Infected Carriers Research Articles

Viral Population Diversity during Co-Infection of Foot-And-Mouth Disease Virus Serotypes SAT1 and SAT2 in African Buffalo in Kenya.

African buffalo are the natural reservoirs of the SAT serotypes of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in sub-Saharan Africa. Most buffalo are exposed to multiple FMDV serotypes early in life, and a proportion of them become persistently infected carriers. Understanding the genetic diversity and evolution of FMDV in carrier animals is critical to elucidate how FMDV persists in buffalo populations. In this study, we obtained oropharyngeal (OPF) fluid from naturally infected African buffalo, and characterized the genetic diversity of FMDV. Out of 54 FMDV-positive OPF, 5 were co-infected with SAT1 and SAT2 serotypes. From the five co-infected buffalo, we obtained eighty-nine plaque-purified isolates. Isolates obtained directly from OPF and plaque purification were sequenced using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Phylogenetic analyses of the sequences obtained from recombination-free protein-coding regions revealed a discrepancy in the topology of capsid proteins and non-structural proteins. Despite the high divergence in the capsid phylogeny between SAT1 and SAT2 serotypes, viruses from different serotypes that were collected from the same host had a high genetic similarity in non-structural protein-coding regions P2 and P3, suggesting interserotypic recombination. In two of the SAT1 and SAT2 co-infected buffalo identified at the first passage of viral isolation, the plaque-derived SAT2 genomes were distinctly grouped in two different genotypes. These genotypes were not initially detected with the NGS from the first passage (non-purified) virus isolation sample. In one animal with two SAT2 haplotypes, one plaque-derived chimeric sequence was found. These findings demonstrate within-host evolution through recombination and point mutation contributing to broad viral diversity in the wildlife reservoir. These mechanisms may be critical to FMDV persistence at the individual animal and population levels, and may contribute to the emergence of new viruses that have the ability to spill-over to livestock and other wildlife species.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with gastrointestinal parasites of pet dogs in North-Central Algeria

The prevalence and risk factors associated with gastrointestinal parasites in dogs were conducted in Blida, North-Central Algeria. The study was carried out over 131 clinically healthy dogs, from March to June 2019, by coprological methods. Of the 131 collected dogs, 61.07% (n = 80) were found infected by gastrointestinal parasites. Sixty-four dogs were carriers of a single infection with the following parasites Ancylostoma spp (15.27%), Uncinaria spp (14.50%) Toxocara canis (4.58%), Trichuris vulpis (3.82%), Toxascaris leonina (2.29%), Taenia/Echinococcus spp. (2.29%), Mesocestoides spp (0.76%), Cystoisospora spp. (3.05%) and Neospora caninum-like (2.29%). Sixteen dogs harbored mixed infection. Male (OR = 1.18) German shepherds’ dogs were more infected (OR = 1.08) by helminthic parasites (OR = 13.64). The frequency of single infections (OR = 6.86) increased with the animal's age (OR = 1.73–3.46). Identifying hookworms, T. canis, and T. vulpis suggests a continuing risk of contamination of pet dogs as a source of human infection with the zoonotic parasites in Blida.

Violacein-embedded nanofiber filters with antiviral and antibacterial activities

Most respiratory masks are made of fabrics, which only capture the infectious virus carriers into the matrix. However, these contagious viruses stay active for a long duration (∼7 days) within the fabric matrix possibly inducing post-contact transmissions. Moreover, conventional masks are vulnerable to bacterial growth with prolonged exposure to exhaled breaths. Herein, we combined violacein, a naturally-occurring antimicrobial agent, with porous nanofiber membranes to develop a series of functional filters that autonomously sterilizes viruses and bacteria. The violacein-embedded membrane inactivates viruses within 4 h (99.532 % reduction for influenza and 99.999 % for human coronavirus) and bacteria within 2 h (75.5 % reduction). Besides, its nanofiber structure physically filters out the nanoscale (<0.8 μm) and micron-scale (0.8 μm − 3 μm) particulates, providing high filtration efficiencies (99.7 % and 100 % for PM 1.0 and PM 10, respectively) with long-term stability (for 25 days). In addition, violacein provides additional UV-resistant property, which protects the skin from sunlight. The violacein-embedded membrane not only proved the sterile efficacy of microbe extracted pigments for biomedical products but also provided insights to advance the personal protective equipment (PPE) to fight against contagious pathogens.

