A Paucity of Detection of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) Nucleic Acids in the Vaginal Secretions and the Urine of Some Naturally Infected Dromedary Camels

The dromedary camels play some critical roles in the evolution and transmission cycle of the MERS-CoV. There are no current available vaccines or antiviral medications to do prevention or to treat humans against the virus, respectively. Few studies reported the course of the MERS-CoV infection in dromedary camels under both the experiment and natural infection approaches. The curve of the viral particle, as well as its nucleic acids in nasal secretions of the dromedary camels, was reported in more details. However, MERS-CoV shedding in some other secretions such as vaginal secretions still understudied. The main goal of the current study was to check the possibility of MERS-CoV shedding of the MERS-CoV through the vaginal mucous membranes of some female camels. To achieve these goals, we conducted molecular surveillance on one dromedary camel herd in eastern Saudi Arabia. We collected the following swabs per each animal (nasal, rectal, and vaginal) as well as urine samples during the period from Jan 2020-April 2020. Testing of MERS-CoV nucleic acid (NA) was conducted in these swabs by the real-time PCR kits. Our results are showing that (47%, 21%, 0%, and 0%) of the (nasal, rectal, and vaginal) swabs, as well as the urine, were positive, respectively. All the tested vaginal swabs were negative. This may suggest the absence of MERS-CoV shedding in the female genital tract and urine samples despite the detection of the viral NA in the nasal swabs. This study is showing for the first time the failure of detection of the MERS-CoV in the vaginal secretions of some naturally infected dromedary camels. This result is enriching our understanding of the MERS-CoV shedding in various body secretions and excretions.

Association of the microbial culture of follicular fluid,vaginal swab and catheter tip with β-hCG IVF positive and negative

Objective:To find out the association of microbial contamination withβ-human chorionic gonadotropin(β-hCG)in-vitro fertilization(IVF)positive and negative.Methods:A total of 73 fresh IVF cycle women were included in the retrospective study.Vaginal swab culture samples were collected prior to ovum pick-up and embryo transfer.The follicular fluids were collected during ovum pick-up and catheter tip culture samples were collected after successful embryo transfer.After 14 days of the embryo transfer,women were classified intoβ-hCG IVF positive and negative.The comparative statistical analyses of aerobic microbial culture reports were done betweenβ-hCG IVF positive and negative women.Results:Out of 73 women,42(57.5%)were found to beβ-hCG IVF positive and 31(43.5%)were negative.In the aerobic culture of ovum pick-up vaginal swab,follicular fluid,embryo transplantation vaginal swab and catheter tip,Enterococcus faecalis was found to be higher compared to other bacteria(Streptococcus spp.,Candida,Escherichia coli and Klebsiella).Regarding the comparison between IVF positive and negative,the overall microbial infection rate of vaginal swab culture during ovum pick-up and embryo transplantation was found to be higher in IVF negative women than in IVF positive women(38.71%vs.28.57%);however,it was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The follicular fluid and catheter tip culture microbial infection rate was found to slightly higher in IVF positive women than in IVF negative women(54.76%vs.41.94%and 19.05%vs.9.68%,respectively),but there were not significant differences(P>0.05).Conclusions:The aerobic microbial culture reports of follicular fluid,vaginal swab culture,and catheter tip culture are not statistically significantly withβ-hCG IVF positive.

Study of the prevalence and association of ocular chlamydial conjunctivitis in women with genital infection by Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium and Candida albicans attending outpatient clinic

AIMTo determine the association between chlamydial conjunctivitis and genital infection by Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium and Candida albicans, in addition to the possible relationship between cultured bacterial pathogens and oculogenital chlamydial infection.METHODSThis study was performed on 100 (50 symptomatic and 50 asymptomatic) women attending the Gynecological and Obstetric outpatient clinic of Alzahra hospital, Alazhar University. Simultaneously a conjunctival swab was taken from these patients. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done on DNA extracted from both vaginal and conjunctival swab samples. Culture for both vaginal and conjunctival swabs was also done.RESULTSCandida albicans was the predominant organism isolated by culture in 20% and 40% of conjunctival and vaginal swabs respectively. By the PCR method, ocular Chlamydia trachomatis was present in 60% of symptomatic women, while genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection was present in 30% of symptomatic women. The results of this method also indicated that 25/50 (50%) vaginal swabs were positive with PCR for Candida albicans versus 15/50 (30%) were PCR positive in conjunctival swab. Mycoplasma genitalium was present in only 10% of vaginal swabs. Concomitant oculogenital PCR positive results for Chlamydia trachomatis and Candida albicans were 30% and 28% respectively.CONCLUSIONOcular Chlamydia trachomatis was associated with genital Chlamydia trachomatis in a high percentage of women followed by Candida albicans. Cultured bacterial organisms do not play a role in enhancement of Chlamydia trachomatis infection.