Transmissible Viral Disease Research Articles

Recapitulation of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Prevalence in Small Ruminant Populations of Pakistan from 2004 to 2023: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an extremely transmissible viral disease caused by the PPR virus that impacts domestic small ruminants, namely sheep and goats. This study aimed to employ a methodical approach to evaluate the regional occurrence of PPR in small ruminants in Pakistan and the contributing factors that influence its prevalence. A thorough search was performed in various databases to identify published research articles between January 2004 and August 2023 on PPR in small ruminants in Pakistan. Articles were chosen based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 25 articles were selected from 1275 studies gathered from different databases. The overall pooled prevalence in Pakistan was calculated to be 51% (95% CI: 42-60), with heterogeneity I2 = 100%, τ2 = 0.0495, and p = 0. The data were summarized based on the division into five regions: Punjab, Baluchistan, KPK, Sindh, and GB and AJK. Among these, the pooled prevalence of PPR in Sindh was 61% (95% CI: 46-75), I2 = 100%, τ2 = 0.0485, and p = 0, while in KPK, it was 44% (95% CI: 26-63), I2 = 99%, τ2 = 0.0506, and p < 0.01. However, the prevalence of PPR in Baluchistan and Punjab was almost the same. Raising awareness, proper surveillance, and application of appropriate quarantine measures interprovincially and across borders must be maintained to contain the disease.

Monitoring Changes in the Antimicrobial-Resistance Gene Set (ARG) of Raw Milk and Dairy Products in a Cattle Farm, from Production to Consumption.

Raw milk and dairy products can serve as potential vectors for transmissible bacterial, viral and protozoal diseases, alongside harboring antimicrobial-resistance genes. This study monitors the changes in the antimicrobial-resistance gene pool in raw milk and cheese, from farm to consumer, utilizing next-generation sequencing. Five parallel sampling runs were conducted to assess the resistance gene pool, as well as phage or plasmid carriage and potential mobility. In terms of taxonomic composition, in raw milk the Firmicutes phylum made up 41%, while the Proteobacteria phylum accounted for 58%. In fresh cheese, this ratio shifted to 93% Firmicutes and 7% Proteobacteria. In matured cheese, the composition was 79% Firmicutes and 21% Proteobacteria. In total, 112 antimicrobial-resistance genes were identified. While a notable reduction in the resistance gene pool was observed in the freshly made raw cheese compared to the raw milk samples, a significant growth in the resistance gene pool occurred after one month of maturation, surpassing the initial gene frequency. Notably, the presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) genes, such as OXA-662 (100% coverage, 99.3% identity) and OXA-309 (97.1% coverage, 96.2% identity), raised concerns; these genes have a major public health relevance. In total, nineteen such genes belonging to nine gene families (ACT, CMY, EC, ORN, OXA, OXY, PLA, RAHN, TER) have been identified. The largest number of resistance genes were identified against fluoroquinolone drugs, which determined efflux pumps predominantly. Our findings underscore the importance of monitoring gene pool variations throughout the product pathway and the potential for horizontal gene transfer in raw products. We advocate the adoption of a new approach to food safety investigations, incorporating next-generation sequencing techniques.

Cytokines, Serological, and Histopathological Assessment of Recombinant Vaccination Strategies for Combatting Infectious Bursal Disease in Broiler Chickens.

