Whole genome characterization of non-tissue culture adapted HRSV strains in severely infected children.

Background: Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the most important virus causing lower respiratory infection in young children. The complete genetic characterization of RSV clinical strains is a prerequisite for understanding HRSV infection in the clinical context. Current information about the genetic structure of the HRSV genome has largely been obtained using tissue culture adapted viruses.

Correlation of