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Alenazi AM, Taher IA, Taha AE, Elawamy WE, Alshlash AS, El-Masry EA, Ghazy AA. Pregnancy-associated asymptomatic bacteriuria and antibiotic resistance in the Maternity and Children's Hospital, Arar, Saudi Arabia. J Infect Dev Ctries 2023; 17:1740-1747. [PMID: 38252724 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.18184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia provides comprehensive antenatal care for all pregnant women with all required investigations. However, it does not include urine culture for diagnosis of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB). This is the first study to evaluate the prevalence of ASB among pregnant females, identify the causative organisms and determine their antibiotic susceptibility patterns in the Maternity and Children's Hospital, Arar, Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY This cross-sectional study included 400 pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic. Two midstream urine samples were aseptically collected and screened using standard microbiological techniques including microscopic examination, dipstick testing, and urine culture. In order to interpret the urine culture results, ≥ 105 CFUs/mL was considered significant bacteriuria. Identification of the isolates and their antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed using the Vitek 2 system (BioMérieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France) with the available test kits. RESULTS The prevalence of ASB was 8.25% (35/400). Significant positive correlations (p ˂ 0.05) were detected between positive urine culture results and random blood sugar, leucocytes, nitrites, pus cells, urine red blood cells, epithelial cells, and mucus. Escherichia coli was the most common causative organism (45.7%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (22.9%). Klebsiella pneumoniae represented 11.4% of the isolates. Most of the isolated Gram-positive organisms were sensitive to many of the tested antibiotics; most of the detected Gram-negative isolates were resistant. CONCLUSIONS ASB caused by antibiotic resistant organisms is alarming. Screening for ASB during pregnancy using urine culture and sensitivity testing is of vital importance to improve the maternal and neonatal outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amjad M Alenazi
- Microbiology and Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim A Taher
- Microbiology and Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed E Taha
- Microbiology and Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed E Elawamy
- Microbiology and Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed S Alshlash
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman A El-Masry
- Microbiology and Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amany A Ghazy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt The work was conducted at the Arar Maternal and Children's Hospital, Northern Borders, Saudi Arabia, and the Microbiology and Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia
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El-Masry EA, Alruwaili FM, Taha AE, Saad AE, Taher IA. Prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae among clinical isolates in Turaif general hospital, northern borders- Saudi Arabia. J Infect Dev Ctries 2023; 17:477-484. [PMID: 37159882 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.17212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Enterobacteriaceae that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) are quickly spreading, posing a threat to world healthcare. METHODOLOGY 138 gram-negative bacteria were collected from different samples (stool, urine, wound, blood, tracheal aspirate, catheter tip, vaginal swab, sputum, and tracheal aspirate) from hospitalized patients. Samples were subcultured and identified in accordance with their biochemical reactions and culture characteristics. Against all the isolated Enterobacteriaceae, an antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed. VITEK®2 system, phenotypic confirmation, and Double-Disk Synergy Test (DDST) had been utilized to identify the ESBLs. RESULTS Of the 138 samples studied, the prevalence of ESBL-producing infections among the clinical samples of the present study was 26.8 % (n = 37). E. coli was the commonest ESΒL producer at 51.4% (n = 19) followed by K. pneumoniae at 27% (n = 10). The potential risk factors for the ESBL development that produces bacteria were as follows, patients with the presence of indwelling devices, previous history of hospital admission, and usage of antibiotics. ESBL is statistically (p ≤ 0.05) higher among the patients with indwelling devices, ICU admission, who had a previous hospital admission in the last 6 months as well as who was given antibiotics (quinolones and/or cephalosporins) in the last 6 months. One hundred thirty-two (95.7%) of ESBL isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, while the lowest resistance was for fosfomycin (15.2%). CONCLUSIONS ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae are highly prevalent in Turaif General Hospital setting with some potential risk factors. A strict policy to be made available on the usage of antimicrobials in hospitals and clinics should be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman A El-Masry
- Microbiology and immunology unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal Mansour Alruwaili
