Introduction: Following the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing attention has been directed toward host genetic factors that influence disease severity. The interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) plays a key role in restricting viral entry, and its rs12252 polymorphism has been linked to impaired antiviral defense and adverse clinical outcomes. Investigating rs12252 in the Syrian population may help clarify genetic determinants of COVID-19 progression. Methodology: A cohort study was conducted in Syria, including 82 COVID-19 patients, who were clinically classified into two groups: severe (n = 41) and moderate (n = 41). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples, and genotyping of the IFITM3 rs12252 polymorphism was performed using MscI restriction enzyme digestion. Genotype distributions were analyzed to evaluate potential associations with disease severity. Results: The frequency of the IFITM3 rs12252 C allele was higher in patients with severe COVID-19 (37.8%) compared to patients with moderate disease (29.3%). A statistically significant association was observed between the TC genotype (compared with TT and CC genotypes) and ICU admission (OR = 6.94; 95% CI: 1.48–32.54; p = 0.0033). After adjusting for age, the association remained significant (OR = 4.83; 95% CI: 0.93–25.09; p = 0.037). Conclusions: These findings suggest that the IFITM3 rs12252 C allele is associated with severe COVID-19 outcomes in the Syrian cohort. Screening for this variant may assist in early risk stratification and support personalized management strategies, particularly in resource-limited settings.
Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints. It is recommended to start disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) as soon as RA diagnosis is confirmed. The role of zinc, copper, magnesium, and ceruloplasmin on vaccine-induced immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses remains uncertain, particularly in the context of RA patients receiving ongoing immunosuppressive treatments. This study aimed to explore the association between baseline levels of these trace elements and IgG responses in RA patients following the second dose of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccine, within a 12–16-week interval. It also examined how DMARD treatments and trace element status relate to vaccine-induced immune responses, by comparing to a healthy control group. Methodology: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted including 79 RA patients and 47 healthy controls. Serum levels of zinc, copper, magnesium, ceruloplasmin, and IgG were measured. Results: Significant differences in zinc, copper, and magnesium levels were observed between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals within both patient and control groups (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant associations between IgG positivity and trace element levels within any group (p > 0.05). Similarly, IgG positivity was not significantly associated with biological or non-biological treatment intake (p = 0.439). Conclusions: COVID-19 mRNA vaccines produced a broadly consistent humoral immune response across participants, regardless of zinc, copper, magnesium, and ceruloplasmin levels. There were no significant associations between trace element status, RA treatment, and long-term antibody durability; suggesting that humoral immunity may be maintained across different nutritional and therapeutic profiles.
Introduction: Early detection of increases in carbapenem resistance among Enterobacteriaceae infections due to the widespread use of antibiotics is crucial. This study aimed to identify carbapenemase resistance genes in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates using the GeneXpert Carba-R Panel (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, USA). Methodology: A total of 120 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates collected between January and June 2022 at the Microbiology Laboratory of Erzincan Mengücek Gazi Training and Research Hospital were included. The samples were cultured, and then incubated at 37 °C for 24–48 hours. Species-level identification and carbapenem resistance were determined using the VITEK MS and VITEK 2 automated systems (bioMérieux, Marcy l’Étoile, France). Carbapenemase gene detection was performed using the GeneXpert Carba-R assay, and antibiotic susceptibility testing was conducted according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) guidelines (version 12.0, 2022) using the VITEK 2 system. Results: The most common carbapenemase genes detected were blaOXA-48 (65.0%), blaKPC (14.2%), blaNDM (4.2%), and blaVIM (1.7%). Additionally, combinations of resistance genes were observed in 3.3% (blaVIM + blaOXA-48 + blaKPC), 2.5% (blaOXA-48 + blaKPC), and 0.8% (blaVIM + blaKPC) of isolates. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated species (116). All the isolates were resistant to ertapenem. The most effective antibiotics were colistin, imipenem, amikacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, in descending order of effectiveness. Conclusions: The findings provide essential insights into alternative treatment options and surveillance of resistance to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. The results may also serve as a reference for future comparative studies and aid in developing effective infection control strategies.
Introduction: Proteus mirabilis is a common opportunistic pathogen in wound and urinary tract infections (UTIs), whose clinical significance is driven by biofilm formation. This virulence-mediated process provides a shield against antimicrobials and host immunity, promoting difficult-to-treat infections. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between biofilm-forming capacity, presence of virulence genes, and antibiotic resistance profiles in P. mirabilis isolates. Methodology: A total of 76 P. mirabilis isolates from urine and wound samples were analyzed. Isolates were identified using MALDI-TOF MS, antimicrobial susceptibility was tested via VITEK®2, biofilm formation was measured using the crystal violet method, and the presence of virulence genes (ureC, ireA, zapA, rsbA, flaA, atfA, ucaA, and hpmA) was analyzed by PCR. Results: Wound isolates showed significantly enhanced biofilm production and higher resistance rates to multiple antibiotics. Moderate-to-strong biofilm production was significantly associated with catheterization, the presence of the zapA, atfA, and ucaA genes, and increased resistance to ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SXT). The presence of the hpmA gene showed a borderline association with TMP-SXT resistance. The presence of the rsbA gene was significantly associated with a reduced likelihood of ertapenem resistance, suggesting a role in modulating porin-mediated antibiotic uptake. Conclusions: Biofilm-mediated resistance is a significant barrier to managing P. mirabilis infections, particularly in wounds and catheter-associated UTIs. The presence of specific genes in moderate-to-strong biofilm producers indicates their products are integral to the structural integrity and the functional capacity of the biofilm. The inverse relationship between rsbA and carbapenem resistance warrants further investigation as a biomarker for susceptibility.
Introduction: This study investigated the effects of the probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae on Candida parapsilosis biofilm formation and antifungal susceptibility in vitro and evaluated its potential to enhance antifungal efficacy in a murine candidiasis model. Methodology: C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019 and S. cerevisiae ATAFM-2021 were tested with fluconazole (FLU), caspofungin (CAS), and amphotericin B (AMB). Biofilm formation was quantified using the crystal violet assay under mono- and co-culture conditions with different inoculation timings. Antifungal susceptibility was assessed by microbroth dilution and checkerboard methods, and interactions were interpreted using the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICi). In vivo candidiasis was induced in BALB/C mice. Antifungals were administered intraperitoneally for five days starting 24 hours after infection, while the probiotic was supplied in drinking water either 14 days before infection or
