ABSTRACT AIM: To investigate the prevalence and virological characteristics of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in patients with hematological malignancies in South Egypt. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 165 patients with hematological malignancies to monitor titers of HBV DNA, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and antibodies to HBV core (anti-HBc) and surface antigens. Serum samples negative for HBsAg ... Read more

ABSTRACT Introduction: T cell IMMUNOGLOBULIN MUCIN-3 (TIM-3) TIM-3 acts as a negative regulator of (T helper-1)Th1/ (T Cytotoxic-1)Tc1 cell function by triggering cell death upon interaction with its ligand Galectin-9, a feature observed in CHRONIC viral diseases. Objective: To demonstrate the level of expression of TIM-3 on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear cells (PBCs) in cases of chronic HCV as a number ... Read more

AIM The aim of the study was to assess serum levels of interleukin (IL)-18 and IL-10 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and their relationship with disease activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty patients with SLE and 20 healthy controls were investigated in this study. The serum IL-18 and IL-10 levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and their correlations with ... Read more

Abstract: Background: The rennin angiotensin system (RAS) is central to the pathogenesis of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) are two of the main components of the RAS. The genetic polymorphisms of these key components provide a basis for studying the relationship between genetic variants and the development of ... Read more

Abstract AIM: To investigate characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) implicated in HBV reactivation in patients with hematological malignancies receiving immunosuppressive therapy. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 53 patients with hematological malignancies negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) before the start of and throughout the chemotherapy course. HBV reactivation was diagnosed when the HBsAg status changed from negative ... Read more

Aim of Work: To investigate the value of the detection of antibodies against modified citrullinated vimentin antibodies (anti-MCV) in comparison with anti-CCP2- for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients and Methods: The study Included Forty patients with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They under went assessment by the disease activity score (DAS-28), visual analogue scale (VAS) and health assessment questionnaire (HAQ). ... Read more

ABSTRACT Background: Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disorder caused by destruction of melanocytes. The exact etiopathogenesis of vitiligo is unknown. An association between vitiligo and reduced serum levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid has been found, which are the important cofactors required in the metabolism of Homocysteine (Hcy).Consequently, Hcy level increases in the circulation. Hcy may mediate melanocyte destruction ... Read more

ABSTRACT Accuracy for monitoring of the concentration of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA represents a major challenge throughout the management of patients with chronic hepatitis C. To investigate the genotype-independent efficiency and the accuracy of two real-time detection reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays; the Cobas Ampliprep/Cobas TaqMan (CAP/CTM); and the Abbott RealTime HCV (ART), a total of 184 samples ... Read more