A systematic review of CQ-resistant malaria infections in India.

Introduction: Chloroquine (CQ) is the drug of choice for treating uncomplicated malaria in India. The knowledge about the exact burden of CQ resistance in P. vivax in India is scarce.

2,5-Dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone as an Anti-biofilm Agent Against Non-Candida albicans Candida Species.

Background: The predominance of non-Candida albicans Candida (NCAC) species causing healthcare-associated infections has increased over the last decade pertaining to their ability to form biofilms on medical devices. These biofilm-associated infections are challenging to treat as they are resistant to antifungal agents and evade host-immune response resulting in a high risk of device failure or biomaterial removal. Thus, to minimize the risk of biofilm-associated infections, preventing biofilm formation is the best approach which is mediated by the quorum quenching process.

Auxanographic Carbohydrate Assimilation Method for Large Scale Yeast Identification.

Introduction: The auxanographic carbohydrate assimilation had been an important method for differentiation of yeasts. Prevailing methods described in the literature for carbohydrate assimilation has limited scope for use in large scale yeast identification.

Aim: To optimize the large scale auxanographic carbohydrate assimilation method for yeast identification.

Genetic and epigenetic changes in host ABCB1 influences malaria susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum.

Multiple mechanisms such as genetic and epigenetic variations within a key gene may play a role in malarial susceptibility and response to anti-malarial drugs in the population. ABCB1 is one of the well-studied membrane transporter genes that code for the P-glycoprotein (an efflux protein) and whose effect on malaria disease predisposition and susceptibility to drugs remains to be understood. We studied the association of single nucleotide variations in human ABCB1 that influences its function in subjects with uncomplicated and complicated malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum (Pf).

New molecular detection methods of malaria parasites with multiple genes from genomes.

For the effective control of malaria, development of sensitive, accurate and rapid tool to diagnose and manage the disease is essential. In humans subjects, the severe form of malaria is caused by Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) and Plasmodium vivax (Pv) and there is need to identify these parasites in acute, chronic and latent (during and post-infection) stages of the disease. In this study, we report a species specific and sensitive diagnostic method for the detection of Pf and Pv in humans.

Categorical complexities of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in individuals is associated with genetic variations in ADORA2A and GRK5 genes.

In the erythrocytes, malaria parasite entry and infection is mediated through complex membrane sorting and signaling processes. We investigated the effects of single-locus and multilocus interactions to test the hypothesis that the members of the GPCR family genes, adenosine A2a receptor (ADORA2A) and G-protein coupled receptor kinase5 (GRK5), may contribute to the pathogenesis of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) independently or through complex interactions. In a case-control study of adults, individuals affected by Pf malaria (complicated n=168; uncomplicated n=282) and healthy controls (n=450) were tested for their association to four known SNPs in GRK5 (rs2230345, rs2275036, rs4752307 and rs11198918) and two in ADORA2A (rs9624472 and rs5751876) genes with malaria susceptibility, using techniques of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms and direct DNA sequencing.

Host genetic variations in glutathione-S-transferases, superoxide dismutases and catalase genes influence susceptibility to malaria infection in an Indian population.

Antioxidant enzymes can contribute to disease susceptibility or determine response to therapy in individuals with malaria. Genetic variations due to polymorphisms in host genes encoding antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione S-transferases-theta, mu, pi (GSTT, GSTM, GSTP), superoxide dismutases (SOD) and catalase (CAT), may therefore, influence inter-individual response to malaria pathology and propensity of infection caused by Plasmodium vivax (Pv) and Plasmodium falciparum (Pf). Therefore, using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and DNA sequencing, we investigated the association of deletions of GSTT1 and GSTM1, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of GSTP1 (rs1695), SOD1 (rs2234694), SOD2 (rs4880, rs1141718), SOD3 (rs2536512) and CAT (rs1001179) in individuals infected with Pf (n = 100) and Pv (n = 100) against healthy controls (n = 150).

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of ADRB2 gene and their association with susceptibility for Plasmodium falciparum malaria and asthma in an Indian population.

The essential route to blood parasitaemia in malaria, erythrocyte invasion is facilitated by activation of the G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathway mediated by the β2-adrenoreceptor as one of the proteins on the surface of red blood cells. The effectiveness of bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids in the clinical treatment for asthma patients also depend on polymorphisms in the β2-adrenoreceptor gene (ADRB2). In a case control study, individuals affected by Plasmodium falciparum malaria, asthma and controls were tested for association of six ADRB2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) viz.

Evidence for genetic linkage between a polymorphism in the GNAS gene and malaria in South Indian population.

The complex imprinted GNAS locus which encodes G-alpha subunit (Gαs) is involved in a number of G-protein coupled signaling pathways in eukaryotic cells. Erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium falciparum parasites is significantly regulated by protein of GNAS gene. This study was designed to evaluate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present in GNAS locus and susceptibility to malaria.

Interstitial lung disease probably caused by imipramine.

Drugs are rarely associated with causing interstitial lung disease (ILD). We report a case of a 75-year-old woman who developed ILD after exposure to imipramine. To our knowledge, this is one of the rare cases of ILD probably caused due to imipramine.