Background: In non-uremic populations, rs4803217 in the IFNL3 messenger RNA 3’ untranslated region or rs12980275 downstream of IFNL3 is connected with the spontaneous or therapeutic clearance of HCV and HBV, and rs12980275 is correlated with plasma IFN- 3 levels. Moreover, rs12980275 is associated with the sustained virological response following antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis C in hemodialysis patients. Objectives: We investigated IFNL3 polymorphisms, rs4803217 and rs12980275, for association with responsiveness to HBV VACCINE and natural consequences of HBV and HCV exposure among hemodialyzed individuals. Methods: The capacity to produce protective anti-HBs titers was recognized if they were  10 IU/L after vaccination or natural exposure. The IFNL3 rs4803217 (G>T) and rs12980275 (A>G) genetic variants were analyzed using a high-resolution melting curve method in 1, 337 hemodialysis subjects. Plasma IFN- 3 was determined in 188 individuals using ELISA. The Kaplan-Meier method was applied for the analysis of survival probability. Results: The tested polymorphisms did not show associations with the capacity to generate protective anti-HBs titers after HBV vaccination or exposition and self-limitation of HBV exposure. Natural HCV clearance was connected with the IFNL3 rs4803217 GG genotype (OR: 3. 036, 95% CI: 1. 544-5. 969, P = 0. 001) and haplotypes comprising at least two more frequent alleles but without any variant allele of IFNL3/IFNL4 genetic variants (P < 0. 05). Plasma IFN- 3 levels were not directly influenced by IFNL3 rs4803217 and rs12980275, but differed concerning HBV/HCV serum markers (P = 0. 00005) and firmly correlated with anti-HBs titers (r = 0. 537, P = 4. 15E-16). Both tested polymorphisms were not significantly associated with the survival of hemodialysis patients. Conclusions: Genotyping IFNL3 rs4803217 may be advantageous in the prognosis of natural HCV clearance but does not predict the self-limitation of HBV exposure, responsiveness to HBV VACCINE, or hemodialysis patients’ mortality.

Background – HBV infection is preventable by effective vaccination in general population, but response to VACCINE among the HIV-infected people seems to be low. Methods – In this study, 48 HIV-positive patients who did not have a history of HBV infection received the conventional three-dose HBV VACCINE (each dose: 20 µg) in HIV/STI/IDU Counseling and Care Center of Kermanshah Province, Iran. Anti-HBs levels were measured two months after the last dose. The sample gathering method was a random sample size. All the patients gave informed consent before entering the study. For statistical analysis, Chi-square test was performed and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results – Only 14 (29.1%) of the 48 vaccinated HIV-infected patients had positive anti-HBs titers. Among them, 11 (78.6%) were males and 3 (21.4%) females. The mean number of CD4+ Tlymphocytes per milliliter of blood was 351.5 in responders and 283.9 in nonresponders. There was a significant difference between the response to VACCINE and immunologic stages of HIV infection. There was a significant statistical difference regarding sex, as 42.5% of the females responded to VACCINE while this rate was 24.9% among the males. Conclusion – The HIV-infected patients have a lower response rate to the conventional three-dose HBV VACCINE compared with the general population and we recommend higher and more booster doses in early immunologic stages of HIV infection.

Background: Celiac disease is an immune-mediated systemic disease, in which gluten ingestion causes different symptoms. HLADQ2 is positive in 90%-95% of celiac patients. HLA has been considered to inhibit antibody production against the hepatitis B virus VACCINE. Considering that celiac disease affects about 1% of the population, this phenomenon could be a significant factor in immunization programs. On the other hand, HLA-DQ2 positive patients not only are at the risk of HBV infection themselves but also have the potential to be an important source of HBV dissemination in the world. Objectives: This study was carried out to evaluate the responsiveness of celiac-affected children to HBV vaccination in Iran. Methods: This case-control prospective study was performed on 62 Iranian children (31 children with confirmed celiac disease before introducing a gluten-free diet and 31 healthy children). HBS Ab (antibody against hepatitis B virus surface antigen) titer was checked in the patients and compared between the two groups. Results: It was shown that 67. 7% of cases and 64. 5% of controls had HBS Ab titer above 10 mIU/mL, but the difference was not significant statistically. After matching for the time interval from the last HBV vaccination, it was observed that although non-significantly, celiac disease can decrease the chance for anti-HBS production up to 30%. Conclusions: This study did not confirm non-responsiveness against the HBV VACCINE in celiac disease in children. This may be due to genetic factors or type of VACCINE. Moreover, in our study, responsiveness was assessed qualitatively in the two groups (HBS Ab > 10 mIU/mL was considered as a responder).

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a serious global health problem. The development of a safe and effective VACCINE would help infection prevention. Previous hepatitis B VACCINE production involved the isolation of the noninfectious particle from chronic HBV carriers. DNA recombinant technology has been used for VACCINE production without having been contaminated with blood-born infectious agents. VACCINE production in mammalian cells has the advantage of being correctly modified and folded in comparison to other lower hosts. The surface protein coding genes, S (Major protein) and pre s2+s (Middle protein) of hepatitis B virus (HBV), were amplified from the mother plasmid containing the adr serotype virus genome. The s and pre s2+s amplicons were separately cloned in pBlueskript IIks(+) vector as pNM-sa2 and pNM-Psa2 intermediates respectively, then released and recloned in pcDNA3 mammalian expression vector. The correct pNM-Sb2 and pNM-Psb2 constructs containing s and pre-s2, respectively, were used to transfect the mammalian Cos-7 cell line. The major and middle proteins were secreted by this cell line and collected from the culture medium. Some features of gene cloning strategy and expression of these proteins are discussed.

Background: Studies showed that HBV vaccination and consequent level of antibody are not completely adequate among dentists despite performance of highly exposure prone procedures.Objectives: The objectives of the study were to evaluate the levels of responsiveness to HBV VACCINE and to determine the occupational factors associated among dental staff.Materials and Methods: In total, 1612 dental health care workers were recruited. The level of anti-HBs was tested using a commercially enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data on demographic, risk factors associated with dental practice and level of protective procedures and occupational exposure aspects were collected through self-reported questionnaires.Results: Of 1538 vaccinated individuals, 55 (3.7%), 126 (8.4%) and 1309 (87.9%) had received one, two and full three doses of VACCINE, respectively. One-hundred-seventy-six (11.5%) were nonimmune (anti-HBs < 10 IU/mL) and 1362 (88.5%) were immune (anti-HBs > 10 IU/ mL). 392.542 (72.3%) of dentists who received their third dose of vaccination less than five years before the commencement of study were completely immune compared to those who had completed all three recommended doses in a longer period (308.491, 64.3%) (P = 0.001). Fifty-eight (3.59%) of participants did not receive any HBV VACCINE at all; however, they had positive results for anti-HBs, indicating a past HBV infection. Statistically, the levels of anti-HBs were significantly associated with gender, age, duration of dental practice engagement and regularly use of mask, glasses and shield.Conclusions: Since dental care workers have a high risk of exposure to hepatitis virus, they should be advised to receive hepatitis B VACCINE and it should be confirmed if they have acquired immunity to HBV by testing the level of anti-HBs.