Search

Abdelazeem M Algammal,1 Nada H Eidaroos,1 Khyreyah J Alfifi,2 Marfat Alatawy,2 Alhanouf I Al-Harbi,3 Yasmene F Alanazi,4 Madeha OI Ghobashy,2,5 Ahmed R khafagy,6 Aboelkheir M Esawy,7 Soha S El-Sadda,7 Helal F Hetta,8 Reham M El-Tarabili1 1Department of Bacteriology, Immunology, and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt; 2Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Yanbu, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; 5Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; 6Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; 7Animal Health Research Institute, Mansoura, Egypt; 8Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, EgyptCorrespondence: Abdelazeem M Algammal, Department of Bacteriology, Immunology and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt, Email abdelazeem.algammal@vet.suez.edu.egBackground: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is incriminated in septicemia, significant economic losses in the poultry production sector, and severe respiratory infections in humans. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence, oprL sequencing, antimicrobial resistance patterns, virulence-determinant, Quorum sensing, and antibiotic resistance genes of P. aeruginosa retrieved from broiler chickens.Methods: Two hundred samples were collected from 120 broiler chickens from broiler farms at Ismailia Governorate, Egypt. Consequently, the bacteriological examination was conducted and the obtained P. aeruginosa strains were tested for oprL gene sequencing, antibiogram, and PCR screening of virulence, Quorum sensing, and antibiotic resistance genes.Results: The overall prevalence of P. aeruginosa in the examined birds was 28.3%. The oprL gene sequence analysis underlined that the tested strain expressed a notable genetic identity with various P. aeruginosa strains isolated from different geographical areas in the USA, India, China, Chile, and Ghana. PCR evidenced that the obtained P. aeruginosa strains, carrying virulence-related genes: oprL, toxA, aprA, phzM, and exoS in a prevalence of 100%, 100%, 42.5%, 33.3%, and 25.9%, respectively. Moreover, the recovered P. aeruginosa strains possessed the Quorum sensing genes: lasI, lasR, rhlI, and rhlR in a prevalence of 85.2%, 85.2%, 81.5%, and 81.5%, respectively. Furthermore, 40.7% of the isolated P. aeruginosa were XDR to seven antimicrobial classes, possessing sul 1, blaTEM, tetA, blaCTX-M, blaOXA-1, and aadA1 genes.Conclusion: As we can tell, this is the first report emphasizing the evolution of XDR P. aeruginosa strains from broiler chicken in Egypt, which is supposed to be a serious threat to public health. The emerging XDR P. aeruginosa in poultry frequently harbored the oprL, toxA, and aprA virulence genes, the lasI, lasR, rhlI, and rhlR Quorum sensing genes, and the sul 1, blaTEM, tetA, blaCTXM, blaOXA-1, and aadA1 resistance genes.Keywords: P. aeruginosa, MDR, XDR, oprL sequence analysis, Quorum sensing, virulence genes, resistance genes

Abstract: Favipiravir is a potential antiviral drug undergoing clinical trials to manage various viral infections, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Favipiravir possesses antiviral properties against RNA viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Unfortunately, these viruses do not have authorized antiviral drugs for the management of diseases resulting from their infection, hence the dire need to accentuate the discovery of antiviral drugs that are efficacious and have a broad spectrum. Favipiravir acts primarily by blocking inward and outward movements of the virus from cells. Favipiravir is a prodrug undergoing intracellular phosphorylation and ribosylation to form an active form, favipiravir-RTP, which binds viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Considering the novel mechanism of favipiravir action, especially in managing viral infections, it is vital to pay more attention to the promised favipiravir hold in the management of SARS-CoV-2, its efficacy, and dosage regimen, and interactions with other drugs. In conclusion, favipiravir possesses antiviral properties against RNA viruses, including COVID- 19. Favipiravir is effective against SARS-CoV-2 infection through inhibition of RdRp. Pre-clinical and large-scalp prospective studies are recommended for efficacy and long-term safety of favipiravir in COVID-19.

Abelazeem M Algammal,1 Marwa E Abo Hashem,1 Khyreyah J Alfifi,2 Amenah S Al-otaibi,2 Marfat Alatawy,2 Reham M ElTarabili,1 Wafaa A Abd El-Ghany,3 Helal F Hetta,4 Ahmed M Hamouda,5 Amira A Elewa,5 Marwa M Azab6 1Department of Bacteriology, Immunology, and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt; 2Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Tabuk University, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; 3Poultry Diseases Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; 4Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt; 5Animal Health Research Institute, Zagazig Branch, Zagazig, Egypt; 6Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, EgyptCorrespondence: Abelazeem M Algammal, Department of Bacteriology, Immunology and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt, Email abdelazeem.algammal@vet.suez.edu.egBackground: Gallibacterium anatis is incriminated frequently in severe economic losses and mortalities in the poultry industry. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of G. anatis in layer chickens, sequence analysis, the antibiogram profiles, and PCR screening of virulence determinants and antibiotic resistance genes.Methods: Accordingly, 300 samples (tracheal swabs, ovary and oviduct, and lung) were randomly collected from 100 diseased layer chickens from private commercial layer farms at Elsharkia Governorate, Egypt. The bacteriological examination was carried out. The retrieved isolates were tested for 16S rRNA-23S rRNA gene sequencing, antibiogram profiling, PCR screening of virulence (gtxA, fifA, and gyrB), and antibiotic resistance genes (blaROB, aphA1, tetB, and tetH).Results: The prevalence of G. anatis was 25% in the examined diseased layer chickens. The sequence analyses emphasized that the tested strains derived from a common ancestor and exhibited a notable genetic similarity with other G. anatis strains from USA, China, and Denmark. The isolated G. anatis strains were highly resistant to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, oxytetracycline, penicillin, ampicillin, kanamycin, neomycin, and erythromycin. The PCR revealed that the retrieved G. anatis strains carried gtxA, gyrB, and fifA virulence genes with a prevalence of 100%, 100%, and 38.3%, respectively. Approximately 30.1% of the retrieved G. anatis isolates were XDR to six antimicrobial classes and harbored blaROB, aphA1, and tetB resistance genes. Moreover, 20.5% of the isolated G. anatis strains were MDR to three different classes and carried blaROB and tetH resistance genes.Conclusion: Briefly, this study emphasized the existence of XDR and MDR G. anatis strains in poultry. Florfenicol and norfloxacin displayed a promising antimicrobial effect against the emerging XDR and MDR G. anatis in poultry. The emergence of XDR and MDR G. anatis is considered a public health alarm.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: G. anatis, poultry, antibiogram, XDR, sequence analyses, virulence genes, antibiotic resistance genes

