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Article History

Received: 9 September 2025

Accepted: 21 April 2026

First Online: 16 May 2026

Declarations

:

: The study was approved by the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute of Iran (approval number 000176-017-34-18-1851) and by the Academic Vice Chancellor of Islamic Azad University, Zanjan (approval date: 07/03/2019). The present study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles outlined in the Helsinki Declaration. The Sputum sample was collected subsequent to the acquisition of the ethical approval code. Prior to commencing the collection of sputum samples, the objectives of the research were meticulously delineated, and the procedures were executed only subsequent to obtaining the requisite permissions and informed consent to participate was obtained from the parents or legal guardians of any participant under the age of 16. Personal information and the results of the questionnaires were kept confidential.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.