Infectious causes of fever of unknown origin in developing countries: An international ID-IRI study.

Background: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) in developing countries is an important dilemma and further research is needed to elucidate the infectious causes of FUO.

Methods: A multi-center study for infectious causes of FUO in lower middle-income countries (LMIC) and low-income countries (LIC) was conducted between January 1, 2018 and January 1, 2023. In total, 15 participating centers from seven different countries provided the data, which were collected through the Infectious Diseases-International Research Initiative platform.

Understanding clinical outcomes and factors influencing mortality in intensive care unit patients with COVID-19-associated candidemia.

Background: During the COVID pandemic, research has shown an increase in candidemia cases following severe COVID infection and the identification of risk factors associated with candidemia. However, there is a lack of studies that specifically explore clinical outcomes and mortality rates related to candidemia after COVID infection.

Objectives: The aim of this international study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and identify factors influencing mortality in patients who developed candidemia during their COVID infection.

Classical fever of unknown origin in 21 countries with different economic development: an international ID-IRI study.

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a serious challenge for physicians. The aim of the present study was to consider epidemiology and dynamics of FUO in countries with different economic development. The data of FUO patients hospitalized/followed between 1st July 2016 and 1st July 2021 were collected retrospectively and submitted from referral centers in 21 countries through ID-IRI clinical research platform.

Vaccine hesitancy and refusal among parents: An international ID-IRI survey.

Introduction: Although vaccines are the safest and most effective means to prevent and control infectious diseases, the increasing rate of vaccine hesitancy and refusal (VHR) has become a worldwide concern. We aimed to find opinions of parents on vaccinating their children and contribute to available literature in order to support the fight against vaccine refusal by investigating the reasons for VHR on a global scale.

Methodology: In this international cross-sectional multicenter study conducted by the Infectious Diseases International Research Initiative (ID-IRI), a questionnaire consisting of 20 questions was used to determine parents' attitudes towards vaccination of their children.

Vector-borne and zoonotic infections and their relationships with regional and socioeconomic statuses: An ID-IRI survey in 24 countries of Europe, Africa and Asia.

Background: In this cross-sectional, international study, we aimed to analyze vector-borne and zoonotic infections (VBZI), which are significant global threats.

Method: VBZIs' data between May 20-28, 2018 was collected. The 24 Participatingcountries were classified as lower-middle, upper-middle, and high-income.

In vitro amoebicidal effect of ethanol extract and honey against . cysts.

This study evaluated in vitro effect of different concentrations of () ethanol extract and honey against spp. cysts in comparison with chlorhexidine (the drug of choice for treatment of infection) at different incubation periods. Four different concentrations of the tested agents were used, 100, 200, 400, and 600 μg/ml for and 25, 50, 100, and 200 μg/ml for honey.

Comparison of four cordless gingival displacement systems: A clinical study.

Statement Of Problem: Although the conventional chemicomechanical cord technique is widely used, packing the cord into the sulcus may cause pain and bleeding. Cordless displacement techniques have been introduced, but a comparison of these systems is lacking.

Purpose: The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the efficiency and gingival response of 4 cordless gingival displacement systems.

Chemical analysis of aqueous extracts of Origanum majorana and Foeniculum vulgare and their efficacy on Blastocystis spp. cysts.

Background: Origanum majorana (O. majorana) and Foeniculum vulgare (F. vulgare) are traditionally used herbs in Egypt for treatment of several diseases including parasitic diseases.

Efficacy of e ethanol extract on the viability, embryogenesis and infectivity of eggs.

This study evaluated the effect of e (e) ethanol extract on the viability, embryogenesis and infectivity () eggs. It was carried out both in vitro and in vivo. In the in vitro experiment, unembryonated eggs were incubated with 25, 50 and 100 mg/mL e extract at 25 °C for 6, 12, and 24 h to assess the effect of e on their viability and for two weeks to assess the effect of e on their embryogenesis.

In vivo effect of anti-TNF agent (etanercept) in reactivation of latent toxoplasmosis.

(), an intracellular parasite, establishes a chronic infection by forming cysts preferentially in the brain. TNF-α plays an important role in controlling the infection caused by this protozoan. Thus, the blockade of TNF-α could cause reactivation of latent toxoplasmosis infection as well as increase the risk of acute toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasma gondii Infection and Chronic Liver Diseases: Evidence of an Association.