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) represents a greatly transmissible viral disease found worldwide, causing significant health and production challenges in young chickens. The aim of this research was to assess the immune reaction induced by different vaccines targeting IBD. These vaccines included recombinant (Vac1; HVT-IBD vector), immune complex (Vac2; Bursa-Plex®), and intermediate plus (Vac3; Bursine plus) IBD vaccines. Our assessment relied on serological and histopathological analyses, as well as the pattern of immune-related cytokine expression in the bursal tissue. The vaccinated groups, along with a control positive (CP) group, were subjected to a vvIBDV challenge on their 28th day of life, while the control negative (CN) group received a mock vaccination with PBS. Our study revealed that Vac1 resulted in the most favorable growth performance, as well as maintained normal liver and kidney function, mitigating the impact of IBDV infection. Serological analysis using VP2 ELISA kits indicated that Vac1 induced the strongest immunological response among all vaccines. Histopathological examination demonstrated that Vac1 caused minimal lymphoid depletion observed in the lymphoid organs, followed by Vac2. Analysis of cytokine expression profiles showed significant upregulation in all vaccinated groups, particularly Vac1, during the pre-challenge period. Following IBDV infection, Vac1 resulted in a noteworthy increase in the expression of IL2 and IFN-γ, Vac2 showed a significant upregulation in TNF-α and granzyme, and both Vac1 and Vac3 exhibited increased levels of IL1β and IL10. In conclusion, our study suggests that the various vaccines triggered immune responses against IBD through both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. However, recombinant followed by immune complex vaccines appeared to induce more robust immunity while also being safer for broiler chickens in contrast to the intermediate plus vaccine.

Emergence of Lumpy Pox Virus and Their Preventive Measures: A Global Livestock Threat

In the last few years viral disease not only affect the human but also the other life on this planet and result epidemic condition at global level. The highly transmissible viral disease called Lumpy skin disease (LSD) spread in sequential manner at worldwide level affecting the cattle or dairy animals of caprine, ovine and bovine family. The highly mutational efficiency of this viral strains affects the large-scale population and still no effective cure for it. Different vaccines designed at national and international level as a preventive measure to overcome the reoccurrence of this virus e.g., Bovivax-LSD™, Lumpivax™, Poxvac™, Lumpi-ProVacInd. However, still the mortality of LSD are low, not affect humans but emergence of the mutational variants demands novel vaccines.

Use of a Local Anaesthetic/Antiseptic Formulation for the Treatment of Lambs Experimentally Infected with Orf Virus.

Contagious ecthyma is a highly transmissible eruptive viral disease of the skin and mucosa of sheep and goats distributed worldwide. The treatment of orf lesions is usually based on the use of antiseptics and antibiotics for the management of presumptive secondary infections, increasing risks of antimicrobial resistance. The wound dressing formulation Tri-Solfen® (TS) containing two local anaesthetics (lignocaine and bupivacaine), adrenaline and an antiseptic (cetrimide) in a gel formulation has been demonstrated to reduce suffering and enhance recovery in cattle and buffalo with oral and skin lesions due to foot-and-mouth disease virus infection and reduced the orf viral load in lambs. In the present study, experimental infection with the orf virus was conducted in 50 newborn lambs and 25 animals were treated after the presence of the first lesions with TS and repeated three days later. Daily clinical examination, haematological, serological, biomolecular and post-mortem analyses were conducted during 34 days after treatment. Results indicated that treatment had no effect on weight gain and clinical progression of the lesions. It was determined that seroconversion after experimental infection occurs 34 days after infection and suggested that the deep basal epithelial location of the orf lesions may have prevented the therapy from having altered the clinical course.

Immunogenicity and safety of inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine compared with the trivalent vaccine for influenza infection: an overview of systematic reviews

BackgroundInfluenza infection is a highly preventable transmissible viral disease associated with mild upper respiratory symptoms and more severe conditions such as lethal pneumonia. Studies have shown that a broader spectrum influenza vaccine could reduce influenza’s burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries. A considerable number of systematic reviews reported that quadrivalent influenza vaccines are considered more effective compared to trivalent vaccines, hence, there is a need for an overview in order to synthesize the current evidence pertaining to the comparison between quadrivalent and trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines. Objective: The aim was to summarize the evidence from systematic reviews that investigated the immunogenicity and safety of the Influenza’s inactivated quadrivalent vaccine (QIV) compared to the trivalent vaccine (TIV), in the general population.MethodsWe searched articles up to December 2022 at: Web of Science, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and SCOPUS. The search strategy was conducted following the PICO model. We included systematic reviews comparing the primary outcomes of immunogenicity (seroprotection rate and seroconversion rate) and adverse events using risk ratios. The AMSTAR 2 and ROBIS were used for quality assessments, and GRADE was used for evidence certainty assessments.FindingsWe included five systematic reviews, totalling 47,740 participants. The Quadrivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (QIV) exhibited enhanced immunogenicity in the context of B-lineage mismatch when compared to the Trivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (TIV). While the safety profile of QIV was found to be comparable to that of TIV, the QIV showed a higher incidence of solicited local pain among children and adolescents, as well as an increased frequency of local adverse events within the adult population.ConclusionOur findings suggest that the QIV provides a superior immunogenicity response compared to the TIV in all age groups evaluated, especially when a lineage mismatch occurred. The safety of QIV was considered similar to the TIV, with no serious or systemic solicited or unsolicited adverse events; tough pain at the injection site was greater for QIV. We recommend caution owing to the high risk of bias in the selection process and no protocol registration.

