Clinical and molecular epidemiology of chikungunya outbreaks during 2019-2022 in India.

Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) is endemic in India, with multiple outbreaks occurring across the country since its reemergence in 2005. Suspected CHIKF patients were recruited from four clinical sites during 2019-2022, with data collected on sociodemographic, clinical, and epidemiological aspects. Sera samples were screened for IgM, IgG antibodies and viral RNA along with their neutralizing capacity.

Measles Outbreak Investigation in Chandigarh in 2023: A Case Series.

Objective: To investigate the measles virus (MeV) outbreak at a tertiary-care centre of northern India in 2023.

Methods: Probable and confirmed cases of measles presenting to from a tertiary hospital in Chandigarh, India, between January 01, 2023, and September 30, 2023, were defined using the WHO measles outbreak toolbox. Laboratory confirmation was based on positive IgM serology for measles.

Safety, immunogenicity, and breakthrough infections during 1-year follow-up after COVISHIELD™ vaccination among healthcare workers in a teaching institute in North India: A prospective longitudinal study.

Background: A prospective longitudinal study was planned to assess immunogenicity, safety, and breakthrough infection rates among health care workers (HCWs) after COVISHIELD™ vaccination in a teaching institute in North India.

Methods: A total of 518 HCWs were enrolled at baseline for receiving first dose of COVISHIELD™, 429 continued participation for second dose, 415 followed up at 28 days after second dose, 405 at 6 months, and 403 at 1 year from February 2021 to November 2022. At each visit prior, 2 ml of blood sample was collected and plasma separated.

Long COVID psychiatric sequelae, biochemical markers & tau protein: A 3-year follow-up study.

Background: A significant percentage of COVID-19 survivors experience long-term neuropsychiatric and physical issues. Baseline biochemical parameters may be linked to these psychiatric sequelae.

Aim: This study aimed to explore the association between baseline biochemical parameters and psychiatric outcomes in COVID-19 survivors three years post-infection.

Multipronged strategy for protection and motivation of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a real-life study.

Objective: We aimed to assess risk of COVID-19 infection & seroprotection status in healthcare workers (HCWs) in both hospital and community settings following an intensive vaccination drive in India.

Setting: Tertiary Care Hospital.

Methods: We surveyed COVID-19 exposure risk, personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance, vaccination status, mental health & COVID-19 infection rate across different HCW cadres.

A Case Series of Adult Measles from a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India.

Measles or rubeola is caused by an enveloped single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus Morbillivirus in the Paramyxoviridae family. Here, we present five adult measles patients. The laboratory confirmation of measles by serology/polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out in the National Measles Laboratory as per WHO standard operating procedure at the Department of Virology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Clinical and molecular investigation of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis outbreak in North India (2023).

Purpose: The study aims to investigate an outbreak of acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) reported in North India.

Methods: All patients presenting to the outpatient clinic department with signs and symptoms (symptoms onset within 36 h) of AHC were enrolled in the study. The conjunctival swab samples were tested for the presence of enteroviruses and adenoviruses.

Convergence of inflammatory response: Salivary cytokine dynamics in coronavirus disease 2019 and periodontal disease.

Background: Periodontal disease is associated with immune dysregulation, and cytokines released can add on to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated cytokine storm, further worsening the related adverse outcomes. Specific studies investigating cytokine levels in COVID-19 patients with periodontal disease are lacking. Examining the correlation between these conditions could aid in categorizing risk categories, determining referrals, and strengthening oral hygiene protocols.

Rubella immunity among pregnant women and the burden of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) in India, 2022.

Background: India aims to eliminate rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) by 2023. We conducted serosurveys among pregnant women to monitor the trend of rubella immunity and estimate the CRS burden in India following a nationwide measles and rubella vaccination campaign.

Methods: We surveyed pregnant women at 13 sentinel sites across India from Aug to Oct 2022 to estimate seroprevalence of rubella IgG antibodies.

Molecular characterization and evolutionary dynamics of influenza A(H1N1) strains isolated from 2015 to 2017 in North India.

Background And Objectives: The influenza A(H1N1) virus is known for large outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics worldwide owing to its genome plasticity which evolves constantly. In the year 2015 and then in 2017, India witnessed an upsurge in cases.

Materials And Methods: The study was carried out in this period (2015-2017) with samples from 5 states across north India.

A multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of Mycobacterium w in critically ill patients with COVID-19 (ARMY-2).

Background: Mycobacterium w (Mw), an immunomodulator, resulted in better clinical status in severe coronavirus infectious disease 19 (COVID-19) but no survival benefit in a previous study. Herein, we investigate whether Mw could improve clinical outcomes and survival in COVID-19.

Materials And Methods: In a multicentric, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial, we randomized hospitalized subjects with severe COVID-19 to receive either 0.

Whole genome analysis of Human Mastadenovirus D causing Keratoconjunctivitis in India - A multicentre study.

Introduction: Human mastadenovirus (HAdV) types 8, 37, 64 have been considered the major contributors in Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) epidemics, but recent surveillance data have shown the involvement of emerging recombinants, including HAdV-53, HAdV-54, and HAdV-56. In our initial work, positive samples for adenovirus revealed that our strains were closer to HAdV-54 than HAdV-8. Hence, the current study aimed to use whole genome technology to identify the HAdV strain correctly.

Rapid Decline of SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load in Single vs. Double-Dose (Short-Interval <6 Weeks) ChAdOx nCoV-19 Vaccinated Health-Care Workers.

