Microbiology and Biotechnology

12/06/2025

General Advice for new 2 Variants of Corona Virus:

No need to panic: While cases are rising and new variants are circulating, health authorities emphasize that there is no need for widespread panic.

Stay vigilant: Continued adherence to COVID-appropriate behaviors is crucial.

Vaccination and Boosters: Staying up-to-date with vaccinations and booster shots (especially Omicron-specific ones if available) significantly reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.

Hygiene Practices:

Frequent handwashing.

Masking in crowded or enclosed spaces, especially in areas with rising cases.

Ensuring good ventilation in indoor spaces.

Avoiding unnecessary gatherings if unwell.

Testing: Get tested (RAT or RT-PCR) if you experience symptoms or have known exposure to COVID-19.

Isolation: If you test positive or show symptoms, isolate to prevent further spread. Follow local guidelines for isolation duration.

Seek Medical Attention: For severe symptoms like high fever (102°F+) lasting over 3 days, difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, unusual tiredness, or oxygen saturation consistently below 94%, seek immediate medical attention.

12/06/2025

★ NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus) Variant

Origin and Classification: NB.1.8.1 is an Omicron sub-lineage that has evolved as the virus continues to mutate. The WHO has designated it as a "variant under monitoring" due to its increasing prevalence and potential public health implications.

Symptoms: Symptoms of NB.1.8.1 are generally similar to earlier Omicron variants and include:

Severe sore throat (some describe it as a "razor blade sensation," a sharp, stabbing pain when swallowing)

Persistent fatigue

Mild cough

Fever

Muscle aches

Nasal congestion

Some individuals also experience digestive issues like nausea or diarrhea, which wasn't always typical with previous COVID variants.

Loss of taste or smell can occur but might be less common.

Transmissibility: NB.1.8.1 appears to be more transmissible than previous variants, contributing to rapid increases in case numbers in affected regions.1 It has mutations that may increase its ability to infect cells more efficiently.

Severity: Based on current data, the NB.1.8.1 variant does not seem to cause more severe disease or significantly evade vaccine-induced or natural immunity. Most cases remain mild, especially for vaccinated individuals. However, vulnerable populations (elderly, immunocompromised, those with underlying conditions, and unvaccinated) remain at higher risk for severe illness.

12/06/2025

Two variants of Corona Virus.
(1) XFG and
(2) NB.1.8.1 (Nimbus)
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★ XFG Variant

Origin and Classification: XFG is a recombinant Omicron sub-variant, meaning it's a hybrid formed when an individual is simultaneously infected with two different Omicron sub-variants (specifically LF.7 and LP.8.1.2). It is currently classified as a "Variant Under Monitoring" by the World Health Organization (WHO), not a "Variant of Concern."

Symptoms: Typical XFG symptoms closely mirror a mild cold and are generally mild upper respiratory symptoms.

Loss of taste and smell, while a hallmark of earlier COVID-19 waves, is less common with XFG.

Transmissibility: XFG has shown strong immune evasion capabilities, allowing it to evade the body's natural defenses or vaccine-induced immunity, which contributes to its rapid spread. It's considered to have high transmissibility.

Severity: Despite its higher transmissibility and immune evasion, there is currently no evidence that XFG causes more severe illness or higher mortality rates. Hospitalizations remain low for XFG infections. Most cases are mild and can be managed at home.

12/06/2025

There has been an increase in COVID-19 cases in India recently.1 As of June 11, 2025, India has recorded over 7,100 active cases, with 6 new deaths reported in the last 24 hours.2

Here's a breakdown of the current situation:

Active Cases: The number of active cases has steadily risen in recent weeks, crossing the 7,000 mark.3

Most Affected States: Kerala continues to report the highest number of cases, followed by Gujarat, West Bengal, Delhi, and Maharashtra.

New Variants: Two new variants, XFG and NB.1.8.1 (also called Nimbus), are being monitored.

