Resurgence of respiratory syncytial virus infection during COVID-19 pandemic in Pune, India.

Introduction: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory infection in children worldwide. Understanding its prevalence, variations, and characteristics is vital, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the RSV positivity rate, subtype prevalence, age and gender distribution, symptomatology, and co-infection rates during pre-pandemic and pandemic periods.

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.

Association of inhibitory NKG2A and activating NKG2D natural killer cell receptor genes with resistance to SARS-CoV-2 infection in a western Indian population.

We have evaluated the association of polymorphisms in the intronic variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) regions of the human NKG2D, NKG2A, and IL-1RN genes with resistance and/or susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection in a total of 209 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (125 asymptomatic patients and 84 symptomatic patients with mild symptoms) and 355 healthy controls, using the PCR-RFLP method. The genotypic and allelic frequency distributions for an IL-1RN (VNTR) single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) were found to be comparable among the patient groups. Overall, in SARS-CoV-2 patients, NKG2A (rs2734440) showed a protective association in the codominant [(A/A vs.

Multisite surveillance for influenza and other respiratory viruses in India: 2016-2018.

There is limited surveillance and laboratory capacity for non-influenza respiratory viruses in India. We leveraged the influenza sentinel surveillance of India to detect other respiratory viruses among patients with acute respiratory infection. Six centers representing different geographic areas of India weekly enrolled a convenience sample of 5-10 patients with acute respiratory infection (ARI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) between September 2016-December 2018.

Cost-analysis of real time RT-PCR test performed for COVID-19 diagnosis at India's national reference laboratory during the early stages of pandemic mitigation.

Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) is one of the most accurate and extensively used laboratory procedures for diagnosing COVID-19. This molecular test has high diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) and is considered as the gold standard for COVID-19 diagnosis. During COVID-19 surge in India, rRT-PCR service was encouraged and supported by the government of India through existing healthcare setup at various levels of healthcare facilities.

A retrospective analysis of respiratory virus transmission before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Pune the western region of India.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 was first reported in China in December 2019 and quickly spread across the world. Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are the key to control the transmission of respiratory viruses. To stop the spread, NPI is widely recommended and is still followed by most countries.

Looking beyond Pertussis in Prolonged Cough Illness of Young Children.

Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is one of the most poorly controlled vaccine-preventable diseases in the world. South-East Asia is estimated to contribute the most to childhood disease burden while this remains largely unexplored in India. The clinical diagnosis of pertussis in young children is a challenge as the classical four-stage presentation with paroxysmal cough or whoop may be absent.

Identification of Human Case of Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Infection, India.

A 11-year-old boy with acute myeloid leukemia was brought for treatment of severe acute respiratory infection in the National Capital Region, New Delhi, India. Avian influenza A(H5N1) infection was laboratory confirmed. Complete genome analysis indicated hemagglutinin gene clade 2.

SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Virus Co-Infection Cases Identified through ILI/SARI Sentinel Surveillance: A Pan-India Report.

SARS-CoV-2/influenza virus co-infection studies have focused on hospitalized patients who usually had grave sequelae. Here, we report SARS-CoV-2/influenza virus co-infection cases from both community and hospital settings reported through integrated ILI/SARI (Influenza Like Illness/Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) sentinel surveillance established by the Indian Council of Medical Research. We describe the disease progression and outcomes in these cases.

Functional Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the and Genes Influence Disease Severity in Influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 Virus-Infected Patients from Maharashtra, India.

The clinical outcome in influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus-infected subjects is determined by several factors, including host genetics. In the present study, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the , and genes were investigated in influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus-infected subjects to find out their association with disease severity. Influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus-infected subjects with severe disease ( = 86) and mild disease ( = 293) from western India were included in the study.

and Polymorphisms and IL-6 and IL-10 Levels Influence Disease Severity in Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Virus Infected Patients.

Cytokines are key modulators of immune response, and dysregulated production of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines contributes to the pathogenesis of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection. Cytokine production is impacted by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes coding for them. In the present study, SNPs in the , , , , and were investigated for their association with disease severity and fatality in influenza A(H1N1)pdm09-affected patients with mild disease ( = 293) and severe disease ( = 86).

Pro-inflammatory CXCL-10, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6: biomarkers of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Currently, the world is witnessing the pandemic of COVID-19, a disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Reported differences in clinical manifestations and outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 infection could be attributed to factors such as virus replication, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and altered cytokine production. Virus-induced aberrant and excessive cytokine production has been linked to the morbidity and mortality of several viral infections.

Epidemiological characterization of COVID-19 - Pune, 2020-2021.

The present study describes the epidemiological characteristics of 3,08,259 suspected cases of COVID-19 from the Pune district, India. The samples were referred for COVID-19 testing between January 24, 2020 and April 30, 2021. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from the ICMR-portal as a single dataset and analyzed.

Laboratory preparedness for SARS-CoV-2 testing in India: Harnessing a network of Virus Research & Diagnostic Laboratories.

Background & Objectives: An outbreak of respiratory illness of unknown aetiology was reported from Hubei province of Wuhan, People's Republic of China, in December 2019. The outbreak was attributed to a novel coronavirus (CoV), named as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-2 and the disease as COVID-19. Within one month, cases were reported from 25 countries.

Full-genome sequences of the first two SARS-CoV-2 viruses from India.

Background & Objectives: Since December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has globally affected 195 countries. In India, suspected cases were screened for SARS-CoV-2 as per the advisory of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The objective of this study was to characterize SARS-CoV-2 sequences from three identified positive cases as on February 29, 2020.

Association of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in and Genes with Disease Severity in Influenza A/H1N1pdm09 Virus Infections: A Study from Western India.

Susceptibility to severe influenza A/H1N1pdm09 virus is multifactorial. The present study was carried out in 246 patients infected with A/H1N1pdm09 virus to find out whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes coding for proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines are associated with disease severity. Among the cases, 129 had mild disease, whereas 117 had severe disease.

Comparison of the conventional multiplex RT-PCR, real time RT-PCR and Luminex xTAG® RVP fast assay for the detection of respiratory viruses.

Detection of respiratory viruses using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is sensitive, specific and cost effective, having huge potential for patient management. In this study, the performance of an in-house developed conventional multiplex RT-PCR (mRT-PCR), real time RT-PCR (rtRT-PCR) and Luminex xTAG(®) RVP fast assay (Luminex Diagnostics, Toronto, Canada) for the detection of respiratory viruses was compared. A total 310 respiratory clinical specimens predominantly from pediatric patients, referred for diagnosis of influenza A/H1N1pdm09 from August 2009 to March 2011 were tested to determine performance characteristic of the three methods.

Development of real-time RT-PCR for detection of human metapneumovirus and genetic analysis of circulating strains (2009-2011) in Pune, India.

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is an important respiratory virus implicated in respiratory infections. The purpose of this study was to develop a one-step real-time RT-PCR assay that can detect all four lineages of HMPV and to identify the HMPV lineages circulating in Pune, India. Conserved regions of the nucleoprotein gene were used to design real-time primers and a probe.

Complete Genome Sequences of Two Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Genotype A Strains from India, RSV-A/NIV1114046/11 and RSV-A/NIV1114073/11.

Two complete genomes of human respiratory syncytial virus subtype A (HRSV-A), with and without a 72-nucleotide duplication in the C-terminal glycoprotein G gene, were sequenced and analyzed. Characterization of these genomes will improve understanding of the diversity, emergence, virulence, pathogenicity, and transmissibility of a novel RSV-A genotype with a 72-nucleotide G gene duplication.