Background: Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is a facultative intracellular pathogen that causes food-borne infections in humans and animals. To invade and multiply within host cells, LM utilizes various strategies to precisely modulate its gene expression and to adapt to the in vivo environment. Objectives: To investigate the regulatory roles of Rli82 sRNA in the motility and pathogenicity of LM EGD-e. Methods: The Rli82 gene knock-out mutant strain, LM-ΔRli82, and the complementation strain, LM-ΔRli82/Rli82, were constructed using homologous recombination technology, and their motility and virulence, respectively, were determined. Moreover, the potential target mRNA regulated by Rli82 was predicted using TargetRNA2 software, and then the interaction between the target mRNA and Rli82 was verified by the two-plasmid reporter system. Results: The results showed that the motility of LM-ΔRli82 was significantly increased at 25°C, facilitated by the production of more flagella than LM EGD-e and LM-ΔRli82/Rli82. Furthermore, LD50 in LM-ΔRli82-infected mice was significantly increased as compared to LM EGD-e and LM-ΔRli82/Rli82, suggesting that the virulence of LM was weakened when the Rli82 gene was deleted. In addition, the mRNA level of flaA was not significantly elevated, but flaA protein was significantly higher in LM-ΔRli82 than in LM EGD-e and LM-ΔRli82/Rli82, suggesting that Rli82 might modulate the translation of flaA mRNA at the post-transcriptional level. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings for the first time revealed that Rli82 sRNA might be involved in the modulation of the expression of flaA protein, thereby influencing the mobility and pathogenicity of LM.
{"title":"A Small Regulatory RNA, Rli82, Is Involved in the Motility and Pathogenicity of Listeria monocytogenes","authors":"Chunhui Ji, Nengxiu Li, Jian Jiao, Yaoqiang Sun, Yufei Zuo, Xin Huang, Xiaoxing Huang, Zhiyuan Li, Yaling Li, Qingwen Leng, Xuepeng Cai, Q. Meng, Jun Qiao","doi":"10.5812/jjm-139707","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-139707","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Listeria monocytogenes (LM) is a facultative intracellular pathogen that causes food-borne infections in humans and animals. To invade and multiply within host cells, LM utilizes various strategies to precisely modulate its gene expression and to adapt to the in vivo environment. Objectives: To investigate the regulatory roles of Rli82 sRNA in the motility and pathogenicity of LM EGD-e. Methods: The Rli82 gene knock-out mutant strain, LM-ΔRli82, and the complementation strain, LM-ΔRli82/Rli82, were constructed using homologous recombination technology, and their motility and virulence, respectively, were determined. Moreover, the potential target mRNA regulated by Rli82 was predicted using TargetRNA2 software, and then the interaction between the target mRNA and Rli82 was verified by the two-plasmid reporter system. Results: The results showed that the motility of LM-ΔRli82 was significantly increased at 25°C, facilitated by the production of more flagella than LM EGD-e and LM-ΔRli82/Rli82. Furthermore, LD50 in LM-ΔRli82-infected mice was significantly increased as compared to LM EGD-e and LM-ΔRli82/Rli82, suggesting that the virulence of LM was weakened when the Rli82 gene was deleted. In addition, the mRNA level of flaA was not significantly elevated, but flaA protein was significantly higher in LM-ΔRli82 than in LM EGD-e and LM-ΔRli82/Rli82, suggesting that Rli82 might modulate the translation of flaA mRNA at the post-transcriptional level. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings for the first time revealed that Rli82 sRNA might be involved in the modulation of the expression of flaA protein, thereby influencing the mobility and pathogenicity of LM.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139311519","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Onychomycosis is one of the most common fungal infections. The most common etiological agents of onychomycosis in Iran are Candida species, especially fingernails. It is more common in women than men, particularly workers in occupations requiring them to submerge their hands or feet in water for prolonged periods. Objectives: The current study's main aim was to determine the abundance of candidal onychomycosis, identify the Candida species using molecular methods, and evaluate the in vitro antifungal susceptibility profiles. Methods: One hundred forty samples were obtained from patients suspected of onychomycosis, and 51 (36.4%) Candida strains were identified by PCR-RFLP. The in vitro susceptibility of four triazole (FLC, ITC, VRC, and POS) antifungal drug testing of 51 Candida species was performed using broth microdilution. Results: Direct microscopic examination by KOH 20% of 140 nail samples showed that 51 (36.4%) samples were positive in terms of fungal elements, with Candida parapsilosis complex being the most frequently isolated of patients, followed by C. albicans complex, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, C. famata, C. kefyr, and Candida species. All Candida species showed they were susceptible to four triazoles, except that five C. krusei were resistant to fluconazole. Only one C. glabrata isolates and one C. parapsilosis isolate were resistant to fluconazole. Conclusions: The growing trend towards the frequency of fingernail onychomycosis in housewives has been noticeable in the last decades in Iran. Therefore, accurate identification of Candida species and perform in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing can aid physicians in choosing an effective potential drug for treating onychomycosis patients.
