Prevalence of IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody in a cohort of iranians patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Background and Aims: Some studies have reported the coexistence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and celiac disease (CD). However, the prevalence of anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (IgA and IgG) and their screening value in patients with IBD is not yet clear. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of IgA anti-tTG and its potential correlation with disease status in patients with IBD. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 110 patients with confirmed IBD diagnosis at Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. For each patient, all demographic and clinical data including age, extra intestinal manifestations, underlying diseases, types of diseases, and surgical history were collected. IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase titers were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: None of the patients with IBD were positive for IgA anti-tTG antibodies, with a mean titer of 3.31 ± 1.3 AU/mL. Also, the mean titers were not associated with age, gender and various disease clinical features including the disease history, underlying disease, diagnosis type, extraintestinal manifestations, and surgery history. Conclusion: No significant prevalence pattern of IgA anti-tTG antibody was observed in patients with IBD. Accordingly, serological screening for CeD is not recommended in IBD patients, unless in a relevant clinical CeD suspicion. (AU)

ErbB1 and ErbB3 co-over expression as a prognostic factor in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor receptor family members such as ErbB1 and ErbB3 are involved in tumor progression and metastasis. Although, there are various reports about the prognostic value of EGFR members separately in gastric cancer, there is not any report about the probable correlation between ErbB1 and ErbB3 co-expression and gastric cancer prognosis. In present study, we assessed the correlation between ErbB1 and ErbB3 co-overexpression (in the level of mRNA and protein expression) and gastric cancer prognosis for the first time. METHODS: ErbB1 and ErbB3 expressions were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR in 50 patients with gastric cancer. Parametric correlations were done between the ErbB1 and ErbB3 expression and clinicopathological features. Multivariate and logistic regression analyses were also done to assess the roles of ErbB1 and ErbB3 in tumor prognosis and survival. RESULTS: There were significant correlations between ErbB1/ErbB3 co-overexpression and tumor size (p = 0.026), macroscopic features (p < 0.05), tumor differentiation (p < 0.05), stage of tumor (p < 0.05), and recurrence (p < 0.05). Moreover, ErbB1/ErbB3 co-overexpression may predict the survival status of patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: ErbB1 and ErbB3 co-overexpression is accompanied with the poor prognosis and can be used efficiently in targeted therapy of gastric cancer patients.

The association of Epstein-Barr Virus infection with multiple myeloma.

Background: Multiple myeloma is a conventional term for clonal proliferation of plasma cells. It is suggested that viruses may have a significant role in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there is an association between multiple myeloma and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was performed on 60 paraffin-embedded bone marrow biopsies (30 multiple myeloma and 30 normal bone marrow specimens) in the molecular pathology section of our hospital. The patients and control groups were matched according to gender and age. Several sections were cut from each paraffin blocks, and then the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted by the non-heating extraction method. In the next step, PCR was carried out for detection of EBV genome and finally its products were analyzed by electrophoresis. Results: DNA of EBV was detected in 10 patients of the case group (5 males and 5 females) and 3 subjects (2 males and 1 female) of the control group. The Pearson chi-square test showed significant difference between case and control group (P=0.03) for detection of the EBV genome. In myeloma patients, the mean white blood cell count was 9.05 + 4.02 and 5.20 + 2.02 Χ 10 9 /L in EBV positive and negative groups, respectively and a significant difference count was seen for the WBC count. Recommendations: Our results show an association between multiple myeloma and EBV infection.