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Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology - Volume:15 Issue: 1, Jan 2022

Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology
Volume:15 Issue: 1, Jan 2022

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1400/12/22
  • تعداد عناوین: 6
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  • Parsa Veisi, Somayeh Shatizadeh Malekshahi *, Hamzeh Choobin, Mohammad Reza Jabbari, Peyman Mohammadi Torbati Page 1
    Background

    Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has clinical manifestations similar to other common respiratory viral infections. There are limited data on the frequency of viral respiratory coinfection among patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Iran.

    Objectives

    This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of multiple respiratory viruses among SARS-CoV-2-positive and negative patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Iran.

    Methods

    We included oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal swab specimens of patients suspected of COVID-19 from December 2020 to March 2021. A reliable multiplex TaqMan one-step real-time PCR method was employed to detect 17 viral respiratory pathogens simultaneously. Descriptive analyses were performed to characterize the specimens concerning age, gender, clinical manifestations, and underlying disease.

    Results

    Multiple respiratory viruses with a frequency of 18.78% were detected in 197 studied patients. Human metapneumovirus was the most prevalent pathogen detected in both SARS-CoV-2-positive (n = 7, 7.7%) and negative (n = 7, 6.6%) patients. Moreover, the frequency rate of viral infection was almost the same in both SARS-CoV-2-positive (18.68%) and negative (18.86%) patients. Altogether, there were no differences in baseline demographic characteristics such as age, sex, clinical symptoms, and comorbidities between the two groups (P > 0.05).

    Conclusions

    The data presented here expand our understanding of the epidemiology of multiple types of viral respiratory pathogens in suspected COVID-19 patients. Therefore, simultaneous screening of other viral respiratory pathogens will be helpful for clinicians and researchers interested in the control of viral respiratory tract infections.

    Keywords: COVID-19, Coinfection, Respiratory Infection, SARS-CoV-2, Virology
  • Saba Garshasbi, Farah Bokharaei-Salim *, Khadijeh Khanaliha, Seyed Jalal Kiani, SaeedKalantari, Mahin Jamshidi Makiani, Arezoo Marjani, Farzaneh Dehghani-Dehej, RoghayehBabaei, Mohsen Sadeghi, Mohammad Abbassi-Kolli Page 2
    Background

    A novel Coronavirus first emerging in Wuhan, China, was named severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 is known as Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). HIV-1 infected individuals may be at risk of COVID-19.

    Objectives

    This cross-sectional study evaluated the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate and COVID-19 prevalence among Iranian HIV-1-infected people.

    Methods

    The study was conducted on 155 HIV-1-infected patients from June 2020 to October 2020. COVID-19 Ab (IgG) was detected using an enzyme immunoassay in serum specimens. Furthermore, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimens were collected. Then, the genomic RNA of SARS-CoV-2 was detected using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Clinical symptoms of the studied participants with and without COVID-19 were examined.

    Results

    Of 155 HIV-1-infected individuals, 12 (7.7%) had positive real-time PCR results for SARS-CoV-2. Out of 12 (7.7%) patients with COVID-19, four (33.3%) were males. Anti-COVID Ab (IgG) was detected in 10 (6.5%) participants, of whom eight (80.0%) were males. The most common COVID-19 clinical symptoms, including dry cough, fever, runny nose, anosmia, and hypogeusia, were observed in seven (58.3%), five (41.7%), five (41.7%), five (41.7%), and five (41.7%) patients with COVID-19, respectively.

    Conclusions

    A recent study has shown that the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in HIV-infected individuals is similar to that in the general population.

    Keywords: HIV-1 Infection, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Clinical Symptoms
  • Mohsen Arabi, Hazhir Heidari Beigvand, Hamid Reza Samimagham, Nastaran Salimi, Mitra Kazemi Jahromi* Page 4
    Introduction

    COVID-19 infection can cause a wide range of complications, from respiratory infection to skin rashes.

