- School of Medicine
Buruzumagu, Male'
The Maldives National University
Maldives - 009607947202
Kannan Subbaram
Maldives National University, School Of Medicine, Faculty Member
- Microbiology teachingedit
Introduction: Medical robotics is a rapidly growing aspect of the modern health care landscape. The aim of this paper was to review the availability of robotic technology and laboratory automation in the control of SARS-CoV-2, Ebola and... more
Introduction: Medical robotics is a rapidly growing aspect of the modern health care landscape. The aim of this paper was to review the availability of robotic technology and laboratory automation in the control of SARS-CoV-2, Ebola and H1N1 (Swine Flu) viruses. Methods: A systematic review with narrative synthesis was conducted using the following databases: ME-DLINE / PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Science Direct and Google Scholar to retrieve studies regarding the use of robots and automated lab technologies, with appropriate MeSH terms and in accordance with the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses" (PRISMA) guidelines. A narrative synthesis was performed to synthesize the findings of the different studies. Results: A total of 250 articles were selected and 30 articles were included in this systematic review. Our findings indicate that robotic technology and automated laboratories have a promising approach, while handling biosafety level-3 & 4 (BSL-3 & 4) biological agents. In case of epidemics with high case fatality ratio (Ebola virus) or high human-to-human transmission (SARS-CoV-2), healthcare workforce are at high risk. Thus, if robots are employed in such settings, it is possible to minimize intra-hospital transmission of these infections to the highest degree. Discussion and Conclusion: Medical robotics and lab automation may be utilized as a strategic approach in containing the spread of infectious diseases like SARS-CoV-2, Ebola and Swine Flu Pandemic (H1N1). However, in the next future, many clinical trials and further tests are needed to determine the effectiveness of this technology, in order to balance advantages and risk factors involved.
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Proflavine, an acridine dye, is a known DNA intercalating agent. In the present study, we show that proflavine alone on photoillumination can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). These proflavinederived ROS cause damage to proteins,... more
Proflavine, an acridine dye, is a known DNA intercalating agent. In the present study, we show that proflavine alone on photoillumination can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). These proflavinederived ROS cause damage to proteins, and this effect is enhanced when the divalent metal ion Cu (II) is included in the reaction. Bathocuproine, a specific Cu (I) sequestering agent, when present in the reaction mixture containing Cu (II), was found to inhibit the protein degradation, showing that Cu (I) is an essential intermediate in the reaction. The effect of several scavengers of ROS such as superoxide dismutase, sodium azide, potassium iodide, and thiourea were examined on the protein damaging reaction. Potassium iodide was found to be the most effective in inhibiting protein damage followed by sodium azide and thiourea. Our results indicate the involvement of superoxide, singlet oxygen, triplet oxygen, and hydroxyl radicals in proflavine-induced damage to proteins.
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Essential oils can be a beneficial adjuvant therapy in managing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy of essential oils in ameliorative COVID-19-related symptoms. Published studies... more
Essential oils can be a beneficial adjuvant therapy in managing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy of essential oils in ameliorative COVID-19-related symptoms. Published studies reporting the efficacy of essential oils as adjuvant therapy for COVID-19 were screened on Scillit, Scopus, SciFinder, and PubMed (December 7 th , 2022). Inclusion criteria include the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) participated by those diagnosed with COVID-19 and treated with essential oils as adjuvant therapy. Quality assessment was carried out using Cochrane 'risk-of-bias' 2.0 tool. A total of 2112 records were retrieved from the initial screening, which was reduced to four publications (n=344 individuals). The foregoing studies reported that essential oils could improve the recovery rate, alleviate post-COVID-19 fatigue, and prevent disease progression. Regarding their potential antiviral activity, better designed studies are needed. In conclusion, essential oils as adjuvant therapy are beneficial in ameliorating mild COVID-19 symptoms.
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The recently emerged novel coronavirus, "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)," caused a highly contagious disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It has severely damaged the world's most developed... more
The recently emerged novel coronavirus, "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)," caused a highly contagious disease called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It has severely damaged the world's most developed countries and has turned into a major threat for low-and middle-income countries. Since its emergence in late 2019, medical interventions have been substantial, and most countries relied on public health measures collectively known as nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). We aimed to centralize the accumulative knowledge of NPIs against COVID-19 for each country under one worldwide consortium. International COVID-19 Research Network collaborators developed a cross-sectional online survey to assess the implications of NPIs and sanitary supply on the incidence and mortality of COVID-19. The survey was conducted between January 1 and February 1, 2021, and participants from 92 countries/territories completed it. The association between NPIs, sanitation supplies, and incidence and mortality were examined by multivariate regression, with the log-transformed value of population as an o set value. The majority of countries/territories applied several preventive strategies, including social distancing (100.0%), quarantine (100.0%), isolation (98.9%), and school closure (97.8%).
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The provision of equitable healthcare on remote islands is critical in the fight to attain the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Many island countries, particularly the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), are confronted with... more
The provision of equitable healthcare on remote islands is critical in the fight to attain the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Many island countries, particularly the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), are confronted with numerous obstacles to accessing quality healthcare. Many SIDS are located in the Asia-Pacific region, and they suffer shared challenges such as a lack of infrastructure, logistical concerns, and a shortage of health staff. As a SIDS, the Maldives has made significant progress in the health sector, when compared to its neighbours. Part of this is due to spending a large portion of the national budget on the social sector, and a well-structured health system. Despite these accomplishments, it continues to struggle to provide equitable health care across the whole nation, especially to the small and underpopulated islands. One contributing factor is the dispersed geography. The pandemic highlighted the importance of telemedicine and its capacity to bridge the barriers to healthcare delivery, and its potential in the Maldives is huge. There is also a need to strengthen integrated health services through primary healthcare, train a larger workforce, and upgrade hospitals to be able to provide comprehensive medical services. This will limit the frequency of travel to the capital and abroad in search of better healthcare. K E Y W O R D S asia-pacific, global health, health equity, island health, the Maldives, telemedicine This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will... more
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
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Elsevier has created a COVID-19 resource centre with free information in English and Mandarin on the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The COVID-19 resource centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect, the company's public news and information... more
Elsevier has created a COVID-19 resource centre with free information in English and Mandarin on the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The COVID-19 resource centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect, the company's public news and information website. Elsevier hereby grants permission to make all its COVID-19-related research that is available on the COVID-19 resource centre-including this research content-immediately available in PubMed Central and other publicly funded repositories, such as the WHO COVID database with rights for unrestricted research re-use and analyses in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for free by Elsevier for as long as the COVID-19 resource centre remains active.
