Neisseria meningitidis is the causative agent of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), a form of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia, leading to isolated cases, outbreaks, and epidemics worldwide. Between 1991 and 2008, Aotearoa/New Zealand (NZ) experienced a prolonged hyperendemic group B IMD outbreak caused by the NZMenB epidemic strain, belonging to clonal-complex 41/44 (cc41/44) and identified by the PorA variant P1.7-2,4 (B:4:P1.7-2,4:cc41/44). NZMenB continues to account for approximately one-quarter of group B meningococcal disease cases in NZ. To understand NZMenB origin and initiation we used phylodynamic tools to analyse approximately 97 % of all NZMenB isolates submitted to the NZ Meningococcal Reference Laboratory from 1990 to 2019. We found NZMenB can be divided into three major clades: clade41, clade154, and clade42, each with distinct origins and expansion patterns. Our evidence from molecular dating and clonal expansion analysis suggests that NZMenB was circulating and had expanded before the epidemic. Comparison with international data showed multiple importations and re-introductions of NZMenB into NZ, while not suggesting close relationships with international variants. The recent COVID-19 health emergency and differing governmental responses have brought societal and environmental contributions to epidemics and pandemics into focus. We propose the NZMenB epidemic may have been triggered by increasing societal inequality and household crowding resulting from government policies at the time.

HPV34, HPV66, HPV73, and HPV82 are classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as possibly high-risk HPV (pHR-HPV) types. Despite their relatively lower pathogenicity, some cervical cancer (CC) patients have been found to be infected with pHR-HPV, though the underlying pathogenic characteristics remain unclear. Using viral integration detection and RNA sequencing in 8 pHR-HPV CC samples, we identified that the integration of pHR-HPV into the human genome and the formation of pHR-HPV-human fusion transcripts are critical events in cervical carcinogenesis. These events disrupt normal gene expression and favor the stable expression of oncogenes. Additionally, we discovered that pHR-HPV undergoes alternative splicing from the AGGTA motif. Despite their lower pathogenicity, pHR-HPV integration may represent a significant risk factor for CC development. Our findings underscore the importance of considering pHR-HPV infections in future HPV screening strategies and clinical management of cervical lesions, especially those associated with HPV integration.

The protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium is a global cause of gastrointestinal disease and cryptosporidiosis outbreaks are common. Current widely used methods for Cryptosporidium species and subtype determination, i.e., analysis of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (ssu RNA) and the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) using Sanger sequencing, are complex and labor intensive. As such, developing a more rapid, accurate, automated and cost-effective method for species and subtype determination is desired. In this study, we describe the design of a new method for rapid simultaneous PCR-amplification of the ssu rRNA and gp60 loci followed by Nanopore sequencing. Species and subtypes assessed by Sanger sequencing, were successfully detected using Nanopore sequencing with 95 % concordance. Further, sequence similarity was assessed by comparing ssu rRNA and gp60 sequences attained from the two methods. Minor differences between the two methods in regards to ssu rRNA sequences were detected, however these differences did not affect species determination. In regards to the gp60 gene, all sequences were identical. Overall, duplex PCR followed by Nanopore sequencing correlated well with Sanger sequencing, which is commonly used for Cryptosporidium species and subtype determination. As such, this newly developed method will replace Sanger sequencing at the Public Health Agency of Sweden.

Morphologically, 64 strongylid species have been described in equines. Co-infections are common, with up to 29 species reported in a single horse. Morphological identification of these species is time consuming and requires expert knowledge due to their similar appearance. Therefore, non-invasive identification methods are needed. DNA barcoding offers a rapid and reliable tool for species identification and the discovery of cryptic species for these most common parasitic nematodes of equines. In total, 269 cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and 312 internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2) sequences from 27 equine Strongylidae species, including sequences from two uncharacterised species, Coronocyclus sagittatus and Triodontophorus tenuicollis, were generated and combined with COI and ITS-2 sequences data from six Cyathostominae species from previous studies. This study represents a comprehensive DNA barcoding analysis of 22 Cyathostominae and six Strongylinae species using mitochondrial COI gene and ITS-2 sequences. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees were constructed and the intra- and interspecific genetic distances for both markers were compared. Analysis revealed complex phylogenetic relationships. Para- and polyphyletic relationships were observed among most genera within Strongylinae and Cyathostominae. This challenges current morphological classifications. Although both markers showed overlapping pairwise identities in intra- and inter-species comparisons, COI had higher discriminatory power than ITS-2. Expanding the COI and ITS-2 reference database, including the first sequences for Coronocyclus sagittatus and Triodontophorus tenuicollis, improve a reliable species identification and advanced studies on Strongylinae and Cyathostominae diversity using barcoding and metabarcoding.

