[Screening for celiac disease in growth retarded children with or without chronic diarrhea: a study on children in Kerman/Iran]

The aim of this study was to determine the yield of screening for celiac disease in children with failure to thrive and with or without chronic diarrhea. In this prospective study, 144 children aged 1-14 years and weighed below the fifth percentile with or without chronic diarrhea were studied during six months in 2010. Sample collection was done in the private office of one of the researchers, health care clinics, schools, and subspecialty clinic of Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman/ Iran. Screening was done by measuring anti-tissue transglutaminase IgG antibody test [tTG test]. All positive cases underwent upper endoscopy with pediatric Pentax video endoscope. Definitive diagnosis was made by doing small intestine biopsy and histological study. Mean weight and age of children were respectively 14 +/- 4.2kg and 6 +/- 3.3 years. One third of subjects had diarrhea. Positive tTG test was observed in 11.1% of children. Celiac was confirmed in all seropositive subjects by intestinal biopsy. Therefore, the predictive value of tTG test was 100%. There was no significant relationship between the prevalence of celiac and variables of age [p=0.445], sex [p=0.859] and chronic diarrhea [p=0.137]. Regarding the relatively high prevalence of celiac disease in growth retarded children [11.1%], and high sensitivity [100%] of tTG test found in the present study, screening of growth retarded children with or without chronic diarrhea for celiac disease seems logical

[Plasmid pattern of biofilm producing Proteus mirabilis and Proteus vulgaris among clinical isolates in Kerman university hospitals during 2011-2012]

Emergence of biofilm producing Proteus strains created a serious problem in the treatment of catheter-associated urinary tract infections. The aim of this research was to study biofilm production and plasmid pattern of proteus strains associated with Urinary tract infection. A total of 88 strains of Proteus were isolated from samples collected in hospitals of Kerman/ Iran during 2011-2012. The isolates were identified by routin microbiological tests and antibiotic sensitivity tests were carried out by disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] by E-test methods. Biofilm production was studied by microtiter plate method and confirmed by Scanning electron microscope. Plasmids from biofilm producing isolates were detected by alkaline lysis technique. From 88 patients infected by proteus, 58% were female and 42% were male. The most and the least frequent age ranges were respectively 20-29 years old [77.39%] and 60-69 years old. From all isolates, 40.69% [n=59] showed the highest MIC range [16-32 +/- 0.05 micro g/mL] to ceftriaxone whereas, 59% [n=41] exhibited the least MIC range to chloramphenicol [1-4 +/- 0.08 micro g/mL]. Biofilm production was positive for 17% [n=15] of the isolates and 6% [n=6] did not show any biofilm [P

Seroepidemiology of HBV infection in South-East of Iran; a population based study

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection is a major risk factor of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma affecting billions of people globally. Since information on its prevalence in general population is mandatory for formulating effective policies, this population based serological survey was conducted in Sistan and Baluchistan, where no previous epidemiological data were available. Using random cluster sampling 3989 healthy subjects were selected from 9 districts of Sistan and Baluchistan Province in southeastern Iran. The subjects' age ranged from 6 to 65 years old. Serum samples were tested for HBcAb, HBsAg. Screening tests were carried out by the third generation of ELISA. Various risk factors were recorded and multivariate analysis was performed. The prevalence of HBsAg and HBcAb in Sistan and Baluchistan was 3.38% [95% CI 2.85; 3.98] and 23.58% [95% CI 22.29; 24.93] respectively. We found 8 cases of positive anti-HDV antibody. Predictors of HBsAg or HBcAb in multivariate analysis were age, marital status and addiction. The rate of HBV infection in Sistan and Baluchistan was higher than other parts of Iran. Approxi-mately 25% of general population in this province had previous exposure to HBV and 3% were HBsAg carriers. Intrafamilial and addiction were major routes of HBV transmission in this province

[Study the capacity of recombinant HCV core+1 protein to induce immune responses in combination with different adjuvants]

