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Objective: We are presently going through a historic and unprecedented crisis for humanity with SARS-CoV-2 causing immense damage to life and world economics. It has been 3 months, since we had the first cluster in China and we felt the need to look into certain regional patterns of transmission of the virus with respect to some distinctive living conditions, incidence of malaria, the genomics of different strains, and its impact on severity. Material and Methods: Data for 107 countries was compiled and correlation analysis was done between incidence of malaria and number of SARS-CoV-2 cases. Possibility of genetic similarity between SARS-CoV-2 and reported zoonotic RNA viruses found associated previously with some Plasmodium species was explored by utilizing NCBI database. Results: We found a significant inverse correlation between SARS-CoV-2 disease burden and incidence of Malaria. Our analysis also showed that a 12 base pair region encoding a part of surface glycoprotein of SARS- CoV-2 aligned with the Plasmodium associated zoonotic viral genome. Conclusion: Our analysis suggests a significantly lower SARS-CoV-2 disease burden in Malaria endemic regions and an inverse correlation with incidence of Malaria. The possibility of a pre-existing immunological memory for SARS-CoV-2 in Indians is possible and needs to be explored further

The aim of the study was to find out the carbapenem resistance rate and prevalence of different carbapenemase genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli from a North Indian corporate hospital that receives both Indian and international patients. A total of 528 clinical isolates of E. coli and K. pneumoniae were included in the study. All isolates that were found resistant to carbapenems by MIC testing (Vitek II Compact®) were screened for NDM, OXA-48, VIM, and KPC genes by PCR. Sequencing of NDM gene and transmissibility by conjugation assay were checked on 22 randomly selected NDM-positive isolates. One hundred and fifty-six isolates (29.54%) were carbapenem-resistant. The rate of carbapenem resistance was significantly higher in K. pneumoniae as compared to E. coli (53.9% vs. 15.6%; p E. coli than K. pneumoniae (p . All the tested isolates formed transconjugants and NDM-5 was the most common variant in both species (15/22). The presence of plasmid-based NDM calls for stricter surveillance measures in our hospital settings.

Introduction: COVID-19 coronavirus originated from Wuhan, China, had spread to more than 200 countries worldwide up to 3rd May 2020 [1]. The cumulative number of confirmed cases was 84393 in China and 3264847 totals in other countries [1]. All countries have taken measures to contain the outbreak of COVID-19. In India, till March about 15, 24, 266 passengers had been screened at the airports and 12,431 at the seaports [2]. Till 3rd May 2020 total 42533 confirmed COVID 2019 cases had been registered across India [2]. Aim: In this study, we will analyse the data collected from different available official websites who reported the situation of COVID-19 infection in India. Method: The confirmed case of COVID-19 infection was defined as a case with a positive corona test report. Suspected cases were defined as a case with symptoms of COVID-19 infection but not confirmed. Growth factor more than 1 was showing the increasing number of cases, while growth factor between 0 to 1 showing a decline in the number of cases. Results: The average growth factor from 21 January 2020 to 3rd May 2020 was 1.13 and before the first lockdown and after the first lockdown it was measured 1.10 & 1.18 respectively. On 5th March 2020, the growth factor was highest (Growth factor = 22). Growth factor and number of new cases coming were significantly positive correlated (r = 0.39, p = 0.035). Conclusion: The future daily incidence size largely dependent on the change of new upcoming cases day by day. Our findings indicate that the social distancing and regulation measures were working and capability of COVID-19 to spread in India can diminish if these defensive estimates will act in a fitting way.

Context: An objective conformal radiotherapy treatment planning criteria that can predict severity of early effects of radiotherapy would be quite useful in reducing the side effects of radiotherapy thereby improving quality of life for head and neck cancer patients. Aim of Study: Retrospective study aimed at correlating the maximum dose in planning target volume (PTV) with early effects of radiation. Materials and Methods: Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of H and N region who received radical radiotherapy and concomitant chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed for maximum dose in PTV and the requirement of gap during radiotherapy or else hospitalization for supportive care during or up to 1 month after completion of radical radiotherapy. Results: Of a total of 23 patients, 8 patients (34.7%) required a gap of 2–14 days during their treatment. Twelve patients (52.1%) required hospitalization for 1–4 days and 4 patients (17.3%) required hospitalization for supportive care after completion of radiotherapy. The maximum dose in PTV ranged from 105.1% to 132.8% with an average of 112.68%. Subgroup analysis revealed a nonsignificant highest maximum dose of 114.72% in subset of patients requiring gap during radiotherapy (n= 8). Conclusion: It was concluded that maximum dose in PTV is a useful predictor of need for inhospital supportive care.

The aim of the study was to find out the carbapenem resistance rate and prevalence of different carbapenemase genes in