Orthoflavivirus denguei (Dengue virus) type 4; (DENV-4) has emerged as a significant public health concern in Brazil, particularly following its reintroduction in the early 21st century. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of DENV-4's genetic characterization and its spatiotemporal dynamics reassessment within Brazil, with a focus on the period between 2010 and 2017. We performed direct genomic sequencing on 24 human samples obtained from various Brazilian states using a multiplex sequencing approach on the Ion Torrent platform. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the new isolates belong exclusively to the genotype 4II, lineage 4II_B.1.1, with no detection of genotype 4I, which was previously identified in Brazil. This absence of genotype 4I in our findings suggests a potential decline, not adaptation to mosquito host, sub endemic circulation or displacement of this genotype in the country. The phylogeographic analysis indicates multiple introduction events of genotype 4II into Brazil, with significant dispersion across different regions, including the North, Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast. The temporal analysis confirmed a robust evolutionary signal, supporting the observed phylogenetic clustering. Eighteen of the 24 genomes in this study had unique nonsynonymous mutations across the entire coding sequences and seven genomes showed mutations that altered the biochemical property of the amino acids at E, NS1, NS2B, NS3,and NS5 genes compared with genotype 4I. Our findings underscore the ongoing spread of DENV-4 within Brazil, and in the Americas driven by complex networks of viral dispersion, and highlight the dynamic nature of DENV-4 genotype distribution. This study emphasizes the importance of advanced direct genomic sequencing tools in understanding the DENV-4 dynamics and spreading, providing critical insights for public health strategies on genomic surveillance to control further dengue outbreaks.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the outermost component of Gram-negative bacterial cells, is critical to bacterial pathogenicity, functioning as an endotoxin that activates the human immune system and induces an inflammatory response during infection. LPS comprises three primary components: lipid A, the oligosaccharide core, and the O-antigen. The O-antigen, in particular, is highly variable and strain-specific, playing a pivotal role in how the host immune system recognizes bacterial cells. This study focuses on the Proteus mirabilis 1B-m strain, belonging to serogroup O78, the most prevalent serogroup in hospitals in Lodz, Poland. Given the increasing hospitalization rates, particularly among the elderly and catheterized patients, understanding the common strains and their virulence factors is crucial. This work presents bioinformatics analyses based on next-generation sequencing data (both short and long reads), aimed at elucidating the structure of the gene cluster responsible for O-antigen biosynthesis in the 1B-m strain. Our results suggest the presence of a unique wzx flippase in the strain, alongside the characterization of role of the licD gene, which was most often assigned a role in the phosphocholine decoration process of LPS. The function of licD in this strain appears to be linked to the ispD gene, potentially involved in the biosynthesis of CDP-ribitol. Additionally, we explored other genomic features, including the strain's genetic similarity to closely related microorganisms, the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes, and prophage elements. This study provides valuable insights into the genetic factors underlying the pathogenicity of the P. mirabilis 1B-m strain and its potential implications for hospital-acquired infections.

A comprehensive analysis of genetic diversity in field samples is essential for developing an effective strain-transcending malaria vaccine and antigens capable of producing cross-protective immunity can be crucial in combatting malaria. We explored the genetic diversity, natural selection, epitope prediction, and haplotype network analysis of etramp11.2, a potential antigen recently shown to exhibit cross-species reactivity in clinical samples of Plasmodium knowlesi and Plasmodium vivax. We retrieved gene sequences of etramp11.2 from P. knowlesi (n = 42) and P. vivax (n = 112) from public databases and studied the genetic diversity, natural selection, haplotype diversity, and epitope prediction analyses. Both species exhibited low worldwide nucleotide diversity within the cross-reactive domain. Purifying selection was stronger in P. knowlesi compared to P. vivax. Regional analysis in Pvetramp11.2 revealed higher genetic diversity in Africa, followed by North and South America, compared to low nucleotide diversity observed in Asia and Oceania. Haplotype network analysis showed shared clusters and with no geographical clustering of samples. In silico epitope prediction identified six potential epitopes in P. knowlesi and two in P. vivax, including a fully conserved epitope (AERKKRN) in both species. This study provides a preliminary snapshot of ETRAMP11.2 diversity in field samples and its potential for future studies towards a cross-protective vaccine target against both species. Further studies with higher numbers of sequences and functional antibody analyses are needed to validate these findings.

Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) is a major plant pathogen, infecting over 170 plant species, including cucurbits and legumes. Though mostly propagated locally by aphids in a non-persistent manner, long-range dispersal can occur through human-induced plant or vector movements. Understanding patterns of local and global spread of WMV is crucial to help formulate adequate control strategies. We used phylodynamic methods based on partial and whole-genome sequences collected in France between 2000 and 2017 to reconstruct the introduction of new lineages in the past 30 years and their subsequent diffusion in the country. We identified at least 11 different introduction events, hailing from different parts of the global diversity of WMV, highlighting the critical role international exchanges play in the spread of plant pathogens. For three of these lineages, we estimated the time and location of their introduction in the mid-1990s in the south of France and the speed at which they spread in this specific landscape. We also showed that the highly recombinogenic nature of WMV, as with most potyviruses, makes the use of whole genomes necessary to classify these viruses on a global scale and must be taken into consideration to reconstruct viral evolutionary history. Our results demonstrate how genomic sequencing of plant viruses can help reconstruct specific viral outbreaks and understand global circulation patterns of plant pathogens.

The repetitive interspersed family (rif) and subtelomeric variable open reading frames (stevor) are highly diverse multi-gene families in the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Embedded on the surface of infected erythrocytes, RIFIN and STEVOR proteins are involved in cytoadherence and immune evasion, but the extent of family-wide sequence diversity across strains has yet to be comprehensively investigated in light of improved resolution of the subtelomeric genome sequences. Using a k-mer frequency approach, we analyzed long-read genomic sequence data from 18 geographically diverse P. falciparum genome assemblies, including lab strains and clinical isolates. We hypothesized that k-mer sequence comparison can identify existing RIFIN and STEVOR subgroups, identify novel subgroups, and generate more robust and reliable estimates of family-wide sequence diversity. Full-length RIFIN and STEVOR proteins shared on average 49.5% and 61.1% amino acid k-mer similarity, respectively, which fell to 25.1% and 20% in the hypervariable regions alone. Despite this diversity, we identified 11 RIFINs and five STEVORs that were conserved across strains above expected thresholds. A subset of these strain-transcendent genes was similar and syntenic to genes in related Plasmodium species, suggesting an ancient origin. Additionally, in silico structural predictions from AlphaFold showed that three-dimensional structures of RIFIN receptor-binding regions were more conserved than their sequences suggested. Evolutionarily constrained RIFINs and STEVORs may have critical functions in parasite survival or pathogenesis. This study provides a framework for investigating diversity in highly variable multi-gene families and highlights the potential of strain-transcendent RIFIN and STEVOR proteins as vaccine candidates.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused numerous deaths worldwide. Despite the mitigation of infection manifestations in recent months, the possible consequences of the epidemic remain difficult to predict. Genotoxicity and subsequent development of neoplasms are possible outcomes. This review summarises the data on these questions. Studies from several countries have reported increased levels of DNA damage in nucleated blood cells of patients with severe forms of COVID-19 infection. The level of DNA damage can be used as a prognostic factor for the disease outcome. It is considered that SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins play a crucial role in DNA damage; however, the virus also inhibits the DNA repair system. Co-morbidities and use of antiviral drugs may also contribute to DNA damage in patients with COVID-19.

