فهرست مطالب
Iranian Journal of Virology
Volume:14 Issue: 2, 2020
- تاریخ انتشار: 1399/09/22
- تعداد عناوین: 12
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Pages 1-5Background and Aims
Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection during pregnancy can treat the health of mother and fetus. The present study was aimed to determine the prevalence of VZV IgG antibodies among pregnant women living in Yazd, Iran.
Materials and MethodsIn this cross-sectional, all pregnant women referred to Baghayipour clinic of Yazd city were participated. IgG Antibodies against VZV were detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. Demographic data of each woman, including age, self-reported history of chickenpox, education and place of residency were collected using a questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed by SPSS software version 20.
ResultsA total of 300 pregnant women with mean age of 28±6 years (age range: 18-46 years) were screened for VZV antibodies that 283 cases (94.3%) were seropositive. The prevalence of VZV antibodies among pregnant women in age groups of 14–23, 24–33, 34–44 years was 96.8%, 93.3% and 95%, respectively. The prevalence of VZV antibodies was not significantly associated to the educational level, place of residence, and history of infection with chickenpox. Positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of self-reported history of varicella were 94.2% and 4.4%, respectively.
ConclusionsThe prevalence of varicella-zoster IgG antibodies among pregnant women living in Yazd was higher than in other regions of Iran. Performing the routine vaccination against VZV is suggested to protect mother and fetus from possible complications caused by the virus.
Keywords: Antibodies, Chickenpox, Prevalence, Pregnant Women -
Pages 6-15Background and Aims
For more than half a century, the production of fowl pox vaccine at Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, has been carried out by injection method in the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and the vaccine has a favorable and effective in poultry flocks and has provided a complete satisfaction to the poultry flocks owner. Fowl pox vaccine is also manufactured using chicken embryo cell (CEF) culture in other countries. The aim of this project is to develop fowl pox vaccine based on CEF which is of vital importance and a requirement for Razi institute.
Materials and MethodsIn this study, chicken fibroblastic cells were used as primary cell culture in Hanks or DMEM media supplemented with fetal bovine serum 10% (FBS). First the cells were cultured and the cell count was determined. Subsequently, the virus was added to the cells. The virus that used to prepare the vaccine was initially grew up in the fibroblast cells and had a titer of 106.3 TCID50/ml. To determine the viral load, two methods plaque-forming unit (PFU) and TCID50 were used, safety and efficacy tests were performed on 10 chickens, and the potency test on 20 chickens, and vaccinated chickens were challenged with wild fowl pox virus strain.
ResultsThe results of the tests showed that the vaccinated chickens had an adequate and sufficient resistance to the acute form of fowl pox virus.
ConclusionIn total, according to the OIE standard, the above experiments showed that cell culture-based fowl pox vaccine can generate good immunity response and have high efficacy.
Keywords: fowl pox vaccine, fibroblast cell culture, chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), Razi institute -
Pages 16-22Background and Aims
Interferon alpha is an effective cytokine in viral infections, where it has various roles in immune function. The use of this antiviral agent in the treatment of viral infections and even cancers is common, although, the beneficial effects of this antiviral agent in high doses can be associated with side effects that limit its use. In this project, we tried to investigate the effects of different doses and timing of interferon alpha treatment on the expression of downstream interferon signaling genes and evaluation of the antiviral effects in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Materials and MethodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from treatment-naive HCV-infected patients. The cells were treated with different doses of Interferon alpha 2a (IFN-α 2a) and the mRNA expression of target genes (ISG15, MXA, PKR and OAS) at different time points was evaluated by Real Time PCR. The levels of ISG15 and OAS were measured in culture supernatant using ELISA and the level of HCV NS5A in chronic HCV patients was measured by flow cytometry.
ResultsOur results showed that IFN-α 2a effect on the expression of antiviral proteins was dependent on dose and time of administrated IFN-α.
ConclusionThis finding indicates that IFN-α should be used at optimal dose to achieve the best efficiency and established balance between antiviral and anti-tumor effects of IFN-α with fewer side effects.
Keywords: Antiviral factors, IFN-α 2a, dose dependent -
Pages 23-28Background and Aims
Huh-7 is a cell line that was derived from a liver tumor of a Japanese man. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered as a primary liver cancer. Highly resistant tumor to treatment which causes the death of many patients annually. Thus, targeting the cancer cells by using a new method could be effective in therapy of this cancer. Reoviruses are oncolytic viruses that can infect and kill tumor cells, which have an activated Ras signaling pathways, while normal cells are resistant to infection and replication of these viruses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of oncolytic human reovirus on Huh 7 cell line in vitro.
