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The population of Sikkim is a unique blend of multi-tribal and metropolitan culture. However, till date, no data regarding prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (henceforth abbreviated as STDs) among this population is available and hence requires attention. Hence the objective is to determine the prevalence of STDs in Sikkim and to describe associated risk factors. A cross-sectional study involving 'Questionnaire-based anonymous feedback system' was followed to collect data from 2,000 individuals across the society. The four most common STDs, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and HIV, were considered for the study. Total 69 (3.6%) cases of STDs were found in 1,918 individuals was affected by at least one of the STDs, out of which 43 were males and 26 were females. Cases of gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydiasis and HIV were 25, 22, 4 and 18 respectively. Out of total 69 cases of STDs, 20 individuals were also suffering from some kind of hepatitis. Addictions like alcoholism, smoking and drugs were also found in significant number, with 1,019 (>50%) individuals with at least one of these addictions. Relative risk analysis indicates that gender-wise females are more vulnerable to STDs than males. The number of partners, addictions, especially alcohol and drug abuse, also contribute to STD cases. STDs act as a significant risk factor in transmitting some of the types of hepatitis. In such cases, females are more vulnerable than males. The results suggest that new community health programs are essential for both, HIV and non-HIV STDs in Sikkim.

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The lipopeptide biosurfactants' chemical characteristics from the lactic acid bacteria isolated from milk and milk products were studied and their effect on maize plant growth. The oil displacement test was performed as a primary screening method to select the BS producing bacteria. Enterococcus faecium LM5.2 had the maximum emulsi cation index of 45.1±3 and reduced the surface tension to 32.98 ± 0.23% among all the isolates. E. faecium LM5.2 e ciently produced 945.26 ± 4.62 mg/l biosurfactants within 48 hours in MRS broth under the optimum conditions. The con rmation of the identity of the isolate LM5.2 was done with physiochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The molecular phylogenetic relationship was evaluated by the Neighbour-Joining phylogenetic method. The biosurfactant was puri ed by TLC and identi ed as lipopeptide-like iturines and surfactins based on R f values. Mass spectroscopy, NMR, and FTIR analysis also con rmed the biosurfactant's identity as the derivatives of iturin and surfactin. Both the biosurfactant and its producer bacterium were evaluated for their plant growth-promoting activity, and it was found that the biosurfactant and the bacterium could enhance plant growth. To the best of our knowledge, this is the rst report of lipopeptide biosurfactant production from Enterococcus faecium. Moreover, the study also showed that the biosurfactant and biosurfactant producing E. faecium LM5.2 could be an eco-friendly plant growth-promoting agent.

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