Infection*

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterial pathogen that can cause life-threatening central nervous system (CNS) infections. While mechanisms by which L. monocytogenes and other pathogens traffic to the brain have been studied, a quantitative understanding of the underlying dynamics of colonization and replication within the brain is still lacking. In this study, we used barcoded L. monocytogenes to quantify the bottlenecks and dissemination patterns that lead to cerebral infection. Following intravenous (IV) inoculation, multiple independent invasion events seeded all parts of the CNS from the blood, however, only one clone usually became dominant in the brain...

INTRODUCTION: Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus are two important agents of Healthcare-associated infections. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of ozone (O3) gas produced by two commercial devices against cultures of these two species. METHODOLOGY: Sterile plastic plates were inoculated with C. albicans and A. fumigatus and placed on a countertop at three distances (30 cm, 1 m, and 2 m) and three positions in relation to the wall (near, middle, and away), considering the source of O3...

Paragonimiasis is a common zoonotic parasitic disease. The retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) signaling is very important for the host to recognize invading pathogens (especially viruses and bacteria). However, the role of RIG-I signaling in the early stages of P. proliferus infection remains unclear. Therefore, in this study, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat models with lung damage caused by P. proliferus were established. Experimental methods including Enzyme-linked Immuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA), real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blotting, and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining were used to explore the mechanisms of lung injury caused by P...

INTRODUCTION: The distribution of common subtypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Gansu province were analyzed. This information provided a theoretical basis for the selection of appropriate antiviral treatment regimens. METHODOLOGY: We collected data on HCV antibody screening tests from 421,802 outpatients and inpatients at the Second Clinical Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2018 to June 2022. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) viral load, HCV genotypes, and HCV quantification were analyzed retrospectively...

INTRODUCTION: Human mastadenovirus (HAdV) types 8, 37, 64 have been considered the major contributors in Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) epidemics, but recent surveillance data have shown the involvement of emerging recombinants, including HAdV-53, HAdV-54, and HAdV-56. In our initial work, positive samples for adenovirus revealed that our strains were closer to HAdV-54 than HAdV-8. Hence, the current study aimed to use whole genome technology to identify the HAdV strain correctly...

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this national, multicenter, cross-sectional, retrospective chart review study was to determine the proportion of patients in Turkey who received hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment after receiving positive anti-HCV results during HCV screening. METHODOLOGY: Data related to patients' demographics, laboratory results, time interval from obtaining a positive anti-HCV result to treatment initiation, specialty of the physician requesting anti-HCV screening, and type of hospital were analyzed...

INTRODUCTION: Prevalence of antibiotic resistance (AR) during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was higher than pre-pandemic times. This study determined the prevalence and patterns of AR among Gram-positive and negative bacteria before, during and after COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia and identified the associated factors. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cross-sectional study was employed to identify patients with positive AR bacteria between March 2019 and March 2022...

INTRODUCTION: Tubercular meningitis (TBM) is a serious public health problem in developing countries as it leads to significant mortality and residual neurological sequelae. The estimated mortality due to TBM in India is 1.5 per 100,000 population. In resource-limited settings, only the Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) stain, which has very little sensitivity, is available. The World Health Organization recommended the Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (TB LAMP) assay for pulmonary tuberculosis only...

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to assess the levels of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) related to TB, and to analyze the differences among various demographic groups. METHODOLOGY: A total of 621 students enrolled in Qingdao High School, coming from high TB burden settings. The cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July of 2022. Participants completed an online questionnaire. Differences in knowledge and practice based on participant characteristics were analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank test and Kruskal-Wallis rank test...

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It has impacted millions of individuals and caused numerous casualties. Consequently, there was a race to develop vaccines against the virus. However, there has been unequal vaccine distribution among nations, and concerns over side effects have resulted in vaccine hesitancy, reducing vaccination rates in many countries and hindering pandemic eradication. Preventive measures like well-fitted masks, frequent hand washing, alcohol-based sanitizers, and maintaining physical distance remain crucial to curb SARS-CoV-2 transmission...

