Reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level is a characteristic feature of dyslipidemia in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, abnormality in serum triglyceride (TG) has not been fully investigated. To clarify the impact of HCV genotype 1b (G1b) infection and advanced fibrosis on serum TG profiles, TG concentrations in lipoprotein fractions were examined in fasting s...

BACKGROUND Changes in the phenotype and function of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis)-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets in response to stage of infection may allow discrimination between active tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection. METHODS A prospective comparison of M. tuberculosis-specific cellular immunity in subjects with active tuberculosis and latent tuberculosi...

association of helicobacter pylori with pathogenesis of gastrointestinal disorders (including gastritis in children with special endoscopic anteronodular) have significant importance in prognosis of infection resulting from this bacteria in children. however, in this research it was found that there is significant and clear correlation between nodular anteritis (in endoscopy) and active presenc...

results the tt virus infection was significantly found in 40 of 95 (42.1%) and 12 of 100 (12%) patients with leukemia and controls, respectively. the hbs-ag and hcv-ab were detected in 27 of 95 (28.4%) and 18 of 69 (26.1%) patients with leukemia but were not found in the controls. active cmv infection was also found in 11 of 69 (16%) patients and none of the controls. significant co-infection o...

Background: Discriminating latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) from active TBI may be challenging. The objective of this study was to produce the recombinant L-alanine dehydrogenase (AlaDH) antigen and evaluate individuals with LTBI, those with active TBI, and uninfected individuals by enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT) in order to distinguish LTBI from active TBI.Methods: This explorato...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW An estimated 33 million people are living with HIV and universal access remains a dream for millions of people. By the end of year 2008, four million people were on treatment; however, over five million needed treatment, and in 2007, there were 2.7 million new infections. Without significant improvement in prevention, we are unlikely to meet universal access targets including ...

An experimental teat dip containing 0.5% hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient was compared with a teat disinfectant also containing 0.5% hydrogen peroxide that is commercially available throughout North America. The study was conducted under conditions of experimental challenge with a positive control following the guidelines recommended by the National Mastitis Council. The efficacy of t...

BACKGROUND The optimal stage for initiating antiretroviral therapies in HIV-1 bearing patients is still a matter of debate. METHODS We present computer simulations of HIV-1 infection aimed at identifying the pro et contra of immediate as compared to deferred Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). RESULTS Our simulations highlight that a prompt specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes re...

Detecting and treating active and latent tuberculosis are pivotal elements for effective infection control; yet, due to their significant inherent limitations, the diagnostic means for these two stages of tuberculosis (TB) to date remain suboptimal. This paper reviews the current diagnostic tools for mycobacterial infection and focuses on the application of flow cytometry as a promising method ...