Iranian Journal of Virology
Year:2021 | Volume:15 | Issue:2|Papers Count:12

Background and Aims: Avian influenza virus belongs to genus A of Orthomyxoviridae family and only this genus is pathogenic in birds. Backyard chickens all over the world, especially in the Middle East, play an important role in feeding people. These birds can also play a significant role in the epidemiology of AI and the spread of the virus to commercial poultry flocks. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate H9N2 influenza virus in backyard chickens of rural areas of 30 counties of Fars province, Iran using serological and molecular methods. Materials and Methods: In this study, from July 2019 to January 2020, tracheal and cloacal swabs and blood samples were taken from backyard chickens of rural areas of Fars province, Iran for virus isolation and HI test in order to detect H9N2 infection and identification of possible isolates. Results: 54% of the serum samples were HI test positive also 14 out of the 30 surveyed counties showed positive results in terms of H9N2 influenza virus serum antibodies and also average HI titer of 5. 18 and 74% as the rate of seroprevalance detected in these cities, respectively. In RT-PCR test with H9 specific primer, only one isolate was positive demonstrating the band of 488bp which confirmed by sequencing. According to comparative alignment and phylogenetic analysis this strain was closely related to the strain D1 in the gene bank. Conclusion: Due to the positive serum titer in a large number of backyard chickens in the rural areas, constant monitoring of these birds in terms of avian influenza infection and implementing more effective control programs seem necessary.

Background and Aims: Avian infectious bronchitis (IB) is an economically important, highly contagious, acute, upper-respiratory-tract disease of chickens and other bird species, caused by the avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). The aim of this study was the expression of the S1 gene protein genotype variant-2 in pET28a. In vitro protein expression is an important method for obtaining many viral proteins to investigate their protective and biological properties. Since the S1 glycoprotein of the infectious bronchitis virus induces virus-neutralizing antibodies, it is an appropriate candidate for producing a recombinant vaccine against infectious bronchitis disease. Materials and Methods: In this study, the S1 gene fragment of infectious bronchitis virus genotype IS/1494/06 was amplified using Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and was inserted into the pTG19-T vector. The construct was subcloned into pET28a and inserted into E. coli BL21 competent cells. Results: The insertion was proved by PCR analysis, and isolation of the S1 gene from the construct was carried out. Finally, it was sequenced. The SDS-PAGE assay showed that a protein about 60 kDa was expressed, but the western blot assay did not confirm the expression of the S1 protein. Conclusion: S1 protein did not express well. To obtain properly expressed proteins, we suggest trying different expression vectors or choosing smaller important portions of the S1 gene.

Background and Aims: Obesity is one of the most important health problems today that causes other diseases such as diabetes and heart diseases. Obesity is caused by a variety of factors, and viruses, especially adenoviruses type 36. This study was performed to detect the adenovirus 36 genome in the adipose tissue of patients who underwent surgery due to severe obesity. Also, the prevalence of antibodies against adenovirus 36 in the control and patient groups was compared and their biochemical parameters were compared and analyzed. Materials and Methods: Adenovirus genome was detected in patients with abdominal adipose tissue by PCR technique. Positive samples were sequenced and a phylogenetic tree was drawn. Prevalence of specific antibodies against adenovirus 36 in case and control groups was determined by ELISA technique. Results: The adenovirus genome was detected in the adipose tissue in 4 of the 60 samples in the case group. 43 obese individuals with a body mass index of less than 35 were also selected as the control group. The prevalence of antibodies against this virus in 103 psrsons was 49%. The prevalence of antibodies was 33% in the patient group and 15% in the control group. In people with antibodies to adenovirus 36, the serum lipid profile changed significantly. These people had lower serum triglycerides and higher low density lipoprotein. Finally, the sequencing analysis showed the adenoviruses found in the specimens were adenovirus-36 and are belonged to subgroup D. Conclusion: Adenovirus 36 is detected in the adipose tissue of severely obese individuals and the presence of its antibody in the serum affects the lipid profile.

