ABSTRACT
Background: The present study sought to investigate molecular evidence for association between the presence of herpes simplex virus [HSV], cytomegalovirus [CMV], and Epstein-Barr virus [EBV] in CRC and colorectal polyp by using the PCR method in Iran
Methods: In this analytical case-control study, we selected 15 patients with CRC, 20 patients with colorectal polyp, and 35 patients without malignancy as controls. After DNA extraction, PCR was used to determine HSV, CMV, and EBV genome by specific primers. Statistical analysis was performed using chi[2] tests
Results: Our findings demonstrated that there is no direct molecular evidence to support the association between HSV, CMV, and EBV and human colorectal malignancies
Conclusion: The results from this study do not exclude a possible oncogenic role of these viruses in neoplastic development of colon cells
ABSTRACT
Ulcerative Colitis [UC] is one type of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. Herpes viruses have been suggested as possible etiological agents of UC and Crohn's disease [CD]. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Herpes Simplex virus [HSV], Cytomegalovirus [CMV] and Epstein-Barr virus [EBV] in patients with UC in comparison with healthy subjects by using PCR technique. In this analytical case-control study, five patients with UC and thirty healthy patients as controls were selected. Sampling was performed by endoscopic biopsy operation. Biopsy specimens were frozen under sterile conditions at -20 degreeC until analysis. After DNA extraction, analysis of PCR to detect HSV, CMV and EBV DNA in tissue samples was performed. Statistical analysis was performed with the ?[2] test. We observed HSV DNA in 80% of UC samples [4 of 5] and 10% from the normal control group [3 of 30]. CMV DNA was found in 80% of UC samples [4 of 5] and 30% from the normal control group [9 of 30]. Also, EBV DNA was found in 60% of UC samples [3 of 5] and 36.7% from the normal control group [11 of 30]. Statistical analysis showed a significant association between the prevalence of HSV and CMV and the incidence of UC compared with the control group. The results of the present study has shown UC patients have a predisposition to HSV and CMV infections as compared to healthy individuals. Also, the results demonstrate a lack of direct molecular evidence to support an association between HSV and CMV with UC
ABSTRACT
Colorectal cancer is the most common gastrointestinal cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus in patients with colorectal carcinomas and polyps in comparison with healthy people. In this analytical case-control study, 15 patients with colorectal cancer and 20 patients with colorectal polyp were studied. From each patient two tissue samples were collected: one sample of the malignant tissue and one sample of normal colorectal tissue from an area located 15 cm away from the malignant tissue. Also the 35 patients without malignancy as controls were sampled. Biopsy specimens were frozen under sterile conditions at -20. After DNA extractions, analysis of PCR to detect EBV DNA in tissue samples was performed with chi square test. EBV DNA were found in 60% of tumor samples [9 of 15], in 35% of polyp samples [7 of 20] and 40% of the non-malignant control group [14 of 35]. Two cancer patients [13.3%] and five polyp patients [25%] had EBV DNA detected in both the tumor and the matched normal tissue. Statistical analysis showed no significant association between the prevalence of EBV and incidence colorectal cancer and polyps according to the location of the sample in comparison with the control group [p = 0.44]. The results of the present study demonstrate the presence of EBV sequences in differentiated cancer tissue, polyp and non-malignant by PCR method reflects the ability of the virus to infect of the different colon cells
ABSTRACT
To determine the relationship between elevated liver enzymes with iron overload and viral hepatitis in thalassemic patients. This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the thalassemic ward of Tonekabon Hospital, Mazandaran, Northern Iran from 20 April to 20 September of 2006. Patients were studied with respect to age, liver enzymes, anti-hepatitis C virus [anti-HCV] antibody, and hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg], transferrin saturation [TSAT], and blood transfusion index [multiplication of frequency and units of transfusion]. Alanine aminotransferase [ALT] >/= 40 U/L was considered elevated. Sixty-five patients were evaluated [median age 19.51 +/- 8.9 years, range 4-54]. Eleven patients were anti-HCV positive [16.9%]. The mean serum ferritin was significantly higher in patients with ALT >/= 40 [2553.08 micro g/L versus 1783.7750 micro g/L] [p=0.012]. The mean ALT was significantly higher in patients with TSAT >/= 60% [41.26 U/L versus 28.82 U/L] [p=0.021]. The relationship between ALT >/= 40 and anti-HCV positivity was statistically significant. The mean ALT was 60.91 U/L in anti-HCV positive ptients and 39.29 U/L in the negative group [p=0.001]. The mean serum iron and transfusion index were significantly higher in anti-HCV positive versus negative patients [234.0 versus 195.4815; p=0.02], [1693.6 versus 1036.29, p=0.014]. Close association between elevated ALT with iron overload, transfusion index, age, and anti-HCV positivity in thalassemic patients of Tonekabon is recommended to re-evaluate transfusion and Desferal doses and therapies other than blood transfusion