Salomeh Fouladi; Minoo Adib; Mansoor Salehi; Hadi Karimzadeh; Zahra Bakhshiani; Vajiheh Ostadi
Volume 6, Issue 1 , March 2009, , Pages 49-54
Abstract
Background: HLA-B*27 is strongly associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). It represents a family of alleles that differ among ethnic groups. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of HLA-B*27 alleles in AS patients and healthy controls in Isfahan (Iran). Methods: Sixty ...
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Background: HLA-B*27 is strongly associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). It represents a family of alleles that differ among ethnic groups. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of HLA-B*27 alleles in AS patients and healthy controls in Isfahan (Iran). Methods: Sixty AS patients and 430 healthy blood donors were selected. All subjects were HLA-B*27 positive by flow cytometry. HLAB* 27 subtypes were determined by PCR-SSP. Results: Forty patients (66.7%) and 17 controls (3.95%) were HLA-B*27 positive. Subtypes detected by PCR-SSP were B*2705, B*2702, B*2704 and B*2707. One patient was B*2702/B*2710. No significant difference was found in the distribution of these alleles between AS patients and controls. Conclusion: Although Caucasian subtypes are predominant among Iranians, this population is characterized by a combination of both specific Caucasian and Oriental subtypes. However such results should be interpreted carefully because of the small sample size in our investigation and definitive conclusion awaits more ethnicgroup studies.
Mandana Mohyeddin Bonab; Sepideh Yazdanbakhsh; Jamshid Lotfi; Kamran Alimoghaddom; Fatemeh Talebian; Farnaz Hooshmand; Ardeshir Ghavamzadeh; Behrouz Nikbin
Volume 4, Issue 1 , March 2007, , Pages 50-57
Abstract
Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with their potential to differentiate into mesodermal and non-mesodermal lineages have several immunomodulatory characteris-tics. These properties make them promising tools in cell and gene therapy. Objective: To evaluate the potential therapeutic applications ...
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Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with their potential to differentiate into mesodermal and non-mesodermal lineages have several immunomodulatory characteris-tics. These properties make them promising tools in cell and gene therapy. Objective: To evaluate the potential therapeutic applications of autologous MSC in improving clinical manifestations of MS patients. Methods: Ten patients were included in this pi-lot study. All had progressive disease that had not responded to disease modifying agents including Mitoxantrone. Their Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ranged from 3.5 to 6. Patients were injected intrathecally with culture expanded MSCs. They were followed with monthly neurological assessment and a MRI scan at the end of the first year. Results: During 13 to 26 months of follow up (mean: 19 months), the EDSS of one patient improved from 5 to 2.5 score. Four patients showed no change in EDSS. Five patients’ EDSS increased from 0.5 to 2.5. In the functional system assess-ment, six patients showed some degree of improvement in their sensory, pyramidal, and cerebellar functions. One showed no difference in clinical assessment and three deterio-rated. The result of MRI assessment after 12 months was as following: seven patients with no difference, two showed an extra plaque, and one patient showed decrease in the number of plaques. Conclusion: This preliminary report emphasizes on the feasibility of autologous MSC for treatment of MS patients. However, in order to draw a definitive conclusion a larger sample size is required.
Roya Sherkat; Kamyar Mostafavizadeh; Lale Zeydabadi; Parisa Shoaei; Sodabeh Rostami
Volume 8, Issue 1 , March 2011, , Pages 52-57
Abstract
Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Infection with this bacterium is known to induce the development of autoantibodies of which a few are also known to be diagnostic markers for some other diseases. Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA's) ...
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Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Infection with this bacterium is known to induce the development of autoantibodies of which a few are also known to be diagnostic markers for some other diseases. Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA's) are among those autoantibodies used in clinical setting for diagnosing systemic vasculitic syndromes. Multiple studies investigated ANCA positivity in diseases other than small vessel vasculitis. Objective: This study was performed to determine the prevalence of ANCA in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) which may lead to the false diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) or vice versa. Methods: In a case-control study, 32 consecutive smear positive pulmonary TB patients and 32 normal individuals were studied. All cases and controls were screened for ANCA by indirect immunofluorescent assay (IIF), and MPO and PR3 were also tested by ELISA. Results: A prenuclear pattern (PANCA) was detected in 25% of the cases and 6.25% of the controls and a cytoplasmic pattern (C-ANCA) was deserved in 3.1% of both the cases and the controls by IIF assay. ANCA specificities tested by ELISA in cases revealed that 75% of the cases had anti-MPO and 12.5% had anti-PR3, while in the in controls, 3.12% had anti-MPO and none had anti-PR3. The positive ANCA significantly correlated with TB (p<0.01). Conclusion: ANCA's may be observed in both TB and systemic vasculitic syndromes such as WG. Tuberculosis and WG share some clinical features. Therefore, in countries with a high prevalence of TB, one has to distinguish between these two diseases especially when no sign of extrapulmonary involvement is observed.
