献血员血清抗—HCV和HCV RNA检测

本文对宜昌市的２９９９名献血员,５９４名自然人群的血清进行了抗－ＨＣＶ、ＨＣＶＲＮＡ检测,结果表明,献血员中抗－ＨＣＶ阳性２３例,阳性率为０．７７％。其中宜昌、巴东分别为０．７３％和０．７６％,沙市为０．８３％。地区、性别、城乡之间抗－ＨＣＶ阳性率无显著性差异（ｐ＞０．０５）。参照以往文献报导,此阳性率比国内报导的低,与国际的相一致。５９４名自然人群抗－ＨＣＶ结果均为阴性,献血员与自然人群之间抗－ＨＣＶ阳性率差异显著（ｐ＜０．０５）。２０例抗－ＨＣＶ阳性者中检出ＨＣＶ　ＲＮＡ阳性６例,占３０％（６／２０）,占受检献血员的０．２０％（６／２９９９）,比武汉（０．８０％）低４倍,地区之间无显著差异（ｐ＞０．０５）。由此初步确认：宜昌市献血员中丙型病毒性肝炎感染低于国内某些大中城市、宜昌市（含七县二市）巴东县、沙市市是丙型病毒性肝炎低感染区。但存在无症状病毒血症携带者传染源。     

Plasma selenium status in a group of Australian blood donors and fresh blood components

The purpose of this study was to assess plasma selenium levels in an Australian blood donor population and measure extra-cellular selenium levels in fresh manufactured blood components. Selenium levels were measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman background correction. The mean plasma selenium level in healthy plasmapharesis donors was 85.6 ± 0.5 μg/L and a regional difference was observed between donors in South East Queensland and Far North Queensland. Although participants had selenium levels within the normal range (55.3–110.5 μg/L), 88.5% had levels below 100 μg/L, a level that has been associated with sub-optimal activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Extra-cellular selenium levels in clinical fresh frozen plasma (cFFP) and apheresis-derived platelets (APH Plt) were within the normal range. Packed red blood cells (PRBC) and pooled buffy coat-derived platelets (BC Plt) had levels at the lower limit of detection, which may have clinical implications to the massively transfused patient.     

Prevalence of low positive anti-HCV antibodies in blood donors: Schistosoma mansoni co-infection and possible role of autoantibodies

Patients infected with schistosoma frequently show a high seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) antibodies. The aim of this study was to find the underlying reason for this phenomenon, and to examine a possible involvement of autoantibodies. Out of 2,400 Egyptian blood donors, 192 (8%) were anti-HCV positive by ELISA. They were 133 males and 59 females with age ranging from 27 to 48 years. According to optical density ratio (ODR) of anti-HCV antibodies, 96 cases were low positive (LP) with ODR (1-2) designated as group I, and 96 were high positive (HP) with ODR (> or =2) (group II). Both groups were examined for quantitative HCV core antigen (HCVcAg), liver function (Albumin, ALT, AST) and anti-Schistosoma mansoni(anti-Sm) IgG. Group I cases were HCVcAg negative with normal liver function tests, and 44 of them were anti-Sm positive. Ninety cases (93.75%) of group II were HCVcAg positive with markedly affected liver function tests and 72 cases were anti-Sm positive. All group I cases were examined for autoimmune markers (ANA, AMA, SMA and LKM). In group I, 33 (75%) of anti-Sm positive cases were positive for one or more of the autoimmune markers examined, while none of anti-Sm negative was positive for any marker with significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.0001). Our results primarily on blood donors indicate that LP anti-HCV frequently represents false-positive reactivity with a possible role of Sm-induced autoantibodies in this phenomenon.     

Plasma selenium levels in healthy blood bank donors in the central-eastern part of Belgium

Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, with Zeeman background correction and after improved matrix modification, was used to measure the plasma selenium content of healthy blood bank donors in the central part of Belgium.

The mean plasma selenium concentration of 80 men and 80 women was 79.7±4.4 ng/mL with a range of 55.0–117.4 ng/mL.

There was no gender difference observed. Plasma selenium level was significantly highest for the adult group, aged 45–64 years, compared to the others, except the young adults (18–24 years).

The mean plasma selenium concentration measured corresponded well with literature data for Belgium. The obtained values were found to be in the medium range, compared with recent literature values for the European countries.     

