Genomic insights into the dynamic antibiotic resistance landscape of Vibrio cholerae during the Cholera outbreak 2022 in Odisha, India.

This research delves into the evolving dynamics of antibiogram trends, the diversity of antibiotic resistance genes and antibiotic efficacy against Vibrio cholerae strains that triggered the cholera outbreak 2022 in Odisha, India. The study will provide valuable insights managing antimicrobial resistance during cholera outbreaks. Eighty V.

Operational feasibility and multi-centric evaluation of 'TB sputum microscopy kit' for the direct detection of in field settings.

Background: India relies primarily on direct smear microscopy for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis. However, the low sensitivity of smear microscopy emphasizes the need to improve its performance. We recently described the development of 'TB' kit which showed improved performance over direct smear microscopy at National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) in India.

Accuracy of cobas MTB and MTB-RIF/INH for Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Drug Resistance.

This study evaluated the performance of cobas MTB and cobas MTB-RIF/INH for the diagnosis of tuberculosis and detection of rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) resistance. Adults presenting with pulmonary tuberculosis symptoms were recruited in South Africa, Moldova, and India. Performance of cobas MTB was assessed against culture, whereas cobas MTB-RIF/INH was assessed using phenotypic drug susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing as composite reference standards.

Molecular docking and MD simulations reveal protease inhibitors block the catalytic residues in Prp8 intein of a potential target for antimycotics.

Resistance to azoles and amphotericin B especially in is a growing concern towards the treatment of invasive fungal infection. At this critical juncture, intein splicing would be a productive, and innovative target to establish therapies against resistant strains. Intein splicing is the central event for the activation of host protein, essential for the growth and survival of various microorganisms including .

Recurrence of pulmonary tuberculosis in India: Findings from the 2019-2021 nationwide community-based TB prevalence survey.

Recurrent Tuberculosis patients contribute to a significant proportion of TB burden in India. A nationwide survey was conducted during 2019-2021 across India among adults to estimate the prevalence of TB. A total of 322480 individuals were screened and 1402 were having TB.

Impact of cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) introduction on the detection of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Background: Compared to conventional microscopy, the cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT, Xpert MTB/RIF, Cepheid, USA) has the dual advantage of higher sensitivity to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb), and the ability to detect rifampicin resistance.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of the CBNAAT on the detection of pulmonary and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis from private and public healthcare facilities in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Immunohistochemical Evaluation of p16 and p53 in Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Special Regard to Human Papillomavirus Status.

Background: Incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC and OPSCC) is on a rising trend globally and has specific therapeutic implications. HPV-related tumors have a distinct pathogenetic mechanism targeting p16 and p53 both. However, there are limited studies evaluating p16 and p53 expression in combination.

A Dose-Finding Study to Guide Use of Verapamil as an Adjunctive Therapy in Tuberculosis.

Induction of mycobacterial efflux pumps is a cause of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) drug tolerance, a barrier to shortening antitubercular treatment. Verapamil inhibits Mtb efflux pumps that mediate tolerance to rifampin, a cornerstone of tuberculosis (TB) treatment. Verapamil's mycobacterial efflux pump inhibition also limits Mtb growth in macrophages in the absence of antibiotic treatment.

Pan-India influenza-like illness (ILI) and Severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance: epidemiological, clinical and genomic analysis.

Background: Over time, COVID-19 testing has significantly declined across the world. However, it is critical to monitor the virus through surveillance. In late 2020, WHO released interim guidance advising the use of the existing Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) for the integrated surveillance of influenza and SARS-CoV-2.

Serosurveys to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among high-risk groups in six urban cities of Odisha, India.

Introduction: Personnel involved in essential services or residing in high-risk areas during the COVID-19 pandemic are at increased risk of getting infected. We evaluated the proportion of personnel infected in several high-risk groups in Odisha using seroprevalence studies.

Methodology: During July to November, 2020, individuals from multiple high-risk groups in 6 urban cities (Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Cuttack, Malkangiri, Paralakhemundi, and Rourkela) in Odisha, India, were recruited to the study after obtaining written informed consent.

Pleural tuberculosis in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, during 2016 to 2022.

We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the burden of tuberculosis and rifampicin resistance in patients with pleural effusion in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, during February 2016, to December 2022, using cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT, Xpert MTB/RIF). Of the 1370 pleural fluid samples tested at the National Reference Laboratory for tuberculosis, 3.8% (52/1370) were positive for M.

