Bacterial and viral coinfection in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients: the prevalence and possible role in disease progression.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial pneumonia of unknown aetiology with a mean survival rate of less than 3 years. No previous studies have been performed on the role of co-infection (viral and bacterial infection) in the pathogenesis and progression of IPF. In this study, we investigated the role of viral/bacterial infection and coinfection and their possible association with pathogenesis and progression of IPF.

Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-Related Virus and RNase L R462Q Variants in Iranian Patients With Sporadic Prostate Cancer.

Background: Although several studies have confirmed the association of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) and prostate cancer, this association is still controversial, as most studies did not detect XMRV in prostate tissue samples. Furthermore, some genetic and epidemiological studies have highlighted a role for RNase L polymorphisms, particularly R462Q, in the progression of prostate cancer.

Objectives: The focus of this study was on the association of XMRV and RNase L R462Q variants with the risk of prostate cancer in Iranian patients.