Point-of-care PCR testing of SARS-CoV-2 in the emergency department: Influence on workflow and efficiency.

Regarding transmissible viral diseases such as those caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus, one of the key challenges is isolation management until final diagnosis. This study investigates the influence of SARS-CoV-2 point-of-care (POC) PCR on workflow and efficiency in an emergency department (ED) of a tertiary university hospital. An analysis of 17,875 ED patients receiving either SARS-CoV-2 POC PCR (rapid PCR, 11,686 patients) or conventional laboratory SARS-CoV-2 PCR (conventional PCR, 6,189 patients) was performed. The pathways for both groups were mapped and compared, and process times from admission to diagnosis were measured. Effects on resource management within the ED were quantified. Direct costs due to isolation, loss of capacities, and revenues were calculated for inpatients. The mean time from admission to result was 1.62 h with rapid PCR and 16.08 h with conventional PCR (p < 0.01), reducing the isolation time by 14.46 h. In the first 2 h after testing, test results were available for > 75% of the rapid PCR group and none of the conventional PCR group. Ninety percent of the results were available within 3 h for the rapid PCR and within 21 h for the conventional PCR group. For the conventional PCR group, an increase in direct costs of €35.74 and lost revenues of €421.06 for each inpatient case was detected. Rapid PCR significantly reduces the time-to-results and time for isolation relative to conventional PCR. Although testing costs for rapid PCR are higher, it benefits workflow, reduces total costs, and frees up ward capacity.

Standardization of artificial screening technique for okra enation leaf curl disease resistance in wild okra (Abelmoschus moschatus ssp. Moschatus) germplasm

Okra enation leaf curl disease (OELCuD) is a recently emerged whitefly insect vector transmissible viral disease of okra which adversely affects the quality and quantity of okra fruits. Okra enation leaf curl virus (OELCuV) is a main disease causative agent. Two year (kharif 2018 and 2019) field experiments were conducted at research farm of ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Pusa, New Delhi for field screening of 10 wild okra (Abelmoschus moschatus ssp. moschatus) accessions, viz. EC360586, EC360794, EC360830, EC360900, EC359730, EC359836, EC359870, EC360351, EC361111 and EC361171. Out of 10 accessions, 4 accessions, viz. EC360794, EC360586, EC360830 and EC361171 showed resistance (R) reaction in both the seasons. Whitefly population was also monitored in both the rainy (kharif) season, since, OELCuD is transmitted by whitefly insect vector. Majority (&gt;77%) of okra genotypes were moderately preferred by the whiteflies. To further validate the resistance reaction in these 4 field resistant accessions, artificial screening experiment was conducted using viruliferous whitefly vector and VRO 6 as susceptible check. Prominent okra enation leaf curl symptom appeared after a minimum incubation period of 15 days under controlled conditions. Betasatellite (DNA-β) molecule of OELCuV was amplified (1.3 kb) using PCR for virus detection and these 4 accessions were found free from virus. These 4 promising accessions would serve as resistance source in breeding programmes to develop varieties resistant to OELCuV.