Anthropogenic activities greatly affect the Karon River leading to deterioration of water quality. This investigation utilizes environmental genomic techniques to delineate microbial populations, examine functional genomics, and evaluate the occurrence of virulence determinants and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in fluvial sediment. Taxonomic assessment identified that Firmicutes were the predominant phyla, with Bacillus being the most abundant genus across samples. Functional analysis revealed the metabolic capabilities of sediment-associated bacteria, linking them to biogeochemical processes and potential health impacts. The S2 samples exhibited the highest virulence factor genes, while the S3 samples had the most ARGs (30), highlighting concerns about pathogenicity. Analyzing ARGs provides critical insights into environmental data collected, such as water quality parameters (e.g., nutrient concentrations, pH) or pollution levels, prevalence, and distribution of these resistance factors within the sediment samples, helping to identify potential hotspots of antibiotic resistance in the Karon River ecosystem. The study identified similar operational taxonomic units (OTUs) across sampling sites at the phylogenetic level, indicating a consistent presence of certain microbial taxa. However, the lack of variation in functional classification suggests that while these taxa may be present, they are not exhibiting significant differences in metabolic capabilities or functional roles. These findings emphasize the significance of metagenomic methods in understanding microbial ecology and antibiotic resistance in aquatic environments, suggesting a need for further research into the restoration of microbial functions related to ARGs and virulence factors.

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that causes human listeriosis and may be transmitted to humans via the food chain, beginning at slaughter and extending through food production and consumption. In this study, we performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis to determine the genetic characteristics of L. monocytogenes from the carcasses and environments of cattle and pig slaughterhouses in Korea. In total, 50 L. monocytogenes isolates were collected from 46 cattle and 47 pig slaughterhouses nationwide from 2014 to 2022. They were classified into two lineages, 12 sublineages, 12 sequence types, 11 clonal complexes (CCs), and 15 core-genome multilocus sequence types. L. monocytogenes isolates were divided into two lineages: lineage I (serotypes 1/2b and 4b) and lineage II (serotypes 1/2a and 1/2c). The most frequent CCs were CC9 (46.0 %), followed by CC224 (16.0 %) and CC155 (14.0 %). Although all isolates exhibited highly conserved LIPI-1, 20.0 % and 2.0 % contained LIPI-3 or LIPI-4, respectively. Moreover, 96.0 % of the isolates had full-length inlA. Interestingly, 21 of the 23 CC9 isolates contained mutations in inlA resulting from premature stop codon (PMSC). The mdrL and Listeria genomic island-2 (LGI-2) were identified in all L. monocytogenes isolates, whereas LGI-3 was identified in 32.0 % of the isolates. The L. monocytogenes isolates contained various antimicrobial resistance genes, moreover, the plasmid-borne resistance genes tetM and mprF were also identified in 34.0 % and 100 % of the isolates, respectively. Twenty-four isolates (48.0 %) harbored one or two plasmids (pLM33, DOp1, pLGUG1, and pLM5578), and 29 isolates (58.0 %) harbored at least one insertion sequence, composite transposon, and integrative conjugative element. Four isolates showed two CRISPR-Cas types IB and II-A. In addition, phage sequences associated with the spacer constituting the CRISPR array were identified in 26 Listeria phages from 14 L. monocytogenes isolates. The genetic composition of L. monocytogenes was conserved in a collinearity relationship between each of the five L. monocytogenes isolates from the cattle and pig slaughterhouses. These findings suggest that L. monocytogenes isolated from cattle and pig slaughterhouses have the ability to cause human disease and exhibit virulent characteristics.

Klebsiella michiganensis, an emerging opportunistic pathogen, poses public health risks due to its increasing multidrug resistance (MDR), especially to carbapenems.

