The role of heparan sulphate in pathogenesis of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever disease

WOS: 000340310900008
PubMed ID: 23995315
Background & objectives: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral infection typically transmitted by tick bite. This study is to define the level of heparan sulphate (HS) in serum/urine since HS may play a role in the pathogenesis of hemorrhagic events in the patients with CCHF. Methods: In this study, the patient group consisted of 79 cases with a positive diagnosis of CCHF according to PCR/ELISA outcome among the patients referred to Cumhuriyet University, School of Medicine in 2010. A total of 81 volunteers who had not any viral or metabolic disease were enrolled as the control group. The blood samples were centrifuged, and the serum and urine samples obtained were stored at -80 degrees C until they were studied. Then, these samples were simultaneously dissolved, and HS level was spectrophotometrically measured using glycosaminoglycans specific 1-9, dimethyl-methylene blue (DMMB) stain. Results: A statistically significant increase in the HSserum values was found both in the individuals under and above 16 yr old in the patient groups compared to the controls (p 16 yr old compared to the controls (p