With the recent pandemic of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), hospitals had an influx of COVID-19-positive mothers who were preparing for delivery. Due to the worldwide spread of COVID-19, information on adverse pregnancy outcomes has emerged in the literature, such as preeclampsia, preterm delivery, miscarriage, intrauterine fetal demise, and neonatal death [1]. The main binding receptor for SARS-CoV-2 on host cell is angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. ACE2 is expressed in the placenta [2] and is found in the syncytiotrophoblast, cytotrophoblast, endothelium, and vascular smooth muscle from both primary and secondary villi [3]. Innovative methodical research found evidence that ACE2 is expressed in various gynecologic organs such as the ovary, uterus, and vagina. Overall, ACE2 expression has been seen in numerous tissues in direct relation with developing pregnancies that could be associated with adverse maternal-fetal outcomes. Congenital infection can be challenging to characterize since pathogen detection usually requires specific methods. The placenta represents a highly specialized organ that maintains optimal environment for fetal development. Placental evaluation after delivery provides useful information such as the identification of disease processes in the mother or infant that requires diagnoses to deliver a specific explanation for an adverse outcome related to disease [4]. It is well recognized that analysis of the placental histopathological changes can provide valuable information, considering that a variety of pathological agents, counting infectious ones, are associated with characteristic morphological findings [5]. The intention of present research work was to evaluate a successive series of placentas delivered at our institution from COVID-19-positive mothers [6]. Materials and MethodsTwenty-five placentas were collected by the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (Pt. JNM Medical College, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India) at the time of delivery, from SARS-CoV-2-infected women during the period of January 2021 to June 2021. Placental samples were then submitted to the Department of Pathology at the same institution for further analysis. Due to the infectious nature of the tissue, fixation for 48 h was performed prior to dissection. Typical sections were fixed in formalin, processed into paraffin blocks, and stained with the The placenta is a captivating multifunctional organ of fetal origin and plays an essential role during pregnancy by intimately connecting mother and baby. This study explicates placental pathology and information about 25 placentas collected from the mothers infected with novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2). So far, congenital transmission of SARS-CoV-2 seems to be remarkably uncommon in spite of many cases of COVID-19 during pregnancy. Out of the 25 placental tissue samples collected, none has shown gene expression of SARS-CoV-2 when confirmed by RT-PCR. At the same time, nasal and throat swab samples collected from newborns of SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers correspon...

Candida continues to be leading cause of morbidity and mortality in large population of immunocompromised and hospitalized patients. Invasive Candidiasis due to non-albicans candida has been on the rise in last few years. Incidence rates vary geographically, often because of different patient populations studied. The present study was conducted to find out the species distribution and antifungal susceptibility of Candida species from different sources and patient population of our tertiary care hospital. A total of 103 Candida species were isolated from the different clinical specimens of suspected candida infection cases, In this study, it was observed that candidiasis can occur at all ages and in both sexes. 82 (79.6%) isolates were obtained from cases admitted in different inpatient departments of which 51 (49.5%) accounted for isolates from various ICUs mainly NICU. Most of the isolates obtained were from urine samples (44.6%) followed by blood (34.9%). Non albicans Candida were isolated at a higher rate (52.8%) than Candida albicans (47.5%). Among all species of Candida commonest isolate was C. albicans (47.5%) followed by C. tropicalis (26.21%). Overall high suceptibility to voriconazole and Amphotericin B (99.03%). This study emphasizes the need for monitoring local epidemiologic data and antifungal susceptibility pattern of candida isolates for proper treatment.