Hepatitis C virus [HCV] genome contains a large open reading frame coding for a polyprotein that is cleaved into ten proteins. Recently, a new protein, named core+1, has been described to be expressed through a ribosomal frame shift within the capsid-encoding sequence. To address these possibilities, core+1 was produced in E.coli and the purified protein was evaluated for the immunological properties. The core+1 corresponding nucleotide sequence was created by PCR-based induction of a +1 frame shift mutation within the core gene template. The amplicon was cloned into the pET-24a vector and expressed in E.coli host. The expressed protein was purified under denaturing condition and after refolding steps was characterized by SDS-PAGE and Western Blotting. The immunization potential of core+1 with various adjuvant [Freunds [C/IFA], Montanide ISA 206 and IMS 1312, pluronic acid [F127] and imiquimod [IMIQ] was assessed in Balb/c mice. ELISA-based assays were used to analyze the humoral immune responses. The yield of E.coli-derived core+1 was 5 mg/ L of culture media and antigenicity of this protein was confirmed by western blotting. All the core+1/adjuvant formulations significantly developed the anti-core+1 IgG responses in the immunized mice but C/IFA and ISA206 elicited the highest antibody titers. ISA 206 and IMS 1312 formulation of core+1 induced strong Th1/Th2 responses. Our results indicated that core+1 formulation with various adjuvants may elicit the different immune response profiles [Th1/Th2]. Thus core+1 might be a potential component of future HCV vaccine too

[Economic evaluation of students' screening program in the city of Komijan [Iran-2009]]

Background: Economic evaluation is one of the measures of decision making for providing efficient services

Objective: To calculate the cost outcome of students' screening program in the city of Komijan

Methods: This was a descriptive analytical study carried out on all first grade students of different educational courses including primary schools, guiding schools, and high schools. The cost-unit method was used to calculate the cost followed by analysis of data using the Excel software

Findings: Screening program showed that 0.1% of total students had diabetes, 0.2% cardio-vascular disorders, 0.26% asthma, 3.07% anemia, 32% pediculosis, 0.1% tinea, 18.33% dental caries, 0.54% hearing problems, 6.42% optic problems, 0.8% behavioral [otism] disorder. The total cost of students' screening program was 164495020 Rials and the average cost equal to 88773 Rials. The minimum cost of detection a single disorder among the students of primary, guiding, and high schools was associated with dental disorders which was equal to 4736, 7037, and 12268 Rials, respectively. The maximum detecting costs for a single disorder were for speech disorders among the students of primary schools [3500301 Rials] and hearing disorders in students of guiding schools [2075018 Rials] and high schools [3900784 Rials]

Conclusion: The students' health screening program within the rural and urban regions of the city of Komijan is cost-effective and thus could be continued

Evaluation of the expression of self renewal genes [Oct-4, Nanog, Sox2, Nucleostemin, Bmi and Zfx] in bladder, colon and prostate cancers and in cancer cell lines [LNCaP, HepG2, HT-29, CaCo[2], HT-1376]

Uncontrolled self renewal plays a direct function in different types of carcinoma progression. Here we examined the expression of self renewal regulatory factors such as Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, Nucleostemin, Zfx, Bmi-1 in colon, prostate, bladder and liver cancers in human samples and cancer cell lines. We used RT-PCR to examine the expression of these genes in 10 tumors of bladder, 5 tumors of prostate, 5 tumors of colon, 5 normal tissues of colon, and cancer cell lines. The expression of Oct-4 and Nucleostemin at protein level was further determined by immunocytochemical [ICC] analysis in cancer cell lines. We designed specific primers to amplify a segment of Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, Nucleostemin, Bmi and Zfx. As expected DNA fragment of these genes based on designated primer was amplified in the PCR reaction. We detected the expression of these genes in almost all of the examined tumor samples and cancer cell lines that we used. Oct4 and Nucleostemin proteins were expressed in both nuclear and cytoplasmic in cancer cell lines. No immunoreactivity was observed in negative controls, which were incubated in the absence of primary antibody. Collectively, our results indicated that in a tumor population a rare subpopulation of cells within the tumor cell mass has the potential of self renewal, and suggested that their expression can be used as potential tumor markers in diagnosis and/or prognosis of tumors. These results confirm the potential value of the cancer stem-cell theory in cancer therapy

Periodontal disease and tooth loss as risks for cancer: a systematic review of the literature

