Introduction: The prevalence of transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) is high in India. The aim of our study was to evaluate the sero-prevalence of TTIs using Nucleic acid technology (NAT) and detection of Occult Hepatitis B virus infection by Minipool NAT Strategy. A total of 89,639 units of blood donated at Dhanvanta Materials and Methods: ri Voluntary Blood Bank, Rajahmundry during the period from January 2012 to July 2016. The sero-prevalence for HIV, HBV and HCV was tested by 4th generation ELISA. Only sero-negative samples were tested on mini pool nucleic acid test (MP-NAT) to detect HIV1, HIV2, HCV and HBV viral nucleic acids. Combined NAT yield was calculated and compared the NAT yield with MPX test and MPX V2.0. We also evaluated the optical density (OD) values of ELISA for MP-NAT reactive donor samples to evaluate the efcacy of NAT in detecting window period cases. The Results: overall sero-prevalence of TTIs was 2.41% and HBV was predominantly present (66%). Total 29 ELISA negative blood donor samples were found reactive on NAT. All NAT reactive donors were of HBV only. Out of 29 cases, 12 were detected by MPX test from 26,008 donations and 17 by MPX V2.0 from 25,619 donations, providing NAT yield of 1:2169 and 1:1507 respectively. OD and Signal cut off values of ELISA for NAT reactive samples were found to be much below extended grey zone value (<0.3). Additiona Conclusion: l testing of nucleic acids by MP-NAT in combination of mandated primary serology by ELISA provides 99.99% of safe blood to needy patients; thus signicantly reduces the risk of TTIs by identifying the window period cases.

Background and aim: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has rapidly spread around the world. COVID-19 patients particularly those with Diabetes, Critically ill and Immunocompromised patients have higher probability of suffering from opportunistic fungal infections. Treatment of COVID19 with immunosuppressive agents (e.g. corticosteroids and cytokine blockers) remains a complicated challenge, especially among patients with severe disease which may increase the risk of invasive fungal infections. We studied the association of risk factors in COVID-19 affected patients leading to opportunistic fungal infections. A cross-sectional observationa Materials and Methods: l study was conducted on a total number of 500 clinically suspected cases of fungal infection attending ENT outpatient department during May 2021 to August 2021. Samples were processed and identied by direct microscopy and culture. A total number of 500 clinically susp Results: ected cases were screened for microscopy and culture. Of which 324 cases (64.8%) identied with fungal growth. Among these 324 cases, 51.5% were Aspergillosis, 31.4% were Mucormycosis, 12.9% were Candidiasis, 2.4% were mixed infection with Mucormycosis and Aspergillosis and 1.5% were identied with other opportunistic fungi. Out of 324 cases, known diabetics were 50% and non-diabetic with increase blood glucose levels were 22.8% and on steroid therapy were 66.3%. Most of the cases were presented in the recovery phase of COVID-19 (74%) than during the active phase (26%) of the infection. COVID-19 is associated with secondary fungal infections due to im Conclusion: mune dysregulation and the wide spread use of immunomodulatory drugs along with certain risk factors like diabetes mellitus and immunocompromised conditions. Judicious use of steroids and stringent glycemic control can prevent the severity of the disease. Early recognition of this life threatening infection is the key to allow for optimal treatment and improved outcomes.