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Proflavine, an acridine dye, is a known DNA intercalating agent. In the present study, we show that proflavine alone on photoillumination can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). These proflavine- derived ROS cause damage to proteins,... more
Proflavine, an acridine dye, is a known DNA intercalating agent. In the present study, we show that
proflavine alone on photoillumination can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). These proflavine-
derived ROS cause damage to proteins, and this effect is enhanced when the divalent metal ion Cu (II) is
included in the reaction. Bathocuproine, a specific Cu (I) sequestering agent, when present in the reaction
mixture containing Cu (II), was found to inhibit the protein degradation, showing that Cu (I) is an
essential intermediate in the reaction. The effect of several scavengers of ROS such as superoxide dis-
mutase, sodium azide, potassium iodide, and thiourea were examined on the protein damaging reaction.
Potassium iodide was found to be the most effective in inhibiting protein damage followed by sodium
azide and thiourea. Our results indicate the involvement of superoxide, singlet oxygen, triplet oxygen,
and hydroxyl radicals in proflavine-induced damage to proteins.
proflavine alone on photoillumination can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). These proflavine-
derived ROS cause damage to proteins, and this effect is enhanced when the divalent metal ion Cu (II) is
included in the reaction. Bathocuproine, a specific Cu (I) sequestering agent, when present in the reaction
mixture containing Cu (II), was found to inhibit the protein degradation, showing that Cu (I) is an
essential intermediate in the reaction. The effect of several scavengers of ROS such as superoxide dis-
mutase, sodium azide, potassium iodide, and thiourea were examined on the protein damaging reaction.
Potassium iodide was found to be the most effective in inhibiting protein damage followed by sodium
azide and thiourea. Our results indicate the involvement of superoxide, singlet oxygen, triplet oxygen,
and hydroxyl radicals in proflavine-induced damage to proteins.
Research Interests:
Background: Aeromonas are ubiquitous bacteria causing many clinical conditions including acute diarrhea. Diarrheagenic Aeromonas harbors aerolysin gene secreting virulent enterotoxin, aerolysin. Objectives: To develop a molecular and... more
Background: Aeromonas are ubiquitous bacteria causing many clinical conditions including acute diarrhea. Diarrheagenic Aeromonas harbors aerolysin gene secreting virulent enterotoxin, aerolysin. Objectives: To develop a molecular and immunological based method for detection of Aeromonas. Methods: Diarrheal Aeromonas strains were identified from stool samples using culture, enterotoxicity testing using mice model. During immune magnetic polymerase chain reaction IM-PCR protocol, aerolysin specific antibodies were bound with immuno magnetic binding. Sensitivity and specificity tests for IM-PCR were conducted. Results: There was high detection of Aeromonas using IM-PCR (12.4 %) technique when compared to low isolation with culture (5.1%). Our study confirmed that some strains of enterotoxic Aeromonas strains were uncultivable. Enterotoxicity tests on culture isolates revealed many strains were negative. IM-PCR detected high, (62/500) rate of identification of Aeromonas with aerolysin toxin gene. Aeromonas species identified after IM-PCR were A. hydrophila (40.3%), A. veronii (17.7 %), A. caviae (14.5 %), A. trota (11.2 %), A. jandei (9.6 %) and A. schuberti (6.4%). All A. trota strains were undetected by cultivation. Conclusion: High sensitivity and specificity of IM-PCR are due to preparation of aerolysin antibodies and immuno magnetic binding, prior to PCR. Since diseases due to Aeromonas are increasingly reported, IM-PCR is recommended for detection from clinical specimens.
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COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 created a bio threat situation throughout the world. This article features evolution and clinical outcomes of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV. COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China and resulted in... more
COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 created a bio threat situation throughout the world. This article features evolution and clinical outcomes of SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV. COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China and resulted in severe morbidity and mortality. Features of SARS are similar to COVID-19. MERS exhibited a relatively milder disease, mainly in Middle East countries. Coronaviruses are large (100 nm) viruses exhibiting a spherical shape with a lipoprotein envelope and can cause diseases in animals and humans. All coronaviruses are sensitive to physicochemical agents. They attach to angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE-2) and serine protease receptors of lungs. Literature review and genetic homology were conducted using data sources and bioinformatics tools for the comparison of SARS-CoV-2 with SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV. Genome analysis between SARS-CoV-2 with SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV revealed that SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1 are 95% related with each other whereas SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV are 65% related. SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1 are genetically more related than MERS-CoV. Animal reservoirs for SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1 may be bats, pangolins, etc. MERS can be transmitted from infected camels. SARS-CoV-2 might have evolved from SARS-CoV-1 or from another animal reservoir coronavirus. It can be transmitted from infected animals and humans through respiratory route. Strict public health measures such as physical distancing and maintaining good hygiene should be taken to contain their community spread. SARS-CoV-2 can undergo antigenic variation resulting in difficulty to develop drugs and vaccines. COVID-19 has caused a severe blow to the economy of both developed and developing nations.
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Context: In the healthcare system, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a productive tool. There are instances where AI has done marvels in the diagnosis of various health conditions and the interpretation of complex medical... more
Context: In the healthcare system, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a productive tool. There are instances where AI has done marvels in the diagnosis of various health conditions and the interpretation of complex medical disorders. Although AI is far from human intelligence, it can be used as an effective tool to study the SARS-CoV-2 and its capabilities, virulence, and genome. The progress of the pandemic can be tracked, and the patients can be monitored, thereby speeding up the research for the treatment of COVID-19. In this review article, we highlighted the importance of AI and Machine learning (ML) techniques that can speed up the path to the discovery of a possible cure for COVID-19. We also deal with the interactions between viromics and AI, which can hopefully find a solution to this pandemic. Evidence Acquisition: A review of different articles was conducted using the following databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for recent studies regarding the use of AI, seeking the spread of different infectious diseases using relevant MeSH subheadings. Results: After a thorough screening of different articles, 30 articles were considered, and key information was obtained from them. Finally, the scope was broadened to obtain more information. Our findings indicated that AI/ML is a promising approach to drug development. Conclusions: The field of AI has enormous potential to predict the changes that may take place in the environment. If this technology is applied to situations of a pandemic such as COVID-19, breakthroughs could potentially pave the way for new vaccines and antiviral drugs.
