In vitro effect of antigenic extract of trichophyton verrucosum on fibroblast proliferation and matrix metalloproteinase -2 activities

Trichophyton verrucosum is a zoophilic fungus with a worldwide distribution. Our aim was to investigate the proliferative effect of antigenic compounds of T. verrucosum on dermis fibro blasts and endothelial cells. T. verrucosum was cultured in SCC medium and was then transferred to a broth medium. Surface antigens of this fungus were separated using the freeze and thaw method. The sample was centrifuged and the supernatant was taken. The supernatant was homogenized and purified. The prepared antigenic extract was added to fibro blast cell lines according to a regular timetable. Cytotoxicity and cell proliferation were evaluated using zymography and densitometry in order to assay MMPs activity. Statistical analyses showed that this antigenic extract is able to enhance the MMPs activity. Trichophyton verrucosum increases the proliferation of dermis germinal layer and MMP-2 activity, which has a direct relation with wound healing process

Genotyping pattern among Iranian HCV positive patients

Successful treatment to eliminate HCV RNA depends on the identified genotype. In the present study, we compared the frequency of different HCV genotypes, during four years study [2004 till 2008]. Sera specimens were received from 16 provinces of Iran. We used High Pure Viral Nucleic Acid Purification kit for extraction and samples were tested with improved form of RT-PCR technique. HCV genotypes were determined using Amplisense PCR kit and Amplicor HCV Monitoring Version 2 test utilized a reverse transcription [RT]-PCR approach to quantitative HCV RNA. Two hundreds six HCV positive specimens were entered to the study out of 389 tested samples. Type 3a was the most frequent type [46.6%], followed by type 1 [including 1a and 1b with 25.73% and 17.47% for each respectively] with 43.2%. Looking through collected results of the four years study confirmed the rate of HCV infection in those single genotypes 1b, 3a were slightly increased from 12.22% and 38.88% in the first year to 18.66 and 46.51% in the fourth year of the study period. The analyzed data proved that some patients were infected with two different types. High viral load was also more correlated to genotype 1 than other types