Relation between HLA-DP/DQ Polymorphisms, Serum IP-10 and Response to Direct Acting Antiviral Therapy among HCV Infected Patients.

HCV infection represents a worldwide health problem with many attempts to control. This study aimed to assess the relation between HLA-DQ-rs3920 SNP, HLA-DP-rs3077 SNP, serum IP-10 levels and response to direct acting antiviral (DAA) drugs among HCV infected Egyptian patients. The study included 100 HCV infected patients (received sofosbuvir, Daclatsvir and Ribavirin) and 50 apparently healthy volunteers as controls. Serological, hematological and viral investigations were done to all participants. Whole DNA was extracted, HLA-DQ-rs3920 SNP and HLA-DP-rs3077 SNP were evaluated using RT-PCR and serum IP-10 levels were determined. Higher frequencies of HLA-DQ rs3920 AG and HLA-DP rs3077 AA variants was observed among HCV infected patients (P<0.001* and P=0.029*, respectively). There was a statistically significant association between both genotypes and response to DAA. However, HLA-DQ rs3920 A allele was markedly expressed among non-responders group and could be correlated with resistance to DAA therapy. IP-10 levels were significantly decreased among the non-responder group with 95% sensitivity and 15% specificity. We concluded that HLA-DP-rs3077 and/or HLA-DQ-rs3920 SNP may represent independent predictors for susceptibility to infection and response to direct antiviral drugs among HCV infected Egyptian patients. Serum IP-10 could be a predictive marker for disease progression and response to DAA.

Skin-lightening patterns among female students: A cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Skin-lightening products (SLPs) are commonly used worldwide, and their improper use and overuse is becoming a burden on health care workers, including dermatologists. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the characteristics, determinants, preferences, and side effects of the use of SLPs among Saudi female students and their association with mental health. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytic study, using a self-administered prevalidated questionnaire, was conducted among female students in the Aljouf region of Saudi Arabia. We used the consecutive nonprobability sampling technique to recruit participants. The questionnaire contained demographic data, two questions about knowledge of SLPs, eight questions regarding perceptions of fair skin, and three proxy scales for mental health (depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and Internet addiction). RESULTS: The mean age of the participants (± standard deviation) was 29 ± 9.6 years. Of the 760 responders, 427 (56.2%) used SLPs; all were women with relatively light skin (types III-V). There was a unanimous positive perception of lighter skin tone among women. The participants used skin-lighteners for cosmetic and medical conditions (67.2% and 17.5%, respectively). The practice was significantly associated with poor mental health status, poor level of knowledge, and lower sociodemographic status (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of SLPs is highly prevalent among Saudi female students. Users believe that fairer skin is associated with beauty and social advantage. Female students with a lower economic status and poor mental health are more prone to overuse SLPs. A need exists for targeted public health campaigns to raise public awareness about uncontrolled skin lightener usage.