Journal of

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Introduction: Determining virus genotype is a major factor for initiation of treatment because various kinds of genotypes need different antiviral drugs. Distribution of hepatitis C genotype in the word is variable in each country or even in each province. So we need to determine distribution pattern of hepatitis C genotype in our region. This study was performed in referral clinic of Yazd province. Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted between 2007 and 2010 on patients who were observed by Yazd referral clinic (the clinic for evaluating and management of patients with high risk behaviors). Ninety two patients who had positive RIBA test for hepatitis C infection were randomly selected and entered the study. Genotyping was performed using RT-PCR method. The primer was "universal primer HCV". Prevalence of various genotypes was analyzed according to gender, addiction and co- existence of HCV-HIV infection. Personal information and laboratory results were analyzed using SPSS. Results: The most common genotype in our study was genotype 3a (65% of cases), followed by 1a (35%). Globally 83% of patients were IV drug addict. Genotype distribution in these patients was similar to others. Fifteen patients had co-infection of HCV-HIV, and 47% of them were contaminated by genotype 1a and 53% with 3a. We could not find any patient contaminated with genotypes 2 or 4. No other genotypes except 1 & 3 or mixed genotype infection could be determined in our patients. Twenty three percent of patients had negative PCR despite positive RIBA test. This indicates that self improvement from acute hepatitis C infection in IV drug addict patients is similar to other people. Conclusion: According to the results of our study, about 2/3 of patients were infected by genotype 3a. This kind of chronic hepatitis C shows a better response to treatment comparing genotype 1a (or 1b) with shorter duration and lower cost drugs. But despite higher incidence of genotype 3a, we can not start chronic hepatitis C therapy without knowing virus genotype. Determination of genotype is mandatory for the initiation of specific antiviral treatment.

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Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by a breakdown of self-tolerance. Transforming growth factor-β1 is a cytokine produced by both immune and non immune cells, and it has a wide operating range. human TGF-β1 gene is located on chromosome 19q13 . The aim of this study was investigating the TGF-β1 Gene Polymorphism at Position -800G /A and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus the possible difference in two promoter polymorphisms of the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) gene (-800G / A, -509C / T).

Methods: In this case - control study, a total of 150 patients with SLE and 150 healthy subjects were examined. DNA was extracted by saluting out method and Single nucleotide Polymorphisms of the TGF-β1gene were analyzed by the PCR-RFLP method and the .Data were compared in both groups by using Pearson’s chi-square and Hardy-weinberg equilibrium test.

Results: There was a statistically significant difference in AA genotype and A allele frequency distributions between SLE patients and the control group for the -800G / A polymorphism of the TGF-β1 gene (P < 0.05). At position -509, there was no statically significant difference in genotype and allele frequency between the patients and the control subjects.

Conclusion : The results of our study indicate that TGF-β1 gene promoter polymorphisms at positions -800 G/A maybe discuss susceptibility to SLE in southern Iranian patients.