Periodontal disease is a chronic destructive disease which occurs in adults, young people, and children. Periodontal disease and periodontal pathogens have been associated with several systemic diseases and more recently, several studies have suggested the relationship between periodontal disease and cancer. Studies with adjustment for the effect of smoking exposure, have found significant positive associations with different cancer sites. This review has outlined recent epidemiologic researches pointing to a possible role for tooth loss and periodontal disease in carcinogenesis. In this review, articles were selected from PubMed between1995 and June 2010 including human. Amongst 5, 984 articles identified from the electronic search, 17 articles were selected for a full-text reading based on the inclusion and the exclusion criteria. Nine out of 10 case-control studies reported a significant increase in the risk of oral cancer in patients with periodontitis and one with no significant association. Among 6 studies examining esophageal cancer and periodontal disease, 5 studies found a significant association between them and one study failed to find a significant increased risk of cancer. Also amongst 5 studies which focused on upper gastrointestinal, gastric cancer, and periodontal disease, 4 studies found an increased risk of cancer while one study did not report any relationship. In lung cancer evaluations, 3 out of 4 studies showed some levels of association between lung cancer and periodontal disease but after adjustment for smoking, no relationship were found. Three cohort studies have evaluated overall cancer rates in periodontal patients; two of them found small but significant association between cancers and periodontal disease. The results indicate that there is a possible link between cancer and severe periodontal disease after adjustment for smoking and drinking habits

[Assessment of the expression of self renewal genes [Tcl1, Tbx3, Dppa4 and Esrrb] in bladder, liver, colon and prostate cancers]

Here we examined the expression of self renewal regulatory factors such as, Esrrb, Tcl1, Tbx3 and Dppa4 in several tissue samples of cancers and cancer cell lines. These genes are required for efficient self renewal of embryonic stem cells. Caco2, HT-29, HT 1376, Ln Cap, and HepG2 cells were cultured in T25 flasks. Considering the clinical and laboratory findings, human tumor samples were obtained under direct supervision of the medical specialists. Then we evaluated expression of self renewal genes [Tbx3, Tcl1, Esrrb, Dppa4] by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCE] in the above mentioned cells and human tumor samples. To confirm the validity of the laboratory tests, we studied negative control samples and internal control genes. Our data revealed the expression of self renewal genes [TCL1, TBX3, ESRRB and DPPA4] in bladder, liver, prostate and colon cancers and also cancer cell lines. Colon, liver, prostate and bladder cancer cells can express TCL1, TBX3, ESRRB and DPPA4 genes, which are specific markers of stem cells. Therefore in malignant cells of the above mentioned cancers, some cells have the characteristics of stem cells and can play an essential role in the proliferation of malignant cells

population-based seroepidemiological study on hepatitis E virus in Iran

Little is known about HEV seroprevalence and its determinants in Iran. Considering the fact that Iran is among the countries in which HEV infection is endemic, a large-scale population-based study in this regard is justified. This survey was conducted in 2006 in Tehran and Golestan Provinces, Iran. Stored sera of subjects were tested for serological markers of anti-HEV. The baseline data were recorded in structured questionnaires. Weighted seroprevalence and weighted logistic regression coefficients were calculated. A total of 1423 samples were included. The overall seroprevalence in two provinces was 7.4%. Age with an odds ratio equal to 1.59 [95% CI: 1.26-2.02] and history of traditional phlebotomy with an odds ratio equal to 2.28 [95% CI: 1.13-4.60] were independent predictors of HEV seropositivity. Considering the high rate of HEV seroprevalence in Iran, further studies on the cost-effectiveness of vaccination among vulnerable groups are mandator

Prevalence of non alcoholic steatohepatitis in Iran: a population based study

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/steatohepatitis [NAFLD/NASH] is the most common form of chronic liver disease woldwide and is no longer considered a benign disease. Its prevalence has not been determined in a large-scale population-based study in Iran. A total of 6583 individuals aged 18 to 65 were randomly selected from three geographically distinct provinces in Iran. Blood samples were obtained from each subject and a questionnaire was completed exploring data including self-admitted regular alcohol use. Serums were tested for anti-HCV antibody [anti-HCV], hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis B core antibody. Positive samples for anti-HCV antibody were re-tested and those positive in a repeat ELISA were confirmed by a recombinant immunoblot assay [RIBA] test. Serums were also tested for ALT levels. Subjects with elevated ALT defined as serum ALT >/= 40 IU/L with no history of alcohol consumption and negative HBV and HCV infection were considered as [presumed NASH]. In this study 5589 subjects were analyzed. Two hundred and forty two individuals [4.3%] were diagnosed with elevated ALT levels. Among individuals with elevated ALT, 15 [6.2%] were diagnosed with either hepatitis B or hepatitis C. The overall weighted prevalence of presumed NASH was 2.9%. According to multivariate analysis, male sex, urban lifestyle, and being overweight or obese were significantly associated with [presumed NASH]. Obesity and metabolic syndrome, the most predictive factors of fatty liver disease, are increasing in Iran, therefore the prevalence of NAFLD/NASH and related complications are expected to increase in the future. This population based study gives a crude estimate of the prevalence of NASH around the country. Studies with more accurate surrogates of NASH need to be done. The disparity among different provinces merits special consideration

