Zahra Hasan

and 9 more

Introduction The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent viral sexually transmitted infection globally, with cervical cancer being primarily caused by persistent HPV infection. Early diagnosis and monitoring of women with HPV infection can significantly improve treatment outcomes and lower mortality rates. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HPV in cervical specimens sent to Aga Khan University Hospital Clinical Laboratories for diagnostic testing. Methods A retrospective review of 1062 test records from 2017-2022 was conducted, with high-risk HPV DNA testing performed by DNA Hybrid Capture 2 method. Results Out of 1062 patients, 764 underwent a Pap smear test, with 14.9% having abnormal epithelial lesions. High-risk HPV DNA was detected in 180(16.9%) cases, and biopsy findings were available in 118 specimens (11.1%). Squamous intraepithelial lesions were the most common biopsy finding, followed by non-specific cervicitis (36, 30.5%), squamous cell carcinoma (16, 13.6%), and adenocarcinoma in (6 ,5.1%) women. HPV positivity was correlated with cervical cytology and biopsy findings. Conclusions The data shows a strong correlation between hrHPV positivity and neoplasia in women tested in Pakistan, suggesting a delay in HPV detection. Routine HPV testing is strongly advised for women to screen for cervical cancer. Early diagnosis of high-risk HPV strains can improve triage, treatment, and follow-up of infected patients. Raising public awareness of the value of routine testing, early detection, and treatment of cervical cancer and HPV can significantly lower morbidity and mortality rates.

Javaria Ashraf

and 5 more

Background: Changing morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 has been associated with the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants. Whereby, acquisition of mutations in the Spike glycoprotein enhanced host receptor binding, cell entry and antibody escape. Understanding these can help predict the impact of these changes. We used genome sequence data to investigate mutation rates and entropy of SARS-CoV-2 during pandemic surges between 2020 and 2022. Methods: 1,637 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Pakistan were analyzed using the Augur phylogenetic pipeline. Substitution rates and entropy of genomes were calculated year wise and, entropy in the Spike gene was compared for 2020, 2021 and 2022 (defined as periods A, B and C). Central Findings: In period A, G clades were predominant and SARS-CoV-2 genome substitution rate was 6.06 x 10 -4 per site per year. In period B, Delta variant were dominant and substitution rates increased to 9.74 x 10 -4. In period C, Omicron variants dominated with substitution rates at 5.02 x 10 -4. The rate of genome-wide entropy was the highest during B particularly, in the Spike gene such as, E484K and K417N. During C, genome-wide mutations were increased whilst entropy was reduced. Conclusions: The highest SARS-CoV-2 genome substitution rates in 2021 were associated with the Delta wave, which had the greatest morbidity and mortality. These stabilized during the Omicron wave in 2022, when COVID-19 numbers were high mortality was lower. Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 evolution should be monitored together with phylogeographical analysis can help predict future outbreaks and guide public health interventions.

Kiran Iqbal

and 8 more

Introduction Tuberculosis (TB) infections and latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection (LTBi) remain prevalent globally. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) worsens TB outcomes but the immune mechanisms that cause this are not yet clear. We investigated a role of suppressor of cytokine signaling molecules (SOCS1 and SOC3) in regulating host cytokine responses in the diabetic host infected with MTB. Materials and Methods We studied peripheral blood cells from health endemic controls (EC), LTBi cases, diabetics with and without LTBi and TB patients. Mycobacterial antigen-stimulated cytokine secretion was determined using the Th1/Th2 11 plex cytokine assay. Antigen-induced gene expression of IFNγ, TNFα, IL6 and SOCS3 was determined by reverse-transcription PCR. Results Purified protein derivative (PPD) antigen stimulation induced higher levels of, IL-6, IL-2, TNFα and GM-CSF levels in DM-LTB as compared with EC and LTB cases. IL-13 levels were raised in DM-LTB cases as compared with DM cases. PPD-induced IFNγ and IL-6 transcripts were raised in DM-LTBi as compared with EC. TNFα mRNA levels were raised in DM-LTBi as compared with LTBi. SOCS3 mRNA levels were reduced in DM-LTBi as compared with LTBi. SOCS3 transcripts were higher in LTBi as compared with EC and TB groups. Discussion We found co-occurrence of LTBi with DM to be associated with an increased release of proinflammatory IL-6, IL-2 and TNF-α but reduced SOCS3 mRNA levels. SOCS3 protects against MTB infection therefore, reduced levels in DM-LTB may be contribute to progression from LTBi to active TB in individuals infected with MTB.