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In modern drug discovery, molecular docking analysis is routinely used to understand and predict the interaction between a drug molecule and a target protein from a microbe. Drugs identified in this way may inhibit the entry and replication of pathogens in host cells. The SARS-CoV-2 associated coronavirus disease, COVID-19, has become the most contagious and deadly pandemic disease in the world today. In abeyance of any specific vaccine or therapeutic against SARS-CoV-2, the burgeoning situation urges a need for effective drugs to treat the virus-infected patients. Herbal medicines have been used as natural remedies for treating various infectious diseases since ancient times. The spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 is important for the attachment and pathogenesis of the virus. Therefore, this study focused on the search of useful ligands for S protein among active constituents present in common herbs that could serve as efficient remedies for COVID-19. We analysed the binding efficiency of twelve compounds present in common herbs with the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 through molecular docking analysis and also results are validated with two different docking tools. The binding efficiency of ligands was scored based on their predicted pharmacological interactions coupled with binding energy estimates. In docking analysis, compound “I” (Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)) was found to have the highest binding affinity with the viral S protein, followed by compounds, “F” (Curcumin),“D” (Apigenin) and “E” (Chrysophanol). The present study corroborates that compound “I” (EGCG) mostly present in the integrants of green tea, shows the highest potentiality for acting as an inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2. Further, characterization of the amino acid residues comprising the viral binding site and the nature of the hydrogen bonding involved in the ligand-receptor interaction revealed significant findings with herbal compound “I” (EGCG) binding to the S protein at eight amino acid residues. The binding sites are situated near to the amino acids which are required for virus pathogenicity. The findings of the present study need in vivo experiments to prove the utility of “I”, “F”,“D” and “E” compounds and their further use in making herb-based anti-SARS-CoV-2 product in near future. This analysis may help to create a new ethno-drug formulation for preventing or curing the COVID-19.

Since the beginning of the New Year 2020, countries around the world are stumbling due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Better approaches of diagnostics and medical facilities have helped some countries recover early. Previous exposures to epidemics have imparted lessons to handle such a pandemic with a high level of preparedness. The World Health Organization (WHO) and national health authorities are taking great efforts via efficient and impactful interventions to contain the virus. Diagnostic tests such as reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction are increasingly being used to confirm the diagnosis because testing biological samples for the presence of the virus is the definitive method to identify the disease, analyze the risk for transmission, and determine whether someone has been cured or not. It is also important to screen asymptomatic individuals to get the exact overview of the virus spread. Antibody detection plays a pivotal role in diagnosis; however, using it at the wrong time yields negative results and conveys dissenting opinion about the tests. Although the scaling up of testing has been significant, overall testing has been limited by the availability of diagnostics. Rapid diagnoses and discontinuation of transmission are keys to ending this pandemic. Diagnostics manufacturers are developing test kits and distributing them to different countries. Therefore, more than 500 commercial test kits for molecular- and immunoassays, most with Emergency Use Authorization, are now becoming available in the market. In this review, we discuss the importance of diagnostics, approaches of different countries toward the epidemic, global testing situation, and lessons to countries at the start of the epidemic for better preparedness.

Background and Aim: Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli are gradually increasing worldwide and carry a serious public threat. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial resistance pattern of ESBL-producing E. coli isolated from fecal samples of piglets and pig farm workers. Materials and Methods: Fecal samples from

Neuraminidase (NA) is a viral glycoprotein present in the surface of viruses belonging to paramyxoviridae and orthomyxoviridae. It helps in viral attachment and movement in the airways. It is also essential for release of viral progeny from the infected cells. Thus, anti-neuraminic agents have the potential to obstruct infection well before the virus interacts with the host. In the present study, we describe a label-free electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to characterise the NA inhibitors of plant origin against the Peste des petits ruminants virus NA. A decrease in charge transfer resistance, ΔRct (>50%;p

