Masoud Hamidi, Mohammad Shayani Nasab, Mehrdad Hajilooei, Arash Dehghan,
Volume 21, Issue 1 (2-2012)
Abstract
Background and purpose: The association of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was firmly established as early as 1973. A clear understanding of its etiology is still lacking, but nasopharyngeal carcinoma is widely suspected to be the result of both a genetic susceptibility and exposure to environmental factors or Epstein-Barr virus infection. NPC is more prevalent in young age and Iran is a country with young population, therefore we set forth to study the level of infection with EBV.
Materials and methods: A 25-person group of NPC patient as the case group and a 25-person group of patients considered to be at risk of developing NPC as the control group were studied. DNA extraction of the tissue samples kept at hospital and laboratory archives was done as template in PCR.
Results: The mean ages of patients in case and control groups were 44.64 and 32.28 years, respectively. In case group 23 patients were positive for EBV-DNA while in control group 12 patients were positive for EBV-DNA.
Conclusion: Our data demonstrates that EBV is present at the site of tumor development in low-risk population. This survey supports the concept of NPC pathogenesis as a multifactorial process.
Parand Keshavarzi, Maryam Seyyedmajidi, Amrollah Mostafavizadeh, Seyedesajedhh Emadi, Ali Bijani, Majid Fereydouni,
Volume 22, Issue 97 (1-2013)
Abstract
Background and purpose: Smoking increases the incidence and severity of periodontal disease. Elevation in the level of salivary soluble CD44 is considered as a diagnostic marker in some smoking-induced disorders such as periodontal disease. This study evaluated the salivary soluble CD44 level in smokers and non-smokers with and without moderate chronic periodontitis, before and one month after scaling and root planning (SRP).
Materials and methods: This case-control study was done in 50 male aged 30 to 60 years attending Periodontology and Oral Medicine Departments of Babol Faculty of Dentistry, 2011-2012. The patients included 23 with moderate chronic periodontitis, 11 smokers, 12 non-smokers, and 27 patients with healthy periodontium of whom nine were smokers and 18 were non-smokers). The level of salivary soluble CD44 was assessed at baseline for all patients and one month after SRP for patients with moderate chronic periodontitis.
Results: The highest and lowest level of salivary soluble CD44 was seen in smokers with moderate chronic periodontitis and non-smokers with healthy periodontium, respectively. The results after SRP treatment in patients with periodontitis showed significant reductions in salivary soluble CD44 levels in both smokers (P=0.001) and non-smokers (P=0.031) and this reduction was found more in smokers (P=0.021).
Conclusion: Periodontitis can increase the level of salivary soluble CD44. Also, smoking and periodontal disease have a synergism effect on increasing the level of salivary soluble CD44.
Maryam Nabati, Razhan Piran, Bahareh Mirjani,
Volume 22, Issue 97 (1-2013)
Abstract
Pseudoaneurysm is a rare condition in the region of the fibrous body between the mitral and aortic valve, the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa (MAIVF), that has been reported as a sequela of endocarditis and surgical trauma. MAIVF rarely occurs on native aortic valve after infective endocarditis (IE). It is often fatal because of its rapid progress, high rates of rupture and recurrence, and worsening effects on the systemic condition. Echocardiography, especially transesophageal echocardiography, plays an important role in the diagnosis and assessment of this condition. This paper reports a rare case following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. This unusual case of ruptured pseudoaneurysm of MAIVF was caused by infective endocarditis. The pseudoaneurysm ruptured into the LVOT in addition to the left atrium. The transesophageal echocardiography provided precise pieces of information concerning the anatomical detail of the pseudoaneurysm, which is crucial for surgical repair.
Mohammad Mehdi Soltan Dallal, Mehrnaz Taheri Poor, Jalal Mardaneh,
Volume 22, Issue 97 (1-2013)
Abstract
Background and purpose: Tatumella ptyseos is a rod-shaped, gram-negative, facultative anaerobic, within the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is an important opportunistic pathogen in human that could result in many diseases in all age groups including premature and immunocompromised persons. The aim of this study was to isolate and determine antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Tatumella ptyseos strains isolated from consumed powdered infant formula milk in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study a total of 125 samples from consumed powdered infant formula milk in NICU were surveyed during 2011-2012. This study was performed in Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Division of Microbiology, School of Public Health), Tehran, Iran. Isolation and Identification of microorganisms were carried out according to FDA method. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed using the standard disc diffusion method based on CLSI (2011) recommendations. Analysis of data was performed by SPSS ver. 19.
