KOMAL RAJ RIJAL,

Ratnanagar-5, Chitwan, Nepal

E-mail: rijalkomal@gmail.com, komal.rijal@cdmi.tu.edu.np

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D in Tropical Medicine)        2015-2018

Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

• Tranakchit Harinasuta Award (Outstanding student)
• Dissertation Title: Characterization of Relapse Pattern in Vivax Malaria and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficient Variants in Nepal.
• Dissertation Defense: 30 May, 2018

Masters of Science     2001-2003

Central Department of Microbiology, University Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal

• Concentration: Environment and Public Health Microbiology
• Percentage Secured: 70.3% (First division)
• Dissertation Title: “An Epidemiological Study of Anti-tuberculosis Drug Resistance Pattern in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients”.
• Dissertation Defense: 25 September, 2004

Bachelors of Science       1998-2001

Tri-Chandra College, Kathmandu; Tribhuvan University, Nepal

• Major: Microbiology
• Minors: Chemistry, Botany and Research Methodology
• Percentage Secured: 63.8% (First division)
• Involved in project works: Herbarium collection of medically important plants;

Assistant Dean                                        4 July, 2025             Institute of Science & Technology, T.U.

Associate Professor of Microbiology            9 July, 2019       Central Department of Microbiology, Institute of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal

Head, Central Department of Microbiology                      Dec 3, 2020 to 2 Dec, 2024

Lecturer:          27 November 2008 – 8 July, 2019  Central Department of Microbiology, Institute of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal

Lecturer             February, 2006 - November, 2008

• The School of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Pokhara University, Pokhara, Kaski.

Teaching Associate        August 2005- January 2006

• The School of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Pokhara University, Pokhara, Kaski.

Publications: Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=08C-c_sAAAAJ

1. Kattel HP, Sharma S, Alfsnes K, Pettersson JH, Pathak R, Engebretsen SB, Rijal KR, Ghimire P, Andreassen ÅK, Banjara MR. The Genotypes/Subtypes and Antiviral Drug Resistance of the Hepatitis C Virus from Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Nepal. Viruses. 2025 Mar 6;17(3):377. doi: 10.3390/v17030377. PMID: 40143305; PMCID: PMC11946309.
2. Pandit K, Sharma S, Aryal S, Lamichhane A, Regmi S, Paudel P, Koirala S, Sharma S, Adhikari S, Rijal KR, Poudel P. Concurrent presence of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec types of Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in hospital environments and post-operative patients at a hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. Infect Prev Pract. 2024 Dec 28;7(1):100436. doi: 10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100436. PMID: 39882306; PMCID: PMC11774771.
3. Kattel HP, Sharma S, Alfsnes K, Pathak R, Rijal KR, Ghimire P, Andreassen AK, Banjara MR. Epidemiological Characteristics of Hepatitis C Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital. J Nepal Health Res Counc. 2024 Dec 20;22(3):608-615. doi: 10.33314/jnhrc.v22i03.5308. PMID: 39923176.
4. Commons RJ, Rajasekhar M, Allen EN, Yilma D, Chotsiri P, Abreha T, Adam I, Awab GR, Barber BE, Brasil LW, Chu CS, Cui L, Edler P, Gomes MDSM, Gonzalez-Ceron L, Grigg MJ, Hamid MMA, Hwang J, Karunajeewa H, Lacerda MVG, Ladeia-Andrade S, Leslie T, Longley RJ, Monteiro WM, Pasaribu AP, Poespoprodjo JR, Richmond CL, Rijal KR, Taylor WRJ, Thanh PV, Thriemer K, Vieira JLF, White NJ, Zuluaga-Idarraga LM, Workman LJ, Tarning J, Stepniewska K, Guerin PJ, Simpson JA, Barnes KI, Price RN; WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network Paediatric Primaquine Vivax Study Group. Primaquine for uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax malaria in children younger than 15 years: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2024 Nov;8(11):798-808. doi: 10.1016/S2352-4642(24)00210-4. Epub 2024 Sep 24. PMID: 39332427; PMCID: PMC11480364.
5. Adhikari NP, Adhikari S, Rijal KR. Community composition and co-occurrence of free- living and particle-attached bacteria in the source region of the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers. Int Microbiol. 2024 Oct 14. doi: 10.1007/s10123-024-00607-6. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39400629.
6. Mantel P, Vasoo S, Cruz R, De Assis D, Faisal AA, Jaime H, Rijal KR, Salmon S, Basseal JM. Scenario-based outbreak response training: perspectives from a multidisciplinary trainee team. Western Pac Surveill Response J. 2024 Aug 8;15(5 Spec edition):1-3. doi: 10.5365/wpsar.2024.15.5.1116. PMID: 39144473; PMCID: PMC11321908.
7. Gc G , Banjara MR , Gautam I , Ghimire P , Rijal KR . Soil Bacteria that Kill Mosquito Larvae. Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ). 2024 Jul-Sep;22(87):296-301. PMID: 40452091.

