Molecular characterization of plasma virome of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stands as the most common cancer type, arising from various causes, and responsible for a substantial number of cancer-related fatalities. Recent advancements in viral metagenomics have empowered scientists to delve into the intricate diversity of the virosphere, viral evolution, interactions between viruses and their hosts, and the identification of viral causes behind disease outbreaks, the development of specific symptoms, and their potential role in altering the host's physiology. The present study had the objective of "Molecular Characterization of HBV, HCV, anelloviruses, CMV, SENV-D, SENV-H, HEV, and HPV viruses among individuals suffering from HCC.

Genetic characterization of human echinococcosis in Southern Punjab, Pakistan.

Introduction: Echinococcosis is a neglected tropical zoonotic infection that affects both the human and livestock populations. In Pakistan, the infection is long-standing, but data on its molecular epidemiology and genotypic characterization in the southern Punjab region are limited. The aim of the current study was the molecular characterization of human echinococcosis in southern Punjab, Pakistan.

Evaluation of Cardiac Biomarkers and Expression Analysis of IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and IL-25 among COVID-19 Patients from Pakistan.

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by viral infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Where upregulation of several important biomarkers and multiple organ dysfunction occurs, this study aimed to evaluate the association of cardiac biomarkers and CS induced acute lung damage with disease severity and mortality in survival of COVID-19 patients. A total of 500 COVID-19 patients with elevated cardiac biomarkers were studied for the analysis of myocardial abnormality through cardiac enzymes, inflammatory biomarkers, and the expression analysis of various cytokines, including IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and IL-25 genes.

Seroprevalence of Anti-tTg-IgA among Symptomized Celiac Disease Patients and Their Correlation with Rotavirus Infection.

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder in the intestinal tract as a response to the use of gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. It is a worldwide problem, with a high prevalence rate in North America. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 1090 samples collected from different hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, from January 2019 to December 2019.

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Cystic Echinococcosis in Livestock Population of the Malakand Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected zoonotic disease prevalent in Pakistan, but the genetic diversity of the cestode is largely unexplored in the country. This study investigated the molecular epidemiology of CE infecting the livestock population of the Malakand division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 1,200 livestock, including buffaloes, cattle, goats, and sheep, were examined for echinococcosis from November 2017-2018 at different slaughterhouses in the Malakand division.

Rotavirus gastroenteritis in Pakistan, 2018: updated disease burden.

Objective: Rotavirus A (RVA) is a significant cause of severe diarrheal illness and one of the common causes of death in children under the age of five. This study was aimed at detecting the prevalence of RVA in Pakistan after rotavirus vaccines were introduced. Fecal samples were obtained from 813 children from different hospitals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, from January 2018 to December 2018.

Methicillin-Resistant (MRSA) in Slaughter Houses and Meat Shops in Capital Territory of Pakistan During 2018-2019.

Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant (LA-MRSA) is a major concern in many parts of the world, including Pakistan. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of MRSA in slaughterhouses and meat shops in Rawalpindi-Islamabad, Pakistan, 2018-2019. A total of 300 samples were collected: 40 from each of working area, tools (knives, hooks), butcher hands and beef, 30 from each of chicken and mutton, 20 from each of nasal and rectal swabs.

Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B virus genotypes in blood donors in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major causative agent of early, severe and prolonged liver infection that subsequently leads to cirrhosis of liver and hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes and comparison of serological assay performance versus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in HBV screening.

Methods: Blood samples of 8517 healthy blood donors were collected during the period of January to June 2017 from Blood Bank of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad.