In this study, we investigated the role and relationship between the cytokine profile and protective vitamin D by measuring their serum levels in COVID‐19 intensive care unit patients with severe illnesses. A total of 74 patients were included in our study. Patients were divided into two groups. Patients in the COVID‐19 group (n = 31) and individuals without a history of serious illness or infection were used as the control group (n = 43). The serum concentrations of interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐21, and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Levels of serum vitamin D were detected with Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry methodologies. TNF‐α, IL‐1, IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐21, and vitamin D levels were measured in all patients. The serum cytokine levels in the COVID‐19 patient group were significantly higher (151.59 ± 56.50, 140.37 ± 64.32, 249.02 ± 62.84, 129.04 ± 31.64, and 123.58 ± 24.49, respectively) than control groups. Serum vitamin D was also significantly low (6.82 ± 3.29) in patients in the COVID‐19 group than the controls (21.96 ± 5.39). Regarding the correlation of vitamin D with cytokine levels, it was significantly variable. Our study shows that COVID‐19 patients are associated with lower serum vitamin D and higher pro‐inflammatory cytokines associated with increased virus presence. Our data provide more evidence of the anti‐inflammatory effect of vitamin D on COVID‐19 patients and the protective effects of vitamin D on risk were demonstrated.

Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant yeast, poses significant challenges in healthcare settings due to its ability to form biofilms and resistance to common disinfectants. Understanding its susceptibility to biocides used in hospital disinfection practices is crucial for infection control. We investigated the biocide sensitivity of eight clinical C. auris strains from different patients and one reference strain (CDC B11903) using the biocide activity tests. Species identification was confirmed through MALDI-TOF MS, while clade differentiation and phylogenetic classification were determined via whole-genome sequencing. Biofilm formation was assessed using the MTT assay. Antifungal susceptibilities were tested according to CLSI standards. The effectiveness of biocides, including chlorine, chlorhexidine, and benzalkonium chloride, was evaluated through broth microdilution following CLSI standards and quantitative suspension and carrier tests, following EN standards. All clinical strains were identified as clade 1, and the reference strain as clade 4, with all exhibiting biofilm formation. Clade 1 strains showed resistance to fluconazole, with MIC values ranging from 8 to 32 µg/ml, while being susceptible to other antifungals. Broth microdilution MIC assays for biocides demonstrated that all strains exhibited resistance to benzalkonium chloride. Chlorine and chlorhexidine showed variable efficacy, dependent on concentration and environmental cleanliness. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers demonstrated effectiveness against C. auris from the first minute of application. The study highlights the variable susceptibility of C.auris to different biocides, underscoring the challenge in eradicating this pathogen from healthcare environments. Our findings advocate for the careful selection of disinfectants in hospital settings, emphasizing the need for high-concentration chlorine and chlorhexidine solutions to combat C. auris, even in especially clean environments.

Increasing antifungal resistance and side effects of existing drugs demand alternative approaches for treating Candida (C.) infections. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the antifungal efficacy of myricetin (MYR), a natural flavonoid, against both fluconazole (FLC)-resistant and susceptible clinical Candida strains, with a particular focus on its inhibitory effects on C. albicans biofilms. Antifungal susceptibility was evaluated on Candida spp. by the broth microdilution method, and the impact of myricetin on C. albicans biofilms was determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the antibiofilm properties of myricetin, expression analysis of genes in the RAS1/cAMP/EFG1 pathway (ALS3, HWP1, ECE1, UME6, HGC1) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulation (RAS1, CYR1, EFG1) involved in the transition from yeast to hyphae was performed. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was used to study the ultrastructural changes and morphological dynamics of Candida biofilms after exposure to MYR and FLC. The in vivo toxicity of myricetin was evaluated by survival analysis using the Galleria mellonella model. Myricetin significantly suppressed key genes related to hyphae development (RAS1, CYR1, EFG1, UME6, and HGC1) and adhesion (ALS3 and HWP1) in both clinical and reference Candida strains at a concentration of 640 µg/mL. FESEM analysis revealed that myricetin inhibited hyphae growth and elongation in C. albicans. This study highlights the promising antibiofilm potential of myricetin through a significant inhibition of biofilm formation and hyphal morphogenesis.

Background: Amino acids have an important role in metabolism and may affect COVID-19-related outcomes. In our study, the amino acid serum level of hospitalized COVID19 patients was evaluated to determine a new treatment strategy. Methods: The amino acid profile covering 43 amino acids in 68 subjects, comprising 30 (14 men and 16 women) controls and 38 (16 men and 22 women) COVID-19 patients, were examined. The amino acid profiles of the participants were screened by LC-MS/MS. Results: Compared with the control group, serum levels of 27 amino acids increased in the patient group. Alpha-aminopimelic acid, sarcosine, and hydroxyproline amino acids were considerably higher in the control group than in the patient group (p<0.0001). There was no notable difference among control group and the case group for 13 amino acids (p≥0.05). A significant positive correlation was seen among the control and the patient groups in the mean amino acid values (r=0.937; p<0.0001). Conclusions: These results postulated a clear picture on the serum levels of amino acid in the COVID-19 patients. Serum amino acids measured in hospitalized COVID-19 patients can explain the patient's metabolic status during the disease.