Background: The emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) resulted in a worldwide devastating effect with a diagnostic challenge. Identifying risk factors of severity aids in assessment for the need of early hospitalization. We aimed to demonstrate, for the first time, the clinical, laboratory and radiological characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, to identify the predictors of severity and to describe the antimicrobial resistance profile in patients from Upper Egypt. Materials and methods: Demographic characters, clinical presentations, laboratory, and radiological data were recorded and analyzed. Presence of other respiratory microorganisms and their sensitivity patterns were identified using the VITEK2 system. Resistance-associated genes were tested by PCR. Results: The study included 260 COVID-19 patients. The majority were males (55.4%) aged between 51 and 70 years. Hypertension, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease were common comorbidities. Main clinical manifestations were fever (63.8%), cough (57.7%), dyspnea (40%) and fatigue (30%). According to severity, 51.5% were moderate, 25.4% mild and 23% severe/critical. Lymphopenia, elevated CRP, ferritin, and D-dimer occurred in all patients with significantly higher value in the severe group. Age >53 years and elevated ferritin ≥484 ng/mL were significant risk factors for severity. About 10.7% of the COVID-19 patients showed bacterial and/or fungal infections. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Staphylococcus aureus were the predominant isolated bacteria while Candida albicans and Candida glabrata were the predominant isolated fungi. All Staphylococci were methicillin-resistant and carried the mecA gene. Gram-negative isolates were multidrug-resistant and carried different resistance-associated genes, including NDM-1, KPC, TEM, CTX-M, and SHV. Conclusion: Older age and elevated serum ferritin were significant risk factors for severe COVID-19. Bacterial co-infection and multidrug resistance among patients with COVID-19 in Upper Egypt is common. Testing for presence of other co-infecting agents should be considered, and prompt treatment should be carried out according to the antimicrobial sensitivity reports.

Background: The emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) resulted in a worldwide devastating effect with a diagnostic challenge. Identifying risk factors of severity aids in assessment for the need of early hospitalization. We aimed to demonstrate, for the first time, the clinical, laboratory and radiological characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, to identify the predictors of severity and to describe the antimicrobial resistance profile in patients from Upper Egypt. Materials and methods: Demographic characters, clinical presentations, laboratory, and radiological data were recorded and analyzed. Presence of other respiratory microorganisms and their sensitivity patterns were identified using the VITEK2 system. Resistance-associated genes were tested by PCR. Results: The study included 260 COVID-19 patients. The majority were males (55.4%) aged between 51 and 70 years. Hypertension, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease were common comorbidities. Main clinical manifestations were fever (63.8%), cough (57.7%), dyspnea (40%) and fatigue (30%). According to severity, 51.5% were moderate, 25.4% mild and 23% severe/critical. Lymphopenia, elevated CRP, ferritin, and D-dimer occurred in all patients with significantly higher value in the severe group. Age >53 years and elevated ferritin ≥484 ng/mL were significant risk factors for severity. About 10.7% of the COVID-19 patients showed bacterial and/or fungal infections. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Staphylococcus aureus were the predominant isolated bacteria while Candida albicans and Candida glabrata were the predominant isolated fungi. All Staphylococci were methicillin-resistant and carried the mecA gene. Gram-negative isolates were multidrug-resistant and carried different resistance-associated genes, including NDM-1, KPC, TEM, CTX-M, and SHV. Conclusion: Older age and elevated serum ferritin were significant risk factors for severe COVID-19. Bacterial co-infection and multidrug resistance among patients with COVID-19 in Upper Egypt is common. Testing for presence of other co-infecting agents should be considered, and prompt treatment should be carried out according to the antimicrobial sensitivity reports.

