Sequencing of pigeon circovirus and the first report of identification of beak and feather disease virus in clinical specimens of domestic pigeons.

An internationally recognized syndrome that leads to deaths among domestic and ornamental pigeons, particularly after racing, is young pigeon disease syndrome (YPDS). Pigeon circovirus (PiCV) is regarded as one of the potential factors contributing to the occurrence of YPDS. This survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of PiCV infection and molecularly characterize the PiCV in pigeons suspected of YPDS. Eighty fecal samples were collected from 80 diseased pigeons (exhibiting symptoms such as lethargy, weight loss, crop stasis, vomiting and diarrhea) from 20 lofts in different areas of Ahvaz, Iran. Also, 20 fecal samples were obtained from 20 clinically healthy pigeons. The nested broad spectrum polymerase chain reaction test was done to identify the circovirus, using primers targeting part of the replication-associated protein gene with 350 bp, and several positive samples were sequenced. This study showed that PiCV was detected in 86 out of the 100 samples (86.00%). Two types of circoviruses were determined in the samples. One type of the detected circoviruses was PiCV which based on phylogenetic analysis had high genetic similarity with A, B, G and H genotypes of PiCV. The other type of detected circoviruses was closely related to beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) which causes one of the most significant viral diseases in psittacine birds. This is the first report of BFDV identification in pigeons.

Prevalence of BK and JC Polyomaviruses among Patients with Breast Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer, a pervasive invasive carcinoma among women globally, afflicts approximately 12% of women worldwide. Previous studies have indicated that certain viruses, including oncogenic viruses such as polyomaviruses BK and JC, may play a role in the development of breast cancer. In light of this, the present study endeavors to assess the incidence of BKV and JCV virus in breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples were procured and subjected to deparaffinize by xylene, followed by DNA extraction through the phenol-chloroform methodology. Detection and genotyping of BKV and JCV were carried out utilizing specific primers via PCR analysis. RESULTS: Merely 2 out of 100 (2%) ductal carcinoma in situ with grade 2 specimens exhibited positivity for BK virus genotype IV, whereas JC virus DNA was not discerned across all the samples. DISCUSSION: The findings of the current investigation demonstrate that there was an absence of JC virus detection in the breast biopsy. Additionally, a small fraction of patients diagnosed with ductal carcinoma exhibited a low prevalence of genotype IV polyomavirus BK at a rate of 2%. However, in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the incidence of BKV and JCV in breast cancer, a substantial number of breast samples must undergo investigation.

Detection of High-Risk Human Papillomavirus DNA in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Specimens.

BACKGROUND: According to several studies, there is an association between human papillomavirus (HPV) and breast cancer. Therefore, detection and genotyping of HPV seem important. The present study aimed to investigate the presence of HPV DNA in breast tissues  by analyzing the L1 gene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 63 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) as the case group and 32 FFPE tissues of fibroadenoma as the control group. HPV DNA was detected using the polymerase chain reaction assay. Positive samples were then subjected to genotyping. All statistical analyses were performed in SPSS version 22.0. RESULTS: The patients' age ranged from 15 to 92 years, with a mean age of 43.54±16.36 years. HPV DNA was detected in 17/95 (17.89%) samples, including 9/32 (28.12%) fibroadenoma samples and 8/63 (12.69%) IDC samples. No significant difference was observed regarding the presence of HPV DNA between the IDC and fibroadenoma tissues (P=0.08). However, a significant difference was found in the detection of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) between the case and control groups (P=0.03). In the case group, 87.5% of the detected viruses (7/8 samples) were HR-HPV, while in the control group, 22.22% of positive samples (2/9 samples) were HR-HPV (P=0.03). Based on the results, HR-HPV and low-risk HPV genotypes were detected in 53% (9/17) and 47% (8/17) of positive samples, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, 12.69% of IDC samples were positive for HPV genomes, and HR-HPV was detected in 87.5% of these samples. The present results suggest the important role of HR-HPV in the development of breast cancer.

SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in Iran: The dynamics of the epidemic and evidence on two independent introductions.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been rapidly spreading globally since December 2019, triggering a pandemic, soon after its emergence. While Iran was among the first countries confronted with rapid spread of virus in February 2020, no real-time SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome tracking in early phase of outbreak was performed in the country. To address this issue, we provided 50 whole-genome sequences of viral isolates ascertained from different geographical locations in Iran during March-July 2020. The corresponding analysis on origins, transmission dynamics and genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 virus, represented at least two introductions of the virus into the country, constructing two major clusters defined as B.4 and B.1*. The first entry of the virus might have occurred around very late 2019/early 2020, as suggested by the time to the most recent common ancestor, followed by a rapid community transmission that led to dominancy of B.4 lineage in early epidemic till the end of June. Gradually, reduction in dominancy of B.4 occurred possibly as a result of other entries of the virus, followed by surge of B.1* lineages, as of mid-May. Remarkably, variation tracking of the virus indicated the increase in frequency of D614G mutation, along with B.1* lineages, which showed continuity till October 2020. The increase in frequency of D614G mutation and B.1* lineages from mid-May onwards predicts a rapid viral transmission that may push the country into a critical health situation followed by a considerable change in composition of viral lineages circulating in the country.

Upregulation of Interleukin-6 in HPV-Positive Breast Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a well-known proinflammatory cytokine with tumor promoting capacity in various forms of malignancies including breast cancer (BC). Data highlighted the substantial role of HPV in the pathogenesis of BC. Compelling evidence suggests the contribution of HPV in carcinogenesis through triggering inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6. OBJECTIVE: Here, we assessed the correlation between the presence of HPV infection and the status of IL-6 expression and serum level in BC. METHODS: 72 tissue specimens including tumoral (Case; n=36) and their adjacent normal tissues (Control; n=36) were used. Nested-PCR and Real-Time PCR were employed to identify HPV DNA and assess the expression of IL-6, respectively. In addition, 72 sera samples from BC patients (n=36) and an age-matched healthy control group (n=36) were taken to measure the IL-6 serum level by ELISA. RESULTS: Overall, the HPV DNA was detected in 19.4% (14/72) of samples. 33.33% (12/36) of cases and 5.5% (2/36) of the controls were found to be positive for HPV (P=0.003). The overexpression of IL-6 was observed in HPV+ samples compared to HPV- samples (P=0.05). However, the concentration of IL-6 serum level was remarkably different between patients and normal controls (P=0.0001. Intriguingly, IL-6 serum level was connected to the advanced clinical stage (III/IV), high grade (II/III), metastasis and, ER+ status of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our finding indicated that the overexpression of the IL-6 may be connected to HPV infection in BC. Furthermore, the results reinforced the clinical significance and prognostic value of the serum IL-6 in BC patients.

MiRNA-218 Is Frequently Downregulated in Malignant Breast Tumors: A Footprint of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: The role of Epstein-Barr Virus in development of breast cancer is frequently studied. In this regard, miRNAs are among the contributing elements in the molecular pathophysiology of EBV-related diseases. In addition, a growing number of host miRNAs are believed to be implicated in pathogenesis of breast cancer. MiR-218 is a tumor suppressive miRNA that is subjected to dysregulation in various EBV-associated cancers. We aimed to investigate the frequency of EBV and its relationship with expression status of tumor suppressive miR-218 in breast cancer and adjacent normal tissue. METHODS: A total number of 51 fresh malignant breast cancer tissues (cases) and their adjacent normal tissues (controls) were collected. Nested-PCR and RT-qPCR were set to identify EBV frequency and miR-218 expression in cases and controls, respectively. RESULTS: Out of all samples, 6.8% (7/102) comprising 11.6% (6/51) in malignant tissues and 1.9% (1/51) in normal control tissues were positive for EBV (P<0.05). Quantitative data showed that miR-218 was significantly downregulated in malignant tissues compared to control tissues (P<0.0001). In addition, reduced expression of miR-218 was associated with adverse clinical outcomes, metastasis, and higher grades of malignancy. Given the presence of EBV, lower expression of miR-218 was observed in breast cancer group in comparison with normal group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results raise the possibility of the relation between EBV infection and miR-218 downregulation in breast cancer and propose further investigations in this regard.

The IFN-Ɣ + 874 A/T polymorphism is associated with malignant breast cancer in a population from the southwest of Iran.

