Biochemistry
Mohammad Abdi; Abbas Ahmadi; Aram Mokarizadeh
Abstract
Recently, prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), has dramatically increased worldwide due to their shared routes of transmission. Compared to sporadic infection with HIV, HBV, and HCV, concurrent infection with these agents ...
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Recently, prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), has dramatically increased worldwide due to their shared routes of transmission. Compared to sporadic infection with HIV, HBV, and HCV, concurrent infection with these agents increases the effects and complications of these viruses. Furthermore, co-infection may also alter therapeutic strategies against HIV. Accordingly, choosing appropriate biomarkers to detect these co -infections is one of the main concerns in the field of diagnostic pathology. Up to now, several markers have been introduced for simultaneous diagnosis of HIV, HBV, and HCV. In this regard, serum adenosine deaminase activity (ADA), Fibro Tests, AST-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI), Fibrosis-4, Hyaluronic acid, and micro ribonucleic acids have been investigated as potential biomarkers for diagnosis of HIV-HCV/HBV co-infections. This work summarizes the diagnostic value of current and emerging biomarkers in HIV patients concurrently infected with HBV and HCV.
Microbiology
Roghayeh Teimourpour; Amineh Sadat Tajani; Vahid Reza Askari; Sina Rostami; Zahra Meshkat
Volume 11, Issue 3 , July 2016, , Pages 222-230
Abstract
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases responsible for high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Therefore, designing new and effective therapeutics is of great importance. The aim of the current study was to construct a DNA vaccine containing ...
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Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases responsible for high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Therefore, designing new and effective therapeutics is of great importance. The aim of the current study was to construct a DNA vaccine containing structural proteins of HCV and evaluation of its expression in a eukaryotic system. Methods: Structural proteins of HCV (core, E1, and E2) were isolated and amplified from JFH strain of HCV genotype 2a using PCR method. The PCR products were cloned into pCDNA3.1 (+) vector and finally were confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis and sequencing. The eukaryotic expression of the vector was confirmed by RT-PCR. Results: Recombinant vector containing 2241bp fragment of HCV structural genes was constructed.The desired plasmid was sequenced and corresponded to 100% identity with the submitted sequences in GenBank. RT-PCR results indicated that the recombinant plasmid could be expressed efficiently in the eukaryotic expression system. Conclusion: Successful cloning of structural viral genes in pCDNA3.1 (+) vector and their expression in a eukaryotic expression system facilitates the development of new DNA vaccines against HCV. A DNA vaccine encoding core-E1-E2 antigens was designed. The desired expression vector can be used for further attempts in the development of vaccines.