- Master's Degree in infection prevention and control, Primary health care center, Suwayr, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed E Taha
- Microbiology and immunology unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abeer E Saad
- Microbiology and immunology unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim A Taher
- Microbiology and immunology unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia
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El-Masry EA, Taha AE. Role of hospital environmental surfaces in the transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome - Coronavirus-2. J Infect Dev Ctries 2022; 16:1432-1438. [PMID: 36223618 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.16572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Severe acute respiratory syndrome - Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is mainly transmitted via respiratory secretions through coughing, sneezing, or contact with contaminated surfaces. This virus can be present in feces and many body fluids. The study aimed to screen the hospital environment as a potential source for SARS-CoV-2 transmission and identify the hospital zones with the highest contamination levels. METHODOLOGY Swabs were collected from different sites in the hospital before and after routine cleaning/disinfection, transported in vials containing 1-3 mL of viral transport medium, and stored at -80 ℃ as soon as possible until the time of testing. The real-time reverse-transcription PCR (rRT-PCR) system targeting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and E genes was used to detect the SARS-CoV-2 RNA. RESULTS Moderate environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected by rRT-PCR before routine cleaning/disinfection (52% of the swabs were positive). The hospital surfaces with the highest contamination levels were elevators' buttons, sinks and faucets' handles at the waiting rooms, patient's room and bathroom, call buttons and telephones in the patient's room, toilet bowl surface, the doorknob and light switches at the X-ray room, and the computer keyboard at the staffroom. All the swabs collected after routine cleaning/disinfection were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by rRT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS The hospital environment is a high-risk area that can be contaminated by SARS-CoV-2 through contact, respiratory, and maybe fecal shedding of the virus. To limit this fatal virus transmission, strict adherence to proper hand hygiene with frequent optimal decontamination of hospital environmental surfaces is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman A El-Masry
- Microbiology and Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed E Taha
- Microbiology and Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia.
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Taha AE, Al-Ruwaili NM, El-Masry EA, Saad AE, Taher IA. MRSA as an indicator of infection control measures in Turaif General Hospital, Northern Area-Saudi Arabia. J Infect Dev Ctries 2022; 16:1037-1044. [PMID: 35797299 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.16058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Saudi Arabia can be considered a hot spot for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections with significant regional variations. As far as we know, this is the first study to evaluate the prevalence of MRSA in clinical samples obtained from Turaif general hospital (TGH), Northern Area-Saudi Arabia, and screening the resistance profile to the most regularly used antimicrobials as an indicator for evaluation of the implemented infection control measures. METHODOLOGY Totally, 410 Samples were collected from patients in TGH with clinically suspected nosocomial infections. MRSA isolates were identified by the classical bacteriological, biochemical, and cefoxitin-based methods as recommended by the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute. Confirmation of isolates and testing of their antimicrobial susceptibilities were performed by the automated Vitek 2 compact system. RESULTS Totally, 130 nosocomial isolates were detected. Staphylococcus aureus (29.23%) was the most frequently isolated Gram-positive pathogen. MRSA represented 39.47% of Staphylococcus aureus and 11.54% of all isolates. MRSA-causing surgical site infections were the most predominant type of MRSA nosocomial infections representing (25.00%). Recent antibiotic therapy, prolonged hospital stays, and indwelling devices were significant risk factors for the development of MRSA infections. Although all MRSA isolates were sensitive to vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolid, Fosfomycin, and tigecycline, many isolates were resistant to other tested antimicrobials. CONCLUSIONS Hospital administrators should strengthen the ideal use of antibiotics according to the local hospital policy to control the selective drug pressure on Staphylococcus aureus strains with minimizing exposure to the risk factors by implementing the proper infection control policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed E Taha
- Microbiology and immunology unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Najeh M Al-Ruwaili
- Master's Degree in infection prevention and control, Turaif General Hospital, Northern Borders, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman A El-Masry
- Microbiology and immunology unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abeer E Saad
- Microbiology and immunology unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim A Taher
