Neglected tropical disease, visceral leishmaniasis is a significant health issue globally, caused by Leishmania donovani, a protozoan parasite, transmitted by an insect vector sandfly Phlebotomus ( P.) argentipes. Understanding the disease transmission dynamics is crucial, with P. argentipes being the primary vector in the Indian subcontinent. The study utilized citation network analysis (CNA) to investigate the scientific literature on the sandfly species P. argentipes, focusing on the distribution of publications over the past 80 years. A total of 2 601 publications were initially retrieved, refined through manual screening to 400 relevant articles published by 1 209 authors in 150 journals in the last eight decades. Data included publication details, such as association of authors, citations, journals, and affiliations. CNA involved the use of VOSviewer software for creating bibliographic networks, visualizing and analyzing citation networks. Core publications highlighted key research areas, including vector control, taxonomy, genetics, and epidemiology. Collaboration across countries and disciplines was evident, emphasizing the global effort to combat visceral leishmaniasis. By analyzing extensive publication data, CNA revealed key research clusters and the most cited works, showing that research into visceral leishmaniasis transmission and vector control has intensified since the 2000s, with significant contributions from India which is highly endemic for visceral leishmaniasis followed by USA, and the UK.

History of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) dates back to the time from the discovery of antibiotics and has emerged as a significant public health problem. The recent COVID-19 pandemic saw the widespread and irrational use of antibiotics on a large scale. In this review on AMR we have compared the burden and impact of AMR in terms of morbidity, mortality and expenditure. Multiple strategies and action plans have been laid out by global leaders, and also in India to tackle the pervasive issue of AMR. There are a number of factors driving AMR, and recently major humanitarian crises around the world have come up as significant drivers and pose challenges to curbing AMR, which requires collaborative, multisectoral and dedicated efforts from all sides to bring down AMR. Like any other public health issue, attempts to control AMR are plagued with hurdles thwarting our efforts.

Objective: To investigate the bacterial microbiota in pigeon droppings collected from large food storage facilities in Kannur district of Kerala, India, focusing on the potential public health risks posed by these birds in urban environments using metagenomic analysis targeting V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA.
Methods: The study identifies and catalogs bacteria in both dry (PY1) and fresh pigeon droppings (PY2) using 1 g of pooled samples collected from multiple sites utilizing metagenomic analysis through 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Results: The results revealed a diverse microbial composition in both fresh and dry pigeon droppings, with notable genera including Kocuria (12% in PY1 and 2% in PY2), Fusobacterium (48% in PY2), and Streptococcus (22% in PY2), among others. The presence of pathogenic bacteria like Acinetobacter (1% in PY1) and Fusobacterium (48% in PY2) underscored the importance of proper hygiene practices in urban settings to mitigate zoonotic disease transmission.
Conclusions: This study underscored the significance of metagenomic analysis targeting the V3-V4 region of 16s rRNA in elucidating microbial diversity. The observed differences between fresh and dry pigeon droppings highlight the influence of environmental factors on bacterial community composition. These findings emphasized the necessity of continous surveillance to enchance hygeine practices and mitigate contamination risks in food storage environments.

Objective: Benzimidazole resistance in helminths is linked to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at codons 167, 198, and 200. We studied the prevalence of these SNPs in the β-tubulin gene of Ascaris (A.) lumbricoides and Necator (N.) americanus so as to explore the resistance to benzimidazoles in South India.
Methods: DNA extracts of stool samples positive for A. lumbricoides and N. americanus were used for identification of SNPs. We utilized 22 samples to examine codon 167 SNPs and 15 samples for codon 198 and 200 SNPs in N. americanus. Three samples were used for SNP analysis of A. lumbricoides. Two conventional PCR assays were standardised for N. americanus (one targeting SNPs at coden 167 and another for 198 and 200), covering three SNPs, while a single PCR was developed for A. lumbricoides. The PCR amplified products were sequenced and compared with published sequences in NCBI for SNP identification.
Results: A total of 650 stool samples were collected from pregnant women and screened for the presence of A. lumbricoides and N. americanus, out of which 22 positive samples were used to examine codon 167 SNPs and 15 samples for codon 198 and 200 SNPs in N. americanus, and three samples were used for SNP analysis of A. lumbricoides. Despite thorough analysis, no reported SNPs were identified in A. lumbricoides and N. americanus samples. These findings suggest a potential lack of diversity in the β-tubulin gene within the examined populations.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that the parasite species circulating in the South Indian region are susceptible to benzimidazoles. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first attempt in India to evaluate the SNPs in two of the STH parasites using cost-effective conventional PCR and Sanger sequencing. Although biannual deworming has been implemented in India since 2015, no resistance to benzimidazoles has been observed. This method is suitable even in resource-limited settings. However, due to the limited sample size, future research with a larger sample size is essential to confirm these results and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the susceptibility of these parasites to benzimidazoles in the broader population.

