Triple Infection Research Articles

An Effective Method of Ribes spp. Inoculation with Blackcurrant Reversion Virus under In Vitro Conditions.

Blackcurrant reversion virus (BRV) is the most destructive currant-infecting and mite-transmitted pathogen from the genus Nepovirus. In this work, BRV transmission in the system Ribes ex vitro–Ribes in vitro was applied for the first time. Triple infection of BRV identified in blackcurrant cv. Gojai was used for phylogenetic analysis and inoculation assay. Transmission of BRV was successful due to its stability in the inoculum for up to 8 days at 4 °C; all BRV isolates were infectious. Our suggested inoculation method through roots was applied in six Ribes spp. genotypes with 100.0% reliability, and the expression levels of defence-related gene PR1 to biotic stress was observed. The prevalence of the virus in microshoots after 2–14 days post-inoculation (dpi) was established by PCR. In resistant genotypes, the BRV was identified up to 8 dpi; meanwhile, infection remained constant in susceptible genotypes. We established that BRV transmission under controlled conditions depends on the inoculum quality, post-inoculation cultivation temperature, and host-plant susceptibility to pathogen. This in vitro inoculation method opens possibilities to reveal the resistance mechanisms or response pathways to BRV and can be used for the selection of resistant Ribes spp. in breeding programs.

Prevalence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in HIV Patients Co-infected or Triple Infected With Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in a Community Hospital in South Bronx.

BackgroundHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) share common modes of transmission; hence HBV and HCV infection are more prevalent among HIV patients. The co-infection with HIV/HBV, HIV/HCV, or HIV/HBV/HCV carries significant morbidity, with higher progression rates to end-stage liver disease or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study among HIV adult patients co-infected with HBV or HCV and those with HCV, HIV, and HBV triple infection enrolled in the outpatient clinic of BronxCare Hospital between the years 2010 and 2021. Records were reviewed to obtain demographic data, including age and sex, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV antibodies, and CD4 T-lymphocyte count test results. Male and female patients ≥18 years with confirmed HIV by double enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and western blot, who underwent serology testing for both HBsAg and anti-HCV, were included in the study.ResultsIn this study, 11355 HIV patients were included, comprising 7020 (61.8%) males and 4335 (38.2%) females. A total of 410 (3.6%) were hepatitis B positive, 1432 (12.6%) were hepatitis C positive, and 127 (1.1%) were both hepatitis B and C positive. Fifty-two (0.5%) patients were diagnosed with HCC. The majority of the patient with HCC (50%, n =26) were hepatitis C serology positive (p<0.001) while 9.6% (n=5) were positive for both hepatitis C and hepatitis B (p<0.001).ConclusionHIV/HBV/HCV triple-infected patients had a lower rate of HCC compared to HIV/HCV co-infected patients. HIV without hepatitis C or hepatitis B is an independent risk factor for HCC.

Distribution of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infection in Domestic Pigs in the Republic of Korea: Nationwide Survey from 2020-2021.

This study aimed to examine the distribution of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in domestic pigs in the Republic of Korea. From May 2020 to October 2021, 364 pig fecal samples were collected from 75 farms in 7 Provinces and microscopically examined. A total of 170 (46.7%) pigs were infected with at least one of the following parasites: Balantioides coli, strongyles, Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, and coccidia. By parasite species, B. coli, strongyles, A. suum, T. suis, and coccidia oocysts or eggs were detected in 144 (39.6%), 24 (6.6%), 14 (3.8%), 4 (1.1%), and 1 (0.3%) samples, respectively. One hundred fifty-four, 15, and 1 cases showed single, double, and triple infections, respectively. Of the swine fecal samples from 75 farms, 69 specimens (92.0%) were infected with 1 or more parasites. All surveyed farms across the country exhibited a positive rate of over 30%, among which the highest positive rate was 65.0% in Chungcheongnam-do, and Jeollabuk-do was followed by 61.9%. Winter showed a statistically lower prevalence than other seasons. This study showed that gastrointestinal parasites are prevalent in pigs in Korea, although the diversity of parasites is low.

