Comparative evaluation of immunochromatographic card tests with enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay for the detection of hepatitis C virus antibody

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global prevalent pathogen causes both acute and chronic hepatitis and leading to serious liver damage. Correct and rapid diagnosis is pivotal for the management of HCV disease. Rapid card tests are superior alternatives for the large-scale screening of HCV infection. Methods: The present observational study evaluates analytical performance of four different anti-HCV rapid tests. A total of 200 ELISA confirmed, HCV positive (n=100) and HCV negative (n=100) clinical specimens were selected and re-tested for anti-HCV antibodies by using commercially available four different immunochromatography cards (Meriscreen, Accurate, Oscar and Biolab). Results: Among all, Biolab rapid card test shown highest (98%) sensitivity. On the other hand, all rapid card test kits showed identical 100% specificity. Conclusions: Overall BioLab anti-HCV rapid card tests found to be superior in the present study and strongly suggest in house validation of rapid card tests before their diagnostics use on clinical specimens.

Demographic and Clinical Profile Analysis of Acute Viral Hepatitis

Background: Acute viral hepatitis (AVH) is a major health concern in developing countries like Bangladesh regarding morbidity as well as mortality. Usually, acute infections are caused by A, E, hepatitis viruses, and occasionally hepatitis B virus. Infection caused by the hepatitis C virus is usually asymptomatic. Prior knowledge of the demographic and clinical profile of acute viral hepatitis may be helpful for treatment professionals in the management of such patients. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to assess the demographic and clinical profile of acute viral hepatitis patients in Bangladesh.Material & Methods:This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Gastroenterology, US-Bangla Medical College & Hospital during the period from March 2018 to February 2019, in Bangladesh. A total of 59 suspected patients with acute viral hepatitis were included as the study subjects for this study. Ethical approval of the study had been taken from the ethical committee of the mentioned hospital. A predesigned questionnaire was used in data collection. Collected data analyzed by using MS Office and SPSS version 23.0 programs as per need. A P-value, of <0.05 was considered significant.Results:Among 59 participants, the male-female ratio was 3.2:1 and the mean (±SD) age was 23.88±14.83 years. Analyzing hepatitis infection, we found hepatitis E was the highest in number 32(54.24%), followed by hepatitis E virus 20(33.9%), and hepatitis B virus 5(8.47%). In this study, we did not find any patients with hepatitis C virus, and 2 participants didn’t have any hepatotropic virus. The mean (±SD) Serum bilirubin (mg/dl) was 6.35±1.63, and the mean (±SD) serum alkaline phosphatase (IU/L), serum. creatinine (mg/dl), serum albumin (gm/dl) and plasma glucose random (mg/dl) were found 366.81±257.20, 6.97±14.96, 19.75±22.98 and 10.08±5.49 respectively. Considering dual viruses among the total of 5 patients along with hepatitis E & A viruses in this study, we found all were hepatitis B viruses. Among them, 3 with hepatitis E and the rest 2 were with hepatitis A virus consequently. Among them 3(60%) with hepatitis A and the rest 2(40%) with hepatitis E. In the issue of patients attended with clinical complaints, vomiting was the highest among hepatitis A patients 19(86.4%) followed by jaundice 8(36.4%) and fever8(36.4%). On the other hand, among hepatitis E patients’ jaundice was highest at 19(61.3%) followed by vomiting at 17(54.8%), and fever at 6(19.4%) respectively.Conclusions:The incidence of HEV is found as the most predominant among all the acute viral hepatitis patients and vomiting and jaundice were the most common presenting complaints.

Analysis of reactive HCV results detected by current blood screening strategy / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To assess the status of HCV infection by analyzing the results of anti-HCV reactive blood samples detected by the current blood testing strategy, and discuss the viability of classified management of reactive blood donors. 【Methods】 The anti-HCV reactive samples (dual ELISA and once NAT), from May 2017 to October 2018, were divided into three groups: samples both anti-HCV and HCV RNA reactive, sole HCV RNA reactive, and sole anti-HCV reactive, and all of them were confirmed by recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA). The positive predictive value (PPV) between groups were compared. The sensitivity, specificity and PPV for each reagent under different screening threshold (screening threshold for routine detection, optimal screening threshold, and corresponding screening threshold of the highest PPV) were analyzed. The group with low PPV were stratified by ELISA S/CO values, and PPV by different screening threshold was compared. 【Results】 There were 939 reactive samples (0.49%, 937/191 627). Confirmed by RIBA, the positive rate of anti-HCV reactive samples was 10.67%(100/937). Two samples were sole HCV RNA reactive (0.001%). Both anti-HCV+ HCV RNA reactive samples were 6.71%(63/939), with the PPV of 96.83%(61/63). Sole anti-HCV reactive samples were 93.08(874/939), with the PPV of 4.46%(39/874), among which PPV by dual and one ELISA reagent were 18.72% and 0.15%, respectively, showing statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The PPV between different S/CO values was statistically significant (P<0.05). The optimal screening thresholds of anti-HCV reagent were 9.29 and 3.97, according to the ROC curve, with significant difference noticed in PPV by different screening threshold (P<0.05). PPV in the sole anti-HCV reactive group increased from 4.46% (the routine screening threshold) to 49.35%(the optimal screening threshold), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 The blood donors with both anti-HCV and HCV RNA reactive can be determined as HCV infection and need to be permanently deferred. The S/CO value of sole anti-HCV reactive samples was positively correlated with RIBA confirmation results, and the higher the S/CO value, the greater the chances of positive confirmation are. With the current blood screening strategy, the HCV infection status of sole anti-HCV reactive blood donors can be determined by establishing a screening threshold with high PPV or adding confirmatory test.