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in Balochistan

A molecular study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus genotypes in HCV infected population of Balochistan. Forty HCV seropositive samples belonging to seven different locations of Balochistan were collected from different health care centres. Qualitative analysis of these samples using PCR resulted in 28 positive samples. The PCR positive samples were subjected to genotyping using the method described by Ohno et al (J Clin Microbiol 35:201–202, 1997) with minor modifications. Genotyping of 28 samples revealed three different genotypes including 3a, 3b and 1a. The most prevalent genotype was 3a with rate of 50% followed by genotype 3b and 1a, respectively. Nine samples remained untyped, suggesting the need of further investigation of genotypes in this region. It has been proposed that sequencing of these samples may be helpful to unreveal these genotypes and further epidemiology of HCV genotypes. Further more, extensive and large scale studies are needed to understand the epidemiology of HCV genotypes, as no such study has been carried in this province.     

HCV基因型的差异性流行与进化

丙型肝炎病毒(Hepatitis C virus,HCV)是导致慢性肝炎的主要病原体之一,全球感染人数大约为1.7亿。HCV基因组具有高度变异特性,利用现代遗传分类方法,可将HCV分为6个基因型和80多个基因亚型。不同HCV基因型、亚型的分布与流行具有明显地域特性:1型、2型呈全球流行态势,3型主要流行于亚洲、北美及欧洲部分地区,4型主要流行于中非、中东和欧洲地区,5型主要发现于非洲和欧洲部分国家,6型则主要在东南亚和北美地区流行。我国流行的HCV有1、2、3和6四种基因型,北方仍以1b和2a型为主要流行基因型,近年来3型和6型在华南、西南地区快速传播。据推断,云南将可能成为我国HCV流行与传播的重要源头,引起目前HCV基因型/亚型分布的较大变化,并呈现多样化的传播方式。通过溯祖理论和进化分子钟等分析方法,了解HCV不同基因型差异性流行与进化,对研究HCV的分子流行病学特征,对应性制定丙型肝炎的预防控制策略具有重要意义。     

The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies among asymptomatic blood donors in Saudi Arabia

BackgroundIn late 2019, cases of severe pneumonia with unidentified etiology began to emerge in Wuhan, China, before progressively spreading first nationally and then globally.The current study sought to investigate the seroprevalence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among blood donors in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. To our knowledge, this is the first study in Saudi Arabia to screen blood donors who were not known to be previously infected with SARS-CoV-2.MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional study to assess individuals who donated blood to the central blood bank in Al-Madinah between mid-May and mid-July 2020. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was designed and established to detect antibodies directed against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in serum samples. A total of 1,212 healthy blood donors participated in this study. The donors were males and met the requirements for blood donation during the COVID-19 pandemic period in Saudi Arabia.ResultsThe SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among blood donors in Al-Madinah was 19.31% (n = 234/1212; 95% confidence interval: 17.12%–21.64%). No statistically significant difference was identified in seropositivity according to age. However, significant differences (p < 0.001) were identified according to ABO blood groups, with those with type A blood presenting the highest rate of seropositivity (29.18%) compared with the other blood groups (12.65% for type B, 16.36% for type AB, and 15.11% for type O).ConclusionA high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was detected among blood donors in Al-Madinah, which indicated a high level of exposure to the virus within the population. This further suggested that as high as one-fifth of the population may have acquired innate immunity against the virus.     

Anti-IFN autoantibodies are present in healthy Egyptian blood donors at low titer

Autoantibody against interferon is associated in many viral and non-viral diseases. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anti-IFN-alpha autoantibodies in healthy Egyptian blood donors. The study included 558 (100 females (17.92%) and 458 males (82.08%)) Egyptian healthy blood donors who showed normal levels of liver enzymes and kidney tests and were conformed negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies (Abs), HIV-1/2 Abs, anti-HBc and Treponema Abs. Autoantibody against IFN-alpha-1a and IFN-alpha-2b were screened using ELISA. Anti-IFN-alpha-1a positive cases were found to be 43 subject (7.76%; 6 females (1.08%); 37 males (6.68%)) and anti-IFN-alpha-2b positive cases were found to be 3 (0.54%; all males). Combined positivity against both IFN-alpha-1a and IFN-alpha-2b was 38 (6.86%; 7 females (1.26%) and 31 males (6.60%)). From these findings we can conclude that antibodies against IFN-alpha are present in considerable number at low titer in accepted blood donors.     

Effects of frequent multiple plateletpheresis on complete blood count values of blood donors

The use of apheresis technique to collect platelets has rapidly increased in recent years. With an increased demand for plateletpheresis, higher donation frequencies are now observed. The aim of this study is to investigate changes in complete blood count values after frequent multiple plateletpheresis. A total of seventy-four blood donors were selected, from which complete blood count values in the first and the last screening were taken. There were fifty-four high frequency donors(13.0±2.6 plateletpheresis/year) and twenty low frequency donors(6.6±0.5 plateletpheresis/year). The results showed that complete blood count values at the first and last screening after plateletpheresis of both groups were within the normal range, and changes in their WBC, RBC and PLT values were not statistically significant(P>0.05, P>0.05, and P>0.05, respectively). The study suggests that frequent multiple plateletpheresis has no effects on complete blood count, and no adverse effects on blood donors.     