Validation of a rapid, saliva-based, and ultra-sensitive SARS-CoV-2 screening system for pandemic-scale infection surveillance

Without any realistic prospect of comprehensive global vaccine coverage and lasting immunity, control of pandemics such as COVID-19 will require implementation of large-scale, rapid identification and isolation of infectious individuals to limit further transmission. Here, we describe an automated, high-throughput integrated screening platform, incorporating saliva-based loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology, that is designed for population-scale sensitive detection of infectious carriers of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Central to this surveillance system is the “Sentinel” testing instrument, which is capable of reporting results within 25 min of saliva sample collection with a throughput of up to 3840 results per hour. It incorporates continuous flow loading of samples at random intervals to cost-effectively adjust for fluctuations in testing demand. Independent validation of our saliva-based RT-LAMP technology on an automated LAMP instrument coined the “Sentinel”, found 98.7% sensitivity, 97.6% specificity, and 98% accuracy against a RT-PCR comparator assay, confirming its suitability for surveillance screening. This Sentinel surveillance system offers a feasible and scalable approach to complement vaccination, to curb the spread of COVID-19 variants, and control future pandemics to save lives.

Pooled-Testing for SARS-CoV-2 Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) in asymptomatic healthcare workers in EL-Raghy isolation COVID-19 hospital, Assiut University

COVID-19 pandemic is a substantial challenge for healthcare systems. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests are considered the gold standard technique for diagnosis of symptomatic and asymptomatic infectious viral carriers and for screening special or at-risk populations. The pooled testing procedure is commonly used to reduce the cost of screening a large number of individuals for infectious diseases. This work was conducted to verify the accuracy of the standard SARS COV-2 RT- real-time PCR kit for detecting a single positive sample in a pool of negative samples. Kit verification using negative and positive samples was performed for the selection of the target pool sizes. RNA extracts from 443 healthcare workers, after 15 days' rotation in EL-Raghy Isolation COVID-19 Hospital, Assiut University during the first outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic (the period from June to September 2020) were obtained and tested. Sixty-three different pool sizes (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10) were tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 using RT-qPCR. Of these, 53 pools (84.1%) were negatives and 10 pools (15.9 %) tested positive. The individual number of SARS- COV 2 RT-PCR tests used in different pool sizes was 40 tests. The total number of SARS- COV 2 RT-PCR test used in this study was 110 tests instead of 443 tests which reflect a decrease in cost up to 75.16%. In conclusion, the suggested pooling strategy can reduce testing loads which enable substantial savings in reagent costs, technical burden, and time to generate laboratory results.

Helminths of wild ungulates living in different regions of Belarus

The purpose of the research is to study of the features of the fauna of wild ungulates helminths on the different regions of the Belarus.Materials and methods. The research was carried out in the State Research-Production Association "The ScientificallyPractical Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for bio-resources" and in forestry farms of Belarus. The distribution of ungulates in winter was studied using winter route counts. GPS receivers were used for a reliable assessment of biotope confinement. We used the method of counting game animals by year-round mapping of encounters and tracks with the help of thermal imagers. To assess the seasonal distribution, the structure of the biocenosis was compared with the distribution of wild ungulate species on it. To assess the species selectivity of a certain biocenosis, the share of the species in the biotope and the share of this biotope in the farm were determined. The G-test was used to analyze the obtained materials. Animal feces were examined using the McMaster, sedimentation, and flotation methods.Results and discussion. It is determined that in the model forest areas, the red deer dominates in the structure of ungulates. Biotopes with stand density above 0.6 ungulates sem. Reindeer are used to an insignificant extent (K = -0.2, G = 42.7, P = 0.03). The biotopic distribution of roe deer in spring and autumn does not differ significantly (G = 116.7, P = 0.01). At this time, animals prefer areas with a predominance of broad-leaved species (D or.) (K = 0.86, G = 53.1, P &lt; 0.01). During the rutting season, pinemoss forests are preferred (G = 37.4, P &lt; 0.01). In the warm season, the red deer prefers forests with a predominance of pine trees in the stand (K = 0.6, G = 37.4, P &lt; 0.01). Bilberry pine forests are preferred by females in spring and summer (adults and semi-adults) (K = 0.42, G = 32.4, P &lt;0.01), males – mossy pine forests during the growing season (K = 0.22, G = 28.91, P = 0.03). In the parasitological situation in the red deer population, representatives of the Cestoda class are replaced by representatives of the Trematoda class. Representatives of the class Nematoda, genus Dictyocaulus sp. remain dominant. Representatives of the genus Strongylata, Trichostrongylus and Protostrongylus are constantly present. The genera Chabertia, Neoascaris, Cooperia are replaced, of the Nematoda class into the following genera: Oesophagostomum, Capillaria, Muellerius capillaris of the same class. The coefficient of common species composition of red deer and European roe worms is 46%, European roe and elk – 18, red deer and elk – 22%. On the territory of the Republic of Belarus, a rich species composition of helminths was revealed in European bison and a high degree of occurrence of helminths in this host. More than half of the animals in bison populations are carriers of infection with helminths: Belovezhskaya – 51.3, Polesskaya – 89.05%. Moreover, most of them have one type of helminths (from 50.0 to 66.7%) or two types of helminths (from 25.0 to 38.0%). Three or more types of helminths recorded simultaneously are rare. Representatives of the Nematoda class are 6 times superior to other classes of parasitic helminths (G = 39.8; Р &lt; 0.01).