{"title":"Molecular Identification of Candida Species Isolated from Onychomycosis with In Vitro Antifungal Susceptibility Profiles","authors":"Mohammad Hosein Afsarian, Zahra Sharafi","doi":"10.5812/jjm-139906","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-139906","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Onychomycosis is one of the most common fungal infections. The most common etiological agents of onychomycosis in Iran are Candida species, especially fingernails. It is more common in women than men, particularly workers in occupations requiring them to submerge their hands or feet in water for prolonged periods. Objectives: The current study's main aim was to determine the abundance of candidal onychomycosis, identify the Candida species using molecular methods, and evaluate the in vitro antifungal susceptibility profiles. Methods: One hundred forty samples were obtained from patients suspected of onychomycosis, and 51 (36.4%) Candida strains were identified by PCR-RFLP. The in vitro susceptibility of four triazole (FLC, ITC, VRC, and POS) antifungal drug testing of 51 Candida species was performed using broth microdilution. Results: Direct microscopic examination by KOH 20% of 140 nail samples showed that 51 (36.4%) samples were positive in terms of fungal elements, with Candida parapsilosis complex being the most frequently isolated of patients, followed by C. albicans complex, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, C. famata, C. kefyr, and Candida species. All Candida species showed they were susceptible to four triazoles, except that five C. krusei were resistant to fluconazole. Only one C. glabrata isolates and one C. parapsilosis isolate were resistant to fluconazole. Conclusions: The growing trend towards the frequency of fingernail onychomycosis in housewives has been noticeable in the last decades in Iran. Therefore, accurate identification of Candida species and perform in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing can aid physicians in choosing an effective potential drug for treating onychomycosis patients.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":"95 4","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135219267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Choon-Mee Kim, Seul-Bi Lee, Young-Jin Ko, Seong-Ho Kang, Geon Park, Sook-Jin Jang
Background: Antibacterial peptides have a broad antibacterial spectrum and are not affected by classical resistance mechanisms; therefore, they can be used in combination with classic antibiotics to treat multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections, making them an alternative for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of combining amphiphilic peptides, specifically C12-prp and mastoparan, with antibiotics in combating A. baumannii clinical isolates. Methods: We investigated combinations that inhibited the growth of A. baumannii clinical isolates, consisting of 24 extensively drug-resistant (XDR) and 11 pan-drug-resistant (PDR) strains collected between January 2004 and December 2014 at Chosun University Hospital using a multiple combination bactericidal test (MCBT). A time-kill study was used to confirm the bactericidal activity and synergism of the four combinations selected via MCBT. Results: Four combinations (C12-prp-colistin, C12-prp-rifampicin, mastoparan-colistin, and mastoparan-rifampicin) showed 100% (24/24) synergy with XDR A. baumannii strains. However, in the case of the PDR strains, only two combinations, C12-prp-colistin and mastoparan-colistin, showed a 9.1% (1/11) synergy. Moreover, the mastoparan-colistin and mastoparan-rifampicin combinations showed 100% (24/24) bactericidal activity against the XDR A. baumannii strains, whereas the C12-prp-colistin and C12-prp-rifampicin combinations showed 91.7% (22/24) bactericidal activity. None of the combinations showed bactericidal activity against PDR strains. Conclusions: Our study highlighted the substantial synergistic antibacterial efficacy of C12-prp and mastoparan peptides when combined with colistin or rifampicin. Furthermore, this approach could be a promising alternative for developing new treatment strategies for XDR A. baumannii infections.
