Genetic diversity and antifungal resistance in Candida albicans from VVC cases in Indian women.

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common fungal infection primarily caused by Candida albicans. It is associated with significant morbidity, especially in recurrent cases. Antifungal resistance, particularly to azole drugs, poses a growing challenge in treatment.

Unraveling the 2023 cholera outbreak in Rourkela municipal corporation of Odisha, India: Antibiotic resistance, virulence factors, and water contamination insights.

Background: In December 2023, a cholera outbreak was detected from Rourkela district, Odisha, prompted an investigation using field epidemiology methods and further research of the isolates from cases. The outbreak, likely was triggered by piped water contamination following unseasonal rainfall.

Materials And Methods: A laboratory-based descriptive study, focused on the microbiological and molecular detection and characterization of 34 cases of acute diarrheal disease.

Operational Feasibility of "TB Concentration & Transport" and "TB DNA Extraction" Kits for Biosafe Dry Sputum Transport for Direct Detection of Drug Resistance Using Line Probe Assay: A Field Study in India.

Background: We recently described the utility of the "TB Concentration & Transport" kit for biosafe, ambient temperature transport of dried sputum on -Filter, and the "TB DNA Extraction" kit for DNA extraction from -Filter for the early diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). This study aimed to assess the feasibility and compatibility of these kits with line probe assay (LPA) under National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) settings.

Methods: Patients with presumptive pulmonary TB, multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB, or extensively drug-resistant TB (N = 8491) who attended Designated Microscopy Centers (DMCs, n = 13) under National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) at Bhopal, New Delhi, Chennai, and Bhubaneswar were screened by smear microscopy.

Non-tuberculosis mycobacterial infection among clinically suspected tuberculosis in eastern India (2019-2023).

Background: Incidence of non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections is on rise globally and poses significant diagnostic and treatment challenges for tuberculosis as most of them are resistant to anti-tubercular drugs. NTM susceptibility to drugs varies from species to species and there is no specific regimen for treatment. We conducted this study to understand the epidemiology of NTM infections in Odisha from 2019 to 2023.

Antifungal Resistance in Vaginal Candidiasis Among Reproductive-age Women: A Review.

Candida is a type of fungus that can cause infections in humans. Sometimes, these infections become tough to treat because the Candida fungus resists antifungal drugs. This resistance depends on both the specific type of Candida and how it interacts with the human body.

An acute diarrheal disease outbreak in urban setting of Odisha, India.

Background: Diarrhea, exacerbated by poor hygiene and contaminated water, causes significant child mortality globally. Vibrio cholerae O1 is a primary pathogen, with outbreaks linked to specific biotypes and regions like India. This study documents an acute diarrheal disease outbreak in Rourkela (urban setting), Odisha.

Tuberculous meningitis in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, during 2016 to 2022.

Background: The burden of tuberculous meningitis varies substantially by location, and is influenced by the overall burden of tuberculosis in that geographical area, and the age structure of the population. Conventional methods for diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis include acid fast bacilli (AFB) smear and culture. AFB smear has low sensitivity and culture techniques are time consuming.

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.

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.