scholarly journals Mucormycosis: A black fungus – post covid complication, clinical and pathogenic approaches and isolation and characterization of black fungus with correlate its current perspectives of biomedical waste management

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 059-070
Author(s):  
Ajay kumar sahu ◽  
BS Arpita ◽  
Rekita Mohanty ◽  
Subhashree Dash ◽  
Purabi Baral ◽  
...  

The clinically relevant black yeasts and their relatives, i.e., members of the Ascomycete order Chaetothyriales. In order to understand the pathology of these fungi it is essential to know their natural ecological niche. From a relatively low degree of molecular variability of the black yeast Exophiala dermatitidis, potential agent of brain infections in patients from East Asia, it is concluded that this species is an emerging pathogen, currently going through a process of active speciation. It is found to be an oligotrophic fungus in hot, moist environments, such as steam baths. Cladophialophora-Fonsecaea- and Ramichloridium-like strains, known in humans as agents of chromoblastomycosis, are frequently found on rotten plant material, but the fungal molecular diversity in the environment is much higher than that on the human patient, so that it is difficult to trace the etiological agents of the disease with precision, Human to human transmitted disease is the game of corona virus disease (COVID-19) transmission and it had been declared an emergency global pandemic that caused major disastrous in respiratory system to more than five million people and killing more than half a billion deaths across the globe. Besides lower acute respiratory syndrome, there is damage to alveolar with severe inflammatory exudation. COVID-19 patients often have lower immunosuppressive CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells and most patients in intensive care units (ICU) need mechanical ventilation, hence longer stay in hospitals. These patients have been discovered to develop fungal co-infections. COVID-19 patients develop what is known as mucormycosis a black fungal infection which is deadly leading to loss of sight and hearing and eventually death. This chapter will focus on mucormycosis, black fungus caused during post covid complication. This approach has been successful with Cladophialophora carrionii, of which cells resembling muriform cells, the tissue form of chromoblastomycosis, were found to occur in drying spines of cacti. Phagocytosis assays provide a method to distinguish between pathogens and non-pathogens, as the killing rates of strict saprobes proved to be consistently higher than of those species frequently known as agents of disease. therapeutic possibilities for patient chromoblastomycosis. Covid-19 waste is like any other infectious waste and the guidelines for its management are required to be followed in addition to existing practices under regulation. BMWM in context of COVID-19 is a public health concern and is both a legal and social responsibility.

Author(s):  
Youssriah Yahia Sabri ◽  
Mohamed Mohsen Tolba Fawzi ◽  
Eman Zaki Nossair ◽  
Safaa Mohamed El-Mandooh ◽  
Amira Aly Hegazy ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was officially announced as a global pandemic by the WHO on March 11th 2020. Thorough understanding of CT imaging features of COVID-19 is essential for effective patient management; rationalizing the need for relevant research. The aim of this study was to analyze the chest CT findings of patients with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) proved COVID-19 admitted to four Egyptian hospitals. The recently published RSNA expert consensus statement on reporting COVID-19 chest CT findings was taken into consideration. Results Normal CT “negative for COVID-19” was reported in 26.1% of our RT-PCR proved COVID-19 cases. In descending order of prevalence, imaging findings of the positive CT studies (73.9%) included GGO (69%), consolidation (49.7%), crazy paving (15.4%), and peri-lobular fibrosis (40.6%). These showed a dominantly bilateral (68.2%), peripheral (72.4%), and patchy (64.7%) distribution. Remarkably, thymic hyperplasia was identified in 14.3% of studies. According to the RSNA consensus, CT findings were classified as typical in 68.9%, indeterminate in 3.6%, and atypical in 1.4% of the evaluated CT studies. Conclusion Although COVID-19 cannot be entirely excluded by chest CT, it can be distinguished in more than two-thirds of cases; making CT a widely available, non-invasive, and rapid diagnostic tool.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Kwan Lim ◽  
Oh Joo Kweon ◽  
Hye Ryoun Kim ◽  
Tae-Hyoung Kim ◽  
Mi-Kyung Lee