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common diseases in women globally, with an increasing number of deaths associated with it. Recently the role of polymorphisms in the genes encoding cytokines and immune cells has been demonstrated. This study aimed to evaluate the association of IFN-Ɣ + 874 A/T polymorphism with BC clinical symptoms. RESULTS: The study included 88 women with BC and 88 healthy women who had no history of cancer and were matched for age and sex. Allele-specific oligonucleotide-polymerase chain reaction technique was used to investigate the IFN-Ɣ polymorphism. Clinical data were obtained from the patients' records. Our results showed that the frequencies of genotypes in the BC patients were not significantly different from the control subjects. However, in the patients, the AT genotype was associated with the risk of malignant BC. The age at BC diagnosis was not different in patients with AA and AT genotypes; however, it was significantly earlier in HER2 negative subjects (p = 0.002). Given the higher frequency of AT in malignant BC patients, our results confirm the association of the IFN-Ɣ polymorphism with the disease's progression to a malignant state.

A randomized clinical trial evaluating the immunomodulatory effect of convalescent plasma on COVID-19-related cytokine storm.

Evaluating the effect of convalescent plasma (CP) on some cytokine storm indices in severe COVID-19 patients. Totally, 62 patients were randomly assigned into two groups for this clinical trial. Patients in the intervention group received one unit (500 mL) plasma on the admission day plus standard drugs while the controls merely received standard treatments. Eventually, primary and secondary outcomes were evaluated. In the CP group, compared with controls, the mean levels of lymphocytes and IL-10 significantly increased while the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ decreased (p < 0.05). The length of in-hospital stay, and mortality rate did not significantly reduce in the CP group compared with controls (p > 0.05) while WHO severity scores remarkably improved (p = 0.01), despite the higher frequency of underlying diseases among the CP group (66.7%) vs. controls (33.3%). Although CP has a remarkable immunomodulatory and antiviral potential to improve the cytokine storm and disease severity in COVID-19 patients, it did not considerably affect the mortality rate.

Prevalence of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Subclinical Infection in Patients with Acute Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP).

Background: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) defined as a bleeding disorder in which the number and production of platelets reduced by the immune system; however, the destruction of peripheral blood platelets also occurs. Although its exact etiology and pathogenesis not already know, several studies have shown that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) known as possible causative agents of ITP. This investigation aims to evaluate the presence of CMV and EBV in two groups of case and control by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Materials and Methods: we considered the presence of CMV and EBV in 48 acute ITP patients and 48 healthy people. Study participants were recruited from Ahvaz Shafa Hospital between 2017 and 2018 and the presence of two viruses was investigated by (PCR). Results: Out of 48 acute ITP patients, the CMV DNA was detected from the blood of 12 (25%) patients and the EBV DNA from the blood of 2 (4.2%) other patients. In addition, only one patient was (2.1%) co-infected with CMV and EBV. In contrast, in 48 healthy subjects, 3 (6.6%) had CMV and none of the control group was infected with EBV. Conclusion: Due to the presence of both EBV and CMV in the acute ITP patients in Ahvaz, they can be considered as factors in the progression of this disease. Therefore, consideration of the methods of elimination and treatment of these two viruses in these patients may be used as a treatment strategy in ITP patients in the future.

The role of viruses in adenocarcinoma development.

Cancer is a leading public health issue that accounts for million deaths around the world every year. Human cancers contain over 100 types, which are categorized into different groups. Adenocarcinoma is one of those categories of cancer that begins from the glans and involves various tissues such as lung, esophagus, pancreas, prostate and colorectal. A range of risk factors has been identified for the development and progression of adenocarcinomas. One of these risk factors are viruses that serves special mechanisms to affect important host cell factors and tumorigenic pathways, contributing in development and promotion of adenocarcinomas. Here, we summarized the main viruses and their mechanisms implicated in the course of various adenocarcinomas development.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Patients with Severe Pneumonia in Khuzestan Province, Iran.

