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Introduction: Metallo-β-lactamase production among Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major health problem worldwide. Pseudomonas aeruginosa acquire several mechanisms of resistance towards carbapenems through the production of metallo-β-lactamases, especially VIM and IMP. The problem of multi-drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is increasing all over the world, reaching dangerous levels. The aim of this study was to detect the metallo-β-lactamases bla VIM and bla IMP genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains in Suez Canal University Hospital in Ismailia, Egypt. Material and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 65 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Genotypic detection of bla VIM and bla IMP was reached by using polymerase chain reaction. Results: Out of 65 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains , bla VIM gene was present in four females and one male, with an age of 42.9 ±18.1; two cases were isolated from the Oncology Department, and one case each was present in the Burn Unit, Surgery Ward, and Intensive Care Unit. The bla VIM gene was expressed in four stains, while the bla IMP gene was not expressed in any strain. Conclusions: The carbapenem resistance in our patients can be referred to as metallo-β-lactamases bla VIM type. The problem of metallo-β-lactamases and carbapenem resistance requires ongoing surveillance, strong preventive measures, and implementation of infection control policies and procedures. Also, routine diagnostic laboratory methods should be performed, and synthesis of antimicrobial products with new effecting mechanism should be implemented in hospitals.

Background and Objectives: Immunocompromised patients are considered a high-risk group to develop mycobacterial infections with either pulmonary and/or extra-pulmonary diseases. Low-cost and low-density (LCD) DNA-microarray is considered an easy and efficient method to detect typical and atypical Mycobacterial species. Materials and methods: Thirty immunocompromised patients were recruited to provide their clinical specimens (sputum, serum, urine and lymph node aspirate). Both Real-Time PCR and LCD-microarray techniques were performed and compared to the conventional methods of Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining and Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) culturing. Results and conclusion: Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) was detected in all 30 clinical specimens (100% sensitivity) by Real-Time PCR and LCD-microarray. Additionally, co-infection with 4 atypical species belonging to mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT) was identified in 7 sputum specimens. These atypical mycobacterial species were presented as M. kansasii 10% (n=3), M. avium complex 6.6% (n=2), M. gordanae 3.3% (n=1) and M. peregnium 3.3% (n=1). This study documents the presence of certain species of atypical mycobacteria among immunocompromised patients in Egypt. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detection of M. peregenium among clinical specimen in Egypt.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is characterized by high genetic diversity due to its high-mutation and recombination rates. Although, there is an increasing prevalence of circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) worldwide. Subtype B is still recognized as the predominant subtype in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. There is a limited sampling of HIV in this region due to its low prevalence. The main purpose of this study is to provide a summary of the current status of the resident HIV subtypes and their distribution among Egyptian patients. Methodology: Forty-five HIV-1 patients were included in this study. Partial pol gene covering the protease (PR) and reverse transcriptase (RT) was successfully amplified in 21 HIV patients using nested PCR of cDNA of the viral genomic RNA, then sequenced. The sequence data were used for viral HIV-1 subtyping by 5 online subtyping tools: NCBI viral genotyping tool, Stanford University HIV database (HIVDB) subtyping program, REGA tool, Context-based modeling for expeditious typing (COMET) tool, and Recombinant identification program (RIP) tool. The final subtype assignment was based on molecular phylogenetic analysis. Results: Unexpectedly, non-B subtypes are dominating with the most common circulating one is CRF02_AG (57.1%) followed by subtype B (14.3%), subtype BG recombinant (9.5%), CRF35_AD (9.5%), subtype A1 and CRF06_cpx (4.8 % each). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to tackle HIV-1 subtyping among the group of HIV-1 patients in Egypt. CRF02_AG is the most prevalent subtype in Egypt.

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