Background and Aims: The exact protective antibody to the SARS-CoV-2 is still unknown. This study aimed to compare molecular and serological testing for the diagnosis of Covid-19. Materials and Methods: In this study, a total of 100 participants, 50 patients with confirmed SARSCoV-2 infection using real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and 50 controls with negative RT-PCR test, were enrolled. The serum level of IgM and IgG antibodies against nucleocapsid antigens of SARS-CoV-2 were tested using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and also antibodies were tested again after four months in the case group. This study was carried out in the Asadabadei clinic between April and June 2020. Results: The Seroconversion rates of IgM in the case and control groups were 14% and 4%, respectively, but the differences were not statistically significant (P =0. 134). In the case group, the Seroconversion rate of IgG was significantly higher than the control group (44% vs. 4%) (P <0. 001). Conclusion: Our results revealed that IgM antibodies in the diagnosis of Covid-19, especially in the early stages of the disease have less diagnostic value compared to PCR. It seems that periodic followup of serological tests is necessary to know the production of appropriate antibody response in Covid-19 patients as well as in receiving the vaccine.

Background and Aims: The Inclusion Body Hepatitis disease (IBH) is one of the prevalent illnesses in our country these days and reported from different regions of Iran. In addition to its fatality, the importance of this disease is disturbing the vaccination program in poultry, especially broiler chickens, against other diseases like infectious bursal disease (IBD) and Newcastle disease (ND). This study aimed to determine the molecular phylogenetic and histopathological analysis of IBH in the Kashan region (Isfahan province). Materials and Methods: Liver samples collected from infected chickens examined using PCR and histopathological procedure. Phylogenetic analysis was done by drawing a phylogenetic tree. Results: All samples were positive with PCR. Also, the samples were investigated by histopathological procedure, and congestion, hemorrhage, focal necrosis, and intranuclear inclusion bodies in the hepatocytes were observed. Conclusion: According to the phylogenetic analysis, the Iranian isolate in this research was similar to European countries' isolates. Other aspects of IBH disease like pathogenesis and epidemiology should be investigated.

Background and Aims: It has been documented that in addition to the genetic susceptibility, environmental factors particularly viruses can also play an important role in the initiation or development of the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, findings from several epidemiological studies have shown conflicting results regarding the role of enteroviruses infections in this field of research. The purpose of the current study was to investigate a link between coxsackieviruses B3 and B4 infection and the development of T1D in children. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 80 pediatric patients under 14 year of age with T1D and 80 non-diabetic children controls were enrolled between October 2017 to March 2018 from the Children's Medical Center in Tehran. Then, anti-GAD65 and anti-IA-2 autoantibodies were assessed in two groups using commercially available Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. IgG antibodies of both Coxsackieviruses B3 and B4 were also measured by direct ELISA kits. Results: The mean anti-GAD65 antibody titer in CV B3+ samples was 4. 26 ±,2. 46 IU/mL, and was slightly higher than that found in the CV B3-samples with a mean titer of 3. 62 ±,2. 08 IU/mL (p = 0. 22,95% CI:-1. 69 to 0. 4). Also, the mean anti-IA-2 ELISA OD450 values in CV B3+ samples (0. 260 ±,0. 155) was similar with that of the CV B3-samples (0. 260 ±,0. 160) (p = 0. 98,95% CI:-0. 079 to 0. 077). Conclusion: This study showed that the titer of autoantibodies in CVB3+ or CVB4+ samples were not significantly different compared to CVB-samples. The results of this study suggest that there is still a need for further investigations to prove the association of coxsackieviruses and diabetes.