Nahla M Elsherbiny,1 Mohammed Ramadan,2 Nagla H Abu Faddan,3 Elham Ahmed Hassan,4 Mohamed E Ali,2 Abeer Sharaf El-Din Abd El-Rehim,4 Wael A Abbas,5 Mohamed AA Abozaid,5 Ebtisam Hassanin,6 Ghada A Mohamed,7 Helal F Hetta,1 Mohammed Salah8 1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt; 2Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut Branch, Assiut, Egypt; 3Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt; 4Department of Gastroenterology and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt; 5Department of Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt; 6Clinical Pathology, Ministry of Health, Assiut, Egypt; 7Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrine Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt; 8Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of pharmacy, Port Said University, Port Said, EgyptCorrespondence: Elham Ahmed Hassan, Department of Gastroenterology and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt, Tel +20 882410285, Fax +20 882333327, Email mam_elham75@yahoo.com; elham.abdelhalem@med.aun.edu.egPurpose: To investigate the compositional and functional characteristics of T1DM-associated gut microbiota in two Egyptian cities and to study the geographical locality effects.Patients and Methods: This case-control study included 32 children with controlled T1DM and 16 controls, selected from two different regions of Egypt. The gut microbiota of both diabetic and control children was analyzed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing; this was done using the Illumina MiSeq platform.Results: Consistent findings among the diabetic children included significantly lower alpha diversity than the control children, as well as a lower mean Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio, and reduced proportions of Firmicutes and the genera Prevotella and Ruminococcus. In the diabetic children, there were also significantly enriched representations of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria and the genera Lactobacilli, Bacteroides, and Faecalibacterium. When comparing the two diabetic groups, the Ismailia group (IsDM) was found to have a significantly higher F/B ratio and diversity indices, with resultant differences at the functional level.Conclusion: There are a number of consistent changes in the microbiota profile characterizing the diabetic groups irrespective of the geographical location including significantly lower alpha diversity, mean Firmicutes/ Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio, and reduced proportions of Firmicutes and genera Prevotella and Ruminococcus. There are also significantly enriched representations of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria and genera Lactobacilli, Bacteroides, and Faecalibacterium pointing to the greater driving power of the disease.Keywords: gut microbiota, dysbiosis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, children

Marwa Khalaf,1 Mohamed Alboraie,2 Muhammad Abdel-Gawad,3 Mohamed Abdelmalek,4 Ahmed Abu-Elfatth,4 Walaa Abdelhamed,5 Mariam Zaghloul,6 Rabab ElDeeb,7 Doaa Abdeltwab,4 Mohamed Abdelghani,4 Fathiya El-Raey,8 Hani Aboalam,1 Azza Badry,9 Mina Tharwat,10 Shima Afify,11 Doaa Elwazzan,7 Ahmed Shawkat Abdelmohsen,4 Hayam Fathy,12 Shaker Wagih Shaltout,13 Helal F Hetta,14 Shamardan E Bazeed15 1Assiut Liver Center, Ministry of Health, Assiut, 71515, Egypt; 2Department of Internal Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt; 3Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases Department, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt; 4Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology Department, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt; 5Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology Department, Sohag University Hospital, Sohag, Egypt; 6Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases Department, Kafr El-Sheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt; 7Tropical Medicine Department, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt; 8Hepatogastroenterology and Infectious Diseases Department, Al-Azhar University, Damietta, Egypt; 9Epidemiologist, Infectious Disease Control Department Preventive Medicine Assiut Health Affairs Directorate, Assiut, Egypt; 10Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology Department, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt; 11Gastroenterology Department, National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt; 12Internal Medicine, Hepatogastroenterology Unit, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt; 13Tropical Medicine Department, Port Said University, Port Said, Egypt; 14Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt; 15Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology Department, South Valley University, Qena, EgyptCorrespondence: Marwa Khalaf, Assiut liver center, Ministry of health, Assiut, 71515, Egypt, Email Marwa.Kh@med.aun.edu.eg Helal F Hetta, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt, Email helalhetta@aun.edu.egBackground and Aim: Little is known about the persistence of symptoms after clearance of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our study aimed to assess persistent symptoms in COVID-19 patients after clearance of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methodology: A multi-center survey was conducted on first wave COVID-19 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, including presenting symptoms and persistent symptoms after viral clearance and possible factors contributing to persistence of such symptoms, were collected using an online multicomponent questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed to detect the most persisting symptoms and factors contributing to their persistence.Results: Overall, 538 patients were enrolled. Mean age was 41.17 (±SD 14.84), 54.1% were males, and 18.6% were smokers. Hypertension and diabetes were the most reported co-morbidities. Mild symptoms were reported in 61.3% of patients, 51.3% were admitted to hospital and 6.5% were admitted to the intensive care unit. Our study identified 49 types of persisting symptoms. Fatigue (59.1%), sense of fever (46.5%), anorexia (24.3%) and diarrhea (24.3%) were the most commonly reported persisting symptoms followed by loss of taste and smell (22.3%), headache (21.4%), cough (20.8) and dyspnea (21%). The use of hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and multivitamins were significantly associated with persistence of symptoms (OR = 8.03, 8.89 and 10.12, respectively).Conclusion: Our study revealed that in COVID-19 recovered patients, many patients reported persistence of at least one symptom, particularly fatigue and sense of fever. Follow-up of patients after discharge from hospital is recommended until complete resolution of symptoms.Keywords: coronavirus, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, fatigue, dyspnea

