AIM： To investigate the features of various blood- borne virus infections and co-infection in intravenous drug users （IDUs）, and to examine the correlation of T lymphocyte subsets with virus co-infection. METHODS：...AIM： To investigate the features of various blood- borne virus infections and co-infection in intravenous drug users （IDUs）, and to examine the correlation of T lymphocyte subsets with virus co-infection. METHODS： Four hundred and six IDUs without any clinical manifestation of hepatitis and 102 healthy persons were enrolled in this study. HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBc, anti-HCV, HDV-Ag, anti-HGV, anti-HIV, and HCMV-IgM were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and immunochromatographic tests. The levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines were measured by ELISA and radioactive immune assay （RIA）. The T lymphocyte subpopulation was detected by using fluorescence immunoassay. The similar indices taken from the healthy persons served as controls. RESULTS： The viral infection rate among IDUs was 36.45% for HBV, 69.7% for HCV, 47.3% for HIV, 2.22% for HDV, 1.97% for HGV, and 3.45% for HCMV. The co- infection rate of blood-borne virus was detected in 255 of 406 （62.81%） IDUs. More than 80% （161/192） of subjects infected with HIV were co-infected with the other viruses, such as HBV, HCV. In contrast, among the controls, the infection rate was 17.65% for HBV and 0% for the other viruses. Our investigation showed that there was a profound decrease in the proportion of CD4/CD8 and the percentage of CD3 and CD4, but not in the percentage of CD8. The levels of PHA-induced cytokines （IFN-γ and IL-4） and serum IL-2 were obviously decreased in IDUs. On the other hand, the level of serum IL-4 was increased. The level of IFN-γ and the percentage of CD4 were continuously decreased when the IDUs were infected with HIV or HIV co-infection. IDUs with HIV and HBV co-infection was 15.1% （29/192）. Of those 29 IDU with HIV and HBV co-infection, 51.72% （15/29） and 37.93% （11/29） were HBV-DNA-positive and HBeAg-positive, respectively. But, among IDUs without HIV infection, only 1.68% （2/119） of cases were HBV- DNA-positive.CONCLUSION： HCV, HBV and HIV infections are common in this population of IDU, leading to a high incidence of impaired Thl cytokine levels and CD4 lymphocyte. IDUs with HIV and HBV/HCV co-infection have lower expression of Th1 cytokine with enhancement of the Th2 response. HIV may be causing HBV replication by decreasing Thl function.展开更多
The present review gives an updated overview of transfusion transmitted virus （TTV）, a novel agent, in relation to its molecular characteristics, epidemiological features, modes of transmission, tissue tropism, path...The present review gives an updated overview of transfusion transmitted virus （TTV）, a novel agent, in relation to its molecular characteristics, epidemiological features, modes of transmission, tissue tropism, pathogenesis, role in various diseases and its eradication from the body. TTV, a DNA virus, is a single stranded, non-enveloped, 3.8 kb long DNA virus with a small and covalently closed circular genome comprising 3852 bases. It was tentatively designated Cirdnoviridae virus.TTV genome sequence is heterogeneous and reveals the existence of six different genotypes and several subtypes. TTV has been reported to transmit not only via parenteral routes, but also via alternate routes. This virus has been detected in different non-human primates as well. At present, TTV is detected by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） with no other available diagnostic assays. It shows its presence globally and was detected in high percent populations of healthy persons as well as in various disease groups. Initially it was supposed to have strong association with liver disease; however, there is little evidence to show its liver tropism and contribution in causing liver diseases. It shows high prevalence in hemodialysis patients, pointing towards its significance in renal diseases. In addition,TTV is associated with several infectious and non-infectious diseases. Though, its exact pathogenesis is not yet clear, TTV virus possibly resides and multiplies in bone marrow cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs）. Recently, attempts have been made to eradicate this virus with interferon treatment. More information is still needed to extricate various mysteries related to TTV.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China, No. 30160083
文摘AIM： To investigate the features of various blood- borne virus infections and co-infection in intravenous drug users （IDUs）, and to examine the correlation of T lymphocyte subsets with virus co-infection. METHODS： Four hundred and six IDUs without any clinical manifestation of hepatitis and 102 healthy persons were enrolled in this study. HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBc, anti-HCV, HDV-Ag, anti-HGV, anti-HIV, and HCMV-IgM were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and immunochromatographic tests. The levels of Th1 and Th2 cytokines were measured by ELISA and radioactive immune assay （RIA）. The T lymphocyte subpopulation was detected by using fluorescence immunoassay. The similar indices taken from the healthy persons served as controls. RESULTS： The viral infection rate among IDUs was 36.45% for HBV, 69.7% for HCV, 47.3% for HIV, 2.22% for HDV, 1.97% for HGV, and 3.45% for HCMV. The co- infection rate of blood-borne virus was detected in 255 of 406 （62.81%） IDUs. More than 80% （161/192） of subjects infected with HIV were co-infected with the other viruses, such as HBV, HCV. In contrast, among the controls, the infection rate was 17.65% for HBV and 0% for the other viruses. Our investigation showed that there was a profound decrease in the proportion of CD4/CD8 and the percentage of CD3 and CD4, but not in the percentage of CD8. The levels of PHA-induced cytokines （IFN-γ and IL-4） and serum IL-2 were obviously decreased in IDUs. On the other hand, the level of serum IL-4 was increased. The level of IFN-γ and the percentage of CD4 were continuously decreased when the IDUs were infected with HIV or HIV co-infection. IDUs with HIV and HBV co-infection was 15.1% （29/192）. Of those 29 IDU with HIV and HBV co-infection, 51.72% （15/29） and 37.93% （11/29） were HBV-DNA-positive and HBeAg-positive, respectively. But, among IDUs without HIV infection, only 1.68% （2/119） of cases were HBV- DNA-positive.CONCLUSION： HCV, HBV and HIV infections are common in this population of IDU, leading to a high incidence of impaired Thl cytokine levels and CD4 lymphocyte. IDUs with HIV and HBV/HCV co-infection have lower expression of Th1 cytokine with enhancement of the Th2 response. HIV may be causing HBV replication by decreasing Thl function.
基金Supported by Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi-110049 for financial support
文摘The present review gives an updated overview of transfusion transmitted virus （TTV）, a novel agent, in relation to its molecular characteristics, epidemiological features, modes of transmission, tissue tropism, pathogenesis, role in various diseases and its eradication from the body. TTV, a DNA virus, is a single stranded, non-enveloped, 3.8 kb long DNA virus with a small and covalently closed circular genome comprising 3852 bases. It was tentatively designated Cirdnoviridae virus.TTV genome sequence is heterogeneous and reveals the existence of six different genotypes and several subtypes. TTV has been reported to transmit not only via parenteral routes, but also via alternate routes. This virus has been detected in different non-human primates as well. At present, TTV is detected by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） with no other available diagnostic assays. It shows its presence globally and was detected in high percent populations of healthy persons as well as in various disease groups. Initially it was supposed to have strong association with liver disease; however, there is little evidence to show its liver tropism and contribution in causing liver diseases. It shows high prevalence in hemodialysis patients, pointing towards its significance in renal diseases. In addition,TTV is associated with several infectious and non-infectious diseases. Though, its exact pathogenesis is not yet clear, TTV virus possibly resides and multiplies in bone marrow cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMCs）. Recently, attempts have been made to eradicate this virus with interferon treatment. More information is still needed to extricate various mysteries related to TTV.