Background and Aims: Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV 2) suddenly appeared as a pathogen in dogs in the late 1970s, causing a severe and often fatal gastrointestinal illness. The original CPV 2 was replaced by three types of variants, CPV 2a, CPV 2b and CPV 2c, which to date have achieved global distribution in varying proportions. All previous studies in Iran were based on partial VP2 gene sequence. The aim of this study was to provide genome analysis to describe CPV strains collected in Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: Rectal swab samples were collected in 2019 and tested using serological methods. Out of forty positive samples, nine samples were selected for further analysis using various molecular methods. Results: The results revealed a high prevalence of CPV-2a, CPV-2b and CPV2-C variants. Phylogenetic analysis showed that in Tehran the CPV 2b, CPV 2a and CPV-2 C strains were related to a cluster of specimens. Thus, the results suggested that CPV 2 sequences is not the results potential recombination events here. Conclusion: Continuous monitoring and molecular characterization of CPV2 samples is necessary not only to identify possible genetic and antigenic changes that may interfere with the effectiveness of vaccines, but also to better understand the mechanisms of CPV 2 evolution in Iran.

Background and Aims: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is the most cultivated forage legume in Iran. Viruses belonging to the Luteoviridae family are among the important yellowing and stunting diseases in food and forage legume crops. Despite the important role of yellowing viruses, limited information is available on the occurrence of viruses from the family Luteoviridae in forage legume fields in Iran. In this study, a survey was conducted to detect Soybean dwarf virus (SbDV, from Luteoviridae family) in alfalfa fields in West Iran. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one alfalfa fields were surveyed in the Lorestan province (West Iran) in 2011. Plants exhibiting symptoms of dwarfing, yellowing and reddening were collected and tested by tissue-blot immunoassay using monoclonal antibody 5G4. Thirty positive samples with 5G4 were further characterized by RT-PCR using total RNA and a pair of primers to amplify a 370 bp DNA fragment in the coding region of SbDV coat protein (CP) gene. The nucleotide sequence of PCR amplicons was determined and compared with the previously reported data. Results: Forty-three out of the 127 (33. 8 %) leaf samples reacted with antibody 5G4. A DNA fragment of the expected size was amplified in seven out of thirty (23. 3%) symptomatic leaf samples, but not in healthy plants. Furthermore, a biological assay using grafting of Vicia faba induced interveinal yellows, one month after grafting and their infection with SbDV was confirmed by RTPCR. Analysis of the sequences revealed the presence of 370 nucleotides of the SbDV partial coat protein gene. Phylogenetic analysis using the neighbor-joining (NJ) method clustered SbDV isolates into two main groups (D and Y), and SbDV-Irn1 and SbDV-Irn2 isolates fell into group D. Conclusion: In Iran, the natural infection of SbDV has been reported from chickpea and lentil crops, but there was not any data about its occurrence on other crops and phylogenetic properties. Our results showed for the first time the occurrence of SbDV in alfalfa fields in West Iran using different biological and molecular approaches. Partial nucleotide sequence of CP gene of two Iranian SbDV isolates from alfalfa (Ir. Alf-D1 and Ir. Alf-D2) was determined and revealed that both isolates fell into the type D group of SbDV. The SbDV-D strain causes dwarfing and significant yield losses in a range of economically important food legume crops, so its occurrence in alfalfa fields should serve as an important warning to monitor its occurrence in respective food crops.

Avian pox infection is a widespread disease with cyclical occurrence in endemic areas, especially with dense poultry production. An unusual fowl pox outbreak was diagnosed in 18 weeks old vaccinated Silkie herd during autumn 2021 in Qom province, Iran. The most characteristic observation of this outbreak was that the pox signs and lesions were observed on the feathered parts of the body. No Classical pox lesions were observed in the mouth, eyelids, and shank. The objective of this study was to report the occurrence of fowlpox in Silkie for the first time and describe clinical and molecular features of a case of atypical fowl pox, and to realize if a new isolate has been emerged. The sample was collected from cutaneous lesions for molecular virus detection. Detected viruses were genetically similar to previous FP viruses.