Impact of blood screening strategies for Hepatitis C virus on blood safety / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To establish a reasonable and effective blood screening strategy for Hepatitis C virus (HCV), so as to reduce the risk of blood transfusion transmission, ensure blood safety and improve the quality of blood screening. 【Methods】 In order to evaluate HCV screening strategies comprehensively, the unqualified blood donations due to anti-HCV alone positivity in Dalian from 2017 to 2021 was tracked, with combined detection methods of electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) and HCV-RNA nucleic acid test (NAT). 【Results】 A total of 851 (0.20%) unqualified donations due to anti-HCV alone positivity were screened from 2017 to 2021, with a decreasing trend in both numbers and rate. Among them, the unqualified rate of samples with anti-HCV reactivity in both dural-ELISA-reagent and NAT decreased significantly (P<0.05). A total of 117(0.028%) samples were anti-HCV reactive in dural-ELISA-reagent but nonreactive in NAT; 664 reactive in one-ELISA-reagent, with 70(10.54%) in Reagent Ⅰ and 594(89.46%) in Reagent Ⅱ; 122 (35.88%) out of 340 donations were reactive in ECLIA. Among the 28 participants in the follow-up test, 15 still were reactive in ELISA and 2 reactive in ECLIA. 【Conclusion】 Although the unqualified rate of HCV is decreasing, serological screening of anti-HCV is still an important method for ensuring blood safety, and its complementarity with HCV-RNA NAT should be evaluated. As a new serological assay, ECLIA has high sensitivity and specificity. Miss detection may occur if only one ELISA reagent is adopted for anti-HCV detection. Appropriate ELISA and NAT system for HCV screening should be reasonably chosen, and HCV screening strategy should be developed and adjusted according to the local conditions.

Episode of Hepatitis C viral infection in the people of Swat, Pakistan / Episódio de infecção viral por Hepatite C no povo de Swat, Paquistão

Infectious agents cause serious diseases in humans worldwide and are responsible for the high rate of morbidity and mortality. The prevalence and epidemiology of infectious disease (HCV) in the hospital visited patients referred by the physicians through the initial findings and their associated risk factors were studied in Swat. The data of 174 infected patients were collected during the period of 2015 to 2017 from two clinical laboratories of Tehsil Matta Swat. Inform consent form was taken before blood collection. After taking informed consent blood samples were collected and ICT test was performed and then ICT positive cases were conform through PCR. A total of 174 ICT positive samples [106 male and 68 females] were included in this study. Age was considered from 10 to 72 years. Of the 174 ICT strip positive, 99 [63 males, 36 females] were confirmed through PCR. The prevalence rate was recorded 56.89%. I.V/I.M injection was recorded in 100% of the individuals. Visits to the barber shop was reported in (58%) of the individuals, married individuals were (81.0), surgical operation was reported in (44.8%), sharing toothbrush was observed in (29.9%), piercing was reported in (39.7%), family history was reported in (26.4%), dental treatment was observed in (21.8%), jaundice were (13.2%) and tattooing was (1.7%). Blood transfusion, surgical operations, Jaundice, family history and dental treatment were found significant risk factors for acquiring HCV infection. It was concluded that proper implementation of precautionary measures should be needed to control the spread of HCV in far near future.