Covid-19 in Nigeria: Lockdown Measures and a Chronological Epidemiological Review During the First Wave

This study provides a general epidemiological review of Corona-virus disease in Nigeria during the first wave of the pandemic from February to December 2020 and the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to curtail the disease. Coronavirus disease is a highly transmissible and pathogenic viral disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV2), which emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and later spread worldwide. The first confirmed case of the disease in Nigeria was in February 2020, and the subject was an Italian who works in Nigeria but returned from Milan, Italy to Lagos, after which the virus spread to other parts of the country. In order to curtail the spread of the menace, lockdown measures were introduced by the FGN during the first wave since there is no precise treatment for the disease, thus making prevention critical. Despite these measures, the spread of Covid-19 in Nigeria continues to record a significant surge beyond the first wave.

Variations of Influenza: A Review

The seasonal influenza or flu remains a major cause of illness and death all over the world. It is the transmissible viral disease that affects whole of the respiratory tract and its severity ranges from mild to severe. The activity of influenza virus shows great periodic rhythm in different areas of the globe where neither hot nor cold and it is very uncertain in equatorial region where temperature is high throughout the year indicating that climatic components can drives periodic rhythm. Seasonal variability in infectious disease conditions is one of the ancient studies in human bioscience, dating from at least archaic Greece. Each year around the globe despite decade of research and drug development, annual flu viruses constantly cause outbreaks of influenza. Albeit we are starting to recognize the mechanisms that support the emergence of annual flu microorganisms, the onset and character of the evolving recent viruses remains unexpected. The flu pandemic is an important cause of the sickness and death of the elderly. Decreased immune function plays an important role in the worst outcome. Several factors which impact on the severity of annual influenza includes characteristics of the specific virus, use of antiviral drugs, and vaccination of influenza. The population which has high chances of getting this serious illness are: gravid mother, kids below the 5 years of age, the older age group, people with persistent cases (such as long-standing heart disease, lung disease, kidney, digestive, neuropsychiatric, hepatic disease or blood related disorder) with people with low immune status (such as HIV / AIDS, taking chemotherapy or steroids. In cooler climates, occasional outbreaks take place predominantly in the cold climate, while in hot climates, colds can occur year-round, originates the unusual epidemic.

How quarantine and social distancing policy can suppress the outbreak of novel coronavirus in developing or under poverty level countries: a mathematical and statistical analysis

In this paper, we develop a novel theoretical model named “Social distancing SEIQR model” to control the spread of infection by combining both quarantine and social distancing explicitly based on the real cases that observed where medical equipment and others resources are limited. COVID-19 is a transmissible viral disease that has rapidly stroke around the world and is currently a major thread for the developing countries. The basic reproduction number of infectious disease dynamics model is very effective tools as a threshold quantity in the epidemiology context. To validate our model, a linear regression polynomial fit analysis has been studied and fitted our simulated data with the original data. A high percentile values established our model to analyze the future situation for Bangladesh with strong confidence. For that, we have analyzed the basic reproduction number mathematically and statistically, then discuss our findings and shown our model is an outstanding model to make a decision which situation is good for developing country like Bangladesh or under poverty level countries to stop the COVID-19 coronavirus from spreading.

Surgery in the era of COVID-19: implications for laparoscopy and natural-orifice endoscopic surgery: a narrative review

Controversy exists regarding the use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) during the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Several surgical societies have issued recommendations regarding precaution measures during MIS, nonetheless these recommendations were conflicting with respect to the use of laparoscopy with little or no inference to natural-orifice endoscopic surgery. A comprehensive literature search was performed to explore the available evidence pertinent to the novel coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission dynamics in MIS, and benefits of MIS procedures in patients with transmissible viral diseases. According to the current evidence, SARS-CoV-2 has a multi-route transmission, including fecal-oral transmission. Evidence on airborne transmission in the operative setting are however limited. In addition to nasopharyngeal screening, it would seem prudent to perform routine fecal testing for SARS-CoV-2 in patients undergoing positive-pressure transanal minimally invasive procedures. This is particularly relevant to regions with high level of epidemicity. In patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, conventional laparoscopic and robotic approaches, and atmospheric transanal surgery with high volume smoke evacuation may be safer alternatives. Considering the high rates of postoperative pulmonary complications and mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, use of laparoscopy is advised in suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients who require abdominal surgery, particularly older patients and those with comorbidities. Laparoscopy may decrease the probability of postoperative disease exacerbation, and provide earlier recovery, less morbidity and mortality, and shorter hospital stay with subsequent decreased risk of in-hospital secondary transmission. High index of suspicion in postoperative patients with fever or respiratory symptoms is necessary to timely diagnose COVID-19. Chest computed tomography scan has a higher sensitivity compared to real-time PCR and can potentially be used to assist in the diagnosis, particularly in elderly patients.

