International Journal of Infection
Volume:9 Issue: 2, Apr 2022

Background: Simple sequence repeats (SSRs) are 1 - 6 bp repeat motif sequences present across both prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes with various clinical implications besides being tools for conservation and evolutionary studies. Objectives: Analysis of 33 Coronavirus genomes, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), for incidence, distribution, and complexity of SSRs patterns to understand their role in host divergence and evolution. Methods: Full-length genome sequences were extracted from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Extraction of microsatellites was done using imperfect microsatellite extractor (IMEx) in “Advanced Mode”. Sequences were aligned with MAFFT v6.861b and themaximum likelihood tree was inferred using RAxML v8.1.20 of the GTR + GAMMA+Imodel with default specifications. Results: A total of 3,442 SSRs and 136 complex sequence repeats (cSSRs) were extracted from the studied 33 genomes. SSR incidence ranged from 82 (CV09) to 144 (CV60). cSSR incidence ranged from 1 (CV42, CV43, CV53) to 11 (CV32). CV61 (SARS-CoV-2) had 107 SSRs and 6 SSRs. Di-nucleotide motifs were the most prevalent followed by tri- and mono-nucleotide motifs. TG/GT was the most represented di-nucleotide motif, followed by CA/AC. In tri-nucleotide SSRs, ACA/TGT was the most represented motif followed by CAA/GTT, whereas in mono-nucleotide SSRs, T was the most observed nucleotide, followed by A. About 94% of SSRs were localized to the coding region. Twenty species, including CV61 (SARS-CoV-2), exhibit mono-nucleotide repeats exclusively in the A/T region, which were clustered in phylogenetic analysis. The sequence similarity of the genomes was assessed through heat map analysis and revealed similar sequences are expectedly placed in proximity on the phylogenetic tree. Conclusions: Mono-nucleotide exclusivity to A/T region and SSR genome signature can be a possible basis for predicting the evolution of viruses in terms of host range.

Leishmaniasis, a cosmopolitan parasitic infection, is a sandfly-borne parasitic disease caused by different species of Leishmania. Many attempts have been made to discover effective and safe vaccines against leishmaniasis, but most of them are not accompanied by promising results. During the last decade, the characterization of new antigens for potential vaccine candidates based on classical and molecular protocols has been a hot research topic in immunological science. The present review focuses on the development and the status of various vaccines and potential vaccine candidates against leishmaniasis. Here, molecular approaches to leishmaniasis vaccine development are described. Also, implications and restrictions are discussed.

COVID-19, an acute respiratory disease caused and transmitted by SARS-COV-2 virus, has turned into a major global concern since 2019. In severe cases, the elevated levels of immune cells cause inappropriate responses. To date, no medications have been approved for COVID-19.

The present retrospective cohort study was designed and conducted in Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, Bandar Abbas, Iran, in 2020. Eligible patients with confirmed COVID-19 based on PCR test were included (n = 200) and allocated to two groups to receive interferon β1-a (IFNβ1-a) either in the first or in the second week of treatment (IFN week 1 and IFN week 2 groups, respectively). The primary objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of IFNβ1-a administration in the first and the second week of treatment on patient mortality. The secondary objective was to investigate the difference between the two groups in terms of laboratory data and length of hospitalization. The data were analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests.

The study population was divided into two equal groups. IFNw1 group received IFNβ1-a in the first week and IFNw2 group in the second week of treatment. The two groups matched in terms of baseline demographic data. The mortality rate was significantly lower in the IFNw1 group (13% vs. 18%; P-value = 0.01). At discharge, C-reactive protein (CRP) was clearly reduced in the IFNw1 group compared to the IFNw2 group (15 ± 12 vs. 24 ± 16; P-value = 0.02), but other lab variables did not show a significant difference between the two groups.

There was a relationship between IFNβ1-a administration time and the trend of recovery in patients with moderate COVID-19. Administration of IFNβ1-a in the first days of treatment can reduce inflammatory factors and mortality rates in these patients.

The prevalence of hepatitis B in the world differs from low (< 2%) to high (> 8%) in different areas. According to the CDC, more than 320 million people suffer from hepatitis. Viral Hepatitis causes more than one million deaths annually. It is a fatal disease alarming for Pakistan as well. Twelve million people suffer from hepatitis B and C, consisting of approximately 5% of the population in 2019.

