Nanopore Sequencing-Driven Mapping of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Selected Isolates from Pigs and Poultry Layers in Nigeria.

Despite the huge burden of deaths associated with or attributable to antimicrobial resistance, studies on sequencing based antimicrobial resistance (AMR) monitoring in Africa are scarce, specifically in the animal sector. Objective and Methods: With a view to deploy rapid AMR monitoring through leveraging advanced technologies, in the current study, nanopore sequencing was performed with 10 strains isolated from rectal swabs of pigs and poultry layers in Nigeria. Two sequence analysis methods including command line, where bacterial genomes were assembled, and subsequently antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) were detected through online databases, and EPI2ME, an integrated cloud-based data analysis platform with MinION, was used to detect ARGs.

Assessing the performance of a point-of-need diagnostic algorithm in rapid detection of peripheral lymph node tuberculosis (Mobile-TB-Lab): a diagnostic evaluation study protocol.

Introduction: Early and accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) is central to ensuring the proper treatment and curbing the transmission of the disease. Despite the significant burden, the diagnosis of peripheral lymph node(LN)TB, the most prevalent form of extra pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB), has been challenging in low resource settings. To meet the existing needs, the Mobile-TB-Lab study set out to evaluate two innovative approaches, including thermal imaging and recombinase-aided amplification assay (RAA) in Minoo for point-of-need diagnosis of LNTB.

Health economic evaluations of diagnostic tests for tuberculosis: a narrative review.

Background: Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death from infectious diseases globally. Non-specific symptoms and limitations of existing diagnostics involve challenges for informed policymaking and clinical practice. This paper reviews common practices in reporting the selection and definition of cost and effect parameters, and in reporting the translation of effect parameters into utility and disability weights, in health economic evaluations of TB diagnostic tests.

A metal-organic framework-derived α-MnS/MWCNT composite as a promising pseudocapacitive material for a flexible quasi-solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor device.

The low conductivity of traditionally used pseudocapacitive materials like transition metal oxides has forced researchers to look for alternative materials. Transition metal sulfides are being investigated as viable alternative materials and have shown promising results. In this work, an α-MnS/MWCNT composite is selected as the active material for supercapacitor application.

Evaluating a rapid molecular assay in a mobile laboratory for improved diagnosis of dengue in Bangladesh.

Objectives: Dengue emerged as a significant health threat in endemic regions in recent years. However, inconsistent diagnostic accuracy in sequential dengue infections necessitate improved testing methods to ensure effective management of dengue cases. Here, we evaluated a portable, rapid, and sensitive molecular assay-reverse transcriptase recombinase polymerase amplification assay (RT-RAA)-utilizing a mobile suitcase laboratory to detect infections in suspected dengue cases in Bangladesh.

A phase II, non-comparative randomised trial of two treatments involving liposomal amphotericin B and miltefosine for post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in India and Bangladesh.

Background: In Southeast Asia, treatment is recommended for all patients with post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). Adherence to the first-line regimen, twelve weeks of miltefosine (MF), is low and ocular toxicity has been observed with this exposure period. We assessed the safety and efficacy of two shorter-course treatments: liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) alone and combined with MF.

A panel of recombinant cell surface and secreted proteins identifies LdBPK_323600.1 as a serological marker of symptomatic infection.

Unlabelled: Visceral leishmaniasis is a deadly infectious disease and is one of the world's major neglected health problems. Because the symptoms of infection are similar to other endemic diseases, accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment. Definitive diagnosis using splenic or bone marrow aspirates is highly invasive, and so, serological assays are preferred, including the direct agglutination test (DAT) or rK39 strip test.

Portable smartphone-based molecular test for rapid detection of Leishmania spp.

Purpose: Leishmaniasis, caused by the parasite of the genus Leishmania, is a neglected tropical disease which is endemic in more than 60 countries. In South-East Asia, Brazil, and East Africa, it mainly occurs as kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis, VL), and subsequently as post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) in a smaller portion of cases. As stated per WHO roadmap, accessibility to accurate diagnostic methods is an essential step to achieve elimination.

Evaluation of a Point-of-Need Molecular Diagnostic Tool Coupled with Rapid DNA Extraction Methods for Visceral Leishmaniasis.

A rapid, cost-effective, and simple nucleic acid isolation technique coupled with a point-of-need DNA amplification assay is a desirable goal for programmatic use. For diagnosis of Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) rapid tests for the detection of Leishmania DNA are versatile and have operational advantages over qPCR. To facilitate the delivery of the RPA test at point-of-need for VL diagnosis, we compared two rapid DNA extraction methods, SwiftDx (SX) and an in-house Boil and Spin (BS) method, coupled with RPA amplification, versus more widely used methods for DNA extraction and amplification, namely Qiagen (Q) kits and qPCR, respectively.

Dried Blood Spots (DBS): A suitable alternative to using whole blood samples for diagnostic testing of visceral leishmaniasis in the post-elimination era.