A RARE CASE OF TRIPLE PNEUMONIA: TB, COCCIDIOIDOMYCOSIS, AND COVID-19

TYPE: Late Breaking Case Report TOPIC: Chest Infections INTRODUCTION: This is a case of concurrent pulmonary infections with mycobacterial tuberculosis, coccidioidomycosis, and SARS-COV-2 in an otherwise immunocompetent host. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old male with no known medical history presented with three weeks history of worsening non-productive cough, dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain with associated small volume hemoptysis, twelve-pound weight loss, intermittent fevers and night sweats. The patient’s vital signs were normal except for a temperature of 38.2C. Physical exam showed a well-nourished man with no abnormal findings. Initial labs were significant for pancytopenia, a positive COVID PCR nasopharyngeal swab, and negative HIV. Chest x-ray showed bilateral opacities and a subsequent computed tomography angiogram of chest showed bilateral multiple thick-walled cavitating lung lesions in the upper lobes and bilateral scattered ground glass opacities suggestive of COVID pneumonia. Further work-up resulted in induced sputum showing acid fast bacilli which speciated Mycobacterium tuberculosis 3 weeks later. Serology revealed positive IgM antibodies to Coccidioides by quantitative immunodiffusion and negative IgG by complement fixation. Cocci-Direct PCR was negative twice. Fungal culture from induced sputum grew Paecilomyces formosus. DISCUSSION: The patient likely had both these conditions and more recently acquired SARS-COV-2. There is no literature regarding a triple infection but, an excellent case series was done by Cadena et al that looked at 44 cases of PTB/Coccidioidomycosis co-infection. They found a significantly higher mortality rate compared to monoinfection. Such a coinfection in a patient with severe COVID-19 could become potentially devastating. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment was initiated with rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol, and fluconazole. He was discharged in good health. DISCLOSURE: Nothing to declare. KEYWORD: Coccidioidomycosis

Frequent Occurrence of Simultaneous Infection with Multiple Rotaviruses in Swiss Pigs.

Rotavirus (RV) infections are the most important viral cause of diarrhea in piglets in Switzerland and are thought to cause substantial economic losses to the pig industry. However, no data are available on the occurrence and dynamics of the main porcine RV species, namely RVA, RVB, and RVC, and the diversity of the circulating strains. We therefore tested fecal samples from a cross-sectional (n = 95) and a longitudinal (n = 48) study for RVA, RVB, and RVC by real-time RT-PCR and compared the results of the cross-sectional study to postmortem findings. In addition, eight samples were fully genotyped by using next-generation sequencing. In the cross-sectional study, triple RV infections significantly correlated with diarrhea and wasting and were most frequent in the weaned age group. In the longitudinal study, the shedding of RV peaked one week after weaning and decreased thereafter. Here, mainly double infections were seen, and only a few animals showed diarrhea. The full-genome sequencing revealed a genotype pattern similar to other European countries and, importantly, co-infection by up to four RVA strains. Our results imply that the weaning of piglets may trigger not only RV shedding but facilitate co-infection of multiple RV species and strains in the same host.

Hepatitis B, C, and D Virus Infections and AFP Tumor Marker Prevalence Among the Elderly Population in Mongolia: A Nationwide Survey.

ObjectivesInfections with hepatitis B, C, and D virus (HBV, HCV, and HDV) are a major public health problem and lead to serious complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV, anti-HDV immunoglobulin G, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and dual and triple hepatitis virus infections in Mongolia.MethodsA total of 2313 participants from urban and rural regions were randomly recruited for this cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was used to identify the risk factors for hepatitis virus infections, and the seromarkers were measured using immunoassay kits.ResultsAmong all participants, the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HDV was 15.6%, 36.6%, and 14.3%, respectively. The infection rates were significantly higher in females and participants with a lower education level, rural residence, older age, and a history of blood transfusion. HBV and HCV co-infection was found in 120 (5.2%) participants and HBV, HCV, and HDV triple infection was detected in 67 (2.9%) participants. The prevalence of elevated AFP was 2.7%, 5.5%, and 2.6% higher in participants who were seropositive for HBsAg (p=0.01), anti-HCV (p<0.001), and anti-HDV (p=0.022), respectively. Elevated AFP was more prevalent in participants co-infected with HBV and HCV (5.8%, p=0.023), HBV and HDV (6.0%, p<0.001), and triple-infected with HBV, HCV, and HDV (7.5%) than in uninfected individuals.ConclusionsNearly half (49.8%) of the study population aged ≥40 years were infected with HBV, HCV, or HDV, and 22.4% had dual or triple infections.

