As the incidence of COVID-19 increases with time, more and more efforts are made to pave a way out for the therapeutic strategies to deal with the disease progression. Inflammation being a significant influencer has implicated us to re-look into its signaling cascades drawing attention towards the JAK/STAT pathway. Considered as a major signaling mediator of cytokines and chemokines, the JAK/STAT pathway has significantly contributed to the worsening of COVID-19. JAK phosphorylation mediated by cytokine receptor activation leads to phosphorylation of STATs that translocate into the nucleus to translate for inflammatory mediators. The SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers the inflammation via the JAK/STAT pathway mainly through its structural and non-structural proteins leading towards the development of cytokine storms. This produces various inflammatory markers in the host that determine the disease severity. Therefore, inhibiting JAK/STAT signaling with JAK/STAT inhibitors like Ruxolitinib, Baricitinib, Tofacitinib could hamper the inflammatory cascade and reduce inflammation. Even though they are implicated with multiple adverse effects, the regulatory authorities have supported its use, and numerous clinical trials are in progress to prove their safety and efficacy. On the contrary, the exact mechanism of JAK/STAT inhibition at molecular levels remains to be speculative for which further investigations are required.

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The extent of usage of antimicrobials is expected to increase markedly over coming years due to intensification of farming practices in most of the developing countries. The main aim of the study was to assess the pattern of farming practices and antibiotic use in the selected poultry farms in the Muvattupuzha region of the state of Kerala, India. A semi-structured interview was conducted among the farmers of the twelve randomly selected poultry farms. The use of antimicrobials for various purposes like treatment and prevention of infections, growth promotion, etc. was reported by 67% of farmers. Commonly used antibiotics were ofloxacin, enrofloxacin, levofloxacin, tetracycline, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, oxytetracycline, neomycin sulphate, colistin. The survey concluded that none of the farmers were trained in poultry farming and they simply followed the instructions given by their supervisors who are also not aware of the consequences of improper farming practices. They used to give antibiotics for prevention and treatment of infections in chicken without the advice from a veterinarian and they used to get antibiotics from pharmacy shops and other shops without any prescriptions. Most of the farms surveyed were following the poultry recommendations and maintaining cleanliness which was enough to prevent outbreak of infections. Spread of mild infections can be prevented by isolating the sick poultry rather than giving antibiotic to the entire batch. Most of the farmers were aware of the presence of antibiotics as growth promoters in poultry feed and they prefer to use that for the tremendous increase of the weight of poultry.

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