ABSTRACT
Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. A non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) gene is associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. SNPs of the TM6SF2 gene play an important role in the pathogenesis of HCC in alcoholic cirrhosis, but there are limited data regarding other possible etiologies. We aimed to evaluate the role of the rs58542926 polymorphism in the development of HCC in Egyptian chronic liver disease (CLD) patients. Material and methods: A total of 120 participants, including 40 HCC patients, 40 CLD patients, and 40 healthy controls, were selected. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the TM6SF2 rs58542926 polymorphism. Results: There were no significant differences among the three studied groups regarding age (p = 0.06) and gender (p = 0.75). Frequencies of the CT, TT, CT + TT genotypes and the T allele were significantly higher in HCC patients than in the CLD and control groups (p < 0.001, p = 0.005, and p < 0.001, respectively). CLD patients with the CT genotype had a significantly increased risk of HCC development (OR = 4.67, 95% CI: 1.67-12.90). Patients with the TT genotype had a significantly increased risk of HCC (OR = 9.33, 95% CI: 1.72-50.61). Moreover, the T allele was correlated with an increased risk of HCC (OR = 5.44, 95% CI: 2.09-14.17) compared to the C allele. Conclusions: The TM6SF2 rs58542926 genotype is associated with an increased risk of HCC in the Egyptian population.
ABSTRACT
Trichomoniasis may be asymptomatic or symptomatic in both sexes. The outcome of infection depends on the virulence factors of T. vaginalis, but these factors remain unclear. Genetic variability of the isolates and the host's immune response are likely to be key factors in that respect. Symptomatic and asymptomatic males infected with T. vaginalis were compared regarding the differences in antibody subclasses response in the urethral samples. In symptomatic cases there was a significant elevation in IgM, IgG1 & IgG2b levels in urethral samples, and a little, non-significant rise in IgG2a levels. However, there were no statistically significant differences between levels of IgA, IgG3 & IgG4. The results showed that specific IgG1 & IgM and to a lesser extent IgG2 may be involved in established symptomatic trichomoniasis in men, compared to asymptomatic ones.
