Epstein-barr virus in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis [MS] is an inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. Many diseases are associated with Epstein-Barr virus [EBV] infection, such as infectious mononucleosis and many types of malignancies, and it is thought to be related to some diseases of autoimmune origin, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis, and others. The present study aimed to assess EBV in patients with MS. This case-control study was conducted from October 2012 to September 2013 on 75 MS patients and non-MS controls. Both were tested quantitatively for immunoglobulin G [IgG] antibodies against Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-1 [EBNA1] and viral capsid antigen [VCA] using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technique. Seventy MS patients [93.3%] were positive for EBNA1 IgG compared with 68 controls [90.7%]. In MS patients, the mean EBNA1 IgG serum level was 310.91 [ +/- 131.05] U/ml; meanwhile, among controls the mean serum EBNA IgG level was 177.81 [ +/- 104.98] U/ml. All patients with MS were positive for VCA IgG, whereas only 60 [80.0%] controls were positive. In the MS group, the VCA IgG mean level was 302.19 [ +/- 152.11] U/ml compared with 167.94 [ +/- 111.79] U/ml in controls. The differences in the serum levels of both markers between the two groups were statistically significant [P<0.001]. EBV proved to have a unique immunological pattern in MS patients when compared with non-MS controls. Further studies for more confirmation of the relation between EBV and MS on a large scale are recommended

Performance of a rapid test versus real-time PCR for diagnosis of H1N1 swine flu

For effective control and treatment of swine influenza, rapid and cost-effective diagnosis is important. Although the gold-standard method for the diagnosis of influenza virus is culture isolation, it is not routinely used in outpatient settings because of the cost and the time needed to complete the assay. This has led to the development of an array of rapid influenza diagnostic tests. The aim of this study was to compare between the performance of CerTest Swine Flu card and RT-PCR in the detection of H1N1 infection. This study included 40 clinically suspected cases of H1N1. Nasal and throat swabs were collected from patients, placed in viral transport medium, and kept at 4[degree]C until being tested on the same day for the presence of H1N1, using the CerTest Swine Flu test and real-time PCR. Of these 40 suspected cases, seven [17.5%] were found to be positive by the PCR technique, whereas 33 [82.5%] were found to be negative. Of the seven positive cases by the PCR technique, six were found to be positive by the rapid test, and thus the sensitivity of the rapid test was found to be 85.7%, and the specificity was 100%.CerTest Swine Flu card rapid test was found to have reliable sensitivity and specificity compared with the gold-standard RT-PCR

Measles and rubella vaccine antibody levels in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia following chemotherapy

Children in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL] have a high prevalence of immune system defects; one of them is the decrease of vaccine-induced antibody seropositivity rates. This antibody deficiency may place children with ALL at risk for the development of vaccine- preventable diseases, even after completion of chemotherapy, and they could function as a reservoir for additional spread of these diseases in the population. The aim of the present study was the assessment of the levels of vaccine- induced antibodies against measles and rubella viruses n ALL children following chemotherapy. Antibody levels against measles and rubella vaccine viruses were evaluated by ELISA technique in 96 children with ALL after completion of chemotherapy, in addition to 30 healthy children [non cancer controls of matched age and sex]. All healthy children were seropositive for measles and rubella antibodies. On the other hand, out of 96 children who received chemotherapy, only 19 [19.8%] were seropositive for measles antibodies, while 70 [72.9%] were seropositive for rubella antibodies. Most of measles seropositive cases [57.9%] had low levels of measles antibodies while among control group most children [56.7%] had high levels of measles antibodies, Similarly among children who received chemotherapy, most of the seropositive cases [45.7%] had low levels of rubella antibodies, while among control group, most of children [36.6%] had high levels of rubella antibodies. Seropositivity rate of measles was found to be related to the age at diagnosis and disease duration, while that of rubella was found to be related to the disease duration only. Most of children who have been treated with chemotherapy for ALL had lost measles antibodies and to less extent rubella antibodies. Among seropositive cases, levels of measles and rubella antibodies are low following treatment with chemotherapy compared to levels among normal controls. Therefore, revaccination of children with ALL following completion of chemotherapeutic treatment against measles and rubella is recommended

Hepatitis G virus infection in patients with hepatitis C

Hepatitis G virus [HGV] infection is a worldwide health problem causing acute and chronic non A- E hepatitis. Because HGV and hepatitis C virus [HCV] share same modes of transmission, co-infection with the two viruses is not uncommon especially among people at high risk of parenteral infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HGV among HCV virus cases, and to determine the degree of concurrent association between HGV and other prevalent infections in Egypt as Schistosoma, and hepatitis B virus [HBV] infections. This study included 100 blood donors attending Alexandria University Blood Bank in EL Shatby, proved to be positive for HCV antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA] technique. Blood samples ,vyere collected and tested for the detection of HBV surface antigen [HBsAg] and Schistosoma antibodies by ELISA technique and HGV RNA by nested polymerase chain reaction [PCR] technique.' Out of 100 anti-HCV positive blood donors, 39[39%] had HGV RNA in their serum, of them 10 [25.6%] were positive for HBsAg, on the other hand 34[87.2%] were positive for Schistosoma antibodies. From this study it could, be concluded that HGV is a common co-infection in HCV cases, however there was no significant statistical relation between the presence of HGV RNA and the presence of HBsAg and /or Schistosoma antibodies. Screening for HGV among blood donors in addition to the routinely screened HBV and HCV may have a beneficial effect in reducing its transmission among the population