This study aimed to study the prevalence of HBV and HCV, and the trends of treatment in positive cases.

This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study carried out at THQ Fort Abbas of Punjab, Pakistan, for six months. Camps were arranged, and samples were drawn from general population by pricking them on the finger, and hepatitis B and C screening were performed via Immunochromatographic test (ICT) rapid device method. Those found positive on ICT devices were interviewed.

Out of 3,058 people screened, 176 had a hepatitis infection. Overall prevalence was recorded at 5.75%, while the prevalence of HBV and HCV was recorded 2.68% and 3.07%, respectively. The prevalence was higher in male patients. Trends of treatment seemed opposite to expectation as almost 30% of the patient went to some other ways of treatment instead of coming to a doctor.

Prevalence recorded was lower than the last available data of Bahawalnagar fist but still more than Pakistan. Males were found more infected with hepatitis because of their social circle.

Decreased physical activity level (PAL) and consequent lifestyle alterations might induce cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Like many other chronic diseases, CVD attenuates the immune system, which in turn can affect the rate of COVID-19 infection and its severity.

This study aims to investigate the association between PAL and the rate of COVID-19 incidence in CVD patients.

The statistical population of this descriptive cross-sectional study included all CVD patients in Kermanshah, among which 727 individuals (371 men and 356 women) were randomly selected as the statistical sample. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) was used to assess the PAL. The independent t-test was used to compare men and women. Also, the association between variables was evaluated by the Pearson correlation coefficient test (using SPSS 24 at the significance level of P < 0.05).

No significant differences were observed in the PAL and the incidence of COVID-19 between men and women. There is also a significant positive association between low and severe PAL and the incidence of COVID-19 in men and women suffering from CVD. However, there was a significant inverse association between moderate PAL and the incidence of COVID-19.

This study demonstrated that moderate PAL might prevent or reduce the severity of COVID-19 in CVD patients by strengthening the immune system

COVID-19 is the serious ruin of the current century that emaciated health, economy, and everyday life.

This research assessed the condition and relation of tests, infections, recoveries, and deaths of SARS-CoV-2 from May 1 to June 30, 2021.

The research plan was carried out from May 1 to June 30, 2021 (N = 61 days) to state the position of Bangladesh towards widespread COVID-19. The information in this study was obtained from different government organizations.

The total cases, infections, recoveries, and deaths were 1100361, 149576, 136159, and 2864, respectively, during the study period. In May 2021, the total number of COVID-19 tests, infections, recoveries, and deaths was 439111, 36858, 49147, and 975, respectively. In June 2021, the total number of COVID-19 tests, infections, recoveries, and deaths was 661250, 112718, 87012, and 1889, respectively. The maximum number of COVID-19 infections was 1914 on May 4, recoveries 3870 on May 4, and deaths 69 on May 2. The minimum number of COVID-19 infections was 261 on May 15, recoveries 601 on May 16, and deaths 17 on May 26. The maximum number of COVID-19 infections was 8822, and recoveries were 4550 on June 30, while deaths were 119 on June 27. The minimum number of COVID-19 infections was 1447, and recoveries were 1667 on June 5, while deaths were 30 on June 3 and 7. In May and June, a positive correlation was observed between the tests and infections, recoveries, and deaths, and a negative relationship was found between a date with daily tests of COVID-19 (R2 = 0.8359, 0.2147, 0.1424, and 0.0035 and R2 = 0.6016, 1, 1, and 0.6488). At the 0.01 level of two-tailed Spearman, the relationships were positive and moderate to strong. The Spearman relationship for infections, recoveries, and deaths was 0.606, 0.756, 0.689, and 0.736. This research additionally showed a moderate to strong relationship between tests, infections, recoveries, and deaths of SARS-CoV-2.

COVID-19 has spread rapidly to 64 districts in Bangladesh. The continuing occurrence of COVID-19 infections has emphasized the importance of the quick and developed 118 laboratory diagnoses to limit its spread. In this situation, people should avoid public gatherings as much as possible and return home as soon as possible after finishing work.