Results: Tatumella ptyseos was isolated from 4 (3.2%) powdered infant formula milk samples. The results showed sensitivity of isolated strains to aminoglycoside antibiotics (amikacin (100%), tobramycin (100%), and gentamicin (100%)).
Conclusion: Tatumella ptyseos is relatively unknown to many laboratory personnel that could be easily missed in routine diagnosis processes. However, it is necessary for laboratory workers to be aware of Tatumella ptyseos and look out for it in different samples
Farzaneh Fakhraei, Mohammad Reza Haghshenas,
Volume 22, Issue 98 (2-2013)
Abstract
Papillomaviruses are small tumor viruses with a genome of approximately 8000 base pairs. They are found in many different types and infect a wide range of animals (from birds to rabbits, dogs, sheep and cattle) and several primates including humans. So far, over 100 different types of human papillomavirus (HPV) have been identified, among which one-third infect epithelial cells in the genital tract. Certain strains of HPV are associated with different risk levels of the transformation into cervical tumors. The HPV types that infect the genital tract are divided into two categories: high risk and low risk. The low-risk HPVs types such as HPV-6 and HPV-11, commonly cause benign warts and low-grade premalignant lesion that regress and do not progress to cancer while the high-risk types of HPV including HPV-16, HPV-18, HPV-31, HPV-33, and HPV-45 are associated with the development of anogenital cancers and are found in more than 99% of all cervical carcinomas, with HPV16 occurring most frequently. Infection by high-risk HPVs is not limited to the genital tract, since approximately 20% of cancers of the oropharynx contain DNA from these HPV types. HPV 16, 18, and 31 are constantly associated with moderate to severe cases of cervical dysplasia and are less associated with invasive cancers of the vulva, penis, and anus. It has been demonstrated that the presence of even minimal amounts of HPV DNA is associated with an increased risk in the development of cervical cancer. HPV DNA is found in up to 100% of cervical tumors, while in cervical tissue of healthy women the figure is typically below 10%. In this study we tried to investigate the role of HPV in human cancer.
Armaghan Janan, Hamidreza Honarmand, Noor Amirmozafari, Masoumeh Asgharnia, Arghavan Janan,
Volume 23, Issue 105 (10-2013)
Abstract
Background and purpose: Primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection occurs in 0.15-2.0% of all pregnancies and might causes abortion. Actually CMV infections are most common in females and rate of infection increases with age. In pregnant women it usually occurs in ages below 30 years old. Aim of the present study was investigating on the seropositivity rate of CMV in pregnant women to determine the rates of infections (primary, reinfection, and reactivated) in them and to find the rates of abortion due to these infections
Material & methods: The present study 360 pregnant women were screened for CMV-IgG ELISA to reveal seroprevalence rate in them. Type of CMV infection (primary, reinfection, reactivated and incidious infection) were investigated in them by using CMV-IgM, CMV-IgG, and CMV-IgG Avidity tests. All cases were followed to the end of pregnancy.
Results: CMV-IgG seroprevalence in studied women was 77.3% and high rate seropositivity was 50.4%. Frequency of primary, reinfection and reactivated infections was 0.8%, 0.6%, and 21.1% respectively. Insidious infection rate was 54.7%. About 22.8% of studied women had not exposured with CMV before screening. Abortion occurred in about 66.7% of primary infections and 100.0% of reinfections and these two factors presented significant relationship with spontaneous abortion.
Conclusion: Results of the present study showed seropositivity for CMV-IgG is not a valuable measure for CMV active infection even with high titers, so screening with CMV-IgG in pregnancy in not valuable without CMV-IgG avidity test but regarding to significant relationship of primary and reinfection with abortion, It seems that follow up of pregnant women for these infections with IgM-CMV ELISA might be more worthy.
