Establishment and perturbation of human gut microbiome: common trends and variations between Indian and global populations.

Human gut microbial species are crucial for dietary metabolism and biosynthesis of micronutrients. Digested products are utilised by the host as well as several gut bacterial species. These species are influenced by various factors such as diet, age, geographical location, and ethnicity.

Leptospirosis in central India: A retrospective study to explore burden of tropical illness.

Leptospirosis, an underdiagnosed zoonotic disease in India, was studied retrospectively in Madhya Pradesh, Central India. Between 2018 and 2019, 2617 samples from patients with hepatitis-related symptoms were collected. Of these, 518 tested negative for hepatitis and other tropical viral diseases under the VRDL project were analyzed for leptospira IgM using ELISA.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus prevalence in livestock of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, Central India and its implications for public health.

The rise of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), poses a significant global health challenge, urging immediate action and continuous surveillance. With no available vaccines, monitoring pathogen presence is critical to identify at-risk areas promptly. A study was designed to assess the incidence of CCHF virus in goats and cattle using commercial ELISA IgG kits in tribal-dominated regions.

Emergence of Japanese encephalitis in eastern parts of Madhya Pradesh, India.

Background & Objectives: Emerging zoonotic and vector-borne diseases are posing new challenges to public health authorities. Morbidities and mortalities due to acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a serious health problem in paediatric patients. We conducted serological investigations on AES cases from six districts of north eastern Madhya Pradesh (MP), India for Japanese encephalitis (JE).

Use of dry blots for serotyping and genotyping of dengue viruses: A pilot study.

Background & Objectives: Dengue (DEN) is a result of infection by one or multiple types of four dengue viruses known as Dengue virus (DENV) 1-4. Identifying circulating serotype and genotype is epidemiologically important, however, it is challenging in resource limited areas. Moreover, transporting samples from the collation site to the laboratory in appropriate condition is an exigent task.

Process development and preclinical evaluation of a major blood stage vaccine candidate, Cysteine-Rich Protective Antigen (CyRPA).

Cysteine-Rich Protective Antigen (CyRPA) is an essential, highly conserved merozoite antigen that forms an important multi-protein complex (RH5/Ripr/CyRPA) necessary for erythrocyte invasion. CyRPA is a promising blood-stage vaccine target that has been shown to elicit potent strain-transcending parasite neutralizing antibodies. Recently, we demonstrated that naturally acquired immune anti-CyRPA antibodies are invasion-inhibitory and therefore a correlate of protection against malaria.

Molecular xenomonitoring of Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika infections: a year-round study from two Dengue endemic districts of central India.

Background & Objectives: Infections caused by arboviruses and transmitted by Aedes species mosquitoes are a serious health concern. India is endemic for diseases like Dengue, Chikungunya and recently Zika has been reported from few states. Vector control is the only way to contain these diseases, however, data regarding vectors from central India is lacking; to fulfill the lacuna we conducted this study.

Reasons for loss to follow-up (LTFU) of pulmonary TB (PTB) patients: A qualitative study among Saharia, a particularly vulnerable tribal group of Madhya Pradesh, India.

Background: Loss to follow-up (LTFU) among pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients is a significant challenge for TB control. However, there is a dearth of information about the factors leading to LTFU among marginalized communities. This study highlights the factors associated with LTFU in Saharia, a tribe of Madhya Pradesh having high tuberculosis (TB) prevalence.

Determination of cut-off of diagnostic ELISA for Scrub typhus in endemic setup: Central India.

Serology remains the mainstay for diagnosis of scrub typhus. In central India, diagnosis of this neglected emerging zoonotic disease suffers due to lack of standardized region-specific cutoff value and diagnostic test. Henceforth, standardized region-specific cutoff value for diagnostic ELISA play a significant role in initial treatment of patients and to differentiate other febrile diseases in endemic setup.

Evaluation of Microchip-Based Point-Of-Care Device "Gazelle" for Diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease in India.

