OBJECTIVETo develop a method for detection of coxsackie B virus type 1-6 by RT-PCR.

METHODSA pair of primers were designed to amplify all types of coxsackie B virus 1-6 efficiently. The PCR product was hybridized in micro-wells in which 6 type specific oligonucleotide probes had been coated respectively, colorimetric detection was performed to discriminate the types of coxsackie B virus.

RESULTSThis method was shown to be concordant with the IgM ELISA, 71.7% of anti-coxsackie B positive cases could be detected by RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONThe RT-PCR method can type coxsackie B virus efficiently and provides a tool for clinical diagnosis and epidemiological investigation.

DNA Primers ; Enterovirus B, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Enterovirus Infections ; diagnosis ; virology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of oxymatrine in preventing hepatic fibrosis formation in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODSA total of 80 CHB patients receiving routine therapies for liver protection and support were divided into two groups. Oxymatrine at the daily dose of 150 mg was injected intravenously in the therapeutic group (n=40), and gluthion (1.2 g daily) was injected in the control group (n=40) for 8 weeks. The liver functions, indexes of hepatic fibrosis and the levels of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured in these patients before and after the therapy.

RESULTSLiver functions was obviously improved after therapy in both groups, showing no significant difference between them (P>0.05). The indexes of hepatic fibrosis such as HA, LN, PCIII and C-IV were significantly lower in the therapeutic group than in the control group (P<0.01). The serum levels of TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha decreased while IL-10 increased significantly after the treatment in the therapeutic group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe effect of oxymatrine against hepatic fibrosis is mediated by lowering the levels of TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha and increasing the level of IL-10 in CHB patients.

Adult ; Alkaloids ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quinolizines ; therapeutic use ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood