Seroprevalence of Anti-HIV-1, Anti-HIV-2, Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, and Anti-HCV in Eye Donors in a Tertiary Eye Hospital, Chennai, India, in the Past 13 years (2005-2017).

Purpose: To understand the seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in serum samples collected from eye donors between 2005 and 2017 at Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India.

Method: The reports of 7136 eye donors serologically screened for antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2, HBsAg, and antibodies to HCV were retrospectively analyzed.

Result: Among the 7136 serum samples screened during this study period, the serum samples of 14 donors (0.

Author Correction: Genomic analysis of a large set of currently-and historically-important human adenovirus pathogens.

The original publication of this article [1] was missing the below author that made contributions to the research and the published article.

Application of six multiplex PCR's among 200 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for the detection of 20 drug resistance encoding genes.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is a menacing opportunistic, nosocomial pathogen; become a growing concern as conventional antimicrobial therapy is now futile against it. Multi-drug resistant P.

Genomic analysis of a large set of currently-and historically-important human adenovirus pathogens.

Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are uniquely important "model organisms" as they have been used to elucidate fundamental biological processes, are recognized as complex pathogens, and are used as remedies for human health. As pathogens, HAdVs may effect asymptomatic or mild and severe symptomatic disease upon their infection of respiratory, ocular, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems. High-resolution genomic data have enhanced the understanding of HAdV epidemiology, with recombination recognized as an important and major pathway in the molecular evolution and genesis of emergent HAdV pathogens.

Virulence genome analysis of VRFPA10 recovered from patient with scleritis.

Infectious keratitis is a major cause of blindness, next to cataract and majority of cases are mainly caused by gram negative bacterium . . In this study, we investigated a .

Resistome and pathogenomics of multidrug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa VRFPA03, VRFPA05 recovered from alkaline chemical keratitis and post-operative endophthalmitis patient.

Eye infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important cause of ocular morbidity. We presents the whole genomic comparative analysis of two P. aeruginosa VRFPA03 and VRFPA05 isolated from alkaline chemical injury mediated keratitis and post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis patients, respectively.

Stepwise Protocol for Cytospin-enhanced Smearing for Scraped Corneal Epithelial Cells.

Proteins and antigens present on the cell surface are usually determined by immunofluorescence staining. Uniform distribution of cells is required to appreciate the presence of surface proteins. Improper smearing or crushing of the corneal epithelial cells can potentially destroy the cellular integrity.

Genotypic Detection of Epstein Barr Virus in Pediatric Transplant Recipients From India.

Objective: To determine the rate of occurrence and genotypes of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) among pediatric renal and liver transplants recipients.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: Vision Research Foundation referral center and Institute of Liver Disease and Transplantation, Chennai, India.

A study on the characterization of Propionibacterium acnes isolated from ocular clinical specimens.

Background & Objectives: There are only a few reports available on characterization of Propionibacterium acnes isolated from various ocular clinical specimens. We undertook this study to evaluate the role of P. acnes in ocular infections and biofilm production, and also do the phylogenetic analysis of the bacilli.

A hospital based pilot study on Epstein-Barr virus in suspected infectious mononucleosis pediatric patients in India.

Introduction: Infectious mononucleosis (IM) caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is commonly diagnosed by detection of antibodies in the patient's sera. Differentiation of acute from chronic and differential diagnosis of EBV-induced IM from IM-like syndrome caused by human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is important. The objective of this study was to standardize and use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosis of EBV and evaluate it against enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Draft genome sequence of blaVeb-1, blaoxa-10 producing multi-drug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain VRFPA09 recovered from bloodstream infection.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) bacteremia causes significant mortality rate due to emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) nosocomial infections. We report the draft genome sequence of P.

Hepatitis C Virus NS3 Mediated Microglial Inflammation via TLR2/TLR6 MyD88/NF-κB Pathway and Toll Like Receptor Ligand Treatment Furnished Immune Tolerance.

Background: Recent evidence suggests the neurotrophic potential of hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV NS3 protein is one of the potent antigens of this virus mediating inflammatory response in different cell types. Microglia being the immune surveillance cells in the central nervous system (CNS), the inflammatory potential of NS3 on microglia was studied.

Detection of novel and reported mutations in the rpoB, katG and inhA genes in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis isolates: A hospital-based study.

The objective of this study was to detect mutations associated with isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF) resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from newly diagnosed and previously treated tuberculosis patients using a PCR-based DNA sequencing technique. Phenotypic drug susceptibility testing was performed using a BACTEC™ MicroMGIT Culture System in 354 M. tuberculosis isolates.

Patients with dry eye without hepatitis C virus infection possess the viral RNA in their tears.