{"title":"Synergistic Peptide-Antibiotic Approach to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii","authors":"Choon-Mee Kim, Seul-Bi Lee, Young-Jin Ko, Seong-Ho Kang, Geon Park, Sook-Jin Jang","doi":"10.5812/jjm-136712","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-136712","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Antibacterial peptides have a broad antibacterial spectrum and are not affected by classical resistance mechanisms; therefore, they can be used in combination with classic antibiotics to treat multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections, making them an alternative for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of combining amphiphilic peptides, specifically C12-prp and mastoparan, with antibiotics in combating A. baumannii clinical isolates. Methods: We investigated combinations that inhibited the growth of A. baumannii clinical isolates, consisting of 24 extensively drug-resistant (XDR) and 11 pan-drug-resistant (PDR) strains collected between January 2004 and December 2014 at Chosun University Hospital using a multiple combination bactericidal test (MCBT). A time-kill study was used to confirm the bactericidal activity and synergism of the four combinations selected via MCBT. Results: Four combinations (C12-prp-colistin, C12-prp-rifampicin, mastoparan-colistin, and mastoparan-rifampicin) showed 100% (24/24) synergy with XDR A. baumannii strains. However, in the case of the PDR strains, only two combinations, C12-prp-colistin and mastoparan-colistin, showed a 9.1% (1/11) synergy. Moreover, the mastoparan-colistin and mastoparan-rifampicin combinations showed 100% (24/24) bactericidal activity against the XDR A. baumannii strains, whereas the C12-prp-colistin and C12-prp-rifampicin combinations showed 91.7% (22/24) bactericidal activity. None of the combinations showed bactericidal activity against PDR strains. Conclusions: Our study highlighted the substantial synergistic antibacterial efficacy of C12-prp and mastoparan peptides when combined with colistin or rifampicin. Furthermore, this approach could be a promising alternative for developing new treatment strategies for XDR A. baumannii infections.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":"30 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135463074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mahdi Dadashi Firouzjaei, Peyman Hendizadeh, Mehrdad Halaji, Sajad Yaghoubi, Mohammad Teimourian, Akramossadat Hosseini, Mehdi Rajabnia, Abazar Pournajaf
Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a bacterium that commonly causes urinary tract infections (UTIs) in hospital settings. The widespread and improper usage of quinolones has increased the resistance rates against these broad-spectrum antibiotics. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the connection between the ability to form biofilms and fluoroquinolone resistance in K. pneumoniae isolated from catheter-associated UTIs. Methods: A total of 110 nonduplicative K. pneumoniae-related catheter-associated UTIs were isolated from three large educational hospitals in Babol, north of Iran. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ciprofloxacin was calculated for each detected isolate using the agar dilution procedure. Biofilm production was investigated by a 96-well flat-bottom microtiter plate. The prevalence of gyrA, parC, qnrA, qnrS, acc (6’)-Ib-cr, qepA, qnrB, oqxA, and oqxB genes was evaluated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Overall, 28.2% of the strains were resistant to imipenem and considered carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKp). Ciprofloxacin resistance was observed in 66.4%. Moreover, 70% of the isolates produced biofilm. Biofilm production was significantly higher in ciprofloxacin-resistant compared to ciprofloxacin-susceptible strains (P-value < 0.05). Molecular distribution of resistance genes in the 68-fluoroquinolone resistance-Kp strains showed that the prevalence of gyrA, parC, qnrA, qnrS, acc (6’)-Ib-cr, qepA,, qnrB, oqxA, and oqxB genes was 39.7%, 42.6%, 5.9%, 54.4%, 69.1%, 94.1%, 41.2%, 69.1%, and 83.8%, respectively. Conclusions: Our study highlights the high prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes in clinical samples of K. pneumoniae in the studied region, which is alarming given the possibility of the spread of these pathogens and the few treatments available for infections brought on by multidrug-resistant strains. Moreover, the study characterizes particular mutations in the parC and gyrA genes that cause quinolone resistance.
