Prevalence of human respiratory syncytial virus circulating in Iran

Respiratory syncytial virus [RSV] is a leading cause of acute respiratory infection during early childhood and is associated with a great burden on patients, parents, and society. While no treatment is yet available, results from recent phase 2 clinical trials of cell-entry inhibitors and RSV vaccines are promising. To prepare for introduction of these novel therapeutics, good understanding of its molecular epidemiology and continuous RSV surveillance data are necessary. This paper provides an overview of RSV prevalence and genotype distribution in Iran from 1996 to 2013. This meta-analysis includes 21 published studies. In total, 775 [18.7%] of 4140 respiratory specimens were positive for RSV infection. The male-female ratio of RSV-positive patients was 1.5:1. Significant peaks of RSV infection were detected during the cold season [November-March]. RSV infection was mainly observed in patients <2 years of age. Phylogenetic studies showed that genotypes GA1, GA2, GA5, and BA co-circulated in Iran in 2007-2013. This review highlights the necessity of introducing standard molecular surveillance programs to inform the epidemiological, clinical, and pathological characteristics of various RSV genotypes. Improved understanding of the molecular epidemiology will be useful for development of novel RSV therapeutics

[Epstein-Barr virus and herpes simplex infection assessment in schizophrenia and bipolar patients compared to healthy subjects]

Background and Aim: Some viruses [including herpes viruses] due to neurotropic properties and latency are considered as a possible factor in many central nervous system disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The aim of the current study was to assess the level of IgG antibodies against Herpes Simplex virus [HSV] and Epstein-Barr virus [EBV] in these diseases

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, a total of 92 serum samples including those of 46 patients admitted to Iran Psychiatric Hospital and 46 samples of the healthy personnel of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, as a control group, were assessed. The level of IgG antibodies against HSV 1 and 2 and EBV were tested using ELISA kits and the presence or absence of EBV genome [active infection] was examined by Real-time PCR. Finally, the obtained. Data were analyzed by means of IBM SPSS [V:22] software using Chi square test and T- test

Results: Prevalence of HSV 1 and 2 antibodies in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder [case group.] and healthy individuals [control group.] were 80/4% and 82/6%, respectively. The results showed no significant difference in HSV 1 and 2 antibody regarding P value [P=0.79]. Prevalence of EBV antibodies in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and healthy controls were 100% and 89/1%, respectively. The results showed significant differences between the two groups in terms of anti-EBV antibody titers with P value of 0.02. Besides, in order to detect the genome of EBV virus, Real-time PCR was u sedon 87 samples with positive EBV antibodies in which no EBV genome was detected

Conclusion: The findings showed a significant association between EBV infection with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but there was no significant association between herpes simplex viruses with the mentioned diseases

[Adamantane and neuraminidase resistant influenza A/H3N2 isolated in iran from 2005 to 2013]

Influenza viruses are one of the most important etiological agents of respiratory disease in humans and cause epidemics and pandemics with substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Vaccination and antiviral treatments are the sole and essential way for the prevention and control of influenza infection. During an influenza epidemic before the production of effective vaccine, antiviral treatments are the first step for the prevention and treatment of influenza infection. Adamantanes and neuraminidase inhibitors are influenza antiviral drugs. Because of the increase of drug resistant viruses, the aim of this study was the evaluation of the antiviral drug resistance in influenza A/H3N2 viruses from 2005-2013 in Iran. In this study 50 influenza A/H3N2 viruses isolated in cell culture were tested. All samples were subjected to M and NA gene sequencing at the National Influenza Center, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. RNA was extracted from 200 ml of cell culture supernatants using the Roche high pure viral nucleic acid kit. RT-PCR with the Qiagen one step RT-PCR kit was done. The expected size of the PCR products were analyzed by electrophoresis using 1% agarose gels. The PCR products were sequenced for finding the drug resistant mutants. All influenza A/H3N2 viruses except four viruses circulating during 2005-2006 had Ser31Asn mutation at M2 channel protein. In the analysis of neuraminidase gene none of the A/H3N2 viruses had K292R, E119V and N294S mutations responsible for drug resistant strains. This study showed circulating A/H3N2 viruses was resistant to adamantanes but susceptible to neuraminidase inhibitors. The national data analyzed in this research may help increase knowledge about influenza virus antiviral drug resistance, which is a global public health concern. The authors suggested continuing this study and also the investigation of antiviral drug resistance of influenza A/H1N1 and B viruses