1. Shrestha PM, Kattel HP, Sharma S, Bista P, Basnet BK, Ghimire P, Rijal KR. Metallo-β- lactamase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Two Tertiary Care Centres in a District of Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study. JNMA J Nepal Med Assoc. 2024 Feb 29;62(271):202-206. doi: 10.31729/jnma.8498. PMID: 39356784; PMCID: PMC10924479.
2. Rajasekhar M, Simpson JA, Ley B, Edler P, Chu CS, Abreha T, Awab GR, Baird JK, Bancone G, Barber BE, Grigg MJ, Hwang J, Karunajeewa H, Lacerda MVG, Ladeia- Andrade S, Llanos-Cuentas A, Pukrittayakamee S, Rijal KR, Saravu K, Sutanto I, Taylor WRJ, Thriemer K, Watson JA, Guerin PJ, White NJ, Price RN, Commons RJ; WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN) Vivax Primaquine Dosing Efficacy, Tolerability and Safety Study Group. Primaquine dose and the risk of haemolysis in patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax malaria: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2024 Feb;24(2):184-

195. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00431-0. Epub 2023 Sep 22. PMID: 37748497; PMCID: PMC7615565.

1. Gc G, Parajuli K, Gautam I, Banjara MR, Ghimire P, Rijal KR. Efficacy of Native Bacillus thuringiensis against Mosquito Vector. J Nepal Health Res Counc. 2024 Mar 22;21(3):479-485. doi: 10.33314/jnhrc.v21i3.4742. PMID: 38615221.
2. Commons RJ, Rajasekhar M, Edler P, Abreha T, Awab GR, Baird JK, Barber BE, Chu CS, Cui L, Daher A, Gonzalez-Ceron L, Grigg MJ, Hwang J, Karunajeewa H, Lacerda MVG, Ladeia-Andrade S, Lidia K, Llanos-Cuentas A, Longley RJ, Pereira DB, Pasaribu AP, Pukrittayakamee S, Rijal KR, Sutanto I, Taylor WRJ, Thanh PV, Thriemer K, Vieira JLF, Watson JA, Zuluaga-Idarraga LM, White NJ, Guerin PJ, Simpson JA, Price RN; WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN) Vivax Primaquine Dosing Efficacy, Tolerability and Safety Study Group. Effect of primaquine dose on the risk of recurrence in patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2024 Feb;24(2):172-183. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00430-9. Epub 2023 Sep 22. PMID: 37748496; PMCID: PMC7615564.
3. Ghimire B, Pokherel MK, Banjara MR, Rijal KR, Ghimire P. Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase Escherichia coli in Bagmati River, Kathmandu Valley. J Nepal Health Res Counc. 2024 Mar 31;21(4):672-679. doi: 10.33314/jnhrc.v21i4.5031. PMID: 38616601.
4. Sadhewa A, Chaudhary A, Panggalo LV, Rumaseb A, Adhikari N, Adhikari S, Rijal KR, Banjara MR, Price RN, Thriemer K, Ghimire P, Ley B, Satyagraha AW. Field assessment of the operating procedures of a semi-quantitative G6PD Biosensor to improve repeatability of routine testing. PLoS One. 2024 Jan 19;19(1):e0296708. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296708. Erratum in: PLoS One. 2024 Feb 29;19(2):e0300016. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300016. PMID: 38241389; PMCID: PMC10798449.
5. Verma R, Commons RJ, Gupta A, Rahi M, Nitika, Bharti PK, Thriemer K, Rajasekhar M, Singh-Phulgenda S, Adhikari B, Alam MS, Ghimire P, Khan WA, Kumar R, Leslie T, Ley B, Llanos-Cuentas A, Pukrittayakamee S, Rijal KR, Rowland M, Saravu K, Simpson JA, Guerin PJ, Price RN, Sharma A. Safety and efficacy of primaquine in patients with Plasmodium vivax malaria from South Asia: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis. BMJ Glob Health. 2023 Dec 20;8(12):e012675. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012675. PMID: 38123228; PMCID: PMC10749047.
6. Mehdipour P, Rajasekhar M, Dini S, Zaloumis S, Abreha T, Adam I, Awab GR, Baird JK, Brasil LW, Chu CS, Cui L, Daher A, do Socorro M Gomes M, Gonzalez-Ceron L, Hwang J, Karunajeewa H, Lacerda MVG, Ladeia-Andrade S, Leslie T, Ley B, Lidia K, Llanos-Cuentas A, Longley RJ, Monteiro WM, Pereira DB, Rijal KR, Saravu K, Sutanto

I, Taylor WRJ, Thanh PV, Thriemer K, Vieira JLF, White NJ, Zuluaga-Idarraga LM, Guerin PJ, Price RN, Simpson JA, Commons RJ; WWARN Vivax Adherence Study Group. Effect of adherence to primaquine on the risk of Plasmodium vivax recurrence: a WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis. Malar J. 2023 Oct 10;22(1):306. doi: 10.1186/s12936-023-04725-w. PMID: 37817240; PMCID: PMC10563365.

