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Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a major health problem in India with high morbidity and mortality. The threat posed by this infection is further intensified by the continued emergence of resistance to the currently available antibiotics. With a heritage of more than 24 years in India, amoxicillin+clavulanic acid is one of the most common antibiotics used for CAP. It was developed with an intent to sustain the efficacy of amoxicillin which was challenged due to the emergence of the beta-lactamase producing microorganism. Over a period, it has been included in national and international guidelines for the treatment of CAP. To assure the highest probability of clinical cure and to combat development of resistance: It is imperative for amoxicillin+clavulanic acid to reaffirm itself. Optimization of the PK/PD and higher dose of amoxicllin+clavulanic acid will tackle the burden of the future difficult to manage respiratory infections.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an important public health concern globally. For India, undoubtedly, AMR has had profound impact on its health & socioeconomic parameters. Several hospital and community-based surveys have indicated alarming rise in incidence of multidrug resistant microbes, especially ‘superbugs’, having direct links with antibiotic use/misuse. Additionally, paucity in data with regards to quantification of AMR crisis & its determinants has been concerning. However, the national commitment to address AMR has steadily increased of late, with an oft-restated realization – it is time to act. Recent initiatives like National Policy for Containment of AMR (2011), Chennai Declaration (2012), Anti-microbial Resistance Surveillance and Research Network (2013), The Red Line Campaign (2016), National Action Plan (NAP) for AMR (2017), ICMR Treatment Guidelines for Antimicrobial Use in Common Syndromes (2019) are promising measures expected to have positive impact on both clinical and economic outcome in India. This paper provides a snapshot of major strategies proposed in recent years, including educational and awareness initiatives, infection control guidelines, audit and feedback, antimicrobial stewardship, surveillance projects etc. It also identifies technical challenges & opportunities for improved AMR mitigation in India.

Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STH) or geohelminths are an important cause of morbidity worldwide. A large proportion of the infection burden occurs in India, including STH infections due to roundworms (Ascaris lumbricoides), whipworms (Trichuris trichura) and hookworms (Necator americanus or Ancyclostoma duodenale). Apart from direct health impacts, they are also implicated in anaemia, nutritional deficiencies and delayed cognitive development in children. They also have been shown to have detrimental impact on economic development and future income earning potential. The current global strategy on STH control is through increased utilisation of Preventive Chemotherapy (PC) for at-risk population, comprising mainly pre-school and school age children. This is crucial for India, as there can be significant proportion of untreated subjects in the community, who may act as a reservoir of infection for treated subjects to get re-infected. Additionally, inculcating healthy behaviour modifications and adopting WASH interventions meant a major shift in social and cultural norms in many societies. Overall, the multifaceted nature of STH control in India requires concerted efforts and significant mobilisation of human and financial resources. In this regard, several recent initiatives including Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Nirmal Gram Puraskar, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions, Clean India: Clean schools etc., have brought a positive change, apart from the provision of deworming for morbidity control through National Deworming Day. In this paper, authors have narrated major initiatives in recent years that are expected to bring a lasting solution to the problem of STH infection in India.

Aims and objectives: Although clopidogrel combined with aspirin is the most commonly used dual drug combination to avert thrombotic events in patients with coronary artery disease, the poor responsiveness to clopidogrel remains a concern. The objective of the current study is to assess the extent of resistance to clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor in a real life set of patients with coronary artery disease who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Materials and methods: A total of 539 patients, who underwent PCI and were on aspirin and on any of the three drugs, namely, clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor, were followed up regularly in the outpatient department. After 24 h of initiation of antiplatelet medication, response to the treatment in all the patients was assessed using thrombelastography. The average percentage platelet inhibition was assessed along with the resistance and sensitivity to the drug in each patient. Sensitivity and resistance to the specific drug was defined as >50% and