To assess the prevalence of fungal keratitis, we conducted a retrospective study over 7 years (2005 through 2011) at a tertiary care center in North India. Effort has been made to analyze the disease burden, spectrum of agents and treatment history. The findings were compared with an earlier study at the same center for any change in the epidemiology of the disease. Microbiology records were screened at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, to identify fungal keratitis cases, and available clinical records of those cases were analyzed. Of 2459 clinically suspected fungal keratitis cases, 765 (31 %) cases were direct microscopy confirmed. Of these microscopy-confirmed cases, fungi were isolated in 393 (51.4 %), with Aspergillus spp. ranked top (n = 187, 47.6 %), followed by melanized fungi (n = 86, 21.9 %) and Fusarium spp. (n = 64, 16 %). A male predominance of 78.7 % was noted with a peak in the incidence of fungal keratitis during post-monsoon season (September to November). A delay in diagnosis was significantly associated (p < 0.001) with keratitis cases due to melanized fungi. In comparison with an earlier study, higher isolation of melanized fungi was noted with a widening of the spectrum of agents identified. Thus, fungal keratitis due to Aspergillus spp. remains a serious ocular illness among the active male population in North India with relative rise of keratitis due to melanized fungi. The spectrum of agents causing fungal keratitis has broadened with many rare fungi that are implicated.

COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis Outbreak, India M ucormycosis is an invasive fungal infection associated with high death rates. Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, organ transplantation, hematological malignancies, and immunosuppression are the known predisposing factors for mucormycosis (1). During the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (April-June 2021), a large number of cases of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) were reported globally, primarily in India (2-5). The explanation for this outbreak of CAM in India remains unclear. Diabetes mellitus and glucocorticoids (used for treating COVID-19) have been identified as risk factors for CAM (2,6). Other factors proposed in the pathogenesis of CAM include altered iron metabolism, the severity of COVID-19, and immune dysfunction resulting from COVID-19 (e.g., lymphopenia and others) (7,8).A high burden of Mucorales (in the hospital and outdoor environments) has been reported in India

Introduction – An unprecedented rise in number of COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) cases has been reported in India. Myriad hyptheses are proposed for the outbreak. We recently reported uncontrolled diabetes and inappropriate steroid therapy as significant risk factors for the outbreak. However, Mucorales contamination of hospital environment was not studied. We, therefore, planned this multi-centre study across India to determine possible Mucorales contamination of hospital environment during the outbreak. Methods Eleven hospitals from four zones of India representing high to low incidence for mucormycosis cases were included in the study. Samples from a variety of equipment used by the patients and ambient air were collected during May 19, 2021 through August 25, 2021. Results None of the hospital equipment sampled was contaminated with Mucorales. However, Mucorales were isolated from 11.1% air-conditioning vents and 1.7% of patients’ used masks. Other fungi were isolated from 18% hospital equipment and surfaces, and 8.1% used masks. Mucorales grew from 21.7% indoor and 53.8% outdoor air samples. Spore counts of Mucorales in air were significantly higher in the hospitals of North and South zones compared to West and East zones ( P < 0.0001). Among Mucorales isolated from the environment Rhizopus spp. were the commonest genus. Conclusion – We found contamination of air-conditioning vents and hospital air by Mucorales. Presence of Mucorales in these areas demands regular surveillance and improvement of hospital environment, as contamination may contribute to healthcare associated mucormycosis outbreaks, especially among immunocompromised patients.

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The currently emerging pathogen SARS-CoV-2 has produced the global pandemic crisis by causing COVID-19. The unique and novel genetic makeup of SARS-CoV-2 has been created puzzle in biological research, due to which the potential drug/vaccine candidates have not yet been discovered by the scientific community. Meanwhile, the advantages of bioinformatics in viral research had created a milestone since last few decades. The exploitation of bioinformatics tools and techniques has successfully interpreted this viral genomics architecture. Some major in silico studies involving next-generation sequencing, genome-wide association studies, computer-aided drug design etc. have been effectively applied in COVID-19 research methodologies and discovered novel information on SARS-CoV-2 in several ways. Nowadays the implementation of in silico studies in COVID-19 research has not only sequenced the SARS-CoV-2 genome but also properly analyzed the sequencing errors, evolutionary relationship, genetic variations, putative drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2 viral genes etc. within a very short time period. These would be very needful towards further research on COVID-19 pandemic and essential for vaccine development against SARS-CoV-2 which will save public health.

The study is the first from India to show high CRE carriage in patients admitted to a tertiary care centre and emphasises the need of strict antimicrobial stewardship implementation in hospitals to prevent dissemination of multidrug-resistant CRE.

The prevalence of fungal spores in the hospital air is essential to understand the hospital-acquired fungal infections. Air conditioners (ACs) used in hospitals may either reduce spores in air or be colonised by fungi and aid in its dissemination. The present study was conducted to assess the fungal spore burden in AC and non-AC areas. We found a high fungal spore count in air irrespective of whether the area was AC or non-AC. The most predominant species isolated were Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus. Such high concentrations of pathogenic fungi in air may predispose individuals to develop disease.

Background and Objectives:Syphilis is a classical sexually transmitted disease (STD), caused by Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum. In this retrospective study, we analyzed trends of syphilis prevalence in patient groups attending our tertiary care center.Materials and Methods:The data was obtained by reviewing laboratory records of the STD laboratory from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2011. Cases positive by both Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) and Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) tests were analyzed for seroprevalence of syphilis in different groups, and to analyze the rising or falling trends, if any.Results:A total of 28,920 serum samples were received in the 6-year study period for VDRL testing, of which 972 (3.4%) were found to be reactive. Of these, 1722 sera were also submitted for TPPA testing, 374 (21.7%) of which were positive. A total of 375 samples were submitted for both tests, indicating biological false positivity of 0.27%. A rising trend, though not statistically significant, was observed in pregnant women, drug users and patients from wards/out-patient departments, while a statistically significant rise in prevalence of syphilis was found in HIV-positive individuals. A falling trend (not statistically significant) was observed in STD clinic attendees.Conclusion:An increasing trend of syphilis was observed during the study period when all groups were analyzed together, especially in HIV-seropositive individuals, which calls for continued and sustained efforts for case detection, treatment, and preventive measures to contain the disease.