1. Dhungel B, Thapa Shrestha U, Adhikari S, Adhikari N, Bhattarai A, Pokharel S, Karkey A, Limmathurotsakul D, Ghimire P, Rijal KR, Cheah PY, Pell C, Adhikari B. Use of antimicrobials during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study among stakeholders in Nepal. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2023 Nov 14;3(11):e0002166. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002166. PMID: 37963156; PMCID: PMC10645294.
2. Genotypically Confirmed Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus With vanB Gene Among Clinical Isolates in Kathmandu. Microbiol Insights. 2023 Jul 11;16:11786361231183675. doi: 10.1177/11786361231183675. PMID: 37456613; PMCID: PMC10338656.
3. Pariyar M, Adhikari S, Regmi RS, Dhungel B, Banjara MR, Rijal BP, Rijal KR, Ghimire

P. Beta-Lactamase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacterial Isolates Among the Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. Microbiol Insights. 2023 Jan 24;16:11786361221150761. doi: 10.1177/11786361221150761. PMID: 36713265; PMCID: PMC9880579.

1. Rimal S, Shrestha S, Pandey K, Nguyen TV, Bhandari P, Shah Y, Acharya D, Adhikari N, Rijal KR, Ghimire P, Takamatsu Y, Pandey BD, Fernandez S, Morita K, Ngwe Tun MM, Dumre SP. Co-Circulation of Dengue Virus Serotypes 1, 2, and 3 during the 2022 Dengue Outbreak in Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study. Viruses. 2023 Feb 11;15(2):507. doi: 10.3390/v15020507. PMID: 36851721; PMCID: PMC9958792.
2. Adhikari S, Adhikaree N, Paudel KP, Nepal R, Poudel B, Giri S, Khadka S, Khawas S, Sapkota S, Regmi RS, Rijal KR. Bacterial Assessment of Stethoscopes Used by Healthcare Workers at a Tertiary Care Government Hospital in Bharatpur, Nepal. Diseases. 2023 Apr 1;11(2):55. doi: 10.3390/diseases11020055. PMID: 37092437; PMCID: PMC10123714.
3. Bhusal B, Yadav B, Dawadi P, Rijal KR, Ghimire P, Banjara MR. Multi-drug Resistance, β-Lactamases Production, and Coexistence of blaNDM-1 and mcr-1 in Escherichia coli Clinical Isolates From a Referral Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. Microbiol Insights. 2023 Jan 31;16:11786361231152220. doi: 10.1177/11786361231152220. PMID: 36741474; PMCID: PMC9893399.
4. Adhikari S, Sharma Regmi R, Sapkota S, Khadka S, Patel N, Gurung S, Thapa D, Bhattarai P, Sapkota P, Devkota R, Ghimire A, Rijal KR. Multidrug resistance, biofilm formation and detection of blaCTX-M and blaVIM genes in E. coli and Salmonella isolates from chutney served at the street-food stalls of Bharatpur, Nepal. Heliyon. 2023 Apr 24;9(5):e15739. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15739. PMID: 37144188; PMCID: PMC10151422.
5. Lama C, Adhikari S, Sapkota S, Regmi RS, Ghimire GR, Banjara MR, Ghimire P, Rijal KR. Evaluation of Xpert MTB/RIF Assay, MTB Culture and Line Probe Assay for the Detection of MDR Tuberculosis in AFB Smear Negative Specimens. Diseases. 2022 Oct 6;10(4):82. doi: 10.3390/diseases10040082. PMID: 36278581; PMCID: PMC9624312.

1. Thapa A, Upreti MK, Bimali NK, Shrestha B, Sah AK, Nepal K, Dhungel B, Adhikari S, Adhikari N, Lekhak B, Rijal KR. Detection of NDM Variants (blaNDM-1, blaNDM- 2, blaNDM-3) from Carbapenem-Resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae:

First Report from Nepal. Infect Drug Resist. 2022 Aug 11;15:4419-4434. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S369934. PMID: 35983298; PMCID: PMC9379106.

1. Maharjan R, Bastola A, Adhikari N, Rijal KR, Banjara MR, Ghimire P, Shrestha UT. Multidrug-resistant bacteria with ESBL genes: a growing threat among people living with HIV/AIDS in Nepal. BMC Infect Dis. 2022 Jun 7;22(1):526. doi: 10.1186/s12879-022- 07503-2. PMID: 35672713; PMCID: PMC9171981.

1. Karn M, Bhargava D, Dhungel B, Banjara MR, Rijal KR, Ghimire P. The burden and characteristics of nosocomial infections in an intensive care unit: A cross-sectional study of clinical and nonclinical samples at a tertiary hospital of Nepal. Int J Crit Illn Inj Sci. 2021 Oct-Dec;11(4):236-245. doi: 10.4103/ijciis.ijciis_7_21. Epub 2021 Dec 18. PMID:

35070914; PMCID: PMC8725804.

