Microbioz India, October Med 2020 edition

28 13 26

10 36

40

Cover Story 10 Researchers identify enduring antibodies in blood, 13
spit tests from COVID-19 patients
To date, more than ten million patients globally have been treated safely and
effectively with Aerogen’s drug delivery technology 1,5–7. As the global scientific Scientists, including among Indian-origin, have documented the
community rallies against the pandemic, there has been unprecedented interest in persistence of antibodies that target the novel coronavirus from the
inhaled delivery of antiviral drugs, leading to Aerogen’s involvement in multiple blood and saliva of patients.
COVID-19 drug development initiatives with leading pharmaceutical companies and
prominent academic groups. The cover story is titled: " Aerogen providing Safe and Home-based peritoneal dialysis can help address 14
Effective Aerosol Drug Delivery"

Featured article 13 problems of kidney patients

Added to this, the magazine has a unique article entitled “Home-based peritoneal According to Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP),
dialysis can help address problems of kidney patients" authored by Dr.
Vidyashankar P, Lead Consultant – Nephrology, Aster CMI Hospital. ccording to India has nearly two million dialysis patients who frequently have to drive
Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP), India has nearly two million
dialysis patients who frequently have to drive to a dialysis centres two-three times to a dialysis centres two-three times a week especially for haemodialysis.
a week especially for haemodialysis as missing any session could be life-threatening
for them. Poor intimate hygiene linked to being one of the 16
biggest causes of cervical cancer

Product Launches 37 Cervical cancer is becoming one of the emerging health burdens for
womanhood. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer
The edition also covers recent Pharma news articles and product launches for women worldwide, but also one of the most preventable types of
collected from worldwide sources to update the readers with the current trends in cancer.
the industry

Microbioz India, October 2020 06



o date, more than ten million patients globally have been treated
safely and effectively with Aerogen’s drug delivery technology
1,5–7. As the global scientific community rallies against the
pandemic, there has been unprecedented interest in inhaled
delivery of antiviral drugs, leading to Aerogen’s involvement in
multiple COVID-19 drug development initiatives with leading
pharmaceutical companies and prominent academic groups. The
cover story is titled: " Aerogen providing Safe and Effective
Aerosol Drug Delivery"

Added to this, the magazine has a unique article entitled “Home-
based peritoneal dialysis can help address problems of kidney
patients" authored by Dr. Vidyashankar P, Lead Consultant –
Nephrology, Aster CMI Hospital. ccording to Pradhan Mantri
National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP), India has nearly two
million dialysis patients who frequently have to drive to a dialysis
centres two-three times a week especially for haemodialysis as
missing any session could be life-threatening for them. Amid the
coronavirus scare, several issues such as lack of transport
facilities, closure of several dialysis centres and fear of
contraction of virus at the healthcare facilities have made the
availability of dialysis challenging for many kidney patients. We
have the latest market research news and product launches
inside, gathered from comprehensive sources to keep you
refreshed about the Healthcare business.

Dear subscribers, I trust you to discover some exciting topics in
the magazine. Additionally, I might want to express gratitude
toward you for being together on this beautiful excursion up until
this point. We couldn't expect anything more than to have your
significant criticism and proposals as they help us to think of
better substance each time. If it's not too much trouble for any
further significant expansion, keep in touch with us at
[email protected].



Cover Story

Aerogen providing Safe and
Effective Aerosol Drug Delivery

Aerogen collaborates on development of more than 15 potential
COVID-19 inhaled therapies

 Synairgen’s SNG001 among the many potential treatments and vaccines to be delivered via
Aerogen’s aerosol drug delivery system

 Adds to the thousands of COVID-19 patients already safely and effectively treated with Aerogen’s
Solo aerosol drug delivery system in the intensive care unit1

 Aerogen technology is featured in guidelines and papers on the treatment of COVID-19 patients
across the globe 2,3,4

A erogen, the global leader in aerosol million patients globally have been treated safely
drug delivery, today announced and effectively with Aerogen’s drug delivery
details of a broad collaborative technology 1,5–7. As the global scientific community
effort to support pharmaceutical rallies against the pandemic, there has been
companies from around the world unprecedented interest in inhaled delivery of
antiviral drugs, leading to Aerogen’s involvement in
as they work to develop COVID-19 multiple COVID-19 drug development initiatives

vaccines and treatments. To date, more than ten

Microbioz India, October 2020 10

Cover Story

with leading pharmaceutical companies and “Aerogen is a highly regarded global company
prominent academic groups. Aerogen’s closed- known for providing safe and effective aerosol
circuit nebulizer technology, which addresses key drug delivery,” said Richard Marsden, CEO of
concerns around safety and improves patient Synairgen. “Ensuring that SGN001 is paired with
outcomes5–8, is being used in hospitals across the optimal delivery technology is a vital component of
globe to deliver aerosolized medication to critically- our work to bring this potential treatment to
ill ventilated COVID-19 patients1. market at scale. Aerogen is our choice because of
its proven reputation for drug delivery efficiency
and reliability, suitability for use with a wide range
of ventilatory support modalities, established high-
volume manufacturing and prior regulatory
approvals across the globe.”

Aerogen Solo: Improving respiratory patient outcomes “In the early days of the pandemic, hospitals were
through more effective inhaled medication delivery. discouraged from using any type of aerosol for
COVID-19 treatment – which is understandable
given the nature of the virus,” said John Power,
CEO and Founder of Aerogen. “Now, it’s clear to
health systems worldwide that aerosol drug delivery
can be done with improved safety but is an absolute
necessity for managing this global crisis. COVID-
19 has only reinforced the important role Aerogen
plays in safely and effectively delivering treatments
to patients across the world, and we’re proud to
work with innovators like Synairgen as part of the
research and development process for potential
COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.”

Aerogen was quick to anticipate the critical role that
development of new inhaled drugs will ultimately
play in the COVID-19 response, and in March of
this year formed a COVID response unit to
support projects researching potential treatments
and vaccines. This response unit is now working
with pharmaceutical companies worldwide to
ensure safe delivery of inhaled therapies. Several of
these collaborations are already in clinical trials,
with others on track to enter studies on moderately
and severely ill COVID-19 patients over the weeks
and months ahead.

In one such collaboration, Aerogen has signed an Aerogen Ultra: Delivering inhaled medication, faster
agreement with Synairgen plc, a Southampton, UK- and more effectively.
based biotechnology company, to provide the
market-leading Aerogen® Solo/Ultra nebulizer The Aerogen Solo is a closed-system, single patient
system for delivery of SNG001 directly into the use (vibrating mesh) aerosol drug delivery
lungs of COVID-19 patients. SNG001 is an inhaled technology offering superior performance across
interferon beta that stimulates the innate immune all hospital ventilation modalities5–7,11. Designed for
system. Initial investigation of SNG001 as a the safety of both the patient and the caregiver,
potential COVID-19 treatment has been promising Aerogen’s closed-circuit design enables the only
– hospitalized patients receiving SNG001 were at global aerosol drug delivery system which mitigates
reduced risk of developing severe disease and more the transmission of patient-generated infectious
than twice as likely to recover to the ‘no limitation aerosol during ventilation12,13. Aerogen is
of activities’ level on the ordinal scale over the
course of treatment9,10.

Microbioz India, October 2020 11

Cover Story

committed to working with pharmaceutical Egea Santaolalla C, Masa Jiménez JF, García Fernández J et
companies worldwide to meet the current global
demand for inhaled delivery of antiviral drugs and al. Clinical consensus recommendations regarding non-
offers industry-leading expertise and technology in
combination with a proven track record in the invasive respiratory support in the adult patient with acute
development of inhalation therapeutics. For more
information on Aerogen’s products, please visit respiratory failure secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Med
www.aerogen.com/products.
Intensiva (English Ed 2020; 44: 429–438.
For more information on Aerogen’s role in the
fight against COVID-19, 5 Avdeev S, Nuraieva G, Soe AK, Fink JB. Comparison of
www.aerogen.com/covid-19. 6
7 response to aerosol drug delivery with mesh and jet
For further information, please contact: 8
Kamal Kishore 9 nebulizers during non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in acute
Business Manager -India
Tel: +91 9971700662 10 exacerbation of COPD. Poster ERS 2017; 50: PA1894.
[email protected] 11
12 Reminiac F, Vecellio L, Bodet-Contentin L, Gissot V, Le
Rajiv Julka 13
Country Manager -India & Subcontinent 14 Pennec D, Salmon Gandonniere C et al. Nasal high-flow
Tel: +919810093138
[email protected] 15 bronchodilator nebulization: a randomized cross-over

About Aerogen 16 study. Ann Intensive Care 2018; 8: 128.

Aerogen is the world’s leading medical device company specializing in Dunne RB, Shortt S. Comparison of bronchodilator
the design, manufacture and commercialization of aerosol drug
delivery systems. Aerogen’s patented vibrating mesh technology turns administration with vibrating mesh nebulizer and standard
liquid medication into a fine particle mist, gently and effectively
delivering drugs to the lungs of patients11,14,15. Aerogen’s innovative jet nebulizer in the emergency department. Am J Emerg Med
products, such as the Aerogen® Solo and Aerogen® Ultra,
significantly improve aerosol drug delivery resulting in better patient 2018; 4: 641–646.
care throughout the Hospital across all ages5–8,16. Founded in Galway,
Ireland in 1997, Aerogen has grown to become the global leader in Moody GB, Luckett PM, Shockley CM, Huang R, Ari A.
high performance aerosol drug delivery and has partnered its
technology with the leading mechanical ventilation companies1. Clinical Efficacy of Vibrating Mesh and Jet Nebulizers With
Aerogen technology is used by millions of patients and caregivers in
over 75 countries worldwide1. Different Interfaces in Pediatric Subjects With Asthma.

References: Respir Care 2020; : respcare.07538.

1 Aerogen Internal data on file, Aug 2020. Synairgen plc. Synairgen announces positive results from
2 Ari A. Practical strategies for a safe and effective delivery of
trial of SNG001 in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Press
aerosolized medications to patients with COVID-19.
Respir. Med. 2020; 167. doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2020.105987. release, https//www.synairgen.com/wp-
3 Respiratory care committee of Chinese Thoracic Society.
[Expert consensus on preventing nosocomial transmission content/uploads/2020/07/200720-Synairgen-announces-positive-
during respiratory care for critically ill patients infected by
2019 novel coronavirus pneumonia]. Zhonghua Jie He He Hu results-from-trial-of-SNG001-in-hospitalised-COVID-19-
Xi Za Zhi 2020; 17: E020.
4 Cinesi Gómez C, Peñuelas Rodríguez Ó, Luján Torné M, patients.pdf.

Synairgen Plc. Interim results for the six months ended 30

June 2020. Press release, Press release,

https//www.synairgen.com/wp-

content/uploads/2020/09/200929-Synairgen-Interim-Results-

final.pdf.

Dugernier J, Reychler G, Wittebole X, Roeseler J,

Depoortere V, Sottiaux T et al. Aerosol delivery with two

ventilation modes during mechanical ventilation: a

randomized study. Ann Intensive Care 2016; 6: 73.

O’Toole C, McGrath JA, Joyce M, Bennett G, Byrne MA,

MacLoughlin R. Fugitive Aerosol Therapy Emissions

during Mechanical Ventilation: In Vitro Assessment of the

Effect of Tidal Volume and Use of Protective Filters. Aerosol

Air Qual Res 2020; 20. doi:10.4209/aaqr.2020.04.0176.

