Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology
Volume:17 Issue: 1, Jan 2024

 Alterations in cytokine and chemokine levels during SARS-CoV-2 infection may serve as indicators of disease severity.

 This study aimed to evaluate the levels of plasma cytokines and chemokines in patients with COVID-19.

 The study included 120 COVID-19 patients, divided into severe, mild, and recovered categories (n = 40 for each group). Plasma levels of cytokines such as interleukin 8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were measured using ELISA, while chemokines like monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) were quantified through qRT-PCR.

 A higher incidence of positive biomarkers IL-8, TNF-α, MCP-1, and PD-1 was observed in the severe group compared to the mild and recovered groups. Notably, the expression levels of PD-1 and MCP-1 were significantly elevated in severely infected individuals relative to those in healthy subjects. A strong positive correlation was also noted between PD-1 and MCP-1 levels in cases of severe infection.

 The findings suggest that MCP-1, PD-1, TNF-α, and IL-8 could act as biomarkers for assessing the severity of COVID-19 infections. These results aim to deepen our understanding of the immunopathological mechanisms at play in this disease.

 Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) is a widespread opportunistic gynecological condition resulting from infections by Candida albicans and non-C. albicans (NAC) species. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), a significant cytokine involved in cell-mediated immunity (CMI), plays a crucial role in vaginal infections.

 The current study was conducted to evaluate the differences in TGF-β gene expression between patients with RVVC and healthy individuals using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

 This case-control study involved 124 patients diagnosed with RVVC and 225 age-matched healthy individuals as controls. The mRNA expression of the TGF-β gene was measured using quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR). Data analysis and the creation of graphs were carried out using SPSS and GraphPad PRISM software.

 The QRT-PCR findings showed higher TGF-β expression in RVVC patients compared to the control group, though the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.2538).

 Our study revealed that the expression of the TGF-β1 isoform was elevated in patients with clinical manifestations in the vagina, although the increase was not statistically significant. Based on this outcome, further in vivo studies are necessary to elucidate the precise role of TGF-β isoforms in the vaginal tract of patients with RVVC.

 Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes immune system dysregulation and a systemic cytokine storm. Under healthy conditions, T helper cells protect against intracellular pathogens, extracellular parasites, and extracellular bacteria.

 For the novelty of our study, little is known regarding the balance of T cell subtypes and responses in two forms of COVID-19 in our country. We investigated whether there was a relationship between T cell subtype frequency and cytokines by COVID-19 severity.

 Forty-six PCR-confirmed severe (n = 30) and moderate (n = 16) COVID-19 patients and 13 sex- and age-matched healthy control (HC) subjects were enrolled. Immunophenotyping of T cell subsets and related serum cytokines was performed using flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively.

 There was a significantly lower frequency of CD8+Tbet+ (P < 0.01) T cells in the severe group compared to HC. Also, there was a significantly lower frequency of CD4+GATA3+ (P < 0.001) and CD8+Tbet+ (P < 0.001) T cells in the severe group compared to the moderate group. Moreover, receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed a considerable correlation between CTL (CD8+T-bet+) subtypes and the severity of the disease. Severe COVID-19 disease was associated with reduced interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-2 concentration and increased IL-5 and IL-6 concentration.

 Reduced systemic levels of IL-2 can trigger decreased numbers of Th1 and Th2 cells, and in contrast to elevated IL-5 and IL-6, the numbers of Th2 cells did not increase in these cases.

 The potential impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on male fertility is a complex and evolving area of research. Although there is some evidence to suggest that the virus might have negative effects on semen from mild to moderate symptoms or recovery of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and might induce epididymal-orchitis, further research is needed to definitively determine the risks.

 This study aimed to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA) in semen and to determine any possible implications of SARS-CoV-2 infection on semen parameters and genital tract complications.

 Thirty-two subjects with a real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) cycle threshold (Ct) value of less than 20 were recruited, and semen samples were collected. Additionally, testicular discomfort and urogenital abnormality were assessed.

 No SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in the seminal sample of men; however, semen quality impairment was detected, especially in patients with Ct values less than 15 in the upper respiratory tract. Total sperm count, the number of motile spermatozoa, progressive motility, and the percentage of normal morphology were significantly reduced. Acute epididymo-orchitis and testicular tenderness were observed in 4 patients in the acute stage of the disease.

 This study showed no evidence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in semen, suggesting that sexual transmission of the virus is unlikely. However, semen quality impairment was observed in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, particularly those with higher viral loads. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 affects male fertility and develop effective interventions to protect men's reproductive health during the pandemic.

 Vibrio vulnificus is a pathogen that usually induces serious infections and even life-threatening diseases. It might delay the diagnosis and targeted treatment of V. vulnificus infection due to early atypical symptoms and low incidence.

 A 73-year-old woman with cerebral infarction developed necrotizing fasciitis with septic infection after admission. The patient developed rapidly progressive symptoms of the right lower limb, nausea and vomiting, hypotension, and liver and kidney function insufficiency on day 10 of hospitalization. Laboratory tests showed a significant increase in infection indicators, and blood cultures showed V. vulnificus growth. Early anti-infective drugs showed a gradual decline in the infection indexes but an aggravation trend in the right lower extremity lesions. The antibiotic regimen was adjusted to cephalosporin combined with quinolones, and local incision decompression and drainage were performed. The patient's infection was controlled, and the local lesion shrank.

 This case report suggests the importance of referring to the results of drug sensitivity and choosing proper antibiotics in consideration of various factors, such as the infected site of the patient and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) characteristics of antibiotics for V. vulnificus infection. Meanwhile, the timing of surgical intervention is also crucial for the necrotizing fasciitis caused by V. vulnificus.

 Psittacosis represents a systemic infectious ailment primarily characterized by respiratory manifestations; however, the clinical presentation exhibits considerable diversity, posing challenges in promptly identifying this disease with its nonspecific features. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) serves as a valuable tool enabling expeditious pathogen identification and facilitating targeted therapeutic interventions.

 An instance pertinent to this context involves a septuagenarian female patient who sought admission to Zhejiang Hospital on account of presenting with elevated body temperature, respiratory distress, and signs of altered mental state. Despite the initiation of empiric antibiotic therapy as the primary medical intervention, the patient's condition displayed a progressive deterioration. Notably, a subsequent investigation endeavor employing mNGS identified the presence of the Chlamydophila psittaci nucleic acid sequence, causative of psittacosis, within both her bloodstream and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The subsequent therapeutic administration of doxycycline not only elicited a marked amelioration in her clinical status but also facilitated her eventual discharge from our care.

 The coexistence of psittacosis lung infection and cerebral vasculitis is rare. Thorough documentation and analysis of such cases are essential for enhanced understanding and clinical consideration. In such cases where the infection is severe but does not respond to empirical antimicrobial therapy, mNGS can help with the diagnosis to identify the pathogen and target treatment.