Mohammad Reza Rahnemon, Mohammad Javad Sobhanie Far, Mohammad Reza Haghshenas,
Volume 23, Issue 105 (10-2013)
Abstract
Smallpox is a serious infectious disease to have ever afflicted mankind. Smallpox is caused by variola virus, which belongs to a family of viruses known as poxviridae. Pox viruses are large DNA viruses which are 200-400 nm. The smallpox prodrome is characterized by the sudden on-set of high fever (38.5°C-40.5°C) and malaise 10 to 14 days after exposure. As populations grew and migrated, the disease spread across the globe, killing millions of people and shaping the course of history. Since 1978, no cases of smallpox have been reported to the World Health Organization from anywhere in the world, the last case had an onset of rash in 1977 in Somalia. However, a total of 2 years of effective surveillance must elapse before this last endemic area can be confirmed to be smallpox-free. The objective of this study was to describe a public-health response to smallpox as using for bioterrorism. In this study, we use Google Scholar, Med line, CDC, site of Ministry of Health and Medical Education and World Health Organization. Smallpox has a high mortality rate and can spread through aerosols and because the population is highly susceptible to the infection. The severity of variola, which includes variola major and variola minor, is related to the virulence of the infecting strains. The case fatality is about 1% for the minor form and up to 45% for the major that two less common clinical forms are the hemorrhagic and flat-type. Smallpox has a high mortality rate and can spread through aerosols, and immunity in the population is low. An outbreak of smallpox will be controlled through surveillance, containment, vaccination, and isolation of cases. Smallpox was eradicated before the development of modern antiviral drugs. Treatment is supportive as to the attention to treatment of bacterial super infection. Death from smallpox is usually the result of severe toxemia, septic shock or disseminated intravascular coagulation. There is great concern that smallpox is an excellent candidate for use as a terrorist weapon.
Somayeh Bagherzadeh Khodashahri, Seyed Davar Siadat, Mohammad Rahbar,
Volume 24, Issue 114 (7-2014)
Abstract
Background and purpose: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), is one of the major causes of bacterial meningitis in children younger than five years of age, especially in countries that immunization against Hib is not conducted. In this study we have determined the serotype, encapsulated Haemophilus influenza strains isolated from clinical samples by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Material and Methods: In this study, DNA of H. Influenzae spp was extracted through boiling method. The encapsulated strains were determined by bexA gene primers. The encapsulated strains serotype were then detected using type-specific primer sets "a to f". Results: From the total of 50 strains of the Haemophilus influenzae isolated from clinical specimen, four strains have shown the bex A gene which all of them were encapsulated and all of four isolates have been determined as type b strains. Conclusion: It is well shown that H influenza spp were not detected by routinely culture method in many clinical laboratories. Despite the presence of pathogenic strains of Hib in different clinical specimens, molecular diagnostic such as PCR should be replaced and performed for miss detected bacteria.
Mojtaba Salehi, Seyed Reza Mohebbi, Mehrdad Ravanshad, Maryam Karkhaneh, Pedram Azimzadeh, Behta Keshavarz Pakseresht, یاسین حاتمی, محمدرضا زالی,
Volume 25, Issue 133 (2-2016)
Abstract
Background and purpose: Cytokines are a group of endogenous proteins which play an influential role in regulating the inflammatory responses and defeating infectious diseases. Elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and their receptors are usually observed in association with immune responses against viral infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. IL 12 and its receptor play an important role in the clearance of viral infections, especially HBV. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between interleukin 12 receptor B1 gene single nucleotide polymorphism (rs3746190 A/G) and chronic HBV infection susceptibility.
Materials and methods: In a case control study, genomic DNA of 150 chronic HBV infected patients and 150 healthy controls was extracted by salting out method and single nucleotide polymorphism (rs3746190 A/G) was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).
Results: A total of 300 individuals were studied. The frequency of rs3746190 A/G gene for CC, CT, TT genotypes was 40.7%, 46%, and 13.3% in chronic patients and 38%, 49.3%, and 12.7% in control group, respectively. After genotyping and statistical analysis, no significant difference was seen between the cases and controls (P=0.845).
Conclusion: This study did not find any significant association between rs3746190 A/G single nucleotide polymorphism of the IL12RB1 gene and susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Therefore, polymorphism in gene IL12RB1 is not an effective factor for susceptibility to chronic HBV.