- Microbiology and immunology unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia
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Pamplona Pagnossa J, Rocchetti G, Bezerra JDP, Batiha GES, El-Masry EA, Mahmoud MH, Alsayegh AA, Mashraqi A, Cocconcelli PS, Santos C, Lucini L, Hilsdorf Piccoli R. Untargeted Metabolomics Approach of Cross-Adaptation in Salmonella Enterica Induced by Major Compounds of Essential Oils. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:769110. [PMID: 35694295 PMCID: PMC9174793 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.769110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cross-adaptation phenomena in bacterial populations, induced by sublethal doses of antibacterial solutions, are a major problem in the field of food safety. In this regard, essential oils and their major compounds appear as an effective alternative to common sanitizers in food industry environments. The present study aimed to evaluate the untargeted metabolomics perturbations of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis that has been previously exposed to the sublethal doses of the major components of essential oils: cinnamaldehyde, citral, and linalool (CIN, CIT, and LIN, respectively). Cinnamaldehyde appeared to be the most efficient compound in the assays evaluating the inhibitory effects [0.06% (v/v) as MBC]. Also, preliminary tests exhibited a phenotype of adaptation in planktonic and sessile cells of S. Enteritidis when exposed to sublethal doses of linalool, resulting in tolerance to previously lethal concentrations of citral. A metabolomics approach on S. Enteritidis provided an important insight into the phenomenon of cross-adaptation induced by sublethal doses of major compounds of some essential oils. In addition, according to the results obtained, when single molecules were used, many pathways may be involved in bacterial tolerance, which could be different from the findings revealed in previous studies regarding the use of phytocomplex of essential oils. Orthogonal projection to latent structures (OPLS) proved to be an interesting predictive model to demonstrate the adaptation events in pathogenic bacteria because of the global engagement to prevent and control foodborne outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Pamplona Pagnossa
- Health and Biological Sciences Institute, Pontifical Catholic University–PUC Minas, Poços de Caldas, Brazil
| | - Gabriele Rocchetti
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Jadson Diogo Pereira Bezerra
- Setor de Micologia, Departamento de Biociências e Tecnologia, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, Egypt
| | - Eman A. El-Masry
- Microbiology and Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Egypt
| | - Mohamed H. Mahmoud
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulrahman A. Alsayegh
- Clinical Nutrition Department, Applied Medical Sciences College, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah Mashraqi
- Biology Department, College of Science, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pier Sandro Cocconcelli
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Cledir Santos
- Department of Chemical Science and Natural Resources, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
- *Correspondence: Cledir Santos,
| | - Luigi Lucini
- Department for Sustainable Food Process, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
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El-Masry EA, Taher I, Hetta HF, Eldahdouh SS. Pulmonary tuberculosis susceptibility and association with Toll-Like receptor 2 Arg753Gln polymorphism. J Infect Dev Ctries 2022; 16:125-133. [PMID: 35192530 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.14885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tuberculosis has been a concern of healthcare professionals due to the serious threats it poses on public health safety. However, regardless all the efforts, no appropriate goals for immunological diagnosis or tuberculosis treatment were established. Toll-like receptor 2 is one of the toll-like receptors, which plays a fundamental role in recognizing and hosting defense against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Toll-like receptor 2's genetic polymorphism (arginine-to-glutamine substitution at residue 753 (Arg753Gln)) was linked to negative effects on the function of Toll-like receptor 2 which, in turn, impacts the body's resistance or susceptibility to tuberculosis. The current study aimed at investigating the single Arg753Gln nucleotide polymorphism of the Toll-like receptor 2 gene in patients with tuberculosis infection versus a sample of healthy subjects as controls. METHODOLOGY A comparative study was conducted to investigate Toll-like receptor 2 polymorphism of the single nucleotide gene Arg753Gln in 30 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and compare their results with other 20 healthy controls matched by age and sex. RESULTS TLR-2-Arg polymorphism allele A occurred in 36.7% of the patient group. Homozygous carriers of allele A/A polymorphism occurred in 13.4% compared to 5% among controls, while GA genotype was found in 23.3% among the study group and 10% among controls. The association between GA genotype and pulmonary tuberculosis was found statistically significant (p = 0.002) than other genotypes. Allele frequency for both G and A were (p =0.002) in patient groups and (p =0.000) among the control group. CONCLUSIONS TLR-2 Arg753Gln polymorphisms may have a crucial role in pulmonary tuberculosis susceptibility among Egyptian patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman A El-Masry
