Comparison of conventional diagnostic methods with molecular method for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: Tuberculosis remains one of the deadliest communicable diseases. Prompt diagnosis of active tuberculosis cases facilitates timely therapeutic intervention and minimizes the community transmission. Although conventional microscopy has low sensitivity, still it remains the corner stone for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in high burden countries like India.

Identifying the research, advocacy, policy and implementation needs for the prevention and management of respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract infection in low- and middle-income countries.

Introduction: The high burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in young children disproportionately occurs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The PROUD (Preventing RespiratOry syncytial virUs in unDerdeveloped countries) Taskforce of 24 RSV worldwide experts assessed key needs for RSV prevention in LMICs, including vaccine and newer preventive measures.

Methods: A global, survey-based study was undertaken in 2021.

Validation of Pefloxacin for detection of fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistance among Typhi with special reference to GyrB mutations.

Fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistant are classified as high priority pathogens by WHO. FQ resistance among Typhi has emerged rapidly and is predominantly mediated by mutations in the topoisomerase genes , and . Mutations in GyrA result in classical FQ resistance (DCS-NAR) i.

Incidence and clinical features of viral sore throat among children in rural Haryana, India.

Background: Sore throat is one of the commonest symptoms that patients present to a primary care physician. We describe the epidemiology of sore throat and performance of an algorithm to predict viral sore throat in a part of India.

Methods: Children below 10 years of age were followed in 4 villages of Haryana, India from Aug 2012 to Aug 2014 through weekly domiciliary visits by trained field workers who screened for symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI) including sore throat.

Increasing Prevalence of and Producing CTX-M-Type Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase, Carbapenemase, and NDM-1 in Patients from a Rural Community with Community Acquired Infections: A 3-Year Study.

Background: Increasing prevalence of community-acquired infections (CAIs) due to and producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), especially the Cefotaxime-Munich (CTX-M) type, carbapenemase, and New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM), has been reported globally posing a serious public health threat that has complicated treatment strategies for Gram-negative bacterial infections. While most of the reports in this regard are based on hospitalized patients from the urban community, there is a paucity of data in a rural community presenting with CAIs.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1275 strains of and isolated over a period of 3 years from patients with CAIs were subjected to the detection of ESBL by double-disc synergy test; carbapenemase by modified Hodge test; metallo-β-lactamase by MIC test strip metallo-β-lactamase (MBL); and , , , and genes by polymerase chain reaction.

Results from the WHO external quality assessment for the respiratory syncytial virus pilot, 2016-17.

Background: External quality assessments (EQAs) for the molecular detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are necessary to ensure the provision of reliable and accurate results. One of the objectives of the pilot of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global RSV Surveillance, 2016-2017, was to evaluate and standardize RSV molecular tests used by participating countries. This paper describes the first WHO RSV EQA for the molecular detection of RSV.

Current understanding, knowledge gaps and a perspective on the future of COVID-19 Infections: A systematic review.

A novel coronavirus infection, which began as an outbreak of unusual viral pneumonia in Wuhan, a central city in China, has evolved into a global health crisis. The outbreak is an unembellished reminder of the hazard coronaviruses pose to public health. Government and researchers around the world have been taking swift measures to control the outbreak and conduct aetiological studies to understand the various facets of the outbreak.

Leveraging the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System for global respiratory syncytial virus surveillance-opportunities and challenges.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated acute lower respiratory infection is a common cause for hospitalization and hospital deaths in young children globally. There is urgent need to generate evidence to inform immunization policies when RSV vaccines become available. The WHO piloted a RSV surveillance strategy that leverages the existing capacities of the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) to better understand RSV seasonality, high-risk groups, validate case definitions, and develop laboratory and surveillance standards for RSV.

Use of TaqMan Array card for the detection of respiratory viral pathogens in children under 5 years old hospitalised with acute medical illness in Ballabgarh, Haryana, India.

Historical specimens collected from hospitalized children were tested for the following 13 viruses: influenza A and B; respiratory syncytial virus (RSV); parainfluenza viruses 1-3; human metapneumovirus; rhinovirus; coronaviruses 229E, OC43, NL63 and HKU1 and Adenovirus using monoplex real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). They were retested using TaqMan Array Card (TAC), a micro-fluidic system, capable of simultaneous multi-pathogen testing, to evaluate its sensitivity and specificity against monoplex rRT-PCR. TAC showed high sensitivity (71%-100%) and specificity (98%-100%) for these viruses in comparison to monoplex rRT-PCR.

Distribution of A genotypes in patients attending a sexually transmitted disease outpatient clinic in New Delhi, India.

Background & Objectives: Limited data are available on the typing of Chlamydia trachomatis in India. Serovars D to K of C. trachomatis are chiefly responsible for urogenital infections.

Efficacy of inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine in rural India: a 3-year cluster-randomised controlled trial.

