In Silico Development of a Multi-Epitope Subunit Vaccine against Bluetongue Virus in Using Immunoinformatics.

The bluetongue virus (BTV), transmitted by biting midges, poses a significant threat to livestock globally. This orbivirus induces bluetongue disease, leading to substantial economic losses in the agricultural sector. The current control measures have limitations, necessitating the development of novel, efficient vaccines.

Adverse Perinatal Outcomes Associated with Increasing Maternal Obesity.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine adverse perinatal outcomes related to maternal preconception body mass index (BMI).

Study Design: This is a retrospective observational cohort study at a single institution of 500 consecutive mothers of normal weight with a preconception BMI of 18.5 to less than 25 and 500 additional obese mothers with a preconception BMI more than or equal to 30.

First complete genome sequence of lumpy skin disease virus directly from a clinical sample in South India.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD), a notifiable disease listed by the World Organization for Animal Health and a fast fast-moving transboundary viral disease infecting cattle and buffaloes, was reported in India in 2019 and has since rapidly spread across the country. This study reports the first complete genome sequence and analysis of a pathogenic LSD virus (LSDV) from India (LSDV/208/PVNRTVU/2020) obtained by direct sequencing of a suspected clinical sample using Illumina and Nanopore sequencing technologies. The complete genome sequence of LSDV/208/PVNRTVU/2020 is 150445 bp long, codes for 156 putative genes and carries identical 2254 bp inverted terminal repeats at either ends.

A comprehensive molecular survey of viral pathogens associated with canine gastroenteritis.

Viral pathogens are the primary cause of canine gastroenteritis. However, few structured comprehensive studies on the viral etiology of canine gastroenteritis have been conducted. In this study, 475 rectal swabs collected over three years (2018-2021) from clinical canine gastroenteritis cases were screened for the presence of six major enteric viruses - canine parvovirus 2 (CPV-2), canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus 2 (CAdV-2), canine coronavirus (CCoV), canine astrovirus (CaAstV), and canine rotavirus (CRV) - by real-time PCR.

Comparative evaluation of the effect of L-Arginine and L-Homoarginine supplementation on reproductive physiology in ewes.

L-Arginine (LA) is a well-known amino acid involved in vital physiological processes. However, the physiological function of its methylated form known as L-Homoarginine (LHA), is not well understood. The aim of this study was to study the comparative effects of LA and LHA treatment on selected metabolites and parameters of reproductive physiology in non-pregnant ewes.

SARS-CoV-2 variants and spike mutations involved in second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in India.

Against the backdrop of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in India that started in March 2021, we have monitored the spike (S) protein mutations in all the reported (GISAID portal) whole-genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 circulating in India from 1 January 2021 to 31 August 2021. In the 43,102 SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequences analysed, we have identified 24,260 amino acid mutations in the S protein, based on which 265 Pango lineages could be categorized. The dominant lineage in most of the 28 states of India and its 8 union territories was B.

Identification and characterization of DNA aptamers specific to VP2 protein of canine parvovirus.

Canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2) is ubiquitously distributed in dog population worldwide causing a severe and often fatal gastroenteritis. Owing to its highly contagious nature, rapid detection of CPV is crucial in effective control of the disease. Aptamers have emerged as potential alternative to antibodies as affinity reagents in diagnostic field.

A novel one-step amplification refractory mutation system PCR (ARMS-PCR) for differentiation of canine parvovirus-2 variants.

Enteritis caused by CPV-2 antigenic variants (CPV-2a, 2b, and 2c) is frequently reported in dogs worldwide leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Here, we describe about a simple, single-step, ARMS-PCR strategy targeting the mutant 426 amino acid of VP2 to differentiate CPV-2 antigenic types. A total of 150 fecal samples were subjected to ARMS-PCR of which 18 were typed as CPV-2a, 79 were typed as CPV-2b, and 6 were typed as CPV-2c.

Clinical and whole genome characterization of SARS-CoV-2 in India.

We report clinical profile of hundred and nine patients with SARS CoV-2 infection, and whole genome sequences (WGS) of seven virus isolates from the first reported cases in India, with various international travel histories. Comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease were frequently associated with severity of the disease. WBC and neutrophil counts showed an increase, while lymphocyte counts decreased in patients with severe infection suggesting a possible neutrophil mediated organ damage, while immune activity may be diminished with decrease in lymphocytes leading to disease severity.

VP2 Gene-Based Molecular Evolutionary Patterns of Major Circulating Bluetongue Virus Serotypes Isolated during 2014-2018 from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh States of India.

Introduction: Bluetongue disease is an economically important viral disease of livestock caused by bluetongue virus (BTV) having multiple serotypes. It belongs to the genus Orbivirus of family Reoviridae and subfamily Sedoreovirinae. The genome of BTV is 10 segmented dsRNA that codes for 7 structural and 4 nonstructural proteins, of which VP2 was reported to be serotype-specific and a major antigenic determinant.

Type-specific seroprevalence of bluetongue in India during 2018 and 2019.

Background And Aim: Bluetongue (BT) is a major disease of sheep and goats and is endemic to India. It is known to cause significant economic losses to the sheep industry. The current study aimed to determine the type-specific seroprevalence of BT in sheep population of India during 2018-2019.