Objective: To determine the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of heavy metal-tolerant Gram-negative bacteria isolated from a major dumpsite in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Methods: Gram-negative bacteria were isolated using MacConkey and eosin methylene blue agar and presumptive identification to species level was done using conventional methods. The isolates were screened for their tolerance to heavy metals. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method with the following antibiotics: tetracycline (10 µg), cotrimoxazole (25 µg), gentamicin (10 µg), cefuroxime (30 µg), chloramphenicol (10 µg), ceftriaxone (30 µg), cefotaxime (30 µg), ciprofloxacin (5 µg), amikacin (30 µg), ceftazidime (30 µg), and meropenem (10 µg). The zones of growth inhibition were interpreted based on the Clinical Laboratory Scientific Institute. Identification of the most metal-tolerant isolates was done using 16S rRNA.
Results: A total of 79 Gram-negative bacteria were isolated, 31 of which tolerated a minimum of three heavy metals (Pb at 10 350 µg/mL; Cu at 750 µg/mL; Cr at 750 µg/mL in the wet season and Pb at 2 350 µg/mL; Cu at 450 µg/mL; Cr at 300 µg/mL in the dry season). All 31 isolates showed varying degrees of multiple antibiotic resistance indexes. The isolates showed the highest resistance to cefuroxime and meropenem (100%) and the least resistance to chloramphenicol (51.6%). The most metal-tolerant isolates were identified as Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Conclusions: This study revealed that the waste dumpsite contains significant amounts of heavy metals and antibiotic-resistant bacteria which may pose serious public health risks if they enter the food chain. The study highlighted the health risks of using untreated dumpsite soils for vegetable farming due to pathogen and heavy metal transfer, and it is unsuitable for agricultural use.

Objective: To develop mosquito trap prototypes and compare their efficiency and cost-effectiveness with commercial products.
Methods: The frameworks for mosquito trap prototypes were separately developed and assembled. The warmth retention efficiency and duration of carbon dioxide (up to 400 ppm) release were determined for the prototypes. Mosquito trap efficiency was determined by comparing the number of mosquitoes trapped in sticky glue only, mosquito trap prototypes I, II, and III, and commercial products I, II. A comparative analysis of cost, durability, availability, power consumption and effectiveness was also performed. Results are expressed as mean±standard deviation. A P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Mosquito trap prototypes I, II and III were successfully developed. The warmth retention and carbon dioxide release (up to 400 ppm) were sustained for about two hours after the assembly of the prototypes. Mosquito trap experiments demonstrated significantly higher mosquito trap efficiency for mosquito trap prototype III, with 6.3±3.1 mosquito trapped using citric acid:sodium bicarbonate (1:2) and 4.6±2.1 mosquito trapped using citric acid:sodium bicarbonate (1:1). No mosquitoes were trapped in both commercial mosquito traps. Furthermore, commercial mosquito traps were expensive, had uncertain durability, longer access times after ordering, and required a continuous power supply. In contrast, the developed mosquito trap prototype III was cheap, easy to handle, durable, easily available, required low power consumption and highly effective in trapping mosquitoes.
Conclusions: Mosquito trap prototype III provides an economical and viable solution for trapping mosquitoes, mainly for low-income populations.