A Study on Genetic Association of Interleukin-16 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (rs1131445) With Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Iranian Patients.

Background: Interleukin-16 (IL-16) is an immunomodulatory cytokine, which plays an important role in some inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as hepatitis B, which is a major health concern worldwide.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the plausible association between IL-16 polymorphism and chronic HBV susceptibility in an Iranian population.

Patients And Methods: In a case-control study, we analyzed rs1131445 polymorphism in the microRNA binding site of the IL-16 gene in 262 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 269 healthy controls, using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and DNA sequencing technology to confirm our results.

Prevalence of hepatitis D virus in hepatitis B virus infected patients referred to Taleghani hospital, Tehran, Iran.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HDV infection between HBV chronic patients referred to gastroenterology ward of Taleghani hospital Tehran, Iran and also investigating the risk factors in acquiring the HDV infection.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis D virus (HDV) are major public health issues. Worldwide there are approximately 350 million individuals chronically infected with the HBV.