Seyed Ali Asghar Malek Hosseini, Seyed Sajjad Khoramrooz, Masoud Marashifard, Najmeh Parhizgari, Fariba Mansouri,
Volume 25, Issue 134 (3-2016)
Abstract
Background and purpose: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common nosocomial pathogens especially among burn patients. Aminoglycoside is usually used in combination with other antibiotics for treatment of serious S. aureus infections. Resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics is one of the most important problems in treatment of S.aureus infections. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of aminoglycoside resistance genes in S. aureus isolated from burn patients.
Materials and methods: a total of 81 isolates of S.aureus were collected from burn wounds of patients hospitalized in Taleghani hospital in Ahvaz, Iran. Conventional laboratory tests were used for identification of S. aureus at species level and then confirmed by detection of nucA gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was tested against 11 different antibiotics by Disc Agar Diffusion Method. Frequency of aminoglycoside resistance genes (aac(6’)-Ie-aph(2’’)-I, aph(3’)-IIIa, and ant(4’)-Ia) were evaluated by multiplex-PCR method.
Results: Highest rate of resistance were observed against Penicillin (97.53%), Erythromycin (77.78%) and Ciprofloxacin (76.54%). None of the isolates were resistant to Vancomycin. MRSA detection rate was 87.65%. In isolates that showed resistance to Aminoglycosides, 28.57% have only aac(6’)-Ie-aph(2’’)-I gene and 46.03% have both aac(6’)-Ie-aph(2’’)-I and aph(3’)-IIIa genes simultaneously. None of the isolates were positive for ant(4’)-Ia gene.
Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of MRSA isolates and also aminoglycoside resistance gene in S. aureus, continuous surveillance in infection control policy is necessary in hospitals to prevent resistant bacteria spreading.
Tahoora Mousavi, Aliasghar Nadi, Mahmood Moosazadeh, Mohammadreza Haghshenas,
Volume 27, Issue 154 (11-2017)
Abstract
Background and purpose: Influenza A (H1N1), an acute respiratory disorders, is a highly contagious virus and can spread from person to person through sneezing or coughing. In 2009, pandemic influenza A (H1N1) emerged in some regions. This meta-analysis aimed at estimating the co-morbidity of 2009 H1N1 pandemic and other diseases in countries in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Materials and methods: All studies were searched in international databases. In order to increase the search sensitivity, the references were evaluated by two researchers independently. Then, eligible articles were selected by performing quality assessment of each article and implementation of inclusion/exclusion criteria. The heterogeneity observed among the results of primary studies were defined by Q and I2 tests. The co-morbidity rate of confirmed cases based on different countries and confidence intervals (95% CI) are expressed in forest plot graph.
Results: This meta-analysis included 33311 articles. The highest incidence of Comorbidity is correct and liver failure are reported in Oman with 70.80 (59.75, 81.85) and 6.20 (0.34, 12.6), respectively. Also, the highest rate of obesity 27.50 (13.66, 41.34) and diabetes 35.00 (20.22, 49.78) were found in Qatar. Heart failure 25.00 (6.02, 43.98), kidney failure 32.40 (16.67, 48.13), malignancy 64.06 (48.94, 79.06), and COPD 24.10 (18.40, 29.80) were observed more in Oman, Tanzania, Jordan, and Iran, respectively.
Conclusion: This Meta- analysis showed that the incidence of co-morbidity is various among different countries in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, which might be associated with some factors such as lung disease, diabetes, kidney failure, obesity, cardiac and respiratory failure.
Mohammad-Reza Haghshenas, Pedram Mousanejad, Mohsen Aarabi, Mehdi Rabie-Rudsari, Sohail Rasouli-Larmaei,
Volume 29, Issue 177 (10-2019)
Abstract
Background and purpose: Influenza viruses annually spread around the world in seasonal epidemics. The A/H1N1 virus causes more severe conditions compared to other types of Influenza A. This study is an epidemiological survey of influenza A/H1N1 virus in patients attending health care centers in north of Iran during 2013-2017.
Materials and methods: Sampling was done in 3037 patients. Influenza-RNA was extracted from the samples using Viral RNA/DNA Kit PureLinkTM. Identification of influenza A/H1N1 virus
was done using special primers and probes (Invitrogen), and Quantitative Real Time PCR System (SuperScript III Platinum).
