Genomic insights into the potency and functional roles of Lactobacillus species in term and preterm births.

The vaginal microbiome, typically dominated by Lactobacillus species, plays a key role in reducing the risk of preterm birth (PTB) by protecting against infections. In this study, we sequenced 133 Lactobacillus genomes isolated from the reproductive tracts of pregnant Indian women. Genomic analysis identified genes linked to pathogen resistance and anti-inflammatory functions.

A rapid point-of-care population-scale dipstick assay to identify and differentiate SARS-CoV-2 variants in COVID-19-positive patients.

Delta and Omicron variants of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are remarkably contagious, and have been recognized as variants of concern (VOC). The acquisition of spontaneous substitutions or insertion-deletion mutations (indels) in the spike protein-encoding gene substantially increases the binding affinity of the receptor binding domain (RBD)-hACE2 complex and upsurges the transmission of both variants. In this study, we analyzed thousands of genome sequences from 30 distinct SARS-CoV-2 variants, focusing on the unique nucleic acid signatures in the spike gene specific to the Delta and Omicron variants.

Metagenomic insights into fungal community composition of the nasopharyngeal region of COVID-19 associated mucormycosis patients from India.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated mucormycosis (CAM) was reported predominantly from India during the second wave of COVID-19  and has a high mortality rate. The present study aims to understand the fungal community composition of the nasopharyngeal region of CAM-infected individuals and compare it with severe COVID-19 patients and healthy controls. The fungal community composition was decoded by analyzing the sequence homology of the internal transcribed spacer-2-(ITS-2) region of metagenomic DNA extracted from the upper respiratory samples.

Antimicrobial resistance heterogeneity among multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens: Phenotypic, genotypic, and proteomic analysis.

Microbes evolve rapidly by modifying their genomes through mutations or through the horizontal acquisition of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) linked with fitness traits such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), virulence, and metabolic functions. We conducted a multicentric study in India and collected different clinical samples for decoding the genome sequences of bacterial pathogens associated with sepsis, urinary tract infections, and respiratory infections to understand the functional potency associated with AMR and its dynamics. Genomic analysis identified several acquired AMR genes (ARGs) that have a pathogen-specific signature.

Colistin potentiation in multidrug-resistant by a non-cytotoxic guanidine derivative of silver.

A novel nano-formulation (NF) that sensitizes (AB) to otherwise ineffective colistin is described in the present study. Infections due to multidrug resistant (MDR) AB represent a major therapeutic challenge, especially in situations of pre-existing colistin resistance (colR). Subsequently, boosting the effectiveness of colistin would be a better alternative tactic to treat AB infections rather than discovering a new class of antibiotics.

Formic acid, an organic acid food preservative, induces viable-but-non-culturable state, and triggers new Antimicrobial Resistance traits in and .

Numerous human pathogens, especially Gram-negative bacteria, are able to enter the viable-but-non-culturable (VBNC) state when they are exposed to environmental stressors and pose the risk of being resuscitated and causing infection after the removal of the trigger. Widely used food preservatives like weak organic acids are potential VBNC inducers in food processing and packaging facilities but have only been reported for food-borne pathogens. In the present study, it is demonstrated for the first time that one such agent, formic acid (FA), can induce a VBNC state at food processing, storage, and distribution temperatures (4, 25, and 37C) with a varied time of treatment (days 4-10) in pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria and .

A combination therapy strategy for treating antibiotic resistant biofilm infection using a guanidinium derivative and nanoparticulate Ag(0) derived hybrid gel conjugate.

Bacteria organized in biofilms show significant tolerance to conventional antibiotics compared to their planktonic counterparts and form the basis for chronic infections. Biofilms are composites of different types of extracellular polymeric substances that help in resisting several host-defense measures, including phagocytosis. These are increasingly being recognized as a passive virulence factor that enables many infectious diseases to proliferate and an essential contributing facet to anti-microbial resistance.