Background There is sufficient epidemiological and biological evidence of increased human susceptibility to viral pathogens such as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus and influenza virus, in cold weather. The pattern of outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China during the flu season is further proof that meteorological conditions may potentially influence the susceptibility of human populations to coronaviruses, a situation that may become increasingly evident as the current global pandemic of COVID-19 unfolds. Main body A very rapid spread and high mortality rates have characterized the COVID-19 pandemic in countries north of the equator where air temperatures have been seasonally low. It is unclear if the currently high rates of COVID-19 infections in countries of the northern hemisphere will wane during the summer months, or if fewer people overall will become infected with COVID-19 in countries south of the equator where warmer weather conditions prevail through most of the year. However, apart from the influence of seasons, evidence based on the structural biology and biochemical properties of many enveloped viruses similar to the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2 (aetiology of COVID-19), support the higher likelihood of the latter of the two outcomes. Other factors that may potentially impact the rate of virus spread include the effectiveness of infection control practices, individual and herd immunity, and emergency preparedness levels of countries. Conclusion This report highlights the potential influence of weather conditions, seasons and non-climatological factors on the geographical spread of cases of COVID-19 across the globe.

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AIMS: Evidence shows that diabetic patients may be predisposed to oxidative stress owing to increased glyco-oxidation and lipid peroxidation processes in consequence of chronic hyperglycemia. However, there is dearth of information whether glycemic control positively affects the antioxidant defense system in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We investigated the potential association between glycemic control and oxidative stress biomarkers in controlled and uncontrolled diabetic states. METHODS: After obtaining ethical clearance, we included patients receiving metformin with glycated hemoglobin A1c ˂7.0% (glycemic control); newly diagnosed T2DM patients without glycemic control with hemoglobin A1c ˃7.0%; and apparently healthy normoglycemic individuals. The following biomarkers were determined: fasting glycemia level, malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase activity, catalase activity, total antioxidant capacity and total cholesterol level. The comparisons between the groups were made by ANOVA. RESULTS: The participants were 260 in number: 80 with controlled diabetes, 80 uncontrolled and 100 controls. All participants were between 40 and 71 years old. Fasting glycemia level and hemoglobin A1c showed significant reductions (p<0.05) in controlled T2DM against the uncontrolled T2DM group, all the same both were significantly higher (p<0.05) against the controls. Likewise, malondialdehyde levels showed significant elevations (p<0.05) correspondingly in both uncontrolled and controlled T2DM against the controls, accompanied with significant reductions (p<0.05) in the antioxidative enzyme activities (glutathione peroxidase activity and catalase activity) and total antioxidant capacity levels against the controls. In addition, total cholesterol was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in controlled T2DM against both uncontrolled T2DM and controls, respectively. There were significant correlations between hemoglobin A1c and oxidative stress biomarkers (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: There was no remarkable difference in oxidative stress states between glycemic controlled and uncontrolled T2DM, despite differences in their fasting glycemia and glycated hemoglobin levels. Our data, therefore, suggest that chronic hyperglycemia and possibly anti-diabetic medicationmay both equally associate with oxidative stress.

Massive evidence showed that patients with diabetes have a high risk of urinary tract infections. We studied the frequency of potential urinary uropathogens among diabetic patients and identified their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. This was a prospective hospital-based study conducted at the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Igbinedion University Teaching Hospital, Southern Nigeria, between January 2014 and May, 2014. We included 240 previously confirmed diabetic patients (women, n=70 and men, n=170) who were regularly followed up without prior treatment with any antimicrobial therapy and within the age range of 26-75 years. Patient personal history data and midstream urine samples were collected. Urine samples were processed in the laboratory following a Standard Laboratory Protocol. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella spp. and Candida spp. were isolated in this study. A significant bacteriuria count was estimated in 12.5% of the sampled population, while 17.1 and 10.6% were estimated in females and males, respectively. Similarly, candiduria was found in female, male and total sample in 12.9%, 2.9%, and 5.8%, in that order. According to antimicrobial sensitivity testing, the Gram-negative bacilli isolated were highly sensitive to nitrofurantoin followed by ofloxacin, gentamycin and least sensitive to cefuroxime. Estimation of potential uropathogens among asymptomatic diabetic populations may avert possible urinary tract infections and their possible complications ultimately and thus prevent possible advanced renal diseases.

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