Trypanosoma cruzi: sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction for detecting the parasite in the blood of mice infected with different clonal genotypes

The polymerase chain reaction showed high sensitivity for detecting Trypanosoma cruzi in the blood of mice, independent of clonal genotype (19, 20-T. cruzi I; 32, 39-T. cruzi II) or phase of the infection (acute or chronic).     

献血员抗－HCV检测报告

对１５８７名献血员进行了抗－ＨＣＶ检测,总阳性率５．６０％,在不同职业中农民较高,占６．７２％,３０岁以上为１２．７６％。我站自改进采浆工艺,严格使用一次性消毒器具后,未发现ＨＣＶ交叉感染。职业献血者抗－ＨＣＶ阳性率高达３５．４８％,易造成输血后ＨＣＶ感染。对ＨＣＶ感染ＯＤ值阳性３０人又进行４－６个月的观察复测,其中１６人ＯＤ值下降,６人上升,认为ＯＤ值的变化与自限性ＨＣＶ感染有关。     

献血员抗－HCV检测报告

对１５８７名献血员进行了抗－ＨＣＶ检测,总阳性率５．６０％,在不同职业中农民较高,占６．７２％,３０岁以上为１２．７６％。我站自改进采浆工艺,严格使用一次性消毒器具后,未发现ＨＣＶ交叉感染。职业献血者抗－ＨＣＶ阳性率高达３５．４８％,易造成输血后ＨＣＶ感染。对ＨＣＶ感染ＯＤ值阳性３０人又进行４－６个月的观察复测,其中１６人ＯＤ值下降,６人上升,认为ＯＤ值的变化与自限性ＨＣＶ感染有关。     

疟疾患者丙型肝炎病毒感染原因的血清学研究

本文报道了９７例疟疾患者丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ）感染的原因。发现疟疾患者抗－ＨＣＶ阳性率为７１．１３％,其中有单采血浆还输血细胞（下称单采浆）献血史者为８９．７１％,有受血史者为６４．２９％,既无单采浆史又无受血史者无一例抗－ＨＣＶ阳性。有单采浆史的疟疾患者与同村非疟疾的单采浆献血者相比,抗－ＨＣＶ阳性率无显著不同,且二者均显著高于同村既无单采浆史又无受血史的非疟疾人群。在无单采浆史和受血史人群中,疟疾病例和非病例抗－ＨＣＶ阳性率很低。说明有单采浆史的疟疾病例ＨＣＶ感染与单采浆有关,有受血史的疟疾病例ＨＣＶ感染与受血有关。对当地单采浆血站进行调查,发现在采血、分离血浆和血细胞还输过程中存在血液交叉污染,这是导致有单采浆史的疟疾病例ＨＣＶ感染的主要原因。     

Polymorphisms of IL-10 gene in patients infected with HCV under antiviral treatment in southern Brazil

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a cytokine that plays an important role in the regulation of the immune system. Gene polymorphisms of IL-10 have been associated with the different expression levels of this cytokine. In hepatitis C virus infection, IL-10 appears to interfere with the progression of disease, viral persistence and the response to therapy. This study investigated genetic variability in the IL-10 gene promoter between patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and healthy individuals, associating the frequency of polymorphisms with different aspects of viral infection. This is a case-control study with 260 patients who were infected with HCV and 260 healthy individuals. Genotyping of the polymorphisms was performed using the technique of amplification refractory mutation system PCR (ARMS-PCR) for regions of the IL-10 gene promoter (-1082 G/A, -819 C/T, -592 C/A). The frequencies of alleles and genotypes related to polymorphisms in the IL-10 gene promoter showed a higher frequency of the G allele and genotype GG in the -1082 region between the infected group and the control group (p = 0.005 and p = 0.001, respectively), whereas the AA genotype was significantly more frequent in the control group. The frequencies of the haplotypes GTA and GCC were higher in the group of infected individuals, whereas the haplotype ATA was more frequent in the healthy group (p < 0.006). It was also observed that the genotypes GG and AG in the region -1082 were significantly more frequent among patients infected with HCV who were in advanced stages of fibrosis and cirrhosis (p = 0.042). No association was observed between polymorphisms of IL-10 and sustained virologic response (SVR).     