Mahsa Rahmani; Hamid Reza Khorasani; Monireh Golpour; Ali Shabestani Monfared; Hosein Nattaj; Saeeid Abedian; Amrollah Mostafazadeh
Volume 13, Issue 1 , March 2016, , Pages 54-63
Abstract
Background: The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching between organ donor and recipient is an acceptable strategy in clinical transplantation since 1964. However, in bone marrow transplantation, finding matched donors is often problematic. Thus new method for down regulation of HLA can be an alternative ...
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Background: The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching between organ donor and recipient is an acceptable strategy in clinical transplantation since 1964. However, in bone marrow transplantation, finding matched donors is often problematic. Thus new method for down regulation of HLA can be an alternative strategy to solve this problem. Objective: To examine the effect of serum starvation on HLA class I expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods: PBMCs were cultured in RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10% FBS (non-starved cells) as well as in medium only (starved cells) for 16, 24, 48, 72, 96h under standard cell culture conditions. The pattern of cell death and HLA class I expression was determined by flowcytometry. Antigenicity of the starved PBMCs was evaluated in a one-way mixed lymphocyte culture by MTT assay. Results: Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of different indicated starved PBMCs gradually decreased and this reduction was stable after 96h of re-feeding with medium containing FBS. Under serum starvation condition, PBMCs showed apoptotic cell death pattern. There was a linear correlation between percentages of cells, which exhibited the late apoptosis death pattern and serum starvation period (r=0.88, p<0.01). Surprisingly, the starved PBMCs lost their stimulatory property in mixed culture with allo-reactive lymphocyte. Conclusions: Membrane HLA class I expression could be stably reduced in 96h starved human PBMCs culture condition, decreasing their allo-reactivity while their viability rate is enough for possible clinical application.
Roya Sherkat; Parisa Shoaei; Nima Pavaneh; Anahita Babak; Nazila Kassaian
Volume 10, Issue 1 , March 2013, , Pages 55-60
Abstract
Background: Selective antibody deficiency with normal immunoglobulins (SADNI) may be identified as part of distinct primary or secondary immunodeficiency disorders. The clinical manifestations include recurrent, often severe or prolonged, upper or lower respiratory tract infections. Objectives: To evaluate ...
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Background: Selective antibody deficiency with normal immunoglobulins (SADNI) may be identified as part of distinct primary or secondary immunodeficiency disorders. The clinical manifestations include recurrent, often severe or prolonged, upper or lower respiratory tract infections. Objectives: To evaluate SADNI in patients with recurrent sinopulmonary infections and its relation to IgG subclass deficiencies. Methods: In a case-control study, anti-pneumococcal antibody titer and IgG2, IgG3 levels before injection of pneumococcal vaccine and anti-pneumococcal antibody titer at least 4 weeks the vaccination were measured in 46 patients and 54 controls. The results were compared using student's t-test. Results: There was a significant correlation between age and anti-pneumococcal antibody titers before and after vaccination in patients. No significant relation was found between pre and post vaccination pneumococcal antibody titer and IgG2 and IgG3 in cases and controls (p>0.05). The mean of anti-pneumococcal antibody before and after vaccination were significantly different in cases and controls and were higher in control group (p=0.01, p=0.001, respectively). Anti-pneumococcal antibody titers in 97.8% of cases and 100% of controls group were normal (>3.4 μg/ml). 34.8% of cases and 9.1% of controls had low titers of anti-pneumococcal antibody (<20 μg/ml) while 18.7% of cases and no controls failed to respond to vaccine. Conclusion: Evaluation of anti-pneumococcal antibody titer in patients with recurrent, chronic and severe respiratory infections with normal immunoglobulin levels seems to be necessary as early diagnosis. Treatment of such a cases could prevent later sequelae such as mastoiditis and bronchiecstasia.
Seyed Mahmoud Sadjjadi; Sadreddin Mohseni Ardehali; Reza Adibmanesh; Ezzatollah Basiri
Volume 2, Issue 1 , March 2005, , Pages 56-62
Abstract
Background: Different methods have been used for characterization of Leishmania promastigotes. Monoclonal antibodies are useful in characterization of Leishmania spp . both amastogotes and promastigotes. Objective: Comparing the characterization of Leishmania spp. promastigotes with immunoperoxidase ...
