Genetic predisposition to chikungunya – a blood group study in chikungunya affected families

Chikungunya fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans by the bite of CHIKV virus infected Aedes mosquitoes. During monsoon outbreak of chikungunya fever, we carried out the genetic predisposition to chikungunya in disease affected 100 families by doing blood group (ABO) tests by focusing on individuals who were likely to have a risk of chikungunya and identified the blood group involved in susceptibility/resistance to chikungunya. In the present study, based on blood group antigens, the individuals were kept in four groups – A (108), B (98), AB (20) and O (243). The result obtained was showed all Rh positive blood group individuals are susceptible to chikungunya fever. Among ABO group, the blood group O +ve individuals are more susceptible to chikungunya than other blood groups. No blood group with Rh negative was affected with chikungunya, it indicates Rh -ve more resistance to chikungunya

Connective tissue metabolism in chikungunya patients

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Bioactive Compound Rich Indian Spices Suppresses the Growth of β-lactamase Produced Multidrug Resistant Bacteria

Background: Multidrug Resistance (MDR) among bacteria become a global concern due to failure of antibiotics, is drawn attention for best antimicrobials from the spices which have been using ancient days in Indian culinary and traditional medicine. Aim and Objectives: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the bioactive compounds and their antibacterial activity in routinely used culinary Indian spices against β-lactamase produced MDR bacteria. Material and Methods: Ethanolic extracts prepared from twenty spices and were evaluated for total phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, antioxidant properties, and also assayed their antibacterial activities against β-lactamase producing MDR bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus). β-Lactamase and cell viability assays were performed in MDR bacteria. Results: Among twenty spices, cinnamon and clove exhibited highest levels of phenolics and terpenoids with elevated antioxidant potential and also showing greater reducing potential at lower concentrations of extract (2.3 and 4.06 µg GAE/gm), respectively. Further, the spices extracts were assessed for antimicrobial activity against β-lactamase produced tested MDR bacteria and observed higher antimicrobial activity with cinnamon, garlic, tamarind and clove at lowest concentrations of MIC and MBC at 16 - 32 µg GAE/ml, as compared to standard drug, amoxiclav (16/8 µg/ml). Spices significantly inhibited the β-lactamase activity (80–94%) and also cell viability in tested MDR bacteria. Conclusion: Indian spices consist of rich bioactive profile and antioxidant activity inhibited the bacterial growth effectively by suppressing β-lactamase production in MDR bacteria. Results indicating the spices as functional foods and could be used in prevention of antibiotic resistance

Prevalence and Fluoroquinolone Resistance Pattern in Escherichia coli Isolates of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Patients

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infectious diseases all over the world. Recent studies reported an increased antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli, primary causative agent of UTI. The resistance has emerged even to more potent antimicrobial agents like fluoroquinolones. Objectives: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence and resistance pattern of E.coli causing UTIs in patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in South India, with reference to fluoroquinolones. Material and Methods: A total of 278 selected urine samples of urinary tract infections were processed for E.coli culture using standard methods. For these urinary E. coli isolates, susceptibility to various antibiotics including fluoroquinolones was checked by Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method according CLSI criteria. Final resistance to fluoroquinolones isolates was analyzed. Results: Out of the 278 selected UTI clinical isolates 148 (54%) showed ciprofloxacin sensitive and 130 (46%) clinical isolates are ciprofloxacin resistant. Of the 130 ciprofloxacin resistant urinary isolates of E. coli subjected to susceptibility test for increased generation of fluoroquinolone drugs, the pattern of resistance noticed as levofloxacin (2nd generation) 79%, gatifloxacin (3rd generation) 77% and moxifloxacin (4th generation) 75%, respectively. The fluoroquinolone resistance in UTI clinical isolates was decreasing with increasing generations of fluoroquinolone. Quinolone drug resistance in clinical isolates was increasing with age and hospitalized patients. Conclusion: Study showed an increased fluoroquinolone resistance among uropathogenic E. coli isolates of UTI. These increased antibiotic resistance trends in UTI patients indicated that it is imperative to rationalize the use of antimicrobials and to use them conservatively

Emerging co-infections in dengue: A study at tertiary care Govt. general hospital

Background: Infection with two agents might cause overlapping symptoms, confusing the treating physician. This study aims to determine the current coinfections rates in dengue patients in a tertiary care Govt. General Hospital, Anathapuramu. Method: From July 2021 to November 2021, an observational study was conducted at the Government Medical College & Hospital in Ananthapuramu. A total of 100 clinically suspected Dengue patients were included in this research. Blood samples from 100 patients who visited the General Medicine and Pediatrics OPD were taken and sent to the lab for the diagnosis of Dengue and other co-infections. Result: In our study, Out of 100 samples, 32 samples tested positive for Dengue by RTPCR. Out of 32 samples tested positive by RTPCR, two samples were positive for DENV-1, 26 samples were positive for DENV-2, and four samples were positive for DENV-3, according to RTPCR results. Dengue with co-infection was detected in 21 individuals, with 1 (3.125%) being MP-ICT positive, 2 (6.25%) being salmonella WIDAL positive, 1 (3.125%) being Scrub typhus IgM reactive, 4 (12.5%) being chikungunya IgM positive, 9 (28.125%) being UTI positive, and 4 (12.5%) having Blood Stream Infections

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Not AvailableRecent outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic around the world is associated with ‘severe acute respiratory syndrome’ (SARS-CoV2) in humans. SARS-CoV2 is an enveloped virus and E proteins present in them are reported to form ion channels, which is mainly associated with pathogenesis. Thus, there is always a quest to inhibit these ion channels, which in turn may help in controlling diseases caused by SARS-CoV2 in humans. Considering this, in the present study, authors employed computational approaches for studying the structure as well as function of the human ‘SARS-CoV2 E’ protein as well as its interaction with various phytochemicals. Result obtained revealed that a-helix and loops present in this protein experience random movement under optimal condition, which in turn modulate ion channel activity; thereby aiding the pathogenesis caused via SARS-CoV2 in human and other vertebrates. However, after binding with Belachinal, Macaflavanone E, and Vibsanol B, the random motion of the human ‘SARS-CoV2 E’ protein gets reduced, this, in turn, inhibits the function of the ‘SARS-CoV2 E’ protein. It is pertinent to note that two amino acids, namely VAL25 and PHE26, play a key role while interacting with these three phytochemicals. As these three phytochemicals, namely, Belachinal, Macaflavanone E & Vibsanol B, have passed the ADMET (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion and Toxicity) property as well as ‘Lipinski’s Rule of 5s’, they may be utilized as drugs in controlling disease caused via SARS-COV2, after further investigation.Not Availabl