AbstractCorona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared a global pandemic and is a major public health concern worldwide. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of environmental factors, such as climate and air pollutants, in the transmission of COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea. We collected epidemiological and environmental data from two regions of the Republic of Korea, namely Seoul metropolitan region (SMR) and Daegu-Gyeongbuk region (DGR) from February 2020 to July 2020. The data was then analyzed to identify correlations between each environmental factor with confirmed daily COVID-19 cases. Among the various environmental parameters, the duration of sunshine and ozone level were found to positively correlate with COVID-19 cases in both regions. However, the association of temperature variables with COVID-19 transmission revealed contradictory results when comparing the data from SMR and DGR. Moreover, statistical bias may have arisen due to an extensive epidemiological investigation and altered socio-behaviors that occurred in response to a COVID-19 outbreak. Nevertheless, our results suggest that various environmental factors may play a role in COVID-19 transmission.


2021 ◽  
pp. 238-242
Author(s):  
Pradeep Kumar Radhakrishnan ◽  
Gayathri Ananyajyothi Ambat ◽  
Roshini Ambat ◽  
Syed Ilas Basha ◽  
Hema Prakash ◽  
...  

On March 11 2020 WHO declares corona viral disease as a global pandemic .COVID 19 pandemic has taken the world by storm and many countries like India is now experiencing a second surge due to mutant strains. Global health emergency has been precipitated by this corona virus disease caused by SARS CoV2.Acute and intermediate effects on cardiovascular system are becoming obvious with progression of time. SARS-CoV-2-related endothelial dysfunction results in an augmented risk for venous thromboembolism, systemic vasculitis, endothelial cell apoptosis, and inammation in various organs. Acute infections have troponin elevation more due to indirect cardiac damage though denite patterns of direct damage do exist. Intermediate evaluation in patients with resolved infections shows increased incidence of exercise induced arrhythmias and residual cardiovascular symptoms. The virus with its zoonotic origin based upon its genomic identity to bat derived SARS corona virus has a human to human transmission mode.ACE 2 receptors facilitate cellular entry and has been implicated in direct and indirect myocardial damage. Myocarditis, acute myocardial injury, arrhythmias and thromboembolism dominates the clinical picture. Role of imaging must be dened in relation to relevant clinical ndings. With arrival of vaccine and widespread vaccination global programs, we can look forward to understanding and managing long term complications of this disease. Prognostic implications of a resolved disease need to be evaluated by future studies.


