Background: Syndromic forms of obesity are uncommon, complicated illnesses that include early-onset obesity along with other clinical characteristics such as organ-specific abnormalities, dysmorphic symptoms, and intellectual incapacity. These syndromes frequently have a strong genetic foundation, involving copy number variations, monogenic mutations, and chromosomal abnormalities. Methods: Using terms like “syndromic obesity,” “genetic diagnosis,” and “monogenic obesity,” a comprehensive literature search was conducted to find articles published between 2000 and 2025 in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Peer-reviewed research addressing the clinical, molecular, or genetic aspects of syndromic obesity were among the inclusion criteria. Conference abstracts, non-English publications, and research without genetic validation were among the exclusion criteria. The whole genetic, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic domains were thematically synthesized to create a thorough, fact-based story. Research using chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), whole-exome sequencing (WES), next-generation sequencing (NGS), and new long-read sequencing platforms was highlighted. Results: Despite the fact that molecular diagnostics, especially NGS and CMA, have made tremendous progress in identifying pathogenic variants, between 30 and 40 percent of instances of syndromic obesity are still genetically unexplained. One significant issue is the variation in phenotype across people with the same mutation, which suggests the impact of environmental modifiers and epigenetic variables. In addition, differences in access to genetic testing, particularly in areas with limited resources, can make it difficult to diagnose patients in a timely manner. Additionally, recent research emphasizes the possible contribution of gene–environment interactions, gut microbiota, and multi-omic integration to modifying disease expression. Conclusions: Syndromic obesity is still poorly understood in a variety of groups despite significant advancements in technology. Multi-layered genomic investigations, functional genomic integration, and standardized diagnostic frameworks are necessary to close existing gaps. The development of tailored treatment plans, such as gene editing and focused pharmaceutical therapies as well as fair access to cutting-edge diagnostics are essential to improving outcomes for people with syndromic obesity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted healthcare systems worldwide, necessitating the development of rapid and accurate diagnostic tools. The study aimed to compare the performance of a Rapid Antigen Test (RAK) with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for COVID-19 diagnosis, considering its global usage, promising data, and the convenience of using saliva samples. Methods — A cross-sectional, single-blinded study was conducted in Lahore, Pakistan, using 7,580 samples collected between May 2021 and June 2022. Three hundred twenty samples were tested with RAK and RT-PCR using logistic regression analysis to look at sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy and whether there was a link between RAK results and RT-PCR cycle threshold values. Results — Overall, the RAK demonstrated 67% sensitivity and 75% specificity. Likelihood ratios were 2.71 (positive) and 0.43 (negative). The disease prevalence was 70.00%. PPV and NPV were 86.36% and 50.00%, respectively. Logistic regression showed a significant association between RAK results and RT-PCR CT values (odds ratio=6.333). Kit sensitivity varied by viral load: 100% at CT≤20, 63% at CT 21-25, and 22% at CT>26. Conclusion — This study would provide an insight to the work efficiency of commercially used rapid antigen based COVID-19 screening kit.

Background. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are critical nosocomial pathogens with limited treatment options. We investigated the prevalence of vancomycin resistance genes in enterococcus isolates from Sheikh Zayd Hospital, Lahore, focusing on the dominant vancomycin resistance mechanism. Materials and methods. A total of 9000 clinical specimens (urine, blood, pus, and other fluids) were cultured over the study period, yielding 437 enterococcus isolates. These were identified by standard microbiological methods. Vancomycin resistance was confirmed phenotypically, and all VRE isolates were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for vancomycin resistance genes vanA, vanB, vanC, and vanD. Patient demographics and clinical source data were recorded. Statistical analyses (chi-square tests) were performed to assess associations between VRE occurrence and patient factors (age, gender, department). Results. Out of 437 enterococcus-positive cultures, 40 isolates (9.1%) were confirmed as VRE. All 40 VRE isolates (100%) carried the vanA gene, while no vanB, vanC, or vanD genes were detected. Urine was the predominant specimen source for VRE, accounting for 85% of vanA-positive isolates, with the remainder from pus, blood, and other specimens. The median patient age was 58 years (range 5–85), and VRE cases were more frequent in older patients (50% of cases in 60 age group). Males comprised 60% of VRE cases. The highest number of VRE cases came from intensive care units (37.5%) and medical wards (25%), followed by surgical units (20%) and urology/nephrology (12.5%). Statistical analysis showed that VRE isolation was significantly associated with age 50 years (p = 0.01) and ICU admission (p = 0.02), whereas gender was not significantly associated (p = 0.40). Conclusions. vanA was the exclusive vancomycin resistance determinant in this hospital’s VRE isolates, underscoring that high-level vancomycin resistance in enterococci is primarily mediated by the vanA gene in our setting. The dominance of vanA-positive VRE in urine samples highlights the urinary tract as a common site of VRE infection. Our findings emphasize the need for vigilant antimicrobial stewardship and infection control measures to prevent the spread of vanA-mediated VRE. This first report from Lahore on molecular VRE typing aligns with regional data and reinforces that continuous surveillance of resistance genes is crucial for guiding effective infection control policies.