OBJECTIVES:To evaluate the association between serum acetaminophen levels and hepatorenal function in patients receiving therapeutic doses of acetaminophen over a short period. MATERIALS AND METHODS:A prospective observational study was conducted in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at a tertiary care hospital in Tripura, India, from August 2021 to July 2022. A total of 109 patients receiving therapeutic doses of acetaminophen were enrolled. Blood samples were collected on day 1 (within 4 h of the first dose) and day 7 of continuous administration. Plasma acetaminophen concentrations were estimated using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Hepatic markers (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT], serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase [SGPT], total bilirubin, total protein, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, and globulin), and renal markers (serum urea, creatinine, and uric acid) were measured using a fully automated biochemical analyzer. RESULTS:Mean plasma acetaminophen levels increased significantly from 15.09 ± 6.25 μg/ml on day 1 to 17.08 ± 7.34 μg/ml on day 7 (P = 0.001). Mild but statistically significant elevations in SGOT and SGPT (P < 0.05) were observed. Serum urea (P = 0.013) and creatinine (P = 0.031) also showed minor increases, although all values remained within normal reference ranges and were clinically insignificant. CONCLUSION:Therapeutic use of acetaminophen over a short period may lead to subtle hepatorenal changes. While these alterations are not clinically significant, periodic monitoring is advisable in patients requiring prolonged or repeated use. Further studies are warranted to evaluate long-term safety.

Malaria remains a major public health problem in Northeast India, particularly among the tribal population of Tripura, with increasing Plasmodium vivax (Pv) cases alongside predominant Plasmodium falciparum (Pf). This study assessed the demographic, clinical, haematological, and biochemical characteristics of severe malaria in hyperendemic areas of Tripura. A prospective hospital- and community-based study was conducted in three districts of Tripura from April 2023 to December 2024. Febrile individuals were screened through door-to-door village visits and primary health centres. Malaria was diagnosed using rapid diagnostic test, microscopy, and polymerase chain reaction, while severe malaria was classified according to World Health Organisation criteria. Among 1205 febrile tribal individuals screened, 465 malaria cases were identified. PCR detected the highest number of infections (422), including Pf (174), Pv (213), and mixed infections (35). Both RDT and microscopy showed high specificity (> 97

OBJECTIVES:To examine the significance of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their correlation with insulin resistance and metabolic markers. METHODS:Blood samples from maternal and cord sources were obtained from 289 pregnant women, divided into GDM, prediabetic, and normal pregnancy groups. Serum levels of NGAL, TNF-α, insulin, fasting blood sugar (FBS), homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides, cholesterol, and so on were measured. Statistical analyses, including the Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test, were used to compare NGAL levels across patient groups and ethnicities. RESULTS:Women with GDM showed significantly higher serum NGAL and TNF-α levels compared to prediabetic and normal pregnancy groups. The NGAL levels positively correlated with key metabolic markers such as FBS, insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides, and cholesterol, suggesting a link between elevated NGAL and insulin resistance. In the GDM group, there was also a positive association (r=0.366) between NGAL and TNF-α values. No significant variation in NGAL levels was observed between non-tribal and tribal women. CONCLUSION:Elevated levels of NGAL and TNF-α in women with GDM are linked to increased insulin resistance, excessive gestational weight gain, and higher neonatal morbidity risk. These findings underscore the possible involvement of these inflammatory markers in the development of GDM, emphasizing the need for targeted management of both gestational weight gain and inflammation in GDM patients.

Background & objectives The effects of COVID-19 on neonatal and perinatal outcomes and infant development in low- and middle-income countries have not been well studied. Our study aimed to explore the effect of maternal COVID-19 infection on pregnancy, neonatal outcomes, and development of infants. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study on women exposed to and not exposed to COVID-19 during pregnancy and their infants (exposed and comparison cohort, respectively). Data were collected through hospital records and interview of mothers. Outcomes included stillbirth, preterm birth, low birth weight, admission to special newborn care unit (SNCU) and attainment of age-appropriate developmental milestones till one year of age. We conducted propensity score matching analysis to address any selection bias. Results Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 was associated with a higher risk of stillbirths [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.63; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39, 4.96] and admission to SNCU (aOR 2.57; 95% CI 1.85, 3.58) after adjusting for pregnancy and birth-related covariates. Risk of illness among babies born to COVID-positive mothers was higher [relative risk (RR) 4.23; 95% CI 3.14, 5.69; P<0.001]. Age of attainment of developmental milestones were similar between both cohorts. Interpretation & conclusions Women who contracted COVID-19 in pregnancy were at higher risk of stillbirths, and their babies were more likely to be admitted to the SNCU as compared to their COVID-negative counterparts. There were no clinically meaningful differences between babies of both cohorts in the age at which developmental milestones were attained.