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Introduction: Medical robotics is a rapidly growing aspect of the modern health care landscape. The aim of this paper was to review the availability of robotic technology and laboratory automation in the control of SARS-CoV-2, Ebola and... more
Introduction: Medical robotics is a rapidly growing aspect of the modern health care landscape. The aim of this paper was to review the availability of robotic technology and laboratory automation in the control of SARS-CoV-2, Ebola and H1N1 (Swine Flu) viruses. Methods: A systematic review with narrative synthesis was conducted using the following databases: MEDLINE / PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Science Direct and Google Scholar to retrieve studies regarding the use of robots and automated lab technologies, with appropriate MeSH terms and in accordance with the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses" (PRISMA) guidelines. A narrative synthesis was performed to synthesize the findings of the different studies. Results: A total of 250 articles were selected and 30 articles were included in this systematic review. Our findings indicate that robotic technology and automated laboratories have a
Research Interests:
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, due to severe acute respiratory syndromecoronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is posing a severe bio threat to the entire world. Nucleocapsids of SARS-CoV-2 and the related viruses were studied for gene... more
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, due to severe acute respiratory syndromecoronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is posing a severe bio threat to the entire world. Nucleocapsids of SARS-CoV-2 and the related viruses were studied for gene and amino acid sequence homologies. In this study, we established similarities and differences in nucleocapsids in SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-1 (SARS-CoV-1), bat coronavirus (bat-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV). We conducted a detailed analysis of the nucleocapsid protein amino acid and gene sequence encoding it, found in various coronavirus strains. After thoroughly screening the different nucleocapsids, we observed a close molecular homology between SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. More than 95% sequence similarity was observed between the two SARS-CoV strains. Bat-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 showed 92% sequence similarity. MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid analysis indicated only 65% identity. Molecular characterization of nucleocapsids from various coronaviruses revealed that SARS-CoV 2 is more related to SARS-CoV 1 and bat-CoV. SARS-CoV 2 exhibited less resemblance with MERS-CoV. SARS-CoV 2 showed less similarity to MERS-CoV. Thus, either SARS-CoV-1 or bat-CoV may be the source of SARS-CoV-2 evolution. Moreover, the existing differences in nucleocapsid molecular structures in SARS-CoV-2 make this virus more virulent and highly infectious, which means that the non-identical SARS-CoV-2 genes (which are absent in SARS-CoV-1 and bat-CoV) are responsible for COVID-19 severity. We observed that SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid from different locations varied in amino acid sequences. This revealed that there are many SARS-CoV-2 subtypes/subsets currently circulating globally. This study will help to develop antiviral vaccine and drugs, study viral replication and immunopathogenesis, and synthesize monoclonal antibodies that can be used for precise COVID-19 diagnosis, without false-positive/false-negative results.
Research Interests: Covid-19 and SARS-CoV-2
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, due to severe acute respiratory syndromecoronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is posing a severe bio threat to the entire world. Nucleocapsids of SARS-CoV-2 and the related viruses were studied for gene... more
Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, due to severe acute respiratory syndromecoronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is posing a severe bio threat to the entire world. Nucleocapsids of SARS-CoV-2 and the related viruses were studied for gene and amino acid sequence homologies. In this study, we established similarities and differences in nucleocapsids in SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-1 (SARS-CoV-1), bat coronavirus (bat-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV). We conducted a detailed analysis of the nucleocapsid protein amino acid and gene sequence encoding it, found in various coronavirus strains. After thoroughly screening the different nucleocapsids, we observed a close molecular homology between SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. More than 95% sequence similarity was observed between the two SARS-CoV strains. Bat-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 showed 92% sequence similarity. MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid analysis indicated only 65% identity. Molecular characterization of nucleocapsids from various coronaviruses revealed that SARS-CoV 2 is more related to SARS-CoV 1 and bat-CoV. SARS-CoV 2 exhibited less resemblance with MERS-CoV. SARS-CoV 2 showed less similarity to MERS-CoV. Thus, either SARS-CoV-1 or bat-CoV may be the source of SARS-CoV-2 evolution. Moreover, the existing differences in nucleocapsid molecular structures in SARS-CoV-2 make this virus more virulent and highly infectious, which means that the non-identical SARS-CoV-2 genes (which are absent in SARS-CoV-1 and bat-CoV) are responsible for COVID-19 severity. We observed that SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid from different locations varied in amino acid sequences. This revealed that there are many SARS-CoV-2 subtypes/subsets currently circulating globally. This study will help to develop antiviral vaccine and drugs, study viral replication and immunopathogenesis, and synthesize monoclonal antibodies that can be used for precise COVID-19 diagnosis, without false-positive/false-negative results.
Research Interests: Covid-19 and SARS-CoV-2
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) are caused by closely related coronaviruses. SARS is due to the infection of SARS-CoV-1 and MERS is caused by... more
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) are caused by closely related coronaviruses. SARS is due to the infection of SARS-CoV-1 and MERS is caused by MERS-CoV whereas COVID-19 is due to SARS-CoV-2. Coronaviruses are enveloped, spherical viruses with single stranded positive (ss+) RNA as genome. SARS, MERS and COVID-19 can lead to severe respiratory diseases leading to pneumonia. Human infections due to SARS-CoV-1, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 viral agents might have occurred after contact with reservoir animals. Reservoir animals for SARS and COVID-19 are bats, pangolins, snakes and other animals whereas for MERS the reservoir animal is camel. The genetic nature of coronaviruses is highly attributed to their drastic antigenic recombination. This antigenic change may result in the change of antigenic property of coronavirus ending in emergence of new type of coronavirus. Our phylogenetic analysis showed that SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 viruses are genetically related than MERS-CoV. This suggests that SARS-CoV-1 might be the genetic source for the evolution of SARS-CoV-2. There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 is manmade as an agent of bioweapon. Emergence of new coronaviruses can be contained by avoiding contact with wild animals. This can also be controlled by averting slaughter and eating of wild animals. There may be several undiscovered coronaviruses already existing in many animal reservoirs. These animal coronaviruses may have the capacity to cause human infection in the future. Due to the virion properties, genetic makeup and reservoir hosts, coronaviruses are continuously evolving over a period of time. We speculate that there may be another new human coronavirus that is entirely / partially different from the existing coronaviruses, may evolve in the future.
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COVID-19 caused by a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated in Wuhan (Hubei province, China) during late 2019. It has spread across the globe affecting nearly 21 million people with a toll of 0.75... more
COVID-19 caused by a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated in Wuhan (Hubei province, China) during late 2019. It has spread across the globe affecting nearly 21 million people with a toll of 0.75 million deaths and restricting the movement of most of the world population during the past 6 months. COVID-19 became the leading health, economic, and humanitarian challenge of the twenty-first century. In addition to the considerable COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in humans, several cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections in animal hosts (dog, cat, tiger, lion, and mink) have been reported. Thus, the concern of pet owners is increasing. Moreover, the dynamics of the disease requires further explanation, mainly concerning the transmission of the virus from humans to animals and vice versa. Therefore, this study aimed to gather information about the reported cases of COVID-19 transmission in animals through a literary review of works published in scientific journals and perform genomic and phylogenetic analyses of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from animal hosts. Although many instances of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 have been reported, caution and further studies are necessary to avoid the occurrence of maltreatment in animals, and to achieve a better understanding of the dynamics of the disease in the environment, humans, and animals. Future research in the animal-human interface can help formulate and implement preventive measures to combat the further transmission of COVID-19.
