Insight into the emerging role of SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural and accessory proteins in modulation of multiple mechanisms of host innate defense

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is an extremely infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that has become a major global health concern. The induction of a coordinated immune response is crucial to the elimination of any pathogenic infection. However, SARS-CoV-2 can modulate the host immune system to favor viral adaptation and persistence within the host. The virus can counteract type I interferon (IFN-I) production, attenuating IFN-I signaling pathway activation and disrupting antigen presentation. Simultaneously, SARS-CoV-2 infection can enhance apoptosis and the production of inflammatory mediators, which ultimately results in increased disease severity. SARS-CoV-2 produces an array of effector molecules, including nonstructural proteins (NSPs) and open-reading frames (ORFs) accessory proteins. We describe the complex molecular interplay of SARS-CoV-2 NSPs and accessory proteins with the host’s signaling mediating immune evasion in the current review. In addition, the crucial role played by immunomodulation therapy to address immune evasion is discussed. Thus, the current review can provide new directions for the development of vaccines and specific therapies

The interleukin-10 family: Major regulators of the immune response against Plasmodium falciparum infections

Malaria caused by the Plasmodium falciparum strain is more severe because of this protozoan’s ability to disrupt the physiology of host cells during the blood stages of development by initiating the production of the interleukin-10 (IL-10) family of cytokines. P. falciparum feeds on hemoglobin and causes host cells to adhere to the walls of blood vessels by remodeling their composition. IL-10 is produced by CD4+ T cells that inhibits antigen-presenting cells’ activity to prevent inflammation. This cytokine and its family members are crucial in promoting malarial infection by inhibiting the host’s protective immune response, thus initiating Plasmodium parasitemia. IL-10 is also responsible for preventing severe pathology during Plasmodium infection and initiates several signaling pathways to alter the physiology of host cells during malarial infection. This review summarizes the critical aspects of P. falciparum infection, including its role in signaling pathways for cytokine exudation, its effect on microRNA, the human immune response in malaria, and the role played by the liver hormone hepcidin. Moreover, future aspects of vaccine development and therapeutic strategies to combat P. falciparum infections are also discussed in detail

Intelligent Mechanisms of Macrophage Apoptosis Subversion by Mycobacterium

Macrophages are one of the first innate defense barriers and play an indispensable role in communication between innate and adaptive immune responses, leading to restricted Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. The macrophages can undergo programmed cell death (apoptosis), which is a crucial step to limit the intracellular growth of bacilli by liberating them into extracellular milieu in the form of apoptotic bodies. These bodies can be taken up by the macrophages for the further degradation of bacilli or by the dendritic cells, thereby leading to the activation of T lymphocytes. However, Mtb has the ability to interplay with complex signaling networks to subvert macrophage apoptosis. Here, we describe the intelligent strategies of Mtb inhibition of macrophages apoptosis. This review provides a platform for the future study of unrevealed Mtb anti-apoptotic mechanisms and the design of therapeutic interventions

Methicillin and Inducible Clindamycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Postoperative Wound Samples

The present study aimed to investigate the incidence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains (MRSA) and inducible clindamycin resistant S. aureus (ICRSA) among postoperative wound infected patients. A total of 94 S. aureus strains were isolated by conventional laboratory methods from 135 swab samples collected from post-operative wound infected patients in Khartoum State hospitals. The isolated strains were screened for MRSA by using cefoxitin disc. ICRSA strains was detected by D-test and their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents was done by modified Kirby-Bauer’s disc diffusion method. Ninety-four S. aureus isolates were screened for MRSA strains, we found 42 (45%) of isolates were MRSA and 52 (55%) of strains were methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) phenotype. The incidence of ICRSA, constitutive clindamycin resistant (CCRSA) and erythromycin resistant (ERSA) strains among S. aureus isolates were 15.9% (15/94), 9% (8/94) and 2.12% (2/94), respectively. ICRSA resistant strains were slightly more frequent among MRSA, when compared with MSSA strains (16.67% (7/42) vs. 15.38% (8/52)). In addition, 33% of ICRSA strains were found resistant to both co-trimoxazole and gentamicin, while, 23% of strains were resistant to vancomycin. This study concluded that MRSA strains was nearly accounted a half of clinical isolates, which need more attention by improving hospitals environment heath quality. ICRSA isolates were detected within both MRSA and MSSA strains and the D test must be implemented as routine susceptibility test to avoided clindamycin treatment failure

Bibliometric Analysis of Publications on the Omicron Variant from 2020 to 2022 in the Scopus Database Using R and VOSviewer

Human respiratory infections caused by coronaviruses can range from mild to deadly. Although there are numerous studies on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), few have been published on its Omicron variant. In order to remedy this deficiency, this study undertook a bibliometric analysis of the publishing patterns of studies on the Omicron variant and identified hotspots. Automated transportation, environmental protection, improved healthcare, innovation in banking, and smart homes are just a few areas where machine learning has found use in tackling complicated problems. The sophisticated Scopus database was queried for papers with the term “Omicron” in the title published between January 2020 and June 2022. Microsoft Excel 365, VOSviewer, Bibliometrix, and Biblioshiny from R were used for a statistical analysis of the publications. Over the study period, 1917 relevant publications were found in the Scopus database. Viruses was the most popular in publications for Omicron variant research, with 150 papers published, while Cell was the most cited source. The bibliometric analysis determined the most productive nations, with USA leading the list with the highest number of publications (344) and the highest level of international collaboration on the Omicron variant. This study highlights scientific advances and scholarly collaboration trends and serves as a model for demonstrating global trends in Omicron variant research. It can aid policymakers and medical researchers to fully grasp the current status of research on the Omicron variant. It also provides normative data on the Omicron variant for visualization, study, and application