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Virus RNA (virus + rna)
Kinds of Virus RNA Selected AbstractsAlbinterferon alfa-2b dosed every two or four weeks in interferon-naïve patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C,,HEPATOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Stefan Zeuzem The efficacy and safety of albinterferon alfa-2b (alb-IFN), a novel recombinant protein consisting of interferon alfa-2b genetically fused to human albumin, was evaluated in a phase 2b, open-label study of patients with genotype 1, chronic hepatitis C. In all, 458 IFN-alfa treatment-naïve patients were randomized to 48-week treatment with peginterferon alfa (PEG-IFN,)-2a 180 ,g one time per week (qwk), or alb-IFN 900 or 1,200 ,g once every two weeks (q2wk), or 1,200 ,g once every four weeks (q4wk), administered subcutaneously, plus weight-based oral ribavirin 1,000 or 1,200 mg/day. Hepatitis C virus RNA was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (limit of detection: 10 IU/mL). The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virologic response (hepatitis C virus RNA <10 IU/mL 24 weeks after the end of treatment). By intention-to-treat analysis, sustained virologic response rates were 58.5% (69/118) with alb-IFN 900 ,g q2wk, 55.5% (61/110) with 1,200 ,g q2wk, and 50.9% (59/116) with 1,200 ,g q4wk, and 57.9% (66/114) with PEG-IFN,-2a (P = 0.64 for overall test). Discontinuation rates due to adverse events were 9.3% with alb-IFN 900 ,g q2wk, 18.2% with 1,200 ,g q2wk and 12.1% with 1,200 ,g q4wk, and 6.1% with PEG-IFN,-2a (P = 0.04). Hematologic reductions were lowest in the q4wk group and comparable across other groups. At week 12, mean treatment-associated missed workdays were significantly lower with alb-IFN 900 ,g q2wk versus PEG-IFN,-2a (1.1 versus 4.3 days; P = 0.006). Conclusion: Alb-IFN administered q2wk or q4wk may offer comparable efficacy, with an improved dosing schedule, compared with PEG-IFN,-2a. (HEPATOLOGY 2008;48:407,417.) [source] Tissue tropism of nervous necrosis virus (NNV) in Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., after intraperitoneal challenge with a virus isolate from diseased Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.)JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 8 2009K Korsnes Abstract Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, averaging 100 g, were experimentally challenged by intraperitoneal injection of nervous necrosis virus (NNV) originating from Atlantic halibut. Cod tissues, including blood, gill, pectoral fin, barbel, ventricle, atrium, spleen, liver, lateral line (including muscle tissue), eye (retina) and brain, were sampled at day 25 and 130 and investigated by real-time RT-PCR for the presence of NNV. Relative quantifications at day 130 were calculated using the 2,,,Ct method. Immunosuppression by injection of prednisolone-acetate was introduced for a 30-day period, and tissue sampled at day 180 and relative quantification estimated. No mortality or clinical signs of disease were observed in the challenged group. The challenge resulted in detection of NNV in blood, spleen, kidney, liver, heart atrium and heart ventricle at day 25, and by the end of the experiment NNV showed a clear increase in brain and retina, suggesting these to be the primary tissues for viral replication. There was no increase in the relative amount of NNV in blood, atrium, ventricle, spleen, liver and kidney. Corticosteroid implants resulted in a weak increase in virus RNA in spleen, kidney, liver and brain. These findings suggest that Atlantic cod is susceptible to infection with NNV from halibut. The observed tissue tropism patterns suggest an initial viraemic phase, followed by neurotrophy. Head-kidney is the best tissue identified for possible NNV detection by non-lethal biopsy, but detection was not possible in all injected fish. [source] Chronic hepatitis C genotype 6 responds better to pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy than genotype 1JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Owen T-Y Tsang Abstract Background and Aims:, Chronic hepatitis C genotype 6 is common in Hong Kong, especially among i.v. drug abusers. Responses of these patients to combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin treatment were inconsistent and the numbers of patients involved in previous studies were small. We performed a retrospective study to compare the therapeutic responses of this regimen in patients infected with genotype 6 and genotype 1. Methods:, Seventy patients with either genotype 6 or genotype 1 were recruited. Both groups received 800,1200 mg of ribavirin daily plus either 180 mg of pegylated ,-interferon-2a or 1.5 mg/kg pegylated ,-interferon-2b weekly for 48 weeks. Their responses to treatments were compared. Results:, The early virological response to combination therapy of patients with genotype 6 was significantly better than that of genotype 1 (88.6% vs 74.3%, P = 0.03). Significant difference was also identified in the end of treatment response of the two genotypes (60% vs 81.4% for genotype 1 and 6, respectively; P = 0.005). The sustained virological response (SVR) to treatment in patients with genotype 6 was also significantly superior to that of patients with genotype 1 (75.7% vs 57.1%, P = 0.02). Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age of 55 years or less, genotypes of hepatitis C virus, liver biopsy staging and baseline hepatitis C virus RNA of 200 000 IU/mL or less were independent predictors for better SVR in this cohort. Conclusion:, Patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 6 respond better to pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination treatment than patients with genotype 1. [source] Is delayed normalization of alanine aminotransferase a poor prognostic predictor in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with a combined interferon and ribavirin therapy?JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 12 2002CHAO-HUNG HUNG Abstract Background and Aims : Decreased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level is the accepted basic indicator of an interferon (IFN) therapeutic effect in chronic hepatitis C. This study assessed whether delayed normalization of ALT predicts a poor response to a combined therapy of IFN and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Methods: Patients were treated with IFN-, 2b three times weekly and oral ribavirin for 24 weeks. The ALT values were assessed monthly and patterns of changes in ALT activity were analyzed. Serum HCV-RNA was checked at weeks 0, 12, 24, and 48. Results: A total of 103 patients completed therapy and 69 (67%) of them achieved a sustained viral response (SVR). There was no significant difference in the SVR between patients with or without early normalization (week 12) of ALT level (69 vs 56%). Of the sustained responders, nine patients (13%) with delayed ALT normalization had a SVR. Nine of the 12 patients (75%) with abnormal ALT and negative HCV-RNA at week 12 had a SVR compared with none of four patients who had positive HCV-RNA at week 12 (P = 0.0192). Conclusions: Lack of normalization of the ALT level at week 12 does not preclude successful virological outcome in hepatitis C patients receiving a combined therapy of IFN and ribavirin. Hepatitis C virus RNA at week 12 may be a useful predictor of treatment outcome in patients without early biochemical response. © 2002 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd [source] Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis A in St. Petersburg, Russia, 1997,2003JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 6 2007Irja Davidkin Abstract The molecular epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV) strains circulating in the St. Petersburg and Karelia regions was studied during 1997,2003. Hepatitis A virus RNA was isolated from both clinical samples (stools or sera) and environmental samples (sewage water). RT-PCR was carried out using different primer pairs from the VP1/2A and VP1 genomic regions, the variable parts of the HAV genome. PCR products were sequenced and 306 nucleotides from the VP1/2A and 332 nucleotides from the VP1 region were used for phylogenetic analysis. The results show that the IA subtype was the most common during the follow-up period: >90% of the isolated HAV strains belonged to that subtype. The HAV strains found in intravenous drug users belonged to subtypes IA and IIIA. Only one out of a total of 88 sequenced strains was of the IB subtype. The subtypes IB and IIIA were found only in 2001,2003, which suggests that new strains were introduced into the endemic situation. The results indicate the usefulness of molecular epidemiological methods in studying changes in the circulating HAV strains and in tracing transmission routes. J. Med. Virol. 79: 657,662, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Nipah virus RNA synthesis in cultured pig and human cellsJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 8 2006Li-Yen Chang Abstract Nipah virus infection of porcine stable kidney cells (PS), human neuronal cells (SK-N-MC), human lung fibroblasts cells (MRC-5), and human monocytes (THP-1) were examined. Rapid progression of cytopathic effects (CPE) and cell death were noted in PS cell cultures treated with Nipah virus, followed by MRC-5, SK-N-MC, and THP-1 cell cultures, in descending order of rapidity. Significant increase in the intracellular Nipah virus RNA occurred beginning at 24 hr PI in all the infected cells. Whereas, the extracellular release of Nipah virus RNA increased significantly beginning at 48 and 72 hr PI for the infected MRC-5 cells and PS cells, respectively. No significant release of extracellular Nipah virus RNA was detected from the Nipah virus-infected SK-N-MC and THP-1 cells. At its peak, approximately 6.6 log PFU/µl of extracellular Nipah virus RNA was released from the Nipah virus-infected PS cells, with at least a 100-fold less virus RNA was recorded in the Nipah virus-infected SK-N-MC and THP-1. Approximately 15.2% (±0.1%) of the released virus from the infected PS cell cultures was infectious in contrast to approximately 5.5% (±0.7%) from the infected SK-N-MC cells. The findings suggest that there are no differences in the capacity to support Nipah virus replication between pigs and humans in fully susceptible PS and MRC-5 cells. However, there are differences between these cells and human neuronal cells and monocytes in the ability to support Nipah virus replication and virus release. J. Med. Virol. 