A substantial proportion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors continue to suffer from long-COVID-19 (LC) symptoms. Our study aimed to determine the risk factors for LC by using a patient population from Northern Cyprus. Subjects who were diagnosed with severe acute respiratory syndrome-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in our university hospital were invited and asked to fill in an online questionnaire. Data from 296 survivors who had recovered from COVID-19 infection at least 28 days prior the study was used in the statistical analysis. For determination of risk factors for “ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 (OSC)” and “Post-COVID-19 (PSC)” syndromes, the patient population was further divided into group 1 (Gr1) and group 2 (Gr2), that included survivors who were diagnosed with COVID-19 within 4-12 weeks and at least three months prior the study, respectively. The number of people with post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 infection was 266 (89.9%). B.1.617.2 (Delta) (41.9%) was the most common SARS-CoV-2 variant responsible for the infections, followed by BA.1 (Omicron) (34.8%), B.1.1.7 (Alpha) (15.5%), and wild-type SARS-CoV-2 (7.8%). One-hundred-and-nineteen volunteers (40.2%) stated an increased frequency of COVID-19-related symptoms and experienced the symptoms in the week prior to the study. Of those, 81 (38.8%) and 38 (43.7%) were from Gr1 and Gr2 groups, respectively. Female gender, chronic illness, and symptomatic status at PCR testing were identified as risk factors for developing OSC syndrome, while only the latter showed a similar association with PSC symptoms. Our results also suggested that ongoing and persistent COVID-19-related symptoms are not influenced by the initial viral cycle threshold (Ct) values of the SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-2 variant as well as vaccination status and type prior to COVID-19. Therefore, strategies other than vaccination are needed to combat the long-term effect of COVID-19, especially after symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, and their possible economic burden on healthcare settings.

To evaluate the prevalence of pathogens, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhea and Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Ureaplasma parvum in women via multiplex-polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Cervical swabs of 273 women in reproductive age who underwent gynecologic examination in our outpatient clinic were evaluated using the multiplex-PCR-DNA method. The presence of cervicitis, contraceptive methods, marital status, and the number of partners were evaluated. One hundred six (39%) of the 273 women had at least one bacterium, 25 women (9.8%) had two bacteria, and three women (1%) had three bacteria. U. urealyticum was the most frequently encountered bacterium (13.9%), followed by M. hominis (12.8%), U. parvum (12.4%), C. trachomatis (5.4%), M. genitalium (2.9%), N. gonorrhea (2.5%), and T. vaginalis (0.3%). Bacterial infection was detected more frequently in women aged <25 years, single, who had multiple partners, and clinically diagnosed with cervicitis. The cervicitis rate was 39% in our study. M. genitalium was significantly more frequent in women with cervicitis than in women without cervicitis (5.6 vs. 1.2%, p=0.005). C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhea, which are often associated with cervicitis, were comparable in women with and without cervicitis. Women with clinically diagnosed cervicitis or even with a normal-appearing cervix should be tested using multiplex-real-time PCR-nucleic-acidamplification tests on suspicion of such an infection. M. genitalium is an emerging bacterial agent for cervicitis along with C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhea.

West Nile Virus (WNV) infection represents a major global public health challenge. Even though most of the patients are asymptomatic, some cases progress to critical condition which may be fatal. Diagnosis traditionally relies on serological methods, but their limitations, including cross‐reactivity, highlight the need for alternative approaches. Here, we present the development and validation of a novel RT‐qPCR assay for precise and rapid detection of WNV RNA in urine, emerging as a promising specimen due to its noninvasive collection and high viral load. The assay demonstrates high efficiency and sensitivity, with a detection limit comparable to commercially available kits. This study highlights the importance of in‐house kit design as a diagnostic tool in regions affected by emerging tropical infections, such as WNV, exemplified Cyprus. It emphasizes the critical role of low‐cost, early detection with high sensitivity and specificity in infection control and surveillance efforts.

Herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) belong to the Herpesviridae family. Close contact is the primary mode of transmission for both HSV-1 and HSV-2, leading to a persistent lifelong infection. HSVs are widely recognized as causative agents of viral infections affecting the central nervous system, capable of presenting as both meningitis and encephalitis. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is the predominant viral cause of encephalitis, accounting for the majority of cases. Here, a rare co-infection case of meningoencephalitis, associated with HSV-1 and rickettsia is described. A 42-year-old man presenting with non-remitting headache for 6 days, fever, sweating, and muscle aches was admitted to the Emergency Department. His Weil-Felix test was positive for Proteus OX2 indicating rickettsial infection. Therapy started promptly however patient’s condition deteriorated. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis, and elevated protein concentration. CSF molecular analysis was positive for HSV-1. His cranial MRI indicated cytotoxic edema and gyral enhancement at the right temporal lobe. He was administered acyclovir for 14 days during hospital stay and was successfully discharged. This case report highlights that HSV-1 meningoencephalitis can co-occur with rickettsia infection in immunocompetent individuals, and co-infection with other agents should always be considered to avoid the progression of the disease.

Aseptic meningitis caused by Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) is a rare phenomenon in the healthy population. Immunocompromised patients are predominantly affected by viral reactivation, characterized by rash and neurological symptoms, and meningitis as a rare complication. Herein, we report two cases of VZV meningitis in adult patients without rash and fever over a 4-month period. The first case was an immunocompetent 37-year-old male who presented with persistent headache, agitation and unclear speech. The second case was an immunocompromised 76-year-old male who was admitted to the emergency department with confusion, disorientation, dizziness, loss of consciousness, pain in the lower left extremities and difficulty in walking. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis in both patients revealed a high leukocyte cell count with 97% lymphocytes. CSF gram staining and culture were negative. CSF polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis indicated VZV infection. Both patients were administered acyclovir for 14 days and were discharged without any neurological sequela. This case report series highlight the presentation of VZV as aseptic meningitis in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients without the typical clinical symptoms and should always be considered by the clinicians.