Results: The samples were obtained from both males (39.9%) and females (60.1%). Patients aged 31-40 years of old included the majority of samples. Influenza A/H1N1 positive samples were seen more in patients aged 61-70 (18.51%) (14.55%). Out of the 442 confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1, 23 (5.88%) deaths were reported.
Conclusion: Influenza A virus is constantly evolving by mutation or by reassortment. It evolves rapidly, and new strains quickly replace the older ones, therefore, new vaccines should be developed for immunization against new strains of influenza.
Monireh Golpour, Reza Valadan, Mehryar Zargari, Tahoora Mousavi,
Volume 31, Issue 200 (9-2021)
Abstract
Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been a major concern since it first emerged. Prevention of Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) and slowing the epidemic and prevalence of the disease are the main goals of health institutions all over the world. it is very difficult to control the disease and predict its prevalence due to the continuous changes in the form of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and mutations in this virus. In fact, some changes and mutations in Corona 2019 virus directly affect the pathogenicity and its transmission. The most important mutations that occur in the spike or RBD part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, change the function of the virus, its severity of pathogenesis, and creates new variants. Mutations in these variants change the ability of the virus in binding to human cells, the rate of transmission, and make it easier to escape the immune system which plays a role in the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of vaccines. This study reviews eight major mutations in the spike or RBD region, their presence in different variants of Corona 2019 virus, and their relationship with response rate in infected people. Search keywords included COVID-19, mutation, variant, coronavirus, and respiratory infection in Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases. The main variations made from SARS-CoV-2 are Alfa (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), and Delta (B.1.617.2) that cause the infection to spread faster and the adequacy of vaccination on these variations have not been conclusively analyzed at this point.
Zahra Hasanshahi, Behzad Dehghani, Tayebeh Hashempour, Javad Moayedi,
Volume 32, Issue 214 (11-2022)
Abstract
Background and purpose: P24 is one of the important components of retroviruses capsid. Several studies have shown the inhibitory effect of melittin protein on the function of AIDS virus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of this protein on P24 in SIV and HIV viruses using bioinformatics software.
Materials and methods: P24 protein sequences of SIV and HIV were obtained from a gene bank and their features were analyzed using different software programs. Also, structural similarities of P24 protein between SIV and HIV viruses were examined. Docking analysis was used to examine the interactions between melittin and P24 proteins. The stability of docking results were confirmed by molecular dynamics simulation.
Results: Findings showed numerous phosphorylation, glycosylation sites, and di-sulfide bonds in P24 protein. Docking results indicated a probable interaction between P24 protein of both viruses and melittin. The results showed similarity of the third structure of P24 protein between the two viruses. Analysis of molecular dynamics showed molecular stability of the interactions between P24 and melittin proteins.
Conclusion: High energy values of the interaction between melittin and P24 indicated high binding potential of the two proteins, which can determine the inhibitory effect of melittin on the function of HIV capsid. Analysis of the third structure of P24 protein in both viruses showed that they are very similar despite the high difference in protein sequences from the point of view of folding and 3D structure. Application of melittin to control SIV infections in primates can be used as a model for inhibiting HIV in humans.
Mehdi Rabie Rudsari, Mehdi Haghshenas, Abdul Wahab Moradi, Hadi Razavi Niko, Mohammad Reza Haghshenas,
Volume 32, Issue 216 (1-2023)
Abstract
Background and purpose: Influenza is one of the viral infections of the respiratory system, which causes death in high-risk groups every year. The genomic changes of influenza virus make it susceptible to drug resistance, therefore, continuous monitoring of the influenza virus is highly important in order to recognize the efficacy of available drugs. The current study investigated the neuraminidase gene mutations of Influenza A/H3N2 in Mazandaran province between 2016 and 2018.
Materials and methods: Twenty Influenza A/H3N2 samples of patients hospitalized in Mazandaran province were included in the study. PCR and electrophoresis tests were performed using primers designed for the region of the neuraminidase gene that contained the desired mutations. Then, the PCR product was sequenced to determine the mutations.
Results: A total of 57 mutations were detected at the level of nucleotides, among which 19 were observed in all isolates, 13 were seen in most isolates, and 25 single mutations that were identified in some isolates. A total of 28 mutations were detected at the amino acid level, among which 13 mutations were observed in all isolates, 6 were detected in most isolates, and 9 single mutations seen in some isolates.