- Microbiology and Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka City Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ibrahim Taher
- Microbiology and Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka City Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Helal F Hetta
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
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Tayel SI, El-Masry EA, Abdelaal GA, Shehab-Eldeen S, Essa A, Muharram NM. Interplay of LncRNAs NEAT1 and TUG1 in Incidence of Cytokine Storm in Appraisal of COVID-19 Infection. Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18:4901-4913. [PMID: 35982898 PMCID: PMC9379411 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.72318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In 2019, the coronavirus pandemic emerged, resulting in the highest mortality and morbidity rate globally. It has a prevailing transmission rate and continues to be a global burden. There is a paucity of data regarding the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in COVID-19. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate lncRNAs, particularly NEAT1 and TUG1, and their association with IL-6, CCL2, and TNF-α in COVID-19 patients with moderate and severe disease. Methods: The study was conducted on 80 COVID-19 patients (35 with severe and 45 with moderate infection) and 40 control subjects. Complete blood count (CBC), D-dimer assay, serum ferritin, and CRP were assayed. qRT-PCR was used to measure RNAs and lncRNAs. Results: NEAT1 and TUG1 expression levels were higher in COVID-19 patients compared with controls (P<0.001). Furthermore, CCL2, IL-6, and TNF-α expressions were higher in COVID-19 patients compared to controls (P<0.001). CCL2 and IL-6 expression levels were significantly higher in patients with severe compared to those with moderate COVID-19 infection (P<0.001). IL-6 had the highest accuracy in distinguishing COVID-19 patients (AUC=1, P<0.001 at a cutoff of 0.359), followed by TUG1 (AUC=0.999, P<0.001 at a cutoff of 2.28). NEAT1 and TUG1 had significant correlations with the measured cytokines, and based on the multivariate regression analysis, NEAT1 is the independent predictor for survival in COVID-19 patients (P=0.02). Conclusion: In COVID-19 patients, significant overexpression of NEAT1 and TUG1 was observed, consistent with cytokine storm. TUG1 could be an efficient diagnostic biomarker, whereas NEAT1 was an independent predictor for overall survival.
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Abstract
In the past years, numerous new fatal infections have emerged, including Ebola, Nipah, and Zika viruses, as well as coronaviruses. Recently, infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have emerged in China, and were then transmitted all over the world, causing the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, which is transmitted at a higher rate than other diseases caused by coronaviruses. At the time of writing this review, COVID-19 is not contained in most countries in spite of quarantine, physical distancing, and enhanced hygiene measures. In this review, I address different methods for passive and active immunization against this virus, which is known to cause fatal respiratory disease, including natural passive immunization by breast milk, natural active immunization by herd immunization, artificial passive immunization by convalescent plasma or monoclonal antibodies, and artificial active immunization by vaccination. I hope this review will help design a prophylactic approach against outbreaks and pandemics of related coronaviruses in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman A El-Masry
- Microbiology and Immunology unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia
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Tayel SI, Muharram NM, Fotoh DS, Elbarbary HS, Abd-Elhafiz HI, El-Masry EA, Taha AE, Soliman SE. Prognostic Impact of Genetic Variants of MECP2 and TIRAP on Clinical Outcomes of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with and without Nephritis. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1378. [PMID: 34572591 PMCID: PMC8466489 DOI: 10.3390/biom11091378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune illness with a growing prevalence in many populations. Few studies have examined genetic predisposition to SLE, so we aimed to examine the clinical impact of the genetic polymorphisms MECP2 rs2734647and TIRAP rs8177374 on the outcomes and therapeutic precision of SLE with and without nephritis. This study included 110 SLE patients-divided into 63 with lupus nephritis (LN), and 47 without nephritis-and 100 controls. Laboratory measurements including CRP, ESR, ACR, CBC, anti-ds-DNA, vitamin A, C3, and C4 were carried out, along with genotyping of MECP2 rs2734647and TIRAP rs8177374 by real-time PCR and sequencing. Treg %, vitamin A, C3, and C4 were lower, whereas Th17 % was higher, in patients vs. controls (p < 0.001). The T allele of MECP2 rs2734647 was higher in LN than in non-nephritis and control subjects. Moreover, the T allele of TIRAP rs8177374 was higher in LN than in non-nephritis and control subjects. The MECP2 and TIRAP genes could play a role in predisposition to SLE, and can also predict disease progress to nephritis, helping to personalize medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safaa I. Tayel
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin el Kom 32511, Egypt; (N.M.M.); (S.E.S.)
