RESEARCH

Evaluation of antibacterial, antiviral and immunomodulatory properties of plant extracts traditionally used in Siddha medicine to treat lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI)

This is an on-going project funded by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India. In the past year, this study completed the evaluation of the antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities in 11 traditional herbal extracts. Of the 11 plants tested, anti-influenza viral activity was exhibited by 4 plants (Fig. 3). None of the plants exhibited antifungal activity or inhibitory activity against any of the three Gram negative bacilli tested. The three Gram positive cocci tested were inhibited by the 11 plants to some extent (Fig. 4). The anti-microbial activity is better when the numbers are lower.

Role of inflammatory mediators in the clinical outcome of viral warts – a pilot study.

This is a pilot study designed to generate preliminary data on the role of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in the clinical outcome of viral warts in patients who will be treated with intralesional injections of the MMR vaccine. Though the intralesional injections of the cheaper vaccines are routinely followed in developing countries, their mechanism of action is poorly understood. This study will provide insights into this mechanism.

Multi-drug resistance (MDR) among clinical isolates in a multi-speciality hospital - a retrospective study.

This is a retrospective study proposal to analyse the microbiological data of the clinical samples submitted to the VHS Laboratory from May 2016 to July 2017. The aim of the study is to delineate the multi-drug resistance (MDR) pattern among bacteria isolated from clinical specimens in a multi-specialty hospital. The significance of the study is to throw light on to the emerging microbes within the hospital environment, which would facilitate the hospital’s Infection Control Committee to take necessary actions especially regarding the antibiotic policy.

Role of inflammasomes in Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) bacterial infections.

A pilot study on the role of inflammasomes in multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infection was proposed to generate preliminary data on the levels of innate immunity cytokine, IL-l beta. The data generated will be utilized in grant proposals that will be sent to funding agencies.