78:1105,1112, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Infection with hepatitis A, B, C, and delta viruses among patients with acute hepatitis in Mongolia,JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 5 2006Bira Tsatsralt-Od Abstract One hundred ten consecutive patients (60 males and 50 females; age, mean,±,standard deviation [SD], 22.6,±,6.4 years; range 16,48 years) who were clinically diagnosed with sporadic acute hepatitis between December 2004 and January 2005 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, were studied. IgM antibodies to hepatitis A virus were detected in 18 patients (16.4%), IgM antibodies to hepatitis B core (anti-HBc IgM) in 38 patients (34.5%) including two patients with concurrent hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection, and hepatitis C virus RNA in nine patients (8.2%). There were 30 hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers who had detectable hepatitis B surface antigen and antibodies to HDV but were negative for anti-HBc IgM, suggesting that they acquired type D acute hepatitis due to superinfection of HDV on a background of chronic HBV infection. None had IgM antibodies to hepatitis E virus (HEV). Consequently, 16.4, 32.7, 6.4, 1.8, and 27.3% of the patients were diagnosed as having acute hepatitis of type A, B, C, type B,+,D (HBV/HDV coinfection), and type D (superinfection of HDV), respectively. The cause of hepatitis was not known in the remaining 17 patients (15.5%). All 18 HAV isolates were genotyped as IA, all 9 HCV isolates were genotyped as 1b, and all 32 HDV isolates were classified into genotype I. The distribution of HBV genotypes among the 67 HBV isolates was A (1.5%, n,=,1) and D (98.5%, n,=,66). The present study indicates that de novo infections of HAV, HBV, HCV, and HDV are prevalent among young adults in Mongolia. J. Med. Virol. 78:542,550, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Absence of detectable measles virus genome sequence in blood of autistic children who have had their MMR vaccination during the routine childhood immunization schedule of UKJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 5 2006M.A. Afzal Abstract Leukocyte preparations from children with documented evidence of MMR vaccination and confirmed diagnosis of autism were examined by several assays designed to target multiple regions of the measles virus genome sequence. No sample was found positive by any method. The assays applied were highly sensitive, specific and robust in nature, and were based on the amplification of measles virus RNA transcripts by real-time quantitative RT-PCR (QRT-PCR) as well as by conventional RT-PCR-nested PCR. The assays applied were potentially able to detect measles virus RNA down to single figure copy numbers per reaction. The amount of total nucleic acid extract of leukocytes subjected to various measles virus-specific investigations was several fold higher than minimally required of a sample where measles virus persistence is well documented. This study failed to substantiate reports of the persistence of measles virus in autistic children with development regression. J. Med. Virol. 78:623,630, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Rapid and sensitive detection of mumps virus RNA directly from clinical samples by real-time PCRJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 3 2005Kazue Uchida Abstract A rapid, sensitive, and specific assay to detect mumps virus RNA directly from clinical specimens using a real-time PCR assay was developed. The assay was capable of detecting five copies of standard plasmid containing cDNA from the mumps virus F gene. No cross-reactions were observed with other members of Paramyxoviridae, or with viruses or bacteria known to be meningitis pathogens. Seventy-three clinical samples consisting of throat swabs collected from patients with parotitis, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected from patients with aseptic meningitis, were examined with a real-time PCR assay developed by the authors, reverse-transcription nested-PCR (RT-n-PCR), and virus isolation using cell culture. Like the RT-n-PCR assay, the real-time PCR assay could detect mumps virus RNA in approximately 70% of both throat swabs and CSF samples, while, by tissue culture, mumps virus was isolated from only approximately 20% of CSF and 50% of throat swab samples. In addition, the real-time PCR assay could be developed easily into a quantitative assay for clinical specimens containing more than 1,800 copies of mumps virus RNA/ml by using serial dilutions of the standard plasmid. The results suggest that the real-time PCR assay is useful for identification of mumps virus infections, not only in typical cases, but also in suspected cases, which show only symptoms of meningitis or encephalitis. J. Med. Virol. 