INTRODUCTION: Congenital syphilis (CS) has severe adverse outcomes, including abortion and death. Diagnosis of CS in asymptomatic newborns remains difficult. This study aims to evaluate an in-house polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples (BS) to identify T. pallidum DNA in newborns. METHODOLOGY: We performed an exploratory cross-sectional study that included newborns exposed to syphilis during pregnancy (SEG) and non-exposed (SNEG) newborns, between 2019 and 2020...

INTRODUCTION: Myocardial injury due to COVID-19 infection is associated with higher mortality rates, higher intensive care unit admissions, and greater levels of inflammatory and cardiac markers. However, given the smaller number of papers regarding pediatric patients, there is still scarce data about mortality predictors in this population. This study aims to identify independent predictors of in-hospital death among pediatric patients hospitalized with myocardial injury related to COVID-19...

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the effects of secondary bacterial and fungal infections on patient outcomes in patients followed up in the intensive care unit (ICU) due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively analyzed reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive COVID-19 patients followed in the ICU of our hospital between March 2020 and June 2021, using the hospital information system. Demographic data, pathogens causing a secondary infection, onset time of secondary infection, and patient outcomes were recorded...

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal infections are a significant health issue; antibiotics are essential in treating acute intestinal infections. However, evidence in the literature shows that the excessive use of antibiotics has created many threats to human health. This work aimed to study the impact of apple pectin in combination with antibiotics on treating patients with amebiasis and dysentery. METHODOLOGY: Patients suffering from acute intestinal diseases (amebiasis and dysentery) were treated with traditional antibiotic therapy and a new formula containing antibiotics with low and high methoxylated apple pectin in a randomized block design...

INTRODUCTION: Although fluoroquinolones are used to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-induced infections, acquisition of antibiotic resistance by bacteria has impaired their clinical relevance. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of norA, norB, and norC efflux pump genes-mediating fluoroquinolones resistance and measure their expression levels in MRSA isolates. METHODOLOGY: 126 S. aureus isolates were collected from different clinical samples of adult hospitalized patients and identified by conventional microbiological methods...

INTRODUCTION: There is extensive published data on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, information on the effective factors that improve the pulmonary involvement of COVID-19 patients, and long-term clinical and imaging follow-up of these patients is limited. METHODOLOGY: This is a prospective cohort study on patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized in two major academic hospitals in Yazd, Iran. The correlation between the baseline demographic and clinical/para-clinical data with the imaging resolution status at day 60 was assessed...

INTRODUCTION: A COVID-19 outbreak occurred at the end of October 2021 among pilgrims returning from Medjugorje (Bosnia and Herzegovina). METHODOLOGY: Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of SARS-CoV-2, epidemiological data, and phylogenetic analysis were used to reconstruct outbreak dynamics. RESULTS: The results suggest that only in one case, associated with the SARS-CoV-2 sub-lineage AY.9.2, it is possible to trace back the place of contagion to Medjugorje, while the other cases were likely to be acquired in the country of origin...

INTRODUCTION: Schizophyllum commune (S. commune) is an opportunistic pathogenic fungus and can cause infection of the respiratory system in immunocompromised hosts. Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM) is the major disease caused by S. commune. However, identification of S. commune using routine mycological diagnostic methods is difficult. It is easy to make mistakes in diagnosis and treatment, resulting in deterioration of the disease. We report the first case of ABPM due to S. commune in a Chinese patient with chronic hepatitis B...

INTRODUCTION: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common bacterial complication in pregnancy. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence, risk factors, and bacterial etiology of UTI during pregnancy and determine the efficacy of antimicrobial drugs in treating UTIs. METHODOLOGY: Urine specimens and clinical data were collected from pregnant women who attended primary health centers in Erbil, Iraq. All specimens were cultured on appropriate media and identified by standard microbiological methods...

INTRODUCTION: Iatrogenic botulism is a rare, serious disease that progresses with descending paralysis and develops after cosmetic or therapeutic botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) application. CASE PRESENTATIONS: In this case series; six cases of iatrogenic botulism followed up in our center are presented. Four of these developed after gastric BoNT-A and two after axillary BoNT-A application. RESULTS: The most important cause for the disease was the use of unlicensed products and high-dose toxin applications...