We are currently facing the COVID-19 pandemic which is the consequence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Since no specific vaccines or drugs have been developed till date for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection, early diagnosis is essential to further combat this pandemic. In this context, the reliable, rapid, and low-cost technique for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis is the foremost priority. At present reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the reference technique presently being used for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, in a number of cases, false results have been noticed in COVID-19 diagnosis. To develop advanced techniques, researchers are continuously working and in the series of constant efforts, nanomaterials-enabled biosensing approaches can be a hope to offer novel techniques that may perhaps meet the current demand of fast and early diagnosis of COVID-19 cases. This paper provides an overview of the COVID-19 pandemic and nanomaterials-enabled biosensing approaches that have been recently reported for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. Though limited studies on the development of nanomaterials enabled biosensing techniques for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 have been reported, this review summarizes nanomaterials mediated improved biosensing strategies and the possible mechanisms that may be responsible for the diagnosis of the COVID-19 disease. It is reviewed that nanomaterials e.g. gold nanostructures, lanthanide-doped polysterene nanoparticles (NPs), graphene and iron oxide NPs can be potentially used to develop advanced techniques offered by colorimetric, amperometric, impedimetric, fluorescence, and optomagnetic based biosensing of SARS-CoV-2. Finally, critical issues that are likely to accelerate the development of nanomaterials-enabled biosensing for SARS-CoV-2 infection have been discussed in detail. This review may serve as a guide for the development of advanced techniques for nanomaterials enabled biosensing to fulfill the present demand of low-cost, rapid and early diagnosis of COVID-19 infection.
Hepatitis B vaccine: Coverage and factors relating to its acceptance among health care workers of a tertiary care center in North IndiaBackground: Hepatitis B infection is the major cause of acute and chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide and has long been recognized as an occupational hazard among health care workers. Thus, this study was planned to evaluate the coverage of hepatitis B vaccine and to study occupational, epidemiologic, and attitudinal factors in its acceptance among health care workers in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs of MM Institute of Medical sciences and Research, Mullana. A total of 600 health care workers were selected for the study by simple random sampling method. A self designed, semi-structured interview schedule was used to collect data from the participants by interview method. Data on demographic, behavioral, and occupational exposure aspects were also collected. Results: The overall prevalence of hepatitis B vaccination acceptance was 60%. Only 40% of the health workers had received the full three dose vaccination schedule while 20% had received one or two doses, and 40% were unvaccinated. Protection against hepatitis B was cited the most common (54%) reason for taking this vaccine. The most important reasons for not taking the vaccine were negligence (41.6%), whereas the commonest (45%) ground cited for not taking the recommended number of dosage was the lack of knowledge about the total number of doses to be taken for full protection. On multiple logistic regression, vaccine safety (AOR = 6.57, 95% CI = 2.64-16.04) followed by history of exposure to blood (AOR = 5.21, 95% CI = 1.81-16.16) and acceptable knowledge about the disease (AOR = 4.76, 95% CI = 1.13-11.45) were identifi ed as reasons for acceptance of the vaccine. Conclusions: Coverage of complete immunization was low among health care workers. Level of knowledge regarding the disease was also not satisfactory. Education programs should focus on increasing healthcare workers' perceived severity to occupational exposure to hepatitis B virus and emphasize the safety and effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccine. Vaccines should be made available free and mandatory in health organizations. Key words: Acceptance, health care workers, hepatitis B vaccinationOriginal Article INTRODUCTIONHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious global health problem. Globally, at least two billion people are estimated to have the infection, resulting in over 350 million cases of chronic infection and more than two million deaths annually.[1] It is the tenth leading cause of death worldwide. [1] In India, prevalence of HBsAg among the general population varies from 2% to 8%, which places India in an intermediate HBV endemicity zone. India with 50 million cases is also the second largest global pool of chronic HBV infection. [2] Since contact with body fl uid of an infected person, especially infected blood, is one of the principal modes of t...
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