Malaria elimination faces challenges from drug resistance, stemming from mutations within the parasite's genetic makeup. Genetic adaptations in key erythrocyte proteins offer malaria protection in endemic regions. Emulating nature's approach, and implementing methodologies to render indispensable host proteins inactive, holds the potential to reshape antimalarial therapy. This study delves into the functional implication of the single-span membrane protein Kell ectodomain, which shares consensus sequence with the zinc endopeptidase family, possesses extracellular enzyme activity crucial for parasite invasion into host erythrocytes. Through generating Kell-null erythrocytes from an erythroid progenitor, BEL-A, we demonstrate the indispensable nature of Kell activity in P. falciparum invasion. Additionally, thiorphan, a metallo-endopeptidase inhibitor, which specifically inhibits Kell activity, inhibited Plasmodium infection at nanomolar concentrations. Interestingly, individuals in malaria-endemic regions exhibit low Kell expression and activity, indicating a plausible Plasmodium-induced evolutionary pressure. Both thiorphan and its prodrug racecadotril, demonstrated potent antimalarial activity in vivo, highlighting Kell's protease role in invasion and proposing thiorphan as a promising host-oriented antimalarial therapeutic.

The ATP2B4 gene, encoding the PMCA4b Ca²+-ATPase in erythrocytes, has been linked to malaria protection via genome-wide association studies, though the proposed dehydration mechanism remains unclear. This study evaluates ATP2B4 genotypes and PMCA4b expression in malaria susceptibility and artemisinin sensitivity. ATP2B4 genotypes were compared across severe malaria, uncomplicated malaria, and healthy controls in Indian population. PMCA4b expression, intra-erythrocytic calcium, oxidative stress markers, Gardos channel activity, and Plasmodium falciparum growth dynamics were analyzed. Artemisinin sensitivity was assessed using growth inhibition and ring survival assays. ATP2B4 genotypes showed no significant association with malaria protection. Regardless of genotype, low PMCA4b expression correlated with increased intra-erythrocytic calcium, oxidative stress, and reduced in-vitro parasite growth. Gardos channel activity inversely correlated with PMCA4b but did not induce dehydration. Instead, oxidative-stress regulation by PMCA4b emerged as a key factor in malaria protection. Treatment of RBCs with resveratrol, a PMCA inhibitor, further validates the functional role of PMCA in regulation of intracellular calcium and oxidative stress. Notably, low PMCA4b expression also reduced P. falciparum artemisinin sensitivity, providing evidence that host genetic variation can influence drug efficacy. These findings suggest a role for PMCA4b in oxidative stress and drug response as critical to malaria pathophysiology. We further emphasize that many redox modulating RBC polymorphisms in malaria endemic areas could also influence artemisinin efficacy and serve as potential biomarkers for predicting therapeutic response.IMPORTANCEDiscovery of the mechanism by which human host variations affect the sensitivity of artemisinin in parasite provides an interestingly important view for optimizing anti-malarial treatment strategies. The human host and malaria parasite share a closely interconnected relationship; hence, we propose that parasite physiology or drug resistance cannot be studied alone without considering the host's biological factors. This study demonstrates that increase in intracellular calcium of RBCs is associated with a proportionate increase in intracellular oxidative stress, which affects the artemisinin sensitivity. Thus, variations in PMCA4b expression, the primary calcium efflux pump in RBCs, significantly alter the erythrocytic ROS levels, thereby affecting the P. falciparum growth and artemisinin sensitivity. Notably, intracellular redox imbalance is a common phenotype of multiple erythrocytic polymorphisms prevalent in malaria endemic areas, such as sickle cell, thalassemia, G6PD deficiency, etc. This study advocates the need for a widespread population-based investigation that associates the importance of host erythrocyte oxidative microenvironment surveillance in monitoring antimalarial drug resistance.