Implications of a conserved region of bluetongue virus protein VP2 in cross-neutralisation of bluetongue virus serotypes.

Bluetongue (BT) is a vector-borne disease of ruminants caused by Bluetongue virus (BTV). Twenty-nine different serotypes of BTV are currently reported throughout the world. The main objective of this study is the development of a subunit vaccine model that could potentially be adapted to provide broad spectrum protection against multiple BTV serotypes, which the conventional vaccines fail to address.

Type specific seroprevalence of bluetongue virus during 2017-2018 in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states of India.

Bluetongue (BT) is one of the important viral diseases of domestic and wild ruminants, especially small ruminants such as sheep. Out of the 29 BTV serotypes prevalent in the world, at least 24 of the serotypes are reported in India, either by virus isolation or serology. To better understand the seroprevalence of BTV, we conducted a comprehensive study in the main reservoir hosts of BTV, i.

E3 Gene-Based Genetic Characterization of Canine Adenovirus-2 Isolated from Cases of Canine Gastroenteritis in India Revealed a Novel Group of the Virus.

Canine adenovirus (CAV) circulates as two distinct serotypes, CAV-1 and CAV-2, which are antigenically related but differ in their clinical manifestations. CAV is one of the important viral agents in the etiology of canine gastroenteritis. Here, we report the molecular surveillance and genetic characterization of CAV from clinical cases of canine gastroenteritis.

Is Fever a Red Flag for Bacterial Pneumonia in Children With Viral Bronchiolitis?

We hypothesized that fever in children with viral bronchiolitis indicates the need for consideration of superimposed bacterial pneumonia. We conducted a retrospective study of 349 children aged 2 years and younger with diagnoses of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and viral upper respiratory infection. Data were analyzed using Pearson χ test.

Infection kinetics and antibody responses in Deccani sheep during experimental infection and superinfection with bluetongue virus serotypes 4 and 16.

Aim: The current study was designed to understand the infection kinetics and antibody responses of major circulating serotypes of bluetongue virus (BTV) in India, i.e., BTV-4 and BTV-16 through experimental infection and superinfection of Deccani sheep, a popular breed of sheep found in the southern states of India.

Antagonistic effect of ursolic acid on biofilms.

Aim: The present study was carried out to study the effect of ursolic acid (UA) as a potential anti-biofilm agent in dispersing the biofilm generated by isolated from milk samples of crossbred dairy cows on the day of drying. Further, in the isolates, the presence of intracellular adherence gene locus involved in biofilm production () was investigated.

Materials And Methods: A total of 50 strains were isolated over a period of 3 months from 200 milk samples collected from crossbred dairy cows on the day of drying.

Comparative Neuropathology of Major Indian Bluetongue Virus Serotypes in a Neonatal BALB/c Mouse Model.

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is neurotropic in nature, especially in ruminant fetuses and in-utero infection results in abortion and congenital brain malformations. The aim of the present study was to compare the neuropathogenicity of major Indian BTV serotypes 1, 2, 10, 16 and 23 by gross and histopathological lesions and virus distribution in experimentally infected neonatal BALB/c mice. Each BTV serotype (20 μl of inoculum containing 1 × 10 tissue culture infectious dose [TCID]/ml of virus) was inoculated intracerebrally into 3-day-old mice, while a control group was inoculated with mock-infected cell culture medium.

Standardization and application of real-time polymerase chain reaction for rapid detection of bluetongue virus.

Aim: The present study was designed to standardize real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detecting the bluetongue virus from blood samples of sheep collected during outbreaks of bluetongue disease in the year 2014 in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states of India.

Materials And Methods: A 10-fold serial dilution of Plasmid PUC59 with bluetongue virus (BTV) NS3 insert was used to plot the standard curve. BHK-21 and KC cells were used for propagation of virus BTV-9 at a TCID50/ml of 10 ml and RNA was isolated by the Trizol method.

Isolation and evolutionary analysis of Australasian topotype of bluetongue virus serotype 4 from India.

Bluetongue (BT) is a Culicoides-borne disease caused by several serotypes of bluetongue virus (BTV). Similar to other insect-borne viral diseases, distribution of BT is limited to distribution of Culicoides species competent to transmit BTV. In the tropics, vector activity is almost year long, and hence, the disease is endemic, with the circulation of several serotypes of BTV, whereas in temperate areas, seasonal incursions of a limited number of serotypes of BTV from neighbouring tropical areas are observed.

Dual Infection with Bluetongue Virus Serotypes and First-Time Isolation of Serotype 5 in India.

Bluetongue is endemic in India and has been reported from most Indian states. Of late, the clinical disease is most frequently seen in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana (erstwhile Andhra Pradesh state), Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Our analysis of diagnostic samples from bluetongue outbreaks during 2010-2011 from the state of Karnataka identified bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 5 (BTV-5) for the first time in India.

Isolation of Bluetongue Virus 24 from India - An Exotic Serotype to Australasia.

Bluetongue (BT) is a viral disease of ruminants and is caused by different serotypes of bluetongue virus (BTV), which is transmitted by several species of Culicoides midges. The disease is endemic in tropical areas, and incursions have been observed in some of the temperate areas. Twenty-seven recognized serotypes of BTV have been reported so far.