Diagnostic assay and technology advancement for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infections causing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-caused COVID-19 pandemic has transmitted to humans in practically all parts of the world, producing socio-economic turmoil. There is an urgent need for precise, fast, and affordable diagnostic testing to be widely available for detecting SARS-CoV-2 and its mutations in various phases of the disease. Early diagnosis with great precision has been achieved using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and similar other molecular methods, but theseapproaches are costly and involve rigorous processes that are not easily obtainable. Conversely, immunoassays that detect a small number of antibodies have been employed for quick, low-cost tests, but their efficiency in diagnosing infected people has been restricted. The use of biosensors in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 is vital for the COVID-19 pandemic’s control. This review gives an overview of COVID-19 diagnostic approaches that are currently being developed as well as nanomaterial-based biosensor technologies, to aid future technological advancement and innovation. These approaches can be integrated into point-of-care (POC) devices to quickly identify a large number of infected patients and asymptomatic carriers. The ongoing research endeavors and developments in complementary technologies will play a significant role in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and fill the knowledge gaps in current diagnostic accuracy and capacity.Graphical abstract

The Right to Accessible COVID-19 Testing in the Post-Epidemic Period under the Urban–Rural Integration: Haishu District, Ningbo City, China

The reasonable distribution of COVID-19 testing facilities is a crucial public necessity to protect the civil right of health and the proper functioning of society in the post-epidemic period. However, most of the current COVID-19 testing facilities are in large hospitals in China, partially overlooking the COVID-19 testing needs of rural dwellers. This paper used shortest-path analysis and the improved potential model to measure the accessibility of current and potential COVID-19 testing facilities, superimposing this with the testing demands of residents, as calculated by the population demand index, so as to comprehensively evaluate the equity of the spatial allocation of the current and potential testing facilities, with a particular focus on Haishu District, Ningbo City, China. The results revealed that the overall accessibility of the current testing facilities in Haishu District was high, while the internal spatial differentiation was considerable. The comprehensive accessibility of testing facilities gradually declined from the downtown areas towards the rural areas. Moreover, roughly half of the rural population needing COVID-19 tests encountered hindrances due to poor access to testing agencies. However, after fully exploiting the potential testing facilities, the comprehensive accessibility of testing facilities was significantly improved, and the inequity in the accessibility to testing facilities was effectively alleviated, which significantly improved the equity of the allocation of testing facilities in Haishu District. The leveraging of current medical facilities to boost the number of testing facilities in rural areas could eliminate the disparity of resource distribution caused by urban and rural binary opposition, and could quickly identify external sources of COVID-19 in rural areas in the post-epidemic period. Moreover, efficient COVID-19 testing combined with the travel records of infection carriers can effectively identify unknown infection cases and obviate large-scale infection outbreaks.

