SMU Medical Journal

Maninder Kaur ¹, Ravikant ¹, Satish Gupte ², Prerna Aggrawal ¹, Ashwini Manahas ¹, Manju Arora ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, Gian Sagar Medical College & Hospital, Punjab, 140601, IN
2 Department of Microbiology, GianSagar Medical College and Hospital, Banur, Punjab, IN

Abstract

The status of nanobacteria has been controversial, with some researchers suggesting they are a new class of living organism and others attributing to them a simpler, abiotic nature. They appear to be ubiquitous entities found in living and non-living substrates. Research has suggested that nanobacteria could be the cause of a wide variety of diseases, from kidney stones to atherosclerosis.

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Mandeep Kaur ¹, Satish Gupte ², Maninder Kaur ¹, Prerna Aggarwal ¹, Ashwini Manhas ¹, Manju Bala ¹, Tanveer Kaur ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, Gian Sagar Medical College & Hospital, Rajpura, IN
2 Department of Microbiology, GianSagar Medical College and Hospital, Gian Sagar Medical College & Hospital, Rajpura, IN

Abstract

Aerobic nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli (nonfermenters) are a heterogeneous group of organisms that are either incapable of utilizing carbohydrates as a source of energy or degrade them via oxidative rather than fermentative pathway. These organisms are common inhabitants of soil and water. Nonfermenters can cause a vast variety of infections and account for approximately 15%of all Gram negative bacilli cultured from clinical specimens. Their infection are endogenous or exogenous origin, depending on several factor such as use of immunosuppressant substance, abusive use of wide spectrum antimicrobial agents, prolong surgical procedure and inadequate instrumentation. Pseudomonas cause endocarditis, osteomyelitis, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal infections, meningitis, and, commonly septicaemia. Acinetobacter has emerged as an important nosocomial organism causing infectious outbreaks in critically ill patients leading to high mortality and morbidity. Burkholderia cepacia shows fast growth on immune-depleted patients - like cystic fibrosis patients (CFPs). Sphingomonas paucimobilis can produce biofilms or attach to preexisting biofilms, where they become integrated and survive for days. Most infections caused by nonfermenters have been nosocomial, often related to contamination of hospital equipment or fluids and have occurred in immunocompromised hosts. Non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli are innately resistant to many antibiotics and are known to produced extrended spectrum β-lactmases and metallo β-lactmases. This review article highlights the different clinical conditions caused by the nonfermenters.

Keywords

Nonfermenters, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia cepacia, Acinetobacter, Sphingobacterium.

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Tanveer Kaur ¹, Satish Gupte ¹, Mandeep Kaur ¹, Ravikant ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, Gian Sagar Medical College & Hospital, Rajpura, IN

Abstract

Environmental pathogens are microorganisms that normally spend a substantial part of their lifecycle outside human hosts, but when introduced to humans cause diseases. They are borne in the water, soil, air, food, and other elements of our surroundings. Their adverse effects on human health cannot be controlled without first obtaining a thorough understanding of their environmental habitats and the epidemiology of the diseases they cause. To achieve this understanding, surveillance of the environment to determine the numbers and distribution of environmental pathogens is needed. The impacts of environmental pathogens can be felt by almost every person, So the public needs to be made better aware of their presence and risks. More study and research is needed on these environmental microbes for appropriate drug and vaccine development for the control of these infections. This review article highlights some of important environmental microbes associated with human infections.

Keywords

Environmental Pathogens, Fomites, Biofilms, Aerosols.

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Ravikant ¹, Satish Gupte ², Manju Bala ¹, Tanveer Kaur ¹, Mandeep Kaur ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, Gian Sagar Medical College & Hospital, Rajpura, IN
2 Department of Microbiology, GianSagar Medical College and Hospital, Banur, Punjab, IN

Abstract

Today's world need vaccines for the prevention of infectious diseases, cancer therapy, and many more. Vaccines reduce the mortality rates in the world from infectious diseases such as measles, polio and diphtheria. The concept of vaccination is very old. Conventional vaccines are composed of Live or Attenuated microorganisms. But they may not be sufficient in current scenario, so further research is going on for development of vaccine which should be cost-effective and having specific immune responses. The current concept of vaccines is a challenge which could produce both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. In this review we are discussing about the types, concept, economics, and newer trends for vaccines production.

Keywords

Vaccines, Types, Concept, Trends.

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Nitya Batra ¹, Satish Gupte ¹, Prerna Aggarwal ¹, Maninder Kaur ¹, Ashwini Manhas ¹, Manju Bala ¹, Ravi Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, GianSagar Medical College and Hospital, Banur, Punjab, IN

Abstract

Diagnostics in virology has become a very important tool in both diagnosis and prognosis of a disease. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of an infection should enhance patient outcome by enabling early initiation of appropriate therapy and thus implementation of relevant infection-control measures. Virological diagnostic methods may be implemented as adjuncts to the epidemiologic investigation of infectious disease outbreaks.Thus, paving a way for the development of newer antiviral drugs. Molecular diagnostics has helped in overcoming the various challenges and has helped the clinicians in determining the appropriate therapy to be initiated.