- Medical Biochemistry Unit, College of Medicine, Al Baha University, Al Baha 65779, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nashwa M. Muharram
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin el Kom 32511, Egypt; (N.M.M.); (S.E.S.)
- Medical Biochemistry Unit, College of Medicine, Al Baha University, Al Baha 65779, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dina S. Fotoh
- Physical Medicine, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin el Kom 32511, Egypt;
| | - Hany S. Elbarbary
- Renal Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin el Kom 32511, Egypt;
- Renal Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Huda I. Abd-Elhafiz
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin el Kom 32511, Egypt;
| | - Eman A. El-Masry
- Microbiology and Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (E.A.E.-M.); (A.E.T.)
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin el Kom 32511, Egypt
| | - Ahmed E. Taha
- Microbiology and Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka 72388, Saudi Arabia; (E.A.E.-M.); (A.E.T.)
- Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Shimaa E. Soliman
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin el Kom 32511, Egypt; (N.M.M.); (S.E.S.)
- Medical Biochemistry Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia
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El-Mokhtar MA, Hetta HF, Mekky MA, Abd El-Kareem DM, Ramadan M, Salah M, Mohamed NA, El-Masry EA, Adel S, Sayed IM. Characterization of Antigen Escape Mutations in Chronic HBV-Infected Patients in Upper Egypt. Infect Drug Resist 2021; 14:2419-2427. [PMID: 34234472 PMCID: PMC8254413 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s315299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mutations within the “a” determinant region (position 124–147) that is present in the major hydrophilic region (MHR, position 99–160) of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are associated with vaccine-escape, lack of diagnosis, and failure to hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) therapy. Data regarding the amino acid changes of “a” determinant region of HBsAg are limited in Egypt. The prevalence and mutations in this region among chronic HBV (CHB)-infected patients in Upper Egypt are not known. Material and Methods Blood samples were collected from HBsAg-positive CHB-infected patients (n=123) admitted to Assiut University Hospitals. Serum samples were screened for HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBe antibodies using commercially available ELISA kits. Viral load was determined by qPCR. In addition, mutational analysis was carried out targeting the HBV surface gene to determine the HBV genotype and vaccine escape mutations. Results Sequencing analysis of HBV DNA revealed that genotype D is the major circulating type (81.3%), followed by genotype E (18.7%). Analysis of the HBV genome revealed that 103/123 (83.7%) patients showed wild-type sequences and 20/123 (16.3%) showed mutations in the HBsAg gene. Mutation in seventeen patients (17/20, 85%) showed only one mutation, and three patients showed two mutations (3/20, 15%) in the “a” determinant region. The observed mutations were T115S (3/20, 15%), P120T/S (3/20, 15%), T126S (1/20, 5%), Q129R (2/20, 10%), M133T (2/20, 10%), S143L (5/20, 25%), D144E/A (3/20, 15%), and G145R/A (4/20, 20%). Mutations in the “a” determinant region were detected in genotype D isolates only. Conclusion We described for the first time the prevalence and characterization of vaccine escape mutants in CHB patients in Upper Egypt. Mutational analysis of the “a” determinant region revealed the presence of a wide spectrum of mutants in the circulating HBV isolates that could be a potential threat to HBV diagnosis, therapy success, and HBV vaccination program in Upper Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A El-Mokhtar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
| | - Helal F Hetta
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Mekky
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Doaa M Abd El-Kareem
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Ramadan
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy Al-Azhar University-Assiut branch, Assiut, 71526, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Salah
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy Port Said University, Port Said, 42526, Egypt
| | - Nahed A Mohamed
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Eman A El-Masry
- Microbiology and Immunology Unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Sara Adel
