Hepatitis C virus genotypes in southern Taiwan: prevalence and clinical implications

The role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still controversial. To determine the distribution and clinical implications of HCV genotypes in southern Taiwan, we analysed 418 patients with chronic HCV infections. HCV genotypes were determined using an HCV Line Probe Assay. The predominant HCV genotype was 1b (45.5%), followed by 2a/2c (30.9%) and 2b (6.9%). The prevalence of genotype 1b in HCC patients (60.3%) was significantly higher than in those with liver cirrhosis (38.7%) and chronic hepatitis (38.7%) (P=0.003 and P<0.001, respectively). Patients with chronic HCV 2a/2c infection had higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels than those with chronic HCV 1b infection (P<0.001). Univariate analysis revealed that disease severity was significantly correlated with older age, genotype 1b, lower ALT levels and lower viral load. Based on multiple logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for age and serum HCV RNA levels, HCV 1b infection was still a significant risk factor for HCC. In conclusion, the predominant genotypes in southern Taiwan were 1b and 2a/2c, and disease severity was associated with genotype 1b.     

太原地区404例女性HPV感染状况及基因分型统计分析

目的探讨太原地区女性人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)感染情况以及基因分型分布及特点。方法采用人乳头瘤病毒基因分型检测试剂盒(PCR技术及导流杂交技术)对太原地区404例女性进行21种HPV亚型分析。结果 404例检测者共检测到HPV阳性患者213例,阳性率为52.7%。21种HPV亚型(除HPV 42、43型外)均有检出,其中检出率较高的高危型有HPV 16(34.4%),HPV 58(13.4%),HPV 53(8.7%);检出率最高的低危型是HPV 6(2.2%)。阳性检出者中单一亚型感染占59.6%,多种亚型感染占40.4%;在多重感染中,伴随着合并感染的亚型数增加,比例逐渐下降。结论利用PCR技术和杂交技术检测女性HPV感染情况,对宫颈癌的早期诊断、预防及疗效观察具有重要的应用价值。     

Isolation of Coxsackievirus A24 variant from patients with hemorrhagic conjunctivitis in Cuba, 2008-2009

Background

An outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis occurred in Cuba in 2008 and 2009.

Objective

To determinate the etiological agent associated with the Cuban outbreaks of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis during 2008 and 2009.

Study design

Conjunctival swabs and/or faecal samples from 382 patients with clinical diagnosis suggestive of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis were subject to viral culture in HEp-2 human laryngeal epidermoid carcinoma cells. Positive samples were identified by a specific Coxsackievirus A24 variant PCR and the 3C protease region of 16 isolates was sequenced for phylogenetic analysis.

Results

Enterovirus cytopathic effect was observed in 138 cases (36%). A higher percent of CA24v was recovered from faecal samples, 19 out of 45 cases (42.2%), than from conjunctival swabs, 127 out of 355 samples (35.8%). All isolates were identified as Coxsackievirus A24 variant. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 2008 and 2009 Cuban outbreaks were caused by the same virus strains and that isolates were closely related to those from Taiwan (2006-2007), China (2007-2008) and Singapore (2005) with a bootstrap value of 71%.

Conclusions

Outbreaks of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis occurred in Cuba in 2008 and 2009 were caused by Coxsackievirus A24 variant. The faecal-oral route is another mode of transmission of CA24v in the acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis outbreaks. Phylogenetic analysis of Cuban CA24v strains involved in an acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis outbreak in 2008 and 2009 confirms a new introduction of the CA24 variant into the Americas from South-east Asia.     

Molecular study of HCV detection,genotypes and their routes of transmission in North West Frontier Province,Pakistan

Objective

To determine hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and explore the associated risk factors in chronic HCV patients.

Methods

A total of 116 patients with chronic hepatitis C were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based detection out of which 112 chronic HCV patients [53 male (47.32%), 59 female (52.68%); mean age (43.76±16.40) years; mean BMI (23.8±3.9) kg] were enrolled in this study. The frequency of 6 HCV genotypes and associated risk factors were evaluated from five districts of North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

Results

Genotype 3 was the most prevalent in 73 samples (65.17%) followed by genotype 1 in 24 (21.42%) and genotype 2 in 13 (11.60%) samples. Genotype 3 had significantly high prevalence (P=0.000 2). The results showed that 48 (42.85%) samples were infected with HCV 3a; 25 (22.32%) with 3b; 14 (12.50%) with 1a; 10 (8.92%) with 1b; 11 (9.82%) with 2a; 2 (1.78%) with 2b; and 2 were untypable. The distribution of HCV genotypes in Mardan, Charsadda, Peshawar, Sawabi and Nowshehra districts was different. Use of unsterile equipment for medication, barbers and previous history of hospitalization were the main risk factors for HCV transmission.

Conclusions

Genotype 3a and 3b, 1a, 1b and 2a are the common genotypes in NWFP. Genotype 4, 5, and 6 can not be found in a single sample. The level of awareness about various modes of transmission of HCV among the population is found to be very low.     

Prevalence and genotype characterization of human papillomaviruses among HIV-seropositive in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Background

Approximately, 15–20 of 40 HPVs that infect the female genital tract confer a high-risk of invasive cancer, thus HPVs account for 95% of cervix cancers. The objectives of this study were to: (i) estimate the prevalence of HPV infection in women infected with HIV in Ouagadougou, (ii) identify potential carcinogenic HPV strains and (iii) determine whether existing HPV vaccines match the isolated strains.