{"title":"Quinolone Resistance in Biofilm-Forming Klebsiella pneumoniae-Related Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections: A Neglected Problem","authors":"Mahdi Dadashi Firouzjaei, Peyman Hendizadeh, Mehrdad Halaji, Sajad Yaghoubi, Mohammad Teimourian, Akramossadat Hosseini, Mehdi Rajabnia, Abazar Pournajaf","doi":"10.5812/jjm-136170","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-136170","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a bacterium that commonly causes urinary tract infections (UTIs) in hospital settings. The widespread and improper usage of quinolones has increased the resistance rates against these broad-spectrum antibiotics. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the connection between the ability to form biofilms and fluoroquinolone resistance in K. pneumoniae isolated from catheter-associated UTIs. Methods: A total of 110 nonduplicative K. pneumoniae-related catheter-associated UTIs were isolated from three large educational hospitals in Babol, north of Iran. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ciprofloxacin was calculated for each detected isolate using the agar dilution procedure. Biofilm production was investigated by a 96-well flat-bottom microtiter plate. The prevalence of gyrA, parC, qnrA, qnrS, acc (6’)-Ib-cr, qepA, qnrB, oqxA, and oqxB genes was evaluated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Overall, 28.2% of the strains were resistant to imipenem and considered carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKp). Ciprofloxacin resistance was observed in 66.4%. Moreover, 70% of the isolates produced biofilm. Biofilm production was significantly higher in ciprofloxacin-resistant compared to ciprofloxacin-susceptible strains (P-value < 0.05). Molecular distribution of resistance genes in the 68-fluoroquinolone resistance-Kp strains showed that the prevalence of gyrA, parC, qnrA, qnrS, acc (6’)-Ib-cr, qepA,, qnrB, oqxA, and oqxB genes was 39.7%, 42.6%, 5.9%, 54.4%, 69.1%, 94.1%, 41.2%, 69.1%, and 83.8%, respectively. Conclusions: Our study highlights the high prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes in clinical samples of K. pneumoniae in the studied region, which is alarming given the possibility of the spread of these pathogens and the few treatments available for infections brought on by multidrug-resistant strains. Moreover, the study characterizes particular mutations in the parC and gyrA genes that cause quinolone resistance.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":"184 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135996097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background: Despite the global vaccination program, there are many new cases of pertussis in different societies annually. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of some microorganisms associated with pertussis-like syndrome and compare the clinical presentations between Bordetella pertussis and pertussis-like syndrome in children. Methods: Children younger than 5 years old suspected of pertussis-like syndrome were admitted to a hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, and examined from July 2018 to July 2019. Nasopharyngeal samples were evaluated using molecular methods. The studied microorganisms were the following: B. pertussis, B. parapertussis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus type III. Results: Forty-five children were enrolled. B. pertussis was detected in 15 cases (33.3%), respiratory syncytial virus in 14 (31.1%), C. pneumoniae in 3 (6.7%), and parainfluenza virus type III in 3 (6.7%). The collected samples were negative in terms of M. pneumoniae, adenovirus, and B. parapertussis. In the case of paroxysmal cough, the clinical symptoms were significantly different between pertussis and pertussis-like groups. Conclusions: The results indicated that children with pertussis-like syndrome are commonly infected with B. pertussis and respiratory syncytial virus, so more attention should be paid to this issue. The study also demonstrated the importance of molecular diagnosis methods, along with diagnosis based on clinical symptoms, in children suspected of pertussis-like syndrome.