75:470,474, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Impact of human metapneumovirus in childhood: Comparison with respiratory syncytial virus and influenza viruses,JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 1 2005Samantha Bosis Abstract This study evaluated the overall impact of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection in 1,505 children and their households, and compared it with infections due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza viruses. Nasopharyngeal swabs were used at enrollment to collect specimens for the detection of hMPV, RSV, and influenza virus RNA by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). hMPV was detected in 42 children (2.8%), RSV in 143 (9.5%; P,<,0.0001 vs. hMPV), and influenza viruses in 230 (15.3%; P,<,0.0001 vs. hMPV). Of the 42 hMPV-positive samples, one was also positive for RSV and six for influenza viruses, for a co-infection rate of 16.7%. Clinically, hMPV was identified only in patients with acute respiratory infection, whereas RSV and influenza viruses were also detected in patients with different clinical manifestations. Symptoms with statistically significant different proportions at presentation were fever (more frequent in the hMPV- and influenza-positive children) and wheezing with bronchiolitis or asthma exacerbation (more frequent among hMPV- and RSV-positive cases). The households of the hMPV- and the influenza-positive children had significantly more illnesses, needed significantly more medical visits, received more antipyretics, and missed significantly more work or school days than those of the RSV-positive children. Results show that hMPV is an emerging cause of acute respiratory infection in childhood, and may have a significant clinical and socioeconomic impact on children and their families. J. Med. Virol. 75:101,104, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Mosquito cells bind and replicate hepatitis C virusJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 1 2001Raphaële Germi Abstract Several studies have demonstrated some hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in lymphocyte and hepatocyte cell lines such as in African green monkey Vero cells. The aim of the present study was to select other cell lines able to bind and replicate HCV. Human hepatoma PLC/PRF/5 cells, human lymphoma Namalwa cells, Vero and mosquito AP61 cells were inoculated with HCV-positive plasma, washed six times and examined for the presence of the viral genome at different times post infection, using an RT-PCR method. Binding of HCV to cells was estimated by HCV RNA detection in cells 2 hr after inoculation and in the last wash of these cells. Successive virus passages in cells were carried out. All the cells studied were able to bind HCV but only AP61 and Vero cells provided evidence of replication and production of infectious virus: virus RNA was detected during 28 days post-infection in four successive virus passages. CD81 molecules, a putative HCV receptor, were detected by cytofluorometric analysis. Vero cells express CD81 molecules whereas these molecules were not detected on AP61 cells. It is suggested that other receptors are involved in HCV binding to Vero and AP61 cells. J. Med. Virol. 64:6,12, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Meta-analysis: ribavirin plus interferon vs. interferon monotherapy for chronic hepatitic C , an updated Cochrane reviewALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 7 2010J. Brok Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 840,850 Summary Background, Multiple randomized trials have been published on antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C. Aim, To meta-analyse the effect of adding ribavirin to interferon for chronic hepatitis C. Methods, The results of randomized trials were combined in cumulative meta-analyses. Trial sequential analyses were used to adjust for spurious results because of random errors and multiplicity. The outcome measures were undetectable hepatitis C virus RNA in serum (sustained virological response) and liver-related morbidity plus all-cause mortality. Results, We included 82 randomized trials with 12 615 patients. Trial sequential analysis established clear beneficial effect of interferon plus ribavirin vs. interferon on the sustained virological response in 1998 after nine trials (RR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.64,0.85, P < 0.0001, 1734 patients). Subsequently, additional 73 trials were published just narrowing the confidence interval and decreasing the P -value. By contrast, trial sequential analysis found that additional evidence is needed to convincingly detect a beneficial effect of interferon plus ribavirin vs. interferon monotherapy on clinical outcomes. Conclusions, The rationale behind several recent trials on adding ribavirin to interferon for chronic hepatitis C is debatable as the effect on virological response is established. More evidence is needed to assess if adding ribavirin to interferon improves clinical outcomes. [source] Insulin resistance is a major determinant of sustained virological response in genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C patients receiving peginterferon ,-2b plus ribavirinALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2009C.