Agentes infecciosos causam doenças graves em humanos em todo o mundo, e são responsáveis pelo alto índice de morbimortalidade. A prevalência e a epidemiologia das doenças infecciosas no hospital que atendeu pacientes encaminhados pelos médicos por meio dos achados iniciais e seus fatores de risco associados foram estudadas em Peshawar. Os dados de 174 pacientes infectados foram coletados durante o período de 2015 a 2017 oriundos de dois laboratórios clínicos de Tehsil Matta Swat. O formulário de consentimento informado foi obtido antes da coleta de sangue. Após a obtenção do consentimento informado, foram coletadas amostras de sangue e foi realizado o teste ICT e, em seguida, os casos ICT positivos foram confirmados por PCR. Um total de 174 amostras ICT positivas [106 homens e 68 mulheres] foi incluído neste estudo. A idade considerada foi de 10 a 72 anos. Das 174 tiras de ICT positivas, 99 casos [63 homens, 36 mulheres] foram confirmados por PCR. A taxa de prevalência foi de 56,89%. A injeção IV / IM foi registrada em 100% dos indivíduos. A visita à barbearia foi relatada em (58%) dos indivíduos, os números de casados foram (81,0%), e a operação cirúrgica foi relatada em (44,8%), o compartilhamento de escova de dente foi observado em (29,9%), o piercing foi relatado em (39,7%), antecedentes familiares foram relatados em (26,4%), tratamento odontológico em (21,8%), icterícia (13,2%) e tatuagem em (1,7%). Transfusão de sangue, operações cirúrgicas, icterícia, histórico familiar e tratamento odontológico foram fatores de risco significativos para adquirir infecção por Vírus da Hepatite C (VHC). Concluiu-se que a implementação adequada de medidas de precaução deve ser necessária para controlar a propagação do VHC em um futuro próximo.

Episode of Hepatitis C viral infection in the people of Swat, Pakistan / Episódio de infecção viral por Hepatite C no povo de Swat, Paquistão

Infectious agents cause serious diseases in humans worldwide and are responsible for the high rate of morbidity and mortality. The prevalence and epidemiology of infectious disease (HCV) in the hospital visited patients referred by the physicians through the initial findings and their associated risk factors were studied in Swat. The data of 174 infected patients were collected during the period of 2015 to 2017 from two clinical laboratories of Tehsil Matta Swat. Inform consent form was taken before blood collection. After taking informed consent blood samples were collected and ICT test was performed and then ICT positive cases were conform through PCR. A total of 174 ICT positive samples [106 male and 68 females] were included in this study. Age was considered from 10 to 72 years. Of the 174 ICT strip positive, 99 [63 males, 36 females] were confirmed through PCR. The prevalence rate was recorded 56.89%. I.V/I.M injection was recorded in 100% of the individuals. Visits to the barber shop was reported in (58%) of the individuals, married individuals were (81.0), surgical operation was reported in (44.8%), sharing toothbrush was observed in (29.9%), piercing was reported in (39.7%), family history was reported in (26.4%), dental treatment was observed in (21.8%), jaundice were (13.2%) and tattooing was (1.7%). Blood transfusion, surgical operations, Jaundice, family history and dental treatment were found significant risk factors for acquiring HCV infection. It was concluded that proper implementation of precautionary measures should be needed to control the spread of HCV in far near future.

Agentes infecciosos causam doenças graves em humanos em todo o mundo, e são responsáveis pelo alto índice de morbimortalidade. A prevalência e a epidemiologia das doenças infecciosas no hospital que atendeu pacientes encaminhados pelos médicos por meio dos achados iniciais e seus fatores de risco associados foram estudadas em Peshawar. Os dados de 174 pacientes infectados foram coletados durante o período de 2015 a 2017 oriundos de dois laboratórios clínicos de Tehsil Matta Swat. O formulário de consentimento informado foi obtido antes da coleta de sangue. Após a obtenção do consentimento informado, foram coletadas amostras de sangue e foi realizado o teste ICT e, em seguida, os casos ICT positivos foram confirmados por PCR. Um total de 174 amostras ICT positivas [106 homens e 68 mulheres] foi incluído neste estudo. A idade considerada foi de 10 a 72 anos. Das 174 tiras de ICT positivas, 99 casos [63 homens, 36 mulheres] foram confirmados por PCR. A taxa de prevalência foi de 56,89%. A injeção IV / IM foi registrada em 100% dos indivíduos. A visita à barbearia foi relatada em (58%) dos indivíduos, os números de casados foram (81,0%), e a operação cirúrgica foi relatada em (44,8%), o compartilhamento de escova de dente foi observado em (29,9%), o piercing foi relatado em (39,7%), antecedentes familiares foram relatados em (26,4%), tratamento odontológico em (21,8%), icterícia (13,2%) e tatuagem em (1,7%). Transfusão de sangue, operações cirúrgicas, icterícia, histórico familiar e tratamento odontológico foram fatores de risco significativos para adquirir infecção por Vírus da Hepatite C (VHC). Concluiu-se que a implementação adequada de medidas de precaução deve ser necessária para controlar a propagação do VHC em um futuro próximo.