Conclusion: Although the sequence of the active site region is conserved in different subtypes of the neuraminidase gene, this region is still subject to mutation and genomic changes, which indicates changes in the active site region of the neuraminidase gene.
Lotfollah Davoodi, Shahriar Alian, Faeze Sedaghatian, Noushin Ahmadi, Mohammad Abedi Samakoosh, Eissa Soleymani,
Volume 33, Issue 220 (5-2023)
Abstract
Background and purpose: Acute hepatitis is an acute inflammation of liver cells that can occur due to viral, bacterial, fungal, and medicinal causes. This study investigated the final diagnosis of inpatients with the initial diagnosis of acute hepatitis in Qaemshahr Razi Hospital.
Materials and methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the medical records of all patients (n=120) admitted with the initial diagnosis of acute hepatitis in 2014-2019 were studied. Data, including demographic information, clinical signs, and laboratory test results were obtained and analyzed in SPSS V21.
Results: The patients were 120 and there were significant differences between place of residence, family history, previous history of hepatitis, blood transfusion, smoking and drugs, alcohol, high-risk sexual relationships, and having HIV (P<0.05). The most common causes of acute hepatitis were hepatitis B and A.
Conclusion: Due to the high prevalence of hepatitis B and drug-induced hepatitis, it is possible to reduce the incidence of acute hepatitis by reviewing and paying more attention to hepatitis B vaccination as well as following up of patients receiving hepatotoxic drugs.
Lotfollah Davoodi, Tahoora Mousavi, Mahsa Hasanabadi, Hossein Jalali,
Volume 33, Issue 222 (7-2023)
Abstract
Background and purpose: Reduced function of immune system and underlying diseases make older people more susceptible to Shingles (herpes zoster). The present study aimed to compare the clinical findings and underlying conditions between patients with herpes zoster under 50 years and over 50 years of age.
Materials and methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included all patients who were admitted or hospitalized in Sari hospitals due to herpes zoster in 2016-2018 with complete medical records. Information was collected by census.
Results: There were 180 cases who were investigated according to their age. In patients under 50 years of age, 97 had no underlying diseases, while diabetes, hypertension, malignancy, and cardiovascular diseases were seen in 6, 4, 3, and 12 patients, respectively. In patients over 50 years of age, 21 were found with no underlying diseases, but 15, 2, 11, and 9 cases had diabetes, hypertension, different types of malignancies, and cardiovascular diseases, respectively. The frequency of underlying diseases in patients with cancer and diabetes in patients with herpes zoster were significantly higher in people over 50 years of age (P= 0.042 and P= 0.05).
Conclusion: Given the risk factors presented in this study, patients with underlying diseases or those on immunosuppressive drugs are required to be closely monitored and receive early treatments as soon as developing herpes zoster to avoid severe complications.
Mohsen Nakhaie, Samira Nakhaie, Niloofar Farsiu, Reza Sinaei, Javad Charostad, Soheila Torabian, Sara Pezeshki, Faranak Salajegheh,
Volume 34, Issue 241 (1-2025)
Abstract
Background and purpose: Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which causes respiratory tract infections, has been associated with COVID-19 co-infections. This study aimed to investigate serum M. pneumoniae IgM and IgG levels in COVID-19 patients, assessing their connections with disease outcomes, including disease severity and mortality.
Materials and methods: For this cross-sectional investigation, 70 COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman, Iran, during the first wave of the pandemic were chosen. Serum IgM and IgG levels for M. pneumonia were clinically tested, and demographic and clinical data were gathered using a review of medical records. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.
Results: The research found a low incidence of M. pneumoniae IgM, while a considerable number of patients had positive IgG. Serum IgM levels differed depending on demographic and clinical characteristics, with younger patients and those without comorbidities having higher levels. Co-infected individuals experienced more frequent symptoms, such as anorexia, myalgia, and a productive cough. Patients who recovered had significantly higher levels of IgG than those who did not survive. Co-infection or past exposure to M. pneumoniae may impact COVID-19 clinical outcomes. Elevated blood IgM levels were associated with particular symptoms, whereas higher IgG levels were linked to better outcomes.
Conclusion: Previous or co-infection with M. pneumoniae can affect the symptoms and outcomes of COVID-19. Therefore, diagnosing co-infections with this bacterium can significantly improve the management and recovery of these patients.