Background: Paediatric vaccination against influenza can result in indirect protection, by reducing transmission to their unvaccinated contacts. We investigated whether influenza vaccination of children would protect them and their household members in a resource-limited setting.

Methods: We did a cluster-randomised, blinded, controlled study in three villages in India.

Epidemiology of viral acute lower respiratory infections in a community-based cohort of rural north Indian children.

Background: In India, community-based acute lower respiratory infections (ALRI) burden studies are limited, hampering development of prevention and control strategies.

Methods: We surveyed children <10 years old at home weekly from August 2012-August 2014, for cough, sore throat, rhinorrhoea, ear discharge, and shortness of breath. Symptomatic children were assessed for ALRI using World Health Organization definitions.

Respiratory syncytial virus infections in India: Epidemiology and need for vaccine.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been identified as a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in young children and elderly. It is an enveloped negative-sense RNA virus belonging to Genus Orthopneumovirus. The clinical features of RSV infection range from mild upper-respiratory-tract illnesses or otitis media to severe lower-respiratory-tract illnesses.

Molecular characterisation of using typing as a diagnostic tool in Haryana, India.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the top six most common etiologic agents of nosocomial, community and livestock acquired bacterial infections. These infections although initially were described as a major problem in hospitals have now also become a serious threat in community not only in India but also worldwide. Its prevalence varies depending on the health-care setting, country or a particular region.

Estimation of community-level influenza-associated illness in a low resource rural setting in India.

Objective: To estimate rates of community-level influenza-like-illness (ILI) and influenza-associated ILI in rural north India.

Methods: During 2011, we conducted household-based healthcare utilization surveys (HUS) for any acute medical illness (AMI) in preceding 14days among residents of 28villages of Ballabgarh, in north India. Concurrently, we conducted clinic-based surveillance (CBS) in the area for AMI episodes with illness onset ≤3days and collected nasal and throat swabs for influenza virus testing using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

BA9 lineage of respiratory syncytial virus from across the globe and its evolutionary dynamics.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important pathogen of global significance. The BA9 is one of the most predominant lineages of the BA genotype of group B RSV that has acquired a 60bp duplication in its G protein gene. We describe the local and global evolutionary dynamics of the second hyper variable region in the C- terminal of the G protein gene of the BA9 lineage.

Global distribution of NA1 genotype of respiratory syncytial virus and its evolutionary dynamics assessed from the past 11 years.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a potent pathogen having global distribution. The main purpose of this study was to gain an insight into distribution pattern of the NA1 genotype of group A RSV across the globe together with its evolutionary dynamics. We focused on the second hypervariable region of the G protein gene and used the same for Phylogenetic, Bayesian and Network analyses.

Estimation of Burden of Influenza among under-Five Children in India: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: We estimated the burden of influenza-related acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) among under-fives in India through meta-analysis.

Methodology: We estimated pooled incidence and proportional positivity of laboratory-diagnosed influenza among under-fives using data from observational studies published from 1 January 1961 to 31 December 2016. Death due to influenza was estimated using a multiplier model.

Cost of Treatment of Febrile Acute Respiratory Infection (FARI) Among Under-Five Children Attending Health Facilities of Ballabgarh, Haryana.

Objective: To estimate the expenditure incurred towards treatment of an episode of respiratory infection among under-fives in outpatient and inpatient departments of primary and secondary level health facilities.

Methods: During March 2011 - September 2012, under-five children presenting with febrile acute respiratory infection (FARI) in the outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) departments of public and private health facilities of Ballabgarh, Haryana were enrolled in the study. Children who were free from co-morbidities and whose contact number or proper address were available, were enrolled and followed up over telephone or by house visits till recovery.

Global, regional, and national disease burden estimates of acute lower respiratory infections due to respiratory syncytial virus in young children in 2015: a systematic review and modelling study.

Background: We have previously estimated that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was associated with 22% of all episodes of (severe) acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) resulting in 55 000 to 199 000 deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2005. In the past 5 years, major research activity on RSV has yielded substantial new data from developing countries. With a considerably expanded dataset from a large international collaboration, we aimed to estimate the global incidence, hospital admission rate, and mortality from RSV-ALRI episodes in young children in 2015.

Prevalence and distribution of Chlamydia trachomatis genovars in Indian infertile patients: a pilot study.

To determine the prevalence and distribution of Chlamydia trachomatis genovars in patients with infertility by PCR-RFLP and ompA gene sequencing. Prevalence of other etiological agents (viz., Ureaplasma spp.

Interaction of Host Nucleolin with Influenza A Virus Nucleoprotein in the Early Phase of Infection Limits the Late Viral Gene Expression.

Influenza A virus nucleoprotein, is a multifunctional RNA-binding protein, encoded by segment-5 of the negative sense RNA genome. It serves as a key connector between the virus and the host during virus replication. It continuously shuttles between the cytoplasm and the nucleus interacting with various host cellular factors.