Biomedical Research Center Research
http://hdl.handle.net/10576/4596
2024-03-29T01:00:19ZPrevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. among autochthonous and immigrant patients in Italy
http://hdl.handle.net/10576/53208
Prevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. among autochthonous and immigrant patients in Italy
Marianna, Marangi; Boughattas, Sonia; De Nittis, Rosella; Pisanelli, Daniela; delli Carri, Valeria; Lipsi, Maria Rosaria; La Bella, Gianfranco; Serviddio, Gaetano; Niglio, Mariangela; Lo Caputo, Sergio; Margaglione, Maurizio; Arena, Fabio
The prevalence of Blastocystis sp., its genetic diversity and the distribution of circulating subtypes (STs) were molecularly investigated in a cohort of autochthonous and immigrant patients with gastrointestinal symptoms hospitalized over the period February 2022–June 2023 at the Policlinico Ospedaliero-Universitario “Riuniti”, Foggia, in Southern Italy. The population variables, including patient geographical origin, gender and age classes were reported. Out of the 927 investigated patients, 36 (3.9%) were positive for Blastocystis sp. A statistically significant association with African origin and age classes >18 years old was found. ST1 (allele 4), ST2 (alleles 9, 13), ST3 (alleles 34, 36) and ST4 (allele 92) were the subtypes detected with a different distribution between autochthonous and immigrant patients. Co-infections with enteric protozoa such as Giardia duodenalis and Dientamoeba fragilis, pathogenic bacteria as Clostridioides difficile, Campylobacter jejuni and Aeromonas sp. and viral infections such as Norovirus were found in 33% of cases. This is the first study of Blastocystis sp., its circulating subtypes and allele variability among patients with different geographical origin in an area of Southern Italy, in the Central Mediterranean, characterized by high immigrant pressure. These results provide baseline data to better investigate a potential interaction between Blastocystis sp. and other risk factors in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.
2023-10-13T00:00:00ZPrevalence of Blastocystis sp. and other gastrointestinal pathogens among diarrheic COVID-19 patients in Italy
http://hdl.handle.net/10576/53207
Prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and other gastrointestinal pathogens among diarrheic COVID-19 patients in Italy
Marianna, Marangi; Boughattas, Sonia; Valzano, Felice; La Bella, Gianfranco; De Nittis, Rosella; Margaglione, Maurizio; Arena, Fabio
BackgroundGastrointestinal pathogens (GPs) contribute significantly to the burden of illness worldwide with diarrhoea being the most common among gastrointestinal symptoms (GSs). In the COVID-19 disease, diarrhoea, could be one of the initial presenting symptoms. However, no data on the potential correlation between diarrhoea-causing pathogens and SARS-CoV-2 infection are available. Therefore, we carried out a 2-years retrospective study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of “classic” GPs among SARS-CoV-2 infected and non-infected patients with diarrhoea in Italy. MethodsResults of SARS-CoV-2 research from nasopharyngeal and detection of GPs from stool swab samples by Allplex™ SARS-CoV-2 and GI Virus, Bacteria and Parasite Assay were analysed for all patients with diarrhoea referring to Policlinico Ospedaliero Universitario, Foggia, (Italy) from February 2022 to October 2023. ResultsOut of the 833 involved patients, 81 (3.9%) were COVID-19 positive, while 752 (90.3%) were COVID-19 negative. Among COVID-19-positive patients, 37% (n = 30/81) were found positive for one or more GPs with a higher prevalence of protozoan parasites (18.5%) (Blastocystis ST1-ST4 subtypes, Dientamoeba fragilis genotype I), followed by bacteria (7.4%) (Campylobacter sp., Salmonella sp.). Viral pathogens were more frequent among COVID-19 negative patients (Adenovirus, Norovirus). Among GPs, Blastocystis ST3 subtype was the most prevalent registered in the 16% of patients (p = 0.0001). ConclusionsBased on obtained results, a likely interaction between the classic GPs and SARS-CoV-2 infection can be speculated, driven by protozoan parasites. Moreover, these results also provide baseline data to understand more deeply Blastocystis sp. role in this scenario of dysbiosis, particularly in those cases of SARS-CoV-2 co-infection.
2024-02-15T00:00:00ZAssociation Between Periodontitis and COVID-19
http://hdl.handle.net/10576/53088
Association Between Periodontitis and COVID-19
Al-Hadeethi, Tayeb; Charde, Priti; Sunil, Sruthi; Marouf, Nadya; Tamimi, Faleh
Purpose of Review: Periodontitis has been linked to various systemic diseases and conditions. Given their shared comorbidities, extensive research has been carried out to explore the link between periodontitis and COVID-19. Recent Findings: A growing body of evidence suggests that periodontitis could increase the risk of COVID-19 infection and its complications. It has been suggested that the association between the two diseases could be due to immunological, coagulation, genetic, and microbiological reasons. The effect of periodontitis on the immune system could increase the expression of receptors used by SARS-CoV2 to infect cells (transmembrane protease, serine 2 [TMPRSS2], and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 [ACE2]) and prime the immune system to an exacerbated immune reaction against the virus. Moreover, there is evidence indicating that periodontitis could also increase the risk of COVID-19 complications by altering the coagulation pathways, and periodontal pathogens were identified in the respiratory system of patients suffering from severe COVID-19. In addition, it was also found that patients suffering from both diseases share some genetic similarities, suggesting that both diseases could be linked through common genetic pathways. Summary: In this review, we discuss the above-mentioned associations and make the case for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis to avoid SARS-CoV-2 infection and complications.
2024-01-03T00:00:00ZThe role of genetic and epigenetic GNAS alterations in the development of early-onset obesity
http://hdl.handle.net/10576/53084
The role of genetic and epigenetic GNAS alterations in the development of early-onset obesity
Alaa, Abbas; Hammad, Ayat S; Al-Shafai, Mashael
BackgroundGNAS (guanine nucleotide-binding protein, alpha stimulating) is an imprinted gene that encodes Gsα, the α subunit of the heterotrimeric stimulatory G protein. This subunit mediates the signalling of a diverse array of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) that serves a pivotal role in regulating food intake, energy homoeostasis, and body weight. Genetic or epigenetic alterations in GNAS are known to cause pseudohypoparathyroidism in its different subtypes and have been recently associated with isolated, early-onset, severe obesity. Given the diverse biological functions that Gsα serves, multiple molecular mechanisms involving various GPCRs, such as MC4R, β2- and β3-adrenoceptors, and corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor, have been implicated in the pathophysiology of severe, early-onset obesity that results from genetic or epigenetic GNAS changes. Scope of reviewThis review examines the structure and function of GNAS and provides an overview of the disorders that are caused by defects in this gene and may feature early-onset obesity. Moreover, it elucidates the potential molecular mechanisms underlying Gsα deficiency-induced early-onset obesity, highlighting some of their implications for the diagnosis, management, and treatment of this complex condition. Major conclusionsGsα deficiency is an underappreciated cause of early-onset, severe obesity. Therefore, screening children with unexplained, severe obesity for GNAS defects is recommended, to enhance the molecular diagnosis and management of this condition.
2023-12-14T00:00:00Z