Aerogen Solo System Instruction Manual. Aerogen Ltd.

P/N 30-354, Part No. AG-AS3050. .

Dugernier J, Hesse M, Vanbever R, Depoortere V, Roeseler

J, Michotte JB et al. SPECT-CT Comparison of Lung

Deposition using a System combining a Vibrating-mesh

Nebulizer with a Valved Holding Chamber and a

Conventional Jet Nebulizer: a Randomized Cross-over

Study. Pharm Res 2017; 34: 290–300.

Dugernier J, Hesse M, Jumetz T, Bialais E, Roeseler J,

Depoortere V et al. Aerosol Delivery with Two Nebulizers

Through High-Flow Nasal Cannula: A Randomized Cross-

Over Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography-

Computed Tomography Study. J Aerosol Med Pulm Drug Deliv

2017; 30: 349–358.

Cantu T, Jenkins L. Quality Improvement Project to

Compare Vibrating Mesh Nebulizer Therapy With Hour

Long Jet Nebulizer Therapy for Albuterol Delivery in

Asthma and Reactive Airway Disorder Patients in a Pediatric

Emergency Department. Respir Care 2019; 64.

Microbioz India, October 2020 12

Featured Article

Researchers identify enduring antibodies
in blood, spit tests from COVID-19
patients

Scientists, including among Indian- IgG responses decayed gradually over a period of
origin, have documented the 90 days, with just three people losing them within
persistence of antibodies that target this timeframe.
the novel coronavirus from the blood According to the researchers, the degree of spike
and saliva of patients with COVID-19 protein-specific IgG strongly correlated with levels
at least three months after symptom of neutralising antibodies in the patients.
onset, a finding that may lead to They also did not observe cross-reactivity of any
alternate methods of testing for the SARS-CoV-2-targeting antibodies with
viral infection. other”common cold” coronaviruses.
The study, published in the journal Another study published in the journal Science also
Science, points to the IgG class of found that while IgA and IgM antibodies targeting
antibodies as the longest-lasting the spike protein receptor binding domain rapidly
antibodies detectable in the patients decayed, the IgG type remained relatively stable for
during this time period, and might up to 105 days after symptom onset in 402 patients
function as promising targets to detect with COVID-19.
and assess immune responses against the SARS- In this study, researchers such as Baweleta Isho
CoV-2 virus. from the University of Toronto in Canada, detected
According to the researchers, such as those from spike protein-specific antibodies in the saliva, in
the Harvard Medical School in the US, these addition to the blood, of those patients.
antibodies could be detected at similar levels in The scientists discovered that patients using
both blood and saliva, suggesting that saliva could COVID-19 showed peak IgG levels at 16 to 30
be utilised as an alternative biofluid for antibody days after the appearance of symptoms.
testing. According to the researchers, the degrees of all
In the research, Anita Iyer and her team measured spike protein-specific IgG, IgM, and IgA
antibody responses in the blood of 343 patients antibodies in the blood positively correlated with
with COVID-19 for up to 122 days after symptom levels detected in matched saliva samples.
onset, and compared these responses to those of “Given that the virus can also be measured in saliva
1,548 control individuals sampled before the by PCR, using saliva as a biofluid for both virus and
pandemic. antibody measurements may have some diagnostic
The scientists concentrated only on antibodies value,” they wrote in the study.
specific to the receptor binding domain of the
SARS-CoV-2 spike protein which it uses to enter
host cells.
They estimated sensitivities of the antibody types
IgG, IgA, and IgM in 95 percent, 90 percent and 81
percent, respectively, for detecting infected people
between 15 to 28 weeks after symptom onset.
Among these antibodies, the study noted that spike
protein-specific IgM and IgA were short-lived,
falling beneath detection levels at around 49 and 71
days, respectively, after the appearance of
symptoms.
However, it noted that the spike protein-targeted

Microbioz India, October 2020 13

Featured Article

Home-based peritoneal dialysis can help
address problems of kidney patients

Authored by Dr. Vidyashankar P, Lead Consultant – Nephrology, Aster CMI Hospital

ccording to
A Pradhan Mantri
National Dialysis
Programme
(PMNDP), India

has nearly two

million dialysis patients who

frequently have to drive to a

dialysis centres two-three

times a week especially for

haemodialysis as missing any

session could be life-

threatening for them. Amid

the coronavirus scare, several

issues such as lack of transport facilities, closure of A soft plastic tube (catheter) is placed into the
abdomen by surgery. The end of the catheter
several dialysis centres and fear of contraction of remains outside the abdomen through a small
incision in the skin. In this method of care, the
virus at the healthcare facilities have made the dialysate is placed in the belly through the catheter
that will draw waste and fluid from the blood.
availability of dialysis challenging for many kidney When PD starts, the solution with salt and other
additives flow from a bag through the tube into the
patients. abdomen. Once the bag is empty, the patient can
remove the catheter from the bag and put a cap on
In a recent report released by The Indian Council it, so that they can move around to do normal
for Medical Research (ICMR), it has been stated activities. The dialysate, when it is inside the
that due to virus existing co-morbidities among abdomen, absorbs extra fluids and wastes from the
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients and their body. The used dialysis solution can then be
repeated unavoidable exposure to healthcare disposed of down the drain of a sink. The
centres they are vulnerable to contracting the procedure is started again the next time with a fresh
deadly coronavirus. Therefore, with their immunity dialysate bag. The solution stays inside the belly for
severely compromised already due to the kidney four to six hours or more and each exchange
ailments, social distancing in the time of COVID- usually takes between 30 and 40 minutes.
19 is especially important for such patients. Hence
in such a scenario, home-based dialysis therapies What are its benefits?
such as Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) have thus emerged
as a boon for such patients. These new-age As the patient need not travel to the dialysis centre
treatment methods have not only offered a ray of for treatment, there is greater freedom and
hope to kidney patients but has also made it flexibility in the treatment schedule at home. PD
possible for them to undergo frequent dialysis even can also go on even if the patient is sleeping and,
without visiting the hospital. does not put pressure on the heart. However, the
patient’s family has to ensure that adequate hygiene
What is Peritoneal Dialysis and how is maintained around the patient and at home in
does it work? general that includes frequent hand washing to

PD is a needle-free dialysis treatment option that
best replicates the natural kidney function.

Microbioz India, October 2020 14

Featured Article of medical experts. Hence, with number
coronavirus cases increasing every day, there is an
reduce risk of infection to the patient. Due to the urgent need for regular counselling of patients and
reduced infrastructure the overall cost of treatment their caregivers on the treatment
under peritoneal dialysis is also reduced. The new procedure/protocols. The medical fraternity now
treatment method not only helps the patients in more than ever needs to build awareness about PD
saving a lot of time and travel expenses but also in so that the patients as well as the medical
enables them to continue working from the professionals can consider it as a preferred therapy
convenience of their homes while undergoing the option for a CKD patient. There is an urgent need
treatment. to address these barriers at various levels in order
to increase the reach of this life-saving therapy.
Myths and Barriers
Conclusion
Even though the benefits of peritoneal dialysis have
been realized in the recent times, its penetration in As medical science is evolving, we now have
the country still remains low. The primary reasons convenient procedures like PD that can be
behind its low penetration are lack of awareness, performed at home, work or even while traveling.
unavailability of insurance reimbursement and With adequate training and provision of helpers,
prevalent attitude barriers. PD therapy can be successfully implemented across
the country. Although the government has
A major myth associated with home healthcare is included PD as part of the national health mission
that people feel it is not required if a patient is policy, it is important to implement it pan-India on
already visiting hospitals for treatment. As a matter the ground to manage the high number of kidney
of fact, home healthcare supplements the efforts of patients especially in the Covid-19 era. Appropriate
hospitals and involves working closely with doctors and timely suggestions and treatment by doctors
and nurses to ensure the best care possible to a can save infected people who are battling between
patient. Many patients also fear to dialyse without life and death.
direct medical supervision or fear that they will not
be able to perform self-care dialysis adequately.
However, during home-based dialysis, there is help
provided to the patient. A doctor is only a phone
call away. Patients are fully under the observation

Microbioz India, October 2020 15

Featured Article

Poor intimate hygiene linked to being one

of the biggest causes of cervical cancer

By: Mr. Chintan Gandhi, CEO & Director – Millennium Herbal Care

ervical cancer is becoming one of the health of the lower genital tract of females.
Beneficial vaginal microbial strains like lactobacilli
C emerging health burdens for plays a protective role in carcinogenesis of the
womanhood. Cervical cancer is the cervix after HPV infection.
fourth most common type of cancer for
women worldwide, but also one of the The female intimate area is delicate and is more
most preventable types of cancer. Most prone to infections. It has an acidic pH (range from
3.8 to 4.5), which helps to keep good bacteria (such
cervical cancer cases are caused by the as lactobacilli) healthy and bad bacteria in check

sexually transmitted human papilloma There are various factors that may affect vulvar pH,
including endogenous factors (e.g. humidity, sweat,
virus (HPV). According to the data released in 2018 vaginal discharge, menstruation, urine and fecal
contamination, anatomical folding, genetics, and
by the HPV Centre, in India, age) and exogenous factors (e.g. soap, detergents,
cosmetic products, lubricants and spermicides,
cervical cancer is the second occlusion with tight clothing or sanitary pads,
shaving, and depilation products). So alteration in
most common type of cancer pH increases the risk of vaginal infection

amongst women. It is estimate However, keeping the intimate area clean
can help to reduce the risk of cervical
that about 160 million women cancer. It might not be able to prevent
cancer completely but, proper hygiene
between the ages of 30 and 59 practices can definitely reduce the chances
of getting infected with the disease.
years are at a high risk of
This not only means keeping the area clean but also
developing it. HPV is very maintaining good intimate and sexual hygiene.

common and it would be

interesting to know that many

women having the Human

Papilloma virus, may end up

not developing it. Therefore it

has a lot to do with

environmental and lifestyle

factors. It is seen that countries

with low socio-demographic

index have a high number of

women traumatised by cervical cancer. Factors

ranging from indulging in unprotected sex, sexually

transmitted diseases, lack of hygiene during

menstruation, chlamydia, a weak immune system,

smoking, etc…could be the probable causes. In

India, there is a social stigma surrounding pelvic

examinations. Lack of regular screening, also has a

huge role to play in order to arrest the early onset

of the disease. As cervical cancer may take 20 years

or longer to develop after an HPV infection. The

best way to prevent this cancer is to get vaccinated

and try to maintain proper intimate hygiene.