Triple Infection of COVID-19, Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Adenovirus in 4-Month-Old Infant

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many cases of SARS-CoV-2 co-infection with other respiratory pathogens have been reported. These situations may be a source of under-diagnosis leading to the spread of SARS-COV-2. We report the first case of triple infection involving SARS-CoV-2, Adenovirus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus in 4 months old infant. Initially admitted with symptoms of viral bronchiolitis. The aim is to highlight the importance of using multiplex PCR for the syndromic approach of respiratory infections in this pandemic period, especially in children, in order to limit spread of COVID-19 to others.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of soil-transmitted helminth infections in Kandahar, Afghanistan

BackgroundSoil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are still a major health problem, especially in resource-limited countries. The community-based prevalence of STH is unknown in Afghanistan. Main objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of STH among children in Daman district of Kandahar province in Afghanistan.MethodsThis was a community-based cross-sectional study, with data collected during five months (June–October, 2020) from children living in five villages of Daman district in Kandahar, Afghanistan. All the stool samples were examined by saline wet mount method. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Chi square test, and multivariate logistic regression.ResultsA total of 1426 children were studied, with majority (61.8%) of males and the mean age of 6.3 years. The overall prevalence of any intestinal parasitic infection was 39.8%. The overall prevalence of STH infection was 22.7%, with Ascaris lumbricoides (18.7%) as the most prevalent STH species, followed by hookworm (7.5%) and Trichuris trichiura (1.4%). Single, double, and triple STH infections were present in 14.9%, 7.2%, and 0.6% of the children, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that not washing hands after defecating/before eating (AOR 7.0, 95% CI 3.4–14.0), living in mud house (AOR 3.5, 95% CI 1.6–7.4), walking barefoot (AOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.6–3.1), living in overcrowded house (AOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.3), and practicing open defecation (AOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–2.0) as the risk factors associated with the predisposition of rural children for getting STH in Daman district of Afghanistan.ConclusionsPrevalence of STH is high among children of Daman district in Afghanistan. Most of the risk factors are related to poverty, decreased sanitation, and improper hygiene. Improvement of socioeconomic status, sanitation, and health education to promote public awareness about health and hygiene together with periodic mass deworming programs are better strategies for the control of STH infections in Afghanistan. Also, government and international donor agencies in Afghanistan should help in improving socio-economic status of the rural areas through provision of basic facilities such as piped water, electricity, good housing, and proper toilets.

Porcine Circoviruses and Herpesviruses Are Prevalent in an Austrian Game Population.

During the annual hunt in a privately owned Austrian game population in fall 2019 and 2020, 64 red deer (Cervus elaphus), 5 fallow deer (Dama dama), 6 mouflon (Ovis gmelini musimon), and 95 wild boars (Sus scrofa) were shot and sampled for PCR testing. Pools of spleen, lung, and tonsillar swabs were screened for specific nucleic acids of porcine circoviruses. Wild ruminants were additionally tested for herpesviruses and pestiviruses, and wild boars were screened for pseudorabies virus (PrV) and porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses (PLHV-1-3). PCV2 was detectable in 5% (3 of 64) of red deer and 75% (71 of 95) of wild boar samples. In addition, 24 wild boar samples (25%) but none of the ruminants tested positive for PCV3 specific nucleic acids. Herpesviruses were detected in 15 (20%) ruminant samples. Sequence analyses showed the closest relationships to fallow deer herpesvirus and elk gammaherpesvirus. In wild boars, PLHV-1 was detectable in 10 (11%), PLHV-2 in 44 (46%), and PLHV-3 in 66 (69%) of animals, including 36 double and 3 triple infections. No pestiviruses were detectable in any ruminant samples, and all wild boar samples were negative in PrV-PCR. Our data demonstrate a high prevalence of PCV2 and PLHVs in an Austrian game population, confirm the presence of PCV3 in Austrian wild boars, and indicate a low risk of spillover of notifiable animal diseases into the domestic animal population.