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Background: Different methods have been used for characterization of Leishmania promastigotes. Monoclonal antibodies are useful in characterization of Leishmania spp . both amastogotes and promastigotes. Objective: Comparing the characterization of Leishmania spp. promastigotes with immunoperoxidase test (Avidin-Biotin) techniques and an indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA). Methods: Application of specific monoclonal antibodies for characterization of different Leishmania species. Immunoperoxidase tests (Avidin-Biotin) and indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) were employed for characterization of different Leishmnia promastigotes from culture. Five monoclonal antibodies including LXXVIII-2E5- A8 (D2) specific for L. donovani:L. infantum , IS2-2B4 (A11) specific for L. tropica, XCIV-H2- AB (T10) specific for L. tropica, XLVI-5B8- B3 (T1) specific for L. major, and T7 reactive to both L. major and L. tropica as well as an anti GP63 mAb were used. Results: The best result was obtained with the dilution of 1:50 for both mAb and conjugate. One hundred percent sensitivity and specificity was achieved for characterization of Leishmania promastogotes with both methods. Conclusion: As immunoperoxidase method needs less equipments compared to IFA technique, it would be a preferred method for characterization of promastigotes.
Ali Shams Shahemabadi; Ahmad Zavaran Hosseini; Shapour Shaghasempour; Mohammad Reza Masjedi; Majid Rayani; Majid Shams; Nasrin Esphandyari; Majid Pouramiri
Volume 7, Issue 1 , March 2010, , Pages 57-63
Abstract
Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis lipid antigens take part in pathogenicity of the bacterium but the response of monocytes/macrophages to these antigens in tubercu-losis is not well known. Objective: The aim of current investigation was to study the M. tuberculosis lipid antigens in tuberculosis ...
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Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis lipid antigens take part in pathogenicity of the bacterium but the response of monocytes/macrophages to these antigens in tubercu-losis is not well known. Objective: The aim of current investigation was to study the M. tuberculosis lipid antigens in tuberculosis pathogenesis. Methods: In the present study M. tuberculosis lipid antigens were extracted. Monocytes and macrophages from mul-tidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), TB patients, asymptomatic healthy individuals with positive tuberculin skin test positive and healthy individuals with negative tubercu-lin skin test were collected using magnetic cell sorting. The cells were stimulated by M. tuberculosis total lipid antigens and IL-12 and IL-10 in their supernatants were meas-ured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The IL-12 production by mono-cytes in response to M. tuberculosis total sonicate antigens in the MDR-TB patients did not show a considerable difference with the PPD positive healthy subjects, whereas in the active TB patients, IL-12 levels significantly decreased (p<0.05). IL-10 production by monocytes in TB patients in response to total lipid antigens showed a significant in-crease in comparison to MDR-TB patients and healthy individuals. Conclusion: In the MDR-TB patients, IL-10 and IL-12 production by monocytes in response to M. tubercu-losis lipid antigens are similar to the healthy subjects.
Soheila Alyasin; Farhad Abolnezhadian; Amir Rezaei
Volume 11, Issue 1 , March 2014, , Pages 59-63
Abstract
X-linked agamaglobulinemia (XLA) or Bruton’s disease is a genetic disease resulting from a mutation in the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) gene. This mutation leads to B cell arrest during differentiation (1). This disease was first described by Ogden Bruton in 1952 (2). Approximately 85% ...
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X-linked agamaglobulinemia (XLA) or Bruton’s disease is a genetic disease resulting from a mutation in the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) gene. This mutation leads to B cell arrest during differentiation (1). This disease was first described by Ogden Bruton in 1952 (2). Approximately 85% of the affected subjects are male (3). This disorder is inherited as an X-linked recessive trait. Carrier females have no symptoms but have a 50% chance for transmission of the disorder to each of their sons. It is now possible to determine if the fetus of a carrier mother has XLA (4). The prevalence of the disease ranges from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 50,000 (1). Half of the affected individuals are diagnosed during the first year of life and more than 90% of them are diagnosed up to fifth year (3). Diagnosis of the disease is suggested by lymphoid hypoplasia (minimal or no tonsillar tissue and no palpable lymph node) and total immunoglobulins level less than 100 mg/dl. Isohemagglutinins and antibodies to antigens given during routine immunization are abnormally low in this disorder as well. Flow cytometry is an important test for this diagnosis (5). Patients with XLA are protected for the first few months of life by maternal antibody and therefore do not typically present clinically with infection until after 6 months of age, when the maternally-derived antibody level decreases significantly. After diagnosis, treatment includes replacement of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), which significantly reduces the risk of infection (6). The most common organisms affecting these patients are Haemophilus influenza, Streptococcus pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus (3). Based on our knowledge, 4 cases of XLA patients with normal IgG levels (above 500 mg/dl) and 5 cases of XLA subjects with near normal IgG levels (400-500 mg/dl) have been reported in the world (7). Here, we report a case of Bruton’s disease as the fifth case with normal serum IgG level.
Habibollah Saadat; Parviz Pakzad; Mandana Sattari; Negar Seyed
Volume 1, Issue 1 , June 2004, , Pages 63-70
Abstract
Background: Streptokinase, which is injected intravenously with a standard dose of 1.5 MIU, is the most widely used thrombolytic agent around the world. What is so important about this bioproduct is the level of antistreptokinase (anti-sk) antibody in the population, which is directly correlated to the ...