Development of cervical cancer is a stepwise
process by which localized cervical intra-epithelial
neoplasia develops in the cervix and progresses into
invasive and metastatic carcinoma forms. Growing
evidence suggests that microbes, human
papillomavirus (HPV), and the immune system
interact closely with each other to govern
homeostasis of the vaginal environment and the

Microbioz India, October 2020 16

Featured Article

Here are 5 useful tips to keep a a helpful adjunct therapy in women with vaginal
infections.
check for women’s intimate
Keep yourself hydrated: Drink plenty of water
health:
and liquids to keep the urinary tract flushed and
Keep dry all the time: There will be times where healthy. Water helps to clears out toxins from the
body and maintains body pH balance. Due to
you can get invariably drenched in the rains. It is all excessive sweating and inadequate liquid intake,
the more impinging upon oneself to wear dry one tends to lose body fluids and salts that could
clothes, especially the innerwear that tend to get potentially lead to burning sensation during
moist due to the added atmospheric moisture, since urinating and irritate the intimate area. If not
we tend to sweat a lot during this season. As attended to, this could be another reason for
wearing innerwear or lingerie made of synthetic urinary tract infection.
fabric for long durations may retain moisture
leading to irritation and friction, it is important to Maintain a healthy food habit and avoid smoking:
consciously choose natural and breathable fabrics. Avoid eating excessive spicy food, since acidic food
can cause a pH imbalance. Smoking also increases
Safe sexual practices: Studies have shown that risk of developing cervical cancer. Studies have
shown that tobacco damages the DNA of cervix
women who have many sexual partners increase cells and contribute to the development of cervical
their risk of developing HPV and their risk of cancer.
cervical cancer. And if you are sexually active, use a Increase the intake of food that are rich in pre and
contraceptive every time for safety. Unprotected probiotics like plain yoghurt, onion, garlic,
sexual intercourse leaves you at risk for contracting strawberry, green leafy vegetables and ayurvedic
sexually transmitted diseases that can increase the herbs like Guduchi, that helps to support the
risk of getting HPV and greatly increase chances of growth of healthy bacteria in the vagina.
developing precancerous changes of the cervix.
Regular care and preventive measures in vaginal
Maintain cleanliness and hygiene: Frequently health ensure staying fresh and clean all the time.
clean your intimate area to keep it free from While in this season it is important to wash 3-4
microbial (bacterial and fungal) infection and times a day, and all the more care during
odour. It is recommended to clean the intimate area menstruating. Try and avoid soap and water, as they
twice a day, during morning bath and before tend to dry up the vaginal skin which is extremely
bedtime. In the case of excessive sweating, it is delicate as well as ensuring a maintenance PH
better to clean and pat dry more often. balance in the range of 3.8 to 4.5. The use of vaginal
For cleansing the intimate area, always use specially washes that balances the pH levels is therefore
designed intimate wash products that are safe with recommended however, ensuring that is free from
natural ingredients and free from harmful harmful sulphates and chemicals. Vaginal washes
surfactants like Sodium lauryl sulphate. made of natural solutions that retain the layer good
bacteria, which actually protects the vaginal area
Feminine intimate washes are considered more and kills bad bacteria are most apt. There are many
appropriate for intimate health, particularly those OTC products fighting for space in the shelves, but
containing lactic acid, with an acidic pH it helps to it is advisable to be discerning and aware, so that
augment vaginal mucosal homeostasis and serve as you use the right product for your intimate hygiene.

Microbioz India, October 2020 17

Research Article

Tuberculosis as an unattended crisis amid
COVID-19 pandemic

T he whole world is currently battling with Covid-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) global pandemic. All the
attention is currently diverted from other human life-threatening diseases even other infectious
diseases and one of them is Tuberculosis (TB) caused by bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB).
The spreading rate of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-associated

coronavirus) is very fast and all most all the countries are focused in developing vaccines and drugs

for it but it has also affected the management of TB services [1]. TB is one of the most ancient and menacing

diseases of mankind and half a million people have drug-resistant forms of TB, for which the treatment is quite

long and with severe side effects. Because of the occurrence of Covid-19, the rate of detection of TB has been

reduced to 25% and it is estimated that there will be 13% increase in TB deaths. According to WHO, if it is left

unattended, between 2020 and 2025 an additional 1.4 million TB deaths could be registered as direct consequence

of the Covid-19 pandemic [2]. The WHO Global TB Programme, along with WHO regional and country offices, has

developed an information note, in collaboration with stakeholders. This note is intended to assist national TB

programmes and health personnel to urgently maintain continuity of essential services for people affected with TB

during the Covid-19 pandemic, driven by innovative people-centered approaches, as well as maximizing joint

support to tackle both diseases. Scientists and doctors have made a huge progress so far in TB cure and

prevention and it is significant to make sure that it will not compromised because of Covid-19. Due to Covid-19

many countries are facing a total lockdown and isolation conditions, which makes it hard for the detection of both

SARS CoV-2 and MTB. Both the diseases are highly infectious and have almost similar symptoms but the

medications are completely different.

TB is an infectious disease caused by bacteria MTB Difference between symptoms of TB and
that mainly affects lungs but can also spread to
other parts of the body like brain, kidney, spine, etc. COVID-19
Just like cold and flu, TB also spreads through air.
It is an infectious disease spreading from one Since we have discussed about both TB and Covid-
person to other through tiny droplets released into 19, one question always arises in everybody’s mind
the air via cough or sneeze of infected person. that how can one distinguish between these two
Whenever a person inhales MTB, it gets settles in because most of the symptoms are analogous. We
lungs and begin to grow. TB can be latent TB or know that people with Covid-19 experiences flu or
active TB, Drug- resistant TB or Multi drug- cold like symptoms and so does the patients
resistant TB is caused when MTB becomes infected by early TB, following are some
resistant to anti-TB drugs (mainly isoniazid and differences between Covid-19 and TB [4, 5].
rifampin). The most common symptoms of TB are Cough is the major symptom of both Covid-19 and
cough, fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, sweating TB. In case of Covid-19, there is lasting cough
at night, etc. Covid-19 is another serious infectious whereas in TB there is cough but not persistent,
disease which is caused by a virus SARS-CoV-2 [3]. and in many cases, cough only increases when the
It can be transmitted via cough or sneeze by the patient tries to talk a little too longer.
infected person and when a person inhales these Increase in body temperature (high fever) is also a
droplets virus gets settles in lungs. Another thing to main symptom of Covid-19. Fever is also
be mentioned is that these droplets can also land on experienced during TB but temperature never rises
the surface where they may be picked up by one’s high except in few TB cases.
and then if touched on face (nose or throat), it may Because of persistent cough, patients experience
cause infection. The symptoms are very similar to difficulty in breathing in case of Covid-19 whereas
the flu i.e., fever, dry cough, runny nose, fatigue, in TB, breathing is normal.
loss of smell and taste etc. The spreading rate of Weight loss and loss of appetite is a common
SARS-CoV-2 is very fast and appropriate vaccines symptom of TB whereas in Covid-19, loss of smell
or treatment has not been found yet. and taste is experienced.

Microbioz India, October 2020 18

Research Article

In case of Covid-19, pain in muscles and body is order to prevent spreading the disease to others.
also a common feature but in TB extreme tiredness We know that diseases like TB and Covid-19 not
is mainly experienced. only affects physically but also one’s mental and
Symptoms of Covid-19 appears within 2 weeks and social health so it is very important provide a better
may disappear after about one week but in case of support system to such patients along with
TB, symptoms appear gradually after a period of medication, morally supporting someone helps a
time and persists if left untreated. lot in coping up with a disease. DOTs are proven
very effective in order to treat TB patients and it
Management of TB during COVID-19 should be followed with discipline. Suitable
planning and diagnosis are also very important in
outbreak order to ensure that TB screening and supply of
drugs are not interrupted. Various public health
Since the Covid-19 disease is declared as a awareness programmes should be organized to
pandemic many countries are facing a total raise awareness and educate people during such
lockdown due to which it becomes hard for TB pandemics and people must not discriminate
patients to perform DOTS (Directly Observed among patients and stand in solidarity with people
Therapy, Short course). In DOTS, a trained battling with Covid-19 or TB and other life-
healthcare worker provides each dose of prescribed threatening diseases. The battle with Covid-19 and
TB drug and watches the patient swallow every TB definitely can be won by alert and precautious
dose and documents regularly that the medication actions.
has been taken. Due SARS-CoV-2 outbreak,
people find it dangerous to visit hospitals and due Corresponding Authors:
to this management of both the diseases have been Rupali Bhanwala and Zeeshan Fatima*
affected. TB and Covid-19 show similar symptoms Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University
and it is very hard for a common man to distinguish Haryana, Gurugram (Manesar)-122413
between them [6]. People suffering from active TB *Corresponding Author: Dr. Zeeshan Fatima, Amity
requires DOTS regularly, therefore one should Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Haryana,
remain in contact with their health expert through Gurugram (Manesar)-122413, India.
phones if they find it hard to visit hospitals. Email: [email protected]
Hospitals should have separate chambers or rooms
to treat both the patients separately. Proper testing References:
should be performed and care should be taken
while diagnosis. It is also very important to Tamuzi, J. L., Ayele, B. T., Shumba, C. S., Adetokunboh, O. O.,
maintain one’s scheduled appointments in order to
ensure that treatment is working efficiently. Covid- Uwimana-Nicol, J., Haile, Z. T., Inugu, J., & Nyasulu, P. S. (2020).
19 is a stressful concern for patients with active TB
because immunocompromised individuals are at Implications of COVID-19 in high burden countries for HIV/TB: A
higher risk of getting Covid-19 additionally because
of their damaged lungs. Still one must keep in mind systematic review of evidence. BMC infectious diseases, 20(1), 744.
that there is no need to rush to the hospital if you
only experience normal cough or cold. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-020-05450-4

Future Aspects Underner, M., Perriot, J., Peiffer, G., & Jaafari, N. (2020). COVID-19,

Globally, millions of new TB infections occur every tuberculose et mortalité induite [COVID-19, tuberculosis and induced
year, and annually 1.5 million dies. By 2030, India
is targeting to eradicate TB completely and it is only mortality]. Revue des maladies respiratoires, S0761-8425(20)30298-9.
possible if the treatment for TB is maintained
properly. Worldwide pandemics like Covid-19 Advance online publication.
interfere a lot in the process of anti-TB drug
management and its treatment due to which https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmr.2020.09.006
success gained by doctors and scientists might get
reversed. People suffering either from Covid-19 or Coronel Teixeira, R., Aguirre, S., & Pérez Bejarano, D. (2020).
TB must cover their nose or mouth while coughing
or sneezing, and self-isolate themselves as well in Thinking about tuberculosis in times of Covid-19. Journal of internal

medicine, 10.1111/joim.13192. Advance online publication.

https://doi.org/10.1111/joim.13192

Yousaf, Z., Khan, A. A., Chaudhary, H. A., Mushtaq, K., Parengal, J.,

Aboukamar, M., Khan, M. U., & Mohamed, M. (2020). Cavitary

pulmonary tuberculosis with COVID-19 coinfection. IDCases, 22,

e00973. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idcr.2020.e00973

Yang, H., & Lu, S. (2020). COVID-19 and Tuberculosis. Journal of

translational internal medicine, 8(2), 59–65. https://doi.org/10.2478/jtim-

2020-0010

Keddy, K. H., Migliori, G. B., & Van Der Walt, M. (2020). Developing

health policies in patients presenting with SARS-CoV-2: consider

tuberculosis. The Lancet. Global health, 8(11), e1357–e1358.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30413-7

Microbioz India, October 2020 19

Business News

D

Nori Health: chronic disease management
chatbot, launches CE-certified iPhone app

