Emerging Bacterial Pathogens in the COVID-19 Era: Chryseobacterium gleum -A Case in Point.

Introduction In the ongoing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic, a long hospital stay and empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics make the patients prone to acquire nosocomial infections especially with unconventional organisms, and Chryseobacterium gleum is one such rare nosocomial pathogen. Methods The given study is a case-series-based study conducted from September 2020 to April 2021 in which clinically suspected pneumonia patients who recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were included. Results Seventeen C. gleum isolates were obtained in pure culture from the tracheal aspirates of nine COVID-19 patients (including repeat samples to rule out colonization) within a period of eight months (September 2020-April 2021). Our records showed that there has been an increase in the number of isolates of C. gleum obtained in respiratory samples in 2020. We also did a review of literature of all the cases of C. gleum pneumonia reported till now. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the isolation of this rare pathogen from COVID-19 patients with clinical significance in a large cohort of patients. Therefore, it becomes important to consider this pathogen as a significant cause of respiratory infections, especially in patients recovered post COVID-19.

Progress in vaccine development for infectious diseases-a Keystone Symposia report.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us many things, among the most important of which is that vaccines are one of the cornerstones of public health that help make modern longevity possible. While several different vaccines have been successful at stemming the morbidity and mortality associated with various infectious diseases, many pathogens/diseases remain recalcitrant to the development of effective vaccination. Recent advances in vaccine technology, immunology, structural biology, and other fields may yet yield insight that will address these diseases; they may also help improve societies' preparedness for future pandemics. On June 1-4, 2022, experts in vaccinology from academia, industry, and government convened for the Keystone symposium "Progress in Vaccine Development for Infectious Diseases" to discuss state-of-the-art technologies, recent advancements in understanding vaccine-mediated immunity, and new aspects of antigen design to aid vaccine effectiveness.

Extensive multifocal emphysematous osteomyelitis of spine: A rare case and a review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Emphysematous osteomyelitis (EO) is an extremely rare form of osteomyelitis which is complicated mainly by infection with gas-forming organisms. The common causative agents of this disease are mainly members of Enterobacteriaceae family, the most common are Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneu¬moniae along with anaerobes. A total of 48 cases of EO have been reported in the literature till now globally and none have documented the isolation of Corynebacterium amycolatum. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a rare case of emphysematous osteomyelitis of the spine and pelvis due to Escherichia coli along with the isolation of Corynebacterium amycolatum from the same pus samples in two consecutive occasions in a 50-year-old female with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, who was successively treated with antibiotics and drainage of pus. We also did a brief review of the literature of all cases reported till now. CONCLUSION: The role of Corynebacterium amycolatum in the etiology of emphysematous osteomyelitis needs to be evaluated further in future studies as we cannot completely ignore its isolation in two consecutive samples as a mere contaminant.

Characterizing intentions to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among the general population in British Columbia based on their future intentions towards the seasonal influenza vaccine.

Introduction: This study assessed the relationship between intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and intention to receive a seasonal influenza vaccine, as well as how intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine has changed during the pandemic. Methods: Residents of British Columbia aged 25-69 years were invited to complete an online cross-sectional survey from August 2020 - March 2021. Mixed-effects logistic regression models assessed the relationship between intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and intention to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. A generalized additive mixed model was used to investigate changes in COVID-19 vaccine intention during the pandemic (August 2020-March 2021). The relationship between intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and retrospective overall perceived value of vaccines prior to and during the pandemic was also considered. Results: Of 6,333 participants, 80.2 % of participants were 'somewhat or very likely' to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and 69 % of participants reported intending to receive a seasonal influenza vaccine. In multivariable modeling, intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine was strongly associated with intention to receive a seasonal influenza vaccine (aOR = 4.25, 95 %CI 3.33-5.43). Intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine increased over the study period (p < 0.0001), with the largest increase coinciding with the announcement of forthcoming approvals of COVID-19 vaccines in November 2020 (aOR = 1.45, 95 %CI 1.11-1.91). Conclusion: Intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was associated seasonal influenza vaccine intention, which is an important relationship to measure for implementation and future planning of COVID-19 booster doses. We found an increase in the intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine after public announcements of forthcoming vaccine approval, which highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring and reporting of vaccine uptake, and the potential impact of emerging vaccine safety and efficacy information may have on vaccine acceptance.

