IRANIAN JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
Year:2020 | Volume:14 | Issue:2|Papers Count:8

Background 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 Methods: In this cross-sectional, all pregnant women referred to the 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. Results: A total of 300 pregnant women with a 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 with 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. Conclusion: The 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.

Background 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 a fowl pox vaccine based on CEF which is of vital importance and a requirement for Razi institute. Materials and Methods: In 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 grown up in the fibroblast cells and had a titer of 106. 3 TCID50/ml. To determine the viral load, two methods plaqueforming 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. Results: The results of the tests showed that the vaccinated chickens had an adequate and sufficient resistance to the acute form of fowl pox virus. Conclusion: In total, according to the OIE standard, the above experiments showed that cell culture-based fowl pox vaccine can generate good immunity response and was high efficacy.

Background 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 Methods: Peripheral 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. Results: Our results showed that IFN-α 2a effect on the expression of antiviral proteins was dependent on dose and time of administrated IFN-α . Conclusion: This 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.

Background 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 Methods: Human 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. Results: Virus 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. Conclusion: The 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.

Background 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 Methods: In 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. Samples' diagnosis was based on real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RRT-PCR) and partial HA gene sequencing. Turkey samples were positive and characterized as H5N8. Results: Phylogenetic 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. Conclusion: These 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.

D ear Editor. In December 2019, a novel viral pneumonia caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV 2) was emerged in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China [1]. We are lives in global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐ 19); However, we have limited therapeutic agents for treatment of COVID-19 and reduction of mortality caused by this virus; there is no FDA approved option against SARS-CoV 2 which is global concern [2]. According to review of the literatures, there are suggested several drugs including Remdesivir, Favipiravir, Ribavirin, Interferons, Lopinavir/ritonavir, Oseltamivir, Chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and azithromycin, Convalescent plasma, Herbal medications, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Mycophenolic acid, Monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies, and, Angiotensin‐ converting enzyme 2 gene‐ based peptides for combating with SARS-CoV 2 [3]; but there is no conclusive evidence for efficacy and safety of these therapeutic agents against COVID-19 [4-5]. . .

Dear Editor, Coronary artery disease (CAD) is on the list of top causes of human death, with 30% (nearly 7, 6 million cases) of coronary heart disease (CHD) occurring annually [1], Atherosclerosis is the most important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that results in damaging the intima of the arteries and the formation of fatty plaques on the walls of the arteries, and it accounts for one-fifth of deaths worldwide [2-3], There are several factors involved in the atherosclerosis immunopathogenesis, among which the role of viral infection is quite prominent [4], It was first observed in the late 1970s that the atherosclerotic lesions in chickens infected with the Marek’ s disease virus (as a herpes virus) is very similar to the human atherosclerosis [5]...

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 betacoronaviruses 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.