Digital health startup Nori Health launched the In addition to chat conversations, patients can also
iPhone app for its digital chronic bowel disease indicate signs of a possible inflammation, this is the
program. The chatbot is initially used by people cause of many cases of hospitalizations and surgery
living with Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis, with now for Crohn’s and Colitis patients alike. Nori provides
over 5 million in Europe and the US alone, with actionable tips for direct relief.
expansion to other therapeutic areas planned. “Patients are guided by a chatbot coach in order to
Patients can use the CE-certified app to have offer personalized support at a large scale,
personal chat conversations with coach Nori to something that is otherwise simply not possible.
improve lifestyle behavior and symptoms such as The number of chronic disease patients is growing
pain, fatigue, and inflammation. fast and this is the way forward in managing this”,
The Nori Health chatbot program provides states Roeland Pater, founder of Nori Health and
unlimited conversations over an eight-week period, Crohn’s Disease patient.
setting it apart from current behavior monitoring Around the world, more than half of adults are
healthcare apps. These apps leave the responsibility believed to be living with some form of chronic
and pressure on the patient to determine what they disease or condition. In the UK for example, more
need to change, in order to get the results, they than 75% of the total health budget* is spent
want. With Nori, the digital coach takes the lead, treating long-term and chronic conditions. The cost
mapping lifestyle patterns and actively suggesting of treatment is expected to keep rising as people
personalized and tailored habit changes. live longer.
The chatbot is armed with scientifically-proven Nori Health is currently accessed via invite-only to
data from the get-go, while AI technology is used patients in treatment and medication trials,
to continually make Nori smarter, learning from the distributed in partnership with pharmaceutical
whole community of users. Patients can get access companies and hospitals. The app is available in
to program updates twice a year, to receive fresh English, Dutch and French, and can be
insights and evaluate their personal situation. downloaded through the Nori Health
website: https://www.norihealth.com/

Microbioz India, October 2020 20



Research Article

Study uncovers new and basic subtleties of
how photoreceptors work

Moving around in the half-light is difficult but not effectiveness and sensitivity and for this reason
impossible. To help us in this undertaking we have they must be disposed of and replaced with fresh
the rods, a type of light-sensitive cells discs in excellent condition”.
(photoreceptors) present in the retina of It was the Calcium, an ion present in large numbers
vertebrates, capable of detecting very low lights in biological processes that allowed the
that allow to move about even in poorly lit cellars understanding of the mechanism. Its concentration
or caves. They are biological wonders capable of in the OS is an excellent indicator of the integrity
detecting even a single quantum of light, but they and functionality of phototransduction, the
need continuous maintenance. procedure with which the photoreceptors convert
They are the protagonists of this new study light into nerve signals.
published in PNAS by a group of investigators of These flares are not evenly distributed but found in
SISSA – Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi the tips of the OS, which shows the existence of a
Avanzati and the Istituto officina dei materiali of functional gradient along the OS, a fundamental
the National research council CNR-Iom which property for photoreceptor transduction of
reveals new and essential details of how the retina vertebrates.” Cojoc concludes. Like a warning light,
works and in particular photoreceptors. the Calcium flares imply that the disks start to stop
With new optical probes we measured the working in their finest and need turnover.
concentration and the distribution of calcium in the The article was also advised to Faculty Opinions by
OS. Using advanced optical microscopy the editor of PNAS -something reserved only for
instruments, we were able to study the distribution the main contributions – for these reasons:”This
of this metal with unprecedented resolution and interesting article uses a new Calcium measurement
accuracy. What has emerged from the analyses is method to show that light-dependent changes of
that there is greater concentration of calcium at Calcium in the outer section of the sticks are greater
the base of the outer segment with respect to the at the bottom than at the tip”.
tip, which helps to understand the structure of the Neuroscientist Gordon Fain of the University of
rod showing its non-homogeneity, as was thought California continues,”These differences can reflect
until now.”-Dan Cojoc of Cnr an energy gradient that originates from the
The OS of the sticks is the one where the biological mitochondria of the inner segment. The authors of
system capable of capturing the light is located, this study also make the amazing observation that
while the IS is responsible for the information to Calcium increases spontaneously both in the tip
be transferred to the mind. “We have understood and at the bottom (but more often in the tip), as
that the outer section is more fragile than what was well as more rarely in the inner segment. These
thought”, comments Vincent Torre, neuroscientist increases produce sudden flares, i.e. peaks of
of SISSA directing the group that conducted the Calcium concentration, which decrease slowly for
study, adding”The OS consists of a stack of lipid several seconds and which stay local without
discs comprising the proteins responsible for propagating within the outer section or between
phototransduction. New discs are generated at the the outer and inner segment.”
base of the OS while employed discs are removed The research, funded by SISSA and by the FVG
at the tip of the OS. region, offers an important contribution to the
Traditionally, it was believed that in a stack of understanding of the eye and opens up interesting
approximately 1000 disks there was almost perfect perspectives in the biomedical field.
uniformity. However, our work shows that only the Source:
first 200 or 300 discs at the bottom of the OS are Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati
those efficiently capable of detecting the single Journal reference:
photon of light, feature from which comes the Li, Y., et al. (2020) Calcium flares and
great sensitivity of the rods. The other discs compartmentalization in rod
positioned close to the tip gradually get rid of photoreceptors. PNAS. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.200
4909117.

Microbioz India, October 2020 23



Research Article

Oregon scientists uncover sub-atomic instruments
that produce DNA harm in sperm

University of Oregon

biologists have used the

model organism

Caenorhabditis elegans to

identify molecular

mechanisms that produce

DNA damage in sperm

and contribute to male

infertility following

exposure to heat.

In humans, the optimal

temperature for sperm

production is just below

body temperature, in a

range of approximately

90-95 degrees F. Human

studies have found that and Nicole’s work has done is to clearly state what
goes wrong, at the level of molecules, when sperm-
exposure to temperatures as little as 1 degree C (1.8 making is changed by heat, at least in worms.”
The paper also helps to understand how meiosis,
F) above this normal range adversely affects male the process that produces sex cells, differs between
eggs and sperm.
fertility,” said Diana Libuda, a professor at the Sperm, the smallest cell in a person’s body, form by
the billions in temperatures below body
Department of Biology and Institute of Molecular temperature and are produced through the entire
adult lifespan. Eggs, the largest cells in a person’s
Biology. body, are formed internally, where a consistent
temperature is maintained, and are produced only
The phenomenon of heat-induced male infertility for a limited time during fetal development.
“We all know that sperm development is very
is well understood, and the effects of modern sensitive to increased temperature, while egg
development isn’t affected,” Kurhanewicz said.
exposures to heat such as hot tubs, tight clothing “The information presented in this paper suggest
that another way sperm and egg develop differently
and excess drive times have been extensively is in how closely they control the capability of
mobile DNA elements, which are also
studied. The underlying mechanisms that damage called’jumping genes’ or transposons, to move
from the genome, and how sensitive to heat stress
sperm and impair fertilization aren’t completely those mechanisms are in preventing that
movement.”
understood. In both humans and C. elegans, relatively small increases in
temperature are sufficient to reduce male fertility.”
An increase of 2 C (3.6 F) above normal in C. Diana Libuda, Professor, Department of Biology and
Institute of Molecular Biology
elegans, a type of roundworm, led to a 25-fold They also leave DNA damage in their wake.
Movement of these”jumping genes” is normally
increase in DNA damage in developing sperm repressed in developing eggs and sperm. But this
study found that with exposure to heat transposons
compared to unexposed sperm. Eggs fertilized by are moving specifically in developing sperm.

those damaged sperm failed to produce offspring.

This basic research discovery is detailed in a paper

published online Oct. 15 in the journal Current

Biology by investigators in Libuda’s UO lab.

The study provides a roadmap for scientists to

pursue studies in mammals and people to confirm

if the very same mechanisms contribute to male

infertility, said R. Scott Hawley, a meiosis research

expert who was not involved in the study.

Hawley, a part of the National Academy of

Sciences and dean emeritus of the graduate faculty

of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in

Kansas City, Missouri, had heard about preliminary

findings in an academic conference.

“I think this is a hallmark paper as it shows an

environmental impact which alters specific DNA

sequences and the presumably the proteins that

control their activity,” Hawley said. “What Diana

Microbioz India, October 2020 24

Research Article

The research team used microscopy to observe but she also identifies a mechanism – not just where
developing sperm and eggs under both normal and the error occurs but what the error is.
heat-stressed problems. In the latter, the “If we can determine how much of a change is bad,
researchers found higher amounts of DNA damage and if you are really concerned about the ecological
in sperm, but not eggs. Using next-generation matters like hot tubs or’boxers versus briefs’, this
genome sequencing, they also identified the areas kind molecular understanding may enable us to
of transposons across the whole genome with and reframe the debate on solid scientific grounds.”
without exposure to heat. Source:
“We discovered that following heat shock, certain University of Oregon
transposons are located in fresh and more variable Journal reference:
locations in the male genome,” Kurhanewicz said. Kurhanewicz, N.A., et al. (2020) Elevated
The analysis, Hawley said, not only indicates that a Temperatures Cause Transposon-Associated DNA
small rise in temperature affects meiotic divisions Damage in C. elegans Spermatocytes. Current
Biology. doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.09.050

Microbioz India, October 2020 25

Research Article

Oral bacteria persevere on squandered biting
gums for quite a long time

Researchers from the

Institute of

Integrative Systems

Biology (I2SysBio), a

joint centre of the

University of

Valencia and the

CSIC, have examined

the bacteria from

used chewing gums

from five different

states. The research,

just published in the

journal Scientific

Reports, shows that

the bacterial load of

gum changes in a

matter of weeks and

that oral bacteria

persist for a surprisingly long period when gum is The study team in I2SysBio points out that this sort
of long-lasting waste has been used for human
on the ground. This research can be applied in genetic analysis in criminology and archaeology and
points out that their findings have implications for
forensic medicine or to the control of contagious a wide assortment of areas, including forensic
medicine, contagious disease control or the
diseases. previously mentioned bioremediation of chewing
gum waste.
The study focuses on the supply of bacteria based The article signed by Leila Satari, Alba Guillén,
Àngela Vidal-Verdú and Manuel Porcar describes a
on the depth at which they are found (surface, complete characterization on the bacterial content
of chewing gum using culture-dependent and
intermediate and lower levels of waste), the independent methods, unlike other research that
focuses on enhancing when cleaning gums thrown
biodegradation capacity of chewing gum to the floor, making them less glue, water-soluble
or degradable. In addition, the team stresses that
ingredients and parasitic successions after three this adhesive substance”may contain a significant
portion of the oral microbiota, toxins and some
months of outdoor exposure. The bacterial pathogens such as Streptococcus spp. And
Actinomyces spp., that remain trapped in sticky
diversity of samples are examined through Massive residue and in which their survival over time has
received very little attention”.
DNA Sequencing (NGS). Note : The represented image credit : © Ezume Images /
Adobe Stock
For this study the group collected a total of ten
Source:
samples, two in Spain, France and Singapore, and Asociación RUVID
Journal reference:
one in Greece and Turkey. All were collected from Satari, L., et al. (2020) The wasted chewing gum bacteriome. Scientific
Reports. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-73913-4.
the ground with a sterilized scraper and transported Um, S-H., et al. (2020) Robust Hydroxyapatite Coating by Laser‐
Induced Hydrothermal Synthesis. Advanced Functional
to the laboratory, where they were kept at a Materials. doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202005233.

temperature of -80ºC prior analysis.

