Publications by authors named "Kavitha Karunakaran"
Chikungunya disease is spread by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes. It is considered a neglected tropical disease that has the potential to cause sporadic epidemics in naive populations. Despite the substantial investment in research, there are no approved antiviral treatments for chikungunya.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCorrection: Development and characterization of formulations based on combinatorial potential of antivirals against genital herpes.
Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol
March 2025
Development and characterization of formulations based on combinatorial potential of antivirals against genital herpes.
Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol
March 2025
Article Synopsis
- * The study developed immediate-release film and pessary formulations containing TDF and ZAD, which showed effective drug release within 1-90 minutes and were tested for their safety and antiviral effectiveness in the lab.
- * Results indicated that while ZAD had moderate antiviral activity, TDF was very effective, and their combination produced synergistic effects, suggesting these formulations could enhance treatment for HSV-2 with fewer systemic side effects, though further studies are needed before clinical use.
Article Synopsis
- The Aedes mosquito genus is a major global health threat in the 21st century, especially due to the widespread transmission of diseases by species like Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, which are expanding due to climate changes.
- This study utilized bioclimatic variables and a species distribution model to predict the geographical spread of these mosquitoes in India, finding that Ae. aegypti is set to have a broader distribution compared to Ae. albopictus by 2100.
- The models forecast a significant increase in suitable habitats for both species under various future climate scenarios, highlighting the need for effective vector distribution strategies to prepare for potential outbreaks.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory tract infections have emerged as a significant global threat, yet their impact on public health was previously underappreciated. This study investigated the antiviral efficacy of the nano-coating agent BARRIER90, composed of silicon-quaternary ammonium compound and a naturally derived biopolymer, against three distinct respiratory viruses: Influenza A (H1N1), Adenovirus Type 1, and Enterovirus-Coxsackie B1. BARRIER90 exhibited robust and sustained virucidal activity, persisting up to 90 days post-coating, against the enveloped virus, Influenza A, with significant reduction in viral plaques.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a childhood infection primarily caused by enteroviruses, characterized by fever and a rash on hands, feet, and mouth, with changing virus types observed in South India from 2015 to 2017.
- In a study analyzing samples from suspected HFMD cases, CVA6 was identified as the most common virus (64% of cases), followed by CVA16 and CVA10, while 20% of cases could not be typed.
- The majority of affected individuals were children under five years old, indicating a strong prevalence in young children during this period.
Chikungunya fever is a viral disease transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes. The disease is characterized by fever, headache, rash, severe joint, and muscle pain. To evaluate the disease burden in the population and the effectiveness of public health measures, periodic seroprevalence surveys are essential.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Infections due to drug-resistant herpes simplex viruses (HSV) represent an important clinical concern, especially in immunocompromised patients. The present study was aimed at detecting acyclovir (ACV) susceptibility in HSV clinical samples.
Methods: A total of 13 HSV-positive clinical samples (5 HSV-1 and 8 HSV-2) recovered from patients (1 immunocompromised and 12 of unknown immune status) were included in the study.
Objective: The cesarean delivery rate has increased worldwide. The aim of our study was to assess the events associated with the second cesarean deliveries in our institution.
Subjects And Methods: All cesarean deliveries at the Maternity Hospital, Kuwait, from January 1 to December 31, 2013, were identified.
Background: Recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (RSM) has a multifactorial etiology, mainly due to karyotype abnormalities including balanced translocation, anatomical uterine disorders, and immunological factors, although in 50%-60% the etiology is unexplained. The treatment of RSM remains challenging, and the role of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in RSM is controversial.
Case Report: Mrs HM, 37 years old, obstetric summary: P0+1+13+1, a known case of hypothyroidism/polycystic ovary syndrome, married to an unrelated 47-year-old man, presented to our RSM clinic in early January 2014 for investigation and treatment.