Examination of national survey data regarding academic foundation training during the COVID-19 pandemic second wave.

Aim: We aimed to examine the effect of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on Academic Foundation Programme (AFP) trainees. Methods: A voluntary, anonymous questionnaire was circulated to all UK AFP doctors. Data were collected from February 2021 to April 2021 then analysed. Results: Of a possible 1,096 trainees, 149 responded to the survey: 48% of respondents were at least partially redeployed, 31% lost academic time and 47% had projects cancelled or postponed. In free-text responses, despite some research opportunities, frustration at lost research time and opportunities were common themes. Trainees also highlighted communication and wellbeing issues. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that the overall effect of COVID-19 on this cohort cannot be underestimated. We propose that a series of measures are implemented to protect and support academic trainees. We hope that these measures would encourage high-quality academic output and help secure the development of the academic clinical workforce.

Characterizing intentions to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among the general population in British Columbia based on their future intentions towards the seasonal influenza vaccine

Introduction This study assessed the relationship between intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and intention to receive a seasonal influenza vaccine, as well as how intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine has changed during the pandemic. Methods Residents of British Columbia aged 25-69 years were invited to complete an online cross-sectional survey from August 2020 - March 2021. Mixed-effects logistic regression models assessed the relationship between intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and intention to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. A generalized additive mixed model was used to investigate changes in COVID-19 vaccine intention during the pandemic (August 2020 – March 2021). The relationship between intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and retrospective overall perceived value of vaccines prior to and during the pandemic was also considered. Results Of 6,333 participants, 80.2% of participants were ‘somewhat or very likely’ to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and 69% of participants reported intending to receive a seasonal influenza vaccine. In multivariable modeling, intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine was strongly associated with intention to receive a seasonal influenza vaccine (OR=4.25, 95%CI 3.33 - 5.43). Intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine increased over the study period (p<0.0001), with the largest increase coinciding with the announcement of forthcoming approvals of COVID-19 vaccines in November 2020 (OR = 1.45, 95%CI 1.11 - 1.91). Conclusion Intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine was associated seasonal influenza vaccine intention, which is an important relationship to measure for implementation and future planning of COVID-19 booster doses. We found an increase in the intention to receive a COVID-19 vaccine after public announcements of forthcoming vaccine approval, which highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring and reporting of vaccine uptake, and the potential impact of emerging vaccine safety and efficacy information may have on vaccine acceptance.

Comparative Analysis of B.1.617.2 (Delta) Variant of SARS-CoV-2

The emergence of numerous variants of SARS-CoV-2 has caused massive setbacks and prolonged the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the variants are still under investigation, while some have become a reason of grave concern. One such variant is B.1.617.2, known as the Delta variant, which was first detected in India. A comprehensive analysis and comparison of this particular variant have been done to the original Wuhan strain, and the possible reasons behind rapid mutation have also been discussed. A comprehensive literature search was done to summarize the information on the variants of SARS-CoV-2 and the reasons behind their mutation, with a significant focus on the B.1.617.2 variant. Data were collected from various online sources such as PubMed, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, Worldometer, WHO, CDC, and GISAID. In addition, 3D structures of spike proteins were obtained from Protein Data Bank (PDB). The data shows that the spike protein of the B.1.617.2 strain is highly mutated and has accumulated eight amino acid changes. Besides spike protein, changes in non-structural proteins (nsP2, nsP3, nsP4, nsP12, and nsP15), other structural proteins (nucleocapsid and membrane protein), and accessory proteins (ns3, ns7a) have been observed as well. Furthermore, in almost all the variants of SARS-CoV-2, D614G mutation occurs, suggesting its role in increased infectivity and transmission. New variants are continuously emerging on which we have no control. Spike mutations are more favored and essential in the evolution of new variants because it increases the transmissibility and infectivity of the virus. Therefore, to maximally protect public health, knowledge of different variants is essential. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Microbiology & Infectious Diseases is the property of Journal of Microbiology & Infectious Diseases and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Nosocomial Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in a Non-COVID Zone of a Tertiary Care Hospital of North India: Need to Upgrade Infection Control Practices.