HDAC8 and HDAC2 are recently reported to be overexpressed in cervical cancer. To date, studies related to the use of dual targeted HDAC inhibitor to treat cervical cancer are not well explored. Again, majority of the selective HDAC inhibitors discovered so far are hydroxamic acids, which have multiple adverse side-effects due to their strong zinc chelating ability. In this study, we repurposed DrugBank molecules to identify novel non hydroxamate compounds as potential HDAC8/2 dual inhibitors that can be effective for cervical cancer management. Therefore, a comprehensive integrated in silico approach, involving two-tier virtual screening, has been adopted. An initial e-pharmacophore model generation based on the co-ligands associated with HDAC8 and HDAC2 and subsequent PBVS of 12223 drug molecules were performed which eventually yielded 658 hits having fitness scores ≥ 1.0 for both the proteins. Then, SBVS for these hits was done using Glide XP method into the HDAC8 and HDAC2 crystal structures which resulted in 52 hits having XPGS ≤ -9.0 kcal/mol against both the proteins. Following this, they were re-docked into other HDAC isoforms to confirm isoform selectivity. DB11747, DB03973, DB03812, DB07890, and DB03448 were identified as top hits and were finally subjected to molecular dynamics simulation for stability of the complexes and MM-GBSA studies to calculate binding free energies. These hits have stable interactions with both HDAC8 and HDAC2 protein binding sites. In silico ADMET studies brought to limelight the promising pharmacokinetics and safety profiles of the hits. In silico cytotoxicity prediction studies also revealed potent anticancer activity.

Background In a small state like Tripura, a surge in prevalence of superficial dermatophytosis has been observed from April to September among the population of both tribal and non-tribal groups having different lifestyle, different food habit, and different socioeconomic status. Studies from different region reveal varying pattern of etiological distribution of the disease. But till date no research study has been initiated in Tripura on clinicomycological profile of dermatophytosis. Objectives This study was undertaken with the objectives to estimate the proportion of different fungal species associated with dermatophytosis among the patients attending Dermatology Outpatient Department of a Tertiary care hospital of Tripura and also to determine possible association of different clinical parameters with fungal species if any. Materials and Methods A total of three hundred and ninety-one (391) new cases of dermatophytosis attending Dermatology Outpatient Department of a Tertiary care teaching hospital of Tripura were included in this study from June, 2021 to May, 2022. All the specimens were assessed by direct microscopic examination and in vitro culture. Fungi were identified on the basis of their macroscopic and microscopic features with the help of lactophenol cotton blue staining and urease test. Results There was a male preponderance among cases and maximum patients belonged to 21-40 years age group. Trichophyton schoenleinii was the most common fungal species (52.1%) grown in culture followed by Trichophyton rubrum (26.9%). Conclusion In contrast to previous study results from different parts of India, Trichophyton schoenleinii was the most common isolated fungal species from this part of northeast India, and Tinea corporis (41.3%) was the most prominent clinical manifestation of dermatophytosis.

Artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum remains a major public health challenge for the ongoing malaria elimination programs. Till now, artemisinin resistance is linked with the variations in the genome of P. falciparum which are mainly clustered in the Pfkelch13 gene. Several studies reported artemisinin resistance in the malaria endemic areas without finding any evidence of genetic variation in parasite for this occurrence. This study interrogated whether host genetic variations have any association with artemisinin sensitivity of malaria parasite. We investigated the relationship of 1) genetic variations in the human ATP2B4 gene and 2) the resultant surface expression of plasma membrane calcium ATPase (PMCA4b) with the intraerythrocytic levels of calcium, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the resistance towards artemisinin in the intraerythrocytic parasite. This study found negative correlation of PMCA4b expression level with intraerythrocytic calcium and ROS levels. Further in-vitro growth assays revealed that artemisinin sensitivity is reduced in the parasites growing within the RBCs having low PMCA4b and high oxidative stress. Overall, this study highlights the strong association of host PMCA4b in cellular calcium mediated redox imbalance, which significantly contributes to artemisinin resistance in malaria parasite. Hence, this is the first study to document the effect of host variations on artemisinin sensitivity of the parasite. We further emphasize that many redox modulating RBC polymorphisms that are prevalent in malaria endemic areas could influence artemisinin resistance and can serve as potential biomarkers for predicting therapeutic response. Thus, detailed population specific research may provide new insights for personalized malaria treatment and may inform future drug development strategies. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest.

