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The Epstein-Barr viwrus (EBV) is a common herpesvirus that affects more than 90% of people worldwide. Even while EBV infections are frequently asymptomatic, they can cause autoimmune diseases and a number of cancers, especially in those with impaired immune systems. The intricate relationships between EBV and other coinfecting pathogens, including as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papilloma virus (HPV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Plasmodium species, are examined in this study. We investigated the fundamental processes of these coinfections, their effects on the course of the disease, and their practical ramifications. The study reviewed how co-infections with EBV might modify immune responses, promote oncogenesis, and make treatment plans more challenging. In this review, we also discussed current therapeutic strategies, such as targeted molecular interventions, EBV vaccines, and adoptive T-cell therapy. The review underscores the need for more research to provide more focused and effective therapies that address the mutually reinforcing effects of numerous infections in disorders linked with EBV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is one of the most common bacteria isolated from clinical samples, with a rising incidence in hospital infections. This pathogen is inherently resistant to many antibacterial agents. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of carbapenemase genes in P. aeruginosa strains isolated from patients admitted to hospitals in northwestern Iran. A total of 500 P. aeruginosa samples were collected from different clinical samples. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines, and the frequency of the target genes was assessed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The antibiotic resistance results of the samples by disc diffusion method showed that imipenem 98.4%, gentamicin 98%, meropenem 91.8%, amikacin 91.6% and cefepime 91% had the highest resistance; also, out of 500 P. aeruginosa isolates, 309 (61.8%) samples were carbapenemase producers. Using the PCR method, it was determined that the blaOXA-48 (39.16%), blaGES (31.72%), and blaIMP (22.01%) genes were the dominant genes. Our results showed that the prevalence of carbapenemase genes in P. aeruginosa strains isolated from patients admitted to hospitals in northwestern Iran is very high; indicating a need for effective infection control measures to prevent the spread of P. aeruginosa in hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viruses, bacteria and other microbes always try to disable our body system. Our immune system has a complex structure that continuously tries to defend our body against "foreign enemies". Microbes that infect other organisms encounter host immune responses and must overcome or evade innate and adaptive immune responses to successfully establish infection, providing fascinating insights into attack and escape. Many pathogens appear to have developed parallel pathways for escape, and several principles of escape are shared not only among members of the same genus but even among different organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. In this article, according to the recent findings, the unique escape strategies of microorganisms will be analyzed in more detail. Part of our immune system is responsible for clearing pathogens, either killing the pathogen directly or marking it for destruction by other immune cells. Therefore, it is possible to develop a new targeted therapy when the mechanism of microorganisms is fully understood. This review describes the mechanisms of interaction between the pathogen and its host in the context of infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is one of the most common hospital infections in which the emergence of antibiotic resistance and the prevalence of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) are considered major problems in the control of hospital infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of blaCTX-M, blaTEM, and blaSHV beta-lactamase genes in E. coli isolated from different clinical samples by the combined disk and multiplex PCR methods. E. coli isolates from different clinical samples were collected over six months and identified with the help of standard microbiological and biochemical tests. The antibiotic resistance of E. coli isolates was determined by the disk diffusion method. The production of beta-lactamases was evaluated by the combined disk method, and the presence of blaCTX-M, blaTEM, and blaSHV genes was assessed by the multiplex PCR method. From the total of 200 examined samples, 114 E. coli isolates (57%) were identified with the highest resistance to ceftazidime, amikacin, cefotaxime, and tetracycline (100%) and the lowest resistance to imipenem (3.5%) and ampicillin (14%). 58 isolates (50.88%) were ESBL positive by phenotypic test, of which 20 isolates (34.48%) contained the blaTEM gene and 15 isolates (25.86%) contained the blaCTX-M gene. No positive blaSHV gene was observed in the samples. The presence of beta-lactamase genes examined in this study along with the occurrence of antibiotic resistance indicates the spread of bacterial resistance in the study area and shows the importance of rational antibiotic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Gastric cancer (GC) is a major health problem worldwide. Several studies have shown the virus's role in cancer pathogenesis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in GC by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in hospitals in the East Azerbaijan province, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 100 tissue samples of paraffin-embedded, including GC (50 samples), benign gastric hyperplasia (25 samples), and a control group (25 samples) were collected from the archives of laboratories in East Azerbaijan province from April to October 2021. The IHC and PCR were used to detect the HPV virus. SPSS software version 22 and t-test and Chi-Square statistical tests were used for data analysis. Results: 8 out of 50 cancer samples were HPV positive by IHC and PCR. HPV-positive samples had a mean age of 62.87 ± 9.67. Men had the highest number of HPV-positive samples compared to women (5 samples vs. 3 samples). However, no viral genomes were observed in non-malignant and control samples. There was a significant relationship between HPV infection and GC (P=0.03). Conclusion: According to the present study's findings, the presence of HPV infection in GC plays an important role in the development of GC in the hospitals of East Azerbaijan province. Also, the results showed that PCR and IHC are both more sensitive and reliable in detecting HPV because the results of both IHC and PCR were the same. Hence IHC method can be used as an alternative to the PCR method to detect HPV oncoproteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meningitis and meningoencephalitis, as inflammatory diseases of the brain parenchyma, are serious events reported sporadically after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. However, there is a lack of systematic reviews consolidating these reported cases. By using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases. All case reports and series discussing the emergence of meningitis and meningoencephalitis after COVID-19 vaccination were included and evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool. Out of 967 records, 27 studies with 31 patients were eventually included. The most commonly reported symptoms were headaches and fever. About one-third of the patients exhibited positive meningeal signs. Most of the findings in the computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance images revealed no significant changes or enhancement in the leptomeninges. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis dominantly suggested aseptic meningitis, and about 80.6% of the patients experienced a full recovery. After a detailed review of the reported cases, further research is needed to establish a definitive correlation between meningitis and COVID-19 vaccination on a larger scale.