SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody epitopes are overlapping and highly mutated which raises the chances of escape variants and requires development of broadly reactive vaccines.

The rapid adaptation of SARS-CoV-2 within the host species and the increased viral transmission triggered the evolution of different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Though numerous monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been identified as prophylactic therapy for SARS-CoV-2, the ongoing surge in the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections shows the importance of understanding the mutations in the spike and developing novel vaccine strategies to target all variants. Here, we report the map of experimentally validated 74 SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing mAb binding epitopes of all variants. The majority (87.84%) of the potent neutralizing epitopes are localized to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) and overlap with each other, whereas limited (12.16%) epitopes are found in the N-terminal domain (NTD). Notably, 69 out of 74 mAb targets have at least one mutation at the epitope sites. The potent epitopes found in the RBD show higher mutations (4-10aa) compared to lower or modest neutralizing antibodies, suggesting that these epitopes might co-evolve with the immune pressure. The current study shows the importance of determining the critical mutations at the antibody recognition epitopes, leading to the development of broadly reactive immunogens targeting multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants. Further, vaccines inducing both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses might prevent the escape of SARS-CoV-2 variants from neutralizing antibodies.

The first Indian viridescent Acinetobacter lwoffii.

Many pathogenic organisms do produce different types of the pigments, helpful in the presumptive laboratory diagnosis of the microorganisms. These pigments are malevolent as well as benevolent to the mankind. Most of the time, the pigmented organisms do display resistance to the many classes of the drugs in vitro and in vivo. Most of Acinetobacter sp are nonpigmented. Few strains produce diffusible brown pigment and rarely produce black and indigo coloured pigments (Liu1 and Nizet, 2009; Nosanchuk and Casadevall, 2003; Moazamian et al., 2018; Saviola, 2018; Saviola, 2014; Kirti et al., 2014; German et al., 2018; Coelho-Souza et al., 2014) [1-8]. This is the first Indian human case report is of "The Viridescent Acinetobacter lwoffii" (dark green pigmented) isolated from the central line blood culture which was susceptible to the many classes of the drugs in vitro and correlated well with in vivo compliance.

Survey of reasons for discontinuation from in vitro fertilization treatment among couples attending infertility clinic.

BACKGROUND: With the increase in infertility burden, more and more couples are opting for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Despite the availability of various treatment options, the major concern that needs to be addressed is the reasons why such couples, initially motivated so strongly, drop out in fairly high numbers from IVF cycles. With this point of view the study was designed. AIM: The objective of this study was to explore the reasons why couples discontinue fertility treatment. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This retrospective study was carried out among couples in the age group of 20-40 years who opted for IVF at Tertiary care hospital and a private infertility center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records for 3 years (2009-2012) were taken out and included in the study for analysis. Socio-demographic details along with indication for IVF and reasons for drop-separate IVF therapy were recorded on case record form and were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-one percent of the patients had tubal pathology, thus making it the commonest female related factor for indication of IVF. Oligoasthenospermia (13%) was the commonest cause of male related infertility factor. Financial burden was the primary cause for terminating treatment in majority of the IVF cases. CONCLUSIONS: Financial burden (62.5%) was the commonest reason for drop out among couples from IVF cycle.