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Polyomaviruses are a group of small, double-stranded DNA viruses that are known to be associated with the development of certain human diseases, but there is evidence that these viruses might be associated with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Several polyomaviruses have been identified, such as JC polyomavirus (JCPyV), BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) and recently Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Although the direct effects of polyomaviruses on transformation of human cells and cancer development are not clearly recognized, their association with certain human diseases including GI cancers has been proposed through several molecular and epidemiological studies. For example, JCPyV and BKPyV have been linked to colorectal cancer, as there is growing evidence of finding viral genomes in cancerous tissues. Nevertheless, the major role of JCPyV, BKPyV and MCPyV in colorectal cancer progression is still under extensive investigation, and further surveys is required to establish a conclusive cause-and-effect relationship. Understanding the role of these viruses in cancer development has significant implications for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. It seems that proving a causal link between polyomaviruses and GI cancers might provide a novel path for targeted therapies or design and development of specific therapeutic vaccines. In addition, performing research on the possible link can provide insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis, potentially leading to the identification of novel biomarkers. This review focuses on polyomaviruses, in particular a recently discovered polyomavirus, MCPyV, and their possible link with human gastrointestinal disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the correlation between Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) variants and EBV-associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) in Iran. Materials & methods: Biopsies from 21 gastric cancer (4 positive EBER-ISH [EBVaGC] and 17 negative EBER-ISH) and 11 gastritis patients were analyzed using nested PCR and sequencing. Results: Genotype 1 (75%) was the predominant EBV genotype. The P-thr variant was the most common in all groups (positive EBER-ISH 75%, negative EBER-ISH 76.4%, and gastritis 81.8%), followed by P-ala. Additionally, the predominant LMP1 strain in all groups was Med. Sequencing analysis revealed a strong correlation between the P-thr and type 1. Conclusion: Since no preferential correlations were observed between distinct EBV variants and the study groups, these results might indicate geographic polymorphisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute pancreatitis, a potentially fatal disease, with symptoms including nausea and/or vomiting, indigestion, and abdominal pain, is known to range from a mild self-limiting state up to a more severe and lethal form. This review aims to provide a clearer picture to improve understanding the role of viral agents in the development of acute pancreatitis. Common databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus were used for the literature search. In this review search terms including virus, viral, infection, and specific descriptive terms for a virus were considered in different combinations. Various causative agents are recognized in the development of acute pancreatitis as one of the most frequent gastrointestinal diseases, such as gallstones, alcoholism, and hypertriglyceridemia. Microbial pathogens with about 10% of acute pancreatitis cases, mainly viruses, among other factors, are thought to play a role in this regard. Once the pancreatitis diagnosis has been made, depending on the causative agent, the management approach and specific interventions affect the final outcome. Virus-induced acute pancreatitis in patients should be considered. Advanced diagnostic tests such as PCR, in situ hybridization, and biopsy can help for a better understanding of the role of viruses in causing acute pancreatitis. Improvement in the tests will lead to timely diagnosis, treatment, and better management of pancreatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Development of an amplification method for further investigation of HBV S gene variation patterns. Background: Pre-S/S variants in patients with chronic HBV infection may contribute to the progression of liver damage and Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: This study was performed on ten patients with chronic HBV infection. Viral DNA was extracted from patient's plasma, primer design was performed, and a semi-nested PCR method was set up to amplify the pre-S/S region of HBV genome. Subsequently, sequencing was performed to analyze the variants of this region. Results: In the current study, the semi-nested PCR method was successfully set up, and types of variation in the studied samples were investigated. Conclusion: Pre-S/S variants should be routinely determined in HBV carriers to help identify individuals who may be at a high risk of less favorable liver disease progression. This study showed that the technique could accurately amplify the pre-S/S region, and the product can be successfully used for variation detection by direct sequencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Circulating microRNAs have the potential to serve as biomarkers in diagnostics and monitoring of disease progression, including liver diseases. Therefore, this study investigated the alteration in the expression levels of microRNA-222 (miR-222) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) as a potential diagnostic biomarker. Materials and Methods: MiR-222 expression was analyzed in the 86 plasma samples, including 43 patients with CHB and 43 healthy individuals as a control group. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis processes were done, and then the expression of the miR-222 was measured by qRT-PCR. The Mann-Whitney U-test Spearman analyzed the results to show the correlation between miR-222 and clinical parameters. Results: MiR-222 had a difference in expression levels between the patient and control groups (miRNA-222 Fold change= 1.384). Nevertheless, a statically significant difference was not observed (p value=0.269). Conclusion: Our study showed that even though changes in miR-222 expression levels in the group of patients with chronic hepatitis B compared to the healthy group, it could not be utilized as a precise diagnostic biomarker, and more studies, on a broader scale, are needed to determine the role of this microRNA in patients with CHB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]