Background: Serum or whole blood collection, processing, transport and storage still present significant challenges in low resource settings where mass surveillance is required to sustain disease elimination. Therefore, in this study, we explored the diagnostic efficacy of dried blood spots (DBS) as a minimally invasive and potentially cost-effective alternative sampling technique to whole blood sampling procedures for subsequent detection of Leishmania donovani antibodies or DNA.

Methodology And Principal Findings: Archived serum, DNA samples from whole blood of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases and healthy controls, and DBS from corresponding cases and controls, were used.

Assessment of treatment outcomes of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) treated cases and impact of COVID-19 on VL management and control services in Bangladesh.

Background: COVID-19 has largely impacted the management of Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), like several other Neglected Tropical Diseases. The impact was particularly evident in Lower and Middle-Income countries where the already inadequate healthcare resources were diverted to managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Bangladesh achieved the elimination target for VL in 2016.

Epidemiological, serological, and entomological aspects of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in suspected new VL foci in Bangladesh.

The study aimed to explore epidemiological, serological, and entomological aspects of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in suspected new VL foci and assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of the community living in the alleged new VL foci. The study investigated new visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases reported between 2019 and 2020 in four sub-districts (Dharmapasha, Hakimpur, Islampur and Savar) where we tested 560 members using the rK39 rapid test and conducted vector collections in six neighbouring houses of the index cases to assess sandfly density and distribution, examined sandflies' infection, and determined the spatial relationship with VL infection. Furthermore, we highlighted the importance of early detection, and community awareness in controlling the spread of the disease.

Electrochemical water splitting by a bidirectional electrocatalyst.

The presence of efficient energy storage and conversion technologies is essential for the future energy infrastructure. Here, we describe crafting a heterostructure composed of a suitably interlinked CeO and polycrystalline BiO dopant prepared on a reduced graphene oxide (Ce_BiO@rGO) surface. This material exhibits exceptional electrocatalytic hydrogen and oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline water (pH∼14.

Feasibility of MinION Nanopore Rapid Sequencing in the Detection of Common Diarrhea Pathogens in Fecal Specimen.

The need for fast detection of etiological agents outside the narrow target range of pathogens that may cause an event of an infectious disease epidemic necessitates rapid sequencing technologies to be implemented in routine diagnostic procedures. We tested the performance of a PCR-free rapid nanopore barcoding assay to detect microbial species by analyzing genomic contents extracted from acute diarrheal case specimens. Sequenced reads were processed in an automated analysis module for species identification, whereas pathogenic subspecies detection was aided by a sequence similarity search against a gene-specific database.

A video-based discussion of movement disorders in paediatric anti NMDAR encephalitis: A case series from Eastern India.

Purpose: The spectrum of movement disorders associated with anti N-Methyl-d-Aspartate-Receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is myriad, particularly in children, possibilities of which were investigated from two tertiary care centres.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in two tertiary referral centres in Eastern India, analysing data of 8 paediatric patients diagnosed as anti NMDAR encephalitis, presenting with one or more movement disorders (MDs).

Results: All the patients were of Bengali ethnicity with a median age of 9 years (3-16 years) and with female predilection (62.

Development of Quantitative Rapid Isothermal Amplification Assay for .

Quantification of pathogen load, although challenging, is of paramount importance for accurate diagnosis and clinical management of a range of infectious diseases in a point-of-need testing (PONT) scenario such as in resource-limited settings. We formulated a quantification approach to test the standard-curve based absolute quantification ability of isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay. As a test of principle, a 10-fold dilution series of (LD) genomic DNA prepared in nuclease-free-water (NFW), and from culture-spiked-blood (CSB) were tested, and a 15 min assay was performed.

Evaluation of recombinase-based isothermal amplification assays for point-of-need detection of SARS-CoV-2 in resource-limited settings.

Objectives: The democratization of diagnostics is one of the key challenges towards containing the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) around the globe. The operational complexities of existing PCR-based methods, including sample transfer to advanced central laboratories with expensive equipment, limit their use in resource-limited settings. However, with the advent of isothermal technologies, the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is possible at decentralized facilities.

Optimizing a Multi-Component Intranasal Vaccine Formulation Using a Design of Experiments Strategy.

Amebiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by a. Although the disease burden varies geographically, amebiasis is estimated to account for some 55,000 deaths and millions of infections globally per year. Children and travelers are among the groups with the greatest risk of infection.

Evaluation of Loopamp™ Detection Kit and Antigen ELISA for Post-Elimination Detection and Management of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Bangladesh.

With reduced prevalence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the Indian subcontinent (ISC), direct and field deployable diagnostic tests are needed to implement an effective diagnostic and surveillance algorithm for post-elimination VL control. In this regard, here we investigated the diagnostic efficacies of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay (Loopamp™ Detection Kit, Eiken Chemical CO., Ltd, Japan), a real-time quantitative PCR assay (qPCR) and the antigen ELISA (CLIN-TECH, UK) with different sampling techniques and evaluated their prospect to incorporate into post-elimination VL control strategies.