Prevalence of Trypanosoma and Sodalis in wild populations of tsetse flies and their impact on sterile insect technique programmes for tsetse eradication

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an environment friendly and sustainable method to manage insect pests of economic importance through successive releases of sterile irradiated males of the targeted species to a defined area. A mating of a sterile male with a virgin wild female will result in no offspring, and ultimately lead to the suppression or eradication of the targeted population. Tsetse flies, vectors of African Trypanosoma, have a highly regulated and defined microbial fauna composed of three bacterial symbionts that may have a role to play in the establishment of Trypanosoma infections in the flies and hence, may influence the vectorial competence of the released sterile males. Sodalis bacteria seem to interact with Trypanosoma infection in tsetse flies. Field-caught tsetse flies of ten different taxa and from 15 countries were screened using PCR to detect the presence of Sodalis and Trypanosoma species and analyse their interaction. The results indicate that the prevalence of Sodalis and Trypanosoma varied with country and tsetse species. Trypanosome prevalence was higher in east, central and southern African countries than in west African countries. Tsetse fly infection rates with Trypanosoma vivax and T. brucei sspp were higher in west African countries, whereas tsetse infection with T. congolense and T. simiae, T. simiae (tsavo) and T. godfreyi were higher in east, central and south African countries. Sodalis prevalence was high in Glossina morsitans morsitans and G. pallidipes but absent in G. tachinoides. Double and triple infections with Trypanosoma taxa and coinfection of Sodalis and Trypanosoma were rarely observed but it occurs in some taxa and locations. A significant Chi square value (< 0.05) seems to suggest that Sodalis and Trypanosoma infection correlate in G. palpalis gambiensis, G. pallidipes and G. medicorum. Trypanosoma infection seemed significantly associated with an increased density of Sodalis in wild G. m. morsitans and G. pallidipes flies, however, there was no significant impact of Sodalis infection on trypanosome density.

Co-infection of intestinal helminths in humans and animals in the Philippines.

BackgroundA large number of studies have assessed risk factors for infection with soil-transmitted helminths (STH), but few have investigated the interactions between the different parasites or compared these between host species across hosts. Here, we assessed the associations between Ascaris, Trichuris, hookworm, strongyle and Toxocara infections in the Philippines in human and animal hosts.MethodsFaecal samples were collected from humans and animals (dogs, cats and pigs) in 252 households from four villages in southern Philippines and intestinal helminth infections were assessed by microscopy. Associations between worm species were assessed using multiple logistic regression.Results Ascaris infections showed a similar prevalence in humans (13.9%) and pigs (13.7%). Hookworm was the most prevalent infection in dogs (48%); the most prevalent infection in pigs was strongyles (42%). The prevalences of hookworm and Toxocara in cats were similar (41%). Statistically significant associations were observed between Ascaris and Trichuris and between Ascaris and hookworm infections in humans, and also between Ascaris and Trichuris infections in pigs. Dual and triple infections were observed, which were more common in dogs, cats and pigs than in humans.ConclusionsAssociations are likely to exist between STH species in humans and animals, possibly due to shared exposures and transmission routes. Individual factors and behaviours will play a key role in the occurrence of co-infections, which will have effects on disease severity. Moreover, the implications of co-infection for the emergence of zoonoses need to be explored further.

Cytopathological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with and without HIV infection

BackgroundHuman immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infection can lead to a broad spectrum of lung diseases, including infectious diseases and tumors. Recently, with the wide application of bronchoscopes and cytopathology of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the diagnostic efficiency of lung diseases has improved. The present study focuses on analyzing the cytopathologic characteristics of BALF in the diagnosis of HIV/AIDS-related lung disease and comparing the lung disease spectrum between HIV and HIV-uninfected patients.MethodsBALF specimens were collected from 2211 patients. Using ThinPrep liquid-based technology, the cytologic smears were prepared by staining with Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE), Gomori's methenamine silver (GMS), and Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS), acid-fast and immunocytochemical (ICC) staining. Real-time PCR was used to detect cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) in the remaining BALF. PCR-reverse dot hybridization was used for mycobacterial species identification.ResultsFrom the 2211 BALF specimens, 1768 (79.96%) were specimens from HIV-infected patients, and 443 (20.04%) were speciments from HIV-uninfected patients. The HIV-infected patients with a median age of 38.5 ± 11.3 years were markedly younger than the HIV-uninfected patients (52.9 ± 14.9 years) (p < 0.01). We found that 1635 (92.5%) HIV-infected patients were males, showing a prominently higher proportion than those without HIV infection (71.1%) (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, 1045 specific lesions were found in 1768 HIV-infected patients (59.1%), including 1034 cases of infectious diseases and 11 neoplastic lesions, also exhibiting a distinctly higher proportion compared to the HIV-uninfected patients (12.2%) (p < 0.001). For the HIV-infected group, a distinctly higher proportion of single infection lesions (724/1768, 41%) was noted than the HIV-uninfected group (14/443, 3.2%) (p < 0.001). Among single infection lesions, the most common was Cytomegalovirus(CMV) infection (20.9%) for the HIV-infected group, followed by Pneumocystis jiroveci(PJ) (13.0%), Fungal (3.5%), and Mycobacterial infections (3.4%), of which M. tuberculosis infection accounted for 3.1%. Double infections (300/1768, 17.0%) and Triple infections (10/1768, 0.6%) were found only among the patients with HIV. The malignancies among HIV-infected patients included adenocarcinomas (0.22%), small cell carcinomas (0.2%), squamous cell carcinomas (0.1%), and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (0.1%). HIV-infected patients exhibited a significantly lower incidence of neoplastic lesions (0.6% vs. 9.0%) than the HIV-uninfected patients (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThere was a significant difference in the spectrum of lung diseases between HIV-infected and non-infected patients diagnosed by BALF cytopathology.