Cleanliness and prejudice in times of pandemic

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic has led to restrictions in our contact with others and the introduction of social distancing barriers. These rules can enhance the psychological mechanisms resulting from fear of contamination and may lead to exacerbating prejudiced attitudes towards certain social groups seen as possible carriers of infection. Fear of infection and ideas about cleanliness and dirtiness have indeed historically and culturally influenced the way we interact with other people, both on an inter‐personal and inter‐group level. The aim of the present research is to analyse whether the concern about COVID‐19 is linked to prejudices towards other social groups and whether this relationship is mediated by individual representations of cleanliness. Results on 251 Italian citizens showed that concerns about COVID‐19 are positively related to prejudicial attitudes towards immigrants and that such a relation is indeed mediated by so‐called cultural representations of cleanliness. Specifically, the so‐called cultural representations of hygiene—by which people and groups are categorized as being more or less civilized on the basis of their cleaning practices—was a significant mediator. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.

An SIS network model with flow driven infection rates

A flow-regulated infection rate is defined for a Susceptible-Infected-Susceptible (SIS) model revealing the network structural properties that influence the spread of infections. The infection rate is linked to the flow between compartments in the associated positive compartmental system, providing a self-regulatory effect on the spreading dynamics. This translates to infection carriers preferring to visit healthier sites over more infected ones. A flow-independent epidemic threshold is defined that sets the conditions on the graph’s structure and the aggregate infection rate for a disease to either spread or die out. An individual-based mean-field approach returns results comparable to models with constant infection rates. This approach lends itself well to model the spread of infectious diseases as well as threats in IT networks, pharmacokinetics and the spread of disruptions on infrastructure networks.

Initial findings of universal screening for SARS-CoV-2 in women admitted for delivery in North Wales: a prospective multicentre cohort study

We describe the prevalence of overall and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women admitted for delivery at three maternity units in North Wales. This was a prospective, multicentre cohort study of universal testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection offered to all pregnant women admitted for delivery. Four hundred and seventy-five women were tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction of nasopharyngeal swabs with concurrent universal screening for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 infection. The overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women in North Wales was 2.74% with an asymptomatic prevalence of 1.89%. Sixty-nine percent of infected women were asymptomatic. Pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection are not reliably identified using symptom and temperature screening. The prevalence of maternal infection and asymptomatic carrier rates vary within small geographical regions. It is suggested that a trial period of universal testing may help determine whether such an approach is appropriate for an individual maternity unit. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? The mean incubation period for SARS-CoV-2 is five days and viral shedding may begin two to three days before the appearance of symptoms. Asymptomatic carriers contribute to transmission of the disease. What do the results of this study add? More than two-thirds of infected women were asymptomatic in this study contributing to the body of evidence that most infected pregnant women are asymptomatic. This study provides prevalence data for a rural geographical location in Wales with results similar to an urban London region. There was wide variation in prevalence across three maternity units in a small geographical area ranging from 1.68% to 4.43%. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This study supports the recommendations of universal SARS-CoV-2 testing for women attending for delivery regardless of symptom status. The results highlight that prevalence of infection amongst pregnant women cannot be assumed based on geographical location or demographics. A trial period of universal testing would establish local prevalence and helps determine whether such an approach is appropriate for an individual maternity unit. Future research could be directed to the prevalence of virus variants in pregnant populations.

Phototheranostics of Cervical Neoplasms with Chlorin e6 Photosensitizer.