-J. CHU Summary Background, Cross-sectional studies suggest insulin resistance is strongly associated with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), which might affect the efficacy of antiviral therapy. Aim, To investigate retrospectively the impact of insulin resistance on treatment response in Chinese genotype 1 CHC patients receiving a 24-week course therapy with peginterferon ,-2b/ribavirin. Methods, A total of 133 biopsy-proven CHC patients were enrolled for analyses. Insulin resistance was evaluated by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Hepatic fibrosis was graded by the METAVIR scoring system. Results, Mean HOMA-IR progressively elevated along with the severity of hepatic fibrosis (F1,F2 fibrosis: 2.55 ± 0.16 vs. F3,F4 fibrosis: 3.61 ± 0.20, P < 0.001). Compared with patients with sustained virological response (SVR), patients without SVR had significantly higher percentages of F3,F4 fibrosis (62.2% vs. 21.6%, P < 0.001) and baseline high viral load (,600 000 IU/mL; 64.4% vs. 35.6%, P = 0.038). In addition, patients without SVR had significantly higher plasma levels of insulin (15.03 ± 0.89 vs. 10.19 ± 0.55 ,U/mL, P < 0.001) and HOMA-IR values (3.76 ± 0.23 vs. 2.50 ± 0.15, P < 0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that F1,F2 fibrosis (odds ratio: 4.49, P = 0.001), HOMA-IR < 2 (odds ratio: 7.15, P = 0.005) and pre-treatment hepatitis C virus RNA < 600 000 IU/mL (odds ratio: 3.26, P = 0.012) were the independent factors associated with SVR. Conclusions, Insulin resistance is a major determinant of SVR in genotype 1 CHC patients receiving peginterferon ,-2b/ribavirin. Strategies to modify insulin resistance may be effective in enhancing SVR before or during anti-viral therapy. [source] A pilot study of recombinant interferon beta-1a for the treatment of chronic hepatitis CLIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2000François Habersetzer Abstract:Aims: Interferon alpha monotherapy induces a sustained response in less than 20% of patients treated for chronic hepatitis C. Interferon beta represents a potential therapeutic alternative for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of recombinant interferon beta-1a administered subcutaneously. Methods: Twenty-one drug-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with recombinant interferon beta-1a administered, subcutaneously, for 24 weeks using two different regimens: 9 MU, three times per week (n=11) and 12 MU, three times per week (n=10). Results: At the end of the treatment period, nine (43%) patients had a biochemical and virological response (i.e. normal ALT and absence of hepatitis C virus RNA by PCR). Four of these patients were in the 9 MU group and five in the 12 MU group. A biochemical and virological sustained response occurred in four (19%) patients, all in the 9 MU dose group. The 4 patients with a sustained response maintained their response during a follow-up period of 33 to 58 months. Side effects were mild and 19 (90%) patients completed the treatment period. Conclusions: The results of this pilot study indicate that interferon beta-1a administered subcutaneously is an effective therapy for some patients with chronic hepatitis C, and suggest that interferon beta-1a deserves further evaluations in larger trials especially in combination with ribavirin. [source] Interferon-, plus ribavirin for 12 months increases the sustained response rates in chronic hepatitis C relapsersALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 2 2002J. A. Moreno-Monteagudo Background: The effectiveness and tolerability of combination therapy for 12 months have not been evaluated sufficiently in chronic hepatitis C relapsers to interferon. Aims: To evaluate the sustained response to interferon plus ribavirin for 12 months in chronic hepatitis C relapsers. Methods: We included 55 chronic hepatitis C relapsers in a 12-month treatment protocol with interferon (3 MU thrice weekly) plus ribavirin (1,1.2 g/day). The effectiveness was evaluated using serum aminotransferase and hepatitis C virus RNA levels, alanine aminotransferase normalization and viraemia clearance after 12 months, defining the end-of-treatment response, and 6 months after completion of therapy, defining the sustained response. Adverse effects were recorded. Results: End-of-treatment response and sustained response were achieved in 47 (85%) and 37 (67%) patients, respectively; there were 10 (21%) relapsers after combination therapy. Predictive factors of sustained response included the genotype (non-1 95% vs. 1 48%; P < 0.001), lower viraemia (503 917 ± 553 230 vs. 901 393 ± 548 267 copies/mL; P < 0.005), higher alanine aminotransferase levels (137 ± 75 vs. 103 ± 41 IU/L; P < 0.05) and a lower ,-glutamyl transpeptidase/alanine aminotransferase ratio (0.30 ± 0.23 vs. 0.49 ± 0.39; P < 0.05). Tolerance to therapy was good, with no withdrawals. Conclusions: Interferon plus ribavirin treatment for 12 months in chronic hepatitis C relapsers yields high sustained