1. Maharjan M, Sah AK, Pyakurel S, Thapa S, Maharjan S, Adhikari N, Rijal KR, Ghimire P, Thapa Shrestha U. Molecular Confirmation of Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus with vanA Gene from a Hospital in Kathmandu. Int J Microbiol. 2021 Dec 2;2021:3847347. doi: 10.1155/2021/3847347. PMID: 34899917; PMCID: PMC8660244.

1. Khanal M, Joshi PR, Paudel S, Acharya M, Rijal KR, Ghimire P, Banjara MR. Methicillin-Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci and Their Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern from Healthy Dogs and Their Owners from Kathmandu Valley. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2021 Nov 2;6(4):194. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed6040194. PMID: 34842844; PMCID: PMC8628895.

1. Gaire U, Thapa Shrestha U, Adhikari S, Adhikari N, Bastola A, Rijal KR, Ghimire P, Banjara MR. Antibiotic Susceptibility, Biofilm Production, and Detection of mecA Gene among Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Different Clinical Specimens. Diseases. 2021 Nov 1;9(4):80. doi: 10.3390/diseases9040080. PMID: 34842640; PMCID: PMC8628674.

1. Gurung R, Adhikari S, Adhikari N, Sapkota S, Rana JC, Dhungel B, Thapa Shrestha U, Banjara MR, Ghimire P, Rijal KR. Efficacy of Urine Dipstick Test in Diagnosing Urinary Tract Infection and Detection of the blaCTX-M Gene among ESBL-Producing Escherichia coli. Diseases. 2021 Aug 27;9(3):59. doi: 10.3390/diseases9030059. PMID: 34562966; PMCID: PMC8482205.

1. Thapa S, Adhikari N, Shah AK, Lamichhane I, Dhungel B, Shrestha UT, Adhikari B, Banjara MR, Ghimire P, Rijal KR. Detection of NDM-1 and VIM Genes in Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates from a Tertiary Health-Care Center in Kathmandu, Nepal. Chemotherapy. 2021 Aug 31:1-11. doi: 10.1159/000518256. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34515078.

1. Dhungel S, Rijal KR, Yadav B, Dhungel B, Adhikari N, Shrestha UT, Adhikari B, Banjara MR, Ghimire P. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): Prevalence, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern, and Detection of mecA Gene among Cardiac Patients from a Tertiary Care Heart Center in Kathmandu, Nepal. Infect Dis

(Auckl). 2021 Sep 1;14:11786337211037355. doi: 10.1177/11786337211037355. PMID: 34483665; PMCID: PMC8414605.

1. Karki D, Dhungel B, Bhandari S, Kunwar A, Joshi PR, Shrestha B, Rijal KR, Ghimire P, Banjara MR. Antibiotic resistance and detection of plasmid mediated colistin resistance mcr-1 gene among Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from clinical samples. Gut Pathog. 2021 Jul 5;13(1):45. doi: 10.1186/s13099-021-00441-5. PMID: 34225805; PMCID: PMC8256586.

1. Rijal KR, Banjara MR, Dhungel B, Kafle S, Gautam K, Ghimire B, Ghimire P, Dhungel S, Adhikari N, Shrestha UT, Sunuwar DR, Adhikari B, Ghimire P. Use of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance in Nepal: a nationwide survey. Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 2;11(1):11554. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-90812-4. PMID: 34078956; PMCID: PMC8172831.

1. Pokhrel A, Rayamajhee B, Khadka S, Thapa S, Kapali S, Pun SB, Banjara MR, Joshi P, Lekhak B, Rijal KR. Seroprevalence and Clinical Features of Scrub Typhus among Febrile Patients Attending a Referral Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. Trop Med Infect Dis. 2021 May 13;6(2):78. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed6020078. PMID: 34068402; PMCID: PMC8163188.
2. Adhikari B, Pokharel S, Raut S, Adhikari J, Thapa S, Paudel K, G C N, Neupane S, Neupane SR, Yadav R, Shrestha S, Rijal KR, Marahatta SB, Cheah PY, Pell C. Why do people purchase antibiotics over-the-counter? A qualitative study with patients, clinicians and dispensers in central, eastern and western Nepal. BMJ Glob Health. 2021 May;6(5):e005829. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005829. PMID: 33975888; PMCID: PMC8118002.

1. Maharjan A, Dhungel B, Bastola A, Thapa Shrestha U, Adhikari N, Banjara MR, Lekhak B, Ghimire P, Rijal KR. Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Salmonella spp. Isolated from Enteric Fever Patients in Nepal. Infect Dis Rep. 2021 Apr 21;13(2):388-400. doi: 10.3390/idr13020037. PMID: 33919283.

1. Rijal KR, Adhikari B, Ghimire B, Dhungel B, Pyakurel UR, Shah P, Bastola A, Lekhak B, Banjara MR, Pandey BD, Parker DM, Ghimire P. Epidemiology of dengue virus infections in Nepal, 2006-2019. Infect Dis Poverty. 2021 Apr 15;10(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s40249-021-00837-0.PMID: 33858508.