Simple SummaryNeoplasms of the cervix are the most common types of oncological pathology. Photodynamic therapy with intravenous administration of the photosensitizer chlorin e6 shows high efficiency in the treatment of precancerous lesions of the cervix with complete eradication of the human papillomavirus. The treatment method can reduce deaths from cervical cancer and preserve fertility in patients. Spectral and video fluorescence diagnostics allows intraoperatively assessing the degree of photosensitizer accumulation and photobleaching and visualizing the boundaries of pathologically altered tissues.(1) Purpose: Improving the treatment effectiveness of intraepithelial neoplasia of the cervix associated with human papillomavirus infection, based on the application of the method of photodynamic therapy with simultaneous laser excitation of fluorescence to clarify the boundaries of cervical neoplasms. (2) Methods: Examination and treatment of 52 patients aged 22 to 53 years with morphologically and cytologically confirmed mild to severe intraepithelial cervix neoplasia, preinvasive, micro-invasive, and squamous cell cervix carcinoma. All patients were carriers of human papillomavirus infection. The patients underwent photodynamic therapy with simultaneous laser excitation of fluorescence. The combined use of video and spectral fluorescence diagnostics for cervical neoplasms made it possible to control the photodynamic therapy process at all stages of the procedure. Evaluation of the photodynamic therapy of intraepithelial cervical neoplasms was carried out with colposcopic examination, cytological conclusion, and morphological verification of the biopsy material after the photodynamic therapy course. The success of human papillomavirus therapy was assessed based on the results of the polymerase chain reaction. (3) Results. The possibility of simultaneous spectral fluorescence diagnostics and photodynamic therapy using a laser source with a wavelength of 660 nm has been established, making it possible to assess the fluorescence index in real-time and control the photobleaching of photosensitizers in the irradiated area. The treatment of all 52 patients was successful after the first photodynamic therapy procedure. According to the PCR test of the discharge from the cervical canal, the previously identified HPV types were not observed in 48 patients. Previously identified HPV types were absent after repeated PDT in four patients (CIN III (n = 2), CIS (n = 2)). In 80.8% of patients, regression of the lesion was noted. (4) Conclusions. The high efficiency of photodynamic therapy with intravenous photosensitizer administration of chlorin e6 has been demonstrated both in relation to eradication therapy of human papillomavirus and in relation to the treatment of intraepithelial lesions of the cervix.

Фотодинамическая терапия предрака и рака шейки матки с лазерным возбуждением флуоресценции с эффектом фотобличинга

Objective. To improve the efficacy of therapy for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection using phototheranostics. Patients and methods. This study included 52 patients aged 22 to 53 years with morphologically confirmed diagnoses of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of varying degrees, preinvasive, microinvasive and squamous cell cervical carcinomas. All women were carriers of HPV infection. Therapy control and HPV elimination were assessed by the results of polymerase chain reaction. Patients underwent photodynamic therapy (PDT) with simultaneous laser-induced fluorescence. Spectral fluorescence diagnostics of cervical neoplasms provided control of PDT at all stages of the procedure. The results of treatment were evaluated by extended colposcopy, cytological and histological examinations of biopsy material. Results. Treatment was found to be clinically effective, with 80.8% of patients showing regression of cervical lesions. Previously identified HPV types were not observed in 48 patients after the first PDT procedure, in 4 patients – after the second procedure. There was also a significant decrease in the expression of Ki67 and p16 markers in the cervical epithelium after PDT. Conclusion. The high clinical efficacy of phototheranostics, including PDT with the use of video and spectral fluorescence diagnostics, was shown both in terms of HPV elimination and treatment of cervical intraepithelial lesions. Key words: human papillomavirus, photodynamic therapy, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, preinvasive cancer, cervical cancer, fluorescence diagnostics, photosensitizers

COVID-19 Vaccine Safety in Cancer Patients: A Single Center Experience

<i>Introduction:</i> During the COVID pandemic and in front of the anguish of patients with cancer in a totally gloomy atmosphere, in front of their worries and the confusion of some patients but also of some colleagues not specialists in oncology, the medical oncology department of the Hospital Establishment DIDOUCHE Mourad, Constantine, launched a vaccination campaign for eligible patients, during the vaccination campaign initiated by the Ministry of Health. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> Faced with the risk of contracting the severe form of COVID-19 in patients with cancer, immunocompromised by the disease, by the treatments received or to be received but also living in an environment not spared by the COVID-19 infection, the team of the medical oncology department thought of this type of patients and developed a well-established vaccination protocol for patients with cancer. This vaccination protocol respected all barrier measures while taking certain precautions to eliminate patients who would be carriers of an asymptomatic COVID-19 infection or whose symptoms would be like oncology emergencies. <i>Results: </i>Without any obligation and after informed and approved consent by the patient, the vaccination lasted five days and saw significant patient adherence. Out of 379 patients who came to the department during these five days, 201 patients agreed to be vaccinated, representing a percentage of 53.03% and only 180 patients (47.49%) were vaccinated (due to lack of sufficient quantity of vaccines at our level during these five days and the high adherence of patients)), against 8.97% of refusal (34 patients). The remaining patients (37.9%) had either absolute or non-absolute contraindications to vaccination or had contracted a recent COVID infection; delaying the vaccination to 3 months. Only one side effect (0.55%) was noted; that of hypoglycemia in a patient who presented on an empty stomach to the ward<i> </i>All these patients (100%) agreed to be vaccinated in the oncology department and refused to join the vaccination site opened within the establishment because of a relationship of trust - security established between patients-attending physicians <i>Conclusion:</i> Medical work department and preventive epidemiology services should continue to vaccinate health personnel and the population; eligible respectively but the category of eligible patients (which is no longer an eligible person but an eligible patient); and especially patients with chronic diseases should be cared for in treatment’s centers according to patients' choices.