Research Interests: Covid-19 and SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19 caused by a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated in Wuhan (Hubei province, China) during late 2019. It has spread across the globe affecting nearly 21 million people with a toll of 0.75... more
COVID-19 caused by a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated in Wuhan (Hubei province, China) during late 2019. It has spread across the globe affecting nearly 21 million people with a toll of 0.75 million deaths and restricting the movement of most of the world population during the past 6 months. COVID-19 became the leading health, economic, and humanitarian challenge of the twenty-first century. In addition to the considerable COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in humans, several cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections in animal hosts (dog, cat, tiger, lion, and mink) have been reported. Thus, the concern of pet owners is increasing. Moreover, the dynamics of the disease requires further explanation, mainly concerning the transmission of the virus from humans to animals and vice versa. Therefore, this study aimed to gather information about the reported cases of COVID-19 transmission in animals through a literary review of works published in scientific journals and perform genomic and phylogenetic analyses of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from animal hosts. Although many instances of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 have been reported, caution and further studies are necessary to avoid the occurrence of maltreatment in animals, and to achieve a better understanding of the dynamics of the disease in the environment, humans, and animals. Future research in the animal-human interface can help formulate and implement preventive measures to combat the further transmission of COVID-19.
Research Interests: Covid-19 and SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19 caused by a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated in Wuhan (Hubei province, China) during late 2019. It has spread across the globe affecting nearly 21 million people with a toll of 0.75... more
COVID-19 caused by a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) originated in Wuhan (Hubei province, China) during late 2019. It has spread across the globe affecting nearly 21 million people with a toll of 0.75 million deaths and restricting the movement of most of the world population during the past 6 months. COVID-19 became the leading health, economic, and humanitarian challenge of the twenty-first century. In addition to the considerable COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in humans, several cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections in animal hosts (dog, cat, tiger, lion, and mink) have been reported. Thus, the concern of pet owners is increasing. Moreover, the dynamics of the disease requires further explanation, mainly concerning the transmission of the virus from humans to animals and vice versa. Therefore, this study aimed to gather information about the reported cases of COVID-19 transmission in animals through a literary review of works published in scientific journals and perform genomic and phylogenetic analyses of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from animal hosts. Although many instances of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 have been reported, caution and further studies are necessary to avoid the occurrence of maltreatment in animals, and to achieve a better understanding of the dynamics of the disease in the environment, humans, and animals. Future research in the animal-human interface can help formulate and implement preventive measures to combat the further transmission of COVID-19.
Research Interests: Covid-19 and SARS-CoV-2
Microbiological features of virulent Legionellae detected from various water bodies Infect DIs trop MeD 2021; 7: e765 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License... more
Microbiological features of virulent Legionellae detected from various water bodies Infect DIs trop MeD 2021; 7: e765 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License ABSTRACT:-Objective: Legionellae are free-living bacteria present in many types of water bodies. Legionella pneumophila can cause severe fatal pneumonia called Legionnaire's disease. These bacteria are commonly transmitted through air coolers. To examine the distribution and characterization of pathogenic Legionellae isolates from different water sources.-Materials and methods: A sum of 500 water specimens (100 samples from each) was obtained from various water bodies in and around Jimma town, Ethiopia. Water specimens were treated with mild acidic solution, subsequently concentrated and cultured on Legionella selective BCYE agar medium. Criteria such as capacity of Legionellae to tolerate and produce growth in different pH optima, bactericidal effect of various levels of chlorine on Legionella isolates and lethal effects of divergent temperature conditions were framed. Legionella species distinctions were carried out using phenotypic (biotyping) tests. Legionella pathogenicity experiments on animal model and antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed on these bacterial isolates.-Results: The prevalence and distribution of Legionellae in various types of water bodies were observed to be, wells (35%), lakes (30%), ponds (15%), water tanks (10%), and canals (10%). It was observed that many of the pathogenic Legionellae isolates can tolerate and multiply in a wide range of pH 5-9. Legionella can also withstand the usual concentration of chlorine in water bodies. Our experiments have also revealed that these bacteria can multiply at a variable range of temperature from 25 to 45˚C. The current study expressed that a total of 6 species of Legionella have been identified. Furthermore, it also suggested that L. pneumophila was identified more frequently than other species. Many isolated strains of Legionellae were also showing resistance to many commonly employed antibiotics. Instilling isolates of Legionella through intranasal route in guinea pigs proved that most of L. pneumophila strains were possessing high virulence followed by other species. Lethal and severe infections due to Legionellae can arise from the infection of these bacteria present in water bodies. These bacteria can tolerate and multiply in wide ranges of physicochemical conditions of water.-Conclusions: Among the isolated species, L. pneumophila was the dominant and highly pathogenic species. Moreover, many isolates of L. pneumophila expressed multiple resistances to antibiotics. In spite of rapid development of medical field, health officials face a huge task ahead to curb the morbidity and mortality due to Legionellae especially in developing countries.
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SARS-CoV-2 are enveloped RNA viruses that belong to the family Coronaviridae of genus Beta coronavirus, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The mutation rate is high among RNA viruses and in particular, coronavirus replication is error... more
SARS-CoV-2 are enveloped RNA viruses that belong to the family Coronaviridae of genus Beta coronavirus, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The mutation rate is high among RNA viruses and in particular, coronavirus replication is error prone with an estimated mutation rate of 4x10-4 nucleotide substitutions per site per year. Variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been reported from various countries like United Kingdom, South Africa, Denmark, Brazil and India. These variants evolved due to mutations in spike gene of SARS-CoV-2. The most concerning variants are Variant of Concern (VOC) 202012/01 from United Kingdom and B.1.617 variant of India. Other variants include B.1.351 lineages, cluster 5/SARS-CoV-2 variant of Denmark, 501.V2 variant/SARS-CoV-2 variant of South Africa, lineage B.1.1.248/lineage P.1 of Brazil. Mutations in S protein may result in changes in the transmissibility and virulence of SARS-CoV-2. To date, alterations in virulence or pathogenicity have been reported among the variants from many parts of the globe. In our opinion, since the S protein is significantly altered, the suitability of existing vaccine specifically targeting the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 variants is a major concern. The mutations in SARS-CoV-2 are a continuous and evolving process that may result in the transformation of naïve SARS-CoV-2 into totally new subsets of antigenically different SARS-CoV-2 viruses over a period of time.
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Identification of campylobacter, Vibrio and Aeromonas
Correlation of enterotoxigenicity of Campylobacter species with Cholera toxin, E. coli enterotoxins and aerolysin - https://www.scimagojr.com/journalsearch.php?q=17742&tip=sid&clean=0
Correlation of enterotoxigenicity of Campylobacter species with Cholera toxin, E. coli enterotoxins and aerolysin - https://www.scimagojr.com/journalsearch.php?q=17742&tip=sid&clean=0
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Elsevier has created a COVID-19 resource centre with free information in English and Mandarin on the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The COVID-19 resource centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect, the company's public news and information... more
Elsevier has created a COVID-19 resource centre with free information in English and Mandarin on the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The COVID-19 resource centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect, the company's public news and information website. Elsevier hereby grants permission to make all its COVID-19-related research that is available on the COVID-19 resource centre-including this research content-immediately available in PubMed Central and other publicly funded repositories, such as the WHO COVID database with rights for unrestricted research re-use and analyses in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for free by Elsevier for as long as the COVID-19 resource centre remains active.
