BACKGROUND: Rabies is a fatal infectious viral disease that affects all warm-blooded mammals, including humans. Rabid dogs are commonly found in Egypt. AIMS: By assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards R...BACKGROUND: Rabies is a fatal infectious viral disease that affects all warm-blooded mammals, including humans. Rabid dogs are commonly found in Egypt. AIMS: By assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards Rabies in Gharbia Governorate, Egypt, this KAP study aimed to improve knowledge of the populations dealing with infected wounds and rabid animals. It also aimed to generate baseline data that would be a reference for evaluating community awareness and aid in developing and administering appropriate rabies prevention strategies. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that was carried out from June 2020 to October 2022 to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of six different towns and villages from the El Gharbia government, Egypt, regarding rabies. A self-administered closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect the data from 326 participants by convenient sampling. The data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software version 21 using descriptive analysis and the Chi-square test. RESULTS: Most of the respondents (73.6%) had heard about rabies mainly from mixed sources (formal and informal sources). The bite was considered to be the only mode of transmission of rabies by 49.4% of respondents, and only 10.7% and 14.4% of respondents answered that it could be transmitted by scratching and saliva contact, respectively. Nearly half of the participants (52.1%) believed that biting and sudden changes in behavior are the clinical signs and symptoms of rabies in humans. Most of the participants (70.9 %) knew that rabies could be prevented by vaccination, but (57.1%) of them did not know about the almost 100% fatal nature of rabies once the clinical signs developed. Residency, educational status, and age were found to be significantly associated with KAP of rabies (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a need for educational campaigns and mass media programs in the El Gharbia government, Egypt to increase the awareness of the community about rabies.
<p>Background: With the emergence of vaccines for COVID-19, mortality and severity of disease have decreased. However, patients with certain comorbidities, such as immunosuppression, CKD, and renal transplant, still have...<p>Background: With the emergence of vaccines for COVID-19, mortality and severity of disease have decreased. However, patients with certain comorbidities, such as immunosuppression, CKD, and renal transplant, still have higher mortality rates as compared to the general population. Current data suggests that the risk of developing COVID-19 among transplant patients was reported to be about 5%, which is significantly higher than the risk rate of 0.3% in the general population. Studies utilizing larger sample sizes (i.e., multiple cohorts, sites, hospitals) comparing COVID-19 outcomes among renal transplant patients with a control group are lacking. <p> Objective: The purpose of this descriptive study was to compare the mortality rate between vaccinated and unvaccinated kidney transplant recipients. <p> Methods: Participants were recruited at a community-based transplant clinic in West Texas. <p> Results: Among the group of participants who tested positive for COVID-19 between 2020 and 2022, higher mortality rates and longer hospital stays were noted among those unvaccinated (72% unvaccinated had greater than 5-day length of stay vs. 33% vaccinated). <p> Conclusion: Our study suggests that vaccination against COVID-19 decreases mortality rates in kidney transplant recipients.</p>.
<p>Background: Ochrobactrum anthropi spp. is a non-enteric, aerobic gram-negative bacillus that has been reported to cause sepsis and occasionally bacteremia in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts. This bact...<p>Background: Ochrobactrum anthropi spp. is a non-enteric, aerobic gram-negative bacillus that has been reported to cause sepsis and occasionally bacteremia in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts. This bacterium is capable of surviving in various habitats, but due to its affinity for aqueous environments, is hypothesized to have an affinity for indwelling plastic devices and other foreign bodies. <p> Case Presentation: We report a case of a 66 y/o male with a history of polysubstance abuse disorder admitted for toxic metabolic encephalopathy and found to have bronchopneumonia and bacteremia secondary to infection resulting in sepsis and cardiopulmonary arrest. <p> Discussion: Ochrobactrum spp. is an unusual pathogen of low virulence and has been noted to cause bacteremia and occasionally sepsis in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. Isolation of this pathogen in the appropriate setting should be considered a true pathogen and treated as such to avoid sequela of this infection. <p> Conclusion: This case report and literature review suggest that appears more frequently as a pathogen in nosocomial infections than suggested in the literature.</p>.