A dose-finding study to guide use of verapamil as an adjunctive therapy in tuberculosis.

Induction of mycobacterial efflux pumps is a cause of (Mtb) drug tolerance, a barrier to shortening antitubercular treatment. Verapamil inhibits Mtb efflux pumps that mediate tolerance to rifampin, a cornerstone of tuberculosis treatment. Verapamil's mycobacterial efflux pump inhibition also limits Mtb growth in macrophages in the absence of antibiotic treatment.

Gender differences in COVID-19 knowledge, risk perception, and public stigma among the general community: Findings from a nationwide cross-sectional study in India.

Introduction: Individual and community characteristics predictive of knowledge, perception, and attitude on COVID-19, specifically on gender, have not been adequately explored.

Objective: To examine the gender differences in COVID-19 knowledge, self-risk perception and public stigma among the general community and to understand other socio-demographic factors which were predictive of them.

Method: A nationally representative cross-sectional multi-centric survey was conducted among adult individuals(≥18 yrs) from the community member (N = 1978) from six states and one union territory of India between August 2020 to February 2021.

Mapping the distribution and trends of co-circulating dengue virus serotypes in Odisha, India: A retrospective facility-based analysis.

Background Dengue, caused by mosquito bite, is an emerging disease of international concern. Evidence regarding the prevalent dengue serotypes is scarce, but essential for its management during the outbreaks. Hence, we mapped the distribution and trends of currently prevalent dengue virus (DENV) serotypes in Odisha.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Biofilm Formation of Isolates from Febrile Cases: Findings from a Rural Cohort of Odisha, India.

This study investigated the major pathogens in fever patients' blood in a rural cohort and characterized its virulence. A total of 718 blood samples received from IPD/OPD (inpatient department/outpatient department) patients with H/O (history of) fever were cultured, and 73 out of 83 culture-positive samples were identified as . The isolates showed higher resistance to penicillin, most being multidrug resistant.

A comparison of SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen testing with realtime RT-PCR among symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.

Background: Identification of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients with rapid and cost-effective test methods is the key for isolating infected individuals, interrupting the transmission chain, and thus, containment of the CoVID-19 disease. In this regard, Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) plays an important role at point of care testing but the low sensitivity attributing towards escape of positive cases is reported as a major disadvantage of RAT which led us to evaluate a RAT kit among symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals suspected of CoVID-19.

Methods: We analyzed 329 parallel nasopharyngeal swabs for RAT (Zydus Cadila, India) at the point of collection in a hospital-based facility and RealTime RT-PCR in the laboratory.

Factors associated with COVID-19 stigma during the onset of the global pandemic in India: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: To assess factors associated with COVID-19 stigmatizing attitudes in the community and stigma experiences of COVID-19 recovered individuals during first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in India.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 18 districts located in 7 States in India during September 2020 to January 2021 among adults > 18 years of age selected through systematic random sampling. Data on socio demographic and COVID-19 knowledge were collected from 303 COVID-19 recovered and 1,976 non-COVID-19 infected individuals from community using a survey questionnaire.

Development & validation of scales to assess stigma related to COVID-19 in India.

Background & Objectives: COVID-19 pandemic has triggered social stigma towards individuals affected and their families. This study describes the process undertaken for the development and validation of scales to assess stigmatizing attitudes and experiences among COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 participants from the community.

Methods: COVID-19 Stigma Scale and Community COVID-19 Stigma Scale constituting 13 and six items, respectively, were developed based on review of literature and news reports, expert committee evaluation and participants' interviews through telephone for a multicentric study in India.

A fulminant case of Epstein-Barr Virus encephalitis with multiorgan dysfunction.

Epstein-Barr Virus also known as Human herpesvirus 4 usually causes infectious mononucleosis which is a benign disease with mild or no symptoms. Death due to Epstein-Barr Virus infections is extremely rare. We present a case of fulminant Epstein-Barr Virus encephalitis who developed multiorgan dysfunction on second day and succumbed within 52 h of symptom onset.

Analysis of the COVID-19 testing parameters and progression of the pandemic at the district level: findings from the ICMR Hundred Million Test (HMT) database during the first wave in India.

Background: India had the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases globally. We evaluated the progression of the pandemic across the lockdowns and phased reopenings at the district level during the first wave (in India).

Methods: For the analysis in this study, we used more than 100 million COVID-19 test results along with other parameters available in the Indian Council of Medical Research database from March 2020 to October 2020.