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Background: Streptokinase, which is injected intravenously with a standard dose of 1.5 MIU, is the most widely used thrombolytic agent around the world. What is so important about this bioproduct is the level of antistreptokinase (anti-sk) antibody in the population, which is directly correlated to the incidence of streptococcal infections in that population. Objective: Since Iran is an endemic area for streptococcal infections, this study was conducted to assess the anti-sk level in an Iranian population. Materials and Methods: 97 males and 47 females referred to Modarress Hospital of Tehran for coronary angiography and cardiac catheterization were included. 10 ml of venous blood was taken before angiographies from each patient. According to the angiography reports, the patients were divided into three groups: Coronary Artery Diseases (CAD, n=95), Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD, n=19) and normal coronaries (n=30). The anti-sk antibody level was assessed in the serum samples of all patients using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay. Results: In 23.2% of patients with CAD, 40% of normal coronaries and 73.7% of patients with RHD, the serum samples contained more than 2 arbitrary units (AU) of anti-SK antibody which regarded as high levels. There was no significant difference between the anti-sk level of patients with CAD and normal coronaries (2.03 ± 3.02 AUs vs. 2.52 ± 2.23 AU), but the level of antibody in RHD group (8.16 ± 10.1 AU) was significantly higher than other groups (p<0.05). No significant correlation was observed between antibody levels and the age or gender of patients. Conclusion: We concluded that the level of anti-sk antibody is high in Iranian population as compared to other endemic areas for streptococcal infections. Also we found no relation between the level of antibody and sex and age of patients. This study accentuated the necessity of assessment of drug efficacy in endemic areas for streptococcal infections especially in those patients with valvular heart disease.
Mohamed Osama Hegazi; Ramesh Kumar; Mubarak Alajmi; Eman Ibrahim
Volume 5, Issue 1 , March 2008, , Pages 64-67
Shahrzad Rahimifar; Adel Montazeri
Volume 15, Issue 1 , March 2018, , Pages 68-73
Abstract
Background: Prostate cancer is the third most common malignancy in men worldwide. Despite being a helpful biomarker in prostate cancer, prostate specific antigen (PSA) is affected by different factors including age, lifestyle, geographical region and ethnicity. Objective: To determine the age specific ...
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Background: Prostate cancer is the third most common malignancy in men worldwide. Despite being a helpful biomarker in prostate cancer, prostate specific antigen (PSA) is affected by different factors including age, lifestyle, geographical region and ethnicity. Objective: To determine the age specific serum PSA level among healthy Northern Iranian men and to compare the results of our study with the findings of other populations in the world. Methods: A total of 1271 men who were referred for routine check-up in a multispecialty hospital in the city of Rasht, in Northern Iran, were evaluated for their PSA levels by commercial ELISA method. Results: The normal age related prostate specific antigen range (0-95th percentile) in our study was 0.0-0.62 in men younger than 40 yrs; 0.0-0.75 ng/ml in 40-49 yrs; 0.0-0.91 ng/ml in 50-59 yrs; 0.0-1.33 ng/ml in 60-69 yrs; 0.0-1.45 ng/ml in 70-79 yrs group and 0.0-1.93 in subjects older than 80 yrs. Conclusion: The present study revealed the lowest upper limit of PSA level in all age groups in comparison to populations from different countries.
Luoya Ling; Youqing Wang; Ye Ding; Lin Zheng; Xiaohua Qi; Mingjuan Jin; Kun Chen; Shuyun Xie
Volume 12, Issue 1 , March 2015, , Pages 70-73
Abstract
Background: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination is recommended for newborn infants worldwide to prevent tuberculosis. However, complications do occur inevitably in a very low rate, among which the most serious is disseminated disease. The disseminated bacillus Calmette–Guérin ...
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Background: Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination is recommended for newborn infants worldwide to prevent tuberculosis. However, complications do occur inevitably in a very low rate, among which the most serious is disseminated disease. The disseminated bacillus Calmette–Guérin disease is a rare disease with high fatality, and can be seen among persons with an underlying immunodeficiency. Case presentation: We report a 4-month-old male infant presenting with recurrent fever, an isolated left axillary massand swelling at the site of BCG inoculation. The cellular immune function analysis showed that the value of CD4/CD8 was 0.994, indicating the existence of immunodeficiency.The results of blood culture and throat swab culture showed conditional pathogen infection. He died of cardiopulmonary failure. Conclusion: In this case, necropsy played a significant role in the final diagnosis of disseminated pulmonary tuberculosis.
