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The failure of immunological tolerance to self‐antigens plays a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). PD‐1 is an inhibitory receptor for regulating the immune system and preventing development of autoimmune disorders. This study aimed to determine the role of four single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1 or PD‐1) gene and haplotypes defined by these SNPs in susceptibility to SLE in the Iranian population. Blood samples were obtained from 253 SLE and 564 healthy subjects. Red blood cells were lysed and genomic DNAs were extracted using salting‐out method. Genotype determinations of PD1.1, PD1.3, PD1.5 and PD1.9 SNPs were performed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP), and 12 haplotypes were constructed by PDCD1 SNPs. Our results showed significant differences in PD1.5 genotype frequencies between patient and control groups (p <.001). The frequencies of PD1.5 C/C, C/T and T/T genotypes versus other genotypes in SLE patients significantly differed from healthy subjects (p <.001, p =.001 and p =.002, respectively). Allelic analysis indicated a significant association between the frequency of PD1.5C allele and development of SLE in our population (odds ratio [OR] = 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.51–2.42, p <.001). At the haplotype level, GGCC, GACT and GGCT haplotypes were significantly different between SLE and control groups (OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.73–2.66, p <.001; OR = 9.76, 95% CI = 4.47–21.3, p <.001; and OR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.24–0.42, p <.001, respectively). Based on these findings, PD1.5 SNP and some haplotypes of PDCD1 contribute to SLE risk in the Iranian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is a cutaneous autoimmune bullous disease characterized by the presence of anti-desmoglein 1 antibodies. The trigger for the formation of these antibodies is thought to consist of the vector insects of parasitic diseases found in endemic regions for PF, including leishmaniasis, as a non-pathogenic variant of these antibodies was found in patients with those parasitic diseases in endemic regions for PF. This hypothesis would be confirmed by the finding of the said non-pathogenic antibodies in patients with one of these parasitic diseases in regions non-endemic for pemphigus foliaceus. Therefore the aim of this study was the evaluation of Anti-DSG1 antibody in patients suffering to zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasisin Isfahan city of Iran. Methods: Blood sera of 58 patients with zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis, confirmed by clinical signs and direct blood smear, were collected and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-desmoglein 1 antibodies was performed on these sampl. Findings: 56 out of 58 serum samples of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasisin this study were negative for anti-Dsg1 antibodies using ELISA, with one sample having an indeterminate value and one sample being positive. Conclusion: Our results reject our initial hypothesis regarding the role of leishmaniasisin triggering the formation of anti-desmoglein 1 antibodies. Several alternate explanations are possible, including the role of the black fly Simuliumnigrimanum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Clinical laboratory health care workers can become infected through their occupation with blood-borne pathogens by percutanous injuries and mucocutaneous blood contacts such as cuts, needle sticks, splashes to mucous membranes or other body injuries. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of, Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and some of the risk factors in medical laboratory health care workers. Methods: Through a descriptive cross sectional study, 203 participants employed in the clinical laboratories of the city of Isfahan, composed of medical laboratory technologists, technicians and cleaning staff were studied. Participant data were obtained through a self-reporting questionnaire and the level of anti-HCV antibody was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Chi-square test was used to determine risk factors associated with infection. Results: The mean age of the individuals (n = 203) was 35.8 ± 9.54 years. There were 115 women (56.7%) and 88 men (43.3%). All of the subjects were negative for HCV Ab. Conclusions: Hepatitis C infection is infrequent in laboratory health care workers in Isfahan province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laboratory health care workers (HCWs) may become infected through their occupation with blood-borne pathogens. The aims of this study were determining the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the protection offered by HBV vaccine in medical laboratory HCWs. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 203 employers of clinical laboratories. Participant data were obtained through a questionnaire, and the level of antigens and antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: All of the subjects were negative for HBV infection. Forty-seven (23.2%) were not immune, 126 (62.0%) were relatively immune, and 30 (14.8%) were highly immune. Conclusion: Hepatitis B infection is infrequent in laboratory HCWs in Isfahan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a severe psychiatric disorder associated with a dysregulation of the immune system. Immune-related genes and environmental factors including stress, food, infections, and microbiota, alter the immune system's homeostasis and play a role in SZ pathogenesis. The most distinctive feature in the pathophysiology of the disease is a shift in the T helper 1(Th1)/Th2 balance toward Th2 dominance in the immune system. Also, microglial and Th17 cell activation cause inflammatory responses in the central nervous system (CNS). Antibodies play a role in the pathophysiology of SZ and give more evidence of a link between humoral immune reactivity and the disease. Accordingly, an imbalance in cytokine activities and neuroinfl ammation has been considered the main contributor to the pathogenesis of the SZ. Overall, the deregulation of the immune system caused by genetic, environmental, and neurochemical effects may all play a role in the etiology of SZ. This review summarized the etiological factors for SZ and discussed the role of immune responses and their interaction with genetic and environmental factors in SZ pathogenesis., Competing Interests: None., (Copyright© 2023, Galen Medical Journal.)

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the highest ranking cause of mortality. The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing among people in developed and developing countries. Since left ventricular hypertrophy is one of the risk factors leading to extremely dangerous heart diseases and even sudden death at early ages, investigating its contributing factors can be beneficial. The purpose of this study was to determine factors contributing to left ventricular hypertrophy in students aged 7-18 years in Isfahan. Statistical population of this case-control study was the 7-18 year old students in Isfahan, who were studied in two groups of children with premature myocardial infarction in their parents and the control group., Materials and Methods: After determining the sample size of 138 people, a two-part questionnaire was designed and demographic characteristics and anthropometric measures were recorded in students' profiles. The obtained information was analyzed using SPSS15 software and logistic regression model and the results were reported at P < 0.05., Result: The results showed that among the studied variables, gender, age, body mass index, and blood pressure were associated with the left ventricular hypertrophy., Conclusion: Considering the results and previous studies in this field, it was observed that left ventricular hypertrophy exists at early ages, which is very dangerous and can lead to heart diseases at early ages. Factors such as being overweight, having high blood pressure, and being male cause left ventricular hypertrophy and lead to undiagnosable heart diseases.