Vaccination of cattle and buffaloes with Brucella abortus strain 19 has been the mainstay for control of bovine brucellosis. However, vaccination with S19 suffers major drawbacks in terms of its safety and interference with serodiagnosis of clinical infection. Brucella abortus S19∆per, a perosamine synthetase wbkB gene deletion mutant, overcomes the drawbacks of the S19 vaccine strain. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of Brucella abortus S19Δper vaccine candidate in the natural host, buffaloes. Safety of S19∆per, for animals use, was assessed in guinea pigs. Protective efficacy of vaccine was assessed in buffaloes by immunizing with normal dose (4 × 1010 colony forming units (CFU)/animal) and reduced dose (2 × 109 CFU/animal) of S19Δper and challenged with virulent strain of B. abortus S544 on 300 days post immunization. Bacterial persistency of S19∆per was assessed in buffalo calves after 42 days of inoculation. Different serological, biochemical and pathological studies were performed to evaluate the S19∆per vaccine. The S19Δper immunized animals showed significantly low levels of anti-lipopolysaccharides (LPS) antibodies. All the immunized animals were protected against challenge infection with B. abortus S544. Sera from the majority of S19Δper immunized buffalo calves showed moderate to weak agglutination to RBPT antigen and thereby, could apparently be differentiated from S19 vaccinated and clinically-infected animals. The S19Δper was more sensitive to buffalo serum complement mediated lysis than its parent strain, S19. Animals culled at 6-weeks-post vaccination showed no gross lesions in organs and there was comparatively lower burden of infection in the lymph nodes of S19Δper immunized animals. With attributes of higher safety, strong protective efficacy and potential of differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA), S19Δper would be a prospective alternate to conventional S19 vaccines for control of bovine brucellosis as proven in buffaloes.

A microcapillary-based loop-mediated isothermal amplification (µcLAMP) has been described for specific detection of infectious reproductive pathogens in semen samples of cattle without sophisticated instrumentation. Brucella abortus, Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona and bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) cultures were mixed in bovine semen samples. The µcLAMP assay is portable, user-friendly, cost-effective, and suitable to be performed as a POC diagnostic test. We have demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity of µcLAMP for detection of Brucella, Leptospira, and BoHV-1 in bovine semen samples comparable to PCR and qPCR assays. Thus, µcLAMP would be a promising field-based test for monitoring various infectious pathogens in biological samples.HighlightsDetect infectious organism in bovines semenReduction in carryover contamination is an important attribute, which may reduce the false-positive reaction.µcLAMP is a miniaturized form, which could be performed with a minimum volume of reagents.The µcLAMP assay is portable, user-friendly, and suitable to be performed as a POC diagnostic test. Detect infectious organism in bovines semen Reduction in carryover contamination is an important attribute, which may reduce the false-positive reaction. µcLAMP is a miniaturized form, which could be performed with a minimum volume of reagents. The µcLAMP assay is portable, user-friendly, and suitable to be performed as a POC diagnostic test.

Vaccination of cattle and buffaloes with Brucella abortus strain 19 has been the mainstay for control of bovine brucellosis. However, vaccination with S19 suffers major drawbacks in terms of its safety and interference with serodiagnosis of clinical infection. Brucella abortus S19∆per, a perosamine synthetase wbkB gene deletion mutant, overcomes the drawbacks of the S19 vaccine strain. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of Brucella abortus S19Δper vaccine candidate in the natural host, buffaloes. Safety of S19∆per, for animals use, was assessed in guinea pigs. Protective efficacy of vaccine was assessed in buffaloes by immunizing with normal dose (4 × 1010 colony forming units (CFU)/animal) and reduced dose (2 × 109 CFU/animal) of S19Δper and challenged with virulent strain of B. abortus S544 on 300 days post immunization. Bacterial persistency of S19∆per was assessed in buffalo calves after 42 days of inoculation. Different serological, biochemical and pathological studies were performed to evaluate the S19∆per vaccine. The S19Δper immunized animals showed significantly low levels of anti-lipopolysaccharides (LPS) antibodies. All the immunized animals were protected against challenge infection with B. abortus S544. Sera from the majority of S19Δper immunized buffalo calves showed moderate to weak agglutination to RBPT antigen and thereby, could apparently be differentiated from S19 vaccinated and clinically-infected animals. The S19Δper was more sensitive to buffalo serum complement mediated lysis than its parent strain, S19. Animals culled at 6-weeks-post vaccination showed no gross lesions in organs and there was comparatively lower burden of infection in the lymph nodes of S19Δper immunized animals. With attributes of higher safety, strong protective efficacy and potential of differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA), S19Δper would be a prospective alternate to conventional S19 vaccines for control of bovine brucellosis as proven in buffaloes.