Purpose: Dry eye is one of the suggested extrahepatic complications associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. HCV RNA has been detected from the tear fluid of patients with chronic HCV. There has been no literature evidence on the presence of HCV RNA in the tear fluid of patients with dry eye without HCV infection.

Application of real time polymerase chain reaction targeting kex 1 gene & its comparison with the conventional methods for rapid detection of Pneumocystis jirovecii in clinical specimens.

Background & Objectives: As there are no standard laboratory techniques for the rapid detection of Pneumocystis jirovecii in India, this study was undertaken to evaluate and establish an optimal and rapid technique for the detection of P. jirovecii by comparing three different techniques - staining technique, application of a real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting kex 1 gene and application of nested PCR targeting mitochondrial large subunit (mtLSU) gene for rapid detection of P. jirovecii in HIV positive patients.

Hepatitis C virus core and NS3 antigens induced conjunctival inflammation via toll-like receptor-mediated signaling.

Purpose: Dry eye condition is an extrahepatic manifestation associated with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Since conjunctival inflammation can contribute to the dry eye condition, in the present study we analyzed the conjunctival inflammatory response to HCV core and NS3 proteins.

Methods: We used primary human conjunctival fibroblasts for our study.

Genotypic Detection of Epstein Barr Virus from Clinically Suspected Viral Retinitis Patients in a Tertiary Eye Care Centre, India.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic value of PCR on aqueous humour for detection and genotyping of Epstein Bar Virus in patients with viral retinitis.

Methods: 70 AH samples were collected from 20 HIV positive patients with clinically suspected viral retinitis and 25 patients with serpignous choroiditis and 25 AH from patients undergoing cataract surgery. PCR was performed to screen HHV-1 to HHV-5, Mtb and Toxoplasma gondii.

HCV core and NS3 proteins mediate toll like receptor induced innate immune response in corneal epithelium.

Direct association of dry eye syndrome and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a well established fact. In this context, the current study examines the in vitro corneal inflammatory response with respect to HCV core and NS3 antigens. Toll like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors which can mediate innate immune response.

Whole-Genome Sequencing of Streptomycin-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolate VRFCWCF MRTB 180 Reveals Novel and Potential Mutations for Resistance.

We announce the draft genome sequence of a streptomycin monoresistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain (VRFCWCF MRTB 180) isolated from sputum of a clinically suspected tuberculosis patient.

Whole Genome Sequence of Polyresistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis CWCFVRF PRTB 19 Sputum Isolate from Chennai, India, Closely Clustering with East African Indian 5 Genogroup.

We announce the draft genome sequence of a polyresistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain (CWCFVRF PRTB 19) isolated from the sputum of a clinically suspected tuberculosis patient, and it closely clusters to the East African Indian 5 (EAI5) lineage.

Comparative Genomic Analysis of Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Isolates VRFPA06 and VRFPA08 with VRFPA07.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates harboring acquired drug-resistant genes lead to increased mortality. Here, we have sequenced and annotated the genomes of two multidrug-resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa isolates and a susceptible P.

Study on polymethylmethacrylate ring in protecting limbal stem cells during collagen cross-linking.

Objective: The UV rays used in the collagen cross-linking (CXL) procedure seem to cause potential damage to the limbal stem cells. This study was designed to evaluate the ability of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) hemiannulus as an alternative to protect corneal limbal stem cells during CXL.

Methods: Ten freshly enucleated human cadaveric eyeballs were subjected to the corneal CXL procedure.

Draft Genome Sequence of Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain VRFPA02, Isolated from a Septicemic Patient in India.

Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, which are notable nosocomial pathogens, have greatly increased the mortality rate of septicemic patients due to treatment failure. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of P. aeruginosa strain VRFPA02, a human bloodstream isolate that has phenotypically proven to be resistant to a broad spectrum of antibiotics.

Eales' disease - current concepts in diagnosis and management.

Eales' disease, first described by the British ophthalmologist Henry Eales in 1880, is characterized by three overlapping stages of venous inflammation (vasculitis), occlusion, and retinal neovascularization. Diagnosis is mostly clinical and requires exclusion of other systemic or ocular conditions that could present with similar retinal features. In recent years, immunological, molecular biological, and biochemical studies have indicated the role of human leukocyte antigen, retinal autoimmunity, Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome, and free radical-mediated damage in the etiopathogenesis of this disease.

Acute postoperative Bacillus cereus endophthalmitis mimicking toxic anterior segment syndrome.

Objective: To study the clinicomicrobiologic characteristics and treatment outcomes in eyes with acute postoperative endophthalmitis (APE) owing to Bacillus cereus from a tertiary eye-care center.

Design: Retrospective, interventional case series.

Participants: Case records of all eyes with culture-proven APE attributable to B cereus from January 2000 to May 2011 were identified from a computerized database and evaluated.