Introduction: This study investigates the association between high-level systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) and cirrhosis progression in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methodology: A total of 272 CHB patients with NAFLD treated at Jincheng General Hospital between January 2018 and January 2023 were included. The study endpoint was the development of cirrhosis. The optimal SII cut-off value for predicting cirrhosis progression was determined as 1024 using ROC curve analysis and Youden index. Based on this cut-off, patients were class ..read more

Introduction: Lack of knowledge about the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the primary reason behind the discriminatory attitudes of nurses towards people living with HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate nurses’ knowledge and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 188 nurses working in two major public hospitals in Erbil city. The study participants were selected using a census method. The questionnaires were designed to specifically evaluate the nurses’ knowledge and attit ..read more

Introduction: Dengue is currently the most widespread vector-borne disease, and its transmission has been intensively studied in endemic/hyperendemic localities. However, to obtain a complete picture of dengue transmission, it is necessary to study nonendemic localities. Imported dengue cases have been reported in Mexico City, and the presence of eggs of the vector Aedes aegypti has been detected. Methodology: In the present study, we determined the prevalence of IgG antibodies against Dengue virus in four city boroughs via random cluster sampling in individuals aged 5-35 years. Results: The w ..read more

Introduction: The poultry sector in Côte d`Ivoire is expanding and generating huge quantities of waste. This study aimed to analyze the risks associated with the discharge of poultry slaughterhouse waste in public landfill sites in Abidjan. Methodology: The chemical and microbiological analysis of 30 poultry slaughter waste samples from 10 Abidjan communities were evaluated using high performance liquid chromatography and detection of pathogenic bacteria on specific media, respectively. The antibiotic susceptibility of isolates was determined using the agar diffusion method. Results: A total o ..read more

Introduction: The epidemic pattern of the Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. To analyze the epidemic pattern of RSV infection and explore the fluctuations of immunity. Methodology: Pediatric inpatients diagnosed with RSV infection or RSV pneumonia from January 2019 to August 2023 in a tertiary hospital were retrospectively included. The children were divided into three groups: before the implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) group, during the implementation of NPIs group, and after the lifted NPIs group. Results: A total of 462 child ..read more

Introduction: Urinary tract infections occur in approximately 19% of stroke patients. Urinary tract infections are proven to adversely affect the short-term and long-term outcomes of stroke, prolong hospitalization, and increase treatment costs. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for the occurrence of urinary tract infection and asymptomatic bacteriuria. Methodology: This retrospective case-control study was conducted in the neurological intensive care unit, in a tertiary healthcare facility, from July 2018 to July 2022. Results: Our study demonstrated that older patients with wors ..read more

Introduction: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease with a high mortality rate and is a public health concern. This study aimed to investigate the associations of serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels with the prognosis of SFTS patients. Methodology: A total of 95 patients with confirmed SFTS were included. Clinical and laboratory data were compared between the survival and non-survival groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess independent risk factors for mortality. The predictive efficacies of la ..read more

Introduction: Nosocomial infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in intensive care units (ICUs) are increasing worldwide. Morbidity and mortality rates are quite high in these infections due to limited treatment options and various risk factors. We determined the rate of carbapenem resistance, risk factors for carbapenem resistance, mortality rate, and risk factors associated with mortality in nosocomial infections in the adult ICU. Methodology: We reviewed the medical records of nosocomial infected patients retrospectively, according to the surveillance diagnostic crit ..read more

Introduction: A new strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae named hypermucoviscous K. pneumoniae emerges with a distinctive feature to classical strains. Infections due to hypermucoviscous strains have increased with significant mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypermucoviscous K. pneumoniae and compare their virulence with the classical strains phenotypically. Methodology: One hundred-five clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae isolates proceeded for the study. A modified string test evaluated the hypermucoviscosity. The determination of antibiotic susceptibility w ..read more

Introduction: This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAPs) regarding methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among healthcare workers at the Ho Teaching Hospital and Ho Municipal Hospital in Ghana. Methodology: This cross-sectional study involved 157 healthcare workers whose KAPs were assessed using a standard questionnaire. Results: The overall knowledge of the respondents about MRSA was sufficient (mean score = 0.58 ± 0.15). Medical doctors demonstrated the highest knowledge (mean score = 0.80), but their knowledge on the challenges in implementing effectiv ..read more