Materials and MethodsHuman reovirus serotype 3, Huh-7 cell line, and normal human fibroblasts were used in this study. After virus purification and plaque assay, human reoviruses were inoculated into the Huh-7 cells and human normal fibroblasts as negative control. Virus cytopathic effect, cell viability, and viral RNA replication were assessed at the different time of post-infection.
ResultsVirus cytopathic effects and cell lysis were clearly observed and reovirus RNA replication was detected in the Huh-7 cells, whereas normal human fibroblasts were resistant against reovirus infection.
ConclusionThe result of the present study showed that human reoviruses serotype 3 can destroy the Huh-7 cells. Accordingly, the use of human reovirus could be considered as a potential therapy for HCC and liver cancer.
Keywords: hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), Huh-7, oncolytic virus, reovirus -
Pages 29-37Background and Aims
Global epizootic distribution of HPAI H5N8 (Clade 2.3.4.4) in poultry and wild birds was demonstrated after 2010. HPAI virus is a major concern in the birds and poultry industry and global human health. Wild migratory birds and their link to backyard birds play a critical role in spreading HPAI and creating genetic reassortment.
Materials and MethodsIn this study in 2018, HPAI H5N8 was isolated from Backyard poultry (turkey) in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Three reports of outbreaks were submitted. The first outbreak was in a village, Sholebaran, and the second was in a Livestock market in Bahman, and the third was in another Village, Yaghbastloo. Tracheal and pancreas tissue samples were obtained from 10 dead birds, and 300 susceptible domestic birds include in the turkey and chickens. Sampleschr('39') diagnosis was based on real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RRT-PCR) and partial HA gene sequencing. Turkey samples were positive and characterized as H5N8.
ResultsPhylogenetic analysis result based on a partial HA gene revealed that the Iranian HPAI H5N8 virus in our study, belong to the subgroup clade 2.3.4.4 and cluster within group B.
ConclusionThese findings indicate that it provides new insights into the evolution and spread of H5N8 in Iran; based on these results, we have to recognize an improper monitoring protocol for reducing the reassortment of them. Therefore, we could prevent HPAI from circulating.
Keywords: Phylogenetic tree, H5N8, Avian influenza, backyard poultry, HAPI, Iran -
Pages 38-43Background and Aims
Human adenoviruses (HAdV) are worldwide distributed pathogens that cause a variety of illnesses, including gastrointestinal infections. These viruses are considered as important pathogens in wastewater, reclamation, and reused water. We aimed to investigate the molecular prevalence and characterization of HAdV in wastewater samples as well as air samples of aeration tanks of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Tehran, Iran.
Materials and MethodsFrom November 2017 to April 2018, a total of 14 wastewater and 9 air samples were collected and analyzed for the presence of HAdV by an integrated cell culture/polymerase chain reaction (ICC/PCR) technique. The samples were collected from the Ekbatan WWTP in the west of Tehran. To capture bio-aerosols, a liquid impingement biosampler was used. Typing of HAdV was performed by sequencing analysis.
ResultsOut of nine untreated wastewater samples, one sample (11.1%) was positive for the presence of HAdV cytopathic effect (CPE), while two (40.4%) of five treated wastewater samples were positive for the HAdV CPE. The results of PCR assay also showed that 44.4 % (four out of 9 samples) of the untreated wastewater and 60% (three out of 5 samples) of the treated wastewater samples were positive for HAdV genome. Regarding the air samples of aeration tanks, four (44.4%) of nine samples were positive for the presence of the HAdV genome. HAdV in the wastewater samples were type B (40%), type C (40%), and type D (20%) and all four positive air samples for HAdV were type C.
ConclusionThe human adenovirus detected in 50% of the wastewater and 44.44% of the air samples of the wastewater treatment plant of the Ekbatan, Tehran, Iran.
Keywords: Human adenovirus, Waste Water, Molecular typing -
Pages 44-51Background and Aims
Beet curly top Iran virus is a member of the genus Becurtovirus in the family Geminiviradae, and is a major pathogen of sugar beet in Iran. BCTIV is transmitted by beet leafhopper Circulifer haematocpes in a persistent manner. The primary objective of the work was to monitor the occurrence and incidence of BCTIV in vector leafhoppers, which provides useful information on the potential risk to other economically important hosts. A secondary objective was to analysis of CUB using CP gene sequences available in Genbank. This information will further our understanding of the importance of the beet leafhopper in diseases affecting sugar beet and other host crops. In addition, CUB analyses reveal novel information about the evolutionary fitness of BCTD.
