Emergence of Dengue Virus Serotypes 1 and 3 in Mahottari and Adjacent Areas of Southern Nepal.

Dengue has been a serious public health concern in Nepal since the past few years, with concurrent big outbreaks occurring in 2022-2024. This cross-sectional study was conducted among febrile patients visiting hospitals in Mahottari district in southern Nepal. A total of 2141 dengue-suspected patients were investigated by routine laboratory assays and serological and molecular techniques, including real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

Detection of Dengue and Chikungunya Viruses in Mosquitoes from Nepal.

The dengue virus (DENV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection present with similar symptoms and are transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Until now, there have been no reported cases of DENV and CHIKV being detected in mosquitoes in Nepal. This study identified circulating arboviruses from mosquitoes collected in the capital city Kathmandu, and Dhading, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur districts of Central Nepal in 2023.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis A and E virus Antibodies in Dhanusha, Madhesh Province, Nepal.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) are believed to have similar routes of transmission and epidemiology in developing countries. This study investigated the seroprevalence of these pathogens among healthy individuals from the Dhanusha district of Madhesh Province, Nepal. Ninety serum samples collected between 2022 and 2023 were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies against HAV and HEV.

Healthcare performance of leprosy management in peripheral health facilities of Dhanusa and Mahottari, Nepal.

Background: The global elimination of leprosy transmission by 2030 is a World Health Organization (WHO) target. Nepal's leprosy elimination program depends on early case diagnosis and the performance of health workers and facilities. The knowledge and skills of paramedical staff (Leprosy Focal Person, LFP) and case documentation and management by health facilities are therefore key to the performance of health care services.

Sex differences in genotype frequency and the risk of polycythemia associated with rs13419896 and rs2790859 among Tibetan highlanders living in Tsarang, Mustang, Nepal.

Background: Tibetan highlanders have adapted to hypoxic environments through genetic mechanisms that avoid hemoglobin concentration increases and prevent polycythemia. Recently, sex differences in hemoglobin dynamics with age have been reported among Tibetan highlanders living in Tsarang. Additionally, concerns have been raised that dietary changes associated with modernization may increase the risk of polycythemia and lifestyle-related diseases among Tibetan highlanders.

Performance of Fujifilm Dengue NS1 Antigen Rapid Diagnosis Kit Compared to Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.

Dengue is a viral infection caused by the dengue virus (DENV), transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. About half of the world's population is now at risk of dengue, which represents a global public health concern, especially in tropical and subtropical countries. Early detection of the viral infection is crucial to manage the disease; hence, effective rapid diagnostic tests are essential.

Circulating serotypes and genotypes of dengue virus during the 2023 outbreak in Eastern Nepal.

Dengue virus (DENV) is one of the most significant mosquito-borne diseases in Nepal. In 2023, DENV outbreaks began in Eastern Nepal, near the border with India, and rapidly spread nationwide. The study aims to describe the outbreak's epidemiological pattern, laboratory characteristics, DENV serotypes, and genotypes.

Survey of Entamoeba infections in schoolchildren and macaques in Kathmandu, Nepal, and analysis of genetic polymorphisms of Entamoeba nuttalli and Entamoeba dispar isolates.

Entamoeba species infect humans and non-human primates, raising concerns associated with potential zoonotic transmission. Therefore, the prevalence of human Entamoeba infections is crucial for its management in areas, where macaques exhibit high infection rates. Previously, we demonstrated prevalent E.

The Development of New Primer Sets for the Amplification and Sequencing of the Envelope Gene of All Dengue Virus Serotypes.

Dengue virus (DENV) poses a significant threat to global health, infecting approximately 390 million people annually. This virus comprises four serotypes capable of causing severe disease. Genetic analyses are crucial for understanding the epidemiology, evolution, and spread of DENV.

Molecular and Entomological Characterization of 2023 Dengue Outbreak in Dhading District, Central Nepal.

In 2023, Nepal faced its second largest dengue outbreak ever, following a record-breaking number of dengue cases in 2022, characterized by the expansion of infections into areas of higher altitudes. However, the characteristics of the 2023 circulating dengue virus (DENV) and the vector density remain poorly understood. Therefore, we performed DENV serotyping, clinical and laboratory assessment, and entomological analysis of the 2023 outbreak in central Nepal.

A Novel, Comprehensive A129 Mouse Model for Investigating Dengue Vaccines and Evaluating Pathogenesis.

In search of a mouse model for use in evaluating dengue vaccines, we assessed A129 mice that lacked IFN-α/β receptors, rendering them susceptible to dengue virus (DENV) infection. To our knowledge, no reports have evaluated dengue vaccine efficiency using A129 mice. A129 mice were given a single intraperitoneal (IP) or subcutaneous (SC) injection of the vaccine, Dengvaxia.

Evaluating active leprosy case identification methods in six districts of Nepal.

Background: Nepal has achieved and sustained the elimination of leprosy as a public health problem since 2009, but 17 districts and 3 provinces with 41% (10,907,128) of Nepal's population have yet to eliminate the disease. Pediatric cases and grade-2 disabilities (G2D) indicate recent transmission and late diagnosis, respectively, which necessitate active and early case detection. This operational research was performed to identify approaches best suited for early case detection, determine community-based leprosy epidemiology, and identify hidden leprosy cases early and respond with prompt treatment.

Possible high risk of transmission of the Nipah virus in South and South East Asia: a review.

Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic, single-stranded RNA virus from the family Paramyxoviridae, genus Henipavirus. NiV is a biosafety-level-4 pathogen that is mostly spread by Pteropus species, which serve as its natural reservoir host. NiV is one of the major public health challenges in South and South East Asia.

Co-Circulation of Dengue Virus Serotypes 1, 2, and 3 during the 2022 Dengue Outbreak in Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The largest dengue outbreak in the history of Nepal occurred in 2022, with a significant number of casualties. It affected all 77 districts, with the nation's capital, Kathmandu (altitude 1300 m), being the hardest hit. However, the molecular epidemiology of this outbreak, including the dengue virus (DENV) serotype(s) responsible for this epidemic, remain unknown.

Has COVID-19 suppressed dengue transmission in Nepal?

Following the report of the first COVID-19 case in Nepal on 23 January 2020, three major waves were documented between 2020 and 2021. By the end of July 2022, 986 596 cases of confirmed COVID-19 and 11 967 deaths had been reported and 70.5% of the population had received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

How an Outbreak of COVID-19 Circulated Widely in Nepal: A Chronological Analysis of the National Response to an Unprecedented Pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first COVID-19 case was reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.

High prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and its risk factors among Tibetan highlanders living in Tsarang, Mustang district of Nepal.

Background: In Tsarang (at 3560 m), which is located in Mustang, 62.7% of the residents answered that they had a subjective medical history of arthritis, and 41.1% of the residents answered that their families had a subjective medical history of arthritis on a survey conducted in 2017.

Insights into transmission dynamics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in Nepal.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in humans and animals. Numbers of multi drug resistance TB (MDR-TB), extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) and zoonotic TB cases are increasingly being reported every year in Nepal posing a major public health problem. Therefore, the Government of Nepal should act immediately to strengthen the screening facilities across the country to be able to identify and treat the TB infected patients as well as detect zoonotic TB in animal species.