Episode of Hepatitis C viral infection in the people of Swat, Pakistan

ABSTRACT Infectious agents cause serious diseases in humans worldwide and are responsible for the high rate of morbidity and mortality. The prevalence and epidemiology of infectious disease (HCV) in the hospital visited patients referred by the physicians through the initial findings and their associated risk factors were studied in Swat. The data of 174 infected patients were collected during the period of 2015 to 2017 from two clinical laboratories of Tehsil Matta Swat. Inform consent form was taken before blood collection. After taking informed consent blood samples were collected and ICT test was performed and then ICT positive cases were conform through PCR. A total of 174 ICT positive samples [106 male and 68 females] were included in this study. Age was considered from 10 to 72 years. Of the 174 ICT strip positive, 99 [63 males, 36 females] were confirmed through PCR. The prevalence rate was recorded 56.89%. I.V/I.M injection was recorded in 100% of the individuals. Visits to the barber shop was reported in (58%) of the individuals, married individuals were (81.0), surgical operation was reported in (44.8%), sharing toothbrush was observed in (29.9%), piercing was reported in (39.7%), family history was reported in (26.4%), dental treatment was observed in (21.8%), jaundice were (13.2%) and tattooing was (1.7%). Blood transfusion, surgical operations, Jaundice, family history and dental treatment were found significant risk factors for acquiring HCV infection. It was concluded that proper implementation of precautionary measures should be needed to control the spread of HCV in far near future.

RESUMO Agentes infecciosos causam doenças graves em humanos em todo o mundo, e são responsáveis pelo alto índice de morbimortalidade. A prevalência e a epidemiologia das doenças infecciosas no hospital que atendeu pacientes encaminhados pelos médicos por meio dos achados iniciais e seus fatores de risco associados foram estudadas em Peshawar. Os dados de 174 pacientes infectados foram coletados durante o período de 2015 a 2017 oriundos de dois laboratórios clínicos de Tehsil Matta Swat. O formulário de consentimento informado foi obtido antes da coleta de sangue. Após a obtenção do consentimento informado, foram coletadas amostras de sangue e foi realizado o teste ICT e, em seguida, os casos ICT positivos foram confirmados por PCR. Um total de 174 amostras ICT positivas [106 homens e 68 mulheres] foi incluído neste estudo. A idade considerada foi de 10 a 72 anos. Das 174 tiras de ICT positivas, 99 casos [63 homens, 36 mulheres] foram confirmados por PCR. A taxa de prevalência foi de 56,89%. A injeção IV / IM foi registrada em 100% dos indivíduos. A visita à barbearia foi relatada em (58%) dos indivíduos, os números de casados foram (81,0%), e a operação cirúrgica foi relatada em (44,8%), o compartilhamento de escova de dente foi observado em (29,9%), o piercing foi relatado em (39,7%), antecedentes familiares foram relatados em (26,4%), tratamento odontológico em (21,8%), icterícia (13,2%) e tatuagem em (1,7%). Transfusão de sangue, operações cirúrgicas, icterícia, histórico familiar e tratamento odontológico foram fatores de risco significativos para adquirir infecção por Vírus da Hepatite C (VHC). Concluiu-se que a implementação adequada de medidas de precaução deve ser necessária para controlar a propagação do VHC em um futuro próximo.

Phytochemical analysis of Berberis lyceum methanolic extract and its antiviral activity through the restoration of MAPK signaling pathway modulated by HCV NS5A

Objective: To evaluate the antiviral activity and phytochemicals of selected plant extracts and their effect on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway modulated by hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A). Methods: A total of ten plant extracts were initially screened for their toxicities against HepG2 cells. The non-toxic plants were tested for their inhibitory effect on the expression of HCV NS5A at both mRNA and protein levels using real-time PCR and Western blotting assays, respectively. The differential expression of the genes associated with MAPK pathway in the presence of NS5A gene and plant extract was measured through real-time PCR. Subsequently, the identification of secondary metabolites was carried out by phytochemical and HPLC analysis. Results: The phytochemical profiling of Berberis lyceum revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, terpenoids, steroids, and glycosides. Similarly, quercetin, myricetin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid were identified through HPLC analysis. The methanolic extract of Berberis lyceum strongly inhibited HCV RNA replication with an IC50 of 11.44 μg/mL. RT-PCR and Western blotting assays showed that the extract reduced the expression of HCV NS5A in a dose-dependent manner. Berberis lyceum extract also attenuated NS5A-induced dysregulation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Berberis lyceum extract strongly inhibits HCV propagation by reducing HCV NS5A-induced perturbation of MAPK signaling.