Abdelazeem M Algammal,1 Khyreyah J Alfifi,2 Mahmoud Mabrok,3 Marfat Alatawy,2 Dalia A Abdel-moneam,4 Saad Alghamdi,5 Marwa M Azab,6 Reham A Ibrahim,7 Helal F Hetta,8 Reham M El-Tarabili1 1Department of Bacteriology, Immunology, and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt; 2Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Tabuk University, Tabuk, 71421, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Fish Diseases and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt; 4Department of Aquatic Animal Medicine and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, 12613, Egypt; 5Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt; 7Marine Environmental Division- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Suez, 43511, Egypt; 8Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, EgyptCorrespondence: Abdelazeem M Algammal, Department of Bacteriology, Immunology and Mycology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt, Email abdelazeem.algammal@vet.suez.edu.eg Mahmoud Mabrok, Department of Fish Diseases and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt, Email dr.mahmoudmabrok@yahoo.comBackground: Bacillus cereus is a common food poisoning pathogen in humans. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, molecular typing, antibiogram profile, pathogenicity, dissemination of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes associated with natural B. cereus infection among Mugil seheli.Methods: Consequently, 120 M. seheli (40 healthy and 80 diseased) were obtained from private fish farms in Port-said Governorate, Egypt. Afterward, samples were processed for clinical, post-mortem, and bacteriological examinations. The recovered isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, phenotypic assessment of virulence factors, pathogeneicity, and PCR-based detection of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes.Results: B. cereus was isolated from 30 (25%) examined fish; the highest prevalence was noticed in the liver (50%). The phylogenetic and sequence analyses of the gyrB gene revealed that the tested B. cereus isolate displayed a high genetic similarity with other B. cereus strains from different origins. All the recovered B. cereus isolates (n =60, 100%) exhibited β-hemolytic and lecithinase activities, while 90% (54/60) of the tested isolates were biofilm producers. Using PCR, the tested B. cereus isolates harbor nhe, hbl, cytK, pc-plc, and ces virulence genes with prevalence rates of 91.6%, 86.6%, 83.4%, 50%, and 33.4%, respectively. Moreover, 40% (24/60) of the tested B. cereus isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) to six antimicrobial classes and carried the bla 1, bla 2, tetA, and ermA genes. The experimentally infected fish with B. cereus showed variable mortality in direct proportion to the inoculated doses.Conclusion: As far as we know, this is the first report that emphasized the existence of MDR B. cereus in M. seheli that reflects a threat to the public health and the aquaculture sector. Newly emerging MDR B. cereus in M. seheli commonly carried virulence genes nhe, hbl, cytK, and pc-plc, as well as resistance genes bla 1, bla 2, tetA, and ermA.Keywords: MDR B. cereus, virulence traits, antibiogram, virulence genes, antimicrobial resistance genes

Aim: The essential protein element of spider silk ‘spidroin’ was used to assess its impact on the wound-healing process. Methods: Spidroin nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) polymer (PLGA/spidroin NPs) at different weight ratios (5:1, 10:1, 15:1) and were in vitro characterized. The optimized NPs were tested in vitro for release and antibacterial activity. To assess wound-healing effects, NPs were topically applied on surgically induced injuries in Allolobophora caliginosa earthworms as a robust human skin model. Results: Optimized NPs (173 ± 3 nm) revealed considerable antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. After 4 days of NPs application on wounds, macroscopical and histological examinations revealed a significant reduction in wound and re-epithelialization times. Conclusion: PLGA/spidroin NPs may represent a promising option for wound repair.

Heparanase (HPSE) is an endoglycosidase cleaves heparan sulfate (HS) and this contributes to the degradation and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. HS cleaved by HPSE induces activation of autophagy and formation of autophagosommes which facilitate binding of HPSE to the HS and subsequent release of growth factors. The interaction between HPSE and HS triggers releases of chemokines and cytokines which affect inflammatory response and cell signaling pathways with development of hyperinflammation, cytokine storm (CS) and coagulopathy. HPSE expression is induced by both SARS-CoV-2 and monkeypox virus (MPXV) leading to induction release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, endothelial dysfunction and thrombotic events. Co-infection of MPX with SARS-CoV-2 may occur as we facing many outbreaks of MPX cases during Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, targeting of HPSE by specific inhibitors may reduce the risk of complications in both SARS-CoV-2 and MPXV infections. Taken together, HPSE could be a potential link between MPX with SARS-CoV-2 in Covid-19 era.

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (C. pseudotuberculosis) is a causative agent of numerous chronic diseases, including caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) in sheep and goats, which has a zoonotic potential in humans in addition to a poor therapeutic response. In this study, out of 120 collected samples, only 12 (10%) were positive for C. pseudotuberculosis by PCR and by intraperitoneal injection of male Guinea pigs and then characterized for antimicrobial susceptibility and its genetic-relatedness by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR), which showed 2–4 bands ranging from 100 to 3000 bp that can be clustered into four clusters (C1–C4). Despite the serotype biovar 1 only infecting sheep and goats, ERIC–PCR reveals intra-subtyping variation. Examination of affected LNs and organs revealed marked enlargement with either thick creamy green pus or multiple abscesses of variable sizes with a central caseated core surrounded by dense fibrous capsule. A histopathological examination revealed a central necrotic core surrounded by a peripheral mantle of mononuclear cells and a fibrous capsule. Positive immune expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB/p65) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and negative expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in CLA is the first report to our knowledge. Conclusion: In CLA pyogranulomas, IL1β is a more crucial proinflammatory cytokine than TNF in the regulation of C. pseudotuberculosis infection, which is accompanied by marked NF-κB immunoexpression. Therefore, the NF-κB/p65 signaling pathway is involved in the activation of IL1β, and additional immunohistochemical studies are required to determine the various roles of NF-κB/p65 in the inflammatory response within CLA pyogranulomas to control this pathogen.