Objective:To determine the association between vaccination status and mortality among critically ill patients admitted in a dedicated Covid hospital of Tripura who required invasive mechanical ventilation.Material and Methods:This study was conducted at a dedicated Covid hospital of Tripura for a period of six months, i.e., from June 2021 to November 2021. A total of 304 patients were enrolled for this study. Baseline epidemiological, radiological data along with other information like heart rate, pulse rate, oxygen saturation (SpO2), etc., were collected through patient record sheet in all cases during hospitalization. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS 25 version.Results:Admission and mortality rates in hospital and advanced oxygen support like bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP), high-flow nasal cannula (HFNOC), and ventilator use incidences were higher in non-vaccinated patients (17.1%) in comparison to double-dose-vaccinated (0.98%) and single-dose (2.3%)-vaccinated patients.Conclusion:This retrospective data analysis of Covid-19 positive patients admitted in the dedicated Covid Hospital of Tripura suggests that severe infection, need for invasive and non-invasive ventilation, and death were significantly less in the vaccinated patients as compared to the vaccine-naive one.

Malaria parasite invasion to host erythrocytes is mediated by multiple interactions between merozoite ligands and erythrocyte receptors that contribute toward the development of disease pathology. Here, we report a novel antigen Plasmodium prohibitin "PfPHB2" and identify its cognate partner "Hsp70A1A" in host erythrocyte that plays a crucial role in mediating host-parasite interaction during merozoite invasion. Using small interfering RNA (siRNA)- and glucosamine-6-phosphate riboswitch (glmS) ribozyme-mediated approach, we show that loss of Hsp70A1A in red blood cells (RBCs) or PfPHB2 in infected red blood cells (iRBCs), respectively, inhibit PfPHB2-Hsp70A1A interaction leading to invasion inhibition. Antibodies targeting PfPHB2 and monoclonal antibody therapeutics against Hsp70A1A efficiently block parasite invasion. Recombinant PfPHB2 binds to RBCs which is inhibited by anti-PfPHB2 antibody and monoclonal antibody against Hsp70A1A. The validation of PfPHB2 to serve as antigen is further supported by detection of anti-PfPHB2 antibody in patient sera. Overall, this study proposes PfPHB2 as vaccine candidate and highlights the use of monoclonal antibody therapeutics for future malaria treatment.

A comprehensive entomological survey was undertaken in Alipurduar District, West Bengal, from 2018 to 2020 and in 2022. This study was prompted by reported malaria cases and conducted across nine villages, seven Sub-Centres, and three Primary Health Centres (PHCs). Mosquitoes were hand-collected with aspirators and flashlights from human dwellings and cattle sheds during the daytime. Both morphological and molecular techniques were used for species identification. Additionally, mosquitoes were tested for Plasmodium parasites and human blood presence. Mosquito species such as An. barbirostris s.l., An. hyrcanus s.l., An. splendidus, and An. vagus were morphologically identified. For species like An. annularis s.l., An. minimus s.s., An. culicifacies s.l., and An. maculatus s.s., a combination of morphological and molecular techniques was essential. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase gene subunit 1 (CO1) was sequenced for An. annularis s.l., An. maculatus s.s., An. culicifacies s.l., An. vagus, and some damaged samples, revealing the presence of An. pseudowillmori and An. fluviatilis. The major Anopheles species were An. annularis s.l., An. culicifacies s.l., and An. maculatus s.s., especially in Kumargram and Turturi PHCs. Plasmodium positivity was notably high in An. annularis s.l. and An. maculatus s.s. with significant human blood meal positivity across most species. Morphological, molecular, and phylogenetic analyses are crucial, especially for archived samples, to accurately identify the mosquito fauna of a region. Notably, this study confirms the first occurrence of An. pseudowillmori and An. sawadwongporni in West Bengal and implicates An. maculatus s.s., An. culicifacies s.l., and An. annularis s.l. as significant vectors in the Alipurduar region.