Inhibition of HCV Replication in HCV Replicon by shRNAs

We show that the vector-derived long dsRNA specifically inhibits the replication of HCV RNA in HCV replicon. We designed a long dsRNA targeted to the full-length HCV IRES/core elements (1-to 377-nt). Our results revealed that the replication of HCV RNA was reduced to near background levels in a sequence-specific manner by the long dsRNAs in the HCV replicon. We also designed four shRNAs against several regions (120- to 139-nt, 260- to 279-nt, 330- to 349-nt, and 340- to 359-nt) of the HCV IRES/Core elements. The two HCV IRES/core-specific shRNAs, 330- to 349-nt and 340- to 359-nt, containing the AUG initiation codon sequence showed stronger HCV inhibitory effects than the other two shRNAs, 120- to 139-nt and 260- to 279-nt.     

Potential genetic markers for prediction of treatment response in Egyptian children infected with HCV genotype 4

Background: Egypt has a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Limitations of the current HCV treatment in children are low rate of sustained virological response, significant side effects and high expenses, making prediction of treatment response crucial. Aim: This study aimed to investigate association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in interleukins (IL) 10, 28 and 29 genes in predicting the response to therapy in HCV infected children. Methods: Sixty-six Egyptian children infected with HCV genotype 4, receiving pegylated interferon alpha 2b and ribavirin, were included. Genotyping of six SNPs in interleukin 10, 28B and 29 gene as well as HCV genotype were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The CC genotype in IL28B; rs12979860 had 8.547 folds higher chance to develop sustained virological response than CT and TT genotypes (P = 0.014). Genotype distribution of rs8099917 in IL28B gene (TG and GG genotypes) was found to be 3.348 more likely not to respond to treatment than the TT genotype (P = 0.018). In multivariate analysis, interleukin 28 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms rs 12979860, interleukin 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms −592A > C and basal viral load were independent variables that significantly improved prediction of response to HCV therapy. Conclusion: This association can be translated into clinical decision making for HCV treatment.     

职业献血员中庚型肝炎病毒感染状况的分析

为了解职业献血员中庚型肝炎病毒（HGV）的感染状况,应用ELISA法和RT-PCR法进行检测,在10069名职业献血员中有516例抗-HGV阳性,总感染率为5.12%,其中男性感染率5.79%。女性感染率4.45%,甘肃省感染率4.96%,宁夏区感染率5.70%,青海感染率5.67%以及陕西感染率4.91%,年龄18-25岁的感染率4.48%,26-35岁感染率4.87%;36-45岁感染率6.90%;将抗-HGV阳性作RT-PCR,HBsAg,抗HCV检测,其中HGV-RNA阳性362例,HBsAg阳性25例,抗HCV阳性37例,HBsAg和抗-HCV阳性8例,以上说明,在职业献血员中,HGV的感染与性别,地域及年龄无关,与HBV,HCV有重叠感染现象。     

Distribution of HCV genotypes and HCV RNA viral load in hepatitis infected patients of Kolar region,Karnataka, India

Decisions and disease progression prediction, understanding the distribution of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype and its association with viral load is significant for treatment. Therefore, it is of interest to document the distribution pattern of HCV genotypes and their association with viral load among HCV infected patients in Kolar, Karnataka. Seventy-four HCV-positive patients and not on antiviral therapy were enrolled from R.L. Jalappa hospital in Kolar, Karnataka. Blood samples were taken and demographics were recorded. HCV RNA was isolated after plasma was separated. qPCR was performed to measure the viral load, and RT-PCR was performed to determine the genotype. Genotype 3 was the prevalent (n=11, 40.7%) followed by genotype 4 (n=8, 29.6%), 2 (n=6, 22.2%), 1 (n= 13.7%), and mix (n=1, 13.7%). The median viral load of genotype 3 was a 2,87,835 IU/mL (IQR 10, 780-3, 71, 66) , genotype 2 was 81,030 IU/mL (IQR 66,495-95,565), genotype 4 was 43, 410 IU/mL (IQR 38, 355-48, 465) belongs to viral load less than 8,00,000 IU/mL. The median viral load genotype 3 was a 1, 05, 19, 500 IU/mL (IQR 49, 37, 250-2, 36, 71, 500), genotype 2 was 2,55,99,000 IU/mL (IQR 2,00,10,000-32,725,500), genotype 4 was 1,67,40,000 IU/mL (IQR 1,45,50,000-17,493,000) belonging to viral load more than 8,00,000 IU/mL category. A correlation between genotype and viral load was observed (p =1.5x10-12), of which genotype 3 showed a high viral load. Thus, HCV genotypes 1 2, 3, 4, and mixed genotype was observed in the patients studied. HCV genotype was associated with viral load in patient plasma. This data finds use in the treatment and prevention of hepatitis C in Kolar, Karnataka.