Carvacrol is a herbal antimicrobial agent with in vitro activity against several bacterial pathogens. However, multidrug resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are resistant to herbal antimicrobial compounds including carvacrol. Resistance of P. aeruginosa to carvacrol is not well studied. This study was aimed to identify the gene(s) associated with carvacrol resistance, thus to understand its mechanisms in P. aeruginosa. A herbal drug resistant strain was isolated from a hospital environment. Carvacrol sensitive mutant was generated using transposon mutagenesis. The inactivated gene in the mutant was identified as mexA, which is part of the mexAB-oprM operon. Inactivation of the mexA gene resulted in a >31-fold reduction in MIC of carvacrol, whereas a >80-fold reduction was observed in the presence of drug efflux inhibitor phenylalanine-arginine β-naphthylamide (PAβN). The parental herbal-resistant strain was completely killed within 3 h of incubation in the presence of carvacrol and PAβN. The mexA inactivation did not affect the resistance to other herbal compounds used. The results demonstrate that resistance to carvacrol in P. aeruginosa is mediated by the MexAB-OprM efflux pump.

Background and Aim: Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli are gradually increasing worldwide and carry a serious public threat. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial resistance pattern of ESBL-producing E. coli isolated from fecal samples of piglets and pig farm workers. Materials and Methods: Fecal samples from

Livestock are critical component for supporting the sustainable agriculture in the current global scenario. In the era of artificial intelligence and automation in field of livestock, sensors play an important role. Electrochemical sensor is the type of sensor which holds reliability and tremendous promise in raising the animal productivity in developing world. An early and accurate diagnosis of the animal pathogen and metabolic status are the cornerstone for better animal productivity. The available diagnostic techniques require tedious sample preparation, sophisticated instrument, dedicated laboratory, trained personnel and it is time consuming also. The electrochemical biosensor technology might be a smart solution because of its sensitivity, simplicity, low cost, possible miniaturization and potential ability for real-time analysis. In the veterinary disease diagnostics, various biosensors including electrochemical biosensors have been developed recently, based on disease specific biomarkers. The main focus of article is on reviewing the research in detection of animal infectious and metabolic diseases, hormonal analysis and sweat analysis with electrochemical biosensor.

Tea Tree Oil (TTO) is a popular herbal antimicrobial for topical application against many microbes. This study was conducted to determine a spectrum of antimicrobial activity of TTO against bacteria often associated with topical infections and wound infection in human and animals. A total of 550 strains of bacteria and one strain of Candida albicans were tested for their sensitivity to TTO and eight antibiotics including polymyxin B sulfate, gentamicin, nitrofurantoin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, co-trimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, and novobiocin. Gentamicin was the most effective antibiotic followed by chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, nitrofurantoin and polymyxin B inhibiting 87.1%, 84.8%, 76.8%, 75% and 72.8% strains, respectively. Tea tree oil (at 1 μL/ mL) could inhibit the growth of 20.5% strains. Except all strains of Streptobacillus, Sphingomonas, Cytophaga and Brahmnella, 71.4% Brucella, 60% Bordetella and 53.1% Aeromonas species (46.9%), only a few strains of other genera were sensitive to TTO. Only 20.5% strains were sensitive to TTO and multiple drug resistance (MDR) was positively correlated to their resistance to TTO, as 50%, 25%, 12%, 6% and 5% of the strains resistant to 0, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8 antimicrobial drugs, respectively were sensitive to TTO. Sensitivity of bacteria to TTO was positively correlated (p, ≤0.05) with their sensitivity to novobiocin (r, 0.24), tetracycline (r, 0.22), gentamicin (r, 0.21), ciprofloxacin (r, 0.17), nitrofurantoin (r, 0.16), and chloramphenicol (r, 0.14) while correlation was insignificant (p, >0.05) with sensitivity to co-trimoxazole (r, 0.10) and polymyxin B (r, 0.12). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of TTO varied from 0.001% to >0.512% (v/v) for different strains. The study revealed that TTO is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial active on 26 out of 44 genera of bacteria is a less promising antimicrobial than antibiotics on MDR strains. The study concluded that resistance to TTO, antibiotics and other antimicrobials in bacteria of clinical origin go hand in hand.