{"title":"Identification of Etiological Agents of Pertussis-Like Syndrome in Children Younger Than 5 Years Old Hospitalized in Southwestern Iran","authors":"Ahmad Shamsizadeh, Roya Nikfar, Elham Bavarsadiankhah, Effat Abbasi-Montazeri, Niloofar Neisi, Maniya Arshadi","doi":"10.5812/jjm-130146","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-130146","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Despite the global vaccination program, there are many new cases of pertussis in different societies annually. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of some microorganisms associated with pertussis-like syndrome and compare the clinical presentations between Bordetella pertussis and pertussis-like syndrome in children. Methods: Children younger than 5 years old suspected of pertussis-like syndrome were admitted to a hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, and examined from July 2018 to July 2019. Nasopharyngeal samples were evaluated using molecular methods. The studied microorganisms were the following: B. pertussis, B. parapertussis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and parainfluenza virus type III. Results: Forty-five children were enrolled. B. pertussis was detected in 15 cases (33.3%), respiratory syncytial virus in 14 (31.1%), C. pneumoniae in 3 (6.7%), and parainfluenza virus type III in 3 (6.7%). The collected samples were negative in terms of M. pneumoniae, adenovirus, and B. parapertussis. In the case of paroxysmal cough, the clinical symptoms were significantly different between pertussis and pertussis-like groups. Conclusions: The results indicated that children with pertussis-like syndrome are commonly infected with B. pertussis and respiratory syncytial virus, so more attention should be paid to this issue. The study also demonstrated the importance of molecular diagnosis methods, along with diagnosis based on clinical symptoms, in children suspected of pertussis-like syndrome.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":"233 2 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136115929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ali Tahan, Najmaldin Saki, Shirin Azizidoost, Farid Yousefi, Habib Haybar
Background: COVID-19 might worsen preexisting cardiac conditions and cause new heart failure (HF). To appropriately triage and treat patients, an early diagnosis is necessary. Objectives: This study assessed the levels of antibodies immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) required for the coronavirus spike S protein in the serum of individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD) who developed HF complications from COVID-19. Methods: A total of 104 hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 were equally divided into severe COVID-19 cases with new HF evidence and controls. The levels of IgG and IgM antibodies vs SARS-CoV-2 were measured. The possible correlation of antibody levels with underlying cardiac risk factors was also investigated. Results: It was found that 86% of HF patients and 5% of controls had an IgG level greater than 100 AU/mL (P < 0.05). Ischemic heart disease (IHD) was the most common disease in the patient group, and the highest level of antibodies was also found in this group. Conclusions: Increasing IgG during COVID-19 can be one of the signs of worsening heart disease, which is more prevalent in patients with an underlying IHD and hypertension.
{"title":"COVID-19 as an Aggravator of Cardiovascular Diseases: Increasing Immunoglobulin G, a Valuable Prognostic Factor for Heart Failure","authors":"Ali Tahan, Najmaldin Saki, Shirin Azizidoost, Farid Yousefi, Habib Haybar","doi":"10.5812/jjm-139233","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-139233","url":null,"abstract":"Background: COVID-19 might worsen preexisting cardiac conditions and cause new heart failure (HF). To appropriately triage and treat patients, an early diagnosis is necessary. Objectives: This study assessed the levels of antibodies immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) required for the coronavirus spike S protein in the serum of individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD) who developed HF complications from COVID-19. Methods: A total of 104 hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 were equally divided into severe COVID-19 cases with new HF evidence and controls. The levels of IgG and IgM antibodies vs SARS-CoV-2 were measured. The possible correlation of antibody levels with underlying cardiac risk factors was also investigated. Results: It was found that 86% of HF patients and 5% of controls had an IgG level greater than 100 AU/mL (P < 0.05). Ischemic heart disease (IHD) was the most common disease in the patient group, and the highest level of antibodies was also found in this group. Conclusions: Increasing IgG during COVID-19 can be one of the signs of worsening heart disease, which is more prevalent in patients with an underlying IHD and hypertension.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":"56 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135735401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mastaneh Alinezhadi, M. Arshadi, M. Rasti, N. Neisi, M. Parsanahad
Background: Evaluation of viral pathogenicity is an important part of research in every viral disease, and one of the most important parts of pathogenicity is cell and tissue tropism of viruses, which can help us to have a clear picture of the viral replication cycle and viral disease. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods: Twenty-six whole blood samples (5 mL) were collected from 70 hospitalized patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Plasma and PBMCs were collected and subjected to total RNA extraction using the alcohol-chloroform precipitation method by the RNX solution. After complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis, all samples were subjected to real-time and nested polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) to detect the viral genome. Results: The nested PCR method showed a higher rate of positivity in plasma samples (42.3%) compared to real-time PCR (30.7%), suggesting nested PCR exhibited better sensitivity. This rate in PBMC samples was 57.7% by nested PCR and 7.7% by real-time PCR. Minus-strand viral genome was detected in PBMCs, demonstrating that these cells can support virus replication and act as a virus transporter through blood. Conclusions: PBMCs can be infected with SARS-CoV-2. Plasma and serum samples are also not useful samples for virus detection because all of the positive plasma samples in this study showed low viral load with a low cycle threshold (Ct) value.
