Design and Synthesis of Bicyclo[4.3.0]nonene Nucleoside Analogues.

Nucleoside analogues are effective antiviral agents, and the continuous emergence of pathogenic viruses demands the development of novel and structurally diverse analogues. Here, we present the design and synthesis of novel nucleoside analogues with a carbobicyclic core, which mimics the conformation of natural ribonucleosides. Employing a divergent synthetic route featuring an intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction, we successfully synthesized carbobicyclic nucleoside analogues with high antiviral efficacy against respiratory syncytial virus.

Levels of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta After Immunization of Mice With in vivo prepared Toxoplasma gondii Excretory/Secretory Proteins.

BACKGROUND: Zoonotic parasite Toxoplasma gondii has a high prevalence in human populations. A suitable vaccine for animals can stop the transmission of infection between animal and human. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo prepared excretory/secretory antigens (E/SA) as a potential candidate for immunization against the parasite and its effect on the production of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites were inoculated in the peritoneal cavity of mice and E/SA was harvested and used in animal immunization with and without adjuvant. Serum levels of anti-E/SA antibodies and TGF-ß were measured in days 0, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 56 after immunization using ELISA technique. The measurements were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Our results showed that the serum levels of anti-E/SA immunoglobulins significantly increased in all of the immunized groups. The differences of the serum levels of TGF-ß between the groups were statistically significant at days 28 and 56 after immunization with E/SA. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our study, in vivo prepared E/SA may be considered as a good candidate for animal immunization.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B Co-Infection among HIV Positive Patients: Narrative Review Article.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most prevalent viral infection and is among the leading causes of human liver diseases. Nearly 360 millions of people are world widely infected with prolonged forms of hepatitis B including active and inactive chronic forms. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is associated with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients suffering from congenital and/or acquired immunodeficiency and also following immunosuppressive therapy. The target cell of human acquired immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is CD4 positive T cells. These cells play central role(s) in both cellular and humoral immunity so that the HIV attack of CD4 positive T cells causes suppression of both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. One of the frequent complications in HIV positive patients is HBV co-infection and as a result, the co-transmission of these viral diseases is common. Due to the paramount importance of the co-infection of HBV and HIV, it is noteworthy to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B in these patients for planning of an effective therapeutic strategy. Based on these considerations, the main aim of this review article was to collect and analyze the recent and relevant studies regarding the prevalence rate of hepatitis B co-infection among HIV positive patients world widely.

Epidemiology of occult hepatitis B infection among thalassemic, hemophilia, and hemodialysis patients.

CONTEXT: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most common disease commuted through blood transfusion. Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is a form of the disease which does not present Hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg) in the serum of patients; however, HBV-DNA is detectable in the serum and hepatocytes of patients. OBI is an important risk factor to induce post transfusion hepatitis (PTH), cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and reactivation of the HBV. Recently, several reports from various regions of the world have been published regarding PTH among blood recipients as well as HCC, and cirrhosis among patients who require permanent blood transfusion, including diseases such as hemophilia, hemodialysis and thalassemia. This form of the hepatitis also creates problems for individuals that are co-infected with other viruses such as HCV and HIV. To determine the prevalence of OBI among hemophilia, hemodialysis and thalassemia patients is important because it is a high risk factor for PTH, HCC and cirrhosis therefore, its detection is a critical strategy for most health care services. This review addresses recent information regarding prevalence of OBI in relation to the mentioned diseases. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The data presented here was collected by searching the key words in Pubmed and Scopous databases. RESULTS: Our searching in the published papers revealed that OBI prevalence is frequent in patients receiving frequent blood transfusions. CONCLUSIONS: it seems that one of the main mechanisms for OBI transmission is most likely through infected blood and its component and evaluation of the prevalence of OBI in donors and patients, especially those with hemophilia and thalassemia should be foul considered.

Current information on the immunologic status of occult hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis B is one of the most frequently occurring posttransfusion infections. Occult hepatitis B (OB) is a form of hepatitis B in which, despite the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the serum and hepatocytes of a carrier, hepatitis B surface antigen is absent. In addition to the risk of transfusion of infection, OB can lead to cirrhosis, hepatic cancer, and reactivation of the viral duplication process in the carrier. The mechanisms responsible for progression of OB are yet to be clarified; however, some investigators have suggested that genetic and immunologic variables may play a significant role in the resistance of some individuals and sensitivity of other patients. This review addresses the current information regarding immunologic status of OB-infected patients.

High Serum Levels of TGF-ß in Iranians With Chronic HBV Infection.

BACKGROUND: The transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) is an important cytokine with anti-inflammatory properties. OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of this study was to compare the serum levels of TGF-ß in a group of chronic HBV infected (CHB) patients as well as healthy individuals from South-East of Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with CHB as well as sixty healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. ELISA technique was applied to measure the serum levels of TGF-ß in both groups. RESULTS: Our results revealed that the serum levels of TGF-ß were significantly increased in CHB patients in compare to healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: According to this result, it may be concluded that high serum levels of TGF-ß may be a mechanism by which immune response against HBV is suppressed.