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Elsevier has created a COVID-19 resource centre with free information in English and Mandarin on the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The COVID-19 resource centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect, the company's public news and information... more
Elsevier has created a COVID-19 resource centre with free information in English and Mandarin on the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The COVID-19 resource centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect, the company's public news and information website. Elsevier hereby grants permission to make all its COVID-19-related research that is available on the COVID-19 resource centre-including this research content-immediately available in PubMed Central and other publicly funded repositories, such as the WHO COVID database with rights for unrestricted research re-use and analyses in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for free by Elsevier for as long as the COVID-19 resource centre remains active.
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This short report describes the carcinogenesis of the pancreas leading to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) determined by molecular, cellular, and functional heterogeneity. Among the diverse types of pancreatic cancers, PDAC is the... more
This short report describes the carcinogenesis of the pancreas leading to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) determined by molecular, cellular, and functional heterogeneity. Among the diverse types of pancreatic cancers, PDAC is the most lethal, aggressive, and one of the leading cancers associated with the highest mortality. Pancreatic cellular components like pancreatic stellate cells (PSC), mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and pancreatic fibroblast cells (PFC) exhibit these properties in PDAC. After the appearance of point mutations in KRAS, the mutations in tumor suppressor genes appear sequentially in the order of CDKN2A, TP53, and SMAD4 that eventually resulting in PDAC development. As of today, there are no effective therapeutic options or treatments available for PDAC. The main difficulty in managing PDAC cases is its defiance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. There were several attempts to identify a suitable biomarker for the early diagnosis and prognosis of PDAC. Anyway, these recently discovered biomarkers vary in their sensitivity and specificities. Some of the other important and reliable biomarkers for PDAC are carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cell migration-inducing hyaluronan binding protein (CE-MIP), serum fatty acid metabolite PC-594, and micro-RNAs (miRNAs).
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Recently a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 was reported from South Africa. World Health Organization (WHO) named this mutant as a variant of concern-Omicron (B.1.1.529) on 26th November 2021. This variant exhibited more than thirty amino acid... more
Recently a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 was reported from South Africa. World Health Organization (WHO) named this mutant as a variant of concern-Omicron (B.1.1.529) on 26th November 2021. This variant exhibited more than thirty amino acid mutations in the spike protein. This mutation rate is exceeding the other variants by approximately 5-11 times in the receptor-binding motif of the spike protein. Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant might have enhanced transmissibility and immune evasion. This new variant can reinfect individuals previously infected with other SARS-CoV-2 variants. Scientists expressed their concern about the efficacy of already existing COVID-19 vaccines against Omicron (B.1.1.529) infections. Some of the crucial mutations that are detected in the receptor-binding domain of the Omicron variant have been shared by previously evolved SARS-CoV-2 variants. Based on the Omicron mutation profile in the receptor-binding domain and motif, it might have collectively enhanced or intermediary infectivity relative to its previous variants. Due to extensive mutations in the spike protein, the Omicron variant might evade the immunity in the vaccinated individuals.
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With reference to the comments raised on our article entitled "COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus 2019)-recent trends", we would like to clarify some points: 1. Our article was one of the foremost review papers on COVID-19. Please note that this... more
With reference to the comments raised on our article entitled "COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus 2019)-recent trends", we would like to clarify some points: 1. Our article was one of the foremost review papers on COVID-19. Please note that this article was submitted to the Editor of the Journal on 12 th February 2020. On 11 th February 2020 the disease was named as COVID-19 1 although the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). 2. But at the time of submission of our article the etiological agent of COVID-19 was called "Novel Coronavirus 2019" 2. 3. Later "Novel Coronavirus-2019" name as SARS-CoV-2 3. 4. Please, refer to our article 6 th line in Abstract part it says "The COVID-19 virus was known earlier as 2019-nCoV". Here COVID-19 virus means 'COVID-19 causing virus'. We are not saying that COVID-19 is a virus. We agree that COVID-19 is a disease and the causative agent later named as is SARS-COV-2. 5. References 2, 3 and 4 mentioned by the commentator are published after 12 th February 2020. 6. In our article the phrase COVID-19 virus refers to etiologic agent. There was a dilemma that how to name the virus at the time of preparation of this manuscript because on 12 th February 2020 there was no concrete/definite name for this virus. 7. Some article referred as Wuhan coronavirus. Whereas some other called 2019-nCoV. Some other researchers referred it as Novel Coronavirus 2019 4-6. 8. Our title says that "COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus 2019). This says that we have clearly demarcated the disease as COVID-19 and the virus separately. 9. Our article was prepared at the initial stages of pandemic. WHO announced COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on 12-03-2020 only 7. 10. The references 6, 7 and 8 were not published at the time of our manuscript preparation. 11. We have mentioned that glycoprotein may have acetyl esterase and HE properties with available sources at that time. However, the complete genome was not analyzed at that time and later SARS-CoV-2 genome was fully analyzed. Now we come to know that SARS-CoV-2 does not have this gene 8,9 .
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that, although the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) from Wuhan City (China), is not pandemic, it should be contained to prevent the global spread. The COVID-19 virus was known... more
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that, although the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) from Wuhan City (China), is not pandemic, it should be contained to prevent the global spread. The COVID-19 virus was known earlier as 2019-nCoV. As of 12 February 2020, WHO reported 45,171 cases and 1115 deaths related to COVID-19. COVID-19 is similar to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) virus in its pathogenicity, clinical spectrum, and epidemiology. Comparison of the genome sequences of COVID-19, SARS-CoV, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) showed that COVID-19 has a better sequence identity with SARS-CoV compared to MERS CoV. However, the amino acid sequence of COVID-19 differs from other coronaviruses specifically in the regions of 1ab polyprotein and surface glycoprotein or S-protein. Although several animals have been speculated to be a reservoir for COVID-19, no animal reservoir has been already confirmed. COVID-19 causes COVID-19 disease that has similar symptoms as SARS-CoV. Studies suggest that the human receptor for COVID-19 may be angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor similar to that of SARS-CoV. The nucleocapsid (N) protein of COVID-19 has nearly 90% amino acid sequence identity with SARS-CoV. The N protein antibodies of SARS-CoV may cross react with COVID-19 but may not provide cross-immunity. In a similar fashion to SARS-CoV, the N protein of COVID-19 may play an important role in suppressing the RNA interference (RNAi) to overcome the host defense. This mini-review aims at investigating the most recent trend of COVID-19.