[Trace back of thalassemic patients with positive HCV markers to their donors in adult thalassemia center]

Transfusion transmitted infection is one of the most important transfusion reactions. In this study, we tried to find new cases of HCV in thalassemic patients having referred to Adult Thalassemia Clinic after 1996 and to trace them back for sources of infection. This was a descriptive study in which all patients were studied; census method of data collection was used. Those patients with no test record before 1996 that appeared to be positive in their first test attempt were not considered a new HCV positive case. The new cases were just those whose past negative HCV Ab test results changed into positive in new test. For data analysis, SPSS version 14 was used. Out of 395 file records, 274[69.4%] were thalassemia major, and 110 [27.8%] intermediate. We had 109 HCV positive cases [27.5%] out of whom 21 were those infected after 1996. Out of the latter, 5 had complete medical records by which 54 blood donors were identified; however, only 37 [68.5%] were traced and found to be negative for HCV Ab. Noteworthy that 81% of these safe donors were shown to be repeated donors. Since there had been one or more donors whose donations had been administered to each patient with no possibility for them to be traced, we were not able to prove the transmission of HCV from donors to recipients. Other possibilities including hospital transmission, patient to patient transmission, and transmission by nurses involved in blood administration should be taken into account

Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes in iranian patients with congenital bleeding disorders

Chronic hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection is the major cause of liver disease related morbidity and mortality in hemophilic patients who needs regular blood product administration. Although genotype of infecting HCV is one of the prime predictors of response to antiviral therapy however, its distribution in hemophilic patients is still unclear and just few studies with low sample sizes have investigated this issue. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify this distribution in 367 Iranian hemophilic patients. Blood samples were received from 367 hemophilic patients with chronic hepatitis C detected during a nationwide screening program who referred to our center for therapeutic measures. HCV RNA viral load was detected using Amplicor test [Version 2]. Genotyping was performed by genotype specific primers. HCV genotype distribution was 1a in 58%, 3a in 18.5%, 1b in 14.7%, 4 in 1.1%, 2 in 0.8% and mixed in 6.2% and finally 0.5% of isolates were non-typable. Serum liver enzymes were not associated with HCV viral load and genotypes. Patients with severe bleeding tendency had significantly lower serum liver enzymes than those with a mild bleeding tendency. Genotype 1a followed by 3a and 1b were the most frequently detected HCV genotypes in Iranian hemophilic patients and there was no association between splenomegaly and viral markers and liver enzymes in these patients

[Hepatitis A and E in the east of Golestan province]

Hepatitis A and E are among the most important etiological factors of acute hepatitis, which can lead to fulminant liver disease and death. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis A and E in the east of Golestan Province, Iran. Eight hundred inhabitants of Gonbad City and Ghamar Ghozi Village from Kalale district were randomly selected for the study. Hepatitis A virus Antibody [Anti HAV] and Hepatitis E virus Antibody [Anti HEV] were checked by ELISA method. A total of 697 subjects [441 females] with a mean age of 43 +/- 15.1 years participated in this study. A total of 687 [98.6%] and 82 [11.8%] persons had positive Anti HAV and Anti HEV, respectively. This research is the first study on the prevalence of hepatitis A and E in the general population of Iran, which shows that HA V infection is pandemic and hepatitis E is common in the area

Detection of hepatitis B virus DNA [PCR] in HBsAg negative, anti-HBc positive blood donors in Tehran province