INTRODUCTION: Salmonellae are gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic Enterobacteriaceae consisting of two species, and . Invasive diseases, such as meningitis, result in hospitalization, short and long-term complication...INTRODUCTION: Salmonellae are gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic Enterobacteriaceae consisting of two species, and . Invasive diseases, such as meningitis, result in hospitalization, short and long-term complications, and high mortality rates. CASE PRESENTATION: A 4-month-old baby girl was admitted to a district hospital because of diarrhea and fever. WBC count, urinalysis, urine cultures, and stool cultures were normal. She was treated with intravenous cefuroxime for 5 days. She was discharged on oral cefprozil for 5 days. After the end of therapy, she was admitted again to the same hospital with fever, diarrhea, vomits, and irritability. Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed pleocytosis, while was isolated. Empirical therapy with ceftriaxone, amikacin, and dexamethasone was started. Because of intracranial hypertension signs, she was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit of our tertiary hospital. Therapy continued with intravenous ceftriaxone. Brain MRI revealed subarachnoid space dilatation. Increased head circumference and pulsating bregmatic fontanel led to a new cerebral MRI, in which ventricular dilatation and extraparenchymal subdural collection were noted. Ceftriaxone was changed to cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin was added. She remained clinically well; her brain MRI, a week later, showed marked improvement, and the course of intravenous antibiotics for 5 weeks was completed. Her baseline immunodeficiency screening tests were normal and repeat MRI two months post-treatment cessation did not reveal the previous abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Invasive Salmonella diseases, such as meningitis, are very uncommon in industrial countries nowadays, and the optimal management is yet not well established. Late onset of complications from Salmonella meningitis warrants more thorough neurodevelopmental follow-ups.
BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is still one of the biggest causes of infection-related death around the world. Disseminated tuberculosis is a potentially fatal disease caused by the haematogenous spread of . First-line anti-tu...BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is still one of the biggest causes of infection-related death around the world. Disseminated tuberculosis is a potentially fatal disease caused by the haematogenous spread of . First-line anti-tuberculosis drugs include isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. The first three drugs are known to cause hepatotoxicity. CASE PRESENTATION: We have, herein, reported a case of Drug-induced Liver Injury (DILI) due to anti-tuberculosis therapy in a one-year-old male child with disseminated tuberculosis. He was started on a fixed-dose combination of Anti-tuberculosis Therapy (ATT; isoniazid 50 mg, rifampicin 75 mg, and pyrazinamide 150 mg) and pyridoxine 10 mg orally. Initially, liver parameters were normal, but later on with the course of the treatment, there was a rapid rise in liver enzymes, suggesting liver injury. DISCUSSION: The association between liver injury and anti-tuberculosis therapy has been confirmed by applying various causality association scales. It is obvious that proper treatment of disseminated tuberculosis can avoid the development of drug-resistant strains that can be harmful, worsening the prognosis as there are fewer therapeutic alternatives available. At the same time, there is a need to monitor the patient with ATT-induced DILI. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of tuberculosis in children is difficult because of the mild, nonspecific clinical presentation, which usually reflects the implicated underlying organ. In addition to prompt diagnosis and treatment of disseminated TB, careful monitoring is equally important.
It was in 2019 that the world experienced the devastation caused by SARS-CoV-2, contributing to a large number of deaths. This contagious virus not only challenged the health care system but has also hit the economy very...It was in 2019 that the world experienced the devastation caused by SARS-CoV-2, contributing to a large number of deaths. This contagious virus not only challenged the health care system but has also hit the economy very badly. There has been a lot of research on effective vaccine development, and there has been some success in the same, but no effective antiviral drugs are available in the market. No doubt vaccination can prevent the disease, but it doesn't have the potential to cure an infected person, for which there is a dire need to develop some effective drug. Angiotensin convertase enzyme 2 (ACE2) played a substantial role in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and thus has gained much attention during the pandemic. Moreover, it has opened up new avenues for the cure of COVID-19.
BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a major health problem worldwide and is associated with high morbidity and mortality with every hour delay in initiation of therapy. A conventional method of blood culture and Antimicrobial Suscepti...BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a major health problem worldwide and is associated with high morbidity and mortality with every hour delay in initiation of therapy. A conventional method of blood culture and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) takes around 48-72 hours. Empirical antibiotics need to be administered until the sensitivity report is made available. It has been estimated that 20-50% of the empirical antibiotics are inappropriate, resulting in prolonged hospital stays, adverse effects, and emergence of drug resistance. Additionally, this also puts an extra financial burden on both the patients and healthcare settings. Performing direct Antimicrobial Sensitivity Testing (dAST) is an important tool to reduce turn-around time (TAT) by at least 18-24 hours, thus reducing morbidity and mortality among critically ill patients. METHODS: Direct AST (dAST) was performed from the positively flagged blood culture bottles received between December, 2021 to May, 2022 from Intensive Care Units (ICUs) on Mueller- Hinton Agar (MHA) using four drops of withdrawn blood. dAST was performed for six drugs: Ceftriaxone-30 μg (CTR), Piperacillin/Tazobactam-100/10 μg (PIT), Meropenem-10 μg (MRP), Ciprofloxacin-5 μg (CIP), Aztreonam-30 μg (AT), and Colistin (CL). The zone of inhibition was interpreted as per CLSI M100 ed32, 2022 guidelines. A parallel conventional method was also performed to examine for categorical agreement and disagreement. Identification was carried out using MALDI-TOF MS from the colonies that appeared on the dAST plate on the subsequent day. RESULTS: A total of 162 positively flagged blood culture bottles were included in the study. The majority of the Gram-negative organisms were from (n=109), followed by Acinetobacter spp. (n=28) and (n=25). Out of the 972 isolate-antimicrobial combinations, overall Categorical Agreement (CA) was seen in 936 (96.3%), whereas disagreement was observed in 36 with minor error (mE) in 21 (2.2%), major error (ME) in 7 (0.7%), and very major error (VME) in 8 (0.8%) when compared to the routine method. Categorical agreement (CA) of > 99% was seen in ceftriaxone (CTR) and ciprofloxacin (CIP). In comparison, the lowest CA was observed with meropenem (MRP) at 92%. Colistin dAST was performed using the E-strip method, and the result obtained was highly convincing, with an overall disagreement of only 1.2%. CONCLUSION: Rapid dAST from positively flagged blood culture bottles proved to significantly reduce the TAT from the time of sample collection to the first availability of antimicrobial susceptibility report with excellent categorical agreement of > 95% using the conventional disc diffusion method. Results obtained were within the acceptance criteria set by U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines of > 90% categorical agreement for a new method. We were able to obtain excellent concordance for colistin using the E-strip method. Performing dAST not only saves a "day", but its proper implementation would save a "life".
BACKGROUND: Regarding scientific research, Imidazo[1,2-a] pyridine derivatives are constantly being developed due to the scaffold's intriguing chemical structure and varied biological activity. They are distinctive organ...BACKGROUND: Regarding scientific research, Imidazo[1,2-a] pyridine derivatives are constantly being developed due to the scaffold's intriguing chemical structure and varied biological activity. They are distinctive organic nitrogen-bridged heterocyclic compounds that have several uses in medicines, organometallics and natural products. It has become a vital tool for medicinal chemists. METHODS: In order to gather scientific information on Imidazo[1,2-a] pyridines derivative, Google, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and other databases were searched. In the current study, the medicinal value and therapeutic effect of Imidazo[1,2-a] pyridines were investigated using above mentioned databases. The current study analyzed the detailed pharmacological activities of Imidazo[1,2-a] pyridine analogs through literature from diverse scientific research works. RESULTS: Due to its wide range of biological activities, including antiulcer, anticonvulsant, antiprotozoal, anthelmintic, antiepileptic, antifungal, antibacterial, analgesic, antiviral, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antituberculosis, and antitumor properties, imidazopyridine is one of the most significant structural skeletons in the field of natural and pharmaceutical products. An imidazopyridine scaffold serves as the basis for a number of therapeutically utilized medications, including zolpidem, alpidem, olprinone, zolimidine, and necopidem. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive study covers the period of the last five years, and it sheds light on the developments and emerging pharmacological actions of Imidazo[1,2-a] pyridines. Additionally, the structure-activity relationship and molecular docking studies are carefully documented throughout the paper, providing medicinal chemists with a clear picture for developing new drugs.
