Short-term celecoxib (celebrex) adjuvant therapy: a clinical trial study on COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: It is known that severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the viral strain responsible for the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Current documents have demonstrated that the virus causes a PGE2 storm in a substantial proportion of patients via upregulating cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and downregulating prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-degrading enzymes within the host cell. AIM: Herein, we aimed to study how short-term treatment with celecoxib (Celebrex), a selective COX-2 inhibitor, affects demographic features, early symptoms, O2 saturation, and hematological indices of cases with COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 67 confirmed COVID-19 cases with a mild or moderate disease, who had been referred to an institutional hospital in south-eastern Iran from October 2020 to September 2021, were enrolled. Demographic characteristics, symptoms, and hematological indices of the patients were recorded within different time periods. One-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to determine differences between data sets based on normal data distribution. RESULTS: O2 saturation was statistically different between the control group and patients receiving celecoxib (p = 0.039). There was no marked difference between the groups in terms of the symptoms they experienced (p > 0.05). On the first days following Celebrex therapy, analysis of complete blood counts showed that white blood cell (WBC) counts were markedly lower in patients treated with a high dose of celecoxib (0.4 g/day) than in controls (p = 0.026). However, mean lymphocyte levels in patients receiving a high dose of celecoxib (0.4 g/day) were markedly higher than in patients receiving celecoxib with half of the dose (0.2 g/day) for one week or the untreated subjects (p = 0.004). Changes in platelet count also followed the WBC alteration pattern. CONCLUSION: Celecoxib is a relatively safe, inexpensive, and widely available drug with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory properties. The therapeutic efficacy of celecoxib depends on the administrated dose. Celecoxib might improve disease-free survival in patients with COVID-19.

Sequence Analysis of Pvama-1 among Plasmodium Vivax Isolates in Sistan-Baluchistan.

BACKGROUND: Apical Membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) is an important membrane protein that presents in all Plasmodium species and participates in critical phases in the attraction of cells. In human, it is one of the most immunodominant antigens with a protective immune response simulation role Apical Membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) is an important membrane protein which presents in all Plasmodium species and is located on the surface of merozoite and sporozoites that participates in critical phases in attraction of human red blood cells by merozoites and hepatocytes by sporozoites, so in human, it is one of the most immunodominant antigens with a protective immune response simulation role. Since extra information is necessary to lighten of AMA-1 scope, we equaled genetic variation in P.vivax AMA-1 from 40 Iranian isolates with those reported from the other malarious countries. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 40 patients' positive of P.vivax, and genomic DNA was extracted from the blood. The nucleotide sequence for 446 amino acid (AA) residues (42-488 of PvAMA-1) of AMA-1 gene was amplified via PCR and then sequenced. RESULT: A total of 24 different haplotypes were recognized between samples. No new haplotype was determined in this research that was reported previously in other regions of Iran and the world. We detected 37-point mutations at the nucleotide level in their sequences and showed 43 amino acid variations, at 37 positions in which 6 sites demonstrate trimorphic polymorphism, and the others were dimorphic. CONCLUSION: Sequence analysis of the major haplotype showed 95% similarity with P.vivax Sal-1 AMA-1 gene and high level of allelic diversity at the domain I of PvAMA-1 among P. vivax isolates of Iran. Because PvAMA-1 is noticeable as vaccine candidate antigen, these documents provide valuable information for the development of malaria vaccine.

Correction to: Lack of relationship between PTEN 32-bp and TP53 16-bp Ins/Del polymorphisms and chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s13337-017-0391-7.].

Association between TGFß1 polymorphisms and chronic hepatitis B infection in an Iranian population.

INTRODUCTION:: Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFß1) is a potent suppressive cytokine that contributes to chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. Disparities in TGFß1 production among individuals have been attributed to TGFß1 genetic polymorphisms. We examined whether three putative polymorphisms in TGFß1[-509 C/T (rs1800469), +869 C/T (rs1800470), and +11929 C/T (rs1800472)]are associated with CHB infection in a South-Eastern Iranian population. METHODS:: In total, 341 subjects were recruited, including 178 patients with CHB and 163 healthy individuals as controls. Genotyping of the three TGFß1 SNPs was performed by tetra amplification refractory mutation system-PCR. RESULTS:: TheTGFß1 +869 TT vs.CC genotype in codominant (OR=0.445, p=0.012) and TT vs. TC+CC in the recessive (OR=0.439, p=0.003) model as well as the variant allele T vs. C(OR=0.714, p=0.038) were associated with lower CHB infection risk. However, the +11929 C/T polymorphism was associated with increased CHB risk, and the CT vs. CC genotype (OR=2.77, P=0.001) and T variant allele (OR=2.53, P=0.002) were risk factors for CHB. Furthermore, TTT (+869/-509/+11929) and CCC haplotypes were risk and protective factors for CHB, respectively. We found no significant association between viral DNA load and TGFß1 genotype or hepatic enzyme levels (p >0.05). CONCLUSIONS:: Results indicated that the TGFß1+869TT genotype and T allele were protective factors, whereas the +11929 CT genotype and T allele were risk factors for CHB infection.