1. Sah RSP, Dhungel B, Yadav BK, Adhikari N, Thapa Shrestha U, Lekhak B, Banjara MR, Adhikari B, Ghimire P, Rijal KR. Detection of TEM and CTX-M Genes in Escherichia coli Isolated from Clinical Specimens at Tertiary Care Heart Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. Diseases. 2021 Feb 7;9(1):15. doi: 10.3390/diseases9010015. PMID: 33562276.

1. Shah P, Dhungel B, Bastola A, Banjara MR, Rijal KR, Ghimire P. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Health Care Workers of a Tertiary Care Infectious Disease Hospital in Nepal. Tribhuvan University Journal of Microbiology, 2020;7(1): 19-30.

1. Aryal SC, Upreti MK, Sah AK, Ansari M, Nepal K, Dhungel B, Adhikari N, Lekhak B, Rijal KR. Plasmid-Mediated AmpC β-Lactamase CITM and DHAM Genes Among Gram-Negative Clinical Isolates. Infect Drug Resist. 2020 Nov 24;13:4249-4261. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S284751. PMID: 33262619; PMCID: PMC7699442.
2. Kandel SN, Adhikari N, Dhungel B, Shrestha UT, Angbuhang KB, Karki G, Adhikari B, Banjara MR, Rijal KR, Ghimire P. Characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated From Clinical Specimens in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. Microbiol Insights. 2020 Nov 11;13:1178636120972695. doi: 10.1177/1178636120972695. PMID: 33239886; PMCID: PMC7675858.

1. Bista S, Thapa Shrestha U, Dhungel B, Koirala P, Gompo TR, Shrestha N, Adhikari N, Joshi DR, Banjara MR, Adhikari B, Rijal KR, Ghimire P. Detection of Plasmid- Mediated Colistin Resistant mcr-1 Gene in Escherichia coli Isolated from Infected Chicken Livers in Nepal. Animals (Basel). 2020 Nov 7;10(11):2060. doi: 10.3390/ani10112060. PMID: 33171808; PMCID: PMC7694996.

1. Adhikari B, Ozaki A, Marahatta SB, Rijal KR, Mishra SR. Earthquake rebuilding and response to COVID-19 in Nepal, a country nestled in multiple crises. J Glob Health. 2020 Dec;10(2):020367. doi: 10.7189/jogh.10.020367. PMID: 33110561; PMCID: PMC7567410.

1. Muktan B, Thapa Shrestha U, Dhungel B, Mishra BC, Shrestha N, Adhikari N, Banjara MR, Adhikari B, Rijal KR, Ghimire P. Plasmid mediated colistin resistant mcr-1 and co- existence of OXA-48 among Escherichia coli from clinical and poultry isolates: first report from Nepal. Gut Pathog. 2020 Sep 17;12:44. doi: 10.1186/s13099-020-00382-5. PMID: 32963589; PMCID: PMC7499862.

1. Gurung S, Kafle S, Dhungel B. Adhikari N, Thapa Shrestha U, Adhikari B, Banjara MR, Rijal KR, Ghimire P. Detection of OXA-48 gene in carbapenem -resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from urine samples. Infect Drug Resist. 2020;13: 2311- 2321.
2. Banjara MR, Rijal KR, Joshi DR (2020). COVID-19 pandemic: opportunities and challenges for microbiologists in Nepal. Applied Science and Technology Annals, 1(1): 194–196. https://doi.org/10.3126/asta.v1i1.30306
3. Thapa Shrestha U, Shrestha S, Adhikari N, Rijal KR, Shrestha B, Adhikari B, Banjara MR, Ghimire P. Plasmid Profiling and Occurrence of β-Lactamase Enzymes in Multidrug-Resistant Uropathogenic Escherichia coli in Kathmandu, Nepal. Infect Drug Resist. 2020;13:1905-1917. Published 2020 Jun 23. doi:10.2147/IDR.S250591
4. Lamichhane K, Adhikari N, Bastola A, Devkota L, Bhandari P, Dhungel B, Thapa Shrestha U, Adhikari B, Banjara MR, Rijal KR, Ghimire P. Biofilm- Producing Candida Species Causing Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in HIV Patients Attending Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. HIV AIDS (Auckl). 2020;12:211-220. Published 2020 Jun 15. doi:10.2147/HIV.S255698
5. Raut S, Rijal KR, Khatiwada S, Karna S, Khanal R, Adhikari J, Adhikari B. Trend and Characteristics of Acinetobacter baumannii Infections in Patients Attending Universal

College of Medical Sciences, Bhairahawa, Western Nepal: A Longitudinal Study of 2018. Infect Drug Resist. 2020;13:1631-1641. Published 2020 Jun 8. doi:10.2147/IDR.S257851

