Virus Infection In India Research Articles

Prediction of Conformational and Linear B-Cell Epitopes on Envelop Protein of Zika Virus Using Immunoinformatics Approach.

The current spread of Zika virus infection in India has become a public health issue due to the virus's possible link to birth abnormalities and neurological disorders. There is a need for enhanced vaccines or drugs as a result of its epidemic outbreak and the lack of potential medication. B-cell mediated adaptive immunity is capable of developing pathogen-specific memory that confers immunological protection. Therefore, in this study, the envelope protein of the Zika virus was retrieved from the NCBI protein database. The ABCpred and BepiPred software were used to discover linear B-cell epitopes on envelope protein. Conformational B-cell epitopes on envelope protein were identified using SEPPA 3.0 and Ellipro tools. Predicted B-cell epitopes were evaluated for allergenicity, toxicity, and antigenicity. Two consensus linear B-cell epitopes, envelope165-180 (AKVEITPNSPRAEATL) and envelope224-238 (PWHAGADTGTPHWNN) were identified using ABCpred and BepiPredtools. SEPPA 3.0 and Elliprotools predicted consensus conformational envelope98-110 (DRGWGNGCGLFGK) and envelope248-251 (AHAK) epitopes and one residue (75PRO) within envelope protein as a component of B-cell epitopes. These predicted linear and conformational B-cell epitopes will help in designing peptide vaccines that will activate the humoral response. However, in-vitro and in-vivo laboratory experimental confirmations are still needed to prove the application's feasibility.

EPH22 A Systematic Literature Review of the Epidemiology Associated With Human Monkeypox in Children and Adults in India

The incidence of Monkeypox is rising in Africa and has been reported sporadically in a few western countries. We conducted a systematic literature review to identify published literature on epidemiology associated with Monkeypox virus infection in India. Using Cochrane methodology, a systematic literature review was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library (Search Period: January 1947-June 2022). Studies published in English reporting on epidemiology were included. A grey literature search was also conducted using Google Scholar platform to identify relevant studies that were not captured by the database searches. Additionally, Indian news and health ministry websites were searched to understand the incidence and prevalence of Monkeypox in India. The following search terms were used for identifying relevant literature, ‘Monkeypox’, ‘Poxviridae’, ‘Incidence’, ‘Prevalence’, ‘Epidemiology’, ‘Morbidity’, ‘Mortality’, ‘India’, and ‘Disease progression’. The literature search yielded 275 citations. After reviewing the identified citations, none of the studies reported data on the epidemiology of Monkeypox virus infection in the Indian population. Further, we did not identify any confirmed cases of Monkeypox virus being reported on the Indian health ministry or news websites. We identified a guideline published by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India, which also confirms our epidemiological findings. While there have been no confirmed cases of Monkeypox in India so far, there is a need for routine monitoring and surveillance.

Seroprevalence of chikungunya virus infection in India, 2017: a cross-sectional population-based serosurvey

Since its re-emergence in 2005, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) transmission has been documented in most Indian states. Information is scarce regarding the seroprevalence of CHIKV in India. We aimed to estimate the age-specific seroprevalence, force of infection (FOI), and proportion of the population susceptible to CHIKV infection. We did a nationally representative, cross-sectional serosurvey, in which we randomly selected individuals in three age groups (5-8, 9-17, and 18-45 years), covering 240 clusters from 60 selected districts of 15 Indian states spread across all five geographical regions of India (north, northeast, east, south, and west). Age was the only inclusion criterion. We tested serum samples for IgG antibodies against CHIKV. We estimated the weighted age-group-specific seroprevalence of CHIKV infection for each region using the design weight (ie, the inverse of the overall probability of selection of state, district, village or ward, census enumeration block, and individual), adjusting for non-response. We constructed catalytic models to estimate the FOI and the proportion of the population susceptible to CHIKV in each region. From June 19, 2017, to April 12, 2018, we enumerated 117 675 individuals, of whom 77 640 were in the age group of 5-45 years. Of 17 930 randomly selected individuals, 12 300 individuals participated and their samples were used for estimation of CHIKV seroprevalence. The overall prevalence of IgG antibodies against CHIKV in the study population was 18·1% (95% CI 14·2-22·6). The overall seroprevalence was 9·2% (5·4-15·1) among individuals aged 5-8 years, 14·0% (8·8-21·4) among individuals aged 9-17 years, and 21·6% (15·9-28·5) among individuals aged 18-45 years. The seroprevalence was lowest in the northeast region (0·3% [95% CI 0·1-0·8]) and highest in the southern region (43·1% [34·3-52·3]). There was a significant difference in seroprevalence between rural (11·5% [8·8-15·0]) and urban (40·2% [31·7-49·3]) areas (p<0·0001). The seroprevalence did not differ by sex (male 18·8% [95% CI 15·2-23·0] vs female 17·6% [13·2-23·1]; p=0·50). Heterogeneous FOI models suggested that the FOI was higher during 2003-07 in the southern and western region and 2013-17 in the northern region. FOI was lowest in the eastern and northeastern regions. The estimated proportion of the population susceptible to CHIKV in 2017 was lowest in the southern region (56·3%) and highest in the northeastern region (98·0%). CHIKV transmission was higher in the southern, western, and northern regions of India than in the eastern and northeastern regions. However, a higher proportion of the population susceptible to CHIKV in the eastern and northeastern regions suggests a susceptibility of these regions to outbreaks in the future. Our survey findings will be useful in identifying appropriate target age groups and sites for setting up surveillance and for future CHIKV vaccine trials. Indian Council of Medical Research.