Background: The emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) resulted in a worldwide devastating effect with a diagnostic challenge. Identifying risk factors of severity aids in assessment for the need of early hospitalization. We aimed to demonstrate, for the first time, the clinical, laboratory and radiological characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, to identify the predictors of severity and to describe the antimicrobial resistance profile in patients from Upper Egypt. Materials and methods: Demographic characters, clinical presentations, laboratory, and radiological data were recorded and analyzed. Presence of other respiratory microorganisms and their sensitivity patterns were identified using the VITEK2 system. Resistance-associated genes were tested by PCR. Results: The study included 260 COVID-19 patients. The majority were males (55.4%) aged between 51 and 70 years. Hypertension, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease were common comorbidities. Main clinical manifestations were fever (63.8%), cough (57.7%), dyspnea (40%) and fatigue (30%). According to severity, 51.5% were moderate, 25.4% mild and 23% severe/critical. Lymphopenia, elevated CRP, ferritin, and D-dimer occurred in all patients with significantly higher value in the severe group. Age >53 years and elevated ferritin ≥484 ng/mL were significant risk factors for severity. About 10.7% of the COVID-19 patients showed bacterial and/or fungal infections. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Staphylococcus aureus were the predominant isolated bacteria while Candida albicans and Candida glabrata were the predominant isolated fungi. All Staphylococci were methicillin-resistant and carried the mecA gene. Gram-negative isolates were multidrug-resistant and carried different resistance-associated genes, including NDM-1, KPC, TEM, CTX-M, and SHV. Conclusion: Older age and elevated serum ferritin were significant risk factors for severe COVID-19. Bacterial co-infection and multidrug resistance among patients with COVID-19 in Upper Egypt is common. Testing for presence of other co-infecting agents should be considered, and prompt treatment should be carried out according to the antimicrobial sensitivity reports.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis globally. HEV belongs to the Hepeviridae family and at least five genotypes (gt) infect humans. Several animal species are reservoirs for different HEV strains, and they are the source of infection for humans. Some HEV strains are species specific, but other strains could cross species and infect many hosts. The study of HEV infection and pathogenesis was hampered due to the lack of an in vitro and in vivo robust model system. The cell culture system has been established for certain HEV strains, especially gt3 and 4, but gt1 strains replicate poorly in vitro. To date, animal models are the best tool for studying HEV infection. Non-human primates (NHPs) and pigs are the main animal models used for studying HEV infection, but ethical and financial concerns restrict the use of NHPs in research. Therefore, new small animal models have been developed which help more progress in HEV research. In this review, we give updates on the animal models used for studying HEV infection, focusing on the applicability of each model in studying different HEV infections, cross-species infection, virus-host interaction, evaluation of anti-HEV therapies and testing potential HEV vaccines

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the most common cause of acute viral hepatitis globally. HEV belongs to the Hepeviridae family and at least five genotypes (gt) infect humans. Several animal species are reservoirs for different HEV strains, and they are the source of infection for humans. Some HEV strains are species specific, but other strains could cross species and infect many hosts. The study of HEV infection and pathogenesis was hampered due to the lack of an in vitro and in vivo robust model system. The cell culture system has been established for certain HEV strains, especially gt3 and 4, but gt1 strains replicate poorly in vitro. To date, animal models are the best tool for studying HEV infection. Non-human primates (NHPs) and pigs are the main animal models used for studying HEV infection, but ethical and financial concerns restrict the use of NHPs in research. Therefore, new small animal models have been developed which help more progress in HEV research. In this review, we give updates on the animal models used for studying HEV infection, focusing on the applicability of each model in studying different HEV infections, cross-species infection, virus-host interaction, evaluation of anti-HEV therapies and testing potential HEV vaccines

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is endemic in many developing countries and becomes of interest in the developed countries. Several animals are sources of HEV infection to humans. Recently, HEV was detected in the milk of cows in China, this data comes up with the probability of HEV transmission to humans via ingestion of contaminated milk. In Egypt, contaminated water and residing in rural communities are risk factors for HEV infection, while limited data is available on the zoonotic HEV transmission. Since pigs, wild boars, camels are not common in Egypt, we investigated if cows and/or cow milk represent a risk factor for HEV transmission in the Assiut governorate. Milk samples (n = 480), collected from Assiut city and 12 non-mixed dairy farms distributed in the rural communities, were tested for HEV markers such as anti-HEV IgG, HEV RNA, and HEV Ag. All milk samples collected from Assiut city (n = 220 …

