Understanding Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in Iran: a systematic review of case reports.

Objective: To systematically review the reported cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in Iran.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review of CJD cases in Iran was undertaken using the PubMed®, Scopus® and Google Scholar databases. In addition, the Iranian database MagIran was searched for Persian language reports.

Is SARS-CoV-2 a concern in the largest wastewater treatment plant in middle east?

The surveillance of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) as the end point of SARS-CoV-2 shed from infected people arise a speculation on transmission of this virus of concern from WWTP in epidemic period. To this end, the present study was developed to comprehensively investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in raw wastewater, effluent and air inhaled by workers and employee in the largest WWTP in Tehran for one-year study period. The monthly raw wastewater, effluent and air samples of WWTP were taken and the SARS-CoV-2 RNA were detected using QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit and real-time RT-PCR assay.

Expression levels of miR-22, miR-30c, miR-145, and miR-519d and their possible associations with inflammatory markers among patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death around the world. Micro-ribonucleic acid (miRNA) can be involved in forming of atherosclerotic plaques, inflammation, cholesterol metabolism, and other mechanisms involved in CAD development. This study aimed to evaluate the expression level of miR-22, miR-30c, miR-145, and miR-519d and their possible association with inflammatory markers among patients with CAD.

Molecular characterization of rotavirus infections in children less than 5 years of age with acute gastroenteritis in Tehran, Iran, 2021-2022: Emergence of uncommon G9P[4] and G9P[8] rotavirus strains.

The present study was conducted to monitor the genotypes of circulating species A rotavirus (RVA) in Iran and investigate genetic linkages between specific RVA VP7, VP4, VP6, and NSP4 segments. For this purpose, 48 RVA strains were detected during the 2021-2022 seasons. The two combinations of G9P[4] and G9P[8] RVA strains were predominant.

Amlodipine and Diltiazem Significantly Repress Human Rotavirus Infection .

Background: Considering the role of calcium in the replication and morphogenesis of rotaviruses, it is hypothesized that decreased cytosolic calcium levels by using calcium channel blockers can subsequently interfere with rotavirus replication.

Objective: The present study investigated the effects of two calcium ion channel blockers, amlodipine and diltiazem, against human rotavirus infection.

Methods: Cytotoxic effects of the drugs on MA-104 cells were evaluated using the neutral red assay.

Assessment of rotavirus and norovirus emitted from water spray park: QMRA, diseases burden and sensitivity analysis.

A quantitative model on exposure to pathogenic viruses in air of recreational area and their corresponding health effects is necessary to provide mitigation actions in content of emergency response plans (ERP). Here, the health risk associated with exposure to two pathogenic viruses of concern: Rotavirus (RoV) and Norovirus (NoV) in air of water spray park were estimated using a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model. To this end, real-time Reverse Transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) was employed to measure the concentration levels of RoV and NoV over a twelve-month period.

VDR gene polymorphisms are associated with the increased susceptibility to COVID-19 among iranian population: A case-control study.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but the pathogenesis is unclear. Host genetic background is one of the main factors influencing the patients' susceptibility to several viral infectious diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association between host genetic polymorphisms of two genes, including vitamin D receptor (VDR) and vitamin D binding protein (DBP), and susceptibility to COVID-19 in a sample of the Iranian population.

Prevalence of human papilloma virus (HPV) genotypes between outpatients males and females referred to seven laboratories in Tehran, Iran.

Background: Human papilloma virus (HPV) causes the most common sexually-transmitted infection especially among sexually-active individuals. The aim of study was to characterize the molecular characterization of HPV genotypes between 5176 female and male patients.

Methods: HPV DNA was extracted from genital swabs of the study participants and amplified by Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

Destruction mechanisms of ozone over SARS-CoV-2.

In this pandemic SARS-CoV-2 crisis, any attempt to contain and eliminate the virus will also stop its spread and consequently decrease the risk of severe illness and death. While ozone treatment has been suggested as an effective disinfection process, no precise mechanism of action has been previously reported. This study aimed to further investigate the effect of ozone treatment on SARS-CoV-2.

Inhibition of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection by extract in .

The emergence of drug-resistant strains of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has been increasingly reported. Therefore, attempts to discover new antiviral agents in particular from natural compounds are required. In this study, we evaluated the possible inhibitory effects of hydroalcoholic extract of ( ) against HSV-1.

The Effects of Human Reoviruses on Cancer Cells Derived from Hepatocellular Carcinoma Biopsies.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer around the world. Since this cancer is highly resistant to the existing treatments, we used a novel method, which selectively targets HCC cancer cells to improve the treatment process. As normal cells are resistant to reovirus replication, we used oncolytic reoviruses, which can infect, replicate in, and destroy cancer cells.