XFG: This recombinant subvariant has been detected in 163 cases across India, with Maharashtra having the highest number. While it has mutations that may help it evade immunity, there's currently no evidence it causes more severe illness.

NB.1.8.1: This Omicron sublineage is spreading across continents, including India.4 It appears to be more transmissible, but current evidence suggests it doesn't cause more severe illness or significantly evade vaccine-induced immunity.

Symptoms: Common symptoms of the new variants are generally mild and include low-grade fever, sore throat, runny nose, dry cough, fatigue, headache, and sometimes gastrointestinal issues.5

Government Response: States are being asked to be prepared, and reviews are being conducted at various levels to ensure necessary preparations in oxygen plants and hospitals.6 Some measures, like RT-PCR tests for ministers meeting the Prime Minister, are also being implemented.7 Health officials emphasize that while cases are rising, there's no need to panic for the general public, but serious patients and the elderly should be cautious.

Precautions: Health experts continue to advise simple precautions such as hand hygiene, masking in crowded or enclosed places, ensuring good ventilation, and staying up-to-date with vaccinations and booster shots.

It's important to stay informed through official updates from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

03/11/2024

Where did the One Health concept come from and what does it mean?

03/11/2024

The health of humans, animals and the environment is closely connected. This concept is called One Health. CDC Veterinary Epidemiologist, Dr. Osinubi, captures why One Health truly involves everyone. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3UmRblU

03/11/2024

Did you know? Nearly 75% of new infectious diseases in humans over the past three decades have started in animals. 🐵🐷🦇

Our health is interconnected! CDC works to protect all by:

✅ Building strong partnerships around the globe
✅Teaming up with top experts
✅Boosting health for humans, animals AND our planet. 🌍

This One Health Day, discover how the approach can make the world a safer, healthier place: https://bit.ly/3YinvIV

03/11/2024

02/11/2024

Biosafety is a critical component to effective laboratory work and diagnosing diseases rapidly. However, in middle- to low-income areas, it's often difficult to get and maintain properly certified biosafety equipment when lab leaders have scarce resources. This Biosafety Awareness Month, find out how CDC, partners, and a local engineer transformed the outcome in Central America: https://bit.ly/3UrKWgP

02/11/2024

How can we disrupt hemolysin expression in MRSA? What is the best way to analyze 16S rRNA sequencing data?

Discover the answers in this week's ASM Journal Highlights, featuring some of the latest research published in ASM Journals! 💫

🦠Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a key cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). Learn how the bacterium causes UTI and CAUTI, and how such insights can inform strategies to combat infection. : https://asm.social/2ah

🩸Hemolysins produced by MRSA lyse red blood cells, which enhances bacterial virulence in a host. This study identifies compounds that disrupt hemolysin expression in MRSA, highlighting their potential as anti-virulence agents. https://asm.social/2af

🧬16S rRNA amplicon sequencing shows promise for monitoring the microbiota on food processing surfaces. However, the way the data are analyzed impact microbiota characterization. Get guidance on choosing suitable 16S rRNA analysis procedures in : https://asm.social/2ag

🔬Staphylococcus aureus responds to the host environment by synthesizing a thick peptidoglycan cell wall; research in suggests the penicillin-binding protein PBP4 plays a crucial role. https://asm.social/2ae

🖥️VirScan, a PhIP-Seq library, encodes peptides from all known human viruses, enabling comprehensive quantification of past viral exposures. Learn about the library's use in immune-mediated diseases and potential for precision medicine in : https://asm.social/2ad

Explore more ASM Journals articles: https://asm.social/2ai

02/11/2024

The ASM Microbe 2025 Call for Abstracts opens on Nov. 13! Submit your research to one of our 8 scientific tracks and join over 200 groundbreaking sessions, like "Microbes and Mars (Part 1): Applications of Microbiology for Deep Space Exploration!" 🌌

This is your opportunity to be part of the science that shapes ASM Microbe—don’t miss out! Mark your calendars and get ready to make an impact: https://asm.org/Events/ASM-Microbe/Home