Chewing gum could be a vector of bacterial diseases

quite long after being thrown to the ground. We’ve

found bacteria that can be used to clean the chewing

gums – because they eat them!” The expert adds that

“chewing gum has a bacterial load that evolves from

an oral microbiome to an environmental microbiome in

a matter of weeks. Oral bacteria persist surprisingly

long once the gum is on the ground. In addition, many

of the bacteria we have isolated from older gum have

the potential to bioremediate the gum itself, i.e.

degrade it”.-Manuel Porcar, Researcher

Microbioz India, October 2020 26

Research Article

Bioceramic embed can animate skull bone recovery

tissue in which the bioceramic

has been inserted. What

happens is that the main

constituent of the bioceramic,

monetite, transforms into

another material from the body:

apatite,” he adds.

Growth factors and stem cells are

thought to contribute to healing but

haven’t yet been demonstrated to have

any obvious advantages after

administration in large, human skull

defects.”Peter Thomsen,

Professor, Biomaterials,

University of Gothenburg

The experiments were

conducted on sheep, and the

A bioceramic implant has proved to stimulate outcomes could be confirmed

regeneration of natural skull bone, so that even in humans, one person, where the bioceramic, 21

large cranial defects can be repaired in a way which months after the intervention, had become a tissue

hasn’t been possible before. with composition and structure very similar to

Reconstructing major bone and soft-tissue injuries natural bone. This process is called osteoinduction.

in the skull after an accident or treatment of a brain Behind the study are researchers at Sahlgrenska

tumor, blood clot, or hemorrhage is a difficult Academy, University of Gothenburg, and at

challenge. Karolinska Institutet and Uppsala University.

Transplanting bone from elsewhere in the body The first authors are Omar Omar, Associate

involves risks in both websites — in which the Professor of Biomaterials at Gothenburg, and

tissue is removed and where it is placed. Integration Associate Professor Thomas Engstrand, Uppsala

of plastic or metal implants, for example, is inferior University.

to that of bone, and using them consequently Håkan Engqvist, Professor of Applied Materials

increases the disease risk. Science in Uppsala, has been responsible for the

Thomesen is responsible for the current study. development of the implanted material and its

Seeing skull bone grow composition. He points out that the innovative

Rather, under Thomsen’s guidance, researchers bioceramic breaks down relatively slowly.

have used a fresh, 3D-printed bioceramic material, “The combination of the ceramic’s composition

attached to a titanium frame shaped like the missing and its slow breakdown has turned out to be

portion of the skull bone. For the first time, they extremely great for bone formation in large cranial

have proven that large cranial defects can heal by defects.”

way of new bone formation, without growth Peter Thomsen stresses the need for additional

factors or stem cells being inserted. research, both to investigate the molecular

From the experiments, the bioceramic implant has processes and in the kind of further clinical studies.

been shown to transform into bone, using a “This principle will compete with existing therapy

composition indistinguishable from natural bone. principles of bone transplantation, and metal and

Experiments with titanium-only implants also plastic implants,” he concludes.

resulted in bone formation, but just adjacent to the Source:

host bone. University of Gothenburg

“We can see the skull bone growing out, not just on Journal reference:

remaining portions of the cranium but also Omar, O., et al. (2020) In situ bone regeneration of

centrally from the flaw itself,” Thomsen says. large cranial defects using synthetic ceramic

“All the cells which we know are involved in bone implants with a tailored composition and

formation and remodeling are recruited to, or are design. PNAS. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2007635117

in place, in the central part of the defect and in soft

Microbioz India, October 2020 27

Research Article

Healthcare professionals experience
mental wellness issues during and after
pandemics

Mental health problems such as Post-Traumatic essential personal protective equipment. The media
Stress Disorder, anxiety and depression are has reported that healthcare workers treating
common among healthcare staff during and coronavirus patients will face a ‘tsunami’ of mental
immediately after pandemics — according to new health problems as a result of their work. We wanted
research from the University of East Anglia. to examine this by looking closely at the existing data
Researchers investigated how treating patients in from previous pandemics to better understand the
previous pandemics like SARS and MERS affected potential impact of Covid-19. We estimated the
the mental health of front-line staff. prevalence of common mental health disorders in
They found that nearly a quarter of health-care health care workers based in pandemic-affected
workers (23.4 percent) experienced PTSD hospitals. And we hope our work will help inform
symptoms during the most intense’acute’ phase of hospital managers of the level of resources required to
prior pandemic outbreaks — with 11.9 percent of support staff through these difficult times.”-Prof
carers still experiencing symptoms a year on. Richard Meiser-Stedman, Norwich Medical School,
We know that Covid-19 poses unprecedented UEA
challenges to the NHS and to healthcare staff They also looked at data about elevated levels of
worldwide. Nurses, doctors, allied health professionals mental distress and found that more than a third of
and all support staff based in hospitals where patients health workers (34.1 per cent) experienced
with Covid-19 are treated are facing considerable symptoms such as anxiety or depression during the
pressure, over a sustained period. In addition to the acute phase, dropping to 17.9 percent after six
challenge of treating a large volume of severely unwell months. This figure however increased again to
patients, front line staff also have to contend with 29.3 per cent after 12 months or more.
threats to their own physical health through infection, The team hope that their work will help emphasize
particularly as they have had to face shortages of the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic could be

Microbioz India, October 2020 28

Research Article

having on the mental health of doctors and nurses studies examining the impact of pandemics on the
around the world.
A group of trainee clinical psychologists – Sophie mental health of healthcare staff. More research is
Allan, Rebecca Bealey, Jennifer Birch, Toby
Cushing, Sheryl Parke and Georgina Sergi – all needed that focuses on Covid-19 specifically and looks
from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, investigated
how previous pandemics affected healthcare at the mental health of healthcare workers longer-
workers’ mental health, with assistance from Prof
Meiser-Stedman and Dr Michael Bloomfield, term.”-Sophie Allan, Norwich Medical School, UEA
University College London.
We found that post-traumatic stress symptoms were They looked at 19 studies which included data
elevated during the acute phase of a pandemic and at
12 months post-pandemic. There is some evidence predominantly from the SARS outbreak in Asia and
that some mental health symptoms such as Post
Traumatic Stress symptoms get better naturally over Canada, and which tended to focus on the acute
time but we cannot be sure about this. The studies we
looked at had very different methods – for example stage of the pandemic – through and up to around
they used different questionnaires about mental health
– so we need to be cautious about the results. We six weeks after the pandemic.
didn’t find any differences between doctors and nurses
experiencing PTSD or other psychiatric conditions, but ‘The prevalence of common and stress-related
the available data was limited and more research is
needed to explore this. Overall there are not enough mental health disorders in healthcare employees

based in pandemic-affected hospitals: a rapid

systematic review and meta-analysis’ is published in

the European Journal of Psychotraumatology on

October 16, 2020.

Source:

University of East Anglia

Journal reference:

Allan, S.M., et al. (2020) The prevalence of common and stress-

related mental health disorders in healthcare workers based in

pandemic-affected hospitals: a rapid systematic review and

meta-analysis. European Journal of

Psychotraumatology. doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2020.1810903.

Contact us:
Plot#35, Street#3, Sagar Society,
Banjara Hills, Telangana – 500034, India
Ph./Mob: +919848177772

Microbioz India, October 2020 29

Business News

Dr. Ambadi’s Calicut Centre for
Surgery to provide contact-less
breast cancer

Dr. Ambadi’s Calicut Centre for Surgery conducting many free programs to raise awareness
(CCS) located at Metromed Hospital has
partnered with NIRAMAI Health amongst women about early detection of breast
Analytix, India’s foremost AI-based
breast cancer screening company, to cancer and educating the masses on the importance

borfRfeeaerstseccaaonnrccteahcr tlAesscrsrt,eicenlepinrgivacsye-rsveicnessitivteo, of frequent checks. .”

customers. Dr. Abdurahman Ambadi, Chairman & Chief
Niramai’s innovative solution called
‘Thermalytix’, is an automated breast Laparoscopic Surgeon of CCS, said, “We are
health screening and diagnostic tool,
which combines thermal imaging with committed to offering the best surgical healthcare
artificial intelligence. The solution is
non-contact, radiation-free, accurate, services to our customers. Collaborating with an
automated, and works on women of all
age groups. Given that it is portable and innovative company like Niramai to offer early-
low-cost than other methods, the
solution makes cancer screening more accessible stage breast screening will surely be beneficial to
and affordable to all.
With this collaboration, women can also avail of our patients.”
home-screening services which will bring this novel
non-touch breast cancer screening solution to the —————–
door-step of homes reducing the need to go to a
hospital during the pandemic. Only female About NIRAMAI: https://www.niramai.com/
technicians will provide this service following all
covid safety precautions and women can avail of Niramai Health Analytix is a deep-tech company with expertise in
this service with a prior appointment. The test will
be conducted in complete privacy without any thermal imaging and AI. They have developed an innovative AI
physical contact. NIRAMAI Thermalytix test is Engine called Thermalytix™ which enables a radiation-free, non-
appropriate for women of 18 years and above. It is
privacy-aware, non-invasive, radiation-free, and can invasive, non-touch, breast cancer screening solution for hospitals and
detect the minutest of lumps or other
abnormalities. diagnostic centers. NIRAMAI has recently also developed a new
Dr. Geetha Manjunath, Founder & CEO, Niramai,
added, “We are excited to partner with Dr. solution called FeverTest for Automated COVID Screening leveraging
Ambadi’s Calicut Centre for Surgery to take our its expertise in thermal imaging and AI.
clinically proven Thermalytix screening service to
many more women in India and help save lives. The innovative machine learning techniques used in Niramai’s solution
Today, the pandemic has impacted our lives in an
unprecedented way. People are unable to go to have led to 9 US granted patents. Niramai has won many awards
hospitals for their regular health check-ups or other
ailments. Niramai is providing multiple services to including the Gold prize in Hack Osaka 2019, Aegis Graham Bell
cater to this new requirement. We are also Award, Frost and Sullivan Award and has been part of accelerators

such as Google Launchpad, Philips Healthworks, Nvidia Inception,

BIRAC Winner, Elevate 100, and others. Niramai is the only Indian

company listed on the 2019 Top AI 100 startups in the world
announced by CB Insights.

