The Presence of Autoantibodies to Cytoplasmic Rod and Ring Particles in the Serum of Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Background: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is associated with extra hepatic autoimmune disorders, while peg-IFNa-2a/RBV combination therapy may exacerbate these conditions. Autoantibodies to cytoplasmic structures, called rod and ring particles (RR), have strong associations with these patients and are identified by HEp-2 cells.

Objectives: Our purpose was to study the correlation of autoantibodies to cytoplasmic rod and ring particles in the serum of patients with chronic HCV infection with their response to standard therapy.

Increased Serum Pepsinogen II Level as a Marker of Pangastritis and Corpus-Predominant Gastritis in Gastric Cancer Prevention.

Serum pepsinogen I and II are considered as indicators of changes in gastric morphology. Important publications from the last decades are reviewed with regard to the serum level of these biomarkers for the diagnosis of normal gastric mucosa, diffuse gastritis and its change to atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia as well as gastric cancer. Due to the low sensitivity of serum biomarkers for diagnosis of gastric cancer, especially at its early stage and the poor prognosis of the tumor at the time of diagnosis, its prevention by eradication of H.

Interferon-λ polymorphisms and response to pegylated interferon in Iranian hepatitis C patients.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of pegylated interferon in Iranian chronic hepatitis C patients in relation to interferon-λ (IFNL) polymorphisms.

Methods: This study enrolled patients with chronic hepatitis C referred to the Tehran Blood Transfusion Hepatitis Clinic in 2011. Patients were included in the study if they had no concomitant hepatic illness, were negative for human immunodeficiency virus antibodies, and had no prior history of treatment with any type of pegylated interferon.

Detection of Specific Antibodies to HCV-ARF/CORE+1 Protein in Cirrhotic and Non-Cirrhotic Patients with Hepatitis C: A Possible Association with Progressive Fibrosis.

Background: The role of different viral proteins in the progression of the disease to cirrhosis is not completely understood. The ARFP/F protein is a newly described protein synthesized from the +1 or -2 reading frames of the core protein gene, which its function remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to detect specific antibodies to HCV-ARF/Core+1 protein in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients with HCV and investigate any possible association.

F protein increases CD4+CD25+ T cell population in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

HCV is a global health problem with an estimated 230 million chronically infected people worldwide. It has been reported that a 17-kd protein translated from core-encoding genomic region can contribute to immune-mediated mechanisms associated with the development of the chronic disease. Also, Treg cells can be contributed to an inadequate response against the viruses, leading to chronic infection.

Pepsinogen II can be a potential surrogate marker of morphological changes in corpus before and after H. pylori eradication.

Background: The aim of this investigation is to study the relationship between gastric morphology and serum biomarkers before and after Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Methods: First-degree relatives of gastric cancer patients underwent gastroscopy before and 2.5 years after H.

Are the serum biomarkers pepsinogen I and II good predictors for the detection of subjects with atrophic gastritis in areas that have different gastric cancer incidence?

Background: Northern Iran (Ardabil) is characterized by a high gastric cancer (GC) rate, whereas Southern Iran (Kerman and Yazd) has a low GC rate. The aim of this study is to verify the potential for pepsinogen I and II to detect atrophic gastritis (AG) in both high and low risk populations for GC.

Methods: Sera of blood donors and patients with GC from Ardebil, Kerman and Yazd were used to measure levels of pepsinogen I, II and H.

Precancerous conditions after H. pylori eradication: a randomized double blind study in first degree relatives of gastric cancer patients.

Background: Regression of precancerous lesions after H. pylori eradication remains controversial. This study evaluates the change and topography in first degree relatives (FDR) of gastric cancer (GC) patients following H.

Exacerbation of Skin Lesions in a 50 year old Man with Psoriasis during Treatment by Pegylated Interferon.

Chronic hepatitis C might lead to several immunological dysfunctions. Studies have shown a positive association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and psoriasis. These results suggest that the infection may be one of the triggering factors for the development or exacerbation of psoriasis.

Serum pepsinogen I, pepsinogen II, and gastrin 17 in relatives of gastric cancer patients: comparative study with type and severity of gastritis.

Background & Aims: First-degree relatives of gastric cancer patients are at risk for developing precancerous conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of biomarkers pepsinogen I (PGI), pepsinogen II (PGII), their ratio (PG I:II), as well as gastrin 17 for screening of precancerous conditions and corpus predominant gastritis.

Methods: First-degree relatives of gastric cancer patients underwent endoscopy.