{"title":"Detection of the SARS-CoV-2 Genome in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 Infection","authors":"Mastaneh Alinezhadi, M. Arshadi, M. Rasti, N. Neisi, M. Parsanahad","doi":"10.5812/jjm-138125","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-138125","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Evaluation of viral pathogenicity is an important part of research in every viral disease, and one of the most important parts of pathogenicity is cell and tissue tropism of viruses, which can help us to have a clear picture of the viral replication cycle and viral disease. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods: Twenty-six whole blood samples (5 mL) were collected from 70 hospitalized patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Plasma and PBMCs were collected and subjected to total RNA extraction using the alcohol-chloroform precipitation method by the RNX solution. After complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis, all samples were subjected to real-time and nested polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) to detect the viral genome. Results: The nested PCR method showed a higher rate of positivity in plasma samples (42.3%) compared to real-time PCR (30.7%), suggesting nested PCR exhibited better sensitivity. This rate in PBMC samples was 57.7% by nested PCR and 7.7% by real-time PCR. Minus-strand viral genome was detected in PBMCs, demonstrating that these cells can support virus replication and act as a virus transporter through blood. Conclusions: PBMCs can be infected with SARS-CoV-2. Plasma and serum samples are also not useful samples for virus detection because all of the positive plasma samples in this study showed low viral load with a low cycle threshold (Ct) value.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46209383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Najmeh Sheikhi, M. Jamalidoust, Arash Letafati, K. Shahzamani, Anahita Sanaei Dashti, G. Talei
Background: The medical community is facing a new challenge with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as the severity of the disease is largely determined by the overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines, leading to endothelial dysfunction and organ damage, especially in the lungs. Objectives: It is believed that mutations might be linked to severe illness. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the correlation between COVID-19 severity in Iranian pediatric patients who were referred to Namazi Hospital (Shiraz, Iran) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) gene polymorphisms (rs1800896, rs1800871, and rs1800872). Methods: The study comprised 53 pediatric patients with COVID-19, who were divided into mild/moderate (n = 44) and severe (n = 9) groups. Nasal swabs and whole blood samples were collected from each patient who participated in the study. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) confirmation (E, RdRp) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were used for IL-10 gene polymorphism genotyping. Results: The study investigated the association between IL-10 gene polymorphisms and COVID-19 severity in pediatric patients. The results showed that the GA genotype at the IL10-1082 locus was protective against severe symptoms and that all severe cases were male with the AA/GA genotype. The other two loci, IL10-819 and IL-10-592, did not show any significant association with COVID-19 severity. The study also showed that shortness of breath was the only symptom significantly associated with COVID-19 severity and that age and gender did not affect the disease outcome. Conclusions: The most common symptoms in the mild/moderate group were cough and fever; however, shortness of breath and cough were the most common in the severe group. Coronavirus disease 2019 severity is related to the IL-10 (rs1800872) gene polymorphism, with the GA genotype providing protective effects.
{"title":"Association of IL-10 Gene in Protection Against COVID-19 Disease","authors":"Najmeh Sheikhi, M. Jamalidoust, Arash Letafati, K. Shahzamani, Anahita Sanaei Dashti, G. Talei","doi":"10.5812/jjm-138241","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-138241","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The medical community is facing a new challenge with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as the severity of the disease is largely determined by the overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines, leading to endothelial dysfunction and organ damage, especially in the lungs. Objectives: It is believed that mutations might be linked to severe illness. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the correlation between COVID-19 severity in Iranian pediatric patients who were referred to Namazi Hospital (Shiraz, Iran) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) gene polymorphisms (rs1800896, rs1800871, and rs1800872). Methods: The study comprised 53 pediatric patients with COVID-19, who were divided into mild/moderate (n = 44) and severe (n = 9) groups. Nasal swabs and whole blood samples were collected from each patient who participated in the study. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) confirmation (E, RdRp) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were used for IL-10 gene polymorphism genotyping. Results: The study investigated the association between IL-10 gene polymorphisms and COVID-19 severity in pediatric patients. The results showed that the GA genotype at the IL10-1082 locus was protective against severe symptoms and that all severe cases were male with the AA/GA genotype. The other two loci, IL10-819 and IL-10-592, did not show any significant association with COVID-19 severity. The study also showed that shortness of breath was the only symptom significantly associated with COVID-19 severity and that age and gender did not affect the disease outcome. Conclusions: The most common symptoms in the mild/moderate group were cough and fever; however, shortness of breath and cough were the most common in the severe group. Coronavirus disease 2019 severity is related to the IL-10 (rs1800872) gene polymorphism, with the GA genotype providing protective effects.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48112176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tuğrul Hoşbul, S. Oren, C. Artuk, C. Aydoğan, İrem Unat, S. Şenkal, Gamze İçen, Tugba Fatsa, R. Gumral, F. Şahiner, M. Kızılgun, M. Yavuz
Background: More than 768 million people have been affected by COVID-19. Identifying lymphocyte subsets and cytokine level abnormalities in COVID-19 patients is essential to gain new insights and data on immunity mechanisms against viral infections. Objectives: We used flow cytometry to determine the relationship between disease severity, lymphocyte subsets distribution, and cytokine level alterations in COVID-19 patients. Methods: Totally 94 COVID-19 patients (32 mild, 31 moderate, and 31 severe) and 27 healthy individuals were included in the cross-sectional study. The distribution of peripheral lymphocyte subsets and cytokine levels was assessed by flow cytometry. Results: The percentages of CD56+ Natural Killer (NK) cells in all patient groups and total T lymphocytes in moderate and severe groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001). Also, IL-2 (P < 0.001), IL-17A (P < 0.001), IL-4 (P < 0.001), IL-6 (P < 0.001), TNF-α (P = 0.004), IP-10 (P < 0.001), IFN-λ1 (IL-29) (P < 0.001), IFN-λ2/3 (IL-28A/B) (P = 0.011), IFN-β (P < 0.001), IL-10 (P < 0.001), and IFN-γ (P < 0.001) levels were statistically higher in patients than in the controls. Conclusions: Our data revealed that increased levels of certain cytokines in peripheral blood contribute to disease severity. Increased CRP (OR: 1.012, %95 CI: 1.002 - 1.023, P = 0.038) and IL-10 (OR: 1.068, %95 CI: 1.000 - 1.141, P = 0.049) levels, decreased CD56+ NK percentage (OR: 0.576, %95 CI: 0.376 - 0.882, P = 0.011) and lymphocyte count (OR: 0.02, %95 CI: 0.001 - 0.368, P = 0.009), and the presence of diabetes mellitus and mechanical ventilation were independent predictors of mortality.
{"title":"Analysis of Immune Profiles Related to Disease Severity in COVID-19 by Flow Cytometry","authors":"Tuğrul Hoşbul, S. Oren, C. Artuk, C. Aydoğan, İrem Unat, S. Şenkal, Gamze İçen, Tugba Fatsa, R. Gumral, F. Şahiner, M. Kızılgun, M. Yavuz","doi":"10.5812/jjm-138835","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-138835","url":null,"abstract":"Background: More than 768 million people have been affected by COVID-19. Identifying lymphocyte subsets and cytokine level abnormalities in COVID-19 patients is essential to gain new insights and data on immunity mechanisms against viral infections. Objectives: We used flow cytometry to determine the relationship between disease severity, lymphocyte subsets distribution, and cytokine level alterations in COVID-19 patients. Methods: Totally 94 COVID-19 patients (32 mild, 31 moderate, and 31 severe) and 27 healthy individuals were included in the cross-sectional study. The distribution of peripheral lymphocyte subsets and cytokine levels was assessed by flow cytometry. Results: The percentages of CD56+ Natural Killer (NK) cells in all patient groups and total T lymphocytes in moderate and severe groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001). Also, IL-2 (P < 0.001), IL-17A (P < 0.001), IL-4 (P < 0.001), IL-6 (P < 0.001), TNF-α (P = 0.004), IP-10 (P < 0.001), IFN-λ1 (IL-29) (P < 0.001), IFN-λ2/3 (IL-28A/B) (P = 0.011), IFN-β (P < 0.001), IL-10 (P < 0.001), and IFN-γ (P < 0.001) levels were statistically higher in patients than in the controls. Conclusions: Our data revealed that increased levels of certain cytokines in peripheral blood contribute to disease severity. Increased CRP (OR: 1.012, %95 CI: 1.002 - 1.023, P = 0.038) and IL-10 (OR: 1.068, %95 CI: 1.000 - 1.141, P = 0.049) levels, decreased CD56+ NK percentage (OR: 0.576, %95 CI: 0.376 - 0.882, P = 0.011) and lymphocyte count (OR: 0.02, %95 CI: 0.001 - 0.368, P = 0.009), and the presence of diabetes mellitus and mechanical ventilation were independent predictors of mortality.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43003819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Taha, Amany A Ghazy, A. Almaeen, I. Taher, T. El-Metwally, Mohammad Alayyaf, F. Alrayes, Ahmed Alinad, S. Albulayhid, Abdulrahman D. AlDakhil