Monkeypox (MPX) is a common zoonotic disease caused by a double-strand DNA MPX virus (MPXV). MPX was considered a sporadic rare disease causing a mild disease with a low capacity to spread among humans. The clinical picture of human MPX highly resembles smallpox, though early lymphadenopathy in human MPX is the distinguishing sign not present in smallpox. The incubation period is 1–3 weeks, and fever, headache, joint pain, myalgia, and nausea for about 3 days. Skin lesions that appear 1–3 days following fever and lymphadenopathy usually appear simultaneously on the face and periphery. By cross-reactivity and protection, the smallpox vaccine produced 85% protection against infection with Orthopoxviruses, including MPX. Antiviral drugs like tecovirimate and brincidofovir could be effective agents against the development of MPX. MPX epidemics are less reported and described as other life-threatening epidemics, leading to an unclear picture of this disease’s pathogenesis, epidemiology, and management. With the recent wide range of MPX outbreaks, immense research is mandatory to revise the importance of MPX pathogenesis and risk for epidemic development worldwide. Therefore, this critical study aimed to review MPX's pathogenesis, epidemiology, and management with possible repurposed drugs.

Tenacibaculosis occurs due to the marine bacterial pathogen Tenacibaculum maritimum. This ulcerative disease causes high mortalities for various marine fish species worldwide. Several external clinical signs can arise, including mouth erosion, epidermal ulcers, fin necrosis, and tail rot. Research in the last 15 years has advanced knowledge on the traits and pathogenesis mechanisms of T. maritimum. Consequently, significant progress has been made in defining the complex host-pathogen relationship. Nevertheless, tenacibaculosis pathogenesis is not yet fully understood. Continued research is urgently needed, as demonstrated by recent reports on the re-emerging nature of tenacibaculosis in salmon farms globally. Current sanitary conditions compromise the development of effective alternatives to antibiotics, in addition to hindering potential preventive measures against tenacibaculosis. The present review compiles knowledge of T. maritimum reported after the 2006 review by Avendaño-Herrera and colleagues. Essential aspects are emphasized, including antigenic and genomic characterizations and molecular diagnostic procedures. Further summarized are the epidemiological foundations of the T. maritimum population structure and elucidations as to the virulence mechanisms of pathogenic isolates, as found using biological, microbiological, and genomic techniques. This comprehensive source of reference will undoubtable serve in tenacibaculosis prevention and control within the marine fish farming industry. Lastly, knowledge gaps and valuable research areas are indicated as potential guidance for future studies.

Objectives Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a critical clinical event characterized by a reduction in the excretory function of the kidneys. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), N-acetylmethionine (NAM) and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) are antioxidants with scanty known genetic mechanisms. We aimed to assess both kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and growth-arrested DNA damage-inducible gene-153 (GADD-153) genes expression in paracetamol (PA) induced AKI. Also, to recognize whether NAC, NAM and/or NAG have roles in altering the expression of these genes for ameliorating the AKI induced by PA. Methods The present preliminary study achieved the AKI model by oral administration of PA therapeutic dose for 15 days in experimental male rats. Serum urea, creatinine, and renal oxidative stress parameters were analyzed. Genetic expression of KIM-1 and GADD-153 were determined using real time-PCR. Results Significant elevations of serum urea, creatinine and nitric oxide in renal tissue after PA administration; however, total thiol content was reduced. In addition, both KIM-1 and GADD-153 were upregulated. These biochemical alterations were improved after using NAC and partially after NAM; however, NAG had little effect. Conclusions Up-regulation of both KIM-1 and GADD-153 occur in AKI induced by PA, which was significantly reversed by NAC.

Cytokines are pleiotropic peptides produced by virtually every nucleated cell in the body. In most tissues, including the liver. There is increasing evidence that several cytokines mediate hepatic inflammation, apoptosis and necrosis of liver cells, cholestasis fibrosis and cirrhosis. This growing group of pleiotropic peptides includes interleukins (IL) as IL17 and IL10, the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family of cytokines as TNF-α, chemokines such as IL-8 and other. There is increasing evidence supporting a major role for several cytokines in various aspects of liver diseases caused by viral such as hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus or non-viral caused liver diseases such as autoimmune liver disease, Budd-Chiari syndrome and other non-viral caused liver diseases. With respect to acute and chronic liver diseases, the net biological response of cytokines involved in inflammation and cirrhosis may affect the outcome of these diseases. This review describes current concepts and roles of cytokines in the pathophysiology of liver diseases, particularly in cases of liver cirrhosis.

Impaired wound healing is one of the most critical complications associated with diabetes mellitus. Infections and foot ulcers are major causes of morbidity for diabetic patients. The current treatment of diabetic foot ulcers, commonly used antibiotics, is associated with the development of bacterial resistance. Hence, novel and more effective natural therapeutic antibacterial agents are urgently needed and should be developed against the pathogenic bacteria inhabiting diabetic wounds. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the impact of fig latex on pathogenic bacteria and its ability to promote the healing process of diabetic wounds. The pathogenic bacteria were isolated from patients with diabetic foot ulcers admitted to Assiut University Hospital. Fig latex was collected from trees in the Assiut region, and its chemical composition was analyzed using GC‒MS. The antibacterial efficacy of fig latex was assessed on the isolated bacteria. An in vivo study to investigate the effect of fig latex on diabetic wound healing was performed using three mouse groups: nondiabetic control mice, diabetic mice and diabetic mice treated with fig latex. The influence of fig latex on the expression levels of β-defensin-1, PECAM-1, CCL2 and ZO-1 and collagen formation was investigated. The GC‒MS analysis demonstrated the presence of triterpenoids, comprising more than 90% of the total latex content. Furthermore, using a streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse model, topical treatment of diabetic wound tissues with fig latex was shown to accelerate and improve wound closure by increasing the expression levels of β-defensin-1, collagen, and PECAM-1 compared to untreated diabetic wounds. Additionally, fig latex decreased the expression levels of ZO-1 and CCL2.