Every year witnesses an outbreak of some or the other zoonotic disease that causes the unparalled loss of human life. The year 2022 presented the outbreak of Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), which brought unprece...Every year witnesses an outbreak of some or the other zoonotic disease that causes the unparalled loss of human life. The year 2022 presented the outbreak of Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), which brought unprecedented challenges to individuals as well as to the healthcare system all around the world, making it a serious health concern. Rising health concerns have highlighted the importance of managing and decreasing the further transmission of the CCHF virus. CCHF is one of tick-borne viral diseases, which spreads due to various reasons like changes in global warming, environmental influences, and other ecological factors. All these factors somehow impact the disease prevalence. This disease has a negative impact on both humans and livestock. The diverse climate and significant livestock population of India make it susceptible to the prevalence of CCHF. Therefore, it is the need of the hour to develop some strategies in order to tackle the challenges posed by CCHF. This article includes all the cases of CCHF that have occurred in India from the year 2011, along with the fatality rates associated with this disease. Also this study discusses the need to explore some specific drugs for the management and prevention of such diseases. In addition, the pathogenesis of the disease progression, along with some protective measures suggested by the government has been described for prevention of CCHF. Subsequently, this article attempted to draw attention towards the risk that may be posed by CCHF in the coming scenario, emphasizing the importance of taking proactive measures in anticipation of such risks.
BACKGROUND: The toxin-antitoxin system is a genetic element that is highly present in (MTB), the causative agent of tuberculosis. The toxin-antitoxin system comprises toxin protein and antitoxin protein or non-encoded R...BACKGROUND: The toxin-antitoxin system is a genetic element that is highly present in (MTB), the causative agent of tuberculosis. The toxin-antitoxin system comprises toxin protein and antitoxin protein or non-encoded RNA interacting with each other and inhibiting toxin activity. has more classes of TA loci than non-tubercle bacilli and other microbes, including chaperone system, and hypothetical proteins. AIMS: The study aims to demonstrate the genes encoded toxin-antitoxin system in strains from clinical samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis clinical samples were collected, and smear microscopy (Ziehl-Neelsen staining) was performed for the detection of high bacilli (3+) count, followed by nucleic acid amplification assay. Bacterial culture and growth assay, genomic DNA extraction, and polymerase chain reaction were also carried out. RESULTS: The positive PTB and EPTB samples were determined by 3+ in microscopy smear and the total count of tubercle bacilli determined by NAAT assay was 8.0×100 in sputum and 1.3×10 CFU/ml in tissue abscess. Moreover, the genomic DNA was extracted from culture, and the amplification of Rv1044 and Rv1045 genes in 624 and 412 base pairs (between 600-700 and 400-500 in ladder), respectively, in the H37Rv and clinical samples was observed. CONCLUSION: It has been found that Rv1044 and Rv1045 are hypothetical proteins with 624 and 882 base pairs belonging to the family of toxin-antitoxin loci. Moreover, the significant identification of TA-encoded loci genes may allow for the investigation of multidrugresistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis.
BACKGROUND: Malaria is still the deadliest parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium spp. Due to drug resistance and their unpleasant side effects, of conventional researchers are enormously seeking to achieve antimalarial...BACKGROUND: Malaria is still the deadliest parasitic disease caused by Plasmodium spp. Due to drug resistance and their unpleasant side effects, of conventional researchers are enormously seeking to achieve antimalarial drugs with more curative effective, less toxic and cost-affordable drugs using more advanced technology such as nanodrugs. PURPOSE: The present study aimed to examine the antimalarial effects of a novel synthesized nonochloroquine-loaded curcumin relying on dendrimer G2 in susceptible mice. METHODS: Antimalarial activity and toxicity of the nanocomposite were examined on BALB/C mice with microscopy, checking RBCs morphology and related enzymatic activity rate. RESULTS: The maximum inhibitory effect of the nanocomposite was seen at 10 mg/kg, killing 98% of compared to sole chloroquine, whereas ED50 was reported at 5.5 mg/kg. The safety of the synthesized nanocomposite was confirmed with biochemical tests with no detrimental effects on mice. The sustainability and longevity of the nanodrug increased significantly with the NDC-CQ assay compared to the control groups. CONCLUSION: The study showed that nonochloroquine-loaded curcumin had a promising inhibitory effect on growth in infected mice compared to standard drugs. However, further studies and clinical trials with large samples are recommended to study different aspects of using nanodrug.