The emergence of a highly pathogenic virus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) accounts for severe pneumonia throughout the world. More than 7 million world population have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, and the number of deaths is increasing every day. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 in hospitalized patients with an acute respiratory infection (ARI). During an outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2, the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs were collected from 909 hospitalized patients with severe pneumonia, including 517 (56.9%) males and 392 (43.1%) females. All the collected samples were from different cities of Khuzestan province from 19 February to- 27 March 2020. The RNA was extracted from samples and subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2. Simultaneously, the computerized tomography (CT) scan was tested for the presence of ground-glass opacity in the lung among the patients. Of the total number of 909 specimens, 328 (36.08%) cases, including 185 (20.35%) females and 143 (15.73%) males, were positive for the SARS-CoV-2 while, 581 (63.9%) cases, including 374 (41.14%) males and 207 (22.77%) were negative for the SARS-CoV-2 by real-time PCR (p=0.001).Four hundred sixteen (45.76%) cases were positive for ground-glass opacity in the lung by CT scan, while 328/909 (36.08%) trials proved positive for SARS-CoV-2 by the real-time PCR (p=0.003).  In this study, 36.08% of patients were positive for SARS-CoV-2. Although the results of positive cases by CT scan showed higher than real-time PCR, screening the SARS-COV-2 with a real-time PCR method is the first line of choice.

Dominance of Variant Human Herpesvirus 6 A Among Hemodialysis Patients, Ahvaz, Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Hemodialysis (HD) patients are a high-risk population for acquiring blood-borne viruses such as HHV-6. HHV-6 can remain latent in the host cells after primary infection; the reactivation of virus may result complications such as seizure, respiratory failure, hepatitis, and encephalitis. There is a limited report concerning HHV-6 infection in HD patients in Iran. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the frequency of HHV-6 among HD patients. METHODS: We determined HHV-6 DNA in sera samples of 84 patients undergoing HD. The DNA was extracted from the sera samples and the presence of HHV-6 DNA variants A and B was evaluated by nested PCR. RESULTS: 52/84 (61.9%) of HD patients were males and 32/84 (38.1%) females. The age ranges of patients were between 18 to 85 years and the mean age was 52 ± 1.52 (± SD) years. Out of 84 sera samples, HHV-6 DNA was detected in 10 (11.9%) participants, including 6/52 (11.5%) in males and 4/32 (12.5%) in females. HHV- 6A was detected in 10/10 (100%) of positive cases. No HHV-6 B was found in HD patients. The distribution of HHV-6A DNA was not significant between genders (P > .05). Out of 84 HD patients, 55 (65.47%) cases were over 50 years, among them 10 (18.18%) cases were positive for HHV-6 A infection (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The results showed that only HHV-6 DNA variant A was found in 11.9% of HD patients. Regarding the consequence of HHV-6 reactivation, to manage and improve treatment, the screening of HHV-6 DNA test should be implemented for HD patients.

Emergence of High-level Gentamicin Resistance among Enterococci Clinical Isolates from Burn Patients in South-west of Iran: Vancomycin Still Working.

Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are among the main agents associated with nosocomial infections with high mortality in immunocompromised patients. Antibiotic resistance, especially against gentamicin and vancomycin among Enterococci , is a risk factor that could increase the morbidity and mortality rate. 179 Enterococci isolates from burn patients were included in this study. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done using the disk diffusion test and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was evaluated by agar microdilution. Vancomycin and gentamicin resistance associated genes including vanA , vanB , vanC , aac (6')-Ie aph(2''), aph(3')-IIIa and ant(4')-Ia were detected by PCR and their statistical relation with antibiotic resistance was evaluated. E. faecalis was the more prevalent strain among our local isolates and showed a higher antibiotic resistance in comparison to E. faecium . Vancomycin had a good antibacterial effect on the Enterococcus spp. isolates; however, resistance to this antibiotic and a high-level gentamicin resistance (HLGR) phenotype were observed. Among van operon genes, vanA was the most prevalent gene and among the gentamicin resistance genes, aph (3')-IIIa was more frequent. The HLGR Enterococci are a real challenge in nosocomial infections. Vancomycin is a key antibiotic to treat such infections but emergence of VRE in our region could be a real concern and, therefore, phenotypic and molecular surveillance must be considered.Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are among the main agents associated with nosocomial infections with high mortality in immunocompromised patients. Antibiotic resistance, especially against gentamicin and vancomycin among Enterococci, is a risk factor that could increase the morbidity and mortality rate. 179 Enterococci isolates from burn patients were included in this study. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done using the disk diffusion test and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was evaluated by agar microdilution. Vancomycin and gentamicin resistance associated genes including vanA, vanB, vanC, aac (6')-Ie aph(2''), aph(3')-IIIa and ant(4')-Ia were detected by PCR and their statistical relation with antibiotic resistance was evaluated. E. faecalis was the more prevalent strain among our local isolates and showed a higher antibiotic resistance in comparison to E. faecium. Vancomycin had a good antibacterial effect on the Enterococcus spp. isolates; however, resistance to this antibiotic and a high-level gentamicin resistance (HLGR) phenotype were observed. Among van operon genes, vanA was the most prevalent gene and among the gentamicin resistance genes, aph (3')-IIIa was more frequent. The HLGR Enterococci are a real challenge in nosocomial infections. Vancomycin is a key antibiotic to treat such infections but emergence of VRE in our region could be a real concern and, therefore, phenotypic and molecular surveillance must be considered.

