The present SARS-CoV-2 induced COVID-19 pandemic is responsible for millions of deaths, illnesses, and economic loss worldwide. There are 21 COVID-19 vaccines from different platforms approved worldwide for emergency use until 13 August 2021. Later, BNT162b2 obtained full approval from the FDA. The efficacy of the leading vaccines such as BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, Gam-Covid-Vac, Ad26.COV2.S, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and BBIBP-CorV, against SARS-CoV-2 documented as 95%, 94.1%, 91.6%, 67%, 70.4%, and 78.1%, respectively. Moreover, against the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, BNT162b2, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and BBV152 showed 88%, 70%, and 65.2% efficacy, respectively. Apart from the common adverse effects such as fever, fatigue, headache, and pain in the injection site, Bell’s palsy with BNT162b2, myocarditis and pericarditis with mRNA-1273, and thrombosis with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 have been reported though seemed not alarming. Furthermore, global production and distribution of vaccines should be ensured in an equal and justifiable way that the immunity and protection against the virus would be optimum and persistent.

The recurrent appearance of novel coronaviruses (CoVs) and the mortality and morbidity caused by their outbreaks aroused a widespread response among the global science community. Wild birds' high biodiversity, perching and migratory activity, ability to travel long distances and possession of a special adaptive immune system may make them alarming sources of zoonotic CoV‐spreading vectors. This review gathers the available evidence on the global spread of CoVs in wild birds to date. The major wild birds associated with different types of CoVs are Anseriformes, Charadriiformes, Columbiformes, Pelecaniformes, Galliformes, Passeriformes, Psittaciformes, Accipitriformes, Ciconiiformes, Gruiformes and so on. However, the main type of CoVs found in wild birds is gammacoronavirus, followed by deltacoronavirus. Consequently, it is imperative to enable thorough research and continuous monitoring to fill the study gap in terms of understanding their role as zoonotic vectors and the frequent appearance of novel CoVs.

Aflatoxins are the potential lethal toxin produced by Aspergillus sp. important health hazard throughout the world. In this study, 26 Aspergillus sp. have been isolated from 50 samples of red chilli collected throughout the country. These 26 isolates were grown primarily on agar media to identify the aflatoxin producing species. It is possible to distinguish A. flavus strains from other Aspergillus sp. developing orange colour on the reverse of the plates. The Coconut Cream Agar (CCA) is used to detect aflatoxin producer strains having blue fluorescence when exposed to a UV-light. Several other media were used for morphological characteristics of Aspergillus sp. Out of 26 isolates, four isolates were confirmed as Aspergillus sp. These isolates were subjected to cross contamination with freshly ground, sterile maize and after 15 days of incubation the contaminated maize were analyzed by HPLC and found aflatoxin in each of the sample containing 186 ppb (max.). This study was conducted to assay the ability to produce aflatoxins by the Aspergillus spp. isolated from red chilli (Capsicum annuum L. Solanaceae) available throughout the country. The results found in the experiment are much more behind the acceptable limit according to some international standard. As red chilli is a widely used spice in Bangladesh, the proper controlling measures may be taken for controlling the surveillance of aflatoxinic fungi like as use of bio-pesticides, proper drying method and storage conditions.

Background Notable fungal coinfections with SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 patients have been reported worldwide in an alarming way. Mucor spp. and Rhizopus spp. were commonly known as black fungi, whereas Aspergillus spp. and Candida spp. were designated as white fungi implicated in those infections. In this review, we focused on the global outbreaks of fungal coinfection with SARS-CoV-2, the role of the human immune system, and a detailed understanding of those fungi to delineate the contribution of such coinfections in deteriorating the health conditions of COVID-19 patients based on current knowledge. Main body Impaired CD4 + T cell response due to SARS-CoV-2 infection creates an opportunity for fungi to take over the host cells and, consequently, cause severe fungal coinfections, including candidiasis and candidemia, mucormycosis, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), and COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA). Among them, mucormycosis and CAPA have been reported with a mortality rate of 66% in India and 60% in Colombia. Moreover, IPA has been reported in Belgium, Netherlands, France, and Germany with a morbidity rate of 20.6%, 19.6%, 33.3%, and 26%, respectively. Several antifungal drugs have been applied to combat fungal coinfection in COVID-19 patients, including Voriconazole, Isavuconazole, and Echinocandins. Conclusion SARS-CoV-2 deteriorates the immune system so that several fungi could take that opportunity and cause life-threatening health situations. To reduce the mortality and morbidity of fungal coinfections, it needs immunity boosting, proper hygiene and sanitation, and appropriate medication based on the diagnosis.

