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Today, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates are widely spread in both communities and hospitals, causing high morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, the emergence of vancomycin resistance among MRSA isolates has been perceived as a formidable threat to therapeutic management. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the frequency and antibiotic susceptibility of MRSA and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) strains in Kerman hospitals in Iran. A total of 455 human clinical samples were collected from Kerman hospitals. The samples were examined for the presence of S. aureus and the isolates were tested for their susceptibility to antibiotics by disk diffusion method. MRSA and VRSA isolates were detected by a combination of phenotypic and genotypic methods. Sixty-five coagulase-positive S. aureus strains were isolated, and the higher isolation rate was from wound samples (47.7%) compared with blood (18.5%), respiratory tract secretions (10.8%), urine (10.8%), body fluids (9.2%), abscess (1.5%), and cerebrospinal fluids (1.5%). The isolates exhibited high resistance toward tetracycline (69.2%). Thirty-four isolates (52.3%) were categorized as MRSA (phenotypically resistant to cefoxitin). mecA gene was amplified in 97.1% of MRSA strains. Moreover, only one MRSA strain was resistant to vancomycin (MIC=128), and this isolate carried the vanA gene. The frequency of MRSA was not significantly associated with gender, age, sample type, and sampling locality (p>0.05). Given the alarming rate of resistance among MRSA isolates, monitoring of antibiotic resistance should be performed to reduce treatment failure in patients with staphylococcal infections. Although vancomycin remains a drug of choice for MRSA, our study suggests that its efficacy may be limited by resistance development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary natural reservoir of the H5N1 avian influenza virus is poultry and wild birds, particularly waterfowl. Nevertheless, the H5N1 virus subtype can potentially infect humans and other mammals, causing severe illness or even death. The virus is commonly transmitted through direct contact with infected birds or exposure to a contaminated environment. Sporadic cases of avian influenza subtype H5 have been reported in various new hosts, such as minks, otters, foxes, and sea lions, with the potential to cause human infection and trigger a global pandemic. Moreover, various hosts have the potential to act as mixing vessels for influenza viruses because they carry both avian and human-type receptors, not just pigs. Recently, highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 was reported in farmed animals such as dairy cattle, suggesting a new potential mixing vessel for influenza; thus, cattle are also widely infected with the genus influenza type D viruses. This underscores the imperative to adopt the One Health approach, fostering collaboration and integration across animal, planetary, and human health disciplines. Indeed, integrating biosecurity and One Health principles impacts the productivity of commercial poultry operations positively and could help mitigate avian influenza outbreaks. This review also provides an in-depth analysis of the contemporary and molecular epidemiology of H5N1 influenza viruses. Moreover, our examination delves into the potential risk of broadening H5N1 host tropism and its significant relevance within the One Health framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is one of the most common species of wild Canidae and is relatively abundant in Iran. Foxes (Vulpes spp.) transmit many zoonotic diseases, the most important of which are visceral leishmaniasis, rabies, hydatidosis, toxocariasis, and trichinellosis. In this study, visceral leishmaniasis, rabies, ectoparasites, canine gastrointestinal helminths, dermatophytosis, distemper, parvovirus infection, and heartworm infections were evaluated among live-trapped and rescued foxes injured by traffic road accidents referred to the teaching hospital of Kerman, Iran, veterinary faculty. Skin scraping and direct microscopic examination were used to detect ectoparasites and dermatophytosis. Immunochromatography rapid kits were used to detect dirofilariasis, parvovirus infection, and distemper. Necropsy was used to check for gastrointestinal parasites. Rabies and visceral leishmaniosis were screened for with direct fluorescent antibody test and ELISA methods, respectively. Gastrointestinal helminth infections, including Toxocara canis, Taenia taeniaeformis, Dipylidium caninum, Joyeuxiella echinorhyncoids, Toxascaris leonina, Taenia hydatigena, Echinococcus granulosus, Rictolaria spp., Oxynema spp., Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus, and Physaloptera spp., were detected. Skin scrapings showed dermatophytosis and various ectoparasites, including Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Ctenocephalides canis and Ctenocephalides felis, and Sarcoptes scabiei, in foxes with dermal lesions. Distemper and parvovirus infection (26.66%) were the common viral diseases, and rabies infection rate was quite high (16.66%). Dirofilariasis and leishmaniasis were detected in 10% of the population. This study showed that urban foxes which often cohabit with humans and domestic animals are carriers of many different pathogens. This interaction may facilitate indirect cross-species transmission of zoonotic disease. Periodic health monitoring and multidisciplinary cooperation for the diagnosis, control, and prevention of these zoonoses is highly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new coronavirus pandemic alarmed the world. Misinformation regarding prevention and treatment for safeguarding against this pandemic seemed to be life-threatening along with the spreading pandemic. Public health authorities in the world tried to battle this virtual virus by offering true information and correcting misinformation. However, the public misinformation through social media caused toxicological consequences in some parts of the world which provoked awareness, response, and concern of the public health authorities including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the toxicology community. This study analysed the published literature on therapeutic disinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic and its toxicological effects. The electronic databases searched were Scopus, MEDLINE, Scielo. The used keywords were: "COVID-19", "misinformation", "social media", "public health", "drug toxicity", and "education". Finding new strategies for the prevention and treatment of the coronavirus again stresses the role of public education about true drug information. Hundreds of chemicals were/are being tested to be prophylactic medications or healing drugs for the coronavirus. Therefore, spreading accurate information and editing misinformation can be crucial. In summary, this commentary is going to bring attention to misinformation regarding prevention and treatment for safeguarding against the COVID-19 pandemic and its toxicological consequences and the need for public education on the appropriate use of therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]