Circulating concentration of interleukin-37 in Helicobacter pylori-infected patients with peptic ulcer: Its association with IL-37 related gene polymorphisms and bacterial virulence factor CagA.

The immunopathologic responses play a major role in the development of H. pylori (HP)-related gastrointestinal diseases. IL-37 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine with potent suppressive effects on innate and adaptive immune responses. Here, we investigated the IL-37 levels and two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including rs3811047 and rs2723176 in IL-37 gene in HP-infected peptic ulcer (PU) patients to identify any relationship. Three groups, including 100 HP-infected PU patients, 100 HP-infected asymptomatic (AS) subjects and 100 non-infected healthy control (NHC) subjects were enrolled to study. Serum IL-37 levels and the genotyping at rs3811047 and rs2723176 were determined using ELISA and SSP-PCR methods, respectively. Significantly higher IL-37 levels were observed in PU patients compared with AS and NHC groups (P < 0.0001). In both PU and AS groups, the CagA+ HP-infected participants displayed higher IL-37 levels compared with those infected with CagA- strains (P < 0.0001). There were significant differences between PU, AS and NHC groups regarding the distribution of genotypes and alleles at rs3811047 and rs2723176 SNPs. The genotype GG and allele G at IL-37 rs3811047 SNP, and the genotype CC and allele C at IL-37 rs2723176 SNP more frequently expressed in PU patients than total healthy subjects (AS + NHC groups) and were associated with an increased risk of PU development (genotype GG: RR = 3.08, P < 0.009; allele G: RR = 2.94, P < 0.01; genotype CC: RR = 5, P < 0.01; and allele C: RR = 5.0, P < 0.02, respectively). The PU patients with allele A at IL-37 rs2723176 SNP expressed higher amounts of IL-37 compared with patients carried allele C at the same position (P < 0.05). In AS carriers and NHC individuals, the IL-37 levels in subjects carried genotype AA or allele A at IL-37 rs2723176 SNP were higher than those carried genotype CC or allele C at the same location (P < 0.01 and P < 0.02 for AS group; P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001 for NHC subjects, respectively). The increased IL-37 levels may be considered as a valuable marker of PU development in HP-infected individuals. The SNPs rs3811047 and rs2723176 were associated with PU development. The CagA status of HP and IL-37 rs2723176 SNP may affect the IL-37 levels.

Decreased circulating interleukin-33 concentration in Helicobacter pylori-infected patients with peptic ulcer: Evaluation of its association with a cytokine gene polymorphism, gender of patients and bacterial virulence factor CagA.

IL-33 has powerful immunoregulatory activities such as reinforcement of Th2 cell responses. The aim was to assess the circulating IL-33 levels and IL-33 rs1929992 polymorphism in H. pylori-infected peptic ulcer (PU) patients and asymptomatic (AS) subjects. Blood samples were obtained from 100 PU patients, 100 AS subjects and 100 uninfected individuals. Circulating IL-33 levels were detected by ELISA. After DNA extraction, the IL-33 rs1929992 polymorphism was determined using PCR-RFLP method. Serum IL-33 quantities were significantly lower in PU patients compared with AS and uninfected groups. IL-33 levels were higher in AS subjects compared with uninfected group. In PU, AS and uninfected groups, IL-33 levels were significantly higher in women than men. In PU and AS groups, the CagA+H. pylori-infected subjects exhibit higher IL-33 levels compared with carriers of CagA-H. pylori strains. In PU patients, the frequency of genotype GG and allele G at IL-33 rs1929992 was significantly higher compared with all healthy subjects (AS + uninfected groups). The presence of genotypes GG and AG, and allele G in rs1929992 conferred greater risk for PU. In whole H. pylori-infected population (PU + AS groups), IL-33 levels in individuals with genotype AA or allele A at rs1929992 were higher than subjects with GG genotype or allele G. The reduced IL-33 production could contribute to the PU development during H. pylori infection. The IL-33 levels may be affected by individual gender, rs1929992 polymorphism, and the CagA status of bacteria. The rs1929992-related GG genotype and G allele may be associated with PU development.

Hepatitis B, C virus co-infection and behavioral risks in HIV-positive patients in southern Iran.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors and frequency of hepatitis B and C virus co-infections in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Control of Diseases Centre of Kerman Medical University, southern Iran, between May and December 2011. Demographic features and history of high-risk behaviours were evaluated in 165 patients positive for human immunodeficiency virus. Third-generation hepatitis C virus antibody and hepatitis B surface antigen tests were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. SPSS 18 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Out of the 165 patients, 136 (82.4%) were male and 29 (17.6%) were female. The mean age of the subjects was 40.4 +/- 9 years. Positive hepatitis C antibody was found in 122 (73.9%) and positive hepatitis B surface antigen was present in 6 (3.6%). Frequency of all three viruses co-infection was 3 (1.8%). History of imprisonment (OR = 17.5; 95% CI: 7.1-43.1) and drug injection addiction (OR = 15.3; 95% CI: 6.4-36.1) were the most significant risk factors involved in hepatitis C virus co-infection. CONCLUSION: Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus co-infection was high and it was strongly related to history of imprisonment and drug injection addiction.