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is endemic in many developing countries and becomes of interest in the developed countries. Several animals are sources of HEV infection to humans. Recently, HEV was detected in the milk of cows in China, this data comes up with the probability of HEV transmission to humans via ingestion of contaminated milk. In Egypt, contaminated water and residing in rural communities are risk factors for HEV infection, while limited data is available on the zoonotic HEV transmission. Since pigs, wild boars, camels are not common in Egypt, we investigated if cows and/or cow milk represent a risk factor for HEV transmission in the Assiut governorate. Milk samples (n = 480), collected from Assiut city and 12 non-mixed dairy farms distributed in the rural communities, were tested for HEV markers such as anti-HEV IgG, HEV RNA, and HEV Ag. All milk samples collected from Assiut city (n = 220 …

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is endemic in developed and developing countries. Although the seroprevalence of HEV among the Egyptians is high, the sources of HEV infection in Egypt are not completely identified. Zoonotic HEV transmission among Egyptians is underestimated. Recently, we detected HEV in the milk of cows, this suggests the possibility of HEV transmission through the ingestion of contaminated milk. However, the role of small ruminants especially the goats in HEV epidemiology in Egypt remains unclear. Herein, we screened HEV markers in the edible goat products, mainly the milk and liver and we assessed the risk factor for HEV infection to the goat owners. A total of 280 goat milk samples were collected from 15 villages in the Assiut governorate. Anti-HEV IgG and HEV Ag were detected in 7.14% and 1.8% of the samples, respectively. HEV RNA was detected in 2 milk samples, cladogram

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is endemic in developed and developing countries. Although the seroprevalence of HEV among the Egyptians is high, the sources of HEV infection in Egypt are not completely identified. Zoonotic HEV transmission among Egyptians is underestimated. Recently, we detected HEV in the milk of cows, this suggests the possibility of HEV transmission through the ingestion of contaminated milk. However, the role of small ruminants especially the goats in HEV epidemiology in Egypt remains unclear. Herein, we screened HEV markers in the edible goat products, mainly the milk and liver and we assessed the risk factor for HEV infection to the goat owners. A total of 280 goat milk samples were collected from 15 villages in the Assiut governorate. Anti-HEV IgG and HEV Ag were detected in 7.14% and 1.8% of the samples, respectively. HEV RNA was detected in 2 milk samples, cladogram

Background: Thiazoles, thiazolidinones and azetidinones are highly ranked amongst natural and synthetic heterocyclic derivatives due to their great pharmaceutical potential. Results: New thiazolidinone and azetidinone class of bioactive agents based on 4-(2,7-dichloro-9H-fluoren-4-yl)thiazole moiety have been successfully synthesized. 4-(2,7-dichloro-9H-fluoren-4-yl)thiazol-2-amine was synthesized and allowed to react with various aryl/heteroaryl aldehydes to afford the corresponding Schiff base intermediates. The target thiazolidinone and azetidinone analogues have derived from Schiff bases by their reactions with thioglycolic acid and chloroacetyl chloride, respectively. The newly synthesized compounds were then evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against some multidrug resistant strains and examined for cytotoxic activity against normal lung fibroblast (WI-38), human lung carcinoma (A549), and human breast carcinoma (MDA-MB-231) cell lines to develop a novel class of fluorene-based bioactive agents. The mode of action and the binding interaction of the synthesized compound with the active sites of dihydrofolate reductase enzyme were well identified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis and molecular docking study. Conclusion: Some of the synthesized compounds showed remarkable activity against A-549 and MDA-MB-231 when compared to Taxol, which was used as a reference drug. 2,7-dichloro-9H-fluorene-based azetidinones are more efficient as antimicrobial and anticancer agents compared to dichloro-9H-fluorene-based thiazolidinones derivatives.