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Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify specific rhino- and oropharyngeal microbiological pathogens as well as associated comorbidities that favor SARS-CoV-2 infection and corelate them. Materials and Methods: This prospective clinical study enrolled 61 patients (28 COVID-19-positive and 33 controls) who were tested for other comorbidities and co-existence of associated oral pathogenic microbiota. Results: A total of 247 bacterial isolates were identified in the bacterial cultures in both groups. Viral hepatitis type A was more prevalent in the COVID-19-positive group (p = 0.026), as was the presence of oral candidiasis (p = 0.006). In the control group, a moderate direct relationship was observed between the Beta hemolytic streptococcus group G and dermatitis, and strong direct relationships were observed between the Beta hemolytic streptococcus group G and external otitis, Streptococcus pyogenes and dental alveolitis, and Streptococcus pyogenes and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In the test group, strong direct relationships were observed between Hemophilus influenzae and pulmonary thromboembolism; Staphylococcus aureus and autoimmune thyroiditis; post-viral immunosuppression, chronic coronary syndrome, and hypernatremia; Beta hemolytic streptococcus group C and rheumatoid polyneuropathy; Beta hemolytic streptococcus group G and hyperkalemia, hypothyroidism, secondary anemia, and splenomegaly; and active oral candidiasis and SARS-CoV-2 viral pneumonia. The following relationships were strong, but inverse: Beta hemolytic streptococcus group G and acute respiratory failure, and active oral candidiasis and SARS-CoV-2 viral bronchopneumonia. Conclusions: Briefly, COVID-19-positive patients have the predisposition to build up associated comorbidities and coinfections, which can be the expression of the immune burden that this virus generates to the host.

Background and objective: Cervical cancer usually is caused by HPV 16. However, HPV 16 varies within type; different genotypes are described as prototype or variants. Prevalence of different variants differ according the geographic regions and has an unequal impact for cervical cancer development. Our study aimed to identify which variant of HPV 16 was most prevalent in biological samples taken from Lithuanian women with cervical cancer. Materials and methods: A total of 122 HPV 16 positive cervical samples (invasive cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) were investigated and sequenced to identify different variants. HPV 16 was detected using type specific PCR, exact sequence of the virus was obtained by viral DNA sequencing. Results: Adequate HPV sequence was detected in 106 cases from 122 (86.9% of all cases). After histological confirmation, 96 cases were included in the final analysis. In 33 cases (34.4%) HPV 16 prototype was detected; in 50 cases (52.1%), L83V variant; and in remaining 13 cases (13.5%), multivariant of HPV 16. The frequency of L83V variant in invasive cancer and carcinoma in situ samples was the same (66.7% and 62.0%, respectively; P = 0.696). Of analyzed multivariants, 10 were attributed to the European phylogenetic line; 1, to the North American, and 1, to the Asian-American. One sample was not attributed to any of the known phylogenetic lines. Conclusions: The European HPV 16 L83V variant is usually associated with high risk of cervical cancer among women. However, statistically significant difference was not achieved when comparing difference of L83V variants between investigated groups and in HPV 16 L83V variant and prototype distribution in CIN3/Ca in situ and cancer.