Biology subjects

Bhatt, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Bhatt, S..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2018

Estimating the burden of α-thalassaemia in Thailand using a comprehensive prevalence database for Southeast Asia

Severe forms of -thalassaemia, haemoglobin H disease and haemoglobin Barts hydrops fetalis, are an important public health concern in Southeast Asia. Yet information on the prevalence, genetic diversity and health burden of -thalassaemia in the region remains limited. We compiled a geodatabase of -thalassaemia prevalence and genetic diversity surveys and, using geostatistical modelling methods, generated the first continuous maps of -thalassaemia mutations in Thailand and sub-national estimates of the number of newborns with severe forms in 2020. We also summarised the current evidence-base for -thalassaemia prevalence and diversity for the region. We estimate that 3,595 (95% credible interval 1,717 - 6,199) newborns will be born with severe -thalassaemia in Thailand in 2020, which is considerably higher than previous estimates. Accurate, fine-scale epidemiological data are necessary to guide sustainable national and regional health policies for -thalassaemia control. Our maps and newborn estimates are an important first step towards this aim.\n\nFundingThis work was supported by European Unions Seventh Framework Programme (FP7//2007-2013)/European Research Council [268904 - DIVERSITY]

epidemiology↗

bioRxiv2018

Antimicrobial Efficacy and Safety of a Novel Gas Plasma-Activated Catheter Lock Solution

Antimicrobial lock solutions are important for prevention of microbial colonization and infection of long-term central venous catheters. We investigated the efficacy and safety of a novel antibiotic-free lock solution formed from gas plasma-activated disinfectant (PAD). Using a luminal biofilm model, viable cells of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans in mature biofilms were reduced by 6 - 8 orders of magnitude with a PAD lock for 60 minutes. Subsequent 24-hour incubation of PAD-treated samples resulted in no detectable regrowth of viable bacteria or fungi. As a comparison, the use of a minocycline/EDTA/ethanol lock solution for 60 minutes led to regrowth of bacteria and fungi, up to 107 - 109 CFU/ml, in 24 hours. The PAD lock solution had minimal impact on human umbilical vein endothelial cell viability, whereas the minocycline/EDTA/ethanol solution elicited cell death in nearly half of human endothelial cells. Additionally, PAD treatment caused little topological change to catheter materials. In conclusion, PAD represents a novel antibiotic-free, non-cytotoxic lock solution that elicits rapid and broad-spectrum eradication of biofilm-laden microbes and which shows promise for the prevention and treatment of intravascular catheter infections.

microbiology↗