Hepatitis C prevalence and quality of health services among HIV-positive mothers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) contributes to liver-related morbidity and mortality throughout Africa despite effective antivirals. HCV is endemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) but data on HCV/HIV co-infection in pregnancy is limited. We estimated the prevalence of and risk factors for HCV/HIV co-infection among pregnant women in the Kinshasa province of the DRC. This cross-sectional study was conducted as a sub-study of an ongoing randomized trial to assess continuous quality improvement interventions (CQI) for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV (CQI-PMTCT study, NCT03048669). HIV-infected women in the CQI-PMTCT cohort were tested for HCV, and risk factors were evaluated using logistic regression. The prevalence of HCV/HIV co-infection among Congolese women was 0.83% (95% CI 0.43-1.23). Women who tested positive for HCV were younger, more likely to live in urban areas, and more likely to test positive during pregnancy versus postpartum. HCV-positive women had significantly higher odds of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) (aOR 13.87 [3.29,58.6]). An inverse relationship was noted between HCV infection and the overall capacity of the health facility as measured by the service readiness index (SRI) (aOR:0.92 [0.86,0.98] per unit increase). Women who presented to rural, for-profit and PEPFAR-funded health facilities were more likely to test positive for HCV. In summary, this study identified that the prevalence of HCV/HIV co-infection was < 1% among Congolese women. We also identified HBV infection as a major risk factor for HCV/HIV co-infection. Individuals with triple infection should be linked to care and the facility-related differences in HCV prevalence should be addressed in future studies.

A surveillance for avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus, infectious laryngotracheitis virus, avian metapneumovirus, and avian reovirus in poultry flocks with respiratory signs in Türkiye

In this study, avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV), avian metapneumovirus (AMPV), and avian reovirus (ARV) were evaluated in broiler and layer flocks. For this purpose, tracheal swabs from 48 broiler and 45 layer flocks with respiratory signs were inoculated SPF embryonated chicken eggs for virus isolation. The viruses were identified by real-time PCR. Results showed that the most common virus in both broiler and layer farms was IBV with incidence rates of 58.33% and 46.67%, respectively. ILTV, AMPV, and ARV incidences in the samples were found to be 22.22%, 13.33%, and 4.44% in layer flocks while 2.08%, 8.33%, and 20.83% in broilers, respectively. The numbers of IBV+AMPV and IBV+ARV coinfections were 5 (11.11%) and 1 (2.22%) in layers, whereas, 1 (2.08%) and 5 (10.42%) broilers, respectively. In addition, 2 broiler flocks (4.17%) had triple infection with IBV, AMPV, and ARV. ILTV was detected always alone from the samples of layer and broiler flocks. Sequencing of S1 gene of selected IBV TR/L45 and TR/B42 isolates showed similarities with IS/1494/06 (HM131453) at the rates of 98.98% and 99.69%, respectively, while TR/L37, TR/L38, and TR/L39 isolates were identical to 4/91 (KF377577) vaccine strain at the rates of 99.01%, 99.01%, and 98.76%, respectively. Sequencing analysis of the ICP4 and TK genes of ILTV isolates revealed that they were all field strains with low virulence. The present data represent actual information on the genotypes of IBV and ILTV circulating in poultry flocks in Türkiye.