BACKGROUND: Presence of microorganisms in the circulating blood whether continuously or intermittently is a threat to every organ in the body. Approximately 200,000 cases of bacteraemia occur annually with mortality rates ranging from... more
BACKGROUND: Presence of microorganisms in the circulating blood whether continuously or intermittently is a threat to every organ in the body. Approximately 200,000 cases of bacteraemia occur annually with mortality rates ranging from 20-50%. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of these infections can make the difference between life and death. The aim of the present study was to determine the bacterial flora of the blood stream infections and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted on 260 adult febrile patients in Jimma University Specialized Hospital from 27 October 2009 to 26 March 2010. The positive blood cultures were examined and the organisms were identified as per standard procedures. Antimicrobial testing was performed for all isolates by disk diffusion techniques, according to Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guide lines. The data was analyzed using SPSS for windows version 16 and Microsoft Office Excel. RESULTS:...
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Hand foot and mouth disease
With increasing use of antimicrobial agents and advance in lifesaving medical practices which expose the patients for invasive procedures, are associated with the ever increasing of nosocomial infections. Despite an effort in hospital... more
With increasing use of antimicrobial agents and advance in lifesaving medical practices which expose the patients for invasive procedures, are associated with the ever increasing of nosocomial infections. Despite an effort in hospital infection control measures, health care associated infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality adding additional health care expenditure which may leads to an economic crisis. The problem is further complicated with the emergence of difficult to treat multidrug resistant (MDR) microorganism in the hospital environment. Virtually every pathogen has the potential to cause infection in hospitalized patients but only limited number of both gram positive and gram negative bacteria are responsible for the majority of nosocomial infection. Among them Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococci takes the leading. Many intrinsic and extrinsic factors predispose hospitalized patients for these pathogens. Following simple hospital hygienic practices and strictly following standard medical procedures greatly reduces infection to a significant level although not all nosocomial infections are avoidable. The clinical spectrum caused by nosocomial pathogens depend on body site of infection, the involving pathogen and the patient's underlying condition. Structural and non structural virulence factors associated with the bacteria are responsible for the observed clinical manifestation. Bacteria isolation and characterization from appropriate clinical materials with antimicrobial susceptibility testing is the standard of laboratory diagnosis.
Recently a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 was reported from South Africa. World Health Organization (WHO) named this mutant as a variant of concern - Omicron (B.1.1.529) on 26th November 2021. This variant exhibited more than thirty amino acid... more
Recently a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 was reported from South Africa. World Health Organization (WHO) named this mutant as a variant of concern - Omicron (B.1.1.529) on 26th November 2021. This variant exhibited more than thirty amino acid mutations in the spike protein. This mutation rate is exceeding the other variants by approximately 5-11 times in the receptor-binding motif of the spike protein. Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant might have enhanced transmissibility and immune evasion. This new variant can reinfect individuals previously infected with other SARS-CoV-2 variants. Scientists expressed their concern about the efficacy of already existing COVID-19 vaccines against Omicron (B.1.1.529) infections. Some of the crucial mutations that are detected in the receptor-binding domain of the Omicron variant have been shared by previously evolved SARS-CoV-2 variants. Based on the Omicron mutation profile in the receptor-binding domain and motif, it might have collectively enhanced or intermediary infectivity relative to its previous variants. Due to extensive mutations in the spike protein, the Omicron variant might evade the immunity in the vaccinated individuals.
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This short report describes the carcinogenesis of the pancreas leading to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) determined by molecular, cellular, and functional heterogeneity. Among the diverse types of pancreatic cancers, PDAC is the... more
This short report describes the carcinogenesis of the pancreas leading to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) determined by molecular, cellular, and functional heterogeneity. Among the diverse types of pancreatic cancers, PDAC is the most lethal, aggressive, and one of the leading cancers associated with the highest mortality. Pancreatic cellular components like pancreatic stellate cells (PSC), mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), and pancreatic fibroblast cells (PFC) exhibit these properties in PDAC. After the appearance of point mutations in KRAS, the mutations in tumor suppressor genes appear sequentially in the order of CDKN2A, TP53, and SMAD4 that eventually resulting in PDAC development. As of today, there are no effective therapeutic options or treatments available for PDAC. The main difficulty in managing PDAC cases is its defiance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. There were several attempts to identify a suitable biomarker for the early diagnosis and prognosis of PDAC. Anyway...
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Introduction: Medical robotics is a rapidly growing aspect of the modern health care landscape. The aim of this paper was to review the availability of robotic technology and laboratory automation in the control of SARS-CoV-2, Ebola and... more
Introduction: Medical robotics is a rapidly growing aspect of the modern health care landscape. The aim of this paper was to review the availability of robotic technology and laboratory automation in the control of SARS-CoV-2, Ebola and H1N1 (Swine Flu) viruses. Methods: A systematic review with narrative synthesis was conducted using the following databases: ME- DLINE / PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Science Direct and Google Scholar to retrieve studies re- garding the use of robots and automated lab technologies, with appropriate MeSH terms and in accordance with the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses" (PRISMA) guidelines. A narrative synthesis was performed to synthesize the findings of the different studies. Results: A total of 250 articles were selected and 30 articles were included in this systematic review. Our findings indicate that robotic technology and automated laboratories have a promising approach, while handling biosafety le...
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Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that causes hyperglycemia. In COVID-19 patients the severity of the disease depends on myriad factors but diabetes mellitus is the most important comorbidity. The current review was conducted to... more
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that causes hyperglycemia. In COVID-19 patients the severity of the disease depends on myriad factors but diabetes mellitus is the most important comorbidity. The current review was conducted to investigate the virulence of SARS-CoV-2 and disease severity of COVID-19 in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and relevant treatment. The literature published in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was reviewed up to September 2021. The keywords including SARS-CoV-2, type 2 diabetes mellitus in COVID-19, hyperglycemia in COVID-19, opportunistic infections in type 2 diabetes mellitus and COVID-19 were used in different combinations. Hyperglycemic individuals over-express ACE-2 receptors in the lungs thus increasing the SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and replication. Although dipeptidyl peptidase-4 plays an important role in glucose homeostasis, additionally it also stimulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α creating a cytokine storm. Cytokine storm might be responsible for respiratory insufficiency in severe COVID-19 patients. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with immunosuppression and the patients are prone to get many opportunistic infections. Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with severe COVID-19 have lymphopenia. Moreover, in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients the neutrophils exhibit decreased chemotaxis, hydrogen peroxide production, and phagocytosis. Reduction in lymphocyte count and defective neutrophil capacity renders them with COVID-19 susceptible to opportunistic bacterial and fungal infections increasing the mortality rate. The opportunistic bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients were due to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia, and coagulase-negative Staphylococci, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella sp. In COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, mucormycosis was found to be the most common fungal infection with a higher predilection to males. Hyperglycemia in COVID-19 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus enhances the SARS-CoV-2 replication with an adverse outcome. A strong correlation exists between the poor prognosis of COVID-19 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Proper glycemic control in COVID-19 patients with diabetes mellitus might lessen the severity of the disease.