Hepatitis-B virus infection in India: Findings from a nationally representative serosurvey, 2017-18

IntroductionIndia introduced a hepatitis-B (HB) vaccine in the Universal Immunization Program in 2002–2003 on a pilot basis, expanded to ten states in 2007–2008 (phase-1), and the entire country in 2011–2012 (phase-2). We tested sera from a nationally representative serosurvey conducted duing 2017, to estimate the seroprevalence of different markers of HB infection among children aged 5–17 years in India and to assess the impact of vaccination. MethodsWe tested sera from 8273 children for different markers of HB infection and estimated weighted age-group specific seroprevalence of children who were chronically infected (HBsAg and anti-HBc positive), and immune due to past infection (anti-HBc positive and HBsAg negative), and having serological evidence of HB vaccination (only anti-HBs positive). We compared the prevalence of serological markers among children born before (aged 11–17 years) and after (aged 5-10 years) introduction of HB-vaccine from phase-1 states. ResultsAmong children aged 5–8 years, 1.1% were chronic carriers, 5.3% immune due to past infection, and 23.2% vaccinated. The corresponding proportions among children aged 9–17 years were 1.1%, 8.0%, and 12.0%, respectively. In phase-1 states, children aged 5–10 years had a significantly lower prevalence of anti-HBc (4.9% vs. 7.6%, p<0.001) and higher prevalence of anti-HBs (37.7% vs. 14.7%, p<0.001) compared to children aged 11–17 years. HBsAg positivity, however, was not different in the two age groups. ConclusionsChildren born after the introduction of HB vaccination had a lower prevalence of past HBV infection and a higher prevalence of anti-HBs. The findings of our study could be considered as an interim assessment of the impact of the hepatitis B vaccine introduction in India.

Use of hydroxychloroquine for novel corona virus infection in India: is it ethically justifiable?

Coronavirus disease is caused by a novel virus belonging to the family of corona viruses similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and name given to the novel virus as SARS Coronavirus- 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the disease was named as COVID-19 on 11th February 2020 by World Health Organization (WHO). First case of this infection was reported in December 2019 in Wuhan city of China and after that it spread globally.3 On 30th January 2020, WHO declared this disease as Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and on 11th March 2020, WHO declared it as a pandemic when the infection was reported from all six WHO regions.

Zika virus infection in India.

Zika virus infection in India.

Burden of hepatitis C virus infection in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Burden of hepatitis C in India is not known. We therefore conducted a systematic review of the available data on anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroprevalence in the Indian population. We searched several publication databases for English language papers that reported data on anti-HCV seroprevalence from India and also identified other unpublished sources of such data. Data on groups likely to represent seroprevalence in general population and in selected high-risk groups were extracted and subjected to meta-analysis. Of the 3995 published papers and 94 additional data sources identified, 327 were selected; these provided 414 anti-HCV seroprevalence data points. Pooled anti-HCV seroprevalence rates in community-based studies, blood donors, and pregnant women were 0.85% (95% confidence interval: 0.00-3.98%), 0.44% (0.40-0.49), and 0.88% (0.21-1.90), respectively. Among groups considered at high risk of HCV, pooled anti-HCV seroprevalence rates were as follows: people living with HIV (40 studies from 17 states: 3.51% [2.43-4.76]), persons on maintenance hemodialysis (37, 13; 19.23% [13.52-25.65]), people who inject drugs (46, 14; 44.71% [37.50-52.03]), multi-transfused persons (38, 12; 24.06% [20.00-28.36]), persons with sexually transmitted diseases (7, 5; 4.10% [0.98-9.04]), and those with high-risk sex behavior (6, 5; 4.06% [1.79-7.10]). Community-based data on HCV seroprevalence in India were limited. Large amount of data on blood donors and pregnant women were identified, with pooled anti-HCV seroprevalence rates of 0.44% and 0.88%, respectively. Among high-risk groups, anti-HCV prevalence was higher among people living with HIV, those with sexually transmitted diseases, high-risk sex behavior or injection drug use, and those receiving hemodialysis or frequent transfusions.