Background and Aim. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) contribute to the process of malignant transformation and tumor progression through immuno- and nonimmunosuppressive mechanisms. The current study is aimed at providing the predictive and prognostic role of Mo-MDSCs in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in relation to different hematologic indices. Methods. We recruited 40 cases of advanced NSCLC, stages III and IV, aged > 18 – < 70 years old, and eligible to receive chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy, along with 20 healthy controls of comparable age and sex; after diagnosis and staging of patients, blood samples were collected for flow cytometric detection of Mo-MDSCs. Results. Significant accumulation of Mo-MDSCs in patients compared to their controls ( p < 0.0001 ). Furthermore, these cells accumulated significantly in stage IV compared to stage III ( p = 0.006 ) and correlated negatively with overall survival ( r = − 0.471 , p = 0.002 ), lymphocyte to monocyte ratio ( r = − 0.446 , p = 0.004 ), and mean platelet volume to platelet count ratio (MPV/PC) ( r = − 0.464 , p = 0.003 ), patients with Mo ‐ MDSCs < 13 % had significantly better survival than those with Mo ‐ MDSCs ≥ 13 % ( p = 0.041 ). Conclusion. Mo-MDSCs represent one of the key mechanisms in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) to play major roles not only in the carcinogenesis of lung cancer but also in disease progression and prognosis and, in addition, predict the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors; our results provided some support to target Mo-MDSCs and needed to be augmented by further studies.

Medicinal plants are highly used in the ethnoveterinary practice as considerable livestock resources in remote areas. The aim of the present study is to explore the ethnoveterinary medicinal practices in three different communities and discuss the cross‐cultural consensus on the usage of medicinal plants for the treatment of animals. The field survey was conducted by the animal healers of the area during the different seasons of plant growth. A total of 83 informants were interviewed through Semi‐structured interview involving experts of traditional knowledge in 21 localities of the three regions (Zhob, D. I. Khan and Mianwali) were conducted. Findings of the study were quantitatively analyzed through the informant consensus factors to identify the homogeneity information provided by the informants. Furthermore, cross‐culture consensuses were analyzed and recorded data were represented in a tabulated and Venn diagrams. In particularly, 59 species of plants were documented in the comparative analysis. Among them, 32 plant species were recorded in Pashto community, while Punjabi and Sarakai communities exhibited nine and four plant species, respectively. Whereas cross‐cultural analysis showed 14 medicinal plants that were commonly utilized by three different ethnic communities, that indicated low interregional consensus in regard to ethnoveterinary practices of medicinal plants. The current study showed that different communities and ethnic groups sharing some traditional knowledge and cross‐culturally approaches have been reported from traditional uses of plants against livestock's diseases. Therefore, current findings are the opportunities to scrutinize the plants for the discovery of new drug sources for humans and animals., This research work provides the cross‐cultural information about medicinal plants in different communities of three different regions in the Southwest Pakistan. Cross‐cultural analysis showed medicinal plants was commonly used among three ethnic communities that indicates a low interregional consensus with regard to the ethnoveterinary practices of medicinal plants.

BackgroundMyocarditis is a highly heterogeneous disorder with a challenging diagnostic work-up. We aimed to focus on the possible diagnostic workup for this condition in settings where endomyocardial biopsy as a gold standard is not always feasible, detect the etiologic cardiotropic viruses in our locality, and follow the clinical course in patients admitted with clinically suspected myocarditis.MethodsThis is a prospective observational study. We recruited patients with clinically suspected myocarditis presenting at a university hospital from October 1st, 2020 until March 31st, 2021. All Patients had a diagnostic coronary angiography and were included only if they had a non-obstructive coronary artery disease. All patients also had cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) with contrast. Sera were obtained from all suspected patients for detection of antibodies against viruses using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and viral genomes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and reverse transcription–PCR. Endomyocardial biopsy was done for patients with a typical CMR picture of myocarditis.ResultsOut of 2163 patients presenting to the hospital within the 6 months, only 51 met the inclusion criteria. Males represented 73%, with a mean age of 39 ± 16 years. CMR showed an ischemic pattern in 4 patients and thus they were excluded. We classified patients into two categories based on CMR results: group A (CMR-positive myocarditis), 12 patients (25.5%), and group B (CMR-negative myocarditis), 35 (74.5%) patients. On serological analysis, 66% of patients (n = 31/47) showed antibodies against the common cardiotropic viruses. Parvovirus B19 IgM in 22 patients (47%) and coxsackievirus IgM in 16 (34%) were the most observed etiologies. Regarding the outcome, 42.5% of patients recovered left ventricular ejection fraction and three patients died at 6 months’ clinical follow-up.ConclusionPatients with Clinically suspected myocarditis represented 2.2% of total hospital admissions in 6 months. CMR is only a good positive test for the diagnosis of acute myocarditis. Parvovirus B19 and coxsackievirus were the most common pathogens in our locality.Trial registration: Clinical trial registration no., NCT04312490; first registration: 18/03/2020. First recruited case 01/10/2020. URL:https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/action/SelectProtocol?sid=S0009O3D&selectaction=Edit&uid=U0002DVP&ts=2&cx=9zdfin.