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This review was focused on global data analysis and risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 from different countries, including Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Central Eastern Europe, Egypt, India,... more
This review was focused on global data analysis and risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 from different countries, including Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Central Eastern Europe, Egypt, India, Iran, Pakistan, and South Asia, Africa, Turkey and UAE. Male showed higher confirmed and death cases compared to females in most of the countries. In addition, the case fatality ratio (CFR) for males was higher than for females. This gender variation in COVID-19 cases may be due to males' cultural activities, but similar variations in the number of COVID-19 affected males and females globally. Variations in the immune system can illustrate this divergent risk comparatively higher in males than females. The female immune system may have an edge to detect pathogens slightly earlier. In addition, women show comparatively higher innate and adaptive immune responses than men, which might be explained by the high density of immune-related genes in the X chromosome. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 viruses use angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to enter the host cell, and men contain higher ACE2 than females. Therefore, males may be more vulnerable to COVID-19 than females. In addition, smoking habit also makes men susceptible to COVID-19. Considering the age-wise distribution, children and older adults were less infected than other age groups and the death rate. On the contrary, more death in the older group may be associated with less immune system function. In addition, most of these group have comorbidities like diabetes, high pressure, low lungs and kidney function, and other chronic diseases. Due to the substantial economic losses and the numerous infected people and deaths, research examining the features of the COVID-19 epidemic is essential to gain insight into mitigating its impact in the future and preparedness for any future epidemics.
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With reference to the comments raised on our article entitled "COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus 2019)-recent trends", we would like to clarify some points: 1. Our article was one of the foremost review papers on COVID-19.... more
With reference to the comments raised on our article entitled "COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus 2019)-recent trends", we would like to clarify some points: 1. Our article was one of the foremost review papers on COVID-19. Please note that this article was submitted to the Editor of the Journal on 12 th February 2020. On 11 th February 2020 the disease was named as COVID-19 1 although the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). 2. But at the time of submission of our article the etiological agent of COVID-19 was called "Novel Coronavirus 2019" 2. 3. Later "Novel Coronavirus-2019" name as SARS-CoV-2 3. 4. Please, refer to our article 6 th line in Abstract part it says "The COVID-19 virus was known earlier as 2019-nCoV". Here COVID-19 virus means 'COVID-19 causing virus'. We are not saying that COVID-19 is a virus. We agree that COVID-19 is a disease and the causative agent later named as is SARS-COV-2. 5. References 2, 3 and 4 mentioned by the commentator are published after 12 th February 2020. 6. In our article the phrase COVID-19 virus refers to etiologic agent. There was a dilemma that how to name the virus at the time of preparation of this manuscript because on 12 th February 2020 there was no concrete/definite name for this virus. 7. Some article referred as Wuhan coronavirus. Whereas some other called 2019-nCoV. Some other researchers referred it as Novel Coronavirus 2019 4-6. 8. Our title says that "COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus 2019). This says that we have clearly demarcated the disease as COVID-19 and the virus separately. 9. Our article was prepared at the initial stages of pandemic. WHO announced COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on 12-03-2020 only 7. 10. The references 6, 7 and 8 were not published at the time of our manuscript preparation. 11. We have mentioned that glycoprotein may have acetyl esterase and HE properties with available sources at that time. However, the complete genome was not analyzed at that time and later SARS-CoV-2 genome was fully analyzed. Now we come to know that SARS-CoV-2 does not have this gene 8,9 .
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Coronavirus disease – 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, due to severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is posing a severe bio threat to the entire world. Nucleocapsids of SARS-CoV-2 and the related viruses were studied for... more
Coronavirus disease – 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, due to severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is posing a severe bio threat to the entire world. Nucleocapsids of SARS-CoV-2 and the related viruses were studied for gene and amino acid sequence homologies. In this study, we established similarities and differences in nucleocapsids in SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome – coronavirus-1 (SARS-CoV-1), bat coronavirus (bat-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome – coronavirus (MERS-CoV). We conducted a detailed analysis of the nucleocapsid protein amino acid and gene sequence encoding it, found in various coronavirus strains. After thoroughly screening the different nucleocapsids, we observed a close molecular homology between SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. More than 95% sequence similarity was observed between the two SARS-CoV strains. Bat-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 showed 92% sequence similarity. MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid analysis indicated only 65% ide...
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With increasing use of antimicrobial agents and advance in lifesaving medical practices which expose the patients for invasive procedures, are associated with the ever increasing of nosocomial infections. Despite an effort in hospital... more
With increasing use of antimicrobial agents and advance in lifesaving medical practices which expose the patients for invasive procedures, are associated with the ever increasing of nosocomial infections. Despite an effort in hospital infection control measures, health care associated infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality adding additional health care expenditure which may leads to an economic crisis. The problem is further complicated with the emergence of difficult to treat multidrug resistant (MDR) microorganism in the hospital environment. Virtually every pathogen has the potential to cause infection in hospitalized patients but only limited number of both gram positive and gram negative bacteria are responsible for the majority of nosocomial infection. Among them Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococci takes the leading. Many intrinsic and extrinsic factors predispose hospitalized patients for these pathogens....
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Detection of diarrheagenic Aeromonas specific aerolysin toxin (Aer) gene by PCR based assay and isolation, identification of diarrhea causing Aeromonas from faeces by culture methods were carried out in the Division of Active... more
Detection of diarrheagenic Aeromonas specific aerolysin toxin (Aer) gene by PCR based assay and isolation, identification of diarrhea causing Aeromonas from faeces by culture methods were carried out in the Division of Active Surveillance, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED), Kolkata, India for a period of 12 months. Out of 602 faecal samples collected from patients with acute diarrhea admitted in Infectious Diseases (ID) Hospital, Kolkata, 68 (11.29%) samples were found to be possessing Aer gene by PCR technique. The conventional culture methods using selective media yielded only 64 (10.6%) Aeromonas strains from the same faecal samples. The different Aeromonas species possessing Aer gene identified by PCR based technique include A. hydrophila (55.8%), A. caviae (17.6%), A. veronii (10.2%), A. schubertii (4.4%), A. jandaei (2.9%) and A. trota (8.8%). The isolation and identification of Aeromonas by routine culture did not detect enterotoxigenic A. trota prese...
