Objective: Optimization of Reverse transcription-PCR assay for typing and sub typing of Influenza a virus (H7 subtype). Material and Methods: A RT-PCR was optimized on 6 standard influenza virus type A, using primers for the detection of influenza a virus and the H7 subtype. The influenza type A specific primers were directed to region of the influenza a matrix (M) gene that conserved among most type A influenza viruses. The H7 primers are directed to H7 haemagglutinin (HA) gene regions that are conserved in H7 subtype. The selected primer sets were used in RT-PCR for type A. Results: The HA primer (H7F, H7R) for the detection of H7 influenza A subtypes amplified a band of 98 bp. A sharp band of the expected size was obtained from H7 strains tested and no PCR product was amplified from non-H7 influenza subtypes. Conclusions: Our results suggest that RT-PCR assay can be a useful test for detecting influenza A viruses and sub typing of influenza H7 subtype.

Background: Influenza type A virus is one of the most important viral agents in human respiratory diseases. The genetic variability of the influenza viruses leads to the incidence of new epidemics worldwide. Hence, there is a growing need for rapid and effective new methods capable of detection and differentiation of influenza virus circulating strains. This study was done to develop a method for rapid differentiation of the subtypes of influenza type A virus.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, reverse-transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed using a primer set based on M gene of H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, and H9N2 influenza subtypes. Then the amplified fragments were subjected to digestion using subtype specific restriction endonuclease enzymes.Results: The results of PCR reaction showed that the primer pair of the M gene was specific and capable of amplifying all influenza subtypes understudy. Also, different restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns (RFLP) were generated using enzyme digestion reaction on the amplified segment of M gene.  Conclusion: RT-PCR and RFLP analysis of the M gene can be employed as a useful method for differentiating influenza virus subtypes.

Objective: Osteogenesis imperfect (OI) is an inherited disorder of type1 collagen synthesis with varied complication. OI type II is a perinatally lethal variety, characterized by short limbs, broad long bones, radiologic evidence of severe osseous fragility and defective ossification. These patient usually are stillborn or die in early infancy of respiratory failure.  It has a wide range of phenotypic expressions, but cardiovascular anomalies tend to be rare association. When they do occur, they usually consist of aortic or mitral valve disease. Case Presentation: Here we come across a rare case of OI type II in a neonate with acyanotic congenital heart disease. Echocardiography revealed moderate size ostium secundum atrial septal defect without pulmonary hypertension. The patient expired after 6 hour of life.Conclusion: Any case of OI should be screened for congenital cardiovascular defect and another abnormality.

Aims: Type A influenza subtype H9N2 virus is widespread among domestic poultry. These viruses were recently isolated from human beings in some countries and in several cases mortality has been reported. Since these viruses are prevalent in henhouses of our country and possibility of their transmission to the staff, this study aimed to determine the titer of the specific antibody against H9N2 influenza virus in serum sample of henhouse staff in Azerbaijan-Sharghi province.Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 96 henhouse employees who were selected by census sampling method in Azerbaijan-Sharghi province in year 2008. The titer of specific antibody against H9N2 influenza virus was determined by hemagglutination-inhibition test. Hemagglutination-inhibition titers Equal to or more than 1:40 were considered as positive.Results: Hemagglutination-inhibition assay in 79 cases (82%) indicated negative result and 17 cases (18%) of them indicated positive result.Conclusion: Although in this study specific antibody titer against H9N2 influenza virus is not significantly high, the results confirmed that a previous infection with H9N2 had occurred in the studied employees. However, it is recommended that for prevention of serious mutations outbreaks, the henhouse employees asked to follow and obey sanitary rules against Type A influenza subtype H9N2 infection.