Susceptible Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Exon 10 and Intron 9 of Complement Factor H Gene in Patients With Age-related Macular Degeneration

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in the elderly. Although it has been shown that Y402H polymorphism in the CFH gene was strongly associated with AMD in the Iranian population, there were no data on other single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which have the most significant association with AMD. This study aimed to investigate hot point regions in exon 10 and intron 9. Materials and Methods: One hundred and sixty-six AMD patients and 69 controls were recruited. Their blood was collected in the tubes containing EDTA. Then, DNA was extracted from the blood, and its quality was evaluated. Primers were designed for intron 9 and exon10 sequencing. A viral polymorphisms analysis software named CEQ was used for the analysis of putative polymorphisms. Results: We noticed three polymorphisms in study cases: rs7535263 and C66379A in intron 9 and rs2274700 in exon 10. Based on the McNamara’s test (rs7535263 and rs2274700) and the Phi and Cramer’s test (C66379A), a significant difference was found between the control and patient groups regarding rs7535263 and rs2274700 polymorphisms. Conclusion: We found a synonymous or silent mutation, A473A, rs2274700 in exon 10 in 85% of patients. From two intronic SNPs, just rs7535263 showed association with the disease in studied patients living in Gilan Province, Iran. Although no significant relationship was found between controls and patients regarding the C66379A allele, it would be important that no other sources have reported C66379A polymorphism in AMD yet

Staphylococcus aureus: resistance pattern and risk factors

Introduction: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as a nosocomial pathogen of major worldwide importance and is an increasingly frequent cause of community-acquired infections. In this study, different risk factors and MRSA resistance pattern were investigated. Methods: In a 24 months period, all of the patients who were confined to bed in the surgery ward were included in the study. Then they were assessed to find out as if they had MRSA infection when hospitalized and once when they were discharged. Almost 48 h after admission, when patients were discharged, social and medical histories were acquired. Acquired samples were examined. Results: During the present study of 475 patients, 108 patients (22.8%) had S. aureus. About frequency of antibiotic resistance among collected S. aureus colonies, erythromycin resistance, was the most frequent antibiotic resistance, also resistance to vancomycin was 0.4% that was the least. Only hospitalization duration had statistically significant correlation with antibiotic resistance, also resistance to erythromycin had statistically significant relation with history of surgery and alcohol consumption. Of all 34 MRSA species, 22 (64.7%) samples were resistant to erythromycin, 17 (50.0%) resistant to cefoxitin, 5 (14.7%) resistant to mupirocin, 1 (2.9%) resistant to vancomycin and 1 (2.9%) resistant to linezolid. Conclusion: The results of the current study show that among hospitalized patients, there is resistance against methicillin. Since based on results of the study there is resistance against oxacillin and erythromycin in most cases, administering appropriate antibiotics have an important role in minimizing the resistance burden among bacterial species

Immunogenicity and Safety of a Combined Intramuscular/Intranasal Recombinant Spike Protein COVID-19 Vaccine (RCP) in Healthy Adults Aged 18 to 55 Years Old: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase I Trial

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the safety and immunogenicity of a combined intramuscular/intranasal recombinant spike protein COVID-19 vaccine (RCP). Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase I trial. Three vaccine strengths were compared with an adjuvant-only preparation. It included two intramuscular and a third intranasal dose. Eligible participants were followed for adverse reactions. Specific IgG, secretory IgA, neutralizing antibodies, and cell-mediated immunity were assessed. Results: A total of 153 participants were enrolled (13 sentinels, 120 randomized, 20 non-randomized open-labeled for IgA assessment). No related serious adverse event was observed. The geometric mean ratios (GMRs) and 95% CI for serum neutralizing antibodies compared with placebo two weeks after the second injection were 5.82 (1.46–23.13), 11.12 (2.74–45.09), and 20.70 (5.05–84.76) in 5, 10, and 20 µg vaccine groups, respectively. The GMR for anti-RBD IgA in mucosal fluid two weeks after the intranasal dose was 23.27 (21.27–25.45) in the 10 µg vaccine group. The humoral responses were sustained for up to five months. All vaccine strengths indicated a strong T-helper 1 response. Conclusion: RCP is safe and creates strong and durable humoral and cellular immunity and good mucosal immune response in its 10 µg /200 µL vaccine strengths. Trial registration: IRCT20201214049709N1