Background: Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) is a highly infectious neurotropic virus. The data on HSV-1 infection in Saudi Arabia, including the seroprevalence of HSV-1 antibodies, are scarce. Objectives: This is the first study to evaluate the prevalence of anti-HSV-1 immunoglobulin G (IgG) in donated blood in Sakaka, Aljouf, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A total of 300 donated blood samples were collected from the Blood Bank of Prince Mutaib Bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Sakaka. Sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect anti-HSV-1 IgG. A comparison of the age, gender, education, occupation, income, hand hygiene, travel history, and cupping practice of blood donors stratified for the extent of anti-HSV-1 IgG was made. Results: There was a low prevalence of anti-HSV-1 IgG (20%; n = 60/300). Moreover, 50.0% of IgG-positive participants were in the age group of 41 - 45 years, and 81.7% of the participants had a household income of < 10000 SAR (statistically highly significant; P < 0.001*). All the participants performed hand washing with soap before handling food and after using the toilet. Furthermore, IgG-positive participants had a bachelor’s degree (50.0%), were governmental employees (60.0%), were international travelers (50.0%), and practiced cupping (50.0%) with statistically significant associations (P < 0.05*). Conclusions: The current study’s findings support previous reports about the key importance of improving socioeconomic conditions and hygiene measures in reducing the spread of HSV-1. The present study provides an alarm regarding reaching the age of sexual debut without acquiring protective anti-HSV-1 immunoglobulins, consequently becoming more susceptible to acquiring HSV-1 infection through the genital route. These data support the urgent need to develop an effective anti-HSV-1 vaccine.
{"title":"Estimation of Seroprevalence of Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 IgG Among Healthy Blood Donors in Sakaka City, Aljouf, Saudi Arabia","authors":"A. Taha, Amany A Ghazy, A. Almaeen, I. Taher, T. El-Metwally, Mohammad Alayyaf, F. Alrayes, Ahmed Alinad, S. Albulayhid, Abdulrahman D. AlDakhil","doi":"10.5812/jjm-136606","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-136606","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) is a highly infectious neurotropic virus. The data on HSV-1 infection in Saudi Arabia, including the seroprevalence of HSV-1 antibodies, are scarce. Objectives: This is the first study to evaluate the prevalence of anti-HSV-1 immunoglobulin G (IgG) in donated blood in Sakaka, Aljouf, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A total of 300 donated blood samples were collected from the Blood Bank of Prince Mutaib Bin Abdulaziz Hospital in Sakaka. Sensitive and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect anti-HSV-1 IgG. A comparison of the age, gender, education, occupation, income, hand hygiene, travel history, and cupping practice of blood donors stratified for the extent of anti-HSV-1 IgG was made. Results: There was a low prevalence of anti-HSV-1 IgG (20%; n = 60/300). Moreover, 50.0% of IgG-positive participants were in the age group of 41 - 45 years, and 81.7% of the participants had a household income of < 10000 SAR (statistically highly significant; P < 0.001*). All the participants performed hand washing with soap before handling food and after using the toilet. Furthermore, IgG-positive participants had a bachelor’s degree (50.0%), were governmental employees (60.0%), were international travelers (50.0%), and practiced cupping (50.0%) with statistically significant associations (P < 0.05*). Conclusions: The current study’s findings support previous reports about the key importance of improving socioeconomic conditions and hygiene measures in reducing the spread of HSV-1. The present study provides an alarm regarding reaching the age of sexual debut without acquiring protective anti-HSV-1 immunoglobulins, consequently becoming more susceptible to acquiring HSV-1 infection through the genital route. These data support the urgent need to develop an effective anti-HSV-1 vaccine.","PeriodicalId":17803,"journal":{"name":"Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2023-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46483066","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：