Sickle cell disease is a major public health problem in India. Lack of rapid and reliable diagnostic methods result in many avoidable deaths in affected population. Current diagnostic tools are laboratory based, expensive and need trained manpower.

Plasmodium falciparum Cysteine-Rich Protective Antigen (CyRPA) Elicits Detectable Levels of Invasion-Inhibitory Antibodies during Natural Infection in Humans.

Plasmodium falciparum cysteine-rich protective antigen (CyRPA) is a conserved component of an essential erythrocyte invasion complex (RH5/Ripr/CyRPA) and a target of potent cross-strain parasite-neutralizing antibodies. While naturally acquired human RH5 antibodies have been functionally characterized, there are no similar reports on CyRPA. Thus, we analyzed the parasite-neutralizing activity of naturally acquired human CyRPA antibodies.

Comparison of polymerase chain reaction, microscopy, and rapid diagnostic test in malaria detection in a high burden state (Odisha) of India.

Precise identification of species is critical in malaria control and elimination. Despite several shortcomings, microscopy and rapid diagnostic test (RDT) continue to be the leading diagnostic methods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most sensitive method but its dependency on advanced laboratory and skilled workers limits its use.

A review on species infestations on human and animals and progress on management strategies.

The species of ticks have gained additional attention due to their role in the transmission of infection in animals and the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) virus in humans. Apart from these, many other pathogens viz., other species of , a few species of and viruses are either maintained or transmitted by this tick species.

Proposed Algorithm for Hepatitis E Virus Diagnosis in the Early Phase of Illness.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV), a major etiologic agent of enterically transmitted hepatitis worldwide, is known to cause outbreaks. Diagnosis of the causative agent is important for patient management, understanding epidemiology and outbreak mitigation. We attempted to develop an algorithm for molecular diagnosis and compared the diagnostic accuracy of 2 of HEV IgM ELISA tests during an outbreak.

Malaria Elimination in India: Bridging the Gap Between Control and Elimination.

India observed a significant reduction in malaria cases in the previous year, reaffirming our trust and efficiency of the existing tools to achieve malaria elimination. On 25 April, 2019, countries around the world marked World Malaria Day under the theme "Zero malaria starts with me". This provides an opportunity to rejoice the success and re-evaluate ongoing challenges in the fight against this preventable and treatable parasitic disease.

First successful field evaluation of new, one-minute haemozoin-based malaria diagnostic device.

Background: Early and accurate diagnosis of malaria is critical to the success of malaria elimination. However, the current mainstay of malaria diagnosis in the field, such as light microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), have limitations due to low parasite density or mutation in diagnostic markers.

Methods: We evaluated an inexpensive, robust, rapid, malaria diagnostic device, called Gazelle, that employs magneto-optical detection to identify haemozoin crystals (Hz) produced by all species of human malaria parasites in infected individuals.

Viral hepatitis among acute hepatitis patients attending tertiary care hospital in central India.

Viral hepatitis is a considerable public health burden affecting millions of people throughout the world. The incidence of viral hepatitis varies greatly depending upon geographic locations, age and gender. Exploring the etiological spectrum and clinic-epidemiological profile of acute viral hepatitis (AVH) becomes essential for strategizing the preventive measures to control the diseases.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of hepatitis B virus infection in tribal population of Himalayan district Lahaul and Spiti, India.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an important health issue across the world. With 4% to 7% prevalence of HBV, India is designated as an intermediate endemic country. However, HBV prevalence is significantly high in some pockets of the country, especially among tribal populations.

Plasmodium falciparum glutamate dehydrogenase is genetically conserved across eight malaria endemic states of India: Exploring new avenues of malaria elimination.

Accurate and timely diagnosis is very critical for management, control and elimination of the malaria. Malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have improved the diagnosis and management of malaria in remote areas, community and places where microscopy is not available for diagnosis. According to WHO report 2018, Plasmodium falciparum malaria constitutes more than 50% of malaria cases in India.