Evaluation of Bacterial and Fungal Flora in Healthy Female Reproductive Tract of Camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Swab samples for microbial culture were obtained from the vaginae, cervices and uteri of 10 healthy fertile dromedary camels. Swab specimens were collected by use of a double-guarded uterine equine swab. Specimens were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria as well as fungus. The 90%, 50% and 30% of the swabs collected from the vaginae, cervices and uteri were contaminated, respectively. The difference between the rate of contamination was significant (P<0.05). Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., E. coli, Bacillus spp. and Proteus spp. were isolated from the samples collected from the vaginae of camels. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Streptococcus spp. and Bacillus spp. were identified in the swabs collected from the cervices. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci and Bacillus spp. were isolated from the swabs collected from the uteri. Double and triple infections were only reported in the samples collected from the vaginae. No anaerobic bacteria could be isolated from the vaginae, cervices or uteri. Candida albicans and Cryptococcus were isolated from the vaginae. Only Candida albicans could be isolated from cervices and uteri. This study identified a great microbial population’s diversity in the vagina which decrease toward the uterus. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci and Bacillus spp. were the dominant bacteria isolated from the vaginae, cervices and uteri.

Occurrence of ticks and tick-borne mixed parasitic microbiota in cross-bred cattle in District Lahore, Pakistan.

The present study was focused on the incidence of ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBD) in cross-bred cattle (Friesian x Sahiwal) of two farms (n = 2548) in district Lahore, Pakistan. We collected total of 572 ticks (adults and nymphs) and blood samples (10 ml) for microscopic i.e., blood smear test - Giemsa Stain (BST) and molecular analysis; Reverse Line Blot-General Primer-PCR (RLB-PCR) and Specie Specific Primer PCR (SP-PCR) from infested cattle (n = 100) from months of April to September. Results: The tick specie identified was Rhipicephalus microplus at both farms, with significant difference in infestations rate amongst both farms (p< 0.0001). The cross-bred cattle having higher ratio of Friesian blood and lower ratio of Sahiwal blood were mostly infested by ticks (p < 0.0458) and haemoparasites (p <0.474) and vice versa. The SP-PCR showed higher number of haemoparasites infection than BST, which revealed 16% T. annulata (p < 0.0001 and k value 0.485, 0.0001), 51% B. bigemina (p < 0.0001 and k value 0.485, 0.0001) and 15% A. marginale (p < 0.001 and k value 0.207, 0.001), respectively. The single infection with B. bigemina was 34% (n = 34/100) and A. marginale 6% (n = 6/100). The double infection with T. annulata/B. bigemina was 8% (n = 8/100) and B. bigemina/A. marginale 1% (n = 1/100). Whereas the triple infection with T. annulata/B. bigemina/A .marginale was 8% (n = 8/100). The phylogenetic study of isolated sequence of T. annulata revealed close homology to isolates from Iran (87%), B. bigemina to isolates from Cuba (94 to 100%) and A. marginale with isolates from Pakistan (99 to 98%).

Prevalence of Co-infection by Human Papillomavirus, Epstein- Barr Virus and Merkel Cell Polyomavirus in Iranian Oral Cavity Cancer and Pre-malignant Lesions.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is recognized as the most important risk factor in oral cavity cancer and pre-malignant lesions; however, the etiological association of concomitant infection with other oncogenic viruses as a co-factor has not been definitively proven. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of co-infection with HPV, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Merkel Cell PolyomaVirus (MCPyV) in oral cavity lesions in Iranian patients. One hundred and fourteen oral cavity samples, including 33 oral squamous cell carcinoma, 28 oral lichen planus, 16 oral epithelial dysplasia and 37 oral irritation fibromas were analyzed for the HPV, EBV and MCPyV infection by quantitative real-time PCR. According to histological features 32.5% and 28.9% of cases were oral irritation fibroma and oral squamous cell carcinoma, respectively. Infection with at least two viruses was detected in 21.1% of patients. In this group, co-infection with HPV/EBV was identified in 37.5% of cases, HPV/MCPyV in 29.2%, EBV/MCPyV in 12.5%, and HPV/EBV/MCPyV in 20.8%. There was no statistically significant difference between multiple infections and anatomical locations of cancer. The prevalence of triple viral infection (HPV/EBV/MCPyV) in well differentiated tumors was higher than EBV or MCPyV single infection. This study revealed that co-infection of HPV, EBV and MCPyV can be detected in both malignant and non-malignant oral cavity tissues, and co-infection with all three viruses in well differentiated tumors can be shown as a synergistic hypothesis of the pathogenic role of these viruses in oral malignant transformation.