Toxoplasmosis may present as a severe disease among some Egyptian patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) due to their impaired immune system, changing the course of the disease. The classical diagnosis of toxoplasmosis by serological tests is inadequate for such patients. This study was performed to highlight the role of real-time quantitative PCR (qrtPCR) test in the accurate diagnosis of toxoplasmosis among Egyptian patients with CLD.

Cytokine patterns in experimental schistosomiasis mansoni infected mice treated with silymarin.

The purpose of this study was to determine cytokine patterns in experimental schistosomiasis mansoni infected mice treated with silymarin. The study was conducted upon 100 mice that were divided into five groups; 20 each: uninfected control group, Schistosoma mansoni infected untreated mice (infected control), infected mice treated with praziquantel (PZQ), infected mice treated with silymarin and infected mice treated with both praziquantel and silymarin. 10 mice from each group were sacrificed at 10th and 18th weeks post infection respectively.

Effects of Thymus vulgaris ethanolic extract on chronic toxoplasmosis in a mouse model.

The current work was undertaken to investigate the potential effectiveness of Thymus vulgaris ethanolic extract (TVE) against Toxoplasma gondii infection in chronic experimental toxoplasmosis. To evaluate prophylactic effects, mice received 500 mg/kg TVE for 5 days before they were infected by an avirulent Me49 T. gondii strain.

Effect of screw-access channels on the fracture resistance of 3 types of ceramic implant-supported crowns.

Statement Of Problem: Access channels for retrieving ceramic implant-supported screw-retained crowns may decrease their fracture resistance.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of screw-access channels on 3 types of ceramic implant-supported crowns.

Material And Methods: Sixty computer-aided designed and computer-aided manufactured (CAD-CAM) ceramic implant-supported screw-retained maxillary premolar crowns were fabricated, 30 with an occlusal screw-access channel and 30 without access channels.

Characterization of the parasite-induced lesions in the posterior segment of the eye.

Ocular lesions are frequently associated with different parasitic infections. The classes of infection include protozoa, nematodes, cestodes, and ectoparasites. Ocular parasitic infections can manifest in any part of the eye; the disease manifestations are frequently characterized as either posterior or anterior eye disease.

Comparison of interim restorations fabricated by CAD/CAM with those fabricated manually.

Statement Of Problem: Interim restorations represent an essential treatment step; however, the optimal resin material for long-term interim restorations requires investigation.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the color stability, water sorption, wear resistance, surface hardness, fracture resistance, and microleakage of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing-(CAD/CAM) fabricated interim restorations with those of manually fabricated interim restorations.

Material And Methods: Epoxy replicas were made from a prepared maxillary first premolar.

Intestinal parasitic infection among Egyptian children with chronic liver diseases.

Patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD) are often highly susceptible to parasitic infection due to a depressed immune system. The objective of this study was to detect the most commonly intestinal parasites found among Egyptian children with CLD. The present study was conducted on 50 children with CLD of different etiology (25 were having different intestinal symptoms, 25 without intestinal symptoms) and 50 non-CLD children with gastrointestinal complaints served as controls.

Several staining techniques to enhance the visibility of Acanthamoeba cysts.

Acanthamoeba is one of the most common free-living amoebae. It is widespread in the environment and can infect humans causing keratitis. Delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis leads to extensive corneal inflammation and profound visual loss.

Toxoplasma gondii infection can induce retinal DNA damage: an experimental study.

Aim: To detect whether Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection of mice can induce retinal DNA damage.

Methods: A total of 20 laboratory-bred male Swiss albino mice were used and divided into four groups: control group (non-infected animals); T.

Acanthamoeba DNA can be directly amplified from corneal scrapings.

This study evaluated the performance of direct amplification of Acanthamoeba-DNA bypassing DNA extraction in the diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis in clinically suspected cases in comparison to direct microscopic examination and in vitro culture. Corneal scrapings were collected from 110 patients who were clinically suspected to have Acanthamoeba keratitis, 63 contact lens wearers (CLW), and 47 non-contact lens wearers (NCLW). Taken samples were subjected to direct microscopic examination, cultivation onto the non-nutrient agar plate surface seeded with Escherichia coli, and PCR amplification.

In vitro amoebicidal activity of ethanol extracts of Arachis hypogaea L., Curcuma longa L. and Pancratium maritimum L. on Acanthamoeba castellanii cysts.

Acanthamoeba castellanii causes amoebic keratitis which is a painful sight-threatening disease of the eyes. Its eradication is difficult because the amoebas encyst making it highly resistant to anti-amoebic drugs, but several medicinal plants have proven to be more effective than the usual therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro amoebicidal activity of ethanol extracts of Arachis hypogaea L.