    Case Presentation

    Here, we report a case of a 73-year-old woman with left brachial artery thrombosis 2 weeks after the onset of COVID-19 infection, leading to left upper limb ischemia.

    Conclusions

    Given the life-changing nature of limb ischemia that can lead to amputation, it is crucial to consider it from the beginning of COVID-19 infection and think of preventive measures in this pandemic.

    Keywords: COVID-19, Ischemia, Upper Limb
  • Moeed Ahmad, Abu Baker Siddique, Saima Muzammil, Muhammad Shafique, ZeeshanNawaz, Mohsin Khurshid, Muhammad Hidayat Rasool, Muhammad Moazam Jalees, Noreen Sarwar, Bilal Aslam* Page 5
    Background

    Antibiotic resistance is a major health hazard around the globe. Hypervirulent Klebsiella Pneumoniae (hvKp) is associated with hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections. Since there is a lack of new antibiotics against multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, phage therapy might provide an alternative approach to confer antibiotic resistance.

    Objectives

    This study aimed to estimate the occurrence of hvKp and characterize the bacteriophage against the hvKp prevalence in clinical settings, which might be used as an alternative to antibiotics.

    Methods

    Different clinical samples (n = 50) were collected to isolate K. pneumoniae, and the assessment of multidrug resistance was carried out based on the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines (2020). The bacteriophage was isolated from hospital waste, and the double agar overlay method was used for phage purification and propagation. Spot test and one-step curve were performed to determine host-phage interactions. For the evaluation of phage stability in environmental conditions, the phage was incubated at various ranges of temperature, pH, and chloroform.

    Results

    Out of the collected samples, 22 (44%) isolates were confirmed as K. pneumoniae. Among confirmed K. pneumoniae isolates, a total of 11 (50%) isolates were detected as hvKp. Moreover, 14 (64%) isolates were detected as MDR, out of which 5 (35%) isolates were among hvKp phenotypes. Maximum resistance was observed against ampicillin (86%) followed by ceftriaxone (81%) which was the highest among cephalosporins. The isolated bacteriophage showed a broad host range, short latent period, and stability. Overall, 16 isolates (85%) of K. pneumoniae were susceptible to phage infection, among which 12 isolates were MDR (75%); however, all 5 (100%) hvKp isolates were susceptible to phage infection. One-step growth analysis revealed a burst size of 190 phages/host bacterial cells with a short latent period of 24 minutes.

    Conclusions

    Altogether, the significant prevalence of hvKp was estimated in clinical settings, and the isolated bacteriophage showed significant lytic activity as it killed all the hvKp strains. Phage therapy might be exploited and used as a potential alternative therapeutic approach against infections caused by this resistant pathogen.

    Keywords: Bacteriophage, Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae, Antibiotic Resistance
  • Jalal Mohammadi, Maryam Zaeini, Marziae Shahriari-Namadi, Hamzeh Alipour* Page 6
    Background

    Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of the diseases caused by the Leishmania parasite, which is considered a health problem in Iran. Jahrom, a county in Fars province located in the south of Iran, is one of the endemic foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

    Objectives

    The present study investigated the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Jahrom between 2015 and 2019.

    Methods

    A descriptive-analytical study was performed to evaluate the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in patients referred to the Jahrom Health Center between 2015 and 2019.

    Results

    A total of 584 cases were identified, of which (347) 59.4% were males and (237) 40.6% were females. The acute cases were observed in all age groups, and the highest proportion was seen at less than 10 years of age. The numbers of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis from 2015 to 2019 were 180, 88, 117, 108, and 91, respectively. Cutaneous leishmaniasis was more common in autumn and winter. The proportion was higher in males and urban inhabitants. There was a statistically significant difference between the genders and places of residence (P < 0.05). Also, the highest proportion of lesions was on the hands (48.8%).

    Conclusions

    Based on the findings in Jahrom city, the proportion of the disease was higher in younger age groups, males, urban inhabitants, and autumn. The most common lesions were on the hands, feet, and face.

    Keywords: Epidemiology, Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Jahrom, Fars, Iran