Simultaneous Hepatitis C Virus Genotyping and Variant Detection in Patients with Thalassemia: A Single-Center Phylogenetic Study.

: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype distribution is different in various regions. A variety of strategies could be used to detect HCV genotypes and subtypes. The aim of the present study was to introduce a genotyping method by an in-house protocol that could be used to determine HCV drug-resistant variants and phylogeny studies.

The Ability of the Framingham Steatosis Index (FSI) to Predict Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Cohort Study.

Background: The utilization of indexes for the diagnosis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can be valuable. This study was conducted to determine the ability of the Framingham steatosis index (FSI) to distinguish between people with NAFLD and those without and to predict people at risk of NAFLD to establish the need for lifestyle modifications in such individuals.

Methods: Our study was conducted in two phases from 2009-2010 (phase I) to 2016-2017 (phase II).

Occult HCV Infection: The Current State of Knowledge.

Context: Occult HCV infection (OCI) is defined as the presence of HCV-RNA in hepatocytes and the absence of HCV in the serum according to usual tests. We aimed to define OCI and provide information about the currently available diagnostic methods. Then we focus on specific groups that are at high risk of OCI and finally investigate immune responses to OCI and the available treatment approaches.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of adding low dose ribavirin to peginterferon alfa-2a for treatment of chronic hepatitis C infected thalassemia major patients in iran.

Background: The prevalence of hepatitis C in Iran is 1% and 18% in general population and thalassemia patients respectively. The cost effectiveness analysis of adding Ribavirin to Peginterferon alfa-2a (PEG IFN alfa-2a) as a combination treatment strategy of chronic hepatitis C in thalassemia patients in comparison with monotherapy could help clinicians and policy makers to provide the best treatment for the patients.

Objectives: In this study we aimed to assess whether adding Ribavirin to PEG IFN alfa-2a is a cost effective strategy in different genotypes and different subgroups of 280 patients with chronic hepatitis C infection from the perspective of society in Iranian setting.

The more publication, the higher impact factor: citation analysis of top nine gastroenterology and hepatology journals.

Background: The impact factor (IF), as the most important criterion for journal's quality measurement, is affected by the self-citation and number of publications in each journal.

Objectives: To find out the relationship between the number of publications and self-citations in a journal, and their correlations with IF.

Materials And Methods: Self-citations and impact factors of nine top gastroenterology and hepatology journals were assessed during the seven recent years (2005-2011) through Journal Citation Reports (JCR, ISI Thomson Reuters).

Citation Analysis of Hepatitis Monthly by Journal Citation Report (ISI), Google Scholar, and Scopus.

Background: Citation analysis as one of the most widely used methods of bibliometrics can be used for computing the various impact measures for scholars based on data from citation databases. Journal Citation Reports (JCR) from Thomson Reuters provides annual report in the form of impact factor (IF) for each journal.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the citation parameters of Hepatitis Monthly by JCR in 2010 and compare them with GS and Sc.

Low dose ribavirin for treatment of hepatitis C virus infected thalassemia major patients; new indications for combination therapy.

Background: Treatment guidelines contraindicate ribavirin for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in thalassemia major patients. Nevertheless, the current evidence suggests that ribavirin might be tolerated by these patients.

Objectives: Despite this evidence, low dose ribavirin combination therapy has not been compared with peginterferon monotherapy in these patients so far.

Lipid Profiles and Hepatitis C Viral Markers in HCV-Infected Thalassemic Patients.

Background/aims: The distribution of blood lipids, glucose and their determinants in thalassemic patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has rarely been investigated. Thus, we aimed to investigate the relationship between both liver histologic findings and viral markers and serum lipids in thalassemic patients chronically infected with HCV.

Methods: We enrolled 280 polytransfused thalassemic patients with chronic hepatitis C.

WITHDRAWN: Low dose ribavirin for treatment of HCV infected thalassemia major patients: New indications for combination therapy.

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.

Peginterferon alpha-2a and ribavirin treatment of patients with haemophilia and hepatitis C virus infection: a single-centre study of 367 cases.

Background/aims: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is a major comorbidity in patients with haemophilia. Peginterferon alpha and ribavirin is current standard anti-HCV therapy but there is little information about safety and efficacy of peginterferon alpha-2a and ribavirin combination therapy in these patients.

Material And Methods: In an open-label single-treatment arm cohort study, 367 haemophilia patients seronegative for hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus markers and chronically infected with HCV (HCV RNA>50 IU/ml for at least 6 months) received 180 microg of Pegasys and 800-1200 mg of ribavirin according to body weight.

Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotype in Iranian multiply transfused patients with thalassemia.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the most common transfusion-transmitted disease in multiply transfused patients worldwide. In this study, the aim was to investigate distribution of HCV genotypes in Iranian patients with thalassemia.

Study Design And Methods: Blood samples were received from 280 multiply transfused patients with thalassemia with chronic hepatitis C who were referred to us to start pegylated interferon-alpha plus ribavirin for duration of 48 weeks.

The frequency of hepatitis D virus in patients with hepatitis B in Iran: an increasing rate?

This study sought to determine the seroprevalence of the hepatitis D virus (HDV), the risk factors and its association with the severity of liver disease. Continuous patients at Tabriz and Tehran Hepatitis Clinics were enrolled during 2007-2008 in a cross-sectional study. Demographic data and possible risk factors for infection were recorded for all hepatitis B surface antigen positive patients.

Seroepidemiologic study of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis infections in Iranian blood donors.

To determine the frequency of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and syphilis infections in Iranian blood donors. The prevalence of serological markers of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis infections were evaluated in 318029 consecutive volunteer blood donors attending to Tehran blood transfusion service from March 2005 to March 2006. Those positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HCV, anti-HIV1/2 and VDRL (venereal disease research laboratory) reactivity were analyzed with a second independent HBsAg enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and neutralization assay; an additional independent anti-HCV EIA and HCV-RIBA assay; second independent anti-HIV1/2 test, HIV western blot and fluorescent Treponemal Antibody Absorbed (FTA-ABS), respectively.