Tuberculosis (TB) patients show dysregulated immunity, iron metabolism, and anemia. In this study, circulatory cytokines, trace metals, and iron-related proteins (hepcidin, ferroportin, transferrin, Dmt1, Nramp1, ferritin, ceruloplasmin, hemojuvelin, aconitase, and transferrin receptor) were monitored in case (active tuberculosis patients: ATB) and control (non-tuberculosis: NTB and healthy) study populations ( n = 72, male: 100%, mean age, 42.94 years; range, 17–83 years). Using serum elemental and cytokine levels, a partial least square discriminate analysis model (PLS-DA) was built, which clustered ATB patients away from NTB and healthy controls. Based on the PLS-DA variable importance in projection (VIP) score and analysis of variance (ANOVA), 13 variables were selected as important biosignatures [IL-18, IL-10, IL-13, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-5, IL-12 (p70), IL-1β, copper, zinc, selenium, iron, and aluminum]. Interestingly, low iron and selenium levels and high copper and aluminum levels were observed in ATB subjects. Low circulatory levels of transferrin, ferroportin, and hemojuvelin with higher ferritin and ceruloplasmin levels observed in ATB subjects demonstrate an altered iron metabolism, which partially resolved upon 6 months of anti-TB therapy. The identified biosignature in TB patients demonstrated perturbed iron homeostasis with anemia of inflammation, which could be useful targets for the development of host-directed adjunct therapeutics.

: Vaccination has been recommended to curve the COVID-19 pandemic. Associations of death among COVID-19 patients with their COVID-19 vaccination status and various co-morbidities are ill understood. Tocompare the proportions of death between COVID-19 vaccinated and un-vaccinated and to determine the association of vaccination status and selected co-morbidities with death among COVID-19 patients treated in the DCH of Tripura. : This secondary data based cross-sectional study was conducted in the DCH of Agartala Government Medical College using medical records of 2354 COVID-19 patients treated during second and third quarters of 2021, chosen by simple random sampling. A pre-designed proforma was used to extract data regarding demographics, vaccination status, co-morbidities, vitals, treatment outcome etc. from the case-sheets. Binary regression model was utilized for predicting the probability of death due to COVID-19 using important predictor variables. Majority i.e. 68% patients were aged between 18 to ≤60 yr, 56.7% were male, 38.3% had co-morbidities, 11% received single dose, 9.6% received two doses and 79.4% had no COVID-19 vaccination. Death rate was 5.8% among first dose recipients, 9.3% among second dose recipients and 11.4% among un-vaccinated. Overall death rate was 7.4%. Binary regression model has shown that older age, poor oxygen saturation during hospitalization, chronic kidney disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus are having significant enhancing effect and vaccination having protective effect upon death. Old age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and chronic kidney disease have enhancing and vaccination has got protective effect against death due to COVID-19.

Abstract Malaria parasite invade human erythrocytes in the merozoite stage that contribute towards the development of disease pathology. Invasion is mediated by multiple interactions between merozoite ligands and erythrocyte receptors. Here, we report a novel interaction of Plasmodium prohibitin ‘PfPHB2’ with human Hsp70A1A that plays a crucial role in mediating host-parasite interaction during merozoite invasion to RBCs. Using siRNA and glmS mediated approach, we show that loss of Hsp70A1A or PfPHB2 function blocks parasite growth owing to the inability of merozoites to invade erythrocytes. Antibodies targeting PfPHB2 or Hsp70A1A efficiently block parasite invasion in vitro that reiterate that PfPHB2 - Hsp70A1A complex facilitates merozoite invasion to new erythrocytes. Inhibition of recombinant PfPHB2 binding to RBCs in the presence of anti-PfPHB2/anti-Hsp70A1A antibodies, and patient sera from malaria infected individuals provide additional evidence for PfPHB2 participation in host–parasite interactions. Interestingly, PfPHB2 was found to generate a strong humoral response in malaria patients that illustrate the immunogenicity of this surface protein and its importance as vaccine candidate. Based on our results, we propose a novel attribute of Plasmodium PHB2 and anti-Hsp70A1A monoclonal antibody that can be combinedly used to design future approaches targeting PfPHB2-Hsp70A1A interaction in the parasite.