1. Thapa S, Adhikari N, Dhungel B, Thapa M, Thapa Shrestha U, Banjara MR, Rijal KR, Ghimire P. Etiology of Ocular Infections and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates to Vancomycin, Ciprofloxacin and Chloramphenicol". Acta Scientific Microbiology. 2020; 3(6): 134-145.
2. Pokharel S, Raut S, Rijal KR, Adhikari B. COVID-19 pandemic, public health preparedness in Nepal and one health approach [published online ahead of print, 2020 May 29]. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2020;1‐3. doi:10.1017/dmp.2020.172.
3. Ghimire P, Rijal KR, Adhikari N, Thakur GD, Marasini B, Thapa Shrestha U, Banjara MR, Pant SK, Adhikari B, Dumre SP, Singh N, Pigeon O, Chareonviriyaphap T, Chavez I, Ortega L, Hii J.The durability of long-lasting insecticidal nets distributed to the households between 2009 and 2013 in Nepal. Trop Med Health. 2020; 48: 36. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-020-00223-w.
4. Kayastha K, Dhungel B, Karki S, Adhikari B, Banjara MR, Rijal KR, Ghimire P. Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella Species in Pediatric Patients Visiting International Friendship Children's Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal.Infect Dis (Auckl). 2020 Feb 27;13:1178633720909798. doi: 10.1177/1178633720909798. eCollection 2020.
5. Bhattarai V, Sharma S, Rijal KR, Banjara MR. Co-infection with Campylobacter and rotavirus in less than 5-year-old children with acute gastroenteritis in Nepal during 2017- 2018.BMC Pediatr. 2020 Feb 13;20(1):68. doi: 10.1186/s12887-020-1966-9.
6. Marahatta SB, Yadav RK, Giri D, Lama S, Rijal KR, Mishra SR, Shrestha A, Bhattrai PR, Mahato RK, Adhikari B. Barriers in the access, diagnosis and treatment completion for tuberculosis patients in central and western Nepal: A qualitative study among patients, community members and health care workers. PLoS One. 2020 Jan 15;15(1):e0227293. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227293. eCollection 2020.
7. Thapa Shrestha U, Adhikari N, Kafle S,Shrestha N, Banjara MR, Steneroden K, Bowen R, Rijal KR, Adhikari B, Ghimire P. Effect of deworming on milk production in dairy cattle and buffaloes infected with gastrointestinal parasites in the Kavrepalanchowk district of central Nepal. Veterinary Record Open 2020;7: e000380. doi:10.1136/vetreco- 2019-000380.
8. Guragain N, Pradhan A, Dhungel B, Banjara MR, Rijal KR, Ghimire P. Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase Producing Gram Negative Bacterial Isolates from Urine of Patients Visiting Everest Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. Tribhuvan University Journal of Microbiology, 2019;6(1): 26-31.

1. Kc R, Adhikari S, Bastola A, Devkota L, Bhandari P, Ghimire P, Adhikari B, Rijal KR, Banjara MR, Ghimire P. Opportunistic Respiratory Infections in HIV Patients Attending

Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Diseases Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. HIV AIDS (Auckl). 2019 Dec 27; 11:357-367. doi: 10.2147/HIV.S229531. eCollection 2019.

1. Dhungana K, Awal BK, Dhungel B, Sharma S, Banjara MR, Rijal KR. Detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) and metallobetalactamase (MBL) producing gram negative bacteria isolated from different clinical samples in a transplant center, Kathmandu, Nepal. Acta Sci Microbiol (ISSN: 2581-3226).2019, 2(2): 60-69.

1. Ley B, Rijal KR, Marfurt J, Adhikari NR, Banjara MR, Shrestha UT, Thriemer K, Price RN, Ghimire P. Analysis of erroneous data entries in paper based and electronic data collection. BMC Res Notes. 2019 Aug 22;12(1):537. doi: 10.1186/s13104-019-4574-8.

1. Smith JL, Ghimire P, Rijal KR, Maglior A, Hollis S, Andrade-Pacheco R, Das Thakur G, Adhikari N, Thapa Shrestha U, Banjara MR, Lal BK, Jacobson JO, Bennett A. Designing malaria surveillance strategies for mobile and migrant populations in Nepal: a mixed-methods study. Malar J. 2019 May 3;18(1):158. doi: 10.1186/s12936-019-2791-1.

1. Rijal KR, Adhikari B, Adhikari N, Dumre SP, Banjara MS, Shrestha UT, Banjara MR, Singh N, Ortegea L, Lal BK, Thakur GD, Ghimire P. Micro-stratification of malaria risk in Nepal: implications for malaria control and elimination. Trop Med Health. 2019 Mar 27;47:21. doi: 10.1186/s41182-019-0148-7. collection 2019.

1. Rijal KR, Adhikari B, Ghimire P, Banjara MR, Thakur GD, Hanboonkunupakarn B, Imwong M, Chotivanich K, Day NPJ, White NJ, Pukrittayakamee S. Efficacy of primaquine in preventing short and long latency Plasmodium vivax relapses in Nepal. J Infect Dis. 2019 Mar 18. pii: jiz126. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiz126.