Hamidreza Ebrahimiyan; Shayan Mostafaei; Saeed Aslani; Ahmadreza Jamshidi; Mahdi Mahmoudi
Soheila Alyasin; Reza Amin; Ali Fazel; Mohammad Hossein Karimi; Seyed Hesamedin Nabavizadeh; Hossein Esmaeilzadeh; Maryam Babaei
Volume 14, Issue 1 , March 2017, , Pages 73-80
Abstract
Background: Asthma is the chronic inflammation of airways characterized by eosinophilic infiltration, mucus overproduction, airway hyper-responsiveness and airway remodeling. These changes are induced mostly by cytokines which are produced by T helper (Th) 2 cells. Recently, the role of interleukin-23 ...
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Background: Asthma is the chronic inflammation of airways characterized by eosinophilic infiltration, mucus overproduction, airway hyper-responsiveness and airway remodeling. These changes are induced mostly by cytokines which are produced by T helper (Th) 2 cells. Recently, the role of interleukin-23 (IL-23) in the pathogenesis of adultallergic asthma has been studied. Objective: To explore IL-23 serum levels and its expression in persistent asthma compared with healthy children younger than five years old. Method: Blood samples of 40 children with mild and severe persistent asthma were compared to 34 healthy children regarding IL-23 serum levels and gene expression using enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay (ELISA) and real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The IL-23 gene expression level was significantly different in the 25 children with mild persistent asthma and the 15 children with severe persistent asthma compared to the control group (p=0.001).There was no significant difference in IL-23 gene expression level between the two groups of patients with mild and severe persistent asthma. A significant difference was seen in IL-23 serum levels between the 25 children with persistent asthma and control group (p=0.002).Conclusion: For pre-school children with history and physical exam in favor of asthma which cannot be tested by spirometry, IL-23 serum levels may be an auxiliary biomarker for the diagnosis of asthma.
Leila Safari Zanjani; Reza Shapoury; Mehrouz Dezfulian; Mehdi Mahdavi; Mehdi Shafieeardestani
Abstract
Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa has an important role in nosocomial infections. Objective: To evaluate biological activity of the detoxified LPS (D-LPS) entrapped into Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles. Materials: LPS was extracted and detoxified from the P. aeruginosa strain PAO1. ...
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Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa has an important role in nosocomial infections. Objective: To evaluate biological activity of the detoxified LPS (D-LPS) entrapped into Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles. Materials: LPS was extracted and detoxified from the P. aeruginosa strain PAO1. The D-LPS, conjugated to the PLGA nanoparticles with 1-ethyl-3-dimethyl aminopropyl carbodiimide (EDAC) and N-hydroxy-succinimide (NHS). The connection was evaluated by FTIR (Fourier transform infrared), Zetasizer, and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). The BALB/c mice injected intramuscularly with the D-LPS-PLGA with two-week intervals and then challenged two weeks after the last immunization. The bioactivity of the induced specific antisera and cytokines responses against D-LPS-PLGA antigen was assessed by ELISA. Results: D-LPS-PLGA conjugation was confirmed by FTIR, Zetasizer, and AFM. The ELISA results showed that D-LPS was successful in the stimulation of the humoral immune response. The immune responses raised against the D-LPS-PLGA, significantly decreased bacterial titer in the spleen of the immunized mice after challenge with PAO1 strain in comparison with the control groups. Conclusion: The conjugation of the bacterial LPS to the PLGA nanoparticle increased their functional activity by decrease in bacterial dissemination and increase the killing of opsonized bacteria.
Mansour Rahimi; Morteza Najafi
Volume 3, Issue 2 , June 2006, , Pages 91-94
Abstract
Background: Idiopathic anterior uveitis is an anterior segment inflammation in which a detailed medical history, general and ocular physical examination is not associated with any defined clinical syndrome. Alterations in immune system parameters have been reported in patients with idiopathic posterior ...
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Background: Idiopathic anterior uveitis is an anterior segment inflammation in which a detailed medical history, general and ocular physical examination is not associated with any defined clinical syndrome. Alterations in immune system parameters have been reported in patients with idiopathic posterior uveitis; however no data on the role of immune system in idiopathic anterior uveitis has yet been reported. In this study the immune system function in patients with idiopathic anterior uveitis was evaluated. Objective: To evaluate the immune system function in patients with idiopathic non-infectious anterior uveitis. Methods: 51 patients with anterior uveitis, 32 women (62.7%) and 19 men (37.3%), participated in this study. Intensity of intraocular inflammation was scored according to standard uveitis grading system. In all cases, serum levels of immunoglobulins A, G, M and E, C3 and C4 complement components, and autoantibodies against ds-DNA and ACLA, were measured using ELISA method. Results: 49 patients out of 51 (96%) showed altered serum levels of immunological parameters, compared with normal values. Changes in serum immunoglobulin concentration were present in 44 patients, with increased IgA levels being the most common. Serum values of C3 and C4 complement proteins were also increased in 29 subjects. ds-DNA autoantibody was positive in 15 and equivocal in 19 cases. ACLA was positive and equivocal in 3 and 9 patients, respectively. Conclusion: Immune abnormalities found in serum of 49 patients with idiopathic anterior uveitis may play a role in the pathogenesis of this disorder.
