*2.2. Immunological and Biochemical Assays*

All laboratory determinations were performed after 12–14 h overnight fasting. To measured the levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, AEAbs, ACIVAbs, CIV-DP, and the other laboratory parameters, blood was drawn into serum tubes. Serum was obtained after centrifugation at 2500 rpm for 10 min. Until the immunological assay, the serums were stored at −70 ◦C.