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection in India: Regionaldemographics and distribution of viral genotypes.

Although chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects millions of people in India, few studies have assessed host, viral, and disease characteristics of chronically infected patients at national and regional levels. Such information is critical to support large scale screening and treatment initiatives for chronic HCV infection in India. Patients with known chronic HCV infection making routine or for-cause visits to the participating study centers were enrolled in this observational study. Patients attended a single outpatient visit during which demographics and medical history were collected, a physical examination was performed, and blood and urine samples were collected for laboratory assessments. Samples were analyzed to determine HCV genotypes and subtypes, and genotypes of interferon lambda 3 (IFNL3) single nucleotide polymorphism. No therapeutic interventions were administered. We enrolled 500 patients at 19 centers, categorized into four geographic regions (North, South, East, and West). All patients self-identified as Indian, and most (66%) were male. Genotype 3 was the most common genotype overall (54%); however, its prevalence varied greatly by region, ranging from 34% in the South to 69% in the East. Genotypes 1 (24%) and 4 (6%) were the next most common, and HCV genotype could not be determined for 16% of patients. This prospective survey suggests that demographics, viral, and host factors in patients with chronic HCV infection are highly variable in India and pose significant challenges for the implementation of broad-scale screening and treatment initiatives.

English

BACKGROUND: HBV Virus is one of the major health problems in India. Hepato cellular carcinoma due to HBV infection is 5th most frequent cancer in world wide. About 30% population has serological evidence of current or past infection with HBV. In the natural history of HBV infection, the most important event is HBeAg, Seroconversion is characterized by loss of HBeAg and development of antibody against HBeAg. AIMS: The aim of the study was to determine sero prevalence of hepatitis B infection among different age, sex groups and to understand the risk factors that define the development of HBsAg. DESIGN The study design was based on clinical evaluation and serological testing. METHODS: The study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology of a tertiary care hospital, G.B. Panth Hospital. Agartala, West Tripura during the period over 5 years, 2001 – 2005.In this retrospective study, total 21, 121 numbers of patients serum were examined by ELISA method to detect the Hepatitis B surface antigen in different categories of patient as a marker of infection. out of 21, 121 patients, 1044 number of cases were seropositive showing the prevalence rate 4.94% in compared with hepatitis B virus infection in India is 4%. Details clinical history, age, sex, risk factors were recorded carefully.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 2009 pandemic influenza A in hospitalized pediatric patients of the Saurashtra region, India

BackgroundThe first case of 2009 pandemic influenza A or H1N1 virus infection in India was reported in May 2009 and in the Saurashtra region in August 2009. We describe the two waves clinicoepidemiological characteristics of children who were hospitalized with 2009 influenza A infection in the Saurashtra region.MethodsFrom September 2009 to February 2011, we treated 117 children infected with 2009 influenza A virus who were admitted in different hospitals in Rajkot city. Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test was used to confirm infection, and the clinico-epidemiological features of the disease were closely monitored.ResultsIn the 117 patients, with a median age of 2 years, 59.8% were male. The median time from onset of the disease to influenza A diagnosis was 5 days, and that from onset of the disease to hospitalization was 7 days. The admitted patients took oseltamivir, but only 11.1% of them took it within 2 days after onset of the disease. More than one fourth (29.1%) of the admitted patients died. The most common symptoms of the patients were cough (98.3%), fever (94.0%), sore throat and shortness of breathing. Pneumonia was detected by chest radiography in 80.2% of the patients.ConclusionsIn children with infection-related illness, the survival rate was about 71% after oseltamivir treatment. The median time for virus detection with real-time RT-PCR is 5 days. Early diagnosis and treatment may reduce the severity of the disease.