The undead new world: Zombie epidemics’ apocalyptic surroundings and social relations

The narratives of zombie films articulate social relations in the context of an apocalyic social environment, indicating unstoppable processes of disease spreading through the omnipresence of zombies as the primary infection carriers, emphasizing discourses of biological catastrophe, that is, epidemics of infectious diseases as a potential means of the end of a modern civilization. As portrayed in movies about zombies, epidemics could be observed as a type of imagined future of the virus, that is, as an advanced stage in infectious disease evolution, which leads to the deconstruction and complete collapse of the existing social system, and then to apocalyptic consequences and the forming of a new social order. An epidemic creates conditions in which previously known institutional organization ceases to exist and shapes individual behaviors that transform social environments to meet the demands of new social and biological discourses. Due to such circumstances, social surroundings are significantly changed, and disease establishes itself as a signifier of social strategies, relationships towards the infected, and the area for the redistribution of social power and livelihood. The aim of this paper is to reveal the ways of social reorganization and social disruption caused by the zombie epidemic, emphasizing the role of the disease in reshaping social groups and relationships, with the purpose of analyzing the ways in which movie narratives metaphorize the efficiency of infectious diseases.

Study of Swine Brucellosis Infection Rate in the Avan Community of Aragatsotn Region

Investigations on the swine brucellosis has been conducted for the first time within 2021-2022 throughout the recent 60 years. Probably, the infection carrier small and large cattle have become the cause of brucellosis infection. Joint housing and zoohygienic conditions, as well as the remnants of infected dairy products have served as predisposing factors formorbidity. Rose-Bengal test and agglutination reaction were used to detect antibodies in blood serum. As a result of epidemiological analysis, the indicators of morbidity and insecurity rates have amounted to 0.0025 (0.25 %), 0.0075 (0.75 %), respectively, while the economic damage has made AMD 1 mln 310 thousand.

Premarital Screening Program in Al-Nuaman Teaching Hospital

Background: Premarital blood screening helps couples to identify potential health problems and risks for themselves and their offspring, considered a primary preventive approach for couples planning for conception and an important step towards protecting society from spread of diseases especially thalassemia, and allowing people to enjoy life. Objective: To determine the prevalence of minor β-thalassemia, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) referred to Al-Nuaman Teaching Hospital. Methods: The cross-sectional study as part of premarital screening in Al-Nuaman Teaching Hospital was conducted over six months from May 2017 to the end of October 2017. Total individual of 3027 underwent routine mandatory tests. Results: Regarding HIV and VDRL cases were zero, regarding HBV was no case in August, only one case in May and June, two cases in September and October, and four cases in July, regarding HCV there was no cases in May, June and Aug., two cases in September, and October, and three cases in July, Regarding β-thalassemia minor, one couple in August and another couple in September, those two couples both male and female were thalassemia minor , while the rest either the male or female were thalassemia minor. Conclusion: Premarital screening program is an important project in detecting asymptomatic carriers of hepatitis viral infection and thalassemia. This study showed that incidence of hepatitis B infections 0.33% were more frequent than Hepatitis C infections 0.23%, there was no cases of HIV infection detected so far, and β-thalassemia trait prevalence was 1.92%. Keywords: Premarital, β-thalassemia, virology, screening Citation: Hanoon BD, Sudad A. Khalf SA, Khalaf IA. Premarital screening program in Al-Nuaman Teaching Hospital. Iraqi JMS. 2021; 19(2): 147-151. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.19.2.3

Effect of Antimicrobial peptides and chemicals produced by animals on Streptococcus pyogenes