Background Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are linked to a reduction in alloreactive immune responses, but few studies have investigated the impact of hydroxyurea (HU) therapy on Tregs in sickle cell disease (SCD). Methods Our case-controlled study presented here included two groups, the first comprising 60 pediatric SCD patients, 30 of whom did not receive any treatment and 30 who received HU, and the second group consisting of 30 healthy controls. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the percentage of CD4+CD25+highFoxp3+ Tregs present and their phenotypes. Results The percentage of CD4+CD25+high Tregs was significantly increased in untreated SCD patients in comparison to treated SCD patients and controls. Conversely, treated SCD children had a lower percentage of CD4+CD25+high Tregs than controls. In addition, a significant increase in the percentage of CD4+CD25+highFoxp3+ Tregs was found in untreated SCD patients, compared to in HU-treated patients and controls. The percentage of naive CD45RA+ Tregs was significantly decreased in untreated SCD patients when compared to other groups. Conclusions Among children with SCD, HU treatment exhibited significant qualitative and quantitative effects on Tregs by decreasing their frequency, and increasing the proportion of naive CD45RA+ Tregs and reducing levels of the most suppressive Tregs: HLA-DR+, CD39+, and CD69+. Impact Among children with, SCD, HU treatment exhibited significant qualitative and quantitative effects on Tregs. HU treatment in SCD decreases the frequency of Tregs, as well as the levels of the most suppressive Tregs: HLA-DR+, CD39+, and CD69+. At the same time, HU increases the proportion of naive CD45RA+ Tregs. Our study showed the impact of HU therapy on Tregs in children with SCD.

Impaired wound healing is one of the most critical complications associated with diabetes mellitus. Hence, novel and more effective natural therapeutic antibacterial agents are urgently needed and should be developed against the pathogenic bacteria inhabiting the diabetic wounds. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the impact of fig latex on the pathogenic bacteria and its ability to promote the healing process of diabetic wounds. The pathogenic bacteria were isolated from patients with diabetic wounds admitted at Assiut University hospital. Fig latex was collected from trees in Assiut regions, and its chemical compositions were analyzed using GC-MS. The anti-bacterial efficacy of the fig latex was assessed on the isolated bacteria. In vivo study to investigate the effect of fig latex on the diabetic wound healing was monitored using three mice groups: non-diabetic control, diabetic and diabetic treated with fig latex. The influence of fig latex on the expression levels of β-defensin-1, collagen formation, PECAM-1, CCL2 and ZO-1 were investigated. The GC-MS analysis demonstrated the presence of triterpenoids with more than 90% of total latex content. Furthermore, using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice model, topical treatment of diabetic wounded tissues with fig latex accelerated and improved the wound closure through increasing the expression levels of β-defensin-1, collagen, and PECAM-1 as compared to untreated diabetic wounds. Additionally, fig latex down-regulated the expression levels of ZO-1 and CCL2.

Wilson’s disease (WD) is a rare genetic disorder of copper metabolism that results in dysfunction of copper excretion into bile leading to its accumulation in the liver, brain, cornea, and kidney. Only a few epidemiological studies about WD have been carried out, with limited available data about the disease. The most common liver disease in Egypt is viral hepatitis, which masks other liver diseases, especially in adults. This review describes the establishment of the first specialized WD clinic in the Assiut Liver Center, Upper Egypt. This multidisciplinary clinic comprises stakeholders working in WD management from different specialties, including hepatologists, pediatric hepatologists, neuropsychiatrists, dieticians, radiologists, pathologists, and ophthalmologists. Over 2 years since the launch of the WD clinic in February 2020, a total of 64 WD suspected cases were referred to our center. The WD clinic at the Assiut Liver Center is a step to provide an integrated service for neglected diseases like WD. Besides the provided integrated services for WD patients, a family screening program is applied with satisfying results.

COVID-19 pandemic, which caused by the newly emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), puts the entire world in an unprecedented crisis, leaving behind huge human losses and serious socio-economical damages. The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 varies from asymptomatic to multi-organ manifestations. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic inflammatory condition, which associated with metabolic and vascular abnormalities, increases the risk for SARSCoV-2 infection, severity and mortality. Due to global prevalence, DM effect on COVID-19 outcomes as well as the potential mechanisms by which DM modulates the host-viral interactions and host-immune responses are discussed in this review. This review also highlights the effects of anti-diabetic drugs on treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Pure & Applied Microbiology is the property of Dr. M. N. Khan and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mycobacteroides abscessus (Previously Mycobacterium abscessus) is an emerging microorganism of the newly defined genera Mycobacteroides that causes mainly skin and tissue diseases in humans. The recent availability of total 34 fully sequenced genomes of different strains belonging to this species has provided an opportunity to utilize this genomics data to gain novel insights and guide the development of specific antimicrobial therapies. In the present study, we collected collectively 34 complete genome sequences of M. abscessus from the NCBI GenBank database. Pangenome analysis was conducted on these genomes to understand the genetic diversity and to obtain proteins associated with its core genome. These core proteins were then subjected to various subtractive filters to identify potential antigenic targets that were subjected to multi-epitope vaccine design. Our analysis projected the open pangenome of M. abscessus containing 3443 core genes. After applying various stepwise filtration steps on the core proteins, a total of four potential antigenic targets were identified. Utilizing their constituent CD4 and CD8 T-cell epitopes, a multi-epitope based subunit vaccine was computationally designed. Sequence-based analysis as well as structural characterization revealed the immunological effectiveness of this designed vaccine. Further molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation and binding free energy estimation with Toll-like receptor 2 indicated strong structural associations of the vaccine with the immune receptor. The promising results are encouraging and need to be validated by additional wet laboratory studies for confirmation.

