Evaluation of the immune system status and hematological dyscrasias, among amphetamine and cannabis abusers at Eradah Hospital in Qassim, Saudi Arabia.

This cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the immune system status and hematological disturbances among individuals who abuse amphetamines and cannabis. Substance abuse, particularly of amphetamines and cannabis, has been associated with various adverse effects on the body, including potential impacts on the immune system and hematological parameters. However, limited research has been conducted to comprehensively assess these effects in a cross-sectional design. Additionally, fungal infections are on the rise internationally, and immune-compromised people are particularly susceptible. The study will recruit a sample of amphetamine and cannabis abusers (n = 50) at the Eradah Hospital in the Qassim Region of Buraydah and assess their sociodemographic and biochemical variables, including blood indices and differential WBC indices, liver, and kidney profiles. Additionally, 50 sputum samples in total were cultured for testing for fungus infections. To obtain the descriptive statistics, the data was imported into Microsoft Excel and subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS 22.0. Amphetamine and cannabis abuser's sociodemographic variables analysis observed that the majority (52%) were aged 18-30, with 56% in secondary school. Unemployment was a significant issue, and most had no other health issues. The majority (50%) had 5-10 years of abuse, while 32% had less than 5 years, and only 18% had been drug abusers for more than 10 years. There were significant changes (p < 0.001) in all different leukocyte blood cells, including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. Furthermore, a microscopic examination of blood films from individuals who misuse the combination of the medications "amphetamine and cannabis" reveals hazardous alterations in Neutrophils. Out of 50, 35 sputum samples showed positive growth on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) with chloramphenicol antibiotic, indicating a unicellular fungal growth. The present study explores the immune system and hematological disturbances linked to amphetamine and cannabis abuse, providing insights into health risks and targeted interventions. The findings complement previous research on drug users' hematological abnormalities, particularly in white blood cells. Routine hematological tests help identify alterations in homeostatic conditions, improving patient knowledge and preventing major issues. Further research is needed on multi-drug abuse prevention, early detection, and intervention. The cross-sectional design allows for a snapshot of the immune system and hematological status among abusers, laying the groundwork for future longitudinal studies. Key Words: Drug Effect, Immunity, Epidemiology, Oxidative Stress, Inflammation.

Fibromyalgia interventions, obstacles and prospects: narrative review.

This review aims to increase awareness and improve understanding, diagnosis, and management of fibromyalgia - a complex, distressing health challenge that significantly impacts people's lives due to its variable nature and lack of clear diagnostic markers. Healthcare professionals must assist those with this condition and improve their general quality of life. Further, they can do a lot to improve the lives of people with Fibromyalgia by resolving diagnostic hurdles, promoting collaboration, supporting patient advocacy, advancing medical technology, and adopting novel approaches.

An Evaluation of Urease A Subunit Nanocapsules as a Vaccine in a Mouse Model of Helicobacter pylori Infection.

Using removable silica templates, protein nanocapsules comprising the A subunit of Helicobacter pylori urease (UreA) were synthesised. The templates were of two sizes, with solid core mesoporous shell (SC/MS) silica templates giving rise to nanocapsules of average diameter 510 nm and mesoporous (MS) silica templates giving rise to nanocapsules of average diameter 47 nm. Both were shown to be highly monodispersed and relatively homogenous in structure. Various combinations of the nanocapsules in formulation were assessed as vaccines in a mouse model of H. pylori infection. Immune responses were evaluated and protective efficacy assessed. It was demonstrated that vaccination of mice with the larger nanocapsules combined with an adjuvant was able to significantly reduce colonisation.

Biofilm Formation in Campylobacter concisus: The Role of the luxS Gene.

Campylobacter concisus is a bacterium that inhabits human oral cavities and is an emerging intestinal tract pathogen known to be a biofilm producer and one of the bacterial species found in dental plaque. In this study, biofilms of oral and intestinal C. concisus isolates were phenotypically characterized. The role of the luxS gene, which is linked to the regulation of biofilm formation in other pathogens, was assessed in relation to the pathogenic potential of this bacterium. Biofilm formation capacity was assessed using phenotypic assays. Oral strains were shown to be the highest producers. A luxS mutant was created by inserting a kanamycin cassette within the luxS gene of the highest biofilm-forming isolate. The loss of the polar flagellum was observed with scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). Furthermore, the luxS mutant exhibited a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in biofilm formation, motility, and its expression of flaB, in addition to the capability to invade intestinal epithelial cells, compared to the parental strain. The study concluded that C. concisus oral isolates are significantly higher biofilm producers than the intestinal isolates and that LuxS plays a role in biofilm formation, invasion, and motility in this bacterium.