Niramai also organizes health-first webinars on diverse topics every

month with participation from well-known health experts. You can

find more details on https://niramai.org/

Microbioz India, October 2020 30

Business News

mfine Reports 3x Growth in Speciality and Super-speciality
Cases Mental Health Queries Increase Tenfold Since COVID-
19 Pandemic

MFine, an AI powered, on demand healthcare cases to the social distancing measures which have
company has seen a three times growth in the prevented people from meeting their friends and
number of speciality and super-specialty family or having proper work-life balance. Staying
consultations conducted on their platform since
March 2020. The company has reported a surge in at home has also catapulted common
consultations for mental health, pregnancy and lifestyle disorders and symptoms such as
chronic care management since the start of the headache, abdominal pain, back pain etc.
COVID-19 pandemic. The platform has observed which have stemmed from inactivity and
an increase in the number of patients within a lack of fresh air.
family using MFine and the demand for One of the major challenges the country is
subscription packages has also increased 5X in the facing in the healthcare sector is the
last eight months. Over 200,000 people use MFine prevention and treatment of chronic
every month to consult with their preferred diseases such as diabetes, cancer and
doctors. To support the surge in telemedicine heart diseases, the number of which
consultations, MFine has partnered with 300 new are rapidly growing. According to the World
hospitals and added more than 2500 new doctors Health Organization, 69.2 million Indians
in the last six months alone. suffer from diabetes alone. The pandemic
India faces an acute shortage of specialist doctors did pose a challenge to chronic patients
with 70% of the population having no access to who need to be continuously monitored
specialists who primarily live in urban areas. without physically going to a hospital. But,
Currently there are only 4,000 cardiologists in these patients are also consulting on the
India, but the requirement is 88,000. Similarly there phone and MFine has seen 4X growth in
are around 23,000 paediatricians in India though the fields of Diabetology, Endocrinology
the requirement is 2,30,000. When it comes to and Cardiology from patients who can no
mental health, the situation is equally bleak. More longer visit their doctors regularly. These
than 150 million people in India need therapy for patients are now able to consult with the
their mental health disorders but less than 30 best doctors in their field from the safety of
million people seek help. According to reports their home.
from the Indian Union Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare, India has only 3500 psychiatrists The demand for neurologists and pulmonologists
which is 1 psychiatrist for over 2 lakh people, and also saw a 3X increase March 2020.
just 1000 clinical psychologists. Providing safe MFine encourages patients to have follow-ups
primary healthcare is impossible without specialist within a week of their first consultation, which has
doctors who ensure timely interventions, surgeries
and continued treatment of patients.
While the COVID-19 pandemic prompted users to
consult on MFine for common health issues, the
healthcare platform saw a phenomenal increase in
consultations within the speciality and super
speciality doctors, including consultations with
psychologists. Post lockdown, as more of the
workforce stayed indoors, the number of mental
health consultations began to rise. The most
common issues include sleep disorders and
insomnia, which increased tenfold during the
pandemic. Currently on an average, more than 1500
people consult every month on MFine for mental
health issues such as anxiety, relationship issues and
depression. Doctors have attributed most of these

Microbioz India, October 2020 31

Business News

grown 3X during the pandemic. The company was cities have started using MFine to consult specialist
amongst the first to offer users a self-assessment doctors from trusted hospitals in the metros and
and COVID-19 support during the pandemic. also from their own town. Doctors at MFine have
More than 100,000 users took the MFine reported that this year, patients have become more
Coronavirus assessment on the app and around conscious of their health and are more observant
80,000 people consulted for suspected COVID-19 about the smallest of symptoms, which has led to
symptoms. more preventative health check ups and follow-up
Apart from the top metros, MFine has seen a spurt calls. The company currently has 550 partnering
in users signing up from cities like Lucknow, Patna, hospitals and 3500 doctors handling 10,000
Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Indore, Guntur and cases/day over 30 specialities.
Visakhapatnam. Patients from Tier II and Tier III

HCA's CEO Hazen offers glimpse into health
system's expectations for 2021

For the past couple of

years, HCA Healthcare has

used its third-quarter

earnings call to provide

some early thoughts about

the upcoming year.

But, after a turbulent and

unprecedented year, HCA

had to change things up,

CEO Sam Hazen said

during the health system

giant's third-quarter

earnings call Monday.

"In those years, we

obviously had a more

stable environment

economically, politically company officials have completed their planning

and operationally. While always difficult to predict process.

our business with precision, today's environment, In the meantime, Hazen said, he could offer a

with all its uncertainty, makes it particularly preliminary look at how the health system is

challenging." thinking. In a nutshell, he said: They are looking

In its third-quarter earnings, HCA reported same back to 2019 as they prepare for 2021.

facility admissions and equivalent admissions Setting the baseline: Hazen said the company

declined 3.8% and 9%, respectively, in the third plans to use 2019 volumes as a starting reference

quarter of 2020, compared to the same period a point for early 2021 planning purposes "with

year earlier. Similarly, same facility emergency respect to volume, given the volatility we have seen

room visits declined 20.3% in the third quarter of in 2020 with COVID-19 surges, mandatory and

2020 compared to the same period in 2019. voluntary suspension of elective business and

Same facility inpatient surgeries dropped 6.8%, and intermittent recovery periods."

same facility outpatient surgeries declined 6.3% in

the third quarter of 2020, compared to the same Specifically, he said, September and October are

period of 2019. Same facility revenue per equivalent indicative of "somewhat stable activity" that the

admission increased 14.8% in the third quarter of company is using to inform current thinking about

2020, compared to the third quarter of 2019, due to what's ahead.

increases in acuity of patients treated and favorable

payer mix in the quarter.

So, Hazen said, the company would hold off on its

typical predictions until at least January, when

Microbioz India, October 2020 32

Business News

Estimating COVID-19 activity Managing operating costs has been key for the
health system's balance sheet, Hazen said. "We
"First, we believe we will continue to treat COVID- have continued confidence in our team's ability to
19 patients throughout 2021. Over the last two hold many of the gains they have made across many
quarters, COVID-19 patients have represented of the different expense categories. In those areas
approximately 6% of our admissions," Hazen said. where we anticipate some pressure, we believe we
HCA is estimating between 4% and 5% of its have future resiliency actions that can help offset
admissions in 2021 could be related to the virus. some of these challenges."
"This factor represents continued high levels of "Collectively these factors lead us to believe our
acuity in our overall mix of inpatient business preliminary expectations for adjusted EBITDA for
which should provide some support for current 2021 could look similar to the company's original
patient revenue trends," he said. 2020 guidance but likely with a slightly wider range
of results," Hazen said.
It is unclear at what rate
government reimbursement programs for Overall, the health system reported profits of $668
providing care to COVID-19 patients will continue million, or about $1.95 per diluted share in the third
through 2021, he said. quarter ending Sept. 30, up from $612 million, or
$1.76 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2019.
Predicting inpatient and outpatient That was on revenues of $13.3 billion in the third
admissions quarter, up from $12.7 billion in the third quarter
of 2019.
Overall, Hazen said HCA believes inpatient Earlier this month, HCA announced it planned
admission demand next year will be down from to return $6 billion in COVID-19 relief funds it
2019 levels of approximately 2% to 3%, but they received as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
expect the case mix to be more acute. Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, earlier this
year.
On the outpatient side, he said, the health system The results included a reversal of $822 million, or
anticipates emergency room visits will be down in $1.72 per diluted share, in government stimulus
2021 compared to 2019. "But, like our inpatient income recorded in the second quarter, received
business, we expect it to be more acute, which from the Provider Relief Funds established by the
should drive higher revenue per visit offsetting CARES Act, as well as $14 million, or three
some of the volume decline." cents per diluted share, of gains on sales of
facilities. The results also included losses on
For outpatient surgeries, he said, HCA is expecting retirement of debt of $211 million.
some recovery over current levels but volumes to
remain down slightly.

Microbioz India, October 2020 33

Business News

Sakura Finetek Europe launches Tissue-Tek
SmartConnect®, a new chapter in automation and the next
step for laboratories in achieving future-proof pathology

Today Sakura Finetek

Europe launches its

latest innovation

Tissue-Tek

SmartConnect. An

automated transfer

system that creates a

continuous flow

between the SMART

solutions Tissue-Tek

Xpress® x120 Rapid

Tissue Processor and

Tissue-Tek

AutoTEC® a120

Automated

Embedding System.

This new innovative

SMART solution In the coming months, the first histology
laboratory will be equipped with Tissue-Tek
enables a laboratory to optimise their workflow and SmartConnect to show its value and support the lab
technicians in the workplace. This step is in line
work more efficient, eliminating repetitive and with our promise to empower pathology
professionals to deliver accurate and fast diagnoses
unnecessary manual work. Hence laboratory to optimise treatment success," Chris Koeman,
President of Sakura Finetek European states "The
technicians can focus more on what matters most: patient drives this promise. Because when it comes
to diagnosing cancer, there is no time to wait. We
taking care of the best possible patient journey. truly believe we can make more valuable
differences for patients in the future, and that
Tissue-Tek SmartConnect is the first Sakura drives us to put all our effort into bringing more
worthy innovations to the market."
Finetek Europe launch from their European Sakura has a long history of innovation and
technology. We launched the first fully enclosed
research & development department. "Our team tissue processor: Tissue-Tek VIP®, rapid tissue
processor: Tissue-Tek Xpress® and the automated
has done an outstanding job by creating this embedding system: Tissue-Tek AutoTEC®. The
Tissue-Tek SmartConnect is one that fits perfectly
complex robotic solution in just two years with the in that line and brings enormous opportunities for
future innovations.
extreme high-quality Sakura Finetek is known for. Discover more on www.sakura.eu/smartconnect

We created a fully automated process, starting with

grossed tissues as input up to embedded blocks as

output." Andries Dragt, Vice President, Strategy &

Business Development and founder of the idea, is

very proud of Sakura Finetek's European team.

"With Tissue-Tek SmartConnect, Sakura Finetek

once again proves itself as one of the most

innovative companies when it comes to automating

and standardising histology laboratories. This

solution is a unique step towards future-proof

pathology and enables lab technician to spend more

of their valuable time on what really matters." he

adds.

Microbioz India, October 2020 34

Business News

Agena Bioscience Granted EUA for High-
Throughput, Low-Cost Covid-19 Panel

Agena Bioscience, San Diego, announced that its
MassArray SARS-CoV-2 Panel for qualitative
detection of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which
causes covid-19, has been granted emergency use
authorization from the FDA.

Clinical laboratories can process thousands of
samples each day for less than $10 per sample
running the assay on a single MassArray
instrument, making it one of the highest
throughput SARS-CoV-2 tests available under the
emergency use authorization program.

“Agena is proud to offer a truly scalable platform accelerate testing without concerns about
to support the increasing demand for high- instrument or reagent availability.
throughput SARS-CoV-2 testing,” says Peter
Dansky, CEO of Agena Bioscience.” To address “The unique characteristics of the Agena detection
the crisis presented by covid-19, labs need to cost- technology provide significant supply chain
effectively process large numbers of samples. The advantages,” explains Jason Halsey, senior vice
MassArray System is the perfect tool for that.” president of Technology and Operations. “Agena
proactively sourced and secured materials to
The single-reaction panel targets five regions of the provide uninterrupted product availability to our
viral genome and provides excellent accuracy and customers. Agena’s MassArray SARS-CoV-2
sensitivity. Panel kits and instruments are ready for
immediate deployment, and we are equipped to
“The MassArray SARS-CoV-2 Panel is the only supply millions of tests each month.”
assay on the market with 5 viral genome targets
multiplexed into a single reaction, making it robust For more information, visit Agena Bioscience.
against potential mutations arising in the viral
genome,” says Darryl Irwin, PhD, vice president of
Scientific Affairs. “Most real time qPCR-based
assays target only two or three targets on the viral
genome.”