There are about 700 million infections occur annually by Streptococcus pyogenes species around the world. Although the mortality rate of these infections does not exceed 0.1%. Among over 650 thousands cases which are invasive and severe, their mortality rate is 25%. Certainly early diagnosis and early treatment play an important role in severity prevention; failure of right diagnosis can lead to sepsis and death. Streptococcus pyogenes species infect the throat, genitalia, rectum and even skin. Among healthy individual, there are 1% to 5% carrier of Streptococcus pyogenes infection in skin, rectum and vaginal without appearance of any signs or symptoms. Among children, about 17% are carriers of these bacteria. There are four methods of transmission of Streptococcus pyogenes species infection which are inhalation of droplets, contact with contaminated objects like surfaces or dust, skin contact and rarely contaminated food. These bacteria can cause deleterious diseases like pharyngitis rheumatic heart disease and scarlet fever which caused by streptococcal infections. Although pharyngitis is caused mainly by viral infection, about 15% to 30% of pharyngitis infections are streptococcal in origin. The rate of pharyngitis infection in adult is less than children infection due to children exposure in nurseries, schools, playgrounds as well as the low host immunity. Infection rate increases during winter time every year. Metabolic type 1 clone is associated with Streptococcus pyogenes species infection. Mortality rate of Streptococcus pyogenes was high in developed country especially before the penicillin era, but the rate decreased after penicillin availability. So, the environmental factors play a vital role in streptococcal infection. Streptococcal infections are more frequently in men rather than women. With patient with risk factors like rheumatic heart disease, cancer, viral infections like covid-19 and flu and surgical incision, streptococcal infection occurs to 17% to 25% of those cases. Among children; chicken pox represents an important risk factor to increase possibility of streptococcal infection. However, 30% of people can be infected with Streptococcus pyogenes species without any previous risk factors. Rheumatic heart disease and scarlet fever occur after throat infection. In this manuscript, some antimicrobial chemicals extracted from animals will be shown and their activity against Streptococcus pyogenes species using optical density analysis technique then their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) will be determined as well as ICs 50 to measure the potency to inhibit a biological function using programmes like Gene5, graph pad prism as well as testing antimicrobial activity of some chemicals which are found in animal secretions.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C viral infections in hospitalized patients with increased liver enzyme levels and with no known history of hepatic disease

Introduction and objectivesIdentification of asymptomatic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers is fundamental to reach the World Health Organization objective to eradicate viral hepatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the HBV and HCV prevalence among patients hospitalized for a non-liver-related disease but showing increased liver enzyme values. Patients and methodsAll consecutive patients without history of hepatic disease but showing increased amino-transferase and/or gamma-glutamil-transpeptidase levels at admission to the Internal Medicine and Surgery divisions of the Messina University Hospital from 1st January to 31st December 2019 (“study group”) were tested for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibody. Analogously, HBsAg and anti-HCV were tested for in all the individuals with normal liver enzyme values consecutively admitted from October 1st to December 31st, 2019 (“control group”). ResultsOf the 332 “study group” patients, 13 (3.9%) were anti-HCV positive versus 5/306 (1.6%) patients of the “control group” (p=0.008). HCV RNA was detected in 11/13 and in 0/5 anti-HCV patients of the “study group” and “control group”, respectively (p=0.001). HBsAg was detected in 5 (1.5%) “study group” patients and in none of the “control group” (p=0.03). Prevalence of diabetes, arterial hypertension, and dyslipidaemia was comparable between the two groups, whereas 75/332 (22.3%) patients of the “study group” and 34/306 (11.1%) patients of the “control group” drank > 2 alcohol units/day (p < 0.001). ConclusionTesting HBsAg and anti-HCV in subjects showing increased liver enzyme values may represent an efficacious tool to identify asymptomatic carriers of hepatitis virus infections.

Modeling the dengue fever transmission in a periodic environment

A mathematical model for dengue fever transmission is analyzed, which incorporates relevant biological and ecological factors: vertical transmission and seasonality in the interaction between the vector (Aedes aegypti females) and the host (human). The existence and uniqueness of a positive disease-free periodic solution is proved; the global stability of the disease-free solution and the effect of periodic migrations of mosquitoes carrying the virus on the transmission of dengue are analyzed utilizing the mathematical definition of the Basic Reproductive Number in periodic environments; finally, it is numerically corroborated with the help of the Basic Reproductive Number that dengue cannot invade the disease-free state if it is less than one and can invade if it is greater than one, however, in both threshold conditions when vertical transmission occurs, the number of infected people and carrier vectors rises, representing a mechanism for the persistence of dengue cases in a community throughout a natural year.