The incidence of post transfusion hepatitis has been reduced by blood donor screening for HBsAg, but the HBV infection is still responsible for certain cases of post-transfusion hepatitis world-wide. An estimate of the rate of HBV DNA and anti-HBc positive units is important for evaluation of the need for anti-HBc blood donor screening. In this study, the HBsAg negative blood units were evaluated for anti-HBc and all of anti-HBc positive units were tested for HBV DNA by PCR method. Extra samples were collected from 2000 HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV and RPR-negative blood donors. All of the samples were examined by the approved anti-HBc assay. All anti-HBc positive samples were tested by anti-HBs assays and evaluated for HBV DNA [PCR]. The sensitivity of the HBV DNA [PCR] assasy was estimated to be 300 geq/ml according to VQC proficiency panels. 230 [11.5%] out of 2000 samples were positive for anti-HBc. 179 [77.8%] out of 230 anti-HBc positive samples were HBsAb positive, and 51 [23.2%] HBsAb negative. All 230 samples were assayed for single HBV DNA [PCR] 227 of which came out to be negative for HBV DNA [PCR]. Three blood donors were recalled and new samples from two of whom were collected. These new samples were negative for HBV DNA. Further study for evaluation of HBV DNA in anti-HBc positive blood units with full automatic instruments and usage of blood bags with accessories is strongly recommended

Evaluation of serumic beta-2 microglobulin in HBsAg+ HBV DNA PCR+ and HBsAg+ HBV DNA PCR- subjects: as HBV replication marker

Beta-2 microglobulin [beta2MG] is the light chain of Histocompatibility-Class I human antigen and its normal range is <3mg/ml. beta2MG level in sera of hepatitis B patients increases. In Hepatitis infection the presentation of the viral antigen on the hepatocyte in the presence of Class I HLA antigen plays a major role in the elimination of the virus. In this descriptive study, s beta2MG, HBsAg [by ELISA], and HBV DNA [by PCR] were evaluated in sera of49 patients with hepatitis B and 35 subjects in control group. Our results showed HbsAg was positive in all patients. 29 of patients were HBV-DNA-PCR positive and 20 HBV-DNA-PCR negative.beta2MG in all subjects in control group was in normal range and in 34.7% of patients above normal limit. beta2MG in HBV-DNA-PCR positive patients was higher than HBV DNA PCR negative patients. Such differences were significant [p <0.05]. It seems S beta2MG is a good marker for HBV replication and its absence may exclude HBV replication. The role of beta2MG in monitoring response to therapy needs to be further evaluated

Cloning, optimization of expression condition, purification and immunological characterization of hydrophilic section of HCV core Ag, expressed in E-coli by T7-ara BAD promoter

The capsid or core Ag of Hepatitis C virus is a multifunctional protein which has the principal pathogenesis and diagnostic role in HCV related infections and most of these properties are attributed to the hydrophilic section [amino acids 2-122] of this protein. For different research and diagnostic applications, high amounts of this protein in pure and original form are required. So, the aim of this study was to clone the gene, optimize the expression condition, purify it in the original form, and immunologically characterize hydrophilic section of HCV Core Ag, expressed by T7-araBAD promoter system in E.coli. The PCR amplified region corresponding to 2-122 section of this Ag from genotype lb was cloned in pIVEX 2.3, a T7 promoter derived vector. The proper construct after digestional analysis and sequencing confirmations was transformed into BL2 1 -Al E. coli, and protein expression under control of araBAD promoter by addition of 0.2% Arabinose was induced. After optimization of expression condition, purification of protein by NI-NTA agarose gel chromatography in native condition by immidazole yielded about 3.5mg/L of HCV core Ag. Immunological studies by western blotting through application of core specific mAbs and results of ELISA tests indicated that the protein is with desired immunological properties. AraBAD promoter can be perfectly utilized to produce the hydrophilic section of HCV core in high yields, and purification through NI-NTA in native condition may provide the antigen for different research and diagnostic applications

[Evaluation of "Light" cigarette smoking and the knowledge and attitude of smokers about it in Tehran during 2005]

