Ayman Azhary

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) remains a deadly infectious agent and a global health challenge, particularly due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. Mycobacterial serine/threonine protein kinase E (PknE) is vital for mycobacterial survival under nitric oxide stress by altering Toll-like receptor expression, suppressing apoptosis, increasing inflammation, and modulating costimulatory molecules. This study employed a structure-based in silico workflow comprising virtual screening of 2,202 FDA-approved compounds, molecular docking, 300 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulation molecular mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA) binding free energy calculations, principal component analysis (PCA), free energy landscape (FEL) analysis, and in silico toxicity profiling, to identify candidate PknE inhibitors. Molecular docking identified netilmicin, dirithromycin, acarbose, and ertapenem as top candidates, with docking scores of − 13.13 to − 15.86 kcal/mol. MD simulations confirmed complex stability with RMSD values near 1 nm, while MM/PBSA analysis revealed favourable binding free energies: netilmicin (− 1.47 ± 0.18), ertapenem (− 11.70 ± 1.22), dirithromycin (− 17.80 ± 0.13), and acarbose (− 18.90 ± 0.06 kcal/mol). PCA-based FEL analysis confirmed thermodynamic stability across all complexes, with DTM–PknE exhibiting the lowest minimum Gibbs free energy (15.7 kJ/mol). In silico toxicity profiling demonstrated acceptable safety profiles for all leads. These findings provide a strong computational basis for repurposing these agents as adjunct anti-TB therapies, pending experimental validation.

Blood-borne viral infections pose considerable health challenges to patients undergoing hemodialysis. This multicenter study evaluated the prevalence and d

Introduction: This study assesses the epidemiological trend of leprosy in Sudan from 2017 to 2020. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted for a period of four years per state using national surveillance data. Variables included case counts across 16 states. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 20. Results: From 2017 to 2020, 2,174 leprosy cases were reported in Sudan. Cases were predominantly male (55.5%) and individuals aged 45–64 years (30.6%). Geographically, the highest caseload was in Gedaref (15.9%) and West Kordofan (15.8%) states. A significant decline in new cases was observed, from 845 in 2017 to 242 in 2020. Conclusion: Leprosy remains a public health threat in Sudan, with a specific geographic distribution. While the declining trend in new cases is encouraging, the persistent case load, particularly among older adults and in high-burden states, underscores the need for sustained control efforts.

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a silent struggle affecting people globally. Their impact is particularly devastating in developing countries like Sudan, a sub-Saharan African country where the healthcare system was already on the brink; the eruption of a devastating war has resulted in many outbreaks of infectious diseases. This study sheds light on the distressing resurgence of Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) amidst the armed conflict and siege in the United Villages Region, Northern Khartoum State, a stark reminder of the human cost of such crises. This cross-sectional study was conducted in two resource-limited community clinics, which provided basic healthcare from July 1, 2024, to October 31, 2024. The study included 1,500 patients who presented with abdominal complaints and diarrhea. Each patient was asked to provide a stool sample for a general test. Among the 1,500 study participants, 200 (13.3%) had one or more intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs). Of these, 115 were females (57.5%) and 85 were males (42.5%). The most common intestinal parasite identified was Entamoeba histolytica (53%, n = 106), followed by Giardia lamblia (42.5%, n = 85). Mixed infections were found in eight cases (4%), involving both E. histolytica and G. lamblia, and in one case (0.5%), involving G. lamblia and Schistosoma mansoni. Most participants reported using Nile water (77.5%, n = 155), followed by well water (17.5%, n = 35). Few used a combination of Nile and well water (5%, n = 10). Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) surged concurrently with armed conflict, which left a collapsed healthcare system, water shortages, and massive contamination of water sources. The calculated prevalence of 13.3% underestimates the actual burden due to many complications that prevent many people from reaching the health center. This picture reveals the vulnerability of such a community amid war; the information may be useful for future rehabilitation processes. Not applicable.