(1) Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are among the most common infections worldwide, many of these being caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). Increased antimicrobial NG resistance has been reported in recent decades, highlighting the need for new sources of natural compounds with valuable antimicrobial activity. This study aims to determine the effect of propolis extracts on NG strains, including antibiotic-resistant strains. (2) Methods: First void urine samples from presumed positive STI subjects were harvested. DNA was extracted, purified, and amplified via PCR for the simultaneous detection of 6 STIs. The presence of the dcmH, gyrA, and parC genes was checked in the DNA samples from NG-positive patients. The antimicrobial activity of 5 aqueous propolis extracts from central Romania was investigated in vitro against some isolated NG strains. ANOVA tests were employed to assess differences and interactions between the inhibition zone for NG strains and propolis extracts. (3) Results: 7.07% of the patients presented NG infections, some strains being resistant or intermediate-resistant to ciprofloxacin. All propolis samples exhibited an antibacterial effect, including on resistant strains. (4) Conclusions: Statistical analysis demonstrated that the diameter of the inhibition zone was influenced both by the NG strain type and the source of the propolis extracts.

(1) Background: Affective distress can be triggered by aggressive stimuli with an unfavorable role for the individual. Some of the factors that lead to the development and evolution of a mental disorder can be genetic. The aim of this study is to determine some correlations between the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes and the affective distress profile (PDA). (2) Methods: A psychological assessment and testing tool for anxiety was applied to 115 people. The low-resolution HLA alleles of class I (HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-C) and class II (HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1) were identified by the PCR technique after DNA extraction from the blood. Depending on the PDA, the subjects were divided into two groups: a group with a low PDA and another one with a medium and high PDA. The IBM SPSS software was used to compare the frequency of HLA alleles between the two groups. (3) Results: The univariate analysis revealed a significant association of the HLA-A locus (A*01, A*30), HLA-B (B*08), and HLA-DRB1 (DRB1*11) with the low PDA group and of the HLA-A locus (A*32), HLA-B (B*52), and HLA-C (C*12) with the medium and high PDA group. (4) Conclusions: The present study highlighted potential associations between HLA alleles and anxiety disorders.

Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major problem worldwide. The major histocompatibility complex plays an essential role in host immunity and can help eliminate the HBV of infected hepatocytes. Our study aimed to determine the role of certain human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules (i.e. HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1) in the persistence or removal of HBV. Sixty patients confirmed to be HBV-positive via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), i.e. people with chronic active hepatitis, were included in the study along with a control group of 100 healthy individuals without evidence of HBV infection. The DNA was subsequently used to determine HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 low-resolution typing genetic profile via PCR amplification. The univariate analysis performed revealed significant association of the HLA-DRB1*03 and HLA-DQB1*05 alleles to the infected persons (study group), while HLA-DRB1*01 was shown to be protective against HBV infection. To our knowledge, this is the first Romanian study associating HLA with HBV, and it can provide valuable insight concerning the relationship between genetic factors and immune response in the sampled population.

COVID-19-associated rhino-orbital mucormycosis has become a new clinical entity. This study’s aim was to evaluate the histopathological and ultramicroscopic morphological aspects of this fungal infection. This was an observational retrospective study on eight patients from three tertiary centers in Romania. The tissue samples collected during functional endoscopic sinus surgery were studied through histopathological examination, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. In the histopathological examination, the morphological aspects characteristic of mucormycosis in all cases were identified: wide aseptate hyphae with right-angle ramifications, which invade blood vessels. One case presented perineural invasion into the perineural lymphatics. And in another case, mucormycosis–aspergillosis fungal coinfection was identified. Through scanning electron microscopy, long hyphae on the surface of the mucosa surrounded by cells belonging to the local immune system were identified in all samples, and bacterial biofilms were identified in half of the samples. Through transmission electron microscopy, aseptate hyphae and bacterial elements were identified in the majority of the samples. Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis associated with COVID-19 produces nasal sinus dysbiosis, which favors the appearance of bacterial biofilms. The way in which the infection develops depends on the interaction of the fungi with cells of the immune system.

Background: The Delta variant (Pango lineage B.1.617.2) is one of the most significant and aggressive variants of SARS-CoV-2. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper specifically studying pulmonary morphopathology in COVID-19 caused by the B.1.617.2 Delta variant. Methods: The study included 10 deceased patients (40-83 years) with the COVID-19 Delta variant. The necrotic lung fragments were obtained either by biopsy (six cases) or autopsy (four cases). Tissue samples were subjected to virology analysis for identification of the SARS-CoV-2 variant, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry (anti-SARS coronavirus mouse anti-virus antibody). Results: Virology analysis identified B.1.617.2 through genetic sequencing in eight cases, and in two cases, specific mutations of B.1.617.2 were identified. Macroscopically, in all autopsied cases, the lung had a particular appearance, purple in color, with increased consistency on palpation and abolished crepitations. Histopathologically, the most frequently observed lesions were acute pulmonary edema (70%) and diffuse alveolar damage at different stages. The immunohistochemical examination was positive for proteins of SARS-CoV-2 in 60% of cases on alveolocytes and in endothelial cells. Conclusions: The histopathological lung findings in the B.1.617.2 Delta variant are similar to those previously described in COVID-19. Spike protein-binding antibodies were identified immunohistochemically both on alveolocytes and in the endothelial cells, showing the potential of indirect damage from thrombosis.

Introduction: Most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are curable, but inappropriate treatment can lead to serious complications. The importance of setting up STI screening programs has been highlighted in various studies, the absence of such national programs accounting for the lack of STI statistics in Romania. The purpose of our study was to evaluate multiplex PCR as a screening method for the most common 6 STIs and establish their frequency in a group of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. We aimed to highlight STI associations and correlations between STI pathogens and symptomatology, demographic status, antecedents or sexual partners. Methodology: A total of 249 patients, both symptomatic and asymptomatic, were included in this study. Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseia gonorrhoeae (NG), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU), Mycoplasma hominis (MH) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) were all identified in urine samples via multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The SPSS IBM program was employed for statistical analysis. Results: 32.12% of the patients were found positive, some presenting multiple infections. The results are representative for the Romanian male population. 107 STI pathogens were identified, most frequent being CT, UU and NG. Several statistical correlations between patient characteristics and the presence of STIs have been demonstrated. Conclusions: The results suggest that multiplex PCR meets all the prerequisites for a screening method, allowing the use of multiple specimens and enabling simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens in a short period of time. STI identification via multiplex PCR proved to be an effective method for quantifying their frequency in Romania.