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M Sayed
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71515, Egypt.,Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
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Hetta HF, Muhammad K, El-Masry EA, Taha AE, Ahmed EA, Phares C, Kader HA, Waheed Y, Zahran AM, Yahia R, Meshaal AK, El-Saber Batiha G. The interplay between vitamin D and COVID-19: protective or bystander? Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2021; 25:2131-2145. [PMID: 33660833 DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202102_25119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The world is currently facing the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Due to a lack of specific treatment and prophylaxis, protective health measures that can reduce infection severity and COVID-19 mortality are urgently required. Clinical and epidemiological studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency can be linked to an increased risk of viral infection, including COVID-19. Therefore, in this review, we looked at various possible roles of vitamin D in reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection and severity. We describe in this article that individuals at high risk of vitamin D deficiency should consider taking vitamin D supplements to keep optimal concentrations. Moreover, we discuss different possible mechanisms by which vitamin D can efficiently reduce the risk of infections through modulation of innate and adaptive immunity against various types of infections. It is advisable to perform further studies addressing the observed influence of vitamin D levels to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- H F Hetta
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
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El-Masry EA, Mohamed RA, Ali RI, Al Mulhim MF, Taha AE. Novel coronavirus disease-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among the residents of Al-Jouf region in Saudi Arabia. J Infect Dev Ctries 2021; 15:32-39. [PMID: 33571143 DOI: 10.3855/jidc.14243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Efforts have been made to contain COVID-19. Human behavior, affected by knowledge and perceptions, may influence the course of disease. METHODOLOGY A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 422 participants. It consisted of 28 questions in four sections; seven questions about sociodemographic characteristics of participants, 12 questions to estimate level of knowledge about COVID-19, six questions to evaluate attitudes toward disease, and three questions to assess practices to prevent disease transmission. RESULTS Their overall understanding of COVID-19 was satisfactory. 69% of the participants had satisfactory levels of knowledge, and the main sources of information were social media platforms (79.70%) and television (70.90%). There was a significant difference in knowledge as a function of gender (p = 0.50), occupation (p = 0.012), and smoking (p = 0.041). The participants held optimistic attitudes and adopted appropriate protective measures. Most participants agreed that COVID-19 can cause death (64.7%), poses greater risks to elderly (93.4%) and those with chronic diseases (96.7%), it is mandatory to quarantine infected individuals (98.1%), preventive health measures are important (97.6%), and health authorities will succeed in controlling the pandemic (67.5%). There was a statistically significant association between satisfactory levels of knowledge and the practice of wearing masks and the adoption of protective measures (avoiding crowded places, frequent hand washing). CONCLUSIONS Residents of Al-Jouf region in Saudi Arabia have satisfactory levels of knowledge, optimistic attitudes, and good practice during the rapid rise period of the pandemic. Awareness campaigns will improve any misbeliefs and risky behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman A El-Masry
- Microbiology and Immunology unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rehab A Mohamed
- Family and Community Medicine Department, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rehab I Ali
- Pathology unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Marwa F Al Mulhim
- Internal Medicine Department, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed E Taha
- Microbiology and Immunology unit, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Al-Jouf, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
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