Our finding indicates that TIRAP rs8177374 polymorphism is associated with PTB in a sample of Iranian population.

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IntroductionCOVID-19 is a novel, severely contagious and progressive infection occurring worldwide. The diagnosis of the disease is based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and computed tomography (CT) scan, even though they are still controversial methods.Material and methodsWe studied 54 patients with suspected COVID-19 and the two mentioned methods were compared with each other.ResultsSensitivity and specificity of the abnormal chest CT scan, ground-glass opacity (GGO), consolidation opacity, and both of GGO and consolidation were also surveyed based on RT-PCR. The results showed that RT-PCR assay was negative in 23 (42.6%) patients and positive in 31 (57.4%) cases. Also, the patients with an abnormal chest CT scan comprised 37 (68.5%). The sensitivity and specificity of abnormal CT scan were 78.6% and 42.3%, respectively, based on the RT-PCR method.ConclusionsOther techniques alongside CT scan and RT-PCR are advocated for accuracy of the COVID-19 diagnosis.

Aims This study aimed to evaluate the effects of three Bacillus probiotics on Salmonella Typhimurium, and interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) gene expression in the co‐culture of the Bacillus and the pathogen in vitro. Methods and Results Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus indicus and Bacillus coagulans were initially turned to spore and heat‐inactivated forms. The cellular damages of the probiotics on the HT‐29 cells were investigated individually and in combination with S. Typhimurium using 3‐(4,5 dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and fluorescence assays. To extract cell free supernatants (CFS) of the probiotics, they were cultured in selective media. The inhibitory activity of CFSs were then assayed against the pathogen. The gene expression of IL‐8 of the HT‐29 cells was evaluated by real‐time PCR in all the groups. The results showed that the CFSs of three probiotics could inhibit the growth of S. Typhimurium by more than 50%. Inhibitory effects of B. indicus and B. subtilis CFSs were related to the production of pepsin‐sensitive compounds, except B. coagulans in which the high inhibitory effect was due to organic acids. The spores of the three probiotics and the heat‐inactivated forms of B. subtilis and B. coagulans could reduce the cytotoxicity of S. Typhimurium. The cell viability also increased applying both forms probiotics against the pathogen. In all co‐culture groups, the IL‐8 gene expression induced by S. Typhimurium was reduced. Conclusions The three Bacillus probiotics can be considered as proper candidates for the prevention and treatment of S. Typhimurium food poisoning. Significance and Impact of the Study Applying probiotics as live bacteria is universally noted in foods. This study tried to discover the effects of Bacillus probiotics in the form of spore or even heat‐killed bacteria against S. Typhimurium and evaluate ratio of IL‐8 gene expression in cell culture. The most effective Bacillus probiotic will be recommended. This approach will help to use probiotics as nonvegetative cells in foods to fight gastrointestinal pathogens.

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