HCV genotyping of anti-HCV reactive samples by one ELISA assay and blood donor reentry study / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To investigate the genotype of anti-HCV reactive blood donors by one ELISA assay and provide scientific basis for the reentry of anti-HCV false positive blood donors. 【Methods】 The data of 453 blood donors reactive to antibody to HCV(anti-HCV) with one ELISA assay(third generation) were extracted via the blood donor information system of Shaoguan Central Blood Station from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018. The subjects were recalled to the station for the serological retest, using a 4th generation ELISA reagent, and PCR qualitative test. The PCR reactive samples were sent to the genetic testing laboratory for HCV genotyping, in order to guide diagnosis and treatment in the future. Meanwhile, those PCR negative blood donors returned to be eligible again based on the Guidelines for the Return of Reactive Blood Donors for Blood Screening. 【Results】 70.2% (318/453) of the previous anti-HCV-reactive blood donors, using a third-generation ELISA assay responded to the HCV genotyping, of which 83.0%(264/318) were negative, and 17%(54/318) positive. The profile of HCV subtypes in positive donors was HCV2a>1b>3a=6a. A little bit high false positive rate was presented by the third, and former, generation reagent than the four generation(0.41% vs 0.06%), which was confirmed by HCV RNA qualitative and HCV genotyping tests.After two rounds of reentry testing, 98 eligible blood donors returned to the blood donor team, with the return rate at 21.63% (98 / 453). 【Conclusion】 NAT or (and) HCV genotyping for anti-HCV reactive blood donors screened out by the third, and former, generation, should be carried out to permanently shield the true positive donors and reenter the negative ones.

Anti-HCV detection based on laboratory quality index evaluation of blood station / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To evaluate the anti-HCV detection ability of our laboratory, and explore the factors that may affect anti-HCV detection, so as to provide data and basis for the evaluation of laboratory ability. 【Methods】 The number of initial reactive (IR) and repeated reactive(RR)samples and the reagent utilization rate in anti-HCV from 2019 to 2020 were compared with the national reagents of the same group. 【Results】 1)The average unqualified rate of anti-HCV detection was 0.25%, with the lowest rate at 0.19%, 33/17 774, and the highest rate at 0.37%, 44/11 940; 2)The retest rates of reagent 1 and reagent 2 were significantly different (P 0.05), while the RR/IR rates of reagent 1 and reagent 2 showed a slow upward trend; 4)The solo reagent unqualified rate of reagent 1 and reagent 2 showed statistically significant difference (P < 0.05); 5)The reagent utilization rate was basically the same as the national average level of reagents in the same group. 【Conclusion】 The anti-HCV detection indicators of our laboratory are relatively stable, but other factors such as personnel training, equipment performance and environment also have an impact on the detection ability of laboratories. Fine management of various element should be carried out, and external quality assessment reports of blood testing laboratory should be analyzed to further improve the anti-HCV detection ability of the laboratory.

Epidemiological characteristics of occult hepatitis C virus and safety of blood transfusion / 中国输血杂志

Occult hepatitis C infection (OCI) is defined as HCV RNA not detected in serum or plasma but in hepatocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). OCI exists in general population and voluntary blood donors, and its infectivity and risk of transmission by transfusion has been confirmed. HCV RNA in PBMCs could not be detected in plasma or serum by blood screening in transfusion services, neither by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay nor by nucleic acid amplification testing. OCI has become a potential threat to transfusion safety, therefore effective detection technologies and transmission blocking strategies need to be further developed.

Phytochemical analysis of Berberis lyceum methanolic extract and its antiviral activity through the restoration of MAPK signaling pathway modulated by HCV NS5A

Objective: To evaluate the antiviral activity and phytochemicals of selected plant extracts and their effect on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway modulated by hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 5A (NS5A). Methods: A total of ten plant extracts were initially screened for their toxicities against HepG2 cells. The non-toxic plants were tested for their inhibitory effect on the expression of HCV NS5A at both mRNA and protein levels using real-time PCR and Western blotting assays, respectively. The differential expression of the genes associated with MAPK pathway in the presence of NS5A gene and plant extract was measured through real-time PCR. Subsequently, the identification of secondary metabolites was carried out by phytochemical and HPLC analysis. Results: The phytochemical profiling of Berberis lyceum revealed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, carbohydrates, terpenoids, steroids, and glycosides. Similarly, quercetin, myricetin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid were identified through HPLC analysis. The methanolic extract of Berberis lyceum strongly inhibited HCV RNA replication with an IC50 of 11.44 μg/mL. RT-PCR and Western blotting assays showed that the extract reduced the expression of HCV NS5A in a dosedependent manner. Berberis lyceum extract also attenuated NS5Ainduced dysregulation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Berberis lyceum extract strongly inhibits HCV propagation by reducing HCV NS5Ainduced perturbation of MAPK signaling.