Analysis of effectivity of the tickborne encephalitis virus detection methods in ixodid ticks.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is transmissible viral disease widely common in temperate zone of Eurasia. ELISA and PCR are used for express identification of the vector's infection, but the results of the two methods often do not agree. Aim of the work is comparative analysis for TBE virus of Ixodid ticks from nature using complex of methods, including ELISA, PCR, and isolation of the virus in laboratory mice. 18608 Ixodid ticks were collected during 2013-2019 in TBE natural foci of the Baikal Region. The ticks suspensions were examined individually, using ELISA (n=17610) and PCR (n=2999). Suckling mice were inoculated with the suspensions positive in the both tests. The TBEV antigen was found in 1.2 % of ticks in average. All ticks positive in ELISA were examined in PCR (Group 1). Randomly selected part of negative-ELISA samples were examined in PCR too (Group 2). The PCR results were positive in 68.9±3.13 % of the Group 1, with average Ct index 24.6±0.38. Positive results of PCR in Group 2 accounted for just 2.7±0.31 % with average Ct index 31.0±0.70. The average Ct margin of the Groups 1 and 2 is statistically significant (p < 0.001; df = 118). Isolation of strains was significantly more successful in Group 1 (21.7±2.77 %), than in Group 2 (8.2±5.26 %; p < 0.05; df = 50). ELISA is more useful for examining large amounts of ticks. To get a more complex picture about epidemically dangerous part of the vectors in TBE natural foci, the results of the two express-methods is better to sum. The isolation of the virus is useful to carry out of the samples positive in ELISA and PCR concurrently.

Attitudes amongst Saudi hospital paramedics toward seasonal Influenza and Vaccination

Paramedics were only given the essentials to deal with influenza vaccination. On the other hand, 67.6 percent of them were actually vaccinated. To reduce the spread of the virus, healthcare providers should work hard to immunize the population around us at any given time. There has been a lot of study into flu, and the general consensus is that it is a type of acute respiratory illness. Influenza is a very contagious and transmissible viral disease that can cause very severe symptoms. This was designed to determine those parents who smoke, how aware they are about the flu symptoms, and how they deal with them. This survey is a part of a study that was conducted by us of healthy male paramedics. When they were given an online questionnaire that included eight questions, all the participants found the questions to be very straightforward. As a result of this survey, we will know exactly what the Saudi parents really know about disease prevention and treatments. The purpose of the study is to find out if the paramedics of Saudi Hospitals would like to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza. The paper uses the word "seriously" to talk about the importance of vaccination (which is an interesting word choice). This research was conducted on a sample of 222 healthy male paramedics assessed by the use of an online questionnaire, along with a personal rating of beliefs regarding influenza vaccination and the status of self-reported vaccination. The paper also identifies the reasons why the people in question are not being vaccinated and the outcomes. By conducting a percentage analysis by reviewing the questionnaire results, it was found that the paramedics were very unaware of the importance of and effectiveness of the Hepatitis B Vaccination. According to what the paramedics found, the vaccine wasn't available in the hospitals, so they couldn't administer it, either.

