<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Grape seeds are proposed to have antimicrobial activity, antioxidant effect and various other benefits to mankind. A study was done to assess the antibacterial effect of grape seed extract against common clinical isolates and drug resistant pathogenic strains.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Grape seed extract prepared was investigated for its antibacterial effect against 65 bacterial isolates obtained from clinical specimens by agar well diffusion assay and the results were compared with routinely used antibiotics namely, Gentamicin for the common clinical isolates, Vancomycin for MRSA strains and Amikacin for ESBL organisms respectively.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Grape seed extract produced moderate zone of inhibition ranging between 11-15 mm among the 35 test common clinical isolates namely <em>Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella </em>sp<em> </em>and<em> Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em>.  <em>E.coli </em>showed the highest susceptibility with zone ranging from 12-14 mm with increasing concentration of the extract starting from2 mg/ml to the highest being 20 mg/ml. Among the 30 drug resistant pathogenic strains like MRSA and ESBL producing organisms, the grape seed extract was found to be effective against 3 out of the 10 of MRSA and 2 out of the 10 of ESBL-<em>E.coli</em> at the highest concentration of 20 mg/ml. However, ESBL producing <em>Klebsiella </em>species were found to be resistant even to the highest concentration of the extract.  </p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The results provide evidence that the grape seed extract could be a potential antibacterial agent and this effect can further be made evident with improved methodologies.</p>

Mumps is an acute and self-limiting disease characterized by parotitis, however in some cases it leads to aseptic meningitis, deafness, encephalitis and orchitis, which is a serious health concern. MMR vaccination was successful in eradicating the disease however, recent reports question the efficacy of MMR vaccine and countless outbreaks are observed in vaccinated populations throughout the world. Lack of specific treatment methods for mumps infection and inefficiency of MMR vaccine in vaccinated populations accentuates the need for the development of novel drugs to control mumps virus mediated serious infections. It was with this backdrop of information that the anti-mumps virus activity of Mimosa pudica was evaluated. Suspected mumps cases were collected to isolate a standard mumps virus by systematic laboratory testing which included IgM antibody assays, virus isolation, RT-PCR and phylogenetic analysis. The virus was quantified by TCID 50 assay and anti-mumps virus property was evaluated by CPE reduction assay and cytotoxicity of the extract was measured by MTT assay and phytochemical analysis was done by gas chromatographymass spectroscopy. The RT-PCR and phylogenetic tree analysis of the SH gene sequence of the clinical isolate showed it to be mumps virus genotype C. 150 lg/ml concentration of M. pudica completely inhibited mumps virus and the drug was found to be non-toxic up to 2 mg/ml. M. pudica was thus found to be a potent inhibitor of MuV.

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Background: Tuberculosis [TB] continues to be a major public health problem in India with an estimated 2.7 million new cases and approximately 2.2 million deaths in 2015.The private sector caters to more than 50% of the TB care in India. Various studies done have shown that the awareness and the knowledge of the private practitioners are not adequate. Aim: This study was done to assess the awareness and knowledge of PPs [Private Practitioners] in and around Chennai with regard to TB diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and DOTS [Directly Observed Therapy, Short-course]. Methods: Questionnaire on different aspects of tuberculosis management and DOTS was given to participants who are medical doctors and managing patients of TB and the results were analysed. Results: 41.6% suspect tuberculosis based on cough and expectoration more than 2 weeks. 60.4% preferred CXR [Chest X-ray] for diagnosis and monitoring pulmonary TB patients. There was overreliance on Mantoux and other investigations not recommended by RNTCP [Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program]. 65.3% would not screen contacts of TB patients. 76.2% would treat the patients but don't prefer DOTS. 96% of PPs had not maintained any record for the TB patients and 97% preferred daily therapy. Conclusion: Awareness and knowledge about tuberculosis and DOTS is low among PPs in and around Chennai is low. The PPs need adequate training on RNTCP/DOTS and they need to be properly motivated. The public sector needs to collaborate and coordinate with the private practitioners for better diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis patients so that it not only gives a cure for the patients but also prevents drug resistance.