TYK2, IFITM3, IFNAR2 and OAS3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms among severe COVID-19 ICU patients in Morocco.

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.

[Contribution of CSF/serum immunofixation to the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system]. / Intérêt de l'immunofixation du couple LCR/sérum dans le diagnostic des maladies inflammatoires du système nerveux central.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system produce various and nonspecific symptoms. The diagnosis of these diseases is ultimately a clinical decision, although examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and other complementary tests such magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and evoked potentials can be contributive. One important aspect of these diseases is intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In order to determine the contribution of CSF/serum immunofixation to the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, we conducted a retrospective study in the biochemistry laboratory of the military instruction hospital Mohammed V. 363 CSF/serum samples were collected over a period of four years. RESULTS: Immunofixation was less sensitive than MRI for the diagnosis of inflammatory neurological disease (44% vs 87%), but was much more specific than MRI (97% for immunofixation vs 38%). The positive predictive value was higher that for MRI (85% vs 40%). The negative predictive value (80%) was close to that of MRI (86%). The bivariate analysis showed that immunofixation results could be predicted from clinical findings and complementary test results such as the index of Link, syphilis serology in CSF, and MRI. CONCLUSIONS/DISCUSSION: Semi-automatic Hydrasys immunofixation of CSF IgG is a technique exhibiting excellent diagnostic and analytical performance for the diagnosis of inflammatory neurological diseases.

[Resistance to fluoroquinolones and third generation cephalosporin of Escherichia coli isolated from urines]. / Etude de la résistance des souches d'Escherichia coli isolées dans les urines aux fluoroquinolones et aux céphalosporines de troisième génération.

OBJECTIVES: This study had for objective to assess the frequency of resistance to fluoroquinolones and to third generation cephalosporin in E. coli isolated from urines of consulting and hospitalized patients and to detect the rate of multiresistant E. coli strains. DESIGN: A retrospective survey was made over 3 years (1(st) January 2005 to 31(st) December 2007). Eight hundred and nineteen patients presented with UTI confirmed in the Rabat Cheikh Zayd Teaching Hospital. RESULTS: E. coli was the etiologic agent in 57% of reported UTI. The frequency of E. coli resistance to fluoroquinolones was 27% with a higher rate among hospitalized patients. We found that ten E. coli strains were producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and resistant to aminosides and fluoroquinolones. CONCLUSIONS: The resistance of E. coli to fluoroquinolones is becoming worrying among consulting and hospitalized patients. Ten strains multiresistant to fluoroquinolones and third generation cephalosporins, probably because of plasmids, were isolated. This increasingly frequent resistance mechanism should lead to a more careful use of first line fluoroquinolones for UTI.