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INTRODUCTION: A new form of hepatitis C virus infection, known as occult hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, is characterized by the presence of HCV_RNA in the liver or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). However, no serological markers of infection occur and there is not as much damage to the liver damage as is produced by chronic hepatitis C. There is a high incidence of HCV infection among hemodialysis patients, there is significant concern about viral transmission. HCV infection is a major problem in hemodialysis (HD) units even though blood products are screened for anti-HCV antibodies and other precautions are taken. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of occult HCV infection in PBMC in chronic hemodialysis (CHD) patients in the dialysis unit at Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI) with HCV antibodies and HCV RNA negativity irrespective of their liver function tests. METHODS: Fifty-three patients who were repeatedly were anti-HCV negative and serum HCV-RNA negative and on regular hemodialysis for > six months were enrolled in the study, which was conducted in the dialysis unit of Nephrology Department at TBRI; there were 10 healthy matched controls. The patients were classified into two groups according to the result HCV RNA in their PBMCs. Serological markers of HCV infection, including anti-HCV antibody and serum HCV-RNA, were repeatedly negative for all patients included in the study. We collected serum and PBMC samples from the patients on the day they entered the study. The test of all serum samples for anti-HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA was repeated by RT-PCR to ensure that the patients did not have these HCV serologic markers, We also measured their ALT and GGT levels. RESULTS: Occult hepatitis C virus infection (OCI) was detected in 15.1% of our CHD patients without any evidence of chronic liver disease. CONCLUSION: Occult HCV infection was present among the hemodialysis patients irrespective of whether they had persistent abnormal values of liver enzymes for which no cause had been identified. Further study is required to determine the clinical significance of occult HCV infections in these patients.
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INTRODUCTION: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Multiple genetic and epigenetic changes are involved in the molecular pathogenesis of HCC. Heat shock proteins have essential roles in protecting cells from the potentially lethal effects of stress. Among them, HSP70 are often overexpressed in cells of various cancers and have been suggested to contribute to tumourigenesis. p53 mutations in codon 249 have also been identified in HCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients with liver disease were enrolled in this study compared to 10 healthy volunteers. The studied patients were divided into 2 groups: group I includes those suffering from HCC, group II includes those suffering from post-hepatitis B and C liver cirrhosis. The presence of p53 gene mutation was detected by DNA extraction from whole blood of patients and controls followed by polymerase chain reaction then restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of codon 249 of exon 7. We also studied the genotypes of the HSP70 gene by PCR followed by RFLP analysis. RESULTS: Our results revealed no statistical difference between group I, group II, and the control group as regards exon 7 mutation of the p53 gene. Also the frequency of polymorphic genotypes of HSP70 showed no significant difference between the 3 studied groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present study supports the view that the incidence of point mutation of p53 codon 249 mutations in exon 7 of the p53 gene may not play a role in carcinogenesis of HCC in Egyptian patients. Also, genetic polymorphism in HSP70 was not associated with high risk of future development of HCC.
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Changes in plasma tissue factor (TF)-activated factor VII (FVIIa) and plasma tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) in type II diabetes mellitus are assessed, vascular complicated and noncomplicated patients compared, and whether these novel hemostatic activity markers predict vascular complications in diabetic patients, improving risk assessment, is determined. Fifty type II diabetic patients and 20 healthy controls (age, sex and body mass matched) underwent medical history and examination, fasting plasma glucose level, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, hemostatic parameters, plasma TF activity, and TFPI and TF expression on blood monocytes. Mean TF, TF activity, TFPI, and FVIIa significantly increased among hyperlipidemic compared with normolipidemic diabetic patients, and normolipidemic diabetic patients compared with controls. Mean percentage TF-positive monocytes with and without lipopolysaccharide, plasma TF activity, TFPI and FVIIa were significantly higher among complicated than noncomplicated diabetic patients. Mean percentage TF-positive monocytes without and with lipopolysaccharide, plasma TF activity, plasma TFPI and FVIIa were higher among diabetic patients with macrovascular compared with microvascular complications. High significant correlation occurred between HbA1c, triglycerides and percentage TF-positive monocytes with and without lipopolysaccharide stimulation, plasma TF activity and both FVIIa and TFPI. High activity levels of plasma TF and FVIIa with increased circulating TF-positive monocytes occurred in type II diabetic patients, especially with vascular complications. Results reflect high procoagulant activity possibly involved in diabetic vascular complications. Elevated TFPI levels were observed, but were not sufficient to balance high procoagulant activity. Correlation of procoagulant activity markers with HbA1c reinforces the importance of optimal glycemic control in type II diabetes.