Antimicrobial and anti-HCV activity of triterpenoid and alkaloid compounds from Melochia umbellata (Houtt.) Stapf var Visenia (Paliasa)

Two triterpenoid and alkaloid compounds have been isolated, namely, 3-acetyl-12-en-28-oic acid and (R)-N-transferuloyloctopamine from Melochia umbellata (Houtt.) Stapf var Visenia. Both of these compounds were tested asan antimicrobial and anti-HCV activity. Isolation has been done by maceration, fractionation, and purification. Themolecular structure was determined by IR spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) 1,2D (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC, and HMBC). Antimicrobial assay of 3-acetyl-12-en-28-oic acid showed a zone of inhibition in thecriteria of moderate to active against Escherichia coli (8.4 mm), Salmonella thypi (11.2 mm), Staphylococcus aureus(10.8 mm), and Candida albicans (8.5 mm), as well as compounds (R)-N-trans-feruloyloctopamine that is againstE. coli (7.0 mm), S. thypi (10.55 mm), S. aureus (9.1 mm), and C. albicans (7.9 mm). Anti-HCV tests on the twocompounds showed IC50 values of 52.07 and 45.02 μg/ml, respectively. The results of these tests indicate that the twocompounds are potential as an antibiotic candidate.

Contribution of HBV and HCV infection in mortality of B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma subjects / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

Background@#The correlation between hepatitis B, C viruses (HBV, HCV) and B cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (B-NHL) and reducing mortality have been studied extensively worldwide@*Objective@#In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV positive cases among B-NHL patients and its influence on the survival rate of these patients (on ≤12 months).@*Materials and Methods@#We have done a retrospective analysis on patients who aged over 20 years and newly diagnosed at the Hematology Center of the First State Hospital between 2015-2018. The patients’ information was collected according the study ethics. We divided the patients into 2 groups, survival rate less than 12 months (≤12 months) and survival rate more than 13 months (≥13 months), and compared them regarding age, gender, seroprevalence, and Ann-Arbor stage. @*Results@#Overall, 226 patients (107 males and 119 females with average 54.4) were enrolled in the study. There were 15% HBsAg positive and 41,6% anti-HCV positive cases, while Baatarkhuu et al. (2005) reported (11.8%, 15.6%; p=0.160, p<0.00001) and Bekhbold et al. (2013) reported (11.1%, 10.6%; p=0.055, p<0.00001) in apparently healthy population. Moreover, anti-HCV positive cases among B-NHL patients were higher (p<0.00001) than those (27%) among hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and same (p=0.404) with those (39%) among liver cirrhosis patients in Mongolia (Bolormaa et al., 2009). Furthermore, 72.0% of all subjects in III-IV stages was accounted for HBsAg, anti-HCV positive group which had ≤12 months, while 52.1% of them was accounted for HBsAg, anti-HCV positive group which had ≥13 months and was statistical significantly lower (p=0.02).@*Conclusion@#Anti-HCV and HBsAg positive cases might contribute to survival rate with the B-NHL patients diagnosed at the III-IV stages. HCV prevalence among B-NHL subjects was significantly higher than that among the general population prevalence and was same with anti-HCV positive prevalence among the HCC.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infection among Students of a Private Tertiary Institution in South-Western Nigeria

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health problem and account for a substantial proportion of liver diseases worldwide. Aim:The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of Hepatitis B and C virus infection among undergraduate students of Babcock University. Methodology: The blood samples of 200 participants (96 males and 104 females) were randomly collected and screened using rapid serological methods. HBV markers were determined using a HBV 5 in 1 Panel cassette (Innovita Biological Technology Co., Ltd., China); while antibody to HCVOriginal Research Article was detected using anti-HCV test strip (Blue Cross Bio-Medical Co., Ltd., China). The demographic and clinical information of the participants were collected using structured questionnaires. Results: Out of the 200 participants screened, 3 (1.5%) were positive for HBsAg, 10 (5.0%) were positive for HBsAb, 3 (1.5%) were positive for HBcAb, 2 (1.0%) were positive for HBeAb and none (0%) was positive for HBeAg. 2 (2.1%) of the 96 males screened were positive for HBsAg, while only one (1%) out of the 104 females screened was positive for HBsAg. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the number of male and female students positive for HBsAg. On the basis of age distribution, data show that 3 (2.7%) out of the 110 students that were 16-20 years old were positive for HBsAg, while students in the other age groups were negative for HBsAg. Risk factors associated with infection include: tattooing, history of blood transfusion and shared sharp objects. Interestingly, zero prevalence rate (0%) of HCV mono-infection, as well as HBV/HCV co-infection was recorded in this current study. Conclusion: The outcome of this study showed that a low prevalence rate of HBV mono-infection exists among undergraduate students of Babcock University, therefore the on-going public health campaign programme against Hepatitis B and C should be sustained

