Background Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infects nearly half of the world’s population with a variation in incidence among different geographic regions. Genetic variants in the promoter regions of the IL1B gene can affect cytokine expression and creates a condition of hypoacidity which favors the survival and colonization of H. pylori. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the polymorphic sites in the 5′- region [−687_ + 297] of IL1B in H. pylori infection using in silico tools. Results A total of five nucleotide variations were detected in the 5′-regulatory region [−687_ + 297] of IL1B which led to the addition or alteration of transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) or composite regulatory elements (CEs). Genotyping of IL1B − 31 C > T revealed a significant association between -31 T and susceptibility to H. pylori infection in the studied population (P = 0.0363). Comparative analysis showed conservation rates of IL1B upstream [−368_ + 10] region above 70% in chimpanzee, rhesus monkey, a domesticated dog, cow and rat. Conclusions In H. pylori-infected patients, three detected SNPs (− 338, − 155 and − 31) located in the IL1B promoter were predicted to alter TFBSs and CE, which might affect the gene expression. These in silico predictions provide insight for further experimental in vitro and in vivo studies of the regulation of IL1B expression and its relationship to H. pylori infection. However, the recognition of regulatory motifs by computer algorithms is fundamental for understanding gene expression patterns.

Background: Helicobacter pylori is responsible for gastric cancer in approximately tens of millions of patients. Gastric cancer in Sudan represents one of the top causing death among cancers with about 686 cases per year and a 2.7 % mortality rate. IL-1RN VNTR polymorphism has been reported to increase the risk of gastric cancer. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the association of the 86 bp VNTR polymorphism of IL- 1RN gene and the susceptibility to H. pylori infection and gastric cancer in the Sudanese population. Materials and methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from 114 subjects. Of whom 60 had gastritis and duodenitis, 26 had a peptic ulcer, 16 had gastric cancer and 12 had normal gastroscopy findings. H. pylori infection was investigated by specific 16S rRNA. And IL-1RN VNTR polymorphism at intron 2 was genotyped using the PCR method and direct sequencing for random samples. Results: The positive H. pylori infection rate among participants was 47.37%. There is a lack of a significant difference in IL- 1RN genotype with H. pylori infection (p-value=1.0000). The IL-1 RN L/L genotype was significantly more frequent in a patient with benign disorders (gastritis or duodenitis or peptic ulcer), Odd=6.000 (95% CI =1.750-20.57, P=0.0056). While the heterozygote genotype 2/L was associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer with OR = 12.83 (95% CI = 1.261-130.6, P=0.0302). Conclusion: Independently carriage of IL-1RN *2 allele was associated with increased risk of gastric cancer in the Sudanese population. Notwithstanding the relatively small sample size of the study population, our findings show that the host genetic can be a useful tool for identifying high-risk individuals among dyspeptic patients; and also underscore the role played by host genetics in gastric carcinogenesis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in Sudan concerning this issue.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is an important bacterium that can cause many diseases. Methicillin-resistant S.aureus (MRSA) is often sub-categorized as Hospital or Community acquired infection. MRSA causes serious problems, such as bloodstream and surgical site infections or pneumonia. Objectives: The present study aimed to identify S. aureus by 16SrRNA using PCR, estimate the antibiotic susceptibility pattern and determine the prevalence of MRSA among Hospital and community acquired infections. Methods: A cross-sectional laboratory-based study was conducted during the period from November 2020 to January 2021. Conventional methods were used to identify S. aureus and isolate confirmation was performed by PCR targeting 16SrRNA gene. All isolated organisms were tested for their in-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility. Result: Among the enrolled patients (n, 300), MRSA was observed in 185 (61.7%). The highest frequency was shown in the age group over 45 years old (46.7%). The result also showed a high frequency of S. aureus among community infections (81.7%), MRSA in hospital acquired infections was 10.7% while 51% was community acquired. The antimicrobial susceptibilities against MRSA isolates showed high sensitivity to Ceftriaxone 90.0%). Most infections caused by MRSA isolates were respiratory tract infection (RTI) (28.3%) and Septicemia (22.5%). Conclusion: The present study highlighted a high proportion of MRSA in clinical settings at Khartoum State. Antibiotic susceptibility results showed that Ceftriaxone was the drug of choice against MRSA isolates. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics, along with self-medication, seem to be the cause of antibiotic resistance, thus should be avoided.

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Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infects nearly half of the world’s population with a variation in incidence among different geographic regions. Genetic variants in the promoter regions of the IL1B gene can affect cytokine expression and creates a condition of hypoacidity which favors the survival and colonization of H. pylori. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the polymorphic sites in the 5’- region [-687_+297] of IL1B in H. pylori infection using in silico tools.Results: A total of five nucleotide variations were detected in the 5’-regulatory region [-687_+297] of IL1B which led to the addition or alteration of transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) or composite regulatory elements (CEs). Genotyping of IL1B-31 C>T revealed a significant association between -31T and susceptibility to H. pylori infection in the studied population (P=0.0363). Comparative analysis showed conservation rates of IL1B upstream [−368_+10] region above 70% in chimpanzee, rhesus monkey, a domesticated dog, cow and rat.Conclusions: In H. pylori-infected patients, three detected SNPs (-338, -155 and -31) located in the IL1B promoter were predicted to alter TFBSs and CE, which might affect the gene expression. These in silico predictions provide insight for further experimental in vitro and in vivo studies of the regulation of IL1B expression and its relationship to H. pylori infection. However, the recognition of regulatory motifs by computer algorithms is fundamental for understanding gene expression patterns.