The present work was carried out during the emergence of Delta Variant of Concern (VoC) and aimed to study the change in SARS CoV-2 viral load in Covishield vaccinated asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic health-care workers (HCWs) to find out the optimum isolation period. The SARS CoV-2 viral load was carried out in sequential samples of 55 eligible HCWs which included unvaccinated (UnV; n = 11), single-dose vaccinated (SDV, n = 20) and double-dose vaccinated [DDV, n = 24; short-interval (<6 weeks)] subjects. The mean load of envelope (E) gene on day 5 in SDV [0.

Cycle threshold values of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in conjunctival swabs and nasopharyngeal secretions: a comparative study from a tertiary care center in India.

Purpose: To detect the viral RNA load of SARS-CoV-2 in conjunctival swabs of COVID-19 patients, and compare with nasopharyngeal swabs.

Methods: Conjunctival swabs of COVID-19 patients (with PCR positive nasopharyngeal swabs) were subjected to quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The cycle threshold (Ct) values of Open Reading Frame 1 (ORF 1 Ab gene) and nucleoprotein (N gene) PCRs were used to assess the viral RNA load, and compare them with the baseline values of nasopharyngeal swabs.

Pan-India influenza-like illness (ILI) and Severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance: epidemiological, clinical and genomic analysis.

Background: Over time, COVID-19 testing has significantly declined across the world. However, it is critical to monitor the virus through surveillance. In late 2020, WHO released interim guidance advising the use of the existing Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) for the integrated surveillance of influenza and SARS-CoV-2.

Clinical Profile, Intensive Care Needs and Predictors of Outcome Among Children Admitted with Non-COVID Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) During the Pandemic.

Objectives: To study the epidemiology of non-coronavirus disease-2019 (non-COVID-19) respiratory viral infections with respect to their clinical profile, intensive care needs and predictors of outcome once the non-pharmacological interventions (NPI) during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic were relaxed.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of children with Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) who were SARS-CoV-2 negative, admitted to the Pediatric Emergency/Intensive Care Unit (PICU) from July 2021 through October 2021 was conducted.

Results: One hundred and thirty nine children with median age of 11 (4-28.

Changing Clinical Profile and Predictors of Mortality in Patients of Acute Febrile Encephalopathy from North India.

Introduction: Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) or acute febrile encephalopathy is a clinical condition characterized by altered mental status occurring after or along with a short febrile illness. In developing countries, infections are the predominant cause of AES. Prominent infections known to cause AES include viruses (such as herpes simplex virus [HSV], Japanese Encephalitis [JE] virus, dengue, enteroviruses [EVs]), bacteria, fungus, and parasites.

Maternally transmitted anti-measles antibodies, and susceptibility to disease among infants in Chandigarh, India: A prospective birth cohort study.

Prior to the age of measles vaccination, infants are believed to be protected against measles by passively transferred maternal antibodies. However, the quantity and quality of such protection have not been well established in the Indian setting. We undertook this study to characterize the transfer and decline in maternal anti-measles antibodies among infants, and determine their susceptibility to measles.

Profile of cardiac lesions among laboratory confirmed congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) infants: a nationwide sentinel surveillance, India, 2016-22.

Background: The phenotypical profile of cardiovascular malformations in patients with congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is varied. We aimed to describe the profile of cardiac defects among CRS patients detected in the sentinel CRS surveillance in India during 2016-22.

Methods: Sentinel sites enrolled infants with suspected CRS based on presence of cardiac defects, hearing impairment, eye signs, or maternal history of febrile rash illness.

Satellite Epidemic of Covid-19 Associated Mucormycosis in India: A Multi-Site Observational Study.

Background: Sudden upsurge in cases of COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis (CAM) following the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was recorded in India. This study describes the clinical characteristics, management and outcomes of CAM cases, and factors associated with mortality.

Methods: Microbiologically confirmed CAM cases were enrolled from April 2021 to September 2021 from ten diverse geographical locations in India.

Effect of storage temperatures simulating transport conditions of nasopharyngeal swabs on the results of a chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigen.

Purpose: Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (CLIA) is high throughput, rapid diagnostic test which has recently come up for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen. The present study evaluated performance of CLIA antigen test in nasopharyngeal swab samples stored at different temperatures for 7 days to simulate the transport conditions and transit time across the country from remote peripheral laboratories to central facilities.

Materials And Methods: Limit of detection (LOD), sensitivity and specificity of VITROS® SARS-CoV-2 antigen assay was determined using Real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (rRT-PCR) confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative samples.

Congenital rubella syndrome surveillance in India, 2016-21: Analysis of five years surveillance data.

Background: In India, facility-based surveillance for congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) was initiated in 2016 to estimate the burden and monitor the progress made in rubella control. We analyzed the surveillance data for 2016-2021 from 14 sentinel sites to describe the epidemiology of CRS.

Method: We analyzed the surveillance data to describe the distribution of suspected and laboratory confirmed CRS patients by time, place and person characteristics.

An Observational Study on Pattern of Empirical Acyclovir Therapy in Children With Acute Encephalitis From Northern India.

Objectives: To identify the prevalence of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), factors influencing the duration of empirical acyclovir and frequency of acute kidney injury (AKI) in children with acute encephalitis syndrome (AES).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Pediatric Emergency Department and PICU of a tertiary hospital in Northern India.

Role of Viral Load and Host Cytokines in Determining the Disease Severity of Respiratory Syncytial Virus-Associated Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Children.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of viral load, cytokines, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) in determining the severity of RSV disease and identify potential biomarkers of disease severity. A total of 142 patients with RSV infection (aged between 2 months and 5 years) who presented with ALRTI between December 2013 and March 2016 were enrolled.