The need for a reliable risk map in the control of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) in Kogi East, North Central Nigeria is very important. This study was carried out to determine the effect of environmental risk factors on geospatial distribution of STHs. Epidemiological data were obtained from a district-wide survey conducted in 2018 in Kogi East. Edaphic and climatic factors were downloaded as spatial layers from international recognised health data resources centres. A total of 24 environmental factors were used in determining the risk map of STHs using MaxEnt tool. The predicted high-risk areas of A. lumbricoides, hookworms and S. stercoralis were the central part of Kogi East covering parts of Dekina, Ofu, Igalamela-Odolu, Olamaboro and Omala LGAs with probability of 0.8 to 1.00. Among the factors investigated; Temperature [mean diurnal temperature range (BIO2), temperature annual range (BIO7) and maximum temperature of the warmest month (BIO5)], precipitation [precipitation of the wettest quarter (BIO16)], and soil clay contents were the five factors that exerted most significant influence on the geospatial distribution of STHs in Kogi East, Nigeria. Public health control programmes on STHs should target high-risk areas by including them in mass drug administration, health education as well as provision of water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructures.

Objectives Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been used as an off label for the management of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) infection with other drugs. However, different genetic variants can affect the metabolism of HCQ leading to inter-individual differences in its efficacy. In this study, we investigated the effects of variants in CYP2D6, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 on the risk of Covid-19 infection among patients receiving HCQ for controlling rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods A total of 60 patients were genotyped for CYP2D6*2XN, CYP2D6*4, CYP3A4*1B and CYP3A5*2. They were receiving HCQ for the treatment of RA. The patients were evaluated clinically for fever and dry cough, radiologically via chest computed tomography (CT) and immunologically via anti-Covid-19 IgG and IgM titers. Results Variants in CYP2D6 significantly affected the grade of ground glass (CYP2D6*4 AA carriers showed the higher risk for grade 3) and the risk of positive anti-Covid-19 IgM (CYP2D6*2XN CC and CYP3A4*1B AA had the lowest risk), the duration of HCQ, the use of corticosteroids or gender did not affect the Covid-19 status significantly. Conclusions In general, the outcome of the studied patients receiving HCQ was good (no deaths, no intubation needed). CYP2D6 variants could affect the outcome of Covid-19 infection.

Radiotherapy-induced dermatitis (RID) is an inflammatory cutaneous disorder that is acquired as an adverse effect of undergoing radiotherapy. Skin microbiome dysbiosis has been linked to the outcomes of several dermatological diseases. To explore the skin microbiota of RID and deduce their underlying impact on the outcome of RID, cutaneous microbiomes of 78 RID patients and 20 healthy subjects were characterized by sequencing V1-V3 regions of 16S rRNA gene. In total, a significantly apparent reduction in bacterial diversity was detected in microbiomes of RID in comparison to controls. Overall, the raised Proteobacteria/ Firmicutes ratio was significantly linked to delayed recovery or tendency toward the permanence of RID (Kruskal Wallis: P = 2.66 × 10–4). Moreover, applying enterotyping on our samples stratified microbiomes into A, B, and C dermotypes. Dermotype C included overrepresentation of Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and Stenotrophomonas and was markedly associated with delayed healing of RID. Strikingly, coexistence of diabetes mellitus and RID was remarkably correlated with a significant overrepresentation of Klebsiella or Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus. Metabolic abilities of skin microbiome could support their potential roles in the pathogenesis of RID. Cutaneous microbiome profiling at the early stages of RID could be indicative of prospective clinical outcomes and maybe a helpful guide for personalized therapy.

Background and aim The data about the role of regulatory B cells (Breg) in Behcet Disease (BD) are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of total B lymphocytes and Breg cells in different BD phenotypes and therapies attempting to unravel their function. Methods This cross-sectional study included 35 BD patients and 39 healthy controls (HCs). The demographic data of the study subjects were collected including age and gender. Current medications including disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were recorded. All patients underwent testing for baseline laboratory investigations including full blood count, liver and kidney function tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) by Westergren blot and C-reactive protein (CRP). Measurement of the total B lymphocytes and their subtypes B regulatory lymphocytes by flow cytometric assay. Assessment of BD activity was done using the revised Behcet's Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) 2006 and Behcet's Syndrome Activity Score (BSAS) 1111111111. All participants were assessed for the presence of erectile dysfunction using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5 score), and for depression using the Beck Depression Inventory. Results A dramatic drop in the number of B cells, total and regulatory, was observed in the patients compared to the HCs. Regulatory cells (Bregs) tend to be upregulated with genital ulcers or vascular disease. Bregs but not B lymphocytes were associated with BSAS and ESR. Neither the total B lymphocytes nor the Bregs correlated with CRP or the sexual function or depression scores. Of all the used medications, low-dose aspirin was seen with markedly high Bregs proportions. Conclusion This study supports the role of B cells in BD pathogenesis and strongly suggests a possible role for Bregs in the resolution of different BD manifestations.

In late 2019, a new virulent coronavirus (CoV) emerged in Wuhan, China and was named as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). This virus spread rapidly, causing the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) is a live attenuated tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, associated with induction of non-specific cross-protection against unrelated infections. This protection is a memory-like response in innate immune cells (trained immunity), which is caused by epigenetic reprogramming via histone modification in the regulatory elements of specific genes in monocytes. COVID-19 related epidemiological studies showed an inverse relationship between national BCG vaccination policies and COVID-19 incidence and death, suggesting that BCG may induce trained immunity that could confer some protection against SARS-CoV-2. As this pandemic has put most of Earth’s population under quarantine, repurposing of the old, well-characterized BCG may ensure some protection against COVID-19. This review focuses on BCG-related cross-protection and acquisition of trained immunity, as well as the correlation between BCG vaccination and COVID-19 incidence and mortality.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the blood transmitted hepatitis viruses. HCV infections have been identified as major causes of chronic hepatic diseases, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The aims of the current study were to determine the HCV viral load between 35 hepatitis C patients in Minia governorate, Egypt, and to assess association of the viral load with abnormal liver functions including; Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), prothrombin activity and platelet count. In addition to assessing if there are any risk factors associated with the population group, sex, age and other factors. About 35 blood samples were collected from hepatitis C patients randomly selected from the outpatient clinic at the Viral Hepatitis Management Center, Minia governorate, Egypt; including males and females of different ages. Viral load was determined using Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). All relevant information was collected from each patient including personal and clinical data. Current results showed that 68.60 % of the samples were from males and 31.4 % were from females, and most of them aged between 51 and 70 years. Approximately 11 (31.4 %) of the HCV patients had viral loads of