Alternative medicines have been practiced for centuries and remained as integral part of many civilizations around the globe. One important aspect of alternative medicine includes herbal medicines/drugs in which locally available plants or its parts are used in treating ailments. Herbal medicines are commonly used for treating both infectious and non-infectious diseases. On the other hand, Antimicrobials used to treat bacterial infections caused by multiple drug resistant (MDR) and total drug resistant (TDR) strains are becoming more common in the clinical setting and world is looking for alternative therapies to treat such infections. Herbal medicines are anticipated to protect us from infections as they are considered as better alternatives for existing and emerging antimicrobial drug resistant (ADR) pathogens. Herbal antimicrobials acts either by killing or restricting the bacterial growth through parallel mechanisms as antibiotics similarly there could be mechanisms of herbal drug resistance just like antibiotic resistance in microbes. However, lack of systematic and standard data on herbal antimicrobial activity neither we could understand the extent of herbal drug resistance nor the mechanism of resistance in microbes. The recent studies on antimicrobial properties of herbal drugs on clinical isolates indicated that there is some insensitivity or resistance in microbes towards some common herbal antimicrobial compounds. This review focuses on recent reports of herbal drug resistance among pathogenic microbes (clinical bacterial isolates) against herbal drugs.

Ageratum conyzoides, a weed prevalent in India, is known for its several therapeutic uses to control infections. In the present study we compared the antimicrobial potential of its ether extract and methanolic extract with ciprofloxacin on 294 strains of Gram positive bacteria (GPBs), 575 strains of Gram negative bacteria (GNBs), 15 yeast and 5 mould strains of clinical and nonclinical origin belonging to 49 genera and more than 155 species using disc diffusion assay. The microbial strains in the study were isolated from samples of abiotic (41) and biotic (101) environment, foods (81), clinically sick (441), dead (108) and healthy (75) animals and human beings, and 42 were reference strains. The study revealed that there was no appreciable difference in antimicrobial activity of ether extract (ACEE) or methanolic extract (ACME) of A. conyzoides. A total of 214 (24.1%) strains were sensitive to ACME while of the 697 strains tested for ciprofloxacin 551 (79.1%) were sensitive. Sensitivity to ACME among 294 GPBs (44.9%) was significantly (p

Gallibacterium anatis though known since long as opportunistic pathogen of intensively reared poultry birds has emerged in last few years as multiple drug resistance pathogen causing heavy mortality outbreaks not only in poultry birds but also in other domiciled or domestic birds. Due to its fastidious nature, commensal status and with no pathgnomonic lesions in diseased birds G. anatis infection often remains obscure for diagnosis. Poor understanding of its epidemiology, virulence factors and pathogenesis work on development of effective vaccine obscured its importance; however, it is difficult to get rid of G. anatis infection on affected poultry farms. The present review summarises the current knowledge on G. anatis and its infections.

Ultrasonographic examination, owing to its wide array of functionality, has been proved to play an important role in clinical diagnostics. In a rapid evolving scientific arena where laboratory diagnostics clearly have a major role to avert any sort of maternal health complications due to fetus that may be the abnormal fetal development or mummified fetus, ultrasound has an edge over others. It may be due to its accuracy, precision, simpler techniques, handiness and portable nature. It has a major role in documentation of normal physiology as well as determining the pregnancy associated complications. It can also be employed specifically to demonstrate the physio-pathological changes in reproductive organs by accessing the changes in size, contour etc. In a nutshell, the ultrasound imaging is a potential tool for the theriogenologists and clinicians who encounter a large number of cases to alleviate the condition of the patients.