Association between TGFß1 polymorphisms and chronic hepatitis B infection in an Iranian population

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFβ1) is a potent suppressive cytokine that contributes to chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. Disparities in TGFβ1 production among individuals have been attributed to TGFβ1 genetic polymorphisms. We examined whether three putative polymorphisms in TGFβ1[-509 C/T (rs1800469), +869 C/T (rs1800470), and +11929 C/T (rs1800472)]are associated with CHB infection in a South-Eastern Iranian population. METHODS: In total, 341 subjects were recruited, including 178 patients with CHB and 163 healthy individuals as controls. Genotyping of the three TGFβ1 SNPs was performed by tetra amplification refractory mutation system-PCR. RESULTS: TheTGFβ1 +869 TT vs.CC genotype in codominant (OR=0.445, p=0.012) and TT vs. TC+CC in the recessive (OR=0.439, p=0.003) model as well as the variant allele T vs. C(OR=0.714, p=0.038) were associated with lower CHB infection risk. However, the +11929 C/T polymorphism was associated with increased CHB risk, and the CT vs. CC genotype (OR=2.77, P=0.001) and T variant allele (OR=2.53, P=0.002) were risk factors for CHB. Furthermore, TTT (+869/-509/+11929) and CCC haplotypes were risk and protective factors for CHB, respectively. We found no significant association between viral DNA load and TGFβ1 genotype or hepatic enzyme levels (p >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that the TGFβ1+869TT genotype and T allele were protective factors, whereas the +11929 CT genotype and T allele were risk factors for CHB infection.

Lack of relationship between PTEN 32-bp and TP53 16-bp Ins/Del polymorphisms and chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

TP53 and phosphate and tension homolog (PTEN) are two tumor suppressor genes that regulate cell proliferation, migration, and death. P53 and PTEN deficiency has been associated with hepatic fibrosis, a prominent pathological feature associated with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The present study is aimed to assess the association of PTEN 32-bp Ins/Del (rs34421660) and TP53 16-bp Ins/Del polymorphisms with CHB infection susceptibility. A total of 411 subjects were recruited in this case-control study of 213 patients with CHB infection and 198 healthy individuals as controls. PTEN and TP53 deletions were detected by polymerase chain reaction method. We found no significant association between PTEN 32-bp Ins/Del polymorphism and the risk for CHB using either of codominant (Ins/Del vs. Ins/Ins: P = 0.427; Del/Del vs. Ins/Ins: P = 0.235), dominant (Ins/Del + Del/Del vs. Ins/Ins P = 0.343) or recessive genetic model (Del/Del vs. Ins/Ins + Ins/Del: P = 0.516). At allelic level although the PTEN Del variant allele was more common in CHB patients compared to controls (55 vs. 51), but the difference did not reach the statistical significant range (OR 0.87, P = 0.327). Similarly, no association was observed between TP53 16-bp Ins/Del and the risk for CHB infection at both genotype and allele levels (P > 0.05). In summary, our study demonstrated that the PTEN 32-bp and TP53 16-bp Ins/Del polymorphisms did not affect the risk of CHB infection in the Iranian population.

Association Between IL-10 Gene Promoter Polymorphisms (-592 A/C, -819 T/C, -1082 A/G) and Susceptibility to HBV Infection in an Iranian Population.

BACKGROUND: IL-10 can play a vital role in immune response against HBV. Three biallelic SNPs from the transcription start site control the transcription of the IL-10 gene. An association between susceptibility to HBV and IL-10 polymorphisms has been suggested in patients with HBV infection. OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to study the association between polymorphisms in interleukin-10 (-1082 A/G, -819 T/C and -592 A/C) promoter gene and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 221 chronically infected patients and 200 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. Three biallelic (-1082 A/G, -819 T/C and -592 A/C) polymorphisms in the IL-10 promoter gene were determined by PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS: Persistent HBV infection was associated with IL-10-1082 AG (P = 0.001) and GG (P = 0.004) genotypes and G (P = 0.000) allele. IL-10-819 T/C and -592 A/C genotype and allele frequencies did not show any correlation with the risk of chronic hepatitis B infection. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that polymorphisms in interleukin-10 gene promoter influence clinical outcome of HBV infection and susceptibility to HBV infection.

The outcome of patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Zahedan, southeast of Iran: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever was rarely reported from Iran before 1999. In a recent outbreak, the disease has been reported from different provinces of Iran, especially from Sistan and Baluchestan. Ribavirin has been recommended by World Health Organization as a potential therapeutic modality for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever. This study was conducted to determine the clinical outcome and the effect of ribavirin in two groups of patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever who were treated at different times. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever who were admitted to Boo-Ali Hospital in Zahedan, a subtropical area in southeastern Iran, at the first three years after beginning of the last outbreak (1999 - 2003) and those who were admitted during 2005 - 2007. First, we found all patients with confirmed Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever infection who were treated with oral ribavirin. Then, they were evaluated for recovery and mortality rate. RESULTS: We evaluated 123 patients with confirmed Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever infection (91 patients treated between 1999 and 2003, and 32 patients between 2005 and 2007). Among the 91 patients, 73 (80%) survived, and 18 (20%) died of the disease. During 2005 - 2007, among the 32 patients who were treated within three days of onset of the disease, only one (3%) died of the disease. The recovery rate was higher among patients who were admitted during 2005 - 2007 than those hospitalized between 1999 and 2003 (97% vs. 80%). There was a significant (P=0.001) difference in the mortality rate between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Prompt treatment with oral ribavirin can increase the recovery rate in patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

Clinical and epidemiologic features of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever among children and adolescents from southeastern Iran.

This study aimed to investigate the clinical and epidemiologic features of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever among 34 children and adolescents (mean age, 13.3 +/- 4.6 years) from a highly endemic region. Clinical manifestations were similar to those in adults. The case-fatality ratio was 26.5% (9 of 34). Compared with adult patients, children and adolescents may be more vulnerable to severe and fatal Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.