Clinico-epidemiological features of the hospitalized patients with 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in Saurashtra region, India (September, 2009 to February, 2010)

Background:The first case of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in India was reported in May, 2009 and in Saurashtra region in August, 2009. We describe the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of patients who were hospitalized with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection in Saurashtra region.Materials and Methods:From September, 2009 to February, 2010, we observed 274 persons infected with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus who were admitted in different hospitals in Rajkot city. Real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) testing was used to confirm infection; the clinico-epidemiological features of the disease were closely monitored.Results:Of 274 patients, median age was 29.5 years, and 51.5% were males. Only 1.1% patients had recent travel history to infected region. Median time of five days was observed from onset of illness to influenza A (H1N1) diagnosis, while median time of six days reported for hospital stay. All admitted patients received oseltamivir drug, but only 16.1% received it within two days of onset of illness. One fourth of admitted patients were expired. The most common symptoms were cough (96.7%), fever (92%), sore throat and shortness of breathing, and coexisting conditions including diabetes mellitus (9.9%), hypertension (8.8%), chronic pulmonary diseases (5.5%) and pregnancy (5.5%) (P<0.05). Pneumonia was reported in 93% patients with chest radiography.Conclusion:We have demonstrated that infection-related illness affects both children and adults with survival of 74% patients. The median time from onset of illness to virus detection with use of real-time RT-PCR is five days. Pregnancy is found as a significant (P<0.05) risk factor for severe disease.

Pediatric hospitalizations for 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in Saurashtra region, India

Background: The first case of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in India was reported in May, 2009 and in Saurashtra region in August, 2009. We describe the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of children who were hospitalized with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection in Saurashtra region. Methods: From September, 2009 to February, 2010, we observed 62 children infected with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus who were admitted in different hospitals in Rajkot city. Real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) testing was used to confirm infection; the clinico-epidemiological features of the disease were closely monitored. Results: Of 62 patients, median age was 2.5 years, and 56.5% were males. Median time of 5 days was observed from onset of illness to influenza A (H1N1) diagnosis, while median time of 7 days reported for hospital stay. All admitted patients received oseltamivir drug, but only 9.7% received it within 2 days of onset of illness. More than one fourth (29.0%) of admitted patients were expired. The most common symptoms were cough (69.4%), fever (61.3%), sore throat and shortness of breathing. Pneumonia was reported in 97.1% patients with chest radiography. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that infection related illness affects children with survival of 71% patients after antiviral treatment. The median time for virus detection with use of real-time RT-PCR is 5 days. Mortality reported high among children with radiological evidence of pneumonia.

Natural history of hepatic fibrosis progression in chronic hepatitis C virus infection in India

The rate of fibrosis progression per year can predict the time for the development of cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). We assessed the rate of fibrosis progression and the predictors of disease severity in Indian CHC patients. Of the 355 treatment-naïve, histologically-proven CHC patients, the precise duration of infection (from the time of exposure to HCV until liver biopsy) could be determined in 213 patients (age = 41.6 +/- 14.7 years, male : female = 139 : 74, genotype 3 = 75%). The rate of fibrosis progression per year was calculated. The correlation of the advanced degree of fibrosis and age, duration of infection, age at the onset of infection, sex, mode of infection, hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype, histological activity index (HAI), and the presence of diabetes mellitus were studied. The median rate of fibrosis progression per year was 0.25 (0.0-1.5) fibrosis units. The fibrosis progression rate was higher in patients who acquired infection at > 30 years of age, those < 30 years (0.33 vs 0.15; P < 0.001), and those who acquired HCV infection with a history of blood transfusion than with other modes of transmission (0.25 vs 0.19; P = 0.04). The median time to progress to cirrhosis was 16 years. The multivariate analysis found that the HAI score (odds ratio [OR]= 14.03; P < 0.001) and the duration of infection > 10 years (OR = 4.83; P < 0.001) correlated with severe liver disease (fibrosis > or = 3). The median rate of fibrosis progression per year in Indian CHC patients is 0.25 fibrosis units. A higher HAI and longer duration of infection are associated with a significant risk of advanced liver disease, and merit early therapeutic interventions.