Mohamed Osama Hegazi; Mohamed Mourou; Omar Ahmed Hassanien
Volume 6, Issue 2 , June 2009, , Pages 103-106
Mohammad Vodjgani; Hedieh Matloubi; Abbas Ali Nasehi; Mohammad Hossein Niknam; Anoushirvan Kazemnejad; Eisa Salehi; Tahereh Aboufazeli; Zahra Gheflati
Volume 2, Issue 2 , June 2005, , Pages 111-116
Abstract
Background: Schizophrenia has been associated with altered immunity. Different studies regarding natural killer cell activity (NKA) in schizophrenic patients have shown inconsistent results. Objectives: To evaluate NK cell activity in schizophrenic patients in comparison with healthy control individuals. ...
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Background: Schizophrenia has been associated with altered immunity. Different studies regarding natural killer cell activity (NKA) in schizophrenic patients have shown inconsistent results. Objectives: To evaluate NK cell activity in schizophrenic patients in comparison with healthy control individuals. Methods: 30 medication-free schizophrenic patients and 41 healthy sex, age and smoking status matched individuals were included in this study. NK cell activity of case and control subjects was measured by Methyl-Thiazol-Tetrazolium (MTT) test. Statistical analysis of the data was done using SPSS 11.5 software. Results: NK activity of patients and normal subjects had a mean of 36.94 ± 26.15 (Mean ± SD) and 22.31 ± 17.92, respectively. A significant increase in NK activity in schizophrenic patients compared to controls (P = 0.011). Among patients, NK activity of smokers was significantly lower than that of non-smokers (P = 0.02). Other demographic factors didn't show any influence on NK activity. Conclusion: The higher activity of NK cells in the schizophrenic patients as compared with the control population could explain the low incidence of cancer in these patients. Decreasing the effect of smoking on NK activity in the patients could be one of the responsible factors for the inconsistency in the results of different studies.
Alireza Haghparast; Maryam Heidari Kharaji; Amir Mohammad Malvandi
Volume 8, Issue 2 , June 2011, , Pages 111-119
Abstract
Background: Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are the main sensors of pathogen and danger signals in innate immunity of which Toll Like Receptors (TLRs) are the most studied ones. The contribution of PRRs in cerebral inflammation induced by microbial infection, tissue damage and cancer has not extensively ...
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Background: Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are the main sensors of pathogen and danger signals in innate immunity of which Toll Like Receptors (TLRs) are the most studied ones. The contribution of PRRs in cerebral inflammation induced by microbial infection, tissue damage and cancer has not extensively been addressed so far. Glioma is the most common tumor of the central nervous system and glioblastomas are the most common and most malignant primary brain tumors. Objective: The objectives of the present study were to investigate the expression of several PRRs including TLR2, TLR4, MyD88 and CD14 transcripts in human glioblastoma cell line U87 MG and compare their expression level with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from healthy individuals. Methods: Touchdown PCR (TD-PCR) and Realtime quantitative PCR (qPCR) were applied to detect and quantify the expression level of TLR2, TLR4, MyD88 and CD14 transcript in U87 MG cell line and (PBMC) of healthy individuals. Results: According to our results, human glioblastoma cell line U87 MG expresses TLR2, TLR4, MyD88 and CD14 transcripts in TD-PCR. Moreover, the quantification of the expression of these genes revealed a highly significant downregulation of CD14 and a slight up-regulation of TLR2 transcripts as compared to PBMC of healthy individuals. Conclusion: The lower expression level of CD14 in human glioblastoma cell line, might have a potential implication for CD14 mediated cerebral pathology.
Fattaneh Mikaeili; Mahdi Fakhar; Bahador Sarkari; Mohammad H. Motazedian; Gholamreza Hatam
Volume 4, Issue 2 , June 2007, , Pages 116-121
Abstract
Background: The causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Iran is Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) (Mediterranean type) and its major reservoir host is the dog. Ob-jective: To compare the serological methods including direct agglutination test (DAT), indirect immunofluorescent-antibody test ...
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Background: The causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Iran is Leishmania infantum (L. infantum) (Mediterranean type) and its major reservoir host is the dog. Ob-jective: To compare the serological methods including direct agglutination test (DAT), indirect immunofluorescent-antibody test (IFA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent as-say (ELISA) for serodiagnosis of endemic strain of L. infantum. Methods: 61 blood samples from VL patients referred to Shiraz hospitals and 49 blood samples from con-trol group were collected. Native strain of the parasite isolated from a VL patient from the region was cultured and characterized. Antigens from this L. infantum parasite were used in ELISA and IFA system. Results: Anti-Leishmania antibody was detected in 43 (70.5%), 49 (80.3%) and 51(83.6%) cases using DAT, IFA and ELISA, respectively. Based on these results, sensitivity and specificity of DAT was found to be 70.5% and 100%, respectively. Sensitivities of IFA and ELISA in diagnosis of VL were 80.3% and 83.6% and their specificity was 90.5%. Conclusion: Results of this study showed that DAT and ELISA have the highest specificity and sensitivity in diagnosis of VL. DAT is a simple, cost-effective and field applicable test. Thus, it can be recommended for early and accurate diagnosis of VL, especially in regions where malaria, brucellosis and tu-berculosis are prevalent.