"Light" cigarettes [tar<15g, nicotine<1mg] have been in the market for more than four decades. In Iran as well as many other countries around the world, consumption of light cigarettes is on the rise because of persuading advertisements of tobacco companies about the fewer dangers and milder taste of these cigarettes. In fact, they encourage smokers to choose light cigarettes as an alternative to cessation of smoking. This was a cross-sectional study performed via questionnaires which were designed based on the WHO and IUATLD samples. Thirty volunteer health care workers were chosen from health centers of three educational universities in Tehran to carry out the study. Out of 3026 subjects who answered the questionnaires, 1321 persons [47.4%] smoked light cigarettes, 71.8% of females and 41.8% of males [P<0.001]. Among participants, 71% believed that health risks of light cigarettes were fewer than regular cigarettes. Also, 30.3% of smokers supposed that the chance of addiction to light cigarettes was lower than that to regular cigarettes. 42.9% of the smokers considered three light cigarettes as equal to one full flavored cigarette in terms of tar and nicotine content. The prevalence of light cigarette smoking is high in the studied population. Knowledge and attitude of smokers about the dangers and effects of light cigarettes are not right and need to be corrected

[Relationship between cyclosporine blood level and CMV infection during the first 3 months after kidney transplantation]

Organ transplantation is revolutionized since production of cyclosporine. Considering the increased incidence of cytomegalovirus [CMV] infection in patients with transplantation, this study is designed to evaluate the relationship between cyclosporine blood level in patients undergone kidney's transplantation and the rate of CMV infection. This retrospective descriptive study evaluated 511 kidny's transplanted patients for cyclosporine blood level and rate of CMV infection during 100 postoperative days in Labbafinejad hospital [2001-2003]. 57 [11%] out of 511 developed CMV infection. The minimum interval between surgery and infection was 20 days, the maximum interval was 99 days with a mean of 56 days. Mean blood cyclosporine levels in infected and non-infected patients were 383.3 and 310 ng/ml respectively. This difference was statistically significant [p<0.05]. We conclude that CMV infection is closely related to cyclosporine blood level. In order to obtain more efficacy and less cytomegalovirus infections, careful cyclosporine blood level monitoring [<300 ng/ml] is recommended

[Hepatitis C in Golestan province-Iran]

Hepatitis C is one of the most important etiological factor in chronic liver disease which could lead to the progressive liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C in east of Golestan province [north-east of Iran]. 2123 inhabitants from north-east of Iran of general population have been studied using randomized selection. The taken samples were fresh serum searching for Hepatitis C Virus Antibody [HCV Ab] via ELISA method. A recombinant immunoblot assay [RIBA] was done for the positive HCV Ab samples tested with ELISA as the next step. A total of 2123 samples [female: 1387] with mean age of 41.3+/- 14.8 years and 960 rural and 1141 urban were studied. Fifty six samples [female:44] were HCVAb positive [ELISA], twenty of fifty six samples were also RIBA positive [female: 18 equal 81.8% and male: 4 equal 18.2%]. According to ELISA result the prevalence of HCVAb positive samples in female was 3.1% [44 of 1387 samples] and in male was 1.6 [12 of 714 samples]. As a total result we reached out that the prevalence of Hepatitis C through ELISA method was around 2.6%. This number reduced to 1% considering RIBA positive samples which is the definite test in Hepatitis C diagnosis. This study is the first Hepatitis C determination in general population in Iran. A comparison between the Hepatitis C prevalence in north east Iran and other part of the world showed that Iran relatively has a lower prevalence [Asia: 3.55% Africa: 5.17% America: 1.9%]. No other Hepatitis C evaluation study has been done in any other part of Iran

Evaluation of a native preparation of HCV core protein [2-122] for potential applications in immunization, diagnosis and mAb production

Infection with hepatitis C virus [HCV] is a worldwide problem. Among HCV proteins, core antigen [Ag], besides its importance for diagnostic application is a prime candidate for component of a vaccine. Herein, we report results of studies on production of the hydrophilic domain of core Ag [2-122] in native conformation by an arabinose induction system in E.coli and the primary characterization of this recombinant protein for applications in diagnosis, immunization and mAb production. Recombinant core [r-Core] was able to detect anti-core antibodies in HCV positive serum samples in a dilution rate of 1/3200. It was also capable to elicit a potent anti-HCV humoral immune response in BALB/c mice. Finally, we established two stable clones of hybridoma which shown to produce specific and sensitive mAbs against the core protein. HCV core was able to elicit a broad range of antibody specificities depending on the immunogen conformation. Therefore, it may be possible to get new mAbs with higher affinities towards native conformation of core Ag