Host genetic determinants in chronic hepatitis C virus infection in Egyptian patients

Mechanisms underlying viral persistence and liver damage in chronic HCV are not yet fully clarified, but a complex interplay of virological and immunological factors is implicated. An immunogenetic resistance or susceptibility to chronic hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection may contribute to the course of liver disease and may be linked to the human major histocompatibility complex [MHC]. This study was designed to study the distribution of the HLA class II alleles in patients with chronic hepatitis C and HCV-related cirrhosis to investigate whether these alleles might be associated with protection from or susceptibility to chronic HCV infection. We also aimed to address the correlation of the host HLA class II genotype with the lymphoproliferative response to phytohaemagglutinin [PHA] in vitro. The study included 60 unrelated patients with chronic hepatitis C [15 females, 45 males; mean age, 43 +/- 8.3 years]. A control group of 60 ethnically matched healthy blood donors was also studied [8 females, 52 males; mean age, 25 +/- 4.1 years]. HLA-DRB alleles were studied for patients and controls by a PCR-sequence-specific-primer low-resolution method. HLA-DRB1 03011 and HLA-DRB1 13011 were the most frequently distributed among HCV patients; their percentage of distribution were 26.8% and 28.3% respectively. Conversely, HLA-DRB1 07011 was found at significantly reduced frequency in HCV patients compared to that of the control group. The results also showed that the level of IFN-y was significantly increased in HCV patients [948.5 +/- 135.5] compared to that of the control group [193.6 +/- 21.26]. [t = 30.15, p

Study of some apoptotic markers in patients with systemic lupus erythrematosus [SLE]and rheumatoid arthritis [RA]

The aim of this study was to assess the role of soluble Apofas-l [CD95] and annexin V in cases ofSLE, RA and normal healthy controls.This study included 15 patients with RA [GPI] 15 patients with SLE [GPH] fulfilling the ARAcriteria for diagnosis and 10 age and sex matched healthy controls [GP HI].All groups were assessed by ESR, CRP, anti Ds DNA by Enzyme linked Immuno Sorbent assay [ELISA] technique, ANA by immunofluorescence and human: serum apofas-1 [CD 95] by enzyme immunoassay andannexin V.Soluble level of apoptotic factor CD 95 was higher in group I, II than controls but more higher inSLE group. Annexin V positive cells was higher in group 7, II than controls and group II was higher thangroup I. In SLE group a significant positive correlation was found between ANA and annexin V and alsobetween CD 95 and annexin V.As regards group I [RA] there was a positive correlation between CD 95 and apoptotic cells. In conclusion; increased apoptotic cells could be a potential sources of lupus specific autoantigens and failure of clearance of apoptotic cells can trigger activity of SLE