Molecular Detection of Multiple Genotypes of Causing Scrub Typhus in Febrile Patients from Theni District, South India.

Scrub typhus (St) is a re-emerging mite-transmitted public health problem in Southeast Asia with escalating case incidences in the endemic areas. Though, more than 40 genotypes of the causative agent () have been documented, the information on the circulating genotypes in India is scanty. A hospital-based retrospective screening was undertaken to map the circulating molecular subtypes of the etiological agent in serologically confirmed scrub typhus (St) human cases, by targeting the GroEL gene of using the nested polymerase chain reaction method.

A comparative study on the efficiency of commercial reverse transcriptase-Polymerase chain reaction kits for the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections.

Background: Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) kits have been reliably employed for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by the detection of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA since the beginning of the disease outbreak. In consideration of reliable diagnosis, apart from RT-PCR, the isothermal nucleic acid amplification-based point-of-care automated kits have also been tagged as a simpler and rapid alternative to the conventional techniques. Currently, the availability of a better diagnostic method for COVID-19 when compared to RT-PCR is nil.

Molecular diversity of dengue virus serotypes 1-4 during an outbreak of acute dengue virus infection in Theni, India.

Background: Dengue fever (DF) is caused by an arthropod-borne dengue virus (DENV), has four serotypes and several genotypes. Although having clinical and epidemiological significance, the information on the circulating serotypes/genotypes is scarce in India.

Materials And Methods: Blood specimens were collected from the patients suspected of DF and they are tested for DENV NS1 antigen and DENV IgM by ELISA.

New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase and other mechanisms of carbapenemases among Enterobacteriaceae in rural South India.

Objectives: The emergence and dissemination of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is an important public health problem. This study aimed to understand the prevalence and mechanisms of carbapenem resistance in clinically important members of Enterobacteriaceae in rural South India.

Methods: Routine clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Pediatric Bloodstream Infections in Rural Southern India.

Objective: To measure the frequency of antimicrobial resistance in pediatric blood culture isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. with focus on carbapenem resistance.

Methods: Over a period of three years, pediatric blood culture isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, including molecular investigations for carbapenem resistance.

Validation of novel cost-effective antimicrobial gradient strips for the determination of carbapenem susceptibility in Enterobacteriaceae.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to validate the use of LML antimicrobial gradient strips for quantitative determination of carbapenem susceptibility in Enterobacteriaceae.

Methods: A total of 95 non-redundant Enterobacteriaceae strains isolated during 2012-2014 were used for this validation study. Initially, LML antimicrobial gradient strips were validated for their performance in comparison with the agar dilution method.