Despite current surveillance and sanitation strategies, foodborne pathogens continue to threaten the food industry and public health. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has reached an unprecedented resolution to analyse and compare pathogenic bacterial isolates. The increased resolution significantly enhances the possibility of tracing transmission routes and contamination sources of foodborne pathogens. In addition, machine learning (ML) on WGS data has shown promising applications for predicting important microbial traits such as virulence, growth potential, and resistance to antimicrobials. Many regulatory agencies have already adapted WGS and ML methods. However, the food industry hasn't followed a similarly enthusiastic implementation. Some possible reasons for this might be the lack of computational resources and limited expertise to analyse WGS and ML data and interpret the results. Here, we present ListPred, a ML tool to analyse WGS data of Listeria monocytogenes, a very concerning foodborne pathogen. ListPred relies on genomic markers and pre-trained ML models from two previous studies, and it is able to predict two important bacterial traits, namely virulence potential and disinfectant tolerance. ListPred only requires limited computational resources and practically no bioinformatic expertise, which is essential for a broad application in the food industry.

Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) secondary to influenza infection is characterized by fulminant neurological deterioration and a high mortality rate. The underlying mechanisms remain unclear, and specific treatments are currently lacking. Therefore, understanding the pathogenesis and identifying diagnostic and therapeutic targets for influenza-induced ANE are crucial. Peripheral blood samples were collected from two groups: influenza-infected patients without ANE (mild) and influenza infection with ANE patients (severe). Differentially expressed genes (DEG) were identified through microRNA sequencing analysis, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. The expression levels of the four specific miRNAs were validated using qRT-PCR. In the severe group, 24 genes were up-regulated, and 67 genes were down-regulated compared to the mild group. The expression levels of hsa-miR-1290, hsa-miR-4657, has-miR-1231, and hsa-miR-342-3p were validated by qRT-PCR, and the levels of has-miR-4657 and hsamiR- 342-3p showed significant differences between severe and mild groups. GO analysis demonstrated that the DEGs were predominantly involved in the positive regulation of cellular processes, intracellular anatomical structure, and protein binding. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly enriched in calcium signaling pathway and axon guidance. The down-regulated hsa-miR-4657 and hsa-miR-342-3p might be associated with the development of ANE in pediatric patients with influenza by regulation of calcium pathways and axon guidance.

Newcastle disease (ND) is one of the most economically devastating infectious diseases impacting the poultry industry in Bangladesh. This study aimed to characterize the pathotype, genotype, evolutionary divergence, and mutations of circulating virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in chickens from the Gazipur, Tangail, and Mymensingh districts of Bangladesh between October 2023 and December 2024. ND-suspected samples, including lung, trachea, and caecal tonsil tissues, were collected, processed, and inoculated into 10-12-day-old embryonated chicken eggs (ECEs) via the allantoic cavity. Allantoic fluids were harvested after 24 h of incubation, and virulent NDV was identified through RT-PCR targeting the fusion (F) gene using specific primers. Pathogenicity was assessed using the mean death time (MDT), intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI), and intravenous pathogenicity index (IVPI). The pathotype and genotype were confirmed by complete sequencing of the F gene and phylogenetic analysis. Further evolutionary divergence and mutations were analyzed using MEGA-11 software. RT-PCR yielded specific amplification of a 254-bp product indicative of virulent NDV. Pathogenicity indices-MDT (<60 h), ICPI (>1.5), and IVPI (>1.70)-confirmed a velogenic strain. Complete F gene sequencing revealed an F-protein cleavage site motif of "RRQKRF," while phylogenetic analysis classified the isolates as belonging to sub-genotype XIII.2.3 under genotype XIII. Evolutionary divergence (0.00-0.06) and mutations at neutralizing epitopes 1 and 2 (at the 74th and 170th amino acids, respectively) suggested moderate genetic diversity. This study represents the first report in Bangladesh identifying the emergence of the novel sub-genotype XIII.2.3 of genotype XIII NDV associated with chicken mortality in selected regions.

