Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets (Formerly Current Drug Targets - Infectious Disorders) - Volume 22, Issue 2, 2022

Numerous observational, epidemiologic data have suggested that the risk of COVID19 is related to shared meals or drinks. The presence of ACE2 receptors in the gastrointestinal tract supports this hypothesis. Furthermore, several patients experience gastrointestinal symptoms without any respiratory disease. The SARS-CoV-2 found on food and packaging in China and the epidemic resurgence attributed to foods are also strong indications of an oral transmission route. Unprecedented biopersistence on skin, food, and beverages supports this theory. Finally, animal models reproducing the disease by oral inoculation are additional arguments in favor of an oro-digestive route of infection.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a serious viral disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, associated with high morbidity and mortality, and represents a significant public health crisis worldwide. Despite recent efforts for developing novel antiviral agents, no specific drugs are approved for the management and treatment of COVID-19. The immune responses to viral infection followed by cytokine storm and acute respiratory distress syndrome are serious issues that may cause death in patients with severe COVID-19. Therefore, developing a novel therapeutic strategy for the management of COVID-19 is urgently needed to control the virus spread and to improve the patient survival rate and clinical outcomes. In this mini-review, we summarize the symptoms, pathogenesis, and therapeutic approaches currently being used to manage the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Purpose: This paper aims to review clinical and preclinical evidence regarding new strategies for the prevention of vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity. Methods: Evidence from 2014 to the end of 2019 was included. Twelve animal studies and one clinical trial were evaluated. Results: Although the incidence of vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity was not reduced significantly in the clinical trial, antioxidants reduced the incidence of vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity in preclinical studies. Conclusion: Antioxidants including vitamin C, vitamin E, cilastatin, melatonin, zingerone, rutin, naringenin, saffron, silymarin, and dexmedetomidine were nephroprotective against vancomycininduced nephrotoxicity in preclinical studies. The nephroprotective effects of these antioxidants must be confirmed before routine use in clinical practice.

Tuberculosis (TB), an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), infects the lungs' alveolar surfaces through aerosol droplets. At this stage, the disease progression may have many consequences, determined primarily by the reactions of the human immune system. However, one approach will be to more actively integrate the immune system, especially the pattern recognition receptor (PRR) systems of the host, which notices pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) of Mtb. Several types of PRRs are involved in the detection of Mtb, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), C-type lectin receptors (CLRs), Dendritic cell (DC) -specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN), Mannose receptor (MR), and NOD-like receptors (NLRs) related to inflammasome activation. In this study, we focus on reviewing the Mtb pathophysiology and interaction of host PPRs with Mtb as well as adverse drug effects of anti-tuberculosis drugs (ATDs) and systematic TB treatment via Ayurvedic medicine.

Background: In the rural areas of sub-Saharan African regions, skin diseases are so common. Due to which the population of the sub-Saharan region suffers from different types of skin disorders. In these regions, many treatment options are not available for the treatment of skin disease. Aim: The current study aims to discuss various skin diseases and their treatment strategies, specifically in sub-Saharan African regions. Methods: Extensive literature survey was carried out by using Scopus, Science Direct, Elsevier, Google scholar and Bentham science databases. Results and Discussion: It was demonstrated from the literature surveys that different effective techniques are used in the management of skin disease. In the result, it was shown that the condition of the disease is at a dangerous level which must be controlled. Conclusion: It is concluded from the manuscript that the skin disorder in the sub-Saharan region is at a very dangerous level. The research must be done to develop a better understanding of the disease and its treatment.

Certain infectious diseases are more common in infants than any other age groups and are associated with morbidities in childhood and adulthood, and even mortality in severe cases. Environment, epidemic and maternal immunity are the main causes of these infections. Early diagnosis using molecular methods and treatment is therefore important to prevent future complications. Vaccines are recommended during infancy and childhood to prevent these infections. This review highlights some of the most commonly reported viral infections in children, their clinical signs, prevention and treatment.

Introduction: Many potential vaccines for COVID-19 are being studied and developed. Several studies have reported on the safety and efficacy of these vaccines. This systematic review aimed to report on the current evidence concerning the feasibility and effectiveness of vaccines for COVID-19. Methods: A systematic search was carried out utilizing the keywords in the online databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. We included both human and non-human studies because of the vaccine novelty, limiting our ability to include sufficient human studies. Results: This review showed several SARS-CoV-2 vaccines to be currently under development using different platforms, including eight vaccines that are adenovirus-based vectors, six vaccines that are RNA-based formulations, one vaccine being DNA-based formulation, and other vaccines using other platforms, including lipid nanoparticles. Although the safety and efficacy profiles of these vaccines are still under debate, some countries have allowed for emergency use of some vaccines in at-risk populations, such as healthcare workers and the elderly. Conclusion: It is crucial to gather as much clinically relevant evidence as possible regarding the immunogenicity, efficacy, and safety profiles of available vaccines and adhere wisely to CDC protocols and guidelines for vaccine production.

Background: An increase in resistant gram-positive cocci, especially enterococci, requires an epidemiologic re-assay and its results may affect empirical treatments for these infections. Objective: In this study, we investigated the microbial epidemiology and resistance pattern of enterococcal bacteremia. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study that investigated all cases of positive blood cultures with Enterococcus spp. at a tertiary referral colligates hospital in Tehran in 2018. Results: Enterococcus spp. was isolated from blood cultures of a total of 73 patients. Most of the patients were male i.e: 42 (57.7%). The mean age of the patients was 58.8 (±18.8) years. Hospital- acquired infection was the most prevalent type of infection involving enterococcal bacteremia (80.8%) compared with community-acquired (6.7%) and the health care-associated one (12.3%). Renal failure and cancer were the most underlying disease in E. faecalis and E. faecium, respectively. Mortality for Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) was approximately two times more than the sensitive ones. Between the dead/alive groups, the following items were significantly different (P.Value<0.05): Vancomycin resistance for enterococcus isolated, immunodeficiency as an underlying disease, Mechanical ventilation, hospitalization period, and the empiric regimen. Conclusion: Increased antibiotic-resistant strains, especially Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), pose a serious threat to the general public, especially hospitalized patients, causing an increase in mortality. Surveillance of microorganisms and antimicrobial resistance is a crucial part of an efficient health care system.

Introduction/Background: Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection that is a rare cause of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) in patients. Case Presentation: This case report describes an immunocompetent patient who had a right total hip arthroplasty (THA) complicated with Coccidioidomycosis. This patient is the 9th reported case of Coccidioidomycosis, causing a PJI and only the second case to be reported in a THA. Once progressed, it can be difficult to treat, often reoccurring and requiring repeat surgical and prolonged therapy. Conclusion: This study discusses the clinical presentation in this patient and reviews the literature on the currently published cases.