Epidemiological survey of hepatitis C in a region considered to have high prevalence: the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is affected by demographic, virological, clinical, and lifestyle-related factors and varies in different regions in Brazil or worldwide. The present study aimed to clarify the epidemiological patterns of HCV infection in the interior region of Brazil. METHODS: This study was conducted in the Southern Triangle Macro-region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, according to the guidelines of the National Program for the Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis. The participants answered a structured questionnaire on social and epidemiological factors. Immunochromatographic rapid tests were used for the qualitative detection of antibodies against HCV in whole blood (Alere HCV® Code 02FK10) in adult subjects by a free-standing method. RESULTS: Of 24,085 tested individuals, 184 (0.76%) were anti-HCV positive. The majority of anti-HCV-positive individuals were born between 1951 and 1980 (n=146 [79.3%]), with 68 women and 116 men. Identified risk factors included syringe and/or needle sharing (p = 0.003), being in prison (p = 0.004), and having tattoos or piercings (p = 0.005) and were significantly associated with the decade of birth. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows the importance of testing populations at risk for HCV infection, including incarcerated individuals, those with tattoos or piercings, those who share or have shared syringes or needles, and those in high-risk birth cohorts (1950s, 1960s, and 1970s) in the Southern Triangle Macro-region.

Variations in Plasma IL-2 and IL-10 in Relationship with Plasmodium Parasite Density

Study Background: Plasma IL-2 and IL-10 are cytokines for immuno regulation and immuno modulation in infectious diseases. IL10 inhibit synthesis of IFN gamma, IL-2, IL-3, TNF. Plasmodium infection is associated with reproduction of cytokines for innate and acquired immunity. Aim and Objective: This work was designed to determine variations in plasma IL-2 and IL-10 in relationship with plasmodium parasite density. Materials and Methods: Out of one hundred and sixteen (116) initially recruited only fifty Plasmodium infected female and male (female =25; male =25) aged 4-70 years free of M. tuberculosis and seronegative to HBsAg, HCV and HIV were recruited for the work.. Fifty age matched Plasmodium non-infected subjects were studied as control (female =25; male =25). Only subjects who were free of M. tuberculosis and seronegative to HIV, HCV, HBsAg test and AFB negative were recruited for the work. Plasma IL-2, IL-10, HIV, HBsAg and HCV were determined in the patients and the control subject immunochemically by ELISA while Identification of Plasmodium spp was determined in the blood of the patients and the control subject using WHO standard technique for the laboratory diagnosis of plasmodium infection in malaria endemic area. Results: A frequency of : 12.0%(14) Anti-HCV seropositive, 6.9%(8) Anti-HIV seropositive, 19.8%(23) HBsAg seropositive, 13.8% (16) AFB positive patients and 4.3%(5) indeterminate results was obtained from the 116 Plasmodium infected patients initially recruited. There was a significantly Higher plasma value of IL-10 in plasmodium infected patients with parasite density of 500-999 and ≥1000 than the control subjects with p<0.05. There was also a significantly lower mean plasma value of IL-10 in plasmodium infected patients with parasite density of 50-499 than those patients with parasite density 500-999 and ≥1000 with p<0.05. Conclusion: Plasmodium parasitemia and increase in parasite density has been found to significantly increase the plasma value of IL-10 with no significant change in the plasma value of IL-2. There was also an evidence of HIV, HCV, HBV and M. tuberculosis co-infection with Plasmodium spp .

Development of a Rapid Automated Fluorescent Lateral Flow Immunoassay to Detect Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg), Antibody to HBsAg, and Antibody to Hepatitis C

BACKGROUND: Accurate, rapid, and cost-effective screening tests for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may be useful in laboratories that cannot afford automated chemiluminescent immunoassays (CLIAs). We evaluated the diagnostic performance of a novel rapid automated fluorescent lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA). METHODS: A fluorescent LFIA using a small bench-top fluorescence reader, Automated Fluorescent Immunoassay System (AFIAS; Boditech Med Inc., Chuncheon, Korea), was developed for qualitative detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs), and antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) within 20 minutes. We compared the diagnostic performance of AFIAS with that of automated CLIAs—Elecsys (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany) and ARCHITECT (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA)—using 20 seroconversion panels and 3,500 clinical serum samples. RESULTS: Evaluation with the seroconversion panels demonstrated that AFIAS had adequate sensitivity for HBsAg and anti-HCV detection. From the clinical samples, AFIAS sensitivity and specificity were 99.8% and 99.3% for the HBsAg test, 100.0% and 100.0% for the anti-HBs test, and 98.8% and 99.1% for the anti-HCV test, respectively. Its agreement rates with the Elecsys HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV detection assays were 99.4%, 100.0%, and 99.0%, respectively. AFIAS detected all samples with HBsAg genotypes A-F and H and anti-HCV genotypes 1, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 4, and 6. Cross-reactivity with other infections was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: The AFIAS HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV tests demonstrated diagnostic performance equivalent to current automated CLIAs. AFIAS could be used for a large-scale HBV or HCV screening in low-resource laboratories or low-to middle-income areas.