With the panel’s authorization, Agena also aims to
alleviate material shortages, enabling laboratories to

Microbioz India, October 2020 35

Business News

FDA Clears First CBC Analyzer Developed
for Point-of-Care Settings

FDA has cleared a complete blood cell count white blood cell differential, offering 12 clinically
(CBC) analyzer that can be used in a wide range of useful results, all of which are available in as little as
healthcare settings, including physicians’ offices 3 minutes.“The XW-100 is a breakthrough that will
and clinics, and administered by a vast range of transform blood testing for patients and the
personnel, including support staff. According to healthcare professionals who treat them,” says
the agency, the broadened test access may allow for Ralph Taylor, chief executive of Sysmex America.
faster availability of results. “In addition to making faster treatment plans
possible, the technology will improve the efficiency
“A CBC is one of the most common physician- of healthcare delivery.”
ordered tests used to evaluate a patient’s blood
levels, determine if an infection is present and if The XW-100 automated hematology analyzer was
immediate intervention is needed,” says Donald St. granted waived complexity categorization under
Pierre, acting director of the Office of In Vitro the Clinical Laboratory Improvement
Diagnostics and Radiological Health in FDA’s Amendments of 1988 (CLIA). The analyzer was
Center for Devices and Radiological Health. reviewed through the dual submission pathway, a
“However, in the current healthcare setting, streamlined regulatory pathway for both premarket
nonhospitalized patients who require a CBC can notification (510(k)) clearance and CLIA waiver by
experience at least a 24-hour wait for test results, if application. The system was originally cleared
not longer, when the test is performed by an offsite through the 510(k) pathway in 2015 for use at the
laboratory. This waiting period may be detrimental patient’s point of care.FDA reviewed data from a
to the health of patients whose care depends on study conducted on 582 samples collected from
quick results to rule out conditions that may require patients ranging from 2 to 92 years old. The study
immediate medical intervention.” With the recently compared the XW-100 test results collected by
cleared device, St. Pierre adds, “processing time nonmedical personnel in CLIA-waived settings to
may now be reduced by making testing available in a hematology analyzer in an accredited clinical
these additional settings.” laboratory. Study results showed that by following
the manufacturer’s instructions for use, accurate
The XW-100 automated hematology analyzer from testing can be effectively conducted by untrained
Sysmex America Inc, Lincolnshire, Ill, is intended personnel.
for use in patients 2 years of age and older who
require a whole blood cell count and white blood “The XW-100 is the culmination of our long journey to
cell differential. Test results can be used with other develop a high-quality hematology analyzer able to
clinical and laboratory findings to provide early deliver accurate and reliable results in a CLIA-waived
alerts about patients who require additional testing primary care setting,” says Andy Hay, chief operating
for such serious conditions as severe anemia and officer of Sysmex America. “During that time, Sysmex
agranulocytosis. However, the analyzer is not made considerable investments in comprehensive
intended to diagnose or monitor patients with testing and market acceptance studies, as well as in
primary or secondary hematologic diseases, building a robust infrastructure and related systems to
including oncology and critically ill patients. ensure the XW-100 safely serves healthcare
professionals and the patients who depend on them.”
The device works by using a blood sample to
classify and quantify 12 different blood Sysmex expects to begin shipping the XW-100 in early
characteristics, providing patients with a blood 2018.
component profile as part of their overall health
assessment. The device uses a 15 µL sample of
venous blood to provide a CBC with a three-part

Microbioz India, October 2020 36

Product Launches

Philips introduces ups. Small private and public hospitals as well as
private obstetrics and gynecology clinics which are
breakthrough Ultrasound often challenged by a lack of funds, high waiting
times, and space constraints will benefit from the
3300 system in India for capabilities of the Ultrasound 3300. The affordable
system also comes equipped with Nuchal
Obstetrics & Gynecology Translucency (NT) Assist feature, which
automatically measures the thickness of the nuchal
(OBGYN), General and translucency during first trimester scans. This
feature also helps in streamlining the workflow
Cardiovascular procedures while helping to increase reliability of the
measurement. The Ultrasound 3300, offers the
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global Auto Ejection Fraction feature, increasing the
leader in health technology, today launched the diagnostic confidence for cardiologists. It also
Ultrasound 3300, a new innovative ultrasound comes equipped with the largest-in class 21.5-inch
series tailored for Obstetrics and Gynecology LED Monitor which provides enhanced image
(OBGYN), General Imaging and Cardiovascular resolution and folds down for easy transportation.
Imaging procedures. Through this breakthrough
technology, Philips offers clinicians and doctors in The state-of-the-art system also consists of
India a powerful combination of performance and advanced applications like contrast imaging and
workflow optimization for quick and efficient needle enhancement features. The new generation
diagnosis with low operating costs. algorithm of the machine reduces speckle noise
while enabling physicians to get natural and smooth
images.

The Ultrasound 3300, series is a versatile system Philips is one of the leading companies in
and delivers exceptional image quality across a ultrasound solutions with a large global installed
variety of clinical applications such as OBGYN, base and strong record of industry-first
Cardiology and General Imaging. It empowers innovations. The company’s ultrasound portfolio
caregivers to deliver efficient and high-quality care supports the effective and efficient delivery of care
whilst supporting a variety of patients and case across a broad range of clinical specialties including
types across healthcare institutions. The system is OBGYN, Cardiovascular and General Imaging,
ergonomically designed to ensure high patient among others.
throughput and enhanced user and patient comfort.
Commenting of the launch of the product, Chhitiz For further information, please contact:
Kumar, Business Leader, Precision Diagnosis and
Connected Care, Philips Indian Subcontinent said Philips India Corporate Communications
“The Ultrasound 3300 is the perfect system for Geetika Bangia
start-up clinicians looking to set-up their first E-mail: [email protected]
OBGYN center or even as a second system in a
well-established center, to help manage their
workloads. Engineered at the Philips Innovation
Campus in Bengaluru, this system is also a
testament to Philips’ focus on India as a strong and
growing Ultrasound market. The launch of the
system is also aligned with our focus on putting
customer needs at the forefront to achieve the
Philips Quadruple aim – improved clinical
outcomes, lowered costs, and improved patient and
staff experience.”

The Ultrasound 3300, system delivers path-
breaking features including Automatic Follicle
Counting on 2D probes, which reduces cost for
customers and improves throughput in clinic set-

Microbioz India, October 2020 37

Product Launches

Admetsys PrecisionOne mortality when glucose isn’t well controlled; and
Automated Glycemic Control we’ve seen front-line clinicians continually placed at
System Gets CE Mark risk. Critical care automation, and glucose control
in particular, have never been more important.
Boston-based Admetsys Corporation, a biomedical We’re thrilled to be able to make a positive impact
technology company specializing in critical care on the lives and health of so many people.”
automation, announced that it received European
regulatory approval (CE Mark) for its flagship The CE Mark gives Admetsys the ability to market
PrecisionOne automated glycemic control and the PrecisionOne system commercially in 32
continuous diagnostics system. European countries as well as other countries
around the world having mutual recognition
processes.

The PrecisionOne system functions as a metabolic For more information, visit Admetsys.
autopilot, providing automated glucose regulation
and real-time analysis of blood chemistry values for Spectrum Solutions
critical care patients. The majority of these patients Gets EUA for SDNA-
experience hyperglycemia and metabolic instability 1000 Saliva Collection
caused by their acute condition and exacerbated by Device
preexisting conditions such as diabetes. This
increases mortality, morbidity, length of stay, and
cost of care. To date, no automated glucose
regulation tools have been available in the hospital.

Spectrum Solutions LLC, Salt Lake City,

announced its SDNA-1000 saliva collection device

has secured FDA EUA authorization. Spectrum’s

self-contained saliva collection kit provides critical

sample consistency while suspending and

neutralizing viral RNA transcripts, completely

inactivating the live virus. Additionally, the SDNA-

1000 stabilizes and protects saliva samples, making

Covid-19 dramatically illuminates the clinical need both sample collection and transport for covid-19
addressed by the PrecisionOne system. Among
hospitalized covid patients, hyperglycemia increases testing easy.
mortality 4-fold in diabetic populations and 7-fold
in non-diabetic populations. Moreover, because the
current standard of care requires close-contact
workflow, efforts to better regulate patient glucose
levels expose medical professionals to additional
contagion and infection risk.

Care automation, such as that by the PrecisionOne Spectrum and Rutgers Clinical Genomics
system, enables hospitals to provide safer, more Laboratory (RUCDR, now IBX) first identified,
effective care that can scale to meet peak demand, then introduced the nation to the key benefits of
with less manual intervention by clinicians. This is using saliva collected exclusively with the SDNA-
a key element of covid-19 response, and a 1000 saliva collection system as a better viral
fundamental factor in hospital preparedness for diagnostic biomaterial for covid-19 detection.
future public health needs. Receiving its first EUA authorization from the
FDA in March confirmed saliva’s tremendous
“High-precision automation is crucial to improving diagnostic value and Spectrum’s innovative saliva
care safety, quality, scalability, and economics,” says collection device. Covid-19 saliva-based tests have
Jeff Valk, CEO of Admetsys. “During covid, we’ve already been sold and conducted using the SDNA-
seen excess demand for ICU care cause a society-
wide shutdown; we’ve seen tragically high patient

Microbioz India, October 2020 38

Product Launches

1000 under this previous EUA authorization held “It’s exciting to offer labs the opportunity and
by RUCDR. However, this initial authorization freedom to explore additional DNA or viral RNA
limited broader access to saliva-based diagnostic avenues for combating this pandemic and other
testing, and restricted availability with only one viral infections with a safer biomaterial and a single
testing platform run by a single authorized lab. biosample collection device.”
This EUA authorization decision by the FDA
successfully expands saliva-based testing access and For more information, visit Spectrum Solutions.
availability through the validation of the SDNA-
1000 saliva collection system on the broader range Sakura Finetek Europe
of platforms and assays currently being used by labs Launches Tissue-Tek
across the nation for immediate and seamless SmartConnect
integration. Qualified commercial RNA extraction
chemistries include Perkin Elmer, Thermo Fisher,
Roche, and Qiagen.

“Saliva is a more robust biomaterial to Sakura Finetek Europe, Alphen aan den Rijn,
facilitate molecular testing,” says Stephen Netherlands has launched Tissue-Tek
Fanning, CEO of Spectrum Solutions. SmartConnect. This automated transfer system
“Collected samples consistently creates a continuous flow between the Smart
demonstrate higher levels of testing solutions Tissue-Tek Xpress x120 Rapid Tissue
accuracy, and the SDNA-1000 also offers Processor and Tissue-Tek AutoTec a120
the highest levels of safety by inactivating Automated Embedding System. This new solution
the live virus mitigating risks of exposure enables a laboratory to optimize its workflow and
from the collection through shipping, to work more efficiently, eliminating repetitive and
sample processing at the lab.” unnecessary manual work.

Spectrum’s biomaterial collection system Tissue-Tek SmartConnect is the first Sakura
additionally provides: Finetek Europe launch from the company’s

Mass-testing scalability and integration through

validated and supported processes

EUA authorized for over 10 days of post-collection

stability for covid-19 saliva samples with no

degradation in sample efficacy

EUA validated viral inactivation data

First device authorized for at-home and unassisted European research and development department.
“Our team has done an outstanding job creating
sample self-collection this complex robotic solution in just two years with
the extreme high quality Sakura Finetek is known
“The SDNA-1000 was engineered to innovate for. We created a fully automated process, starting
molecular diagnostic applications using saliva,” says with grossed tissues as input up to embedded
Jeremy Johnson, VP of Engineering at Spectrum blocks as output,” says Andries Dragt, vice
Solutions. president, Strategy and Business Development and
founder of the idea.
“With Tissue-Tek SmartConnect, Sakura Finetek
once again proves itself as one of the most
innovative companies when it comes to automating
and standardizing histology laboratories. This
solution is a unique step towards future-proof
pathology and enables lab technician to spend more
of their valuable time on what really matters.”