Introduction: Tertiary care hospitals deal with complex medical care and are the face of development of the healthcare delivery system. Towards this advancement, good quality of patient care services addsvalue. One of the ways to ind out about the quality of ongoing services is by carrying out patient satisfaction surveys. In this context, nearly ive years after the inauguration of the state's irst ever trauma care centre, it was planned to take a feedback on the services provided by the centre. Objective: To assess the level of satisfaction of the patients treated in the trauma care center of a tertiary care hospital in the state of Tripura. Method: A total of three hundred and sixty ive (365) patients admitted in the trauma care centre were interviewed using a validated questionnaire adapted from National Health System survey format. Data was collected over period of six months. For the irst three months, interviews were conducted on all odd days of the week and for the next three months the interviews were conducted on even days of the week. Results: In the present study, 84% of the responders were male and 16% female. It was observed that 78.08% of the patients had full conidence and trust on the doctors who attended the patients. The overall ranking provided by the patients on the services received in the hospital was satisfactory. In this study, 78.9% and 10.7% of the patients have rated the services to be 'good' and 'excellent', respectively. Conclusion: Although most of the patients were satisied with the services provided in the trauma care centre of the study, 9.6% of them also reported that there is need to improve services. This study will not only help the hospital management to implement new policies but also prepare the hospital well to meet the needs of patients admitted in the trauma care center

Background: Musculoskeletal manifestations of diabetes are common and not life threatening, but these are an important cause of morbidity, pain and disability among diabetic patients. In 2004, the National Health Interview Survey determined that 58% of diabetic patients would have musculoskeletal functional disability. This study was designed to estimate the proportion of musculoskeletal manifestations among Type 2 diabetic patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Tripura and also to determine the association of various musculoskeletal manifestations with glycaemic status, body mass index and duration of diabetes mellitus. Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital in a northeastern state of India from December 2020 to November 2021. All the diabetic patients attending diabetes nutrition clinic of a tertiary care hospital for a period of one year were considered for this study. Diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorder was made based on history, physical examination, laboratory test and imaging test. Quantitative data were expressed as mean and standard deviation. Descriptive data was expressed in percentages and frequencies using charts and tables. Chi-square test was applied to explore any association between variables. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the institutional ethics committee. Results: Out of four hundred and forty-two diabetic cases and two hundred and thirty-four (52.9%) patients were found with musculoskeletal manifestations, 55% of which belong to 45-59 age group. Conclusion: Physicians treating diabetic patients should be encouraged for regular examination for musculoskeletal complaints. Early diagnosis will facilitate appropriate treatment and thus prevents further complications.

Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of acquiring the COVID-19 disease, if there is a breach in the personal protection while managing patients. Objectives: 1. To estimate the pattern of risk exposure among healthcare workers exposed to confirmed cases of COVID-19 working in non-COVID zones of a Teaching Hospital, North-East India. 2. To determine the association between pattern of exposure with their COVID-19 status. Materials and Method: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted among all HCWs who had occupational exposure to laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases between July and September 2020 in-non COVID zones of a major tertiary care hospital in Tripura. Results: The present study showed that 215 HCWs were exposed to confirmed cases of COVID-19 while working in non-COVID zones of the hospital. Among the exposed, 39.5% of HCWs had high-risk exposure and 8.8% of HCWs were detected as COVID-19 positive. A majority of the study subjects experienced exposure in the hospital wards (66.0%), in surgical departments (19.5%), had close contact (less than one meter distance) with positive COVID-19 cases (73.5%), and had an exposure of more than 15 minutes (51.2%). The COVID status of the exposed HCWs was significantly associated with no source control (P = 0.016), close contact with COVID-19 positive cases (P = 0.026), more duration of exposure (P < 0.05), use of any PPE (P = 0.000). COVID status was also significantly associated with the high-risk exposure of the participants (P = 0.000). Conclusion: Strict enforcement of the infection control measures like universal precautions should be practiced by HCWs to prevent hospital-acquired infections.