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This study investigated the major pathogens in fever patients’ blood in a rural cohort and characterized its virulence. A total of 718 blood samples received from IPD/OPD (inpatient department/outpatient department) patients with H/O (history of) fever were cultured, and 73 out of 83 culture-positive samples were identified as Staphylococcus aureus. The isolates showed higher resistance to penicillin, most being multidrug resistant. They formed biofilm in vitro, and 27.4% of the isolates were strong biofilm producers. They were sensitive towards linezolid, gentamicin, and tetracycline. The findings emphasize the necessity of preventing and managing staphylococcal infection and regular antimicrobial surveillance in rural areas.

Introduction: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is one of the fastest-growing causes of death worldwide. Monitoring biochemical parameters such as liver function tests, kidney function tests, and lipid profiles is crucial for early identification of health complications, prevention, and prompt management in CKD patients. Aim: To investigate the association of sociodemographic factors and serum biochemical indicators with Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) among CKD patients in rural Odisha, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural cohort of the Model Rural Health Research Unit (MRHRU) established in Cuttack district, Odisha, India, from March 2021 to April 2021. A total of 530 registered CKD patients were enrolled in the study. Sociodemographic data and blood samples were collected for lipid profile, kidney function, and liver function analysis. The data were analysed using STATA 15.1 and RStudio 2021.09.0+351. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 51.2±14.1 years, with 330 (62.26%) being male. A total of 74% of the participants showed abnormal Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR). Abnormal eGFR was found to be more common among the older age group (>45 years), those who were literate, and those in private jobs, compared to their counterparts. Both lipid profile and liver function abnormalities were significantly associated with individuals having normal eGFR. Conclusion: The positive association of eGFR with lipid profile and liver function enzymes highlights the importance of regular screening of these parameters among CKD patients for early prevention and control of future complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite intense research, the prognosis for patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) remains poor. The prostaglandin D2 receptors DP1 and DP2 are explored here as potential therapeutic targets for advanced CRC.Methods: A CRC cohort was analysed to determine whether DP1 and DP2 receptor expression correlates with patient survival. Four colon cancer cell lines and a zebrafish metastasis model were used to explore how DP1/DP2 receptor expression correlates with CRC progression.Results: Analysis of the clinical CRC cohort revealed high DP2 expression in tumour tissue, whereas DP1 expression was low. High DP2 expression negatively correlated with overall survival. Other pathological indicators, such as TNM stage and metastasis, positively correlated with DP2 but not DP1 expression. In accordance, the in vitro results showed high DP2 expression in four CC-cell lines, but only one expressed DP1. DP2 stimulation resulted in increased proliferation, p-ERK1/2 and VEGF expression/secretion. DP2-stimulated cells exhibited increased migration in the zebrafish metastasis model.Conclusion: Our results support DP2 receptor expression and signalling as a therapeutic target in CRC progression based on its expression in CRC tissue correlating with poor patient survival and that it triggers proliferation, p-ERK1/2 and VEGF expression and release and increased metastatic activity in CC-cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 serosurvey provides a better estimation of people who have developed antibody against the infection. But limited information on such serosurveys in rural areas poses many hurdles to understand the epidemiology of the virus and to implement proper control strategies. This study was carried out in the rural catchment area of Model Rural Health Research Unit in Odisha, India during March–April 2021, the initial phase of COVID vaccination. A total of 60 village clusters from four study blocks were identified using probability proportionate to size sampling. From each cluster, 60 households and one eligible participant from each household (60 per cluster) were selected for the collection of blood sample and socio-demographic data. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody was tested using the Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoassay. The overall seroprevalence after adjusting for test performance was 54.21% with an infection to case ratio of 96.89 along with 4.25% partial and 6.79% full immunisation coverage. Highest seroprevalence was observed in the age group of 19–44 years and females had both higher seroprevalence as well as vaccine coverage. People of other backward caste also had higher seropositivity than other caste categories. The study emphasises on continuing surveillance for COVID-19 cases and prioritizing COVID-19 vaccination for susceptible groups for better disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are very few studies in search of an alternate and convenient diagnostic tool which can substitute nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) specimen for detection of SARS‐CoV‐2. In the study we analyzed, the comparison and agreement between the feasibility of using the saliva in comparison to NPS for diagnosis of SARS‐CoV‐2. A total number of 74 patients were enrolled for this study. We analyzed and compared the NPS and saliva specimen collected within 48 h after the symptom onset. We carried out real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, gene sequencing for the detection and determination SARS‐CoV‐2 specific genes. Phylogenetic tree was constructed to establish the isolation of viral RNA from saliva. We used the Bland–Altman model to identify the agreement between two specimens. This study showed a lower cycle threshold (CT) mean value for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 ORF1 gene (mean, 27.