Utilization of MALDI-TOF MS in the etiological diagnosis of deep-seated anaerobic bacterial infections.

Purpose: Deep-seated abscesses can be caused by a wide array of bacteria in various anatomical sites, the precise identification of which is crucial for implementing organism-specific treatments which can reduce morbidity and mortality. MALDI-TOF MS is a powerful proteomic method for the swift and accurate identification of anaerobic organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate deep-seated infections by MALDI-TOF MS (in comparison to VITEK®2 ANC ID card and phenotypic biochemical tests) and to determine the susceptibility pattern of identified microorganisms.

Paeniclostridium sordellii causing liver abscess: A rare case report in India.

Paeniclostridium sordellii, an anaerobic bacterium, causes hepatic infections in alcoholics and post-surgery (liver transplantation). While liver and brain abscesses are rare, drainage procedures and targeted antibiotic therapy assisted by early microbiological diagnosis have reduced mortality rates. We report a rare case of pyogenic liver abscess caused by Paeniclostridium sordellii in India, the early diagnosis of which has led to life saving outcome for the patient.

Quality assurance of SARS-CoV-2 testing laboratories during the pandemic period in India - An experience from a designated provider laboratory.

Purpose: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) initiated an Inter-Laboratory Quality Control testing (ILQC) program for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing. Under this program, SARS-CoV-2 testing laboratories across the country submit specimens to the assigned State Quality Control (SQCs) laboratories for ILQC testing. This study aimed to investigate the performance of public and private SARS-CoV-2 testing laboratories in Delhi and highlights the country's effort in ramping up testing facility with close monitoring of the quality of Covid-19 testing results.

Amplicon-Based Nanopore Sequencing of Patients Infected by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant in India.

We report the sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants from 75 patients, using nanopore long-read sequencing chemistry. These data show a range of mutations in spike glycoprotein that are both unique and common to other populations.

Clinical characteristic and epidemiological features of SARS CoV-2 disease patients from a COVID-19 designated hospital in New Delhi.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) infection is rapidly evolving as a serious global pandemic. The present study describes the clinical characteristics of SARS CoV-2 infection patients. The samples were subjected to reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction or Rapid Antigen test for diagnosis of SARS CoV-2.

Comparison of two real-time polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV-2 from combined nasopharyngeal-throat swabs.

Context: In the absence of effective treatment or vaccine, the current strategy for the prevention of further transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection is early diagnosis and isolation of cases. The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 is done by detecting viral RNA in the nasopharyngeal and throat swabs by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Many commercial assays are now available for performing the PCR assay.

Frequency of nucleotide sequence variations in the internal ribosome entry site region of hepatitis C virus RNA isolated from responding and non-responding patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 3 infection.

Located within 5' untranslated region of HCV RNA is internal ribosome entry site (IRES) which directs cap-independent translation of viral polyprotein. Mutations in IRES sequence have been shown to cause changes in efficiency of protein translation in vitro in few instances. No study has been done to investigate association between frequency of nucleotide sequence variations in IRES region of HCV-3 RNA and response to pegylated interferon-α plus ribavirin therapy.

Association of interleukin-2, -4 and -10 with dengue severity.

Background: Dengue is an arboviral disease caused by four distinct serotypes of dengue virus. The pathogenesis of dengue is not very clearly understood. Various pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines are involved in the immune pathogenesis of dengue.

Dengue: Lessons of an Outbreak.

Introduction: Since 1967 there have been many outbreaks of dengue in Delhi. In the year 2015 Delhi has suffered it's one of the worst dengue outbreaks, with more than 15000 dengue confirmed cases and the highest number of deaths (60) in recent years.

Aim: To determine the status of Dengue cases as compared to previous six years, the ratio of primary and secondary dengue cases and to review the effectiveness of the one test strategy (either NS1 antigen or IgM antibody) for the confirmation of Dengue.

Multi Drug Resistant Klebsiella Isolates in Burn Patients: A Comparative Study.

Introduction: Infections are the most common complications in the burn patients admitted to the hospitals leading to high morbidity and mortality. Klebsiella is one of the most frequently isolated bacteria from burn wounds.

Materials And Methods: We studied antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Klebsiella isolates from burn patients.

Use of dried blood blotted on filter paper to detect dengue IgM antibody and dengue NS1 antigen.

A cross sectional study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, to determine the efficacy of capillary blood samples collected on filter paper compared with serum samples to detect dengue IgM antibody and dengue NS1 antigen. The serum and capillary blood samples were collected from 104 suspected cases of dengue fever at Lok Nayak Hospital, India. The blood eluted from the filter paper and the serum samples were tested for dengue IgM antibody and dengue NS1 antigen by commercial capture ELISA kits.