ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the potential correlation between specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (TYK2, IFITM3, IFNAR2, and OAS3 variants) and the severity of COVID-19 in Moroccan patients. METHODS: A genetic analysis was conducted on 109 patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection in Morocco. Among these patients, 46% were hospitalized in the intensive care unit, while 59% were not hospitalized. Importantly, all patients lacked known risk factors associated with COVID-19 severity. Genotyping was performed to identify variations in TYK2 rs74956615, IFITM3 rs12252, IFNAR2 rs2236757, and OAS3 rs10735079. Statistical analysis was applied using codominant, dominant and recessive logistic regression models to assess correlations with COVID-19 severity. RESULTS: Our findings revealed no significant correlation between TYK2 rs74956615, IFITM3 rs12252, IFNAR2 rs2236757, and OAS3 rs10735079 with COVID-19 severity in Moroccan patients, as indicated in logistic regression models (p > .05). Interestingly, these results may offer insights into the mitigated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the reduced severity observed in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients in Morocco. Age, however, exhibited a significant correlation with severity (p < .001), with a trend towards increased likelihood of ICU admission with advancing age. Additionally, In the severe group, a higher proportion of patients were females (54%), indicating a statistically significant correlation with disease severity (p = .04). Nevertheless, female ICU patients aged above 60 years accounted for 37%, compared to 17% for males. CONCLUSION: This study underscores the absence of a genetic association between the selected polymorphisms and COVID-19 severity in Moroccan patients. Advanced age emerges as the primary factor influencing the severity of COVID-19 patients without comorbidities. We recommend setting the threshold for advanced age at 60 years as a risk factor for severe forms of COVID-19.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Intensive Care Units , Membrane Proteins , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , RNA-Binding Proteins , Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta , Severity of Illness Index , TYK2 Kinase , Humans , Female , Male , COVID-19/genetics , COVID-19/epidemiology , Morocco/epidemiology , Middle Aged , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Adult , RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , TYK2 Kinase/genetics , Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta/genetics , Aged , 2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase/genetics , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Genetic Predisposition to DiseaseABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Dental caries represents a problem of public health in Morocco and the reduction of this pathology is a priority of the Ministry of Health. The use of fluoride toothpastes is, at present, recognized as being an effective means for the prevention of dental caries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] The aim of our study was to verify the correspondence of the information marked on packagings with the international standards, but also to determine using potentiometry the quantity of fluorine presents in toothpastes marketed in Morocco from three origins: pharmacies, hypermarkets and ambulant sellers. RESULTS: The study concerned 56 toothpastes, 73.2% of toothpastes respect the standards of the concerning WHO dates of manufacturing and lapsing. The type of fluoride was specified only on 67.8% of packagings and the used concentration of fluoride was indicated only in 62.5% of the tested samples. For 56 studied toothpastes, the results revealed that if we take into account standards recommended by the WHO and the European Union, only 57.1% of toothpastes could have an effect dental caries. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that there is a real need of quality control of fluoride toothpastes sold in Morocco especially those of the itinerant market.