Presence and diversity of Leishmania RNA virus in an old zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis focus, northeastern Iran: haplotype and phylogenetic based approach.

Objective: Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) is a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus that circulates within many species of the Leishmania parasite. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of LRV2 circulating in Leishmania isolates in an old focus of ZCL located in northeastern of Iran.

Methods: Leishmania isolates were collected from 85 patients that confirmed to have cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) based on parasitological examination.

Investigation of gene mutations and expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis in association with hepatitis B virus infection.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), along with Hepatitis C virus chronic infection, represents a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development. However, molecular mechanisms involved in the development of HCC are not yet completely understood. Recent studies have indicated that mutations in gene encoding for β-catenin protein lead to aberrant activation of the Wnt/ β-catenin pathway.

Molecular Epidemiology of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with different malignant diseases, such as Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and lymphoproliferative disorders. Patients with hematologic malignancies by variable severity could be suspected for the infection with different types of this virus. This preliminary study reported the genotyping and related viral load of Epstein-Barr virus in Iranian patients with hematologic malignancies for estimation of possible factors affecting malignancy.

HIV-1 integrase drug-resistance mutations in Iranian treatment-experienced HIV-1-infected patients.

The latest class of antiretrovirals (ARVs), including integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs), has been demonstrated to be effective for antiretroviral therapy (ART). Despite all the distinguishing characteristics of these drugs, including a high genetic barrier to resistance and lower toxicity than other ARVs, unfortunately, INSTI drug resistance mutations (DRMs) have occasionally been observed. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of DRMs associated with INSTIs among treatment-experienced HIV-1-infected patients.

The Frequency of HIV-1 Infection in Iranian Children and Determination of the Transmitted Drug Resistance in Treatment-Naïve Children.

Background: The advent of resistance-associated mutations in HIV-1 is a barrier to the success of the ARTs.

Objective: In this study, the abundance of HIV-1 infection in Iranian children, and also detection of the TDR in naïve HIV-1 infected pediatric (under 12 years old) were evaluated.

Materials: From June 2014 to January 2019, a total of 544 consecutive treatment-naïve HIV-1- infected individuals enrolled in this study.

Inhibition of H1N1 influenza virus infection by zinc oxide nanoparticles: another emerging application of nanomedicine.

Background: Currently available anti-influenza drugs are often associated with limitations such as toxicity and the appearance of drug-resistant strains. Therefore, there is a pressing need for the development of novel, safe and more efficient antiviral agents. In this study, we evaluated the antiviral activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and PEGylated zinc oxide nanoparticles against H1N1 influenza virus.

Assessment of airborne enteric viruses emitted from wastewater treatment plant: Atmospheric dispersion model, quantitative microbial risk assessment, disease burden.

From a health prospective, it is critical to provide a comprehensive model which integrates all the parameters involved in virus transmission and its consequences on human body. In order to estimate the health risks, for workers and residents, associated with an exposure airborne viruses emitted from a wastewater treatment (WWTP), the concentration levels of viruses in emitted bioaerosols over a twelve-month period were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A combined Gaussian plum dispersion model and quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) with Monte-Carlo simulation served as suitable explanatory tools to estimate the risk of acquiring gastrointestinal illness (GI) due to exposure to air containing Rotavirus (RoV) and Norovirus (NoV) bioaerosols.

Rotavirus Infection Enhances Levels of Autoantibodies Against Islet Cell Antigens GAD65 and IA-2 in Children with Type 1 Diabetes.

Background: Some studies implicate rotavirus infection as a trigger for the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children, however findings are controversial.

Objectives: We investigated the link between rotavirus infection and autoantibodies against islet antigens and T1DM in children.

Methods: Serum samples from 80 new-onset diabetic and 80 nondiabetic children were screened for anti-rotavirus IgG, anti-GAD65 and anti-IA-2 autoantibodies using ELISA kits.

Molecular diagnosis of occult hepatitis C virus infection in Iranian injection drug users.

Occult HCV infection (OCI) has been described as the presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genomic RNA in hepatocytes and/or peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) specimens and the lack of HCV genomic RNA and anti-HCV antibodies (Abs) in plasma samples. Injection drug users (IDUs) are the most important high-risk group for infection with blood-borne viruses, particularly HCV. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of OCI in IDUs.

Polyethylene glycol-coated zinc oxide nanoparticle: an efficient nanoweapon to fight against herpes simplex virus type 1.

Aim: We aimed to determine the possible inhibitory effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated ZnO-NPs (ZnO-PEG-NPs) on herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

Materials & Methods: PEGylated ZnO-NPs were synthesized by the mechanical method. Antiviral activity was assessed by 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID) and real-time PCR assays.