Determining frequency and pattern of infections associated with diabetes based educational hospitals in Ahvaz city; Iran

Evaluating Possible Mechanisms Linking Obesity to COVID-19: a Narrative Review

Currently, pneumonia caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic. To date, there is no specific antiviral treatment for the disease, and universal access to the vaccine is a serious challenge. Some observational studies have shown that COVID-19 is more common in countries with a high prevalence of obesity and that people with COVID-19 have a higher body mass index. In these studies, obesity increased the risk of disease, as well as its severity and mortality. This study aimed to review the mechanisms that link obesity to COVID-19.

Systematic Review of Literature Examining Bacterial Urinary Tract Infections in Diabetes

This systematic review addresses the central research question, "what is known from the published, peer-reviewed literature about the impact of diabetes on the risk of bacterial urinary tract infections (UTI)?" We examine the results from laboratory studies where researchers have successfully adapted mouse models of diabetes to study the pathophysiology of ascending UTI. These studies have identified molecular and cellular effectors shaping immune defenses against infection of the diabetic urinary tract. In addition, we present evidence from clinical studies that in addition to diabetes, female gender, increased age, and diabetes-associated hyperglycemia, glycosuria, and immune impairment are important risk factors which further increase the risk of UTI in diabetic individuals. Clinical studies also show that the uropathogenic genera causing UTI are largely similar between diabetic and nondiabetic individuals, although diabetes significantly increases risk of UTI by drug-resistant uropathogenic bacteria.

Clinical and Radiological Presentations of Various Pulmonary Infections in Hospitalized Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Prospective, Hospital-Based, Comparative, Case Series Study

Background

Diabetes mellitus is associated with increased rate of respiratory tract infections. The objective was to compare demographic, clinical, serum biochemical, and typical and atypical radiological profiles among hospitalized diabetics and nondiabetics with lower respiratory tract infection. Material and Methods. A prospective, hospital-based, consecutive, comparative observational study of 12-month study duration was conducted. Patients aged 13–90 years diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infection with or without diagnosed diabetes mellitus participated in the study. Demographic, clinical, serum biochemistry, and radiological profiles of diabetics (n = 44) and nondiabetics (n = 53) were compared.

Results

Diabetics were older than nondiabetics at presentation (p < 0.0001). Difference in mean random blood sugar (RBS) (p < 0.001), fasting blood sugar (FBS) (p < 0.001), and postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) (p < 0.0001) was significant between diabetics and nondiabetics. Nondiabetics more frequently presented with fever (p = 0.0032), chest pain (p = 0.0002), and hemoptysis (p = 0.01) as compared to diabetics. Diabetics more frequently presented with extreme temperatures (hypothermia or hyperpyrexia) (p = 0.022), lower serum sodium levels (p = 0.047), and lower partial arterial pressure (p < 0.001) than nondiabetics. The mean pneumonia patient outcomes research team (PORT) risk score was higher in diabetics (124.84 ± 41.31) compared to nondiabetics (77.85 ± 39.77) (p < 0.001). Diabetics more commonly displayed bilateral lesions with multilobe or lower lobe involvement, the most common type of lesion being exudative.

Conclusion

Diabetic patients usually had severe pulmonary infection and poor prognosis as suggested by higher mean PORT risk score. They also more frequently presented with bilateral lesions with multilobe or lower lobe involvement as evidenced by radiography as compared to nondiabetic patients.

Susceptibility for Some Infectious Diseases in Patients With Diabetes: The Key Role of Glycemia

Uncontrolled diabetes results in several metabolic alterations including hyperglycemia. Indeed, several preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that this condition may induce susceptibility and the development of more aggressive infectious diseases, especially those caused by some bacteria (including Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae, among others) and viruses [such as coronavirus 2 (CoV2), Influenza A virus, Hepatitis B, etc.]. Although the precise mechanisms that link glycemia to the exacerbated infections remain elusive, hyperglycemia is known to induce a wide array of changes in the immune system activity, including alterations in: (i) the microenvironment of immune cells (e.g., pH, blood viscosity and other biochemical parameters); (ii) the supply of energy to infectious bacteria; (iii) the inflammatory response; and (iv) oxidative stress as a result of bacterial proliferative metabolism. Consistent with this evidence, some bacterial infections are typical (and/or have a worse prognosis) in patients with hypercaloric diets and a stressful lifestyle (conditions that promote hyperglycemic episodes). On this basis, the present review is particularly focused on: (i) the role of diabetes in the development of some bacterial and viral infections by analyzing preclinical and clinical findings; (ii) discussing the possible mechanisms by which hyperglycemia may increase the susceptibility for developing infections; and (iii) further understanding the impact of hyperglycemia on the immune system.