Dual Infections with Pigmented and Albino Strains ofCryptococcus neoformansin Patients with or without Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in India

Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast-like fungus of worldwide distribution. Melanin production is an important virulence factor of C. neoformans. We report the identification of distinct cryptococcal isolates with either pigmented or white colony phenotypes on L-dihydroxyphenylalanine agar plates in three patients who presented with meningitis to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in India. Two of the patients were also infected with human immunodeficiency virus. Biochemical studies, India ink analysis, immunofluorescence with antibodies specific to capsular antigen, and serotyping confirmed that the melanotic and albino strains were C. neoformans serotypes A and D, respectively. Genotyping with M13 and [GACA]4 primers revealed that all the C. neoformans isolates were genetically different. The CNLAC1 gene associated with melanin production was identified in all the strains by PCR. Standard MIC testing revealed that the strains had similar susceptibilities to amphotericin B, but time-kill assays with the antifungal showed reduced susceptibility in melanin-producing strains. Infection studies with A/Jcr mice showed that the melanin-lacking yeast were less virulent than melanin-producing isolates. These findings indicate that these patients had dual infections with pigmented and albino strains of C. neoformans that were phenotypically and biologically different. Continued surveillance of primary isolates from patients with cryptococcosis by analyzing phenotypic differences and by molecular methods may reveal that mixed infections occur more commonly than is currently realized.

Magnitude of hepatitis C virus infection in India: Prevalence in healthy blood donors, acute and chronic liver diseases

Magnitude of hepatitis C virus infection in India: Prevalence in healthy blood donors, acute and chronic liver diseases

Magnitude of hepatitis C virus infection in India: Prevalence in healthy blood donors, acute and chronic liver diseases

An enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was developed in-house for the detection of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody against the prevailing genotypes in India. The specific reactivity of the test was compared with commercial second and third-generation EIAs and reverse transcription nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nested PCR). Fifteen thousand nine hundred twenty-two healthy blood donors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India, were screened for anti-HCV antibody. Two hundred ninety-five (1.85%) of these donors were positive. The screening was also used to determine how many patients with acute hepatitis and chronic liver diseases were positive for anti-HCV antibody. Five hundred sixty-four chronic liver disease patients were screened for anti-HCV antibody and 78 (13.83%) were found positive. Two hundred forty-seven sporadic acute viral hepatitis patients were screened for viral infection markers. Hepatitis B and E viruses (HBV and HEV) were the major etiologic agents. HCV was associated with 9% of the acute cases. Anti-HCV core IgM with HCV RNA detection were found to be helpful for the diagnosis of acute HCV infection.

Spectrum of hepatitis E virus infection in India.

A solid phase enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that detects IgM and IgG to hepatitis E virus (HEV) was used to study seroepidemiology in 40 healthy subjects and 227 consecutive patients with liver diseases in an endemic area. Fifty-two of the liver diseases patients (22.9 percent) had acute hepatitis E. In contrast, none of the 40 healthy subjects were positive for IgM anti-HEV, validating the ELISA assay. Twenty-three of 25 (92%) patients with epidemic non-A, non-B hepatitis were confirmed as having acute hepatitis E. Only 1 of the 10 patients with sporadic, fulminant hepatic failure of non-A, non-B, non-C etiology was positive for IgM anti-HEV. Five (31.2%) of the 16 patients with acute hepatitis in HBsAg carriers were positive for IgM anti-HEV. One patient with acute hepatitis B was coinfected with acute hepatitis E. Acute hepatitis was a disease of the adult population, with peak attack rates in the second and third decades of life. This disease was seen in only 4 (16%) of the 25 patients with acute viral hepatitis occurring below 14 years of age. Cholestasis was predominant in 25% of patients, enzyme elevation was monophasic, and all patients had clinical and biochemical recovery from the disease. The data suggest that the majority of patients with acute sporadic non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis in India have hepatitis E. However, fulminant hepatic failure to sporadic nature is rarely from hepatitis E.

Bluetongue virus infection in India: a review.

The history and epizootiology of bluetongue (BT) in India are reviewed. BT has become endemic in India. The first outbreak of BT in sheep and goats in the country was recorded in 1964 in Maharashtra State. Since then, several outbreaks of BT have been reported in sheep. Exotic sheep are more susceptible than indigenous and cross-bred sheep. A serological survey has indicated the presence of bluetongue virus (BTV) antibodies in cattle and buffalo in several states in India. However, clinical BT has not been observed in cattle or buffalo to date. Of the 24 known serotypes of BTV, 18 have been reported in India. Although BTV has been isolated from Culicoides midges, the particular species responsible for transmission has not yet been identified.