No abstract

Colistin is considered as the last resort for treatment of bacterial infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (GNB). Colistin resistance can increase due to the spread of plasmid-borne mcr-1 gene. This study aimed to determine colistin susceptibility and to detect the presence of mcr-1 gene in the clinical isolates of GNB recovered from different clinical samples collected from

Background: Candida albicans (C. albicans) is considered a common fungal pathogen, many genes like HWP1 regulates formation of biofilm which is considered as an important mediator of pathogenicity of this organism. Objective: to assess the ability of C. albicans to form biofilm and to determine the association of hyphal wall protein 1 (HWP1) gene and biofilm forming ability of isolates. Methodology: This study was conducted on 30 C. albicans isolates. Detection of biofilm formation was performed by using tissue culture plate method then polymerase chain reaction was done to detect HWP1 gene. Results: Biofilm forming isolates were 14 (46.7%) among tested isolates while HWP1 gene was found in 13 isolates (43.3%). Regarding antifungal susceptibility all isolates were susceptible to Fluconazole, voriconazole, micafungin, and flucytosine, while 93.3% of isolates were found susceptible to amphotericin-B and caspofungin. Conclusion: The rate of biofilm formation among C. albicans is high and is highly associated to presence of HWP1 gene.

Background: Community-acquired urinary tract infection (CA-UTI) is considered from the most common bacterial infections that is caused by wide range of Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The increasing antimicrobial resistance and high recurrence rates of this infection threaten to increase the economic burden due to prolonged consumption of antibacterial agents. OBJECTIVE: Is to determine the susceptibility pattern of common pathogens causing CA-UTI in patients attending Ain Shams University Hospitals. Methodology: A total number of 385 midstream urine samples were collected from patients attending Ain Shams University Hospitals and subjected to conventional microbiological work up to isolate pathogens causing UTI. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done for isolates and the results were interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines 2022. Results: From collected samples, 232 (60.3%) yielded significant growth, while 153 (39.7%) samples yielded insignificant or no growth after 48 hours incubation period. Most of isolated pathogens were retrieved from female patients (70.25%). The most common isolated pathogens were E. coli 105 (45.25%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 45 (19.4%). Most isolates were susceptible to carbapenems and aminoglycosides. Least susceptibility was recorded to penicillin group. Conclusion: CA-UTI is more common in females and is mainly caused by E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Reporting pattern of Antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens causing CA-UTI is crucial for better prescription of empirical treatment.

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is considered the prototype of neurodegenerative diseases affecting around 2 million people worldwide. MS was marked primarily as an IL-17-mediated autoimmune disease, the hallmark cytokine of T helper (Th) 17 cells. Th 17 cells are considered as one of MS key effectors through the IL-23/IL-17 axis. Objectives: To investigate IL-23 receptor expression on Th17 cells with assessment of serum IL-17 level and their implication in MS relapse. Methodology: Patients included 22 MS patients in remission, 22 MS patients in active relapse and 22 healthy controls. Clinical assessment of the expanded disability severity scale (EDSS) for included patients. All groups were subjected to flow-cytometric analysis to assess expression of IL-23 receptor (IL-23R) on CD4 + T cells and measurement of serum IL-17A level by using ELISA. Results: MS patients during active relapse had a higher IL-17A serum level, and a higher percentage of IL-23R + CD4 + T cells with increased IL-23R expression density on CD4 + T cells compared to patients in remission and controls. Conclusion:The results reflected Th 17 key role in MS immune pathogenesis. Thus, the IL-23/IL-17 axis can be a potential target for immunomodulatory therapies ameliorating the Th17 mediated autoimmunity through novel treatments for those patients.