The overexpression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) contributes to the development of several types of cancers. The inhibition of HO-1 through imidazole-based drugs, which is non-competitive with heme, is a focus of anticancer drug research. We designed the four following novel HO-1 inhibiting compounds:. All compounds showed a strong binding affinity with HO-1 in molecular docking studies. The in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) data showed that the compounds would be available orally in an acceptable manner. The bioactivity scores revealed that they were moderately active substances. They were found as non-mutagen, non-tumorigenic, non-irritant, and non-detrimental to the reproductive system. Finally, the drug-likeness values of the compounds were obtained as À 0.71, À 1.64, À 2.04, and 0.4 respectively, with the final drug-score of 0.60, 0.54, 0.51, and 0.77 respectively.

Background Multiple antibiotic-resistant (MAR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) plays a significant role in triggering nosocomial infection in clinical settings. While P. aeruginosa isolated from the environment is often regarded as non-pathogenic, the progressive development of antibiotic resistance necessitates exploring the MAR patterns and transposable genetic elements like plasmid in the isolates. Results Using ecfX gene-based PCR, 32 P. aeruginosa isolates among 48 soil samples collected from the industrial region have been confirmed. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern of those isolates revealed that 5 (15.63%) of them were resistant to a range of antibiotics, and they were categorized as MAR isolates. Nevertheless, all MAR isolates were found resistant to piperacillin and gentamicin, but none of them to ceftazidime, aztreonam, and ciprofloxacin. Moreover, the isolates were also showed resistance to amikacin (60%), tobramycin (80%), netilmicin (80%), imipenem (60%), doripenem (40%), meropenem (60%), and cefixime (40%). Furthermore, 60% of MAR isolates possessed double plasmids of 1000–2000 bp sizes which indicates the distribution of antibiotic resistance genes in MAR P. aeruginosa might be correlated with the presence of those plasmids. The MAR index’s high threshold values (> 0.20) implied that the isolates were from high-risk environmental sites where the presence of numerous antibiotic residues happened. Conclusions These findings highlighted the presence of multiple antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa of the industrial soil and a considerable prospect of transferring antibiotic resistance genes in the microbial community by plasmids. We recommend taking immediate stringent measures to prohibit the unnecessary and overuse of antibiotics in agricultural, industrial, or other purposes.

This study was carried out to evaluate the microbial quality of raw milk and water samples taken at four different local shops in Maijdee area (Noakhali District), Bangladesh. Milk is a valuable food-stuff consumed on daily basis and is highly prone to bacterial contamination. Contamination with pathogenic microorganisms is most alarming for potable water and hence it is needed to detect the bacterial contamination in local drinking water. Microbiological quality of milk samples was analyzed using Total Viable Bacterial Count (TVBC), Total Coliform Count (TCC) and Yeast-mold Count techniques. Critical hygienic indicator for food and foodstuffs is total microbial load. Compare to four stores, store 3 shows the high contamination value in milk samples (TVC 12.48×105 cfu/ml, TCC 6.4×105 cfu/ml, yeast- mold count 3.48×102 cfu/ml and 4.85×102 cfu/ml) whereas store 1 is liable to water samples (TVC 12.09×105 cfu/ml, TCC 4.81×105 cfu/ml, yeast- mold count 2.7×102 cfu/ml and 2.24×102 cfu/ml). These outcomes accentuate applying and sustaining proper hygiene practice throughout the manufacturing and distribution to prevent health risks of the rural people. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. March 2019, 5(1): 31-36

Background Gastroenteritis is a common infectious disease in children, which results in high mortality and morbidity, especially in resource-poor countries. This study presents the selected main gastroenteritis causing bacteria, including Escherichia coli O157, Salmonella and Shigella species delineating their prevalence and resistance pattern to the clinically used antibiotics. Results A total of 346 stool specimens from children of clinically suspected gastroenteritis below five years have been obtained, and bacterial pathogens were recovered using selective media, biochemical and serologic tests. We found that 35 (10%) of them were confirmed bacterial gastroenteritis (BGE) with either Escherichia coli O157 (14%), Salmonella spp. (43%), and Shigella spp. (43%). Nevertheless, the prevalence of E. coli O157, Salmonella spp., and Shigella spp. in this study were documented as 1.45%, 4.34%, and 4.34%, respectively. Moreover, 2 (40%) of E. coli O157, 4 (26.67%) of Salmonella spp., and 14 (93%) of the Shigella spp. were found as multidrug-resistant. Nonetheless, Shigella spp. isolates showed 100%, 87%, and 73% resistance to cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin respectively, while E. coli O157 showed 80% resistance to cotrimoxazole and 60% to ciprofloxacin and azithromycin. On the contrary, cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin, and tetracycline were resistant in 40%, 47%, 27%, and 53% of Salmonella spp. isolates respectively. Conclusion These findings generate significant insights on the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of the three major gastroenteritis causing bacteria in the study area. Therefore, it will help physicians and policymakers selecting the right antibiotics in essential cases, particularly, reevaluation of recommending cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin in the management of bacterial gastroenteritis.