Methods

From May 2009 to April 2010, 250 HIV-infected women were included in this study. Each woman was screened for the presence of HPV and for HPV genotype using PCR/hybridization technique.

Results

Of the 250 HIV-infected women, 59.6% were infected with at least one type of HPV. High-risk HPVs were identified with the following prevalence: HPV-18 (25.0%); HPV-50′S (25.5%); HPV-30′S (20.8%); HPV-16 (4.7%); HPV-45 (3.7%). Low-risk HPVs were represented by HPV-6 (5.7%) and HPV-11 (0.9%).

Conclusion

The issue of the study showed that the existing vaccines: Gardasil and Cervarix may be used in the country although they match only HPV-16, HPV-18, HPV-6 and HPV-11. Further investigations should be continued for the establishment of vaccine that matches all genotypes circulating in the country.     

Differences in viral kinetics between genotypes 1 and 3 of hepatitis C virus and between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients during antiviral therapy

INTRODUCTION Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health problem with about 170 million infected subjects world- wide[1]. It is the most common cause of liver cirrhosis (LC), hepatocellular carcinoma, end-stage liver failure, and liver tra…     

TCT技术与HPV分型技术在子宫颈病变筛查中的应用价值

为探讨液基薄层细胞检测法（TCT）与人乳头状瘤病毒（HPV）分型检测在子宫颈病变筛查中的应用价值,对18534例妇科宫颈刷检标本进行TCT检测,其中257例标本采用导流杂交技术（FTH）检测HPV分型。结果表明,257例标本中,108例HPV病毒检测结果为阳性（阳性率42.1%）,包括93例高危亚型感染,15例低危亚型感染,20例感染两种以上HPV亚型,149例HPV为阴性（57.9%）。HPV是诱发女性宫颈癌及生殖器病变的主要病源。TCT检测技术联合HPV分型应用于宫颈癌早期防治以及确诊子宫颈病变具有着重要意义。     

HBV前C基因突变及分型与HBV母婴传播关系的研究

目的探讨HBV(乙型肝炎病毒)前C基因突变、血清型及基因型分型与HBV母婴传播的关系。方法100份HBsAg阳性孕产妇及其新生儿的外周血,发生母婴传播血清为病例组,其他为对照组。ELISA法检测乙肝两对半,根据S基因判断HBV血清型和基因型。对HBV前C基因进行扩增及序列分析。结果99份HBV血清型全为adw型;39例发生母婴传播HBV基因C型25例;B型13例;E型1例。60例未发生母婴传播,HBV基因B型50例;C型10例。两组HBV基因分型结果差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。39例发生母婴传播中27例发生了点突变,12例无任何突变,突变发生率为69%。结论HBV母亲C基因型可能更易发生母婴传播。HBV母婴传播中大多存在HBV前C基因变异并导致氨基酸取代,其中主要涉及丝氨酸、苏氨酸、酪氨酸等的磷酸化位点,这些重要位点氨基酸的取代可能在HBV母婴传播的发病中起作用。     

Predominance of Trypanosoma cruzi genotypes in two reservoirs infected by sylvatic Triatoma infestans of an endemic area of Chile

We report results of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and parasite genotypes in the wild Octodon degus and synantropic reservoir Rattus rattus from an endemic area with sylvatic Triatoma infestans as the only detected vector. The infection status was determined by hemi-nested PCR directed to minicircles DNA and genotyping by hybridization tests with a panel of five specific probes, including two probes for TcI subgroups (clones 19 and 20). O. degus was found infected with 13.3% and mainly with sublineage TcIId, and less with TcIIb and TcI. Meantime the synantropic R. rattus was found infected with 27.7% and mainly with TcI and much less with TcIId, TcIIb and TcIIe.The results are discussed to explain the distribution of T. cruzi genotypes between these two reservoirs and the importance of sylvatic foci of T. infestans allowing the permanence of the wild and peridomestic cycle of Chagas disease.     

Extrinsic factors modifying expressivity of the HFE variant C282Y, H63D, S65C phenotypes in 1,294 Danish men

This study analysed the influence of extrinsic factors on the phenotypic expression of HFE gene variants in ethnic Danish men. A cohort of 6,020 men aged 30-53 years was screened for HFE C282Y, H63D and S65C variants. Serum iron, serum transferrin, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin were analysed in 1,452 men and 1,294 men completed a questionnaire on factors, which could influence iron balance. The C282Y allele was present in 5.6%, H63D in 12.8% and S65C in 1.8% of the men. In the entire series, 3% had elevated iron status markers (transferrin saturation ≥50%, ferritin ≥300 μg/L). Self-reported liver disease had an elevating effect and peptic ulcer a lowering effect on iron status markers. Age increased the fraction of men with elevated ferritin from 8.3% at 32-38 years to 16.2% at 46-53 years of age (p = 0.002). Blood donation had a lowering effect on iron status markers (p = 0.0001). Alcohol consumption elevated serum iron and serum ferritin (p = 0.001). Meat consumption had an elevating effect (p = 0.02) and milk consumption a lowering effect (p = 0.03) on serum ferritin. There was no influence of vitamin-mineral tablets on iron status markers. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, the HFE genotype had the highest impact on iron status markers; high alcohol consumption was significantly associated with elevated transferrin saturation. High age and high alcohol consumption were significantly associated with elevated ferritin and high egg consumption and blood donation was significantly associated with normal ferritin levels. In conclusion, the expressivity of HFE variant phenotypes in Danish men was enhanced by alcohol and meat consumption and decreased by milk and egg consumption and blood donation.