Bacterial-Viral Interactions in Human Orodigestive and Female Genital Tract Cancers: A Summary of Epidemiologic and Laboratory Evidence

Infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, have been linked to pathogenesis of human cancers, whereas viruses and bacteria account for more than 99% of infection associated cancers. The human microbiome consists of not only bacteria, but also viruses and fungi. The microbiome co-residing in specific anatomic niches may modulate oncologic potentials of infectious agents in carcinogenesis. In this review, we focused on interactions between viruses and bacteria for cancers arising from the orodigestive tract and the female genital tract. We examined the interactions of these two different biological entities in the context of human carcinogenesis in the following three fashions: (1) direct interactions, (2) indirect interactions, and (3) no interaction between the two groups, but both acting on the same host carcinogenic pathways, yielding synergistic or additive effects in human cancers, e.g., head and neck cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, gastric cancer, and cervical cancer. We discuss the progress in the current literature and summarize the mechanisms of host-viral-bacterial interactions in various human cancers. Our goal was to evaluate existing evidence and identify gaps in the knowledge for future directions in infection and cancer.

The Cases of COVID-19 and Measles Co-Infection in Children

Relevance. The rapid spread of new pathogens inevitably leads to the occurrence of joint circulation with already known infectious agents, leading to the development of mixed infections. The simultaneous circulation of the pandemic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 with a highly contagious measles virus leads to the development of mixed infections in people who have not been sick or vaccinated against measles. Aims. Review cases of co-infection with measles and COVID-19 in Moscow. Material and methods. A retrospective study of cases of measles and COVID-19 co-infection in three children with a description of the epidemiological and clinical picture of the disease. Results. In all observed children, the manifestation of the disease was typical for measles, the diagnosis of COVID-19 was established based on a laboratory study carried out in a hospital, which gave reason to count. That the infection with SARSCoV-2 occurred after the infection of children with measles. Conclusions. Different incubation periods can lead to several options for the development of co-infection. The similarity of clinical symptoms at the onset of the disease does not allow excluding a certain infection clinically, without laboratory verification.

Genetic diversity in enhancer II region of HBV genotype D and its association with advanced liver diseases

Background Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is one of the most common human infectious agents, and the mutations in its genome may cause chronic hepatitis (CH), liver cirrhosis (LC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study was designed to characterize the enhancer-II (Enh-II) region of X gene in HBV positive patients to assess the association of such mutations with CH, LC, and HCC. Methods HBV positive samples (N = 200) with patients’ demographic and clinical data were collected from different regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. The Enh-II region of the HBx gene was sequenced and zanalyzed for polymorphism associated with advanced liver disease. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate potent mutations associated with a risk for LC and HCC. Results HBV Enh-II region sequences analysis revealed 25 different mutations. The highest frequency of mutations S101F (62.2%), A102V/R/G/I (56.25%), M103L/A (68.75%)were found in HCC, followed in LC and CH patients as 57.1%, 42.8%, 28.52% 16%, 15.2% and 18.4% respectively. H94 deletion in the α-box of the Enh-II region, associated with a high risk of HCC was found in half of the HCC patients. This deletion was present in 28.5% of LC and 6.5% of CH patients. Importantly, the high frequency of some notable mutations such as E109A/Y, A110S/K, Y111D/E, and F112L was first time reported in the entire study population. The frequencies of these mutations were high in HCC (43.75%, 37.5%, 50% and 43.75% respectively) as compared to LC (14.28%, 14.28%, 28.2% and 42.8%) and CH patients (12.8%, 15.2%, 16.8% and 16% respectively). Conclusion Mutations associated with LC and HCC are prevalent in the Enh-II region in Pakistani HBV isolates. The mutations found are alarming in CH patients as these may progress to LC and HCC in a large number of patients.

Virus-Like Particles: Revolutionary Platforms for Developing Vaccines Against Emerging Infectious Diseases

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are nanostructures that possess diverse applications in therapeutics, immunization, and diagnostics. With the recent advancements in biomedical engineering technologies, commercially available VLP-based vaccines are being extensively used to combat infectious diseases, whereas many more are in different stages of development in clinical studies. Because of their desired characteristics in terms of efficacy, safety, and diversity, VLP-based approaches might become more recurrent in the years to come. However, some production and fabrication challenges must be addressed before VLP-based approaches can be widely used in therapeutics. This review offers insight into the recent VLP-based vaccines development, with an emphasis on their characteristics, expression systems, and potential applicability as ideal candidates to combat emerging virulent pathogens. Finally, the potential of VLP-based vaccine as viable and efficient immunizing agents to induce immunity against virulent infectious agents, including, SARS-CoV-2 and protein nanoparticle-based vaccines has been elaborated. Thus, VLP vaccines may serve as an effective alternative to conventional vaccine strategies in combating emerging infectious diseases.