Comparison of serological techniques for the diagnosis of equine infectious Anemia in an endemic area of Argentina

Equine Infectious Anemia is a transmissible viral disease present worldwide, caused by an RNA virus. Viral transmission is mainly mechanical through blood or its products most frequently by blood-sucking arthropods and iatrogenesis as well. OIE recommends Coggins Test as the diagnostic method of choice. Some ELISA tests detect antibodies earlier than the Coggins test, but may produce false-positive results. Currently, new techniques for EIA diagnosis are being developed, such as fluorescence polarization assay which is a simple method for measuring antigen-antibody interaction. The aim of this study was to assess cELISA and Fluorescence Polarization Assay performance for the serological diagnosis of EIA by comparing their results with those of the Coggins test. Tests were performed on 91 workhorses from an endemic zone in the northeast region of Argentina. From the total samples analyzed, 42 tested negative and 49 tested positive in the Coggins test. Same results were obtained using FPA. Using the cELISA, 41 negative results and 50 positive results were obtained. The Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis showed that FPA performance was excellent. Therefore FPA is proposed as an outstanding EIA diagnostic test to be validated in the near future by its simplicity, speed, and objective interpretation of results.

A randomized controlled field trial assessing foot and mouth disease vaccine effectiveness in Gondar Zuria district, Northwest Ethiopia

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly transmissible viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals, which is endemic in many developing countries. Vaccination is the main tool for FMD control in resource limited endemic countries like Ethiopia. Vaccine quality, which is often questionable in developing countries, is a critical element for effective disease control. The present study was aimed at evaluating the field effectiveness of a trivalent FMD vaccine (containing serotypes O, A and SAT 2), produced and widely used in Ethiopia, in terms of preventing clinical infection and severe disease. A randomized controlled field trial design was employed in the study in which the attack rate of clinical FMD infection in vaccinated cattle was compared with the attack rate in unvaccinated controls in cattle population of 16 villages in Gondar Zuria district, Northwest Ethiopia. The vaccine was administered as a single dose course in the face of an impending FMD outbreak and the trial groups were monitored for clinical infection until the end of the outbreak. The attack rate of clinical FMD 20 days post vaccination in the vaccinated cattle (34 %) was significantly lower than the attack rate in the unvaccinated controls (49 %) (p < 0.001). However, the effectiveness of the vaccine was only 31 % (95 %CI: 20–40 %). This vaccine effectiveness increased to 52 % ((95 %CI: 33–66 %) 42 days post vaccination. The proportion of severely affected cattle in the vaccinated group (5.7 %) was significantly lower than in the unvaccinated group (9.4 %) (p < 0.001), resulting in 39 % (95 %CI: 18–55 %) vaccine effectiveness against severe disease. Generally, the observed level of vaccine effectiveness was lower than the internationally recommended 75 % plus expected percentage of protection for a standard potency 3PD50/dose FMD vaccine. Moreover, the level of effectiveness was insufficient to provide herd immunity to control the disease at the population level. Nevertheless, given the significant difference in the incidence of clinical disease and severity between vaccinated and unvaccinated cattle, it might still be worth using the current vaccine to reduce production losses associated with the disease provided it is cost effective and affordable for the farmers. Factors that cause low effectiveness of the vaccine need to be identified and addressed for effective control of the disease at population level.

BOARD INVITED REVIEW: Immunocontraception as a possible tool to reduce feral pig populations: recent and future perspectives.

The feral pig populations of many countries continue to increase. Scientific studies on population size are scarce, while the numbers of reported observations on presence of and damage caused by feral pigs are increasing. Feral pigs can carry and spread several diseases (including zoonotic), but African Swine Fever (ASF) is of most concern. It is a highly transmissible viral disease associated with an extremely high mortality rate. Since 2009 ASF has appeared in several European countries, with cases being identified first among local feral pigs and consequently in domestic pig production units, indicating a clear linkage with the movement of the feral pig population and the spread of the disease across national boundaries. Control of feral pig populations is currently under discussion. Because massive culling raises questions of animal welfare and ethics, fertility control could represent an important and effective means to control feral pig populations. Contraceptive vaccines have been used with some degree of success in many wild species because they are able to provide a long-term effect without any consequent health problems. However, extensive and efficacious use of vaccines to control feral pig populations is not simple. The aim of this article was to review the progress in immunocontraception use in feral pigs, providing an account of the current status and future perspectives.

Status updates of Newcastle disease and amelioration effects of medicinal plants against Newcastle disease virus: A review.