COVID-19 and Mucormycosis: A Black Fungus Disaster?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with a wide range of opportunistic bacterial and fungal infections. Recently, several cases of mucormycosis in people with COVID-19 have been increasingly reported worldwide, in particular in India. 1. To study the total prevalence of mucormycosis and other fungal species in patients' samples. 2. To elaborate on the associated underlying risk factors and their presentations with COVID-19. The study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College from April 2021 to July 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both outpatient and admitted cases were included in the study suspected of mucormycosis with underlying COVID-19 infection or post-recovery phase. In total, 906 nasal swab samples were collected at the time of the visit from suspected patients and were sent to the microbiology laboratory of our institute for processing. Both microscopic examinations by preparing a wet mount with KOH and lactophenol cotton blue stain and culture using Sabouraud's dextrose agar (SDA) were done. Subsequently, we analyzed the patient's clinical presentations at a hospital, associated comorbidities, site of mucormycosis infection, past history for use of steroids or oxygen therapy, admissions required, and its outcome in patients with COVID-19. In total, 906 nasal swabs from suspected cases of mucormycosis in people with COVID-19 were processed. In all, 451 (49.7%) fungal positivity was seen, out of which 239 (26.37%) were mucormycosis. Other fungi such as Candida (175, 19.3%), Aspergillus 28 (3.1%), Trichosporon (6, 0.66%) and Curvularia (0.11%) were also identified. Out of the total, 52 were mixed infections. The total percentage of patients having underlying active COVID-19 infection or in the post-recovery phase was 62%. Most cases (80%) were of rhino-orbital origin, 12% were Pulmonary and the rest 8% where no primary site of infection was confirmed. Among risk factors, pre-existing diabetes mellitus (DM), or acute hyperglycemia was present in 71% of cases. Corticosteroid intake was recorded in 68% of cases, chronic hepatitis infection in 4%, two cases of chronic kidney disease, and only one case with triple infection of COVID-19, underlying HIV, and pulmonary tuberculosis. Death from fungal infection was reported in 28.7% of the cases. Even with rapid diagnosis, treatment of underlying disease, and aggressive medical and surgical intervention, the management is often not effective, leading to an extension of the infection and ultimately death. So, early diagnosis and prompt management of this suspected new emerging fungal infection with COVID-19 should be considered.

Triple infection with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, pneumocystisjirovecii pneumonia and COVID-19 in a renal transplant recipient

No abstract available

Assessment of Commercial Real-Time PCR Assays for Detection of Malaria Infection in a Non-Endemic Setting.

Malaria control and elimination require prompt diagnosis and accurate treatment. Conventional methods such as rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and microscopy lack the characteristics to detect low parasitemias, commonly found in asymptomatic parasitemias and/or submicroscopic malaria carriers. On the contrary, molecular methods have higher sensitivity and specificity. This study evaluated the performance of two commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, RealStar® Malaria PCR (RealStar-genus) and RealStar Malaria Screen&Type PCR (RealStar-species), compared with the reference Nested Multiplex Malaria PCR, for the detection of the main five Plasmodium species affecting humans. A total of 121 samples were evaluated. Values of sensitivity (98.9% and 97.8%) and specificity (100% and 96.7%) of the RealStar-genus and the RealStar-species assays, respectively, were very good. The limit of detection (LoD) for the RealStar-genus assay showed a mean value of 0.28 parasites/µL with Plasmodium falciparum samples; while, the LoD of the RealStar-species assay ranged from 0.09 parasites/µL for P. vivax to two parasites/µL for P. ovale. The time to complete a diagnosis was established in 4 hours. Our findings showed a very good concordance of both assays compared with the reference method, with a very good analytical sensitivity. RealStar-species assay was able to correctly characterize double and triple infections. Therefore, these RealStar assays have shown to be useful tools in malaria diagnosis in non-endemic countries and even endemic countries, and for malaria control in general, detecting low parasitemias with sensitivity similar to the most sensitive methods as nested PCR, but with lower time to get the results.