Mohammad Reza Bonyadi; Mohammad Barzegar; Reza Badalzadeh; Mazyar Hashemilar
Volume 7, Issue 2 , June 2010, , Pages 117-123
Abstract
Background: Anti-ganglioside antibody assays are widely used for diagnosis of autoimmune peripheral neuropathies. Objective: This study aimed to determine serum levels of anti-ganglioside antibodies in children with Guillain-Barre syndrome by immunoblotting technique and compare the results with those ...
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Background: Anti-ganglioside antibody assays are widely used for diagnosis of autoimmune peripheral neuropathies. Objective: This study aimed to determine serum levels of anti-ganglioside antibodies in children with Guillain-Barre syndrome by immunoblotting technique and compare the results with those obtained by ELISA method. Method: In this investigation, 50 children with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) who were admitted from July 2006 to July 2008, to Tabriz Children’s hospital in the northwest of Iran were studied. 30 children admitted for various other reasons than GBS were randomly selected as a control group. The levels of anti-ganglioside antibodies in serum were measured by ELISA and immunoblotting methods using commercial kits. Results: Anti-ganglioside antibodies (IgG) were detected in 16 (32%) GBS patients and in 1 (3.3%) control using ELISA assay. However, by employing immunoblotting technique, antibodies against seven gangliosides were found positive in 28 (56%) GBS patients and none in the control group. The sensitivities of immunoblotting and ELISA methods were 56% and 32% and their specificities were 100% and 97%, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion: According to the clinical criteria of GBS, the specificity and sensitivity of immunoblotting was better than those of ELISA. It is important to notice that the immunoblotting method is able to measure the seven types of antibodies (GM1, GM2, GM3, GD1a, GD1b, GT1b, and GQ1b) simultaneously and it is an easy, routine method with a lower cost.
Nadereh Naderi; Zahra Etaati; Mansoreh Rezvani Joibari; Seyed Alireza Sobhani; Said Hosseni Tashnizi
Volume 10, Issue 2 , June 2013, , Pages 118-126
Abstract
Background: Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) has been controversially linked to IL-4 production in previous studies. A predominant Th1 response leads to resistance against recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC), whereas a Th2 response exacerbates the disease. Objective: To investigate the possible effect ...
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Background: Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) has been controversially linked to IL-4 production in previous studies. A predominant Th1 response leads to resistance against recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC), whereas a Th2 response exacerbates the disease. Objective: To investigate the possible effect of iron deficiency on the host’s susceptibility to RVVC as a result of the Th1/Th2 cytokine polarization. Methods: We conducted a case-control study of 92 women in 4 groups based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria: RVVC+IDA+ group consisted of 23 women with RVVC and IDA; RVVC+ IDA- group consisted of 23 women with RVVC without IDA; RVVC-IDA+ group consisted of 23 women without RVVC and with IDA and RVVC- IDA- group consisted of 23 healthy women. The iron parameters and key cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-12, IL-4) were measured in blood samples. Results: Comparison of IL-4 production between RVVC+ IDA+ (12.2 ± 1.3 pg/ml) and RVVC+ IDA- (2.4 ± 4.0 pg/ml) groups (p=0.044), between RVVC- IDA+ (14.6 ± 1.7 pg/ml) and RVVC- IDA- (1.28 ± 3.6 pg/ml) groups (p=0.006), between RVVC- IDA+ (14.6 ± 1.7 pg/ml) and RVVC+ IDA-) 2.4 ± 4.0 pg/ml) groups (p=0.009) and also between RVVC+ IDA+ and RVVC- IDA- (1.28 ± 3.6 pg/ml) groups (p=0.03) showed significant differences. We found a significant positive correlation between IL-4 and total iron binding capacity (TIBC, p=0.046) and between serum IL-10 and Hb levels (p=0.041) in the RVVC+ IDA- group. There was also a significant negative correlation between serum IL-4 and levels of serum iron (SI, p=0.041) in the RVVC- IDA- group. Conclusion: It seems that IDA determines the balance between and the intensity of Th1 and Th2 arms of the immune response and leads to a deviation toward Th2 response which could contribute to recurrence of candidiasis.
