[Application of PCR method in specific identification of Fusarium solani in HIV positive patients]

Fusarium solani is the common etiological agent of fungemia and disseminated fusariosis, which is associated with high incidence of mortality in immune-compromised host. Due to high level of resistance of antifungals in Fusarium solani, rapid and specific identification of organism is essential. This study was done to evaluate the PCR method for rapid and specific diagnosis of Fusarium solani in serum samples of HIV positive patients. In this descriptive study, the PCR test based on mitochondrial cytochrome b gene as the target gene with 330 bp product was optimized. PCR was applied on 45 serum samples of HIV positive patients after evaluation of sensitivity and specificity of the test. In the optimized PCR test, the 330 bp product was amplified. The sensitivity of the test was a copy of Fusarium solani genome, and its specificity was 100%. Among 45 serum samples, 9 cases [20%] were positive for Fusarium solani. The PCR method has functional capabilities for direct, rapid and specific clinical diagnosis of Fusarium solani in HIV positive patients

association between sporadic Alzheimer's disease and the human ABCA1 and APOE gene polymorphisms in Iranian population

Apolipoprotein E [APOE], which its epsilon4 allele has been reported as a risk factor in late onset Alzheimer's disease [AD], is the main cholesterol carrier in the brain. ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 [ABCA1] gene on chromosome 9, which has been known by genome-wide AD linkage study, has an important role in cellular cholesterol efflux. This study determines the association between sporadic AD and the human ABCA1 and APOE gene polymorphisms in Iranian population. 154 AD cases and 162 control subjects from Iranian population were genotyped for APOE genotypes and ABCA1 polymorphism [R219K]. The frequency of epsilon2epsilon3 genotype was higher in control subjects comparing AD patients but was not significant [13% versus 5.8%] and epsilon3epsilon4 genotype frequency was significantly higher in AD cases comparing with control subjects. APOE-epsilon2 allele frequency in cases was lower than control subjects but this difference was not significant [4.5% versus 8%]. Individuals carrying epsilon4 allele, developed AD 6.5 times more than non-carriers [OR=6.52, 95%CI=2.63-16.17]. There was no significant association between ABCA1 polymorphism and AD. Unlike other studies, R219K polymorphism was not dependent on gender and APOE-epsilon4 allele and there was no association between APOE and ABCA1 in AD patients compared to controls

[Optimization of loop-mediated isothermal amplification [LAMP] method for detection of herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2]

Type 1 and type 2 herpes simplex [HSV] virus cause infection of central nervous system [encephalitis] in human. The molecular techniques are the best methods for detection of HSV. In this study we evaluated the novel molecular technique of LAMP for detection of HSV-1 and HSV-2. In this experimental study 184 cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] samples were collected from Mofid Hospital. DNA of every sample was extracted by use of Sinagen DNP kit. Based on the HSV DNA polymerase gene, a set of 6 primers were designed and sensitivity and specificity of this method were determined. By adding SYBER Green, LAMP product was identified. The results of LAMP method were compared to those of PCR by chi-square test. Sensitivity of LAMP method determined to be 5 copies/ tube and sensitivity of PCR method determined to be 50 copies/ tube. Both LAMP and PCR methods showed 100% specificity for detection of HSV type 1 and type 2. Among 184 samples, 60 samples were positive by LAMP but 45 samples were positive by PCR method. Sensitivity of LAMP was 10 times higher than that of PCR. Comparison of the results of the two methods by means of chi-square test showed a significant difference [p<0.05]. LAMP method had high sensitivity and specificity for detection of type 1 and type 2 HSV in CSF samples