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Background: Streptococcus pyogenes is a significant pathogen that causes various types of human diseases which range from mild to fatal illness. This work was designed to assess the value of symptoms in the prediction of disease and macrolides resistance. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional hospital-based study during 2020–2021 in Kosti Teaching Hospital (Kosti city, Sudan) to evaluate the link between symptoms with Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection. Streptococcal tonsillitis was diagnosed by throat swabs culture, and macrolides resistance was detected by phenotypic and genotypic methods. Results: There was no significant variation in the mean of reported symptoms between gender and residence. Macrolides resistance and resistance genes had no significant effect on symptoms. On correlation analysis, age and education level were negatively correlated with symptoms score. Conclusions: The study highlights the link between symptoms with GAS tonsillitis and suggests the requirement for more care in children.

Background: Malaria infection remains the most serious and widespread protozoan infection of humans and has been associated with different changes in hematological parameters. This study aimed to detect the effects of malaria infection on hematological parameters in Sudanese patients. Methods: This was a case–control study including 100 patients and 50 controls required from Kosti Teaching Hospital (Kosti City) from October 2, to November 11, 2020. All patients and controls were investigated for blood film for malaria, complete blood counts, and peripheral blood picture. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: Hemoglobin (Hb) was decreased in 75% of our patients and in 10% of controls, P < 0.000. Hematocrit (HCT) was decreased in 55% of patients and in 8% of controls, P < 0.000. MCH was decreased in 33% of patients and in 12% of controls, P = 0.013. The mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was decreased in 30% of study patients and in 10% of controls, P = 0.002. The mean corpuscular volume was decreased in 34% of patients and in 8% of controls, P = 0.056. Platelet (PLTs) count was decreased in 46% of patients and 0% of controls, P < 0.000. Platelet crit (PCT) was decreased in 75% of patients and in 16% of controls, P < 0.000. Furthermore, there were differences in white blood cell (WBC) counts between malaria parasite patients and controls, P = 0.058. No significant difference in red blood cell counts was seen between malaria parasite patients and controls, P = 0.797. Conclusions: Malaria parasite infection linked to many changes in hematological parameter characterized by reduction in WBC counts, PLT counts, PCT, Hb level, HCT, MCH, and MCHC.

Background: Recently, the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has a wide spread around the world. Clinically, it was responsible for respiratory illness ranged from mild to life-threatening infection. The study aimed to investigate the link of gender, age, ABO blood groups, and hematological indices with COVID-19 infection. Methods: One hindered COVID-19 cases, as confirmed using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction test, were checked for some sociodemographic features, blood group, and hematology parameters. A blood sample was collected from each person in an EDTA container and immediately tested for blood group using commercial antisera, in addition to complete blood count parameters using of a semiautomated hematology analyzer (Mindray BC-3200). Results: Of 100 COVID-19 patients, 52% were male and 48% were female. About 33% and 31% of the study participants were of age group 15–31 and 32–49 years, respectively. The majority (37%) of COVID-19 patients carried blood group O+ve, followed by A+ve (24%). A+ve blood group was significantly more reported in males (32.7%) than females (14.6%). Notably, 61% of participants showed low Hb level. Erythropenia was detected in 41% of the participants, while thrombocytopenia was observed only in 19% of the patients. Moreover, lymphocytopenia was detected in 82%, low packed cell volume in 66%, decreased mean corpuscular volume in 20%, and declined mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration in 8% of the participants. In contrast, leukocytosis and neutrophilia were found in 69% and 73% of the participants, respectively. Conclusion: Taken together, the study findings highlighted the link of COVID-19 with age, gender, blood groups, and hematology parameters, which is important in diagnosis, prognosis, and management of illness.

Background: Helicobacter pylori infections are associated with significant morbidity. The study intended to screen H. pylori among symptomatic patients and assess the performance of anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) test compared to stool Ag test as well as to investigate some clinical and hematology findings in H. pylori-seropositive persons. Methods: One hundred individuals with the clinical suspicion of infection by H. pylori and 100 control subjects matched for gender (χ2 = 0.026, P = 0.873) and age groups (χ2 = 5.303, P = 0.151) were recruited. Clinical assessment, endoscopy, anti-H. pylori IgG test, and stool for cagA Ag were performed to investigate H. pylori infection. White blood cells, red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were also analyzed. Results: Vomiting and hematemesis were reported in 44% and 8% of the study group, respectively. Whereas, nausea, epigastric pain, and weight loss were observed in all (100%). Notably, gastritis and duodenal ulcer were detected in 100% and 80% of cases, respectively. Based on Immunochromatographic test (ICT), 75% and 78% of the study group were positive for anti-H. pylori Ab and cagA Ag of H. pylori, respectively. The odd of reported a positive result for H. pylori was less likely in females than males as determined by anti-H. pylori (odds ratio [OR]: 0.529, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.142–1.970, P: 0.343) and stool cagA Ag test (OR: 0.364, 95% CI: 0.087–1.532, P: 0.168). Compared to the cagA Ag test, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of anti-H. pylori test were 77.2%, 85.3%, 78.7%, 84.1%, and 81.9%, respectively. Interestingly, RBCs count, MCH, and Hb were significantly higher in the control compared to study cases, P < 0.05. Conclusions: Our results highlight the epidemiology of into H. pylori, assess the performance of anti H. pylori test compared to cagA Ag test, and demonstrate the direct link between some hematologic indices and H. pylori. Further studies are necessary to verify these findings.

Background: Sickle cell disease is related to many health issues (such as stroke, severe infections, and sickle cell crisis) and elevated risk of death. This study was aimed to investigate and compare microalbuminuria (MAU), creatinine, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) between sickle cell disease (SCD) patients and healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 156 cases and 156 control subjects were included. MAU, creatinine, GFR, and body mass index (BMI) were measured. Results: The estimated levels of MAU and creatinine were significantly higher in cases than controls, but the mean of BMI and GFR was significantly lower in cases than the control group. In patients of sickle cell disease, the mean MAU, GFR, creatinine, and BMI levels in females, rural area residents, and subjects aged 2–13 years were higher than controls, P < 0.05. MAU and GFR were also higher (P < 0.05) in males and subjects aged 14–25 years of study cases than controls. Conclusion: Accordingly, this study indicated the impact of SCD in MAU, creatinine, GFR, and BMI, which are significant in the diagnosis of nephropathy.