1. Shahi K, Rijal KR, Adhikari N, Thapa Shrestha U, Banjara MR, Sharma VK, Ghimire P. Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Prevalence and Antibiogram in Various Clinical Specimens at Alka Hospital. Tribhuvan University Journal of Microbiology, 2018;5(1): 77-82.
2. Ghimire P, Rijal KR, Kafle C, Karki BS, Singh N, Ortega L, Thakur GD, Adhikari B. Efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Nepal.Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines. 2018 Aug 14; 4:9. doi: 10.1186/s40794-018-0068-2.

1. Marahatta SB, Amatya R, Adhikari S, Giri D, Lama S, Kaehler N, Rijal KR, Marahatta S, Adhikari B. Perceived stigma of leprosy among community members and health care

providers in Lalitpur district of Nepal: A qualitative study. PLoS ONE. 2018; 13(12): e0209676. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209676.

1. Ghimire P, Singh N, Ortega L, Rijal KR, Adhikari B, Thakur GD and Marasini B. Glucose-6-Phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in People living in malaria endemic districts of Nepal. Malaria Journal, May 2017, 16: 214. DOI 10.1186/s12936-0-17-1864- 2.
2. Kunwar D, Bhatta S, Chaudhary R, Rijal KR. Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Nalidixic Acid Resistant Salmonella Isolates in Shree Birendra Hospital Chhauni. Tribhuvan University Journal of Microbiology, 2017;4(1): 11-14.
3. Lamichhane N, Adhikari N, Shrestha UT, Rijal KR, Banjara MR, Ghimire P. Population Based Survey of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency among People Living in Eastern Terai Districts of Nepal. Tribhuvan University Journal of Microbiology, 2017; 4(1): 73-78.
4. Tamang K, Shrestha P, Koirala A, Khadka J, Gautam N and Rijal KR. Prevalence of Bacterial Uropathogens Among Diabetic Patients Attending Padma Nursing Hospital of Western Nepal. Himalayan Journal of Science and Technology, 2017;1(1): 13-19.
5. Koirala A, Agrahari G, Dahal N, Ghimire P and Rijal KR. ESBL and MBL mediated resistance in clinical isolates of non-fermenting gram-negative bacilli (NFGNB) in Nepal. Journal of Microbiology and Antimicrobial agents, 2017; 3(1): 18-24.
6. Pandey P, Pant ND, Rijal KR, Shrestha B, Kattel S, Banjara MR, Maharjan B, KC R. Diagnostic Accuracy of GeneXpert MTB/RIF Assay in Comparison to Conventional Drug Susceptibility Testing Method for the Diagnosis of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis. PLoS ONE 12(1): e0169798. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169798.
7. Bhomi U, Rijal KR, Neupane B, Shrestha S, Chaudhary M, Acharya D, Thapa Shrestha U, Adhikari N and Ghimire P.Status of inducible clindamycin resistance among macrolide resistant Staphylococcus aureus. African Journal of Microbiology Research, 2016; 10(9):280-284. www.academicjournals.org/AJMR.
8. Maharjan R, Shrestha D, Acharya J, Adhikari N, Rijal KR, Ghimire P, Thapa Shrestha

U. Nepal. CHANGE IN BIOTYPE TREND OF Vibrio cholerae IN NEPAL.Med-Micro Journal of Microbiology (MMJM), 2015; 1(1): 45-54.

1. Adhikari S, Neupane B, Rijal KR, Banjara MR,Uphadhaya BP, Ghimire P. Burden estimation of Dengue at National Public Health Laboratory.Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2015; 5(4): 289-292.www.apjtcm.com

1. Shrestha UT, Adhikari N, Maharajan R, Banjara MR, Rijal KR, Basnet SR, Agrawal VP. Multidrug resistant Vibrio cholera O1 from clinical and environmental samples in Kathmandu           city.           BMC                             Infectious  Diseases,     2015;   15:

104.http://www.biomedcentral.com/orderreprints/s12879-015-0844-9.

1. Thulunga J, Bhattarai A, Basnyat S, Singh SK, Singh A, Rijal KR. Screening of Staphylococcus aureus as nasal carrier from hospital personnel. International Journal of Advance in                                 Case              Reports,                                 2015;2(8):493-497. http://www.mcmed.us/dart/abstract/626/ijacr
2. Chaudhary P, Banjara MR, Rijal KR, and Sharma VK: Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of gram negative uropathogens isolated from patients visiting Alka Hospital. Tribhuvan University Journal of Microbiology, 2014; 2(1): 10-14.
3. Rajesh Kumar Sah, Komal Raj Rijal, Biswas Neupane, Binod Lekhak and Vijaya Kumar. Bacterial profile and Drug susceptibility pattern of urinary tract infection.

International Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Research, 2014; 5(10): 812- 819.http://www.ijbpr.com/

1. Biswas Neupane, Komal Raj Rijal, Megha Raj Banjara, Basudev Pandey. Knowledge and prevention measures against dengue in southern Nepal. Journal of costal life Medicine, 2014; 2(12): 998-1001.  www.jclmm.com
2. Hari Jung Chand, Komal Raj Rijal, Biswas Neupane, Vijaya Kumar Sharma, Bharat Jha. Re-emergence of susceptibility to conventional frist line drugs in salmonella isolates from enteric fever patients in Nepal. J Infect Dev Ctries 2014; 8(11):1483-1487. doi:10.3855/jidc.4228.DOI: https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.4228
3. Ghimire S, Rijal KR, Singh A, Mishra RK, Dahal RK, Parajuli K, Sharma S, Shrestha B and Pokharel BM. Prevalence of multi-drug resistant gram-positive bacterial isolates causing urinary tract infection in a tertiary care hospital, Nepal. Tribhuvan University Journal of Microbiology, 2014; 2(1): 15-22.
4. Hii J, Thakur GD, Marasini BR, Pokhrel YR, Upadhyay MP, Rijal KR, Adhikari NR, Pant SK, Ortega L, Singh N, and Ghimire P. Monitoring the durability of long-lasting insecticidal nets in field conditions in Nepal. WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health, January-March 2014. Vol 3 (1).
5. Wagley U, Bhatta DR, Rijal KR and Ghimire G. Distribution and antibiotic susceptibility testing of Mycobacterium species present in the sputum of suspected pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Open Science Repository Medicine, January 2014.Online (open access), e23050484. doi: 10.7392/openassess.23050484.
6. Thakur P, Ghimire P, Rijal KR, Singh GK. Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern of Escherichia coli Isolated from Urine Samples in Patients Visiting Tertiary Health Care Centre in Eastern Nepal. Sunsari Technical College Journal, Volume 1, Issue 1, October 2012, ISSN 2091-2102.http://www.nepjol.info.
7. Tiwari BR, Chaudhary R, Adhikari N, Jayaswal SK, Poudel TP, Rijal KR. Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infections among School Children of Dadeldhura District, Nepal. Journal of Health and Allied Sciences (JHAS), Vol.3, No.1, 2013, 14-16. www.pu.edu.np/jhas.php.
8. Upadhyaya G, Bhattarai A, Rijal KR, Ghimire P and Upadhyaya B.Urinary tract infections in Kidney transplant patients of Kathmandu Valley.International Journal of Microbiology Research and Reviews, January 2013. Vol 3(1)1-6. http://www.internationalscholarsjournals.org/journal/ijmr/articles?index=8.
9. Sah P, Rijal KR, Shakya B, Tiwari BR, Ghimire P. Nasal Carriage Rate of Staphylococcus aureus in Hospital Personnel of National Medical College and Teaching Hospital and their Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern. Journal of Health and Allied Sciences (JHAS), Vol.3, No.1, 2013, 21-23. www.pu.edu.np/jhas.php

1. Pandey D, Rijal KR, Sharma B, Kandel SR and Tiwari BR. Baseline Titre and Diagnostic Cut off Value for Widal test: A Comparative study in Healthy Blood donors and clinically suspected of Enteric Fever. Journal of Health and Allied Sciences (JHAS), Vol.2, No.1, 2012, 22-26. www.pu.edu.np/jhas.php.
2. Rajbhandari N, Bhatta M, Rijal K, Nagila A and Joshi H. An overview of soil transmitted Helminths Infections.Gandaki Medical College Journal, Vol.1 issue 2, 2008.www.gmc.edu.np/journal.
3. Ghimire P, Rijal KR, Rijal B, and Bam DS. Drug Resistant Pulmonary Tuberculosis among Patients Visiting National Tuberculosis Center, Kathmandu. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council, Vol.3, No.1, April 2005, 23-28. www.nhrc.org.np.

1. Neupane B, Rijal KR, Aryal GB, Shah Y, Banjara MR, Sherchand JB, Morita K and Pandey BD. Clinical and laboratory features of dengue fever in the southern lowlands of Nepal.World Health organization- Dengue Belletin, 2013. Volume 37: 1-10.
2. Bijaya Gaire B, Rijal KR, Neupane B, Paudayal P, Gautam I, Banjara MR, Morita K and Pandey BD. Prevalence of dengue vector in relation to dengue virus infection in central region of Nepal. World Health organization- Dengue Bulletin, 2014. Volume 38: 96-107.
3. Chaudhary S, Subba P, Rijal KR, and Bhatta DR. Antibiotic Resistant Coliforms in Drinking water of Kathmandu Valley. Nepalese Journal of Microbiology (NJM), Vol.2, No.1, December 2011.

M. Sc/ PhD Dissertation/ Thesis Supervision- As Thesis SUPERVISIOR

• Dissertation works of seven undergraduate students of Pokhara University and 40 graduate students (M. Sc Microbiology) and 3 PhD Students of Central Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University.

Thesis Supervisor, M. Sc Microbiology Students

M. Sc Thesis Supervision List (Central Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University)

PhD Supervision Completion:

Research Project Completion (International/National Grant received)

AUTHORED RESEARCH REPORTS