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Background: Fungal infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare, yet increasingly recognised condition associated with substantial mortality rates. Candida and Histoplasma are among the notable causative agents, presenting diverse clinical manifestations and complexities in diagnosis and management. Objectives: This study was undertaken to examine the clinical profiles, diagnostic challenges, treatment modalities, and outcomes of four compelling cases involving Candida and Histoplasma endocarditis. Methods & Design: This was a descriptive case series study conducted from July 2021 to July 2023. All patients with definite/possible endocarditis diagnosed based on modified Duke’s criteria were reviewed in this study. Data on demographics, risk factors, clinical signs and symptoms, echocardiography findings, microbiological aetiology, complications, treatment, and outcomes were collected. Results: Among 212 suspected IE cases reviewed, 54 met the modified Duke’s criteria for possible or definite IE, with four instances identified as fungal endocarditis. Candida species accounted for three cases, while an uncommon instance of Histoplasma Endocarditis (HE) was also observed. Clinical presentations varied, with fever and dyspnoea being prominent symptoms. Risk factors included chronic kidney disease, prior surgeries, prosthetic valves, and immunocompromised states. Diagnosis posed challenges due to the resemblance to bacterial IE, low blood culture yields, and delayed suspicion. Various diagnostic approaches, including blood cultures, serological markers, and imaging, were employed. Therapeutic strategies involved antifungal agents and surgical intervention, where feasible. However, despite prompt treatment initiation, many patients faced rapid clinical deterioration, emphasising the severity and aggressive nature of fungal endocarditis. Mortality rates remained notably high across the cohort. Conclusion: This study highlights the criticality of early suspicion, prompt diagnosis, and a multidisciplinary approach to managing fungal endocarditis. While recognising the limitations in current diagnostic tools and therapeutic options, the study underscores the urgent need for enhanced diagnostic modalities and novel treatment strategies to improve outcomes in these challenging cases.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most common humoral immune deficiency in adults, characterized by recurrent sinopulmonary bacterial infections. Invasive fungal infections are rarely associated with CVID. Late-onset combined immunodeficiency (LOCID) is a recently recognized variant of CVID with low CD4 counts and immunoglobulins deficiency. The current study reveals the first documented case of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis ( Aspergillus terreus ) in a patient with LOCID. A 52-year-old female with a recurrent history of sinopulmonary infections presented with acute onset fever and shortness of breath. Blood culture and bronchoalveolar lavage culture grew A. terreus . Further evaluation revealed low immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM and IgA). Moreover, she also had low CD4 counts (

Nanotechnology is a technology, sparking a real revolution in all branches of science. Due to its distinctive features at the nanoscale (less than 100 nm), nanotechnology refers to as the usage of nanomaterials in monitoring of numerous compounds inside the diverse fields. By taking the advantage of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, yeast, actinomycetes, microalgae, etc. in order to produce nanoparticles is a swift and green biological method compared to alternative methods (physical and chemical). The review article extensively covers the latest progress for the production of various nanoparticles such as copper, gold, silver, as well as other metal nanoparticles, as well as oxide and sulfide nanoparticles by the microorganisms along with their characterization methods. In the next section we have covered all the agricultural applications which can be done using nanoparticles to increase crop output, diminish the consumption of pesticides and to attain food security. Nanoparticles have enormous applications in the agriculture sector in crop improvement, crop protection via nanoherbicides, nanofungicides, antimicrobial activities against phytopathogens etc. However, the interaction of the nanoparticles with nutrients that are vital for plants and other substances can influence the toxicity of the nanoparticles. So, there is a need to have comprehensive research on various aspects i.e., nanoparticle shape, concentration, exposure time, environmental factors etc. before the commercialization of nanoparticles.

Reviewing “zoonotic diseases” classically brings to mind human infections contracted in close association with animals, where outdoor occupations and afforested lands usually play a key role in the epidemiological triad. However, there is a very common, yet overlooked route of infection where humans may not come in direct contact with animals or implicated environments. Milk-borne diseases are a unique set of infections affecting all age groups and occupational categories of humans, causing 4% of all the foodborne diseases in the world. The infection reservoir may lie with milch animals and associated enzootic cycles, and the infectious agent is freely secreted into the animal’s milk. Commercial pooling and processing of milk create unique environmental challenges, where lapses in quality control could introduce infective agents during downstream processing and distribution. The infectious agent is finally brought to the doorstep of both rural and urban households through such animal products. The domestic hygiene of the household finally determines human infections. One health approach can target preventive measures like immunization in animals, pasteurization and stringent quality control during the commercial processing of milk, and finally, hygienic practices at the level of the consumer, to reduce the burden of milk-borne diseases. This review hopes to draw the attention of policymakers to this unique route of infection, because it can be easily regulated with cost-effective interventions, to ensure the safety of this precious food product, permeating the life and livelihood of humans from all walks of life.

