: The results showed that allele A was significantly frequent in gastroduodenal ulcer more than that in healthy control odd ratio= 4 (1.42-10.46), and none significantly with chronic gastritis p=0.071. Serum IL-17A was significantly higher in gastroduodenal ulcer (116.45±48.09 pg/ml), chronic gastritis (78.02±30.17pg/ml) and healthy control 19.36±9.28 pg/ml).However, the serum IL-17A level is not related to the allele pattern of each group. The tissue expression was expressed as dense granular cytoplasmic and membranous of inflammatory cells. Interestingly, the percentage of IL-17A protein expression was significantly higher in gastroduodenal ulcer (38.2±16.55%), chronic gastritis (30.89±14.02%) and normal mucosa (2.8±3.02%). Furthermore, patients with strong intensity of IL-17A stained mucosa were frequently carrier for mutant allele (68%). CONCLUSION: IL-17A might predispose for aggressive inflammation of advanced lesions in stomach like ulcer.