response rates and is well tolerated. The sustained response is related to a non-1 genotype, lower baseline viraemia, higher alanine aminotransferase level and a lower ,-glutamyl transpeptidase/alanine aminotransferase ratio. [source] Detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in paraffin-embedded tissues from patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2004Semra Paydas Abstract The aim of this study is to detect the possible role of hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in lymphomagenesis. HCV-RNA and anti-HCV antibodies were studied in tissue and serum samples taken from patients with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). The prevalence of HCV, the clinical presentation of these cases, and association with histologic subtypes were determined. RT-PCR was used to detect the HCV-RNA in serum and tissue samples. The anti-HCV antibodies were tested with microparticle enzyme immunoassay. Immunohistochemistry with the ABC method was used to detect the HCV core protein in HCV-RNA+ cases. RNA could be detected in 30 of 35 cases, and other tests were performed in these 30 samples. HCV-RNA was detected in 11 tissue samples (11/30, 37%). HCV core protein was studied in 10 of 11 HCV-RNA+ cases, and 1,3% nuclear staining was found in only 2 samples. Serologically, HCV-RNA was detected in 7 of 30 samples (23.3%) and anti-HCV antibody was detected in 3 of 30 samples (10%). Detection of HCV-RNA in 37% of the lymphoma tissue samples suggests that HCV may have a role or is a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of lymphoma. The very low HCV core protein in lymphoma tissues may be due to the low viral load in lymphoid tissues and/or higher sensitivity of the PCR method. Detection of anti-HCV antibody in only three cases may be associated with undetectable levels of antibodies due to the immune deficiency in cases with NHL. Am. J. Hematol. 76:252,257, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Two Subgroups of Stapes Fixation: Otosclerosis and Pseudo-Otosclerosis,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 11 2005Tamás Karosi MD Abstract Hypothesis: Stapes ankylosis is a disease with variable histopathology and can be caused by otosclerosis or pseudo-otosclerosis. Viral pathogenesis of otosclerosis could be established only by correlative analysis: histologic examination of the stapes footplate and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification of the viral RNA. Background: Presence of the RNA genome of measles virus was demonstrated in the footplates of clinically otosclerotic patients by RT-PCR, and also viral proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry. Methods: Nucleic acids were extracted from ankylotic stapes footplates of clinically stapes fixation patients (n = 104). Measles virus genomic nucleoprotein (NP) RNA was amplified by seminested RT-PCR. Amplification results were correlated to postoperative histologic and audiologic findings. Results: Measles virus RNA was detectable only in histologically otosclerotic stapes footplates (n = 67). Histology for virus negative footplates (n = 37) excluded otosclerosis. Virus negative stapes footplates showed nonotosclerotic, degenerative disorders. Conclusions: Stapes ankylosis is a heterogeneous disease causing conductive hearing loss with different etiologies. Nonotosclerotic stapes fixations could be established as pseudo-otosclerosis and may belong to nonspecific, degenerative disorders with variable and noncharacteristic histopathology. Otosclerosis is an inflammatory disease caused by persisting measles virus infection of the otic cap-sule. [source] Detection of HCV-RNA in Cerumen of Chronically HCV-Infected Patients,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 3 2005Yasar Bayindir MD Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: Viral hepatitis C is a worldwide public health problem. Hepatitis C virus is mainly transmitted by parenteral or percutaneous route. Nonparenteral transmission, such as through sexual activity, household contact, and vertical or perinatal exposure to body fluids or secretions, can occur, which has been studied before. Cerumen, however, has not been investigated for its ability to transmit hepatitis C virus. The aim of this study is to evaluate the importance of cerumen in transmission of hepatitis C virus infection. Study Design: This study was performed on 35 patients with confirmed chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Methods: Thirty-five cerumen specimens collected from the patients with hepatitis C virus RNA in their sera were prospectively analyzed for the presence of hepatitis C virus RNA by polymerase chain reaction. Results: None of the 35 cerumen specimens were positive for hepatitis C virus RNA. Conclusion: This study showed that cerumen has no risk for transmission of hepatitis C virus infection, even in patients with high hepatitis C virus RNA serum levels; however, standard infection control precautions should be applied carefully in all examinations and surgical operations of the ears. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||