Hassan Abolhassani; Fatemeh Akbari; Babak Mirminachi; Saeed Bazregari; Ehsan Hedayat; Nima Rezaei; Asghar Aghamohammadi
Volume 11, Issue 2 , June 2014, , Pages 123-133
Abstract
Background: Defects in B cell class switch recombination (CSR) are a heterogeneous and yet very uncommon group of disorders which all have a genetic basis uniformly leading to hyper IgM (HIgM) syndrome. Due to the rare frequency of these conditions, a very small number of case series have been conducted ...
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Background: Defects in B cell class switch recombination (CSR) are a heterogeneous and yet very uncommon group of disorders which all have a genetic basis uniformly leading to hyper IgM (HIgM) syndrome. Due to the rare frequency of these conditions, a very small number of case series have been conducted on the affected patients. Objective: To shed some light on the morbidity and mortality regarding a relatively large cohort of diagnosed CSR defective Iranian patients. Methods: This study was performed using demographic information, laboratory findings and clinical data obtained from an observation of 33 Iranian patients of different ethnicities referred from all medical centers of Iran to the Children’s Medical Center Hospital, pediatrics center of excellence, Tehran, Iran; of which 28 were males and 5 were females. Results: Our patients mean age at the onset of symptoms was 1.8 ± 0.2 years; they were diagnosed with a mean delay of 4.4 ± 3.3 years and followed for a mean time of 5.7 ± 4.8 years. The most prominent clinical features observed were multi-organ infections, affecting mostly the respiratory system, followed by lymphoproliferative and autoimmune disorders, the latter being of much higher frequency (44%) in our study than the reported frequency in previous reports. The three year survival rate for our enrolled patients was 67.9%. Conclusions: Based on our findings, the most common cause of death in HIgM patients is respiratory failure. The molecular mechanism behind the nature of the CSR defective patients in Iran is more compatible with autosomal recessive mutations rather than X-linked HIgM syndrome which is in contrast with other large cohorts of patients with CSR defect.
Ali Rafinejad; Mohammad Hossein Niknam; Ali Akbar Amirzargar; Farideh Khosravi; Forouzan Karimi; Bagher Larijani
Volume 1, Issue 2 , September 2004, , Pages 130-132
Abstract
Background: Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a chronic and progressive autoimmune disorder. Cytokines play a critical role in the pathogenesis of T1D. Objective: IFN-¹ polymorphism was investigated in T1D and compared with normal controls. Methods: Thirty patients suffering from T1D and 40 ...
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Background: Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a chronic and progressive autoimmune disorder. Cytokines play a critical role in the pathogenesis of T1D. Objective: IFN-¹ polymorphism was investigated in T1D and compared with normal controls. Methods: Thirty patients suffering from T1D and 40 normal controls were studied simultaneously using PCR technique. IFN- ¹ gene was evaluated at position 5’UTR +5644. Results: There was a significant difference between patient and control groups in TT genotype (P<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, we found a negative association between IFN-¹ gene at position 5’UTR +5644 and T1D in Iranian patients pointing to T allele as a protective factor against T1D.
Mansour Rahimi; Seyed Sahabaldin Shahrzad; Mohammad Banifatemi
Volume 9, Issue 2 , June 2012, , Pages 136-144
Abstract
Background: Cystoid Macular Edema (CME) is one of the most common and sight threatening complications of uveitis. Intravitreal injection of corticosteroids and anti-VEGF antibody are two routine options for treatment. Objective: To compare the effects of intravitreal injections of Bevacizumab and Triamcinolone ...
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Background: Cystoid Macular Edema (CME) is one of the most common and sight threatening complications of uveitis. Intravitreal injection of corticosteroids and anti-VEGF antibody are two routine options for treatment. Objective: To compare the effects of intravitreal injections of Bevacizumab and Triamcinolone Acetonide for the treatment of persistent macular edema in non-infectious uveitis. Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, sixty eyes of 55 patients were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups with randomized digits table. 29 eyes received 4 mg of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide, and 31 eyes received 1.25 mg of intravitreal bevacizumab. Two main outcome measures were changes in visual acuity, measured with logarithm of minimal angle of resolution, and central macular thickness, measured with optical coherence tomography. Results: The mean follow-up was 25.3 weeks. The best visual acuities were achieved 6 months after injection in both groups. Improvement in visual acuity at 6 months was achieved in 28/29 (96%) of eyes in Triamcinolone group and in 26/31 (83%) eyes in Bevacizumab group (p=0.196). None of the eyes showed worsening of visual acuity after 6 months. Mean of central macular thickness in the pre-injection time for intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) group was 295.62 μ, and 309.87 μ in intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) group, which were decreased after six months to 199.27 μ and 221.06 μ, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study shows that IVT and IVB are both effective in improving vision in uveitic CME. Although effects of triamcinolone on Central Macular Thickness (CMT) are more apparent, this superiority is not seen on Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA).