Molecular characterization of Shigella spp. isolates from a pediatric hospital in Southwestern Iran.

AIM: In This study focused on the detection of dominant clones and genetic relationship of Shigella spp. isolated from children with diarrhea in the main pediatric hospital in Ahvaz by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) technique. BACKGROUND: Shigellosis is considered as one of the problematic bacterial infections for public health in the world. Khuzestan province in the Southwestern part of Iran is a known endemic area for infections due to Shigella. There are limited molecular epidemiological data for Shigella spp. in this area. METHODS: A total of 50 Shigella spp. were isolated from January-June 2015 based on conventional microbiology and serology tests. The Sequence types (ST) of Shigella isolates which are characterized by Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC-PCR) were detected by MLST technique. RESULTS: Among 50 Shigella isolates, a total of 31(62%), 16(32%) and 3 (6%) of Shigella isolates were identified as S. flexneri, S.sonneii, and S.boydii, respectively. Two different sequence types (ST152 and ST245) were identified in Shigella isolates. ST152 was detected in S.sonnei and ST245 in S. flexneri and S. boydii isolates. CONCLUSION: Based on MLST data, the stable and genetically linked Shigella clones are the cause of Shigella infections in children in Southwestern Iran.

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococci: Prevalence and susceptibility patterns in a burn center in Ahvaz from 2013-2014.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and coagulase negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) have recognized as the major cause of nosocomial infections that threat the burn patient's life. The aims of this study were to determine the frequency of MRSA and MRCoNS and their antibiotic resistance patterns among burn patients in a burn center in Ahvaz, Iran. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 340 clinical specimens: (80%) wound and (20%) blood were obtained from patients in Taleghani burn hospital during February 2013-2014. Staphylococci species identification and antibiogram were performed by standard procedures using disk diffusion method. The Methicillin resistance strains were detected by Etest and PCR using mecA specific primers. RESULTS: Out of 30.2% (103) isolates that were recognized as staphylococci, 82 % (84) and 18% (19) were identified as S. aureus and coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) respectively. Resistance to methicillin was detected in 60% and 63% of the S. aureus and CoNS isolates respectively. Seven different antimicrobial resistance patterns observed among methicillin resistant staphylococci. The MRSA and MRCoNS strains showed closed resistance phenotypes. All the methicillin resistant isolates showed a high rate resistance to the other studied antibiotics in comparison to methicilin sensitive isolates. Vancomycin and imipenem showed the greatest effect against methicillin resistant isolates. During 8 years in the studied burn hospital, no significant changes in the methicillin resistance staphylococci frequency were detected. CONCLUSION: The presence of multi resistant MRSA and MRCoNS strains is cause of concern in burn hospitals. Vancomycin remains as a drug of choice for methicillin resistance staphylococci infections.