Author(s):  
Prithiv Kumar KR

Human to human transmitted disease is the game of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission and it had been declared an emergency global pandemic that caused major disastrous in the respiratory system to more than five million people and killing more than half a billion deaths across the globe. Besides lower acute respiratory syndrome, there is damage to the alveolar with severe inflammatory exudation. COVID-19 patients often have lower immunosuppressive CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells and most patients in intensive care units (ICU) need mechanical ventilation, hence longer stay in hospitals. These patients have been discovered to develop fungal co-infections. COVID-19 patients develop what is known as mucormycosis a black fungal infection that is deadly leading to loss of sight and hearing and eventually death. This chapter will focus on mucormycosis, a black fungus caused during post covid complications.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur-E- Alam ◽  
Md Shariful Islam ◽  
Umme Suriea ◽  
Ramisa Binti Mohiuddin ◽  
Md. Muzahidul Islam ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Thalassemia is one of the most common life-threatening yet preventable congenital hemoglobin disorders especially in South Asian regions like Bangladesh. It has become a rising public health concern for Bangladesh as 6-12% of the population are carriers and many of them are unaware of it. The purpose of the study is to inspect the knowledge and attitude towards thalassemia among the general people of Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in eight administrative regions of Bangladesh between January and October of 2020. A self-administrative close-ended questionnaire was designed to collect information about thalassemia and socio-demographic characteristics. Pearson’s chi-square (χ2) test and One-way ANOVA were performed to assess the association between the demographic variables with knowledge and practice regarding thalassemia. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.Results: Of the 1623 participants, only 44.7% (726/1623) had heard of thalassemia. The mean knowledge of thalassemia was scored 4.75 ± 2.05 out of a total possible score of 10. Half of the participants had no idea that thalassemia was not a transfusion transmitted disease. About 73.1% knew that blood tests are a diagnosis process to determine thalassemia. The urban residing participants had the highest (5.10 ± 1.99) and participants with primary education had the lowest (3.38 ± 1.37) mean score of knowledge. Participants' knowledge score varied significantly by marital status, living pace, literacy and occupation (p< 0.05). However, about 68.2% and 85.5% of the participants showed a positive attitude towards premarital screening of themselves or their family members and donating blood to thalassemia patients, respectively. Conclusion: The study shows that there is a need to disseminate the information on thalassemia since the knowledge gap is huge among people. These findings will assist the implementation of significant steps such as educational programs, health counseling, premarital screening, campaigning, etc. to increase the awareness of thalassemia.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2326
Author(s):  
Rachel Shirazi ◽  
Paolo Pozzi ◽  
Yael Gozlan ◽  
Marina Wax ◽  
Yaniv Lustig ◽  
...  

Background: Hepatitis E (HEV) is an emerging cause of viral hepatitis worldwide. Swine carrying hepatitis E genotype 3 (HEV-3) are responsible for the majority of chronic viral hepatitis cases in developed countries. Recently, genotype 7 (HEV-7), isolated from a dromedary camel in the United Arab Emirates, was also associated with chronic viral hepatitis in a transplant recipient. In Israel, chronic HEV infection has not yet been reported, although HEV seroprevalence in humans is ~10%. Camels and swine are >65% seropositive. Here we report on the isolation and characterization of HEV from local camels and swine. Methods: Sera from camels (n = 142), feces from swine (n = 18) and blood from patients suspected of hepatitis E (n = 101) were collected during 2017–2020 and used to detect and characterize HEV sequences. Results: HEV-3 isolated from local swine and the camel-derived HEV-7 sequence were highly similar to HEV-3f and HEV-7 sequences (88.2% and 86.4%, respectively) related to viral hepatitis. The deduced amino acid sequences of both isolates were also highly conserved (>98%). Two patients were HEV-RNA positive; acute HEV-1 infection could be confirmed in one of them. Discussion: The absence of any reported HEV-3 and HEV-7 infection in humans remains puzzling, especially considering the reported seroprevalence rates, the similarity between HEV sequences related to chronic hepatitis and the HEV genotypes identified in swine and camels in Israel.


Author(s):  
Jahnvi Garg ◽  
Ranjit S. Ambad ◽  
Nandkishor Bankar

Introduction: This article includes the effect of Corona virus disease on cancer patients and their healthcare facilities. The global pandemic mentioned around the world has impacted the most vulnerable group of patients- cancer. With the assistance of RT PCR tests and HRCT, oncologists and doctors have tried to provide treatment to Covid-19 patients. Cancer patients are more susceptible to Covid-19 than non-cancer or non-survivor patients, according to reports. To avoid the prevalence and infection of cancer victims, WHO has suggested staying at home and continuing their treatment through telemedicine unless the situation is critical for which they might require therapy and/or surgery. Covid-19 is here to stay so we should practice with utmost care and precaution.


mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Punya Shrivastava-Ranjan ◽  
Mike Flint ◽  
Éric Bergeron ◽  
Anita K. McElroy ◽  
Payel Chatterjee ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTEbola virus (EBOV) infection is a major public health concern due to high fatality rates and limited effective treatments. Statins, widely used cholesterol-lowering drugs, have pleiotropic mechanisms of action and were suggested as potential adjunct therapy for Ebola virus disease (EVD) during the 2013–2016 outbreak in West Africa. Here, we evaluated the antiviral effects of statin (lovastatin) on EBOV infectionin vitro. Statin treatment decreased infectious EBOV production in primary human monocyte-derived macrophages and in the hepatic cell line Huh7. Statin treatment did not interfere with viral entry, but the viral particles released from treated cells showed reduced infectivity due to inhibition of viral glycoprotein processing, as evidenced by decreased ratios of the mature glycoprotein form to precursor form. Statin-induced inhibition of infectious virus production and glycoprotein processing was reversed by exogenous mevalonate, the rate-limiting product of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, but not by low-density lipoprotein. Finally, statin-treated cells produced EBOV particles devoid of the surface glycoproteins required for virus infectivity. Our findings demonstrate that statin treatment inhibits EBOV infection and suggest that the efficacy of statin treatment should be evaluated in appropriate animal models of EVD.IMPORTANCETreatments targeting Ebola virus disease (EVD) are experimental, expensive, and scarce. Statins are inexpensive generic drugs that have been used for many years for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and have a favorable safety profile. Here, we show the antiviral effects of statins on infectious Ebola virus (EBOV) production. Our study reveals a novel molecular mechanism in which statin regulates EBOV particle infectivity by preventing glycoprotein processing and incorporation into virus particles. Additionally, statins have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Since inflammation and dysregulation of the immune system are characteristic features of EVD, statins could be explored as part of EVD therapeutics.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Ravinder Nath Bansal Ravinder Nath Bansal ◽  
Sonu Gupta ◽  
Surender Pal Singh Sodhi ◽  
Samriti Jindal ◽  
Ruchika Bansal

Biomedical waste management (BMWM) is a major environmental health concern. Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic came as bolt from the blue for governance with negligible preparedness. Pandemic COVID-19 has led to generation of solid waste in large volumes. Such BMW is an additional challenge in COVID-19 situation for healthcare facilities supplementary to COVID-19 pandemic management, control and prevention strategies. Centre for Pollution Control Board (CPCB) issued guidelines for COVID-19 related BMW waste in 3rd week of March 2020 and subsequently revised the same on 25th March 2020 and then on 18th April 2020. Scenario becomes compounded with less literate workers handling BMW required to develop newer competencies with deficient training and timeframe. Lots has been done to prepare COVID-19 related BMW waste management and lots still needs to be done to cover all the guidelines including practicality of implementation and ensuring less compromise on quality healthcare. This article focuses to review the COVID-19 related revised BMW requirements and their critical appraisal.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 3160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pilar Domingo-Calap ◽  
Beatriz Beamud ◽  
Lucas Mora-Quilis ◽  
Fernando González-Candelas ◽  
Rafael Sanjuán

The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria is a major global health concern. The search for new therapies has brought bacteriophages into the spotlight, and new phages are being described as possible therapeutic agents. Among the bacteria that are most extensively resistant to current antibiotics is Klebsiella pneumoniae, whose hypervariable extracellular capsule makes treatment particularly difficult. Here, we describe two new K. pneumoniae phages, πVLC5 and πVLC6, isolated from environmental samples. These phages belong to the genus Drulisvirus within the family Podoviridae. Both phages encode a similar tail spike protein with putative depolymerase activity, which is shared among other related phages and probably determines their ability to specifically infect K. pneumoniae capsular types K22 and K37. In addition, we found that phage πVLC6 also infects capsular type K13 and is capable of striping the capsules of K. pneumoniae KL2 and KL3, although the phage was not infectious in these two strains. Genome sequence analysis suggested that the extended tropism of phage πVLC6 is conferred by a second, divergent depolymerase. Phage πVLC5 encodes yet another putative depolymerase, but we found no activity of this phage against capsular types other than K22 and K37, after testing a panel of 77 reference strains. Overall, our results confirm that most phages productively infected one or few Klebsiella capsular types. This constitutes an important challenge for clinical applications.


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