Genetic characterisation of Campylobacter concisus: Strategies for improved genomospecies discrimination.

Although at least two genetically distinct groups, or genomospecies, have been well documented for Campylobacter concisus, no phenotype has yet been identified for their differentiation and thus formal description as separate species. C. concisus has been isolated from a variety of sites in the human body, including saliva and stool samples from both healthy and diarrhoeic individuals. We evaluated the ability of a range of whole genome-based tools to distinguish between the two C. concisus genomospecies (GS) using a collection of 190 C. concisus genomes. Nine genomes from related Campylobacter species were included in some analyses to provide context. Analyses incorporating sequence analysis of multiple ribosomal genes generated similar levels of C. concisus GS discrimination as genome-wide comparisons. The C. concisus genomes formed two groups; GS1 represented by ATCC 33237T and GS2 by CCUG 19995. The two C. concisus GS were separated from the nine genomes of related species. GS1 and GS2 also differed in G+C content with medians of 37.56% and 39.51%, respectively. The groups are consistent with previously established GS and are supported by DNA reassociation results. Average Nucleotide Identity using MUMmer (ANIm) and Genome BLAST Distance Phylogeny generated in silico DNA-DNA hybridisation (isDDH) (against ATCC 33237T and CCUG 19995), plus G+C content provides cluster-independent GS discrimination suitable for routine use. Pan-genomic analysis identified genes specific to GS1 and GS2. WGS data and genomic species identification methods support the existence of two GS within C. concisus. These data provide genome-level metrics for strain identification to genomospecies level.

Occurrence and Characterization of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Processed Raw Foods and Ready-to-Eat Foods in an Urban Setting of a Developing Country.

Infections by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are gradually increasing in the community. In this study, we investigated a total of 162 food samples including 112 ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and 40 processed raw meat and fish samples collected from retail vendors in Dhaka, Bangladesh and determined the occurrence of toxigenic S. aureus and MRSA. Around 22% of samples were positive for S. aureus, RTE foods being more positive (23%) than the processed raw meat/fish samples (18%). Among 35 S. aureus isolates, 74% were resistant to erythromycin, 49% to ciprofloxacin and around 30% to oxacillin and cefoxitin. Around 37% of isolates were resistant to ≥3 classes of antibiotics and 26% of isolates (n = 9) were identified as MRSA. Majority of the isolates were positive for enterotoxin genes (74%), followed by pvl gene (71%), toxic shock syndrome toxin (tsst) gene (17%) and exfoliative toxin genes (11%). Multi locus sequence typing (MLST) of 9 MRSA isolates identified four different types such as ST80 (n = 3), ST6 (n = 2), ST239 (n = 2) and ST361 (n = 2). spa typing of MRSA isolates revealed seven different types including t1198 (n = 2), t315 (n = 2), t037 (n = 1), t275 (n = 1), t304 (n = 1), t8731 (n = 1) and t10546 (n = 1). To our knowledge, this is the first report entailing baseline data on the occurrence of MRSA in RTE foods in Dhaka highlighting a potential public health risk to street food consumers.

Microbiological quality assessment of milk at different stages of the dairy value chain in a developing country setting.

The main objective of the study was to assess the microbiological quality of milk at different stages of the dairy value chain from farm to the factory in Bangladesh. A total of 438 raw milk samples (387 from primary producers, 32 from collectors, 15 from chilling plants, 4 from local restaurants) and 95 commercially processed milk samples were collected from northern part of Bangladesh. Almost 72% (n = 280) of samples at producer level and 100% from both collectors (n = 32) and chilling plants (n = 15) were contaminated with coliforms while 57% (n = 220) of samples from producers, 91% (n = 29) of samples from collectors and 100% (n = 15) from chilling plants were contaminated with fecal coliforms. Around 31% (n = 119) of samples from producers were positive for E. coli whereas >60% (n = 20) and 100% (n = 15) samples from collectors and chilling plants, respectively were positive for E. coli. One quarter of samples from collectors were positive for B. cereus and coagulase positive staphylococci and 33% (n = 5) of samples from chilling plants were positive for both of these microorganisms. In case of commercially processed milk, 77% (n = 46) and 37% (n = 22) of pasteurized milk samples had a high aerobic plate count (APC) (104 CFU/ml) and coliform count (>10 CFU/ml), respectively. None of the samples was positive for Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., and Campylobacter spp. Among 158 E. coli positive raw milk samples, 9% (n = 14) contained pathogenic E. coli, and enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) and Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC) were found to be the predominant pathotypes. Of the 23 pathogenic E. coli identified from 14 samples based on their gene contents, >95% (n = 22) were resistant to at least one antibiotic and 13% (n = 3) of isolates were resistant to ≥3 classes of antibiotics. Several factors including the time of milking, hygiene practices of the producers, cow breed and amount of milk produced by the cow were found to be significantly associated with high APC of milk samples. In conclusion, both raw and commercially pasteurized milk are highly contaminated with fecal organisms. For intervention, more emphasis should be given at producer's level as microorganisms introduced to milk at this stage get the longest time for survival and multiplication.