Recently, medicinal plants are achieving great interest because of their use in ethno medicine treatment of different common diseases and also other medicinal assertions are now reinforced by comprehensive scientific evidence. Almost 82 research articles and abstracts published, so far, were screened for evaluating antiviral efficiency of various plant samples and 23 different plants were found to be traditionally used against Newcastle disease (ND). ND is a most transmissible viral disease of avian species caused by virulent strain of Avula virus from the Paramyxoviridae family. The first epidemic of ND was perceived in Java, Indonesia and England in year 1926. ND causes great economic loses to the commercial poultry farmers around the world. Medicinal plants are traditionally used in the control of viral or other diseases and infections. Plants have been found useful in treating many microbial diseases in man and animals caused by bacteria and viruses. The ability to synthesize compounds retaining antiviral potential by secondary metabolism makes plants a vital source of pharmaceutical and therapeutic products, which can reduce chemotherapeutic load in birds. Current studies signify that the natural products posses a rich potential source of new antiviral compounds. Further ethnobotanical studies and laboratory investigations are established to identify species having potential to improve ND control.

Serum Neopterin: A Potential Marker for Screening Blood Donors.

To determine serum neopterin levels in blood donors of local population and its association with transfusion transmitted infections. A cross-sectional observational study. Department of Physiology, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College (LNHMC) in collaboration with Basic Medical Sciences Institute (BMSI) and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Blood Bank, Karachi, Pakistan, from January to June 2015. During this period, a total of 174 blood donors were selected through random sampling technique. All participants fulfilling the inclusion criteria involving apparently healthy blood donors of either gender within the age bracket of 18 - 60 years and consenting to participate were selected. The participants were screened for transfusion transmitted infections as per WHO recommendations through the standard procedures used for screening at the JPMC blood bank. The demographic profile, anthropometric measurements and vitals were recorded for every participant. Serum neopterin was measured using ELISA kits. Data was analysed on SPSS version 21. ANOVA and chi-square tests were applied as tests of significance at a p-value of <0.05. The neopterin content in the sera of disease negative blood donors was 6.23 ±2.19 nmol/l as compared to disease positive blood donors, in whom the neopterin level was increased to 15.10 ±4.93 nmol/l (p =0.001). The neopterin assay has the potential to detect a number of transfusion transmissible viral diseases; which may, or may not be revealed by the usually employed battery of routine tests. We conclude that the risk of transfusion transmitted pathogens in our population can be reduced significantly, using neopterin assay as a routine in blood banks.

Sero - Prevalence of Viral Transfusion-transmissible Infections amongst voluntary Blood donors

This study aimed to determine the Sero-prevalence of viral transfusion-transmissible Infectious diseases among blood donors, namely immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C transmissible infections (TTIs like HBV, HCV.) HIV (Human immune viruses.). sero-prevalence of viral transmissible infections. The donated blood for specific antibodies for infections agents. Can largely reduce the risk of TTIs, virus among blood donors. The study was carried out in the blood bank at Khartoum Teaching Hospital, centre, Sudan. Screening of blood samples for hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) Antibodies were done using (ELISA) enzyme link immunoassay. The study included (1184) voluntary Blood donors, all were males. The overall prevalence of viral transfusion transmissible Infections were (11.84%). The sero-prevalence for antibody against HIV (6) and hepatitis C Virus was positive in 8 (0.06) and (0.08%) donors respectively while HBsAg was detected in 98 (9.8%) donors. situation that need for strict criteria for selection of blood donors and also methods of laboratory assays. Services are high in Sudan due to the endemicity of infections like malaria, nutritional problem and obstetrical emergencies associated with blood loss. Little is known about the level of these infections in Sudan so; this study was conducted to investigate the sero-prevalence of transfusion transmissible viral infectious diseases in particular human B and hepatitis Immunodeficiency, hepatitis C viruses. The mode of transmission for HIV, HBV and HCV is the same and includes unsafe Sexual sharp materials Contact, using contaminated with body fluid, mother to Child and transfusion of blood and blood Products.