Accelerated decline in anti-HCV antibody levels in spontaneous HCV seroconverters with HIV co-in-fection / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the influence on anti-HCV antibody levels in spontaneous HCV seroconverters co-infected with HIV. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on people with a history of blood donation in Wangying Village,Shangcai County,Henan Province in 2009 and 2017. Accord-ing to the infection status in 2009,patients who were positive for anti-HCV antibody were divided into four groups:HIV-negative chronic HCV infection group (HCVc),HIV-negative spontaneous HCV clearance group (HCVr),HIV-positive chronic HCV infection group (HIV+HCVc),HIV-positive spontaneous HCV clear-ance group ( HIV+HCVr). All patients were followed up in 2017 and those who were lost to follow-up, received HCV treatment or were reinfected with HCV (only for those of HCV seroconverters) were excluded from this study. Altogether 167 patients met the inclusion criteria (HCVc:n=65;HCVr:n=34;HIV+HCVc:n=44;HIV+HCVr:n=24). A horizontal comparison of anti-HCV antibody levels among the above four groups in 2009 and a longitudinal comparison of changes in anti-HCV antibody in each group from 2009 to 2017 were respectively conducted. Results The horizontal comparison indicated that the levels of anti-HCV antibody were higher in chronic HCV-infected patients than in HCV seroconverters no matter whether they were co-infected with HIV or not (both P<0. 000 1). After comparison of anti-HCV antibody titers in 2017 and 2009,no significant changes were found in HCVc or HIV+HCVc group. The levels of anti-HCV antibody in HCVr and HIV+HCVr groups decreased significantly from 2009 to 2017 ( both P<0. 000 1). HIV+HCVr group showed a faster decline in anti-HCV antibody level than HCVr group (P=0. 003 9). Significant nega-tive correlations between the decline speed in anti-HCV antibody sample/cut-off ( S/CO) values and the initial anti-HCV antibody S/CO values (in 2009) were found in both HCVr (r=-0. 517 7, P=0. 001 7) and HIV+HCVr groups (r=-0. 753 2, P<0. 000 1). The decline speed in anti-HCV antibody in HIV+HCVr patients was found to be negatively correlated with their CD4+T cell counts in 2009 ( r=-0. 563 8, P=0. 004 1). Moreover,the seroreversion rate of anti-HCV antibody in patients of the HIV+HCVr group was higher than that of HCVr group (P=0. 027 5). Conclusion HIV co-infection can accelerate the decline of anti-HCV antibody in spontaneous HCV seroconverters. This study indicates that in a large-scale retrospective epidemiological investigation especially for HIV-infected populations, the prevalence of anti-HCV antibody may be underestimated.

Investigation and Analysis of Hepatitis C Screened by Chemiluminescent Immu-noassay / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective The purpose of this study is to explore the applicability of chemiluminescent immunoassay in screening hepatitis C infection,and to find the infection status of heptitis C virus in Ningxia,and to provide scientific basis for its pre vention and control.Methods A total of 209 889 hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) data detected by chemiluminescent immu noassay (CIA) were collected from the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University during 2011～2015.According to the 《Laboratory Hepatitis C Antibody Detection and Results Report Guide of 2003 CDC》of the United States,Cases were divid ed into weak positive (0.9≤S/CO value≤8.0) and positive (S/CO value＞8.0) two groups.According to the clinical diag nostic criteria of 《 Hepatitis C Prevention Guide》 of 2015 version to complete the diagnosis of acute and chronic hepatitis C.The chi square test and curve estimation of regression analysis was used to analyze the diagnosis rate of hepatitis C and the distribution characteristics of the patients with hepatitis C.Results In the S/CO value＞8.0 group,the diagnosis rate of hepatitis C was 97.57％.In the 0.9≤S/CO value≤8.0 group,the diagnosis rate of hepatitis C was only 2.05％.Among the people infected with HCV,there was no significant difference between male and female (x2 =1.432,P＞0.05).The infection rate was high in the individuals of ages between 21～60 years old,the infection rate of children and the elderly was low (x2 254.901,P＜0.01),almost all Departments of the hospital were distributed.The majority of false positive groups were elderly,children,pregnant women and tumor patients.The main departments were obstetrics,oncology,pediatrics and oral and maxillofacial surgery.Conclusion The method of Chemiluminescent immunoassay to detect anti-HCV is suitable for clinical screening of hepatitis C.but it is necessary to pay attention to the treatment of false positives.It is necessary to improve the detection of hepatitis C in the population with high prevalence in Ningxia,and pay attention to the prevention and treatment of nosoco-mial infection,and constantly improve the screening and monitoring system for hepatitis C.