Background: Asymptomatic carriers are responsible for the consistent spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the community. The Government of India has deputed house-to-house survey teams to aid in identifying asymptomatic individuals and their susceptible contacts. We selected door-to-door survey teams of a COVID-19 red zone in western India and determined their infectioncontrol practices and anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobin G (IgG) status. Materials and Methods: This single-day prospective cross-sectional study was conducted by the Department of Microbiology of a tertiary care hospital of Jodhpur, in collaboration with the Rajasthan State Health Services. Participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) use after written informed consent. Venous blood samples were collected and Kavach enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (J Mitra and Co.) was performed to determine anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG status. Results: Out of the total 39 participants, IgG antibody was detected in four. Of them, three reported mild symptoms in the past. Out of two previously real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) SARS-CoV-2-positive participants, only one had detectable IgG antibodies (Ab) in serum. Cloth mask was used by 24, N95 mask by 11, and surgical masks by four. Conclusion: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Abs were detected among four members of house-to-house COVID-19 survey teams in Jodhpur. Most of the team members used cloth masks, whereas the Government of India guidelines has recommended triple-layered surgical masks as minimum essential PPE for healthcare workers in India. More such studies should be conducted to ascertain infection prevention and control practices among such vulnerable frontline workers in our country.

Background and Purpose: Rapid surge of invasive mucormycosis has surprised the Indian healthcare system amidst the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Hence, there is an urgent need to find the risk factors for the sudden rise in cases of invasive mucormycosis among COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to find crucial risk factors for the sudden surge of invasive mucormycosis in India.Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 77 cases of COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) who matched the controls (45 controls) in terms of age , gender, and COVID-19 disease severity. The control group included subjects that matched controls without mucormycosis confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction at our tertiary care center during April-May 2021. Probable predisposing factors, such as duration of diabetes mellitus (DM), history of recent hospitalization, duration of hospital stay, mode of the received oxygen supplementation, and use of steroids, zinc, vitamin c, and any other specific drugs were collected and compared between the two groups. Moreover, the laboratory parameters, like glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP),and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were analyzed to find out the significant association with CAM.Results: DM (Odds ratio=7.7, 95% CI 3.30-18.12; P=7.5 gm %) (odds ratio=6.2, 95% CI 1.4-26.7; P=0.014) weresignificant risk factors for the development of invasive mucormycosis among the COVID-19 cases. A higher number of mild COVID-19 cases developed CAM, compared to the moderate to severe cases (59.7% vs 40.3%). Use of systemic corticosteroids (odd ratio=5 with 95% CI 1.5-16.9; P=0.007) was found to be a risk factor for invasive mucormycosis only in mild COVID-19 cases. Use of oxygen, zinc, and vitamin C supplementation, and proprietary medicine did not lead to a significant risk of invasive mucormycosis in cases, compared to controls. Cases with invasive mucormycosis had a higher level of inflammatory markers (hsCRP and ESR, P=

Abstract Background Empyema necessitans is a rare pulmonary condition described as the presence of pus in the pleural cavity with insidious extension into the surrounding soft tissue. The common microbial aetiology of empyema necessitans is tuberculosis. Nocardiosis a cause of empyema necessitans is rarely described in the literature. We herein present a case of an 80-year-old male with empyema necessitans with osteomyelitis of rib caused by Nocardia farcinica. Case presentation An 80-year-old male presented with complaints of soft swelling on the left lower posterior chest wall associated with dry cough and breathlessness on exertion. Computed Tomography (CT) thorax demonstrated empyema necessitans with features of left fifth rib osteomyelitis. Radiological guided aspiration of the chest wall collection revealed Nocardia species and surgical drainage of abscess was performed. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) identified the isolate as Nocardia farcinica. He was treated with three-drug regimen: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amikacin and ceftriaxone for 2 weeks. After showing improvement patient was discharged and advised to take oral Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for the next 6 months with periodic follow-up. Conclusions As our case demonstrates, the possibility of invasive Nocardiosis should not be overlooked even in immunocompetent patients. Clinicians should aware of this rare entity while treating patients with empyema necessitans.

Association of mucormycosis with COVID-19 disease is emerging as a matter of concern, with multiple reports of rhino-cerebral-orbital and pulmonary involvement. The association of isolated renal mucormycosis in a patient with a history of COVID-19 infection is unknown. The immune dysregulation associated with COVID, along with the use of steroids, mechanical ventilation, and interleukin-6-directed therapies, predisposes to the development of mucormycosis. We report a rare case of primary renal mucormycosis in a young male following recovery from COVID-19. The unusual mode of presentation, rapidly progressive disease course, and the ensuing dilemmas in diagnosis and treatment merit critical analysis.