Microbioz India, October 2020 39

Product Launches

“In the coming months, the first histology These differences may shed important new light on
laboratory will be equipped with Tissue-Tek the natural history of the disease and may relate to
SmartConnect to show its value and interindividual differences in susceptibility. The AI-
support the lab technicians in the enabled glycoproteomic analysis of nearly 100
workplace. This step is in line with our blood samples was conducted in Intervenn’s South
promise to empower pathology San Francisco lab, with additional studies in
professionals to deliver accurate and fast complementary covid-19 patient and other
diagnoses to optimize treatment success,” reference cohorts still currently ongoing.
says Chris Koeman, president of Sakura
Finetek Europe. “The patient drives this InterVenn has demonstrated that analysis of
promise. Because when it comes to protein glycosylation, the most common and most
diagnosing cancer, there is no time to wait. complex form of post-translational protein
We truly believe we can make more modification, is a highly effective way of
valuable differences for patients in the discovering uniquely informative biomarkers.
future, and that drives us to put all our effort InterVenn’s approach to glycoproteomics
into bringing more worthy innovations to combines the power of liquid chromatography-
the market.” mass spectrometry for high-resolution, accurate-
mass characterization of glycoproteins with
For more information, visit Sakura Finetek Europe. artificial intelligence and machine learning to create
a scalable platform appropriate for clinical studies
Featured image: Tissue-Tek SmartConnect is an and applications. PIP, the company’s AI-enabled
automated transfer system that creates a continuous mass spectrometry data analysis software,
flow between the Smart solutions Tissue-Tek dramatically reduces the time and cost of
Xpress x120 Rapid Tissue Processor and Tissue- integrating and quantifying raw data while
Tek AutoTec a120 Automated Embedding System. increasing the quality of output and interpretation
(courtesy of Sakura Finetek Europe) by eliminating observer-based bias. A reduced-
feature version of the software, OpenPIP, has been
InterVenn Biosciences IDs made available in the public domain.
Potential Covid-19 “We are currently following up on our initial, highly
Susceptibility Markers intriguing and promising results with additional
analyses from a larger sample group that will allow
InterVenn Biosciences announced it has identified us to position our approach optimally in support of
marked differences in the glycoproteomic profile of covid-19 risk determination and outcome
patients who became seriously ill with covid-19, as prediction,” says Klaus Lindpaintner, MD, MPH,
compared to individuals who had also been infected chief scientific and medical officer of InterVenn
with the SARS-CoV-2 virus but experienced no or Biosciences. “We believe that glycoproteomic
minimal symptoms. analysis has the potential of significantly
advancing our understanding of covid-19 and of
our ability to help patients and their physicians
make more informed health decisions during this
terrifying global pandemic where there are still
many unknowns.”

Microbioz India, October 2020 40

Product Launches

The results obtained in covid-19 patients broaden according to the safety requirements of DIN EN
the set of indications to which InterVenn can apply 61010-1.
its technology platform. Previously, the company’s
focus has been on oncology, with a prospective, The HPLC series with its steel-reinforced base can
multi-site clinical validation trial in ovarian cancer support an evenly distributed load weighing up to
currently underway as part of an overarching effort 250 kg (551 pounds) or lopsided loads of up to 150
aimed at the prediction of a variety of oncological kg (330 pounds). This stability is ensured by V-
entities. InterVenn’s approach, which has generated shaped reinforcements under the tabletop. The
preliminary data on predictive classifiers for Trespa TopLabPlus panels used for the tabletop are
ovarian, renal, lung, liver, prostate, pancreas, totally chemical-resistant and the surface remains
nasopharyngeal, and colorectal cancers, is based on
assaying a large panel of serum glycoproteins. It protected even after sustaining scratches or other
routinely performs with sensitivities and superficial damage.
specificities greater than 90%, using differential,
indication-specific classifiers generated from the Ball-bearing mounted castors enable the table to be
larger panel. This allows for highly targeted moved effortlessly even under the heaviest loads.
screening in individuals known to be at increased The workbench is available in several sizess and the
risk for a particular cancer (e.g. ovarian cancer in height-adjustable models come in five different
BRCA1/2 mutation carriers) as well as for broad height ranges. Cables are well-protected and housed
cancer screening by interrogating distinct, in a duct on the back. A feedthrough at the rear of
individual disease classifiers in a single laboratory the tabletop lets the connection cables be inserted
test, without compromising analytical accuracy for into the duct and plugged into the integrated power
any individual indication as is commonly seen with strip. The tables can be equipped with an
one-size-fits-all concepts. uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to keep the
devices running while the table is being moved.
“These results once again emphasize the
ubiquitous importance of glycoproteomics across For more information visit Sonation.
a broad spectrum of medical conditions and
highlight the significant potential that Roche to Launch SARS-
glycoproteomic data has in giving researchers and Cov-2 Antigen Test to
physicians predictive knowledge of the course of a Support High-Volume
disease,” says Aldo Carrascoso, chief executive Lab Testing for Covid-
officer of InterVenn Biosciences. “With our 19
proprietary platform, we continue to discover
clinically relevant insights about a variety of Roche, Basel, Switzerland, announced that it
diseases—meaning, as a collective medical intends to launch a high-volume SARS-CoV-2
community, we will be better able to determine the Antigen test as an aid in the diagnosis of Severe
best treatment for an individual patient based on
their unique profile, and improve outcomes
overall.”

For more information, visit InterVenn Biosciences.

Mobile Lab Tables for

Large Mechanical Loads

Sonation GmbH, Biberach, Germany, has
developed a new series of tables specifically
designed for lab equipment. The models’ reinforced
base provides secure positioning for the
apparatuses without sacrificing flexibility in the
daily lab work. The new lab bench has been certified

Microbioz India, October 2020 41

Product Launches

Acute Respiratory

Syndrome Coronavirus 2

(SARS-CoV-2) infection.

The test is planned to be

made available at the end of

2020 for markets accepting

the CE Mark. Roche also

intends to file for emergency

use authorization (EUA)

from the FDA.

The Elecsys SARS-CoV-2

Antigen test is a highly

accurate laboratory

immunoassay for the in vitro

qualitative detection of the healthcare professionals, and patients to fight this
pandemic with the help of our diagnostics
nucleocapsid antigen of SARS-CoV-2. The test is solutions.”

performed by healthcare professionals and uses For more information, visit Roche.

nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab samples Zeiss AI Sample Finder
Reduces Time to
from patients with signs and symptoms suggestive Experiment

of COVID-19, or people with either known or

suspected exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

The Elecsys SARS-CoV-2 Antigen immunoassay Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany, is introducing AI
runs on all cobas e immunochemistry analyzers. Sample Finder for optimal user guidance and
These fully automated systems can provide test operation. With this feature, the open and flexible
results in 18 minutes for a single test (excluding inverted microscope platform Zeiss Axio Observer
time for sample collection, transport, and makes sample placement easier than ever and
preparation), with a throughput of up to 300 tests significantly reduces the time to experiment,
per hour, depending on the analyser. A laboratory-
based automated antigen assay allows for cost and
error reduction due to removal of manual handling
as well as fast turnaround times and high test
throughput.

“We are aware that governments and healthcare according to the company. For researchers, it offers
systems are under intense pressure to increase a completely different way to operate a microscope,
SARS-CoV-2 testing capacity to effectively manage greatly boosting both productivity and ease of use.
the spread of the virus,” says Thomas Schinecker, Users are guided more efficiently and have to
CEO of Roche Diagnostics. “A high-volume perform fewer manual steps. They can navigate
antigen test is a valuable addition to the testing more intuitively and are able to analyze more
portfolio for helping diagnose SARS-CoV-2 samples on the carrier.
infection. Being able to quickly and correctly
identify if someone has a SARS-CoV-2 infection is AI Sample Finder identifies the sample carrier and
critical to informing patient management decisions detects sample areas automatically. This accelerates
and containing the spread of covid-19. Roche the process of localizing a sample, especially when
remains committed to supporting governments, the sample is translucent or simply too small to see

Microbioz India, October 2020 42

Product Launches

with the naked eye. After placing the sample on the PerkinElmer Launches
loading position, AI Sample Finder moves it to the
objective. There is no need to move microscope Scalable Workstations for
parts for sample placement manually. Focus is
adjusted automatically, and a high-contrast Covid-19 Testing
overview image for fast and convenient navigation
is taken within seconds even for very low-contrast PerkinElmer, Waltham, Mass, has launched a series
samples. Intelligent routines reliably identify the of explorer workstations for covid-19 testing
sample carrier, regardless of its type. And with its capable of preparing and running up to 10,000
deep learning algorithms, AI Sample Finder detects covid-19 tests per day. These modular and scalable
even unusual regions of interest. workstations enable laboratories to ramp up SARS-
CoV-2 testing capacity quickly to generate results.
In life science research, a good overview image is Currently, many laboratories are unable to deliver
the foundation for a detailed analysis to make sure covid-19 testing results in a timely manner. Slow
all areas can be navigated and accessed directly. AI results and delayed responses can increase the risk
Sample Finder eliminates time-consuming manual of further spread of the disease.
adjustments and reduces the time to image from
minutes to just seconds. It also reduces
phototoxicity because only short illumination of the
sample is necessary when performing adjustments
and identification of relevant areas. During the
experiment, the entire system can be controlled
remotely for highest flexibility.
New Accessories for Improved Optical Sectioning
and Efficient Illumination

When imaging big specimens, out-of-focus light Masoud Toloue, PhD, PerkinElmer.
often blurs the image, thereby reducing contrast PerkinElmer’s scalable and modular explorer
and resolution. With Zeiss Apotome 3, removing automated workstations are designed to streamline
out-of-focus light becomes simple and efficient. It testing workflows, speeding up SARS-CoV-2 RT-
comes with three grids for structured illumination PCR and ELISA testing. The workstations help
and creates crisp optical sections of fluorescent laboratories improve their efficiency while
samples free of scattered light. Automatically minimizing errors. In addition, they reduce labor
recognizing the magnification, the ideal grid is requirements by automating and standardizing
moved into the beam path, always resulting in the disparate workflow steps. They also provide varying
best image quality. The peer-reviewed algorithms degrees of automation based on workload and
yield artifact-free images even allowing the staffing resources.
quantification of intensities. Zeiss Apotome 3
significantly increases the axial resolution compared “The global economy is reeling from this
to conventional fluorescence and adds optical pandemic, and laboratories need to be able to
sectioning capabilities to your widefield microscope rapidly scale their testing capacity up and down,”
for 3D rendering, even from thick specimens. says Masoud Toloue, PhD, vice president and
general manager, diagnostics, PerkinElmer.
A new light source, the Excite Xylis LED, is now “PerkinElmer is developing innovative solutions
integrated into the Zeiss microscopy environment. giving laboratories the flexibility they need to meet
This effective illumination solution provides a high the ever-changing covid-19 testing demand. The
and reproducible light output over its entire life best-in-class explorer workstations enable
span without warmup times. With its broad laboratories to efficiently work through the covid-
emission spectrum, dyes from UV to far red can be 19 pandemic.”
excited for highest spectral flexibility. It is mercury-
free and complies to latest RoHS standards. Long- For more information, visit PerkinElmer.
lasting LEDs have resulted in changing light bulbs
becoming obsolete and have led to lower running
costs and positive outcomes for the environment.

For more information, visit Zeiss.

Microbioz India, October 2020 43









PUBLISHED ON: 25th October 2020 RNI NUMBER: UPENG/2017/73675