Objectives:The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is evolving rapidly worldwide. However, little is known about the association between pregnant women with COVID-19 and its transmission to neonates. This investigation aimed to see if COVID-19 infection could be transmitted vertically into the uterus. Methods:We conducted a prospective observational study. 48 COVID-19 infected mothers were enrolled during their third trimester. A qRT-PCR assay of the nasal and oropharyngeal swab samples was performed to confirm positive for COVID-19 infection as per WHO protocol. In addition, characteristics of pregnant women with confirmed SARS -CoV-2 infection and newborns were documented.Results: Forty-eight expectant mothers, 10 (20.8%) were found symptomatic, and 38 (79.2%) were asymptomatic, with COVID-19 infection were delivered (33 cesarean section & 15 vaginal deliveries). One female child (4.1%) out of 48 newborns was initially diagnosed with COVID-19 infection based on a nucleic acid qRT-PCR. The female child showed no or negligible signs and recovered completely, whereas 47 neonates (95.9%) confirmed negative. None of the mothers or neonates died from COVID-19 related pulmonary problems. Conclusion:There is insufficient evidence on vertical virologic transmission of COVID-19 infection during the third trimester of pregnancy. Additionally, research and surveillance involving adequate testing of samples of placental tissue, breast milk, vaginal swab, amniotic fluid, and cord blood will be needed to establish the possibility of vertical transmission of infection.

Actinomycetes due to their unique repertoire of antimicrobial secondary metabolites can be a good source to control human pathogens. In our research plan, soil samples were collected from Bhilai, India. The strains were isolated using yeast extract-malt extract agar medium and identified based on their morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics. The antifungal activity of isolates was examined by the perpendicular streak plate as well as the agar well diffusion method. Out of 14 isolates, only 4 isolates (28.5%) showed antifungal activity. Further, one isolate showed the highest antifungal activity and was identified as Streptomyces antibioticus A8 based on PIB-Win software and the identification score was 0.99. Antifungal activity of new isolate Streptomyces antibioticus A8 against the T. rubrum MTCC 296, with a zone of inhibition 28±0.0 mm, whereas minimum activity was recorded against A. niger MTCC 872 with the zone of inhibition 9±0.0 mm. antifungal activity against C.albicans ATCC10231, C.albicans ATCC90028, C. albicans ATCC24433, C.albicans MTCC183, C.tropicalis MTCC184, A.alternata MTCC 1779 was recorded as 20±0.0mm, 17±0.0 mm, 17±0.0 mm, 15±0.5 mm, 14±0.0 mm and 11±0.0 mm respectively by agar well diffusion method. Further, discovering new antimicrobial-producingmicrobes probably will be helpful for uncovering novel therapeutic agents against a broad range of pathogenic organisms.

BACKGROUND The resistance of Acinetobacter varies widely geographically and between various units of the same hospital at various time points. The variations in Acinetobacter resistance demands a periodic surveillance of these pathogens to achieve appropriate selection of therapy. Due to unpredictable multidrug resistance patterns of clinical strains of Acinetobacter baumannii, it is important to know the prevalent susceptibility profiles as well as various risk factors associated with multidrug resistance. The aim of this study is to determine the proportion of Acinetobacter infections, susceptibility patterns and the possible risk factors for the multidrug resistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital over a period of 18 months. Acinetobacter species were isolated from a range of clinical samples (ICU, wards, outpatient departments) received in Department of Microbiology. The antibiotic susceptibility was determined by the standard disc diffusion method. RESULTS Out of total 1581 positive samples, 4.7% were found to be Acinetobacter. The most predominant species was Acinetobacter baumannii complex (72.8%). Samples showed the maximum resistance to piperacillin (49%), ceftazidime (48%), amikacin (46%), cefepime (41%), ciprofloxacin (27%), imipenem and netilmicin (33%). Antibiotic resistance was higher in the samples from Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of the hospital. Statistical analysis showed the following risk factors for Multidrug Resistance (MDR) A.baumannii infection: the occurrence of ischaemic heart disease patients (OR= 2.12, p-value 0.04), mechanical ventilation (OR= 2.84, p-value= 0.001) and usage of home-based antimicrobial treatment (OR= 2.47, p-value= 0.02). CONCLUSION This study clearly documents a high prevalence rate of infections as well as antibiotic resistance. The occurrence of multidrug resistant infections was associated with the risk factors, which can be prevented or treated early.