Background Viral resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) can develop in the setting of DAAs therapy (i.e., emerging RASs). Long-term monitoring of fibrosis regression after achieving SVR to simiprevir (SMV)/sofosbuvir (SOF) is essential. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of baseline and emerging NS34A RASs in chronic HCV patients in Upper Egypt and to assess the impact of SMV/SOF therapy on liver stiffness. Results The enrolled 59 patients had HCV genotype 4a without any baseline RASs in the NS34A region. 96.6% (57/59) of patients achieved sustained virological response (SVR12). Of the two patients who failed to achieve SVR12, one of them developed emerging RASs Q80K in the NS34A region. Seventy-two weeks after SMV/SOF therapy, the percentage of patients with liver fibrosis stage (F2, F3, and F4) decreased from 75.4% before treatment to 42.1% after treatment. The combination of SOF and SMV appeared to be well tolerated. Conclusions All patients had HCV genotype 4a without any baseline RASs in the NS34A region. In addition, there was improvement of non-invasive measures of liver fibrosis in patients who achieved SVR, 72 weeks after SMV/SOF therapy.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease with chronic nature of joints related to autoimmunity. Vitamin D was found to modulate cell growth, function of immune cells and anti-inflammatory action. The aims of that study were to investigate serum level of vitamin D and some cytokines and to identify the correlation between vitamin D and these cytokines in RA. Totally 40 RA patients without vitamin D supplement were involved in this study. Serum level of vitamin D, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-35, C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), all of them were measure in all patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Patients were classified according to Vitamin D levels into two groups; RA patients with Vit. D deficiency (n=25) and RA patients with Vit. D sufficiency (n=15). IL-6 was lower significantly (P = 0.03) in RA patients with Vit. D sufficiency than RA patients with Vit. D deficiency. IL-10 and IL-35 were higher significantly (P = 0.0234, P = 0.0356 respectively) in RA patients with Vit. D sufficiency than RA patients with Vit. D deficiency. Vit. D was significantly positively correlated with both IL-10 (r = 0.4516, P = 0.0034) and IL-35 (r = 0.3424, P = 0.0329) and negatively correlated with IL-6 (r = -0.3188, P = 0.0479). Sufficient serum level of Vit. D is correlated with higher level of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10 and IL-35) and lower level of IL-6. This support the immunomodulatory effect of Vit. D in RA.

Background and aim Bacillus species are widely distributed microorganisms in nature that are responsible for outbreaks of food poisoning and a common cause of food spoilage. This study aimed to isolate and identify foodborne Bacillus species from meat and to determine the antimicrobial activities of commercial essential oils and spices powder extracted from certain medicinal plants. Methods Sixty meat samples were collected in Assiut city and subdivided into raw meat and processed meat. Bacillus spp were isolated and identified according to their cultural characters, biochemical reactions, serological typing, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The antibacterial activity of essential oils and spices powder was measured by using well-diffusion and microbial count techniques. Results The prevalence of Bacillus spp. in the examined raw meat samples and processed meat samples was 13.34%, and 26.67%, respectively. There was a marked decrease in the total Bacillus species count after treatment of minced beef with essential oils and spices powder compared to the untreated one. Black seed oil was the most potent antibacterial essential oil among the tested oils present in this study. Conclusion Essential oils and spices powder of certain medicinal plants (cumin: Cuminum cyminum, black seeds: Nigella sativa, cloves: Syzygium aromaicum, cinnamon: Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Marjoram: Origanum majorana) have a potential in vitro antimicrobial activity against Bacillus spp. Furthermore, Nigella sativa oil exhibited the most potent antibacterial activity against Bacillus spp.

Background Coagulopathy is still a serious pattern of coronavirus-19 disease. We aimed to evaluate COVID-19-associated coagulopathy and multiple hemostatic markers in Egyptian patients. In addition, to assess coagulation acute phase reactants and its effect on the outcome. Methods The study included 106 COVID-19 patients, and 51 controls. All patients were positive for COVID-19 infection by nasopharyngeal swab for detection of viral RNA by real-time PCR. In addition to baseline data and radiological findings, the coagulation profile was done with special attention to Fibrinogen, d-dimer, Factor VIII, von Willebrand factor (VWF), Protein C, Protein S, Antithrombin III (ATIII) and Lupus anticoagulant (LA)-1 and 2. Results The results showed significantly higher VWF, d-dimer, and LA1 (screening) and LA2 (confirmation) in patients than a control group. Significantly higher d-dimer FVIII, VWF and LA1-2 were detected in the severe group. ATIII had high diagnostic accuracy in severity prediction. We found a significantly higher international randomized ratio (INR) and VWF among patients with thrombotic events. For prediction of thrombosis; VWF at cutoff > 257.7 has 83.3% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity. Conclusion Patients with COVID-19 infection are vulnerable to different forms of coagulopathy. This could be associated with poor outcomes. d-Dimer is a chief tool in diagnosis, severity evaluation but not thrombosis prediction. Early screening for this complication and its proper management would improve the outcome.

Consequently, 120As far as we know, this is the first report that emphasized the existence of MDR