Journal of Microbiology and Related Research

Bacteria, fungi and viruses are the major microbes which can enter both nasal and lung region. The present article gives an outline of different bacteria, viruses and fungi which causes respiratory tract infection (RTI). Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacterial rhinosinusitis, Diphtheria, Bacterial pneumonia, Pneumococcal pneumonia, Haemophilic pneumonia and Mycoplasma pneumonia, Tuberculosis, Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Legionnaires Disease and Q disease are the RTI caused by the bacteria. Infections like Histoplasmosis, Blastomycosis, Coccidioidomycosis, Aspergillosis, Candidiasis, and Mucormycosis are some of the examples of respiratory tract caused by fungi. RTI caused by viruses included influenza, common cold, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and syndromes like SARS and MERS. The present article discusses about the various organisms that causes respiratory tract infection. Keywords: Upper respiratory tract infection, lower respiratory tract infection, bacteria, Streptococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus, Influenza, opportunistic infection, Aspergillosis, Histoplasmosis, Mucoromycosis

Recent advancement in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies hasrevolutionized the sequencing technology for research and diagnostic applications by virtue of its high throughput and accuracy of data generation. In animal virology, NGS has been successfully used formetagenomicsbased discovery of previously unknown viruses. Moreover, NGS technologies are alsoemployed for study of viral dynamics and genetic characterization of viral genomes.The absenceof proof reading during genome replication inseveral viruses along with high replication rate, results in formation of several genetically related viral variants known as quasi-species which in turn, got selected and established itself as new virus variant by antiviral drugs or immune system itself. The identification ofviral quasi species havingbiological significance is difficult using conventional sequencing approach. However, NGS may provide exact sequence information about these virus clones. NGS is a powerful tool to investigate deeper insights ofvirus activities such as viral genetic diversity, vaccine candidate selection, identification of viral reservoirs in nature, re-emergence of viral disease after treatment interruptions, development of drug resistance etc. Keywords: Virus, NGS, Ion Torrent, Illumina sequencing

Covid-19 pandemic has caused a public health crisis with millions of infected cases around the globe. The virus allegedly originated in bats in Wuhan city of China and then transmitted to humans. The common symptoms of Covid-19 are fever, cough, breathlessness, fatigue etc that may progress to pneumonia and multi organ dysfunction leading to death. Till March 24, 2021, a total of 128M people were infected including 2.81M deaths worldwide. The mortality rate varies from 2-3%. The molecular diagnosis (RT-PCR) remains the trusted method. The role of antiviral agents is uncertain. Moreover, the first vaccine for Covid-19 is yet to be developed and the impact of preventive measures like social distancing, lockdown etc. is yet to be analyzed. Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, Pandemic, Respiratory Illness; RT-PCR

Microbial collagenases are secreted by anaerobic as well as aerobic pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms to utilize collagen as a source of nutrition. The collagenase production from aerobic non-pathogenic strains can increase its application by decreasing the production time and avoiding pathogenicity. Keeping this in view, previously, collagenase had been isolated and partially purified by gel permeation chromatography (Sephadex G-200) from an aerobic non-pathogenetic microorganism, Bacillus altitudinis, in our laboratory. Thus, the present study was undertaken to purify further and characterize the collagenase. For this, collagenase was purified by anion exchange chromatography using a DEAE cellulose column. SDS-PAGE was carried out, where a single band of apparent homogeneity with the molecular mass of ~23 kDa was observed. Finally, the purified collagenase was characterized in terms of its stability at different temperature and pH ranges. It showed stability at temperature ranging from 4 to 45°C and pH ranging from 4 to 10 up to 60 minutes. Keywords: Purification and Characterization; Bacillus altitudinis.