Crystal structures of FolM alternative dihydrofolate reductase 1 from Brucella suis and Brucella canis

Members of the bacterial genus Brucella cause brucellosis, a zoonotic disease that affects both livestock and wildlife. Brucella are category B infectious agents that can be aerosolized for biological warfare. As part of the structural genomics studies at the Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Disease (SSGCID), FolM alternative dihydrofolate reductases 1 from Brucella suis and Brucella canis were produced and their structures are reported. The enzymes share ∼95% sequence identity but have less than 33% sequence identity to other homologues with known structure. The structures are prototypical NADPH-dependent short-chain reductases that share their highest tertiary-structural similarity with protozoan pteridine reductases, which are being investigated for rational therapeutic development.

Antibacterial Potency of Black Garlic Extract from Allium sativum on Escherichia coli

Background: Diarrhea is still one of the global issues especially in developing countries. Diarrhea can be caused by either an infectious agent or a non-infectious agent. Escherichia coli is one of the infectious agents that is responsible for causing diarrhea. Garlic (Allium sativum) is a plant that has a good antibacterial activity potential because of its organosulfur and phenolic compound. Black garlic is the product of spontaneous fermentation of garlic that has improved its bioactive compounds. Content: Antibacterial potency of black garlic extract on Escherichia coli is shown on the resistance zone that formed where the lowest zone diameter is 9,67 mm while the highest zone is 24 mm. The fermentation of black garlic happened at the temperature of 70-80°C with 75-80% for 28-40 days. Conclusion: Black garlic is shown to exhibit antibacterial activity against bacteria such as Escherichia coli. This fermented product has the potential to be a therapeutic agent for diseases caused by Escherichia coli.

The Survey of Fungal Contamination in the Air Flowing Out of Air Conditioners (Coolers) in a Car

Background: Fungi are among the most important microorganisms in the air. The air conditioner (cooler) in a car can be an important reservoir for infectious agents, especially fungal species. The present study aimed to measure the fungal contamination in the air flowing out of air conditioners. Objective: In this study 138 cars including 69 Iranian-made cars and 69 cars made by foreign companies were examined. Methods: The plating technique was used. In this study, in each car, 2 plates were placed for 5 minutes when the air conditioner was on and also 2 plates were placed for 5 minutes when the air conditioner was off. Results: A total of 2442 colonies were isolated. The most common isolated fungi were Cladosporium spp. (25.55%), Penicillium spp. (6.14%) and Aspergillus niger (3.03%). The highest number of isolated fungal elements was observed in the Iranian-made cars during summer season (P-value<0.05). Furthermore, the growth rate of colonies on the plates placed on the front and rear seats of cars did not vary considerably (P-value > 0.05). Conclusion: Air conditioners of Iranian-made cars can be an important source for fungal transmission to the human respiratory system that is important, especially in susceptible people to allergic diseases and patients with immunodeficiency.

Vaccination Barriers for Adults

The growth of childhood vaccination in India has been increased over the past two decades as >25% of deaths due to infections are prevented with the help of vaccines. Vaccination is also recommended for adults where adult vaccination is mostly ignored in India. In India, childhood vaccination is considered the main priority, WHO has also issued guidelines for childhood vaccination. Generally, adults have less susceptible to traditional infectious agents but the probability of exposure to the infectious agents has increased. SO the problem of adult immunization should be considered. Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) in adults are more neglected. There are many reasons for the causes of the VPDs in adults. These can be prevented by immunization among adults. Each country should provide a proper guideline for adult vaccination. When it comes to India, our country doesn’t have proper guidelines for Adult immunization. As to decrease the morbidity and mortality in the life of a person the vaccine uptake for the immunization must be ensured. This article mainly focuses on the vaccine-preventable disease in India with the role of adult immunizations and the steps to ensure the betterment of the vaccine uptake among the adults.

Frequency of Infectious Agents after Bone Marrow Transplantation in Various Regions of Iran (2001 - 2017): A Systematic Review

Context: Infections are a major cause of disease and mortality in transplant recipients. Despite the studies conducted in Iran, no comprehensive and general research is available in this area. The present study aimed to determine the frequency of infectious agents in patients after bone marrow transplantation in Iran. Method: In this systematic review, relevant studies were selected based on type and objective, and data were collected from the articles published in Iran regarding the frequency of infectious agents after bone marrow transplantation in different regions of Iran. The studies were collected using systematic search methods. Results: In total, 11 studies were identified regarding infectious agents after bone marrow transplantation. Six studies were conducted in Tehran, three studies were performed in Shiraz, and Mashhad and Semnan provinces were the locations of two separate studies. Most of the case studies identified viral agents (54.5%; n = 6), followed by fungal infectious agents (27.3%; n = 3) and bacterial agents (18.2%; n = 2). Gram-positive bacteria (bacterial agents), cytomegalovirus (viral agents), and Candida and Aspergillus (fungi) had the highest frequency after bone marrow transplantation. Conclusions: According to the results, viral, fungal, and bacterial infectious agents were respectively most frequent in patients receiving bone marrow transplants. Gram-positive bacteria (bacterial agents), cytomegalovirus (viral agents), and Candida and Aspergillus (fungi) had the highest frequency after bone marrow transplantation.