Background and Aims: Female sex workers are vulnerable and at high risk to acquire sexually transmitted infections, and act as a bridge in the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to the general population. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of the main viral pathogens responsible for STIs, including Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) in female sex workers in the world. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was carried out for relevant literature in international databases from database inception to September 25, 2019. The pooled prevalence for each STI of interest was estimated by a DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model using the inverse variance method. Results: The lowest pooled prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HSV-2 infections was seen in the Republic of Mauritius (0. 17%,95% CI: 0. 01%-2. 64%), Panama (0. 20%,95% CI: 0. 05%-0. 80%), and Iran (14. 12%,95% CI: 6. 66%-27. 48%), respectively. The highest pooled prevalence of HBV infection was found in Slovakia (22. 22%,95% CI: 8. 60%-46. 47%), while for HCV and HSV-2 infections was observed in Scotland (64. 29%,95% CI: 54. 35%-73. 13%) and Indonesia (90. 30%,95% CI: 84. 76%-93. 97%), respectively. Conclusion: A decreasing trend was observed in the prevalence of STIs of interest among female sex workers during recent years. However, the prevalence has remained high in some regions, and therefore it is important to improve prevention programs and conduct surveillance regularly in all parts of the world to decrease the risk of transmission of infections to the general population.

Background and Aims: although wild aquatic birds are known to be a significant reservoir for avian influenza viruses (AIV), Live bird markets can become polluted with and become an origin of transmission for avian influenza viruses including the high and low pathogenic strains of avian Influenza (HPAI and LPAI). Many countries affected by the Avian Influenza virus have restricted resources for plans in environmental health, disinfection, and infection control in live bird markets. There are few recently published reports of surveillance directed at this group. Active surveillance for avian influenza (AI) viruses in wild migratory aquatic birds sold at live bird markets (LBMs) was conducted in Iran from October 2019 to February 2020. Materials and Methods: molecular diagnostic tools were employed for high-throughput surveillance of migratory birds that were sold in the live bird markets of Iran. This study included 400 both cloacal (CL) and nasopharyngeal (OP) samples from two bird species belonging to the two ordersCoot (Fulica arta) (100 CL & 100 OP) and Eurasian teal (Anas crecca) (100 CL & 100 OP). The samples were mainly obtained from captured or hunted birds. Every 5 samples were pooled together. Results: 1 CL and 3 OP samples of Coots and 2 CL samples of Eurasian teals were positive for the influenza A virus. Conclusion: These data are useful for designing new surveillance programs and are particularly relevant due to increased interest in avian influenza in wild aquatic birds, and efforts should be made to promote practices that could limit the maintenance and transmission of avian Influenza viruses in Live Bird market.

The objective of this case series was to compare the clinical characteristics, radiologic features, and laboratory findings between COVID-19 severe patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) to those with non-severe patients who were not admitted to the ICU. From September 1, 2020, to October 30, 2020, a total of 186 laboratory-confirmed patients with COVID-19 were included in this study. Among 186 patients, 48 (25. 8%) were admitted to the ICU. Patients admitted to the ICU were older and had also more underlying comorbidities compared to patients admitted to the non-ICU ward (P<0. 05). The levels of LDH, CRP, ALT, AST, and neutrophil count were higher in patients admitted to the ICU compared to patients who were not admitted to the ICU (P<0. 05). Among the chest X-ray findings, consolidation was only a significant difference between patients admitted to the ICU and non-ICU patients (P<0. 05). Among 48 patients admitted to the ICU, 6 patients (12. 5%) were still in the ICU, 26 patients (54. 1%) were discharged, and 16 patients (33. 3%) died as of April 15, 2020. Our study showed that older age, male sex, and having underlying diseases are strongly associated with increased risk of severe disease and death in patients with COVID-19. Therefore, more attention should be paid to elderly male patients who have an underlying disease.