Correlation Between Tympanosclerosis and Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND: Tympanosclerosis is a condition caused by calcification of tissues in the middle ear mucosa that sometimes results hearing loss. Helicobacter pylori is one of the pathological and etiologic factors in the development of tympanosclerosis. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to show the role of H. pylori in the different aspects of chronic suppurative otitis media using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This case-control and cross-sectional study was performed on all patients with chronic otitis media, candidates for surgical operations, in 2013. They were allocated into the case group with tympanosclerosis and the control group without tympanosclerosis. During the surgical operation, biopsy was done from middle ear and the samples were studied to see if they contained H. pylori using the PCR method. RESULTS: From a total of 19 patients with tympanosclerosis , 16 cases (84.2%) were H. pylori positive, while in the control group 15 (45.4%) cases out of the 37 cases were H. pylori positive, which showed a significant difference (P = 0.002). Age and gender of the patients, ear dryness and perforation size were not correlated with the presence or absence of H. pylori. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant correlation between tympanosclerosis and H. pylori (P = 0.002). This correlation can single out H. pylori as a pathological factor in the development of tympanosclerosis; however, further studies are needed to prove this correlation.

Prevalence of Hepatitis G Virus Among Hemodialysis and Kidney Transplant Patients in Khuzestan Province, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is a member of Flaviviridae. Prevalence of HGV in healthy people is very low, but this virus is more prevalent in patients with hepatitis. Besides, relative frequency of HGV in patients undergoing hemodialysis, and kidney recipients is very high. The role of HGV in pathogenesis is not clear. Since this virus cannot be cultivated, molecular techniques such as Revers Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is applied to detect HGV. OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HGV using determination of E2, viral envelope antigen, antibodies and the RNA by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and RT-PCR techniques. The rational of the study was to determine the prevalence of HGV in patients undergoing hemodialysis and kidney transplantation in Khuzestan province, Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five hundred and sixteen serum samples of the patients undergoing hemodialysis and kidney transplantation from various cities of Khuzestan province were collected. Anti-hepatitis G E2 antibodies were investigated by ELISA method. RNAs were extracted from serums and Hepatitis G RNA was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Of the 516 samples, 38 (7.36%) specimens were positive for anti-HGV by ELISA. All of these ELISA positive samples were negative for HGV genome by RT-PCR. Of the remaining 478 ELISA negative samples, 16 (3.14%) samples were positive by RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitis G Virus was not prevalent in the patients undergoing hemodialysis and kidney transplantation in Khuzestan province. Although reports indicated high frequency of co-infection of HGV with hepatitis B and C viruses, in the current research, co-infection of HGV with B and C was not considerable. Since different groups and subtypes of HGV are reported, periodic epidemiologic evaluation of HGV and its co-infection with other hepatitis viruses is suggested in other populations such as the patients with thalassemia; however, periodic epidemiologic monitoring of HGV may be helpful to control future potential variations of the virus.

Prevalence and Distribution of BK virus Subtypes in Renal Transplant Recipients Referred to Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran.

BACKGROUND: BK virus (BKV) belongs to the human Polyomaviridae and the primary BKV infection is occurred during childhood then the virus could be latent through life, especially in the kidneys and urinary system. It became reactive after an immunocompromised status, such as pregnancy or transplantation. Isolated BKV from different locations of the world is grouped into four subtypes using serological and genotyping methods. The BKV subtype I is the dominant one and has worldwide distribution. OBJECTIVES: According to our knowledge, there are no data about the BKV prevalence and its genotypes in southwest part of Iran. Considering the high prevalence of renal failure and kidney transplant patients in this part, and the role of BKV in graft rejection, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of BKV infection in renal transplant recipients referred to Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz City, Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Urine samples were collected from 122 kidney transplant recipients referred to Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran. The extracted DNA was amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction, and subtype of each positive sample was determined using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) and sequencing methods. RESULTS: From all study population, 51/122 (41.8%) urine samples were positive for BKV DNA and the other samples were negative (71/122). Forty-eight cases (94.11%) were subtype I and 3 others (5.89%) were subtype IV using the RFLP method. None of the patient's urine samples were positive for subtypes II and III. CONCLUSIONS: Our work is the second study in Iran and considering huge numbers of transplantation in Iran and Khuzestan Province, south western of Iran, in addition to the role of this virus in kidney transplant rejection, routine evaluation of BKV positivity is recommended both for graft recipient and donors. This helps better transplantation result and may prevent graft rejection.