Phenotypic and molecular methods of carbapenemase detection: Can we break the chain and preserve the carbapenems?

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the top ten public health threats faced by humanity. Carbapenems are currently the last option β-lactam antibiotics for treatment of both hospital and community acquired infections. The rapid rise and spread of carbapenem resistant organisms (CRO) is a global concern highlighting the need for early detection and isolation of patients.

Evaluation of a novel sputum processing ReaSLR methodology for improving sensitivity of smear microscopy in clinical samples.

Background: Early case detection is a crucial step in the control of tuberculosis (TB). Sputum smear microscopy is the primary method of TB diagnosis in developing countries. The modified Petroff's method using sodium hydroxide at concentrations ranging between 2% and 4% to digest the specimen is widely used in developing countries.

Immune activation markers in individuals with HIV-1 disease and their correlation with HIV-1 RNA levels in individuals on antiretroviral therapy.

Background: Currently CD4+ T lymphocyte counts and HIV-1 RNA levels are being utilized to predict outcome of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease. Recently, the role of immune activation in HIV disease progression and response to treatment is being investigated. This study focused on the expression of CD38 and HLA-DR on lymphocyte subsets in various groups of HIV-infected individuals and to determine their association with HIV-1 disease progression.

Simultaneous detection and serotyping of dengue infection using single tube multiplex CDC Dengue Real-Time RT-PCR from India.

Four antigenically different dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4) are known to cause infections in humans. Some of these are known to cause more severe disease than the others. Chances for developing Dengue hemorrhagic fever-dengue shock syndrome (DHF-DSS) increases significantly with history of previous infection with one of the four serotypes.