BACKGROUND: Hospital acquired infections are preventable cause for morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the current pandemic era proper implementation of infection control measures can prevent the spread of such infections including SARS-CoV 2. The study was done to identified the source and reason for spread of COVID-19 infection and devise recommendations to halt the progress of infection in a non-COVID area. METHODS: An outbreak in a non-COVID area of a tertiary care hospital was investigated by the infection control team along with the epidemiologist when they were notified about the rising cases of COVID-19 from Advanced Trauma Center's (ATC) disaster ward. The time, place and person distribution of the cases were studied. Recommendations based on gaps identified were developed onsite and implemented to control the outbreak. RESULTS: The outbreak lasted from 19th December 2020 to 12th January 2021, affecting 34 people (25 patients and 9 health care workers). The attack rate was 9.2%. We identified the causes of current outbreak as compromises in infection prevention measures, high bed patient ratio, irregularities in the ventilation system, overcrowding by patient attendants and communication gaps between nursing officers and doctors. Measures required to control the outbreak were implemented and no cases were reported for 2 weeks following the last positive case. CONCLUSION: Non-COVID areas of hospitals are also at risk of nosocomial outbreaks of SARS-CoV 2 and therefore strict infection prevention measures those designated to COVID areas should be followed in non-COVID zones also to prevent such outbreaks.

Bacterial coinfections and secondary infections in COVID-19 patients from a tertiary care hospital of northern India: Time to adhere to culture-based practices.

OBJECTIVE: Bacterial co-pathogens are common in various viral respiratory tract infections, leading to increased disease severity and mortality. Still, they are understudied during large outbreaks and pandemics. This study was conducted to highlight the overall burden of these infections in COVID-19 patients admitted to our tertiary care hospital, along with their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the six-month study period, clinical samples (blood samples, respiratory samples, and sterile body fluids, including cerebrospinal fluid [CSF]) of COVID-19 patients with suspected bacterial coinfections (at presentation) or secondary infections (after 48 hours of hospitalization) were received and processed for the same. RESULTS: Clinical samples of 814 COVID-19 patients were received for bacterial culture and susceptibility. Out of the total patient sample, 75% had already received empirical antibiotics before the samples were sent for analysis. Overall, 17.9% of cultures were positive for bacterial infections. Out of the total patients with bacterial infection, 74% (108/146) of patients had secondary bacterial infections (after 48 hours of hospitalization) and 26% (38/146) had bacterial coinfections (at the time of admission). Out of the 143 total isolates obtained, the majority (86%) were gram-negative organisms, of which Acinetobacter species was the commonest organism (35.6%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.1%). The majority (50.7%) of the pathogenic organisms reported were multidrug resistant. CONCLUSION: The overall rate of secondary bacterial infections (SBIs) in our study was lower (7.9%) than reported by other studies. A rational approach would be to adhere to the practice of initiating culture-based guidance for antibiotics and to restrict unnecessary empirical antimicrobial therapy.

Recent advances in the diagnosis of COVID-19: a bird's eye view.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic is still escalating and has shaped an extraordinary and pressing need for rapid diagnostics with high sensitivity and specificity. Prompt diagnosis is the key to mitigate this situation. As several diagnostic tools for COVID-19 are already available and others are still under development, mandating a comprehensive review of the efficacy of existing tools and evaluate the potential of others. AREAS COVERED: Currently explored platforms for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics and surveillance centered on qRT-PCR, RT-PCR, CRISPR, microarray, LAMP, lateral flow immunoassays, proteomics-based approaches, and radiological scans are overviewed and summarized in this review along with their advantages and downsides. A narrative literature review was carried out by accessing the freely available online databases to encapsulate the developments in medical diagnostics. EXPERT OPINION: An ideal detection method should be sensitive, specific, rapid, cost-effective, and should allow early diagnosis of the infection as near as possible to the point of care that could alter the current situation for the better. Medical diagnostics is a highly dynamic field as no diagnostic method available for SARS-CoV-2 detection offers a perfect solution and requires more attention and continuous R&D to challenge the present-day pandemic situation.