Aims: The indigenously developed Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-NIV COVID Kavach IgG enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been recommended for seroprevalence among vulnerable populations in India, which provided essential services throughout the lockdown. The staff working in the High Court was one such group. We compared anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity among the staff of Jodhpur and Jaipur High Courts, Rajasthan, India. Methods: Asymptomatic judiciary staff of Jodhpur and Jaipur benches of High Courts were enrolled after informed written consent. A questionnaire was filled and 3–5 ml venous blood was collected from participants. The ICMR-NIV COVID Kavach IgG ELISA and EUROIMMUN IgG ELISA were used for detection of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Results: A total of 63 samples (41 from Jodhpur and 22 from Jaipur) were collected between 28th July to 4th August 2020. The overall anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG seroprevalence was found to be 6.35%. Seropositivity was higher among the staff from Jaipur (13.64%) as compared to Jodhpur (2.44%). The Kavach ELISA results were in complete agreement with EUROIMMUN ELISA. The infection control measures were deemed effective. Conclusion: Seroprevalence among the staff of Jodhpur High Court was found to be lower than Jaipur, reflecting higher susceptibility to COVID-19 in the former. Many offices worldwide are closed till mid 2020 but need to come up with pre-emptive policies eventually. This study may help to anticipate the possible challenges when other government/private offices start functioning. The infection control practices of one workplace may help formulate guidelines for other offices.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which was originally known as a virus that infects animals and rarely can be transmitted to humans in large populations, is now transformed into one of the most feared pandemics causes worldwide. Infection by a virus that is officially known as COVID-19 has caused global concern mainly due to the number of deaths caused. Since it was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019, now COVID-19 has spread to almost all parts of the world with a very rapid spread rate. The main symptom of this infection is a respiratory disease accompanied by other symptoms that resemble flu-like illness. Everyone can suffer from COVID-19, but the elderly, toddlers, pregnant women, and people with certain diseases and disorders of the immune system show more severe symptoms. The disease is transmitted through inhalation or contact with droplets, where the incubation period ranges from 2 to 14 days. Until now, specific therapy to treat COVID-19 has not been found, with preventive measures taken to control its spread. In this mini-review, we will explain important information related to COVID-19.

Development of rapid, reliable, and easy diagnostic tests with high-throughput is the need of the hour for laboratories combating the COVID-19 pandemic. While real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard for diagnosing active infections, it is expensive and time-consuming. Serological diagnostic assays with a premise to aid rapid contact tracing, immune status determination, and identification of potential convalescent plasma donors hold great promise. Timely diagnosis, effective treatment, and future prevention are key to management of COVID-19.

This is a case study of a positive COVID-19 case who was diagnosed and isolated early on in the infection. However, her seventeen close contacts who were quarantined and under observation remained negative indicating no viable chain of transmission despite high-risk contact. We further discuss the importance of effective contact tracing coupled with strict isolation or quarantine in breaking the chain of transmission.

The diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis among HIV positive patients has been the focus of many studies worldwide. However, there is a paucity of data on HIV negative immunocompromised patients like post-renal transplant recipients and those with haematological malignancies. Stool microscopy, the conventional method of diagnosis, is fraught with difficulties like cumbersome sample processing and subjective interpretation. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), on the other hand, is quicker and easier. The present study was conducted in a tertiary care and super speciality hospital of north India. Stool specimens from HIV negative immunocompromised patients were subjected to both modified acid fast staining for oocysts of Cryptosporidium and ELISA for detection of Cryptosporidium copro-antigen, over a period of six years. Of the 637 specimens evaluated, 97 (15.23%) samples were positive for Cryptosporidium by both techniques; 25 (3.92%) specimens were positive by ELISA and negative by microscopy, 14 (2.20%) specimens were positive by microscopy but negative by ELISA, while 501 (78.65%) specimens were negative for Cryptosporidium by both techniques. Significant correlation was observed as a measure of agreement (Kappa test value 0.795) between modified ZN stained microscopy and ELISA for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of ELISA, keeping stool microscopy as gold standard were 87.38%, 95.25%, 87.39% and 97.28% respectively. We conclude that ELISA may be used as a reliable substitute for microscopy in setups where the case load is higher or expertise in special staining techniques is not available. The cost of the kit can be justified if the sample load is sufficiently high or if immunocompromised patients form a significant patient population. Keywords: Cryptosporidium, Kinyoun, ELISA, Coproantigen