Materials and MethodsTotal nucleic acid was extracted from 10 leafhoppers individually, which were collected from West Iran. The partial coat protein (CP) genes were amplified using specific primers. For molecular analysis, CP sequences of 164 isolates worldwide, including BCTIV (n=53), and BCTV (n=111) isolates obtained from the GenBank database, were used for codon usage bias -CUB analysis. To clarify the genetic diversity of BCTIV and BCTV, CP sequences were aligned using CLUSTALX2. The CodonW 1.4.2 package was used for assessing of the nucleotide mixtures at the 3rd codon position (A3, C3, T3, and G3%). The Emboss explorer (http://www.bioinformatics.nl/emboss-explorer/) was used for calculating GC content at the first, second, and third codon positions (GC1s, GC2s, GC3s), where the average of GC1 and GC2s is indicated by GC1,2s.
ResultsAfter polymerase chain reaction (PCR) an expected DNA band of about 600bp was amplified, which confirmed the infection of six leafhoppers with BCTIV. A constant and conserved genomic composition CP coding sequences were inferred by low codon usage bias. Nucleotide composition analysis indicates the frequency of amino acid coded by A/U ended optimal codon. This unequal use of nucleotides composition, effective number of codons (ENC), and principal component analysis (PCA) plots indicates that the combination of mutation pressure and natural selection are deriving the codon usage patterns in the CP gene but the role of selection pressure is more important.
ConclusionOur PCR method would be useful in monitoring and detection of BCTIV in this important insect vector, and the data regarding viruliferous vectors can be applied in disease forecasting and management. In addition, our findings showed that overall codon usage bias within BCT CP genes is slightly biased. The evolution of BCT perhaps reflects a dynamic process of mutation and natural selection to adapt their codon usage to different environments and hosts. This research makes an essential contribution to the understanding of plant virus evolution andeal the novel information about their evolutionary fitness.
Keywords: BCT viruses, insect vector, beet leafhopper, PCR, codon usage patterns -
Pages 46-55
As the dawn of this new decade has begun, we have faced our arch-nemesis right at the start in the form of Coronavirus also known as COVID-19. Since its origin from Wuhan, China, it has been declared a pandemic and has affected several countries worldwide. This review article summarizes all the research, techniques, strategies, and treatment methodologies that are taking place internationally in the current frame of time. The road to developing a viable and effective vaccine has many hurdles that we have to pass through. Modern research has identified the receptor ACE2 that is common in both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. This homogeneity gives us a lead because we have an enormous amount of genomics and proteomics’ data related to the original strain and other viruses of the subfamily beta-coronaviruses like MERS etc. Furthermore, the organization of the genome of this novel strain, as well as future perspectives of therapeutic procedures like by utilizing stem cells for immunomodulation derived from mesenchymal lining and many other viable options in the treatment of the virus have been briefly enlisted.
Keywords: Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, Vaccine, Immunomodulation, Stem Cell Therapy, Genome Organization, Structural Analysis, Phylogenetic Analysis -
Pages 52-57Background and Aims
Avian Influenza (AI), an acute infectious disease of waterfowl, poultry, animals, and wild birds, is transmitted zoonotically to humans. There are some reports on the HPAI incidents in Iran: H5N8 and H5N1. The Iranian Veterinary Organization decided to vaccinate turkey flocks after the outbreak in high-risk provinces in Iran. The present work aimed to evaluate the vaccine’s serum response in turkey flocks in the provinces of high risks.
Materials and MethodsFrom Tehran (no:1), Isfahan (no: 3), Zanjan (no: 1), and Mazandaran (no:1) provinces, six broiler turkey farms were chosen and received the H5 vaccine (two times of vaccination for each farm). From each flock, 15 blood samples were taken. The HI test was conducted using 4 HA units of the homologous antigen and a U-bottomed microtiter plate.
ResultsThe antibody mean titers in the turkey farms previously receiving the vaccine were 1.23. However, they were 5.05 for those receiving the immunization twice (significant difference; p<0.05). Moreover, considering protection baseline 4, all flocks produced higher titer by injection of the vaccine twice.
ConclusionIntegrating with other control measures like good monitoring and biosecurity programs, vaccination is an appropriate and robust instrument for supporting control programs or AI eradication in endemically infected countries. The regular post-vaccination surveillance was performed by the Iranian Veterinary Organization (IVO), and the flocks were evaluated for silent infections.
Keywords: Avian Influenza, H5, Iran, broiler turkey, Vaccination