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 25.62 to 28.52) in saliva methods than that of NPS (mean 28.24; 95% CI, 26.62 to 29.85) specimen although the difference is statistically nonsignificant (p >.05). Bland–Altman analysis produced relatively smaller bias and high agreement between these two clinical specimens. Phylogenetic analysis with the RdRp and S gene confirmed the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the saliva samples. Saliva represented a promising tool in COVID‐19 diagnosis and the collection method would reduce the exposure risk of frontline health workers which is one of the major concerns in primary healthcare settings. Highlights: We analysed and compared the NPS and saliva specimen collected from 74 individual within 48 h after the symptom onset.This study showed a lower cycle threshold (CT) mean value for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 ORF1 gene in saliva methods than that of NPS specimen.Phylogenetic analysis with the RdRp and S gene confirmed the presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the saliva samples.Saliva represented a promising tool in COVID‐19 diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aeromonas hydrophila is responsible for causing fatal infections in freshwater fishes. Besides chemical/antibiotic treatment and whole-cell vaccine, no subunit vaccine is currently available for A. hydrophila. Outer membrane proteins of gram-negative bacteria have been reported as effective vaccine candidates. Peptide antigens elicit focused immune responses against immunodominant stretches of the antigen. We have attempted to characterize the immunogenicity of linear B-cell epitopes of outer membrane protein (OmpC) of A. hydrophila identified using in silico tools, in conjugation with heat-labile enterotoxin B (LTB) subunit of Escherichia coli as a carrier protein. Antisera against the fusion protein harboring 323–336 residues of the AhOmpC (raised in mice) showed maximum cross-reactivity with the parent protein OmpC and LTB. The fusion protein displayed efficient GM1 ganglioside receptor binding, retaining the adjuvanicity of LTB. Antibody isotype profile and in vitro T-cell response analysis, cytokine ELISA, and array analysis collectively revealed a Th2-biased mixed T-helper cell response. Agglutination assay and flow cytometry analysis validated the ability of anti-fusion protein antisera to recognize the surface exposed epitopes on Aeromonas cells, demonstrating its neutralization potential. Oral immunization studies in Labeo rohita resulted in the generation of long-lasting humoral immune response, and the antisera could cross-react with the fusion protein as well as both the fusion partners. Considering significant similarity among OmpC of different enteric bacteria, the use of A. hydrophila OmpC epitope323–336 in fusion with LTB could have a broader scope in vaccine design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Interleukin-10, an important regulator of both the innate and adaptive immune systems, is a multifunctional major cytokine. Though it is one of the major cytokines, IL-10 from the Indian major carp, Labeo rohita, has not yet been characterized. In the present study, we report large scale production and purification of biologically active recombinant IL-10 of L. rohita (rLrIL-10) using a heterologous expression system and its biophysical and functional characterization. High yield (~70 mg/L) of soluble rLrIL-10 was obtained at shake flask level. The rLrIL-10 was found to exist as a dimer. Far-UV CD spectroscopy showed presence of predominantly alpha helices. The tertiary structure of the purified rLrIL-10 was verified by fluorescence spectroscopy. Two-dimensional gel analysis revealed the presence of six isoforms of the rLrIL-10. The rLrIL-10 was biologically active and its administration significantly reduced serum proinflammatory cytokines, namely, interleukin 1β, TNFα, and IL-8, and augmented the NKEF transcript levels in spleen of L. rohita. Anti-inflammatory role of the rLrIL-10 was further established by inhibition of phagocytosis using NBT reduction assay in vitro. The data indicate that the dimeric alpha helical structure and function of IL-10 of L. rohita as a key regulator of anti-inflammatory response have remained conserved during evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monogenean ectoparasite, Dactylogyrus sp. is a major pathogen in freshwater aquaculture. The immune responses in parasitized fish were analyzed by quantitation of innate immune factors (natural agglutinin level, haemolysin titre, antiprotease, lysozyme and myeloperoxidase activities) in serum and immune-relevant gene expression in gill and anterior kidney. The antiprotease activity and natural agglutinin level were found to be significantly higher and lysozyme activity was significantly lower in parasitized fish. Most of the genes viz., beta2-microglobulin (beta2M), major histocompatibility complex I (MHCI), MHCII, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and toll-like receptor 22 (TLR22) in gill samples were significantly down-regulated in the experimental group. In the anterior kidney, the expression of superoxide dismutase and interleukin 1beta (IL1beta) were significantly up-regulated whereas a significant down regulation of MHCII and TNFalpha was also observed. The down-regulation of most of the genes viz, MHCI, beta2M, MHCII, TLR22 and TNFalpha in infected gills indicated a well evolved mechanism in this parasite to escape the host immune response. The modulation of innate and adaptive immunity by this parasite can be further explored to understand host susceptibility.