Occurrence and characterization of multidrug-resistant New Delhi metallo-ß-lactamase-1-producing bacteria isolated between 2003 and 2010 in Bangladesh.

The purpose of this study was to screen for reduced susceptibility against imipenem and the presence of the New Delhi metallo-ß-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) gene in a collection of Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia coli, Shigella spp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae) from different surveillance studies between 2003 and 2010 at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh. None of the E. coli (n = 1789) and Shigella spp. (n = 90) isolated between 2009 and 2010 from stool samples was resistant or had intermediate susceptibility to imipenem. Among 127 extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing strains isolated during 2003-2009, three Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates (2.4 %) were resistant to imipenem and were positive for bla(NDM-1). All these NDM-1-producing strains were isolated in 2008 and were resistant to all antibiotics tested except for tigecycline and colistin. All three isolates were positive for bla(OXA-1) group, bla(CTX-M-1) group (bla(CTX-M-15)) and bla(SHV) genes, whilst two isolates were positive for 16S rRNA methylase (armA) and qnr (qnrB) genes. One isolate was positive for the bla(CMY) gene and one for the rmtB gene. The bla(NDM-1) gene was located on a conjugative plasmid of ~23-24 MDa. The PFGE patterns of the isolates were different from each other. This study highlights the occurrence of NDM-1-producing organisms in Bangladesh in 2008. The clonal diversity of the isolates and the transferability of bla(NDM-1) plasmids suggest a wider distribution of NDM-1-producing bacteria in Bangladesh.

Field evaluation of simple rapid tests in the diagnosis of syphilis.

The aim of this study was to detect the sensitivity and specificity of rapid syphilis diagnostic tests (immunochromatographic strip [ICS] test and rapid test device [RTD]) performed by low-skilled paramedics in field clinics and by highly-skilled technologists in laboratories and compare them with the gold standard (rapid plasma reagin [RPR] and Treponema pallidum haemagglutination [TPHA]) tests for diagnosis of syphilis. A cross-sectional study was conducted among female sex workers (FSWs) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from August 2004 to July 2005. Blood specimens were tested for syphilis using (i) ICS, (ii) RTD, (iii) RPR tests performed by low-skilled paramedics; and (i) ICS, (ii) RTD, (iii) RPR and (iv) TPHA tests by highly-skilled technologists. The sensitivity and specificity of the ICS and RTD test performed by low- and highly-skilled personnel were compared with the gold standard. A total of 684 FSWs were enrolled and the prevalence of syphilis among FSWs was 20.8% as determined by the gold standard. There was no significant difference in the performance of ICS test done by paramedics in the field when compared with the gold standard performed by highly-skilled technologists in the laboratory (sensitivity, 94.45%; specificity, 92.6%). The ICS test could fulfil the need for a non-invasive, rapid screening test for syphilis.

Sexually transmitted infections among brothel-based sex workers in bangladesh: high prevalence of asymptomatic infection.

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVE AND GOAL: The goal of this study was to study the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among brothel-based sex workers (SWs) in Bangladesh. STUDY: A cross-sectional study was conducted among SWs in 4 randomly selected brothels. A sociodemographic and behavioral survey and pelvic examination was conducted. Specimens including endocervical swab, high vaginal swab, and blood were collected and were examined for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, bacterial vaginosis candidiasis, and syphilis. RESULTS: A total of 439 SWs were enrolled and 49.6% had genital symptoms. Among all SWs, 17.5% were positive for N. gonorrhoeae; 15.5% for C. trachomatis; 7.5% for T. vaginalis, and 6.6% had active syphilis. A total of 67.4% SWs were positive for at least 1 cervical and/or vaginal infection. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of STIs/RTIs among SWs in brothels in Bangladesh is high. An intervention strategy addressing both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections and periodic screening of SWs for RTIs/STIs is essential for successful HIV and STIs prevention programs.