In recent years, Goose Astrovirus (GAstV) has become a major pathogen in China, afflicting geese with significant clinical manifestations like gout and urate deposits in organs. Notably, similar symptoms have emerged in ducks. From 2023 to 2024, 126 liver samples were collected from ducks in Guangdong Province, where farms reported emaciation, paralysis, and deaths. Metagenomic analysis pinpointed GAstV as the primary pathogen, with a 43.65 % confirmed positive rate via qPCR. A new strain, GD2406, was identified, showing 97.5 %-98.8 % similarity to 30 GAstV-2 strains in GenBank. GD2406 displayed 98.3 % and 97.7 % identity with the duck strains HNNY0620 and SDTA, and 98.3 % and 98.4 % identity with highly virulent GAstV strains HNKF-1 and HNSQ-6. Phylogenetic analysis indicated a genetic closeness between GD2406 and the goose strain HB01. There were 13 amino acid mutations, mainly within ORF2, and a single mutation differing from HNKF-1 and HNSQ-6, hinting at significant pathogenic potential for both ducks and geese. This study is the first to report GAstV causing severe symptoms and mortality in Muscovy ducks in Guangdong Province, suggesting ducks could be key hosts and underscoring the risk of cross-species transmission.

Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infections are a major public health concern in India because of inadequate knowledge of antimicrobial resistance, limiting therapeutic options. The study aimed to characterize and analyse the genome of a 3rd-generation cephalosporins (3GCs)-resistant clinical isolate of Salmonella Bareilly-harbouring plasmid-mediated AmpC (pAmpC) CMY-6. Identification, antibiotic susceptibility and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)-based analysis were performed. Transmissibility, replicon types of bla-harbouring plasmid were evaluated. S. Bareilly ST203 (Clonal-Complex 206.2) was isolated from clinical specimen of a paediatric patient and was found to be multidrug-resistant with resistance to 3rd generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolone and aminoglycosides. WGS revealed pAmpC bla on conjugative IncC plasmid (158,385 kb) which successfully transferred into the transconjugant with other resistance determinants (bla, armA, aac(6')-Ib-cr, sul1), showed higher MICs for 3GCs. Downstream regions of bla include blc (lipocalin), sugE (efflux protein) and truncated ecnR (entericidin R) followed by other resistance genes. Presence of ISEcp1 in the genome facilitated the transfer of bla Several efflux pump genes, two complete CRISPR arrays and intact phage sequences were also detected. Virulence factors associated with Salmonella Pathogenicity Islands SPI-1/SPI-2/SP-3 and their effectors indicated the virulence potential of this strain. To the best of our knowledge, genome of a 3GCs-resistant clinical isolate of S. Bareilly-harbouring pAmpC bla was reported and analysed for the first time in this study. S. Bareilly was found to cause outbreaks in earlier reports but lower resistance was reported in this serovar compared to other NTS. As infections by NTS are concerning, early detection of such strains is of utmost importance.

Q fever is a global bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals. The etiological agent of the disease is Coxiella burnetii. The aim of the investigation was to detect the existence of C. burneti in the serum samples of patients with symptoms of fever and suspicion of brucellosis in the west of Iran. In the current survey, 150 Wright agglutination assay were collected from health centers in Lorestan, Hamadan, Ilam, Kermanshah, and Kurdistan provinces in 2023. DNA was extracted from all these samples, which were taken from individuals suspected of having brucellosis. Then, a nested PCR reaction was applied to diagnose C. burnetii for the transposon gene IS1111. The IS1111 gene replication assays, indicated that 3.3 % (95 % CI: 1.43 %-3.33 %) of the tested serum samples, were positive for C. burnetii. The highest prevalence of C. burnetii infection was found in the Kurdistan province at 6.67 % (95 % CI: 1.85 %-21.33 %). Additionally, a high affinity (ranging from 99 % to 100 %) was recognized among the IS1111 gene sequenced in the present study and those from different area around the world. These results provide strong evidence that individuals with brucellosis in west of Iran may also have C. burnetii co-infection with coxiellosis. Therefore, it is important to consider Q fever as a co-infection in patients suspected of brucellosis.

Intestinal microsporidiosis is an emerging opportunistic infection that primarily affects individuals with compromised immune systems. This study investigated intestinal microsporidia infections in individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and elucidated the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of microsporidia.

The present study aimed to investigate the association between certain interleukin-17 A (IL-17 A) polymorphisms, specifically rs2275913 and rs8193036, and the susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Considering the function of IL-17 A in regulating immunological responses, especially regarding bacterial infections, we sought to determine if variations in the IL-17 A gene effect on PTB in the examined group.