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Nitya Batra ¹, Satish Gupte ¹, Prerna Aggarwal ¹, Maninder Kaur ¹, Ashwini Manhas ¹, Manju Bala ¹, Ravi Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, GianSagar Medical College and Hospital, Banur, Punjab, IN

Abstract

Ebola hemorrhagic fever, an extremely fatal viral disease is caused by Ebola virus. The African subcontinent is experiencing the most fatal epidemic caused by this virus. Recently, a few cases have been detected outside Africa. Thus, this is of concern and has alerted World Health Organization (WHO). Currently there is no cure for Ebola, nor is there a vaccine approved yet for human use. A few vaccines are under clinical trials. Thus, there needs to be an integrated approach in prevention of this fatal disease by an effective vaccine formation.

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Ravikant ¹, Satish Gupte ², Prerna Aggarwal ¹, Maninder Kaur ³, Ashwini Manhas ¹, Manju Arora ¹, Mrinangka Dev ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, Gian Sagar Medical College & Hospital, Banur, Punjab, IN
2 Gian Sagar Medical College & Hospital, IN
3 Department of Microbiology, Gian Sagar Medical College & Hospital, Banur, Punjab

Abstract

The emergence of superbugs intermittently has always been a global threat for control and treatment of infectious disease caused by them over many decades which influence human population with their mutated genetic make-up and mechanics of resistance. However, bacteria have been developing resistance to antibiotics since they were introduced in 1930s. From the year 1961 till date, among some of the more common superbugs are methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB and XDR-TB). The latest superbug encodes the gene for New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-1) is an enzyme that can hydrolyze and inactivate carbapenems, which are used as a last resort for the treatment of multi-resistant bacterial infection. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae commonly expresses the gene for NDM-1 moreover NDM-2 in Acinetobacter baumannii, NDM-4, NDM-5, NDM- 6, NDM-7 and NDM-8 from E.coli and other Enterobacteriaceae also have been reported. Research is on to develop new classes of antibiotic to handle these threats and it is worrying as there are very limited therapeutics available in the development pipeline that works effectively in the current situation.

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Mrinangka Deb ¹, Satish Gupte ², Prerna Aggarwal ¹, Maninder Kaur ¹, Ashwini Manhas ¹, Manju Bala ¹, Ravi Kant ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital (GSMCH), Punjab-140601, IN
2 Gian Sagar Medical College & Hospital, IN

Abstract

Biofilm formation constitutes an alternative lifestyle in which microorganisms adopt a multicellular behavior that facilitates and/or prolongs survival in diverse environmental niches. Biofilms form on biotic and abiotic surfaces both in the environment and in the healthcare setting. In hospital wards, the formation of biofilms on vents and medical equipment enables pathogens to persist as reservoirs that can readily spread to patients. Inside the host, biofilms allow pathogens to subvert innate immune defenses and are thus associated with long-term persistence. This review describes the process of biofilm formation its composition and virulence and the role it plays in the pathogenisis of various infections mostly chronic. The review also makes an attempt to describe antimicrobial biofilm control.

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Mandeep Kaur ¹, Satish Gupte ¹, Tanveer Kaur ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital, Rajpura, IN

Abstract

For more than half a century, the human society has been relying primarily on antibiotics to treat infectious diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria. After the development of antibiotics, a general belief arose that the problem of bacterial infections would be solved. But the more use of antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infection resulting in Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. The emergence of infectious disease caused by drug-resistant bacteria requires alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Immunity play important role to treat infectious diseases. Certain type of immunomodulators are used to boost the immunity against infectious diseases. Immunomodulators are biological or synthetic substances that can modulate any aspect of the immune system including both adaptive and innate arms of the immune system. Vaccines play an important role in providing and improving immunity to a particular disease. Monoclonal antibodies are currently being developed against certain infectious agents, including cytomegalovirus and human immunodeficiency virus. Prebiotics and probiotics are used to promote the growth and multiplication of specific beneficial gut microflora. Micronutrients such as selenium, zinc, and vitamin A and macronutrient such as Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates known to modulate immunity . Bacteriophages, Bacterial cell wall hydrolases and Antimicrobial peptides are also used as alternative to antibiotics in certain bacterial infections. Bacteriophages are 'bacterium eaters' that kill bacterium by causing its lysis (bacteriolysis). This review article highlights various types of alternatives to antibiotics which are used for the treatment of bacterial infections.

Keywords

Antibiotics, Immunity, Vaccine, Bacteriophages, Antimicrobioal Peptides.

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Mandeep Kaur ¹, Satish Gupte ¹, Tanveer Kaur ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, Gian Sagar Medical College and Hospital, Rajpura, IN

Abstract

A 'good' laboratory is a fundamental need in providing a 'good' diagnostic service to the population. Proper designing of the laboratory with technical guidance is one of the basic requirements of a 'good' or standard laboratory. Lack of awareness and knowledge about laboratory designing creates many problems in building new facilities or refurbishing the buildings converting them into laboratories. Non availability of a national guideline is partly responsible for this. The critical role of the microbiology laboratory in infectious disease diagnosis calls for a close, positive working relationship between the physician and the microbiologists who provide enormous value to the health care team. Good design and good equipment can be valuable in containing and controlling infectious materials, indifferent or inconsistent arrangements can complicate or limit efforts to minimize the risk of accidents and infections.

Keywords

Microbiology Laboratory, Design, Safety Measures, Waste Handling.

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