Leptospirosis in Nepal.

The study has demonstrated the evidence of leptospirosis infection in the country. It has also highlighted the challenges and the need of further researches on this disease, which seems to be under reported in the country.

Molecular and virological analyses of dengue virus responsible for dengue outbreak in East Timor in 2005.

A severe dengue outbreak occurred in East Timor in 2005. The dengue virus genome was detected by TaqMan RT-PCR in 40 serum samples, as follows: dengue virus type-3 (DENV-3) in 37 samples, DENV-2 in 2 samples, and DENV-1 in one sample. One DENV-1 genome, one DENV-2 genome, and 5 DENV-3 genomes were sequenced, and these specimens were aligned with the previously determined envelope (E) gene sequences.

Clinical intervention and molecular characteristics of a dengue hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Timor Leste, 2005.

In response to a January 2005 report of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in Timor Leste, the World Health Organization sent a team to assist the National Hospital Guido Valadares (NHGV) in Dili with clinical case management and diagnostic support. The hospital reported 67 admissions including 8 deaths (case fatality rate approximately 12%) over the previous weeks with case histories clinically compatible with DHF. During the intervention, an additional 44 suspected dengue patients were admitted to the pediatric ward of NHGV.

Hepatitis E virus infection in chimpanzees: a retrospective analysis.

Different patterns of disease were observed among 11 chimpanzees who were inoculated intravenously with hepatitis E virus (HEV) positive fecal specimens from four different outbreaks (Nepal 1981, Uzbekistan 1981, Pakistan 1985, and Mexico 1986). Five chimpanzees had marginal or no liver enzyme elevations within 70 days of inoculation. Two of the chimpanzees had limited viremia, but did not produce detectable antibody.

Viral hepatitis in the Bhutanese population: preliminary results of a seroepidemiological investigation.

A seroepidemiological study of the prevalence of markers related to the most common forms of viral hepatitis was carried out in Bhutan on 1,666 healthy people of both sexes, from the general population. A group of 440 pregnant women were screened separately. Our results suggest that in Bhutan, hepatitis A and hepatitis B are widespread, while there is a low prevalence of hepatitis C and E.