Et tu Mucor?

Introduction: Recently, the Indian subcontinent has been hard hit by the second wave of COVID-19. Along with it, the region has become a hot spot for mucormycosis infection in patients with COVID-19. The aim of this paper is to provide a scientific overview on the status of mucormycosis in pre-COVID-19 era and on how COVID-19 could have directly or indirectly expose the hidden burden of mucormycosis globally. Materials and methods: This paper is structured as a narrative review and is based on relevant published literature on both COVID-19 and mucormycosis. Conclusion: Mucormycosis in the pre-COVID-19 era was almost a neglected entity. It was because the risk factors for both - More severe COVID-19 infections and Mucormycosis are almost similar – COVID-19 might have helped to expose the true magnitude of the mucormycosis and flagging it as a major public health concern requiring a revisit by medical science.

A Novel SXT/R391 Integrative and Conjugative Element Carries Two Copies of the bla NDM-1 Gene in Proteus mirabilis

The occurrence of carbapenemase-producing Proteus mirabilis , especially those strains producing NDM-1 and its variants, is a major public health concern worldwide. The integrative conjugative element (ICE) plays an important role in horizontal acquisition of resistance genes.

Impact of COVID-19 & Economic Outlook for Small Business – A Survey Based Study

The unprecedented challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic not only continue to be a major public health concern, but also impose serious economic uncertainty on small businesses across the nation. To assess how small businesses2 were impacted in the first half of 2020 and gauge their economic outlook for the second half of 2020, I conducted an original survey of 86 companies. The results reveal several important metrics. First, 40% of surveyed companies drastically reduced operations for a duration of 1 to 2 months in first half of 2020, with most resorting to reduction of hours, furloughs, and/or layoffs. Second, 75% of companies sought Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, and every company that applied for PPP received approval. Third, 30% of companies forecast a decrease in revenue and reduction in staffing in the second half of 2020. Fourth, a trend of delayed receivables and increased expenses due to Covid-19 becomes evident. Fifth, businesses overwhelmingly report an imminent need for a second stimulus relief from Congress to stabilize their operations and to avoid reductions in employment.

Emergence of conjugative IncC type plasmid simultaneously encoding resistance to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone and azithromycin in Salmonella

Non-typical Salmonella is a primary cause of food-borne diseases and considered as a major public health concern worldwide(1, 2).…

The policy context for research into child and adolescent psychotherapy

Mental illness in children and young people is recognised as a major public health concern with evidence of rising prevalence, possibly exacerbated by COVID-19.

Phthalimide Analogs for Antimalarial Drug Discovery

Malaria remains as one of the most life-threatening diseases and thus major public health concern all around the world. The disease becomes devastating if not treated with proper medication on...

Synthesis, characterization and utility of a series of novel copper(II) complexes as an excellent surface disinfectant against nosocomial infections

Nosocomial infections are among the major public health concern, especially during the ongoing Covid19 pandemic. There is a great demand for novel chemical agents capable to kill specific pathogens or...

Handling and processing of pathology samples of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patient

The SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a major public health concern. Human to human transmission has been confirmed via droplets, contaminated surfaces, and hands. All the staffs and personnel working in the laboratory are also at risk of contracting this infection, especially during the handling and processing of samples from suspected or confirmed patients of COVID-19. With no definite treatment and vaccine in sight, the way forward is to break the chain of transmission by eliminating the risk of exposure to laboratory staffs by proper handling and processing of all the samples in an appropriate containment level laboratory, proper use of personal protective equipment with special attention on disposal and decontamination of work surfaces.