Research Interests: Microbiology, Biology, Adolescent, Medicine, Diarrhea, and 15 moreHumans, Child, Bacterial Toxins, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Infant, Aeromonas, Middle Aged, Adult, Feces, Aeromonas Hydrophila, Species Specificity, Enterotoxin, Child preschool, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and multiplex polymerase chain reaction
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that, although the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) from Wuhan City (China), is not pandemic, it should be contained to prevent the global spread. The COVID-19 virus was known... more
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning that, although the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) from Wuhan City (China), is not pandemic, it should be contained to prevent the global spread. The COVID-19 virus was known earlier as 2019-nCoV. As of 12 February 2020, WHO reported 45,171 cases and 1115 deaths related to COVID-19. COVID-19 is similar to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) virus in its pathogenicity, clinical spectrum, and epidemiology. Comparison of the genome sequences of COVID-19, SARS-CoV, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) showed that COVID-19 has a better sequence identity with SARS-CoV compared to MERS CoV. However, the amino acid sequence of COVID-19 differs from other coronaviruses specifically in the regions of 1ab polyprotein and surface glycoprotein or S-protein. Although several animals have been speculated to be a reservoir for COVID-19, no animal reservoir has been already confirmed. COVID-19 caus...
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bacterial strains have been reported especially in the developing countries 2-4. Aeromonads have been found to cause a variety of extraintestinal infections in the normal as well as severe infections in the immune-compromised patients 5.... more
bacterial strains have been reported especially in the developing countries 2-4. Aeromonads have been found to cause a variety of extraintestinal infections in the normal as well as severe infections in the immune-compromised patients 5. Six different species of Aeromonas viz., A. hydrophila, A. caviae, A. veronii (biotype Sobria and Veronii), A. schubertii, A. jandaei and A. trota have been associated with human diarrhea 6. Aeromonas produces several virulence factors like aerolysin (enterotoxin), haemolysin, cytotoxin, proteases, adhesins (pilins) etc. 7-9. Many studies on molecular biology of the virulence genes of diarrheagenic Aeromonas revealed that these strains harbouring aerolysin toxin gene (Aer) are potential diarrheagenic in nature 10-12. Present study attempted to establish a method to utilize this diarrhea specific toxin gene marker as a tool for the diagnostic detection of diarrhea causing Aeromonas directly from faeces by PCR based technique. Materials and Methods Isolation of Aeromonas by culture methods A total of 602 faecal samples from the diarrheal patients with the age group ranging between 1 and 62 years were tested for the presence of enterotoxigenic Aeromonas. The faecal samples were transported to the laboratory in the Cary-Blair transport medium. All the samples were enriched in Alkaline Peptone water (APW) at 37°C for 18 hours. The enriched inoculums from APW was streaked on Ampicillin Sheep Blood agar (ASBA) and incubated at 37°C for 24 European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences 91 Abstract.-Detection of diarrheagenic Aeromonas specific aerolysin toxin (Aer) gene by PCR based assay and isolation, identification of diarrhea causing Aeromonas from faeces by culture methods were carried out in the Division of Active Surveillance, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED), Kolkata, India for a period of 12 months. Out of 602 faecal samples collected from patients with acute diarrhea admitted in Infectious Diseases (ID) Hospital, Kolkata, 68 (11.29%) samples were found to be possessing Aer gene by PCR technique. The conventional culture methods using selective media yielded only 64 (10.6%) Aeromonas strains from the same faecal samples. The different Aeromonas species possessing Aer gene identified by PCR based technique include A. hydrophila (55.8%), A. caviae (17.6%), A. veronii (10.2%), A. schubertii (4.4%), A. jandaei (2.9%) and A. trota (8.8%). The isolation and identification of Aeromonas by routine culture did not detect enterotoxigenic A. trota present in four diarrheal faecal samples. The failure of the growth of enterotoxigenic A. trota on selective media may be attributed to the ampicillin susceptibility of those strains. The quality control studies revealed that PCR method for the direct detection of Aer gene from the faeces has the sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 98%.
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BACKGROUND: Presence of microorganisms in the circulating blood whether continuously or intermittently is a threat to every organ in the body. Approximately 200,000 cases of bacteraemia occur annually with mortality rates ranging from... more
BACKGROUND: Presence of microorganisms in the circulating blood whether continuously or intermittently is a threat to every organ in the body. Approximately 200,000 cases of bacteraemia occur annually with mortality rates ranging from 20-50%. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of these infections can make the difference between life and death. The aim of the present study was to determine the bacterial flora of the blood stream infections and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted on 260 adult febrile patients in Jimma University Specialized Hospital from 27 October 2009 to 26 March 2010. The positive blood cultures were examined and the organisms were identified as per standard procedures. Antimicrobial testing was performed for all isolates by disk diffusion techniques, according to Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guide lines. The data was analyzed using SPSS for windows version 16 and Microsoft Office Excel. RESULTS: From the total of two hundred sixty blood specimens only 23(8.8%) were positive to seven different types of bacteria. The isolated bacteria were: Coagulase negative staphylococci 6(26.1%), S. aureus 5 (21.7%), S. pyogens 3 (13.0%), E. coli 4(17.4%), K. pneumoniae 3(13.0%), Salmonella spp. 1(4.3%), and Citrobacter spp. 1(4.3%). The isolates showed high rates of resistance to most antibiotics tested. The range of resistance for gram positive bacteria were 0% to 85.7%, and for gram negative from 0% to 100%. None of the isolates were resistance to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone. CONCLUSION: Our study result showed the presence of invasive bacterial pathogens with high rate of resistance to most commonly used antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections. Therefore, timely investigation of bacterial flora of the blood stream infections and monitoring of their antibiotic resistance pattern plays an important role in reduction of the incidence of blood stream infections.
Research Interests: Bacteremia and Septicemia
BACKGROUND: One of the major health problems among HIV sero-positive patients are superimposed infections due to the deficient immunity. Furthermore, intestinal parasitic (IP) infections, which are also one of the basic health problems in... more
BACKGROUND: One of the major health problems among HIV sero-positive patients are superimposed infections due to the deficient immunity. Furthermore, intestinal parasitic (IP) infections, which are also one of the basic health problems in tropical regions, are common in these patients. Infection by opportunistic pathogens, including various forms of intestinal parasites has been the hall mark of HIV since the beginning of the epidemic. AIM: To study the prevalence of opportunistic intestinal parasitic infection among HIV patients who are taking antiretroviral treatment (ART) in Jimma, Ethiopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patient samples were diagnosed by examination of single stool specimen which was examined as fresh wet mounts, formal-ether concentration technique and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. Data was obtained from 91 study subjects selected by convenience sampling method. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was found to be 39.56%. Eight types of intestinal parasites was identified, the most dominant being, Ascaris lumbricoides, 21.67%, Entamoeba histolytica, 15% and Cryptosporidium parvum 13.33%. The prevalence of oppor tunistic parasite was 15.38%, the prevalence of non-opportunistic parasite was 20.87% and the prevalence of both opportunistic and non opportunistic was 3.29%. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated that intestinal parasites were still a problem in the study area. Data also showed that among the predisposing factors, habit of hand washing before meal, usage of latrine and duration after treatment was statistically associated with intestinal parasitic infections.
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BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF VIRULENCE GENES OF DIARRHOEGENIC AEROMONAS
https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/211758#
https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/211758#