The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of the antimicrobial resistance and genes encoding virulence factors of enterococci isolated in hospitalized burn patients in a major burn center in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran. A total of 340 bacterial isolates were collected from the burn center from February 2014 to February 2015. The antimicrobial susceptibility and MIC of vancomycin were determined using the disk diffusion and micro-agar dilution techniques. The genus and species-specific genes, potential virulence genes, and vanA and vanB genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction. According to our results, out of the 340 bacterial isolates, 16.4% (n = 56) were identified as enterococci. Out of the 56 enterococcal isolates, 35 (62.5%) were Enterococcus faecalis and 21 (37.5%) were Enterococcus faecium. More than 20% (n = 5) of E. faecium demonstrated resistance to vancomycin. The gelE and asa genes were the most prevalent virulence genes in E. faecalis (48.5%) and E. faecium (43%) isolates. The emergence of vancomycin resistant E. faecium strains which have several virulence factors should be considered as a major cause of concern for burn centers. Control and management of infections induced by enterococci should be regarded as highly important in burn patients.

Hantaviruses are a significant and emerging global public health threat, impacting more than 200,000 individuals worldwide each year. The single-stranded RNA viruses belong to the Hantaviridae family and are responsible for causing two acute febrile diseases in humans: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Currently, there are no licensed treatments or vaccines available globally for HTNV infection. Various candidate drugs have shown efficacy in increasing survival rates during the early stages of HTNV infection. Some of these drugs include lactoferrin, ribavirin, ETAR, favipiravir and vandetanib. Immunotherapy utilizing neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) generated from Hantavirus convalescent patients show efficacy against HTNV. Monoclonal antibodies such as MIB22 and JL16 have demonstrated effectiveness in protecting against HTNV infection. The development of vaccines and antivirals, used independently and/or in combination, is critical for elucidating hantaviral infections and the impact on public health. RNA interference (RNAi) arised as an emerging antiviral therapy, is a highly specific degrades RNA, with post-transcriptional mechanism using eukaryotic cells platform. That has demonstrated efficacy against a wide range of viruses, both in vitro and in vivo. Recent antiviral methods involve using small interfering RNA (siRNA) and other, immune-based therapies to target specific gene segments (S, M, or L) of the Hantavirus. This therapeutic approach enhances viral RNA clearance through the RNA interference process in Vero E6 cells or human lung microvascular endothelial cells. However, the use of siRNAs faces challenges due to their low biological stability and limited in vivo targeting ability. Despite their successful inhibition of Hantavirus replication in host cells, their antiviral efficacy may be hindered. In the current review, we focus on advances in therapeutic strategies, as antiviral medications, immune-based therapies and vaccine candidates aimed at enhancing the body’s ability to control the progression of Hantavirus infections, with the potential to reduce the risk of severe disease.

The rise of antibiotic pollutants in water threatens ecosystems and human health. Iron-modified biochar (BC) exhibits adsorption properties and offers a promising approach for effective environmental remediation. The current study explored the potential of iron-loaded biochar synthesized from pine cones for antibiotic removal from water. In this study, pine cones, a sustainable and renewable source, were used to produce iron-modified biochar and employed to remove azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and their mixture from aqueous solutions. Biochar was synthesized through pyrolysis and modified by the addition of iron salts. The analysis of iron-modified biochar by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggested a crystalline structure rich in minerals and functional groups (O–H, C=O, and C≡C) and loaded with iron, having plate-like roughness and distorted morphology along with sharp edges and corners. Antibiotic removal was evaluated by changing physical parameters, including biochar dose, pH, and temperature. The maximum removal percentages of azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and their mixture were obtained as 87.8%, 91.3%, and 84%, respectively, at low pH, a low Fe-modified biochar dose, and higher temperature. Application of kinetic models suggested that the adsorption of antibiotics on iron-modified biochar is more inclined toward pseudo-second-order (R² > 0.98) kinetics, indicating a chemisorption nature of the adsorption process. The findings highlight the potential of iron-modified biochar for removing antibiotics from aqueous solutions.

Background: Current standard therapy commonly followed for chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in Pakistan is interferon alpha plus ribavirin combination therapy (IFN α/ribavirin) and pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (PegIFN/ribavirin). PegIFN/ribavirin has increased rate of sustained virological response than standard IFN α/ribavirin therapy. Objective of current study was to analyze rate of early and delayed response to antiviral treatment as well as rate of relapse response in patients following standard treatment IFN α/ribavirin and in patients following pegylated interferon treatment. Methods: Baseline serum samples of 153 patients enrolled for IFN α/ribavirin and 50 patients for PegIFN/ribavirin were collected. After total RNA extraction, genotyping was and HCV RNA viral load was done. Subsequently HCV RNA viral load was estimated at 4 weeks of treatment, at 12 weeks, at 24 or 48 weeks and finally after 6 months follow up period. All the data was statistically analyzed using fisher's exact test. Results: Total 86 patients out of 153 patients following conventional IFN α/ribavirin therapy completed treatment and 69% of them showed Rapid Virological Response (RVR). Whereas 50 patients following PegIFN/ribavirin treatment completed treatment and 80% of them achieved RVR. Total 64 out of 86 patients following IFN α/ribavirin therapy completed follow up period and 53.5% of them achieved Sustainded Virologcal Response (SVR). Forty-five out of total 50 patients who received PegIFN/ribavirin treatment completed 6 months follow up period and among these 70% achieved SVR. SVR rates were significantly associated with RVR (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.001) and gender (p < 0.01) Conclusions: Rate of sustained virological response can be determined by factors like rapid virological response and age since they share significant association with one another. More over rate of SVR was more prominent in males than in females.

• Identified the predominant dengue virus serotype (DENV-2) circulating in Pakistan during 2023–2024. • Characterization of the envelope protein that provided valuable insights into the virus molecular structure and function. • The high sequence similarity to DENV-2 strains from different regions underscores the widespread distribution and genetic stability of this serotype. • Computational docking studies with antiviral compounds like Arbidol and Quercetin indicated potential therapeutic interactions.

Background & objectives: Dengue virus (DENV) is an RNA virus that infects approximately 2.5 billion people around the world. The incidence of dengue fever has rapidly increased at an alarming rate in the last few years and has affected thousands of people in Pakistan. This review explores the prevalence, serotypes and pathogenesis of dengue virus circulating in Pakistan. Methods: A systematic review of observational studies published between 1994 and December 2019 was performed. All records of the confirmed outbreak of dengue fever in Pakistan were reviewed and articles containing no primary data were excluded. Results: Four identified serotypes of dengue virus (DENV 1-4) circulate in different regions of the world causing epidemics. The most prevalent serotype, which is still epidemic and dominant in Pakistan, is DENV-2. Many factors like over-population, rapid urbanization, travelling, lack of vector control in dengue endemic areas and inadequate health-care are responsible of dynamic and huge raise of dengue in Pakistan. Interpretation & conclusion: Currently there is no specific treatment for prevention of dengue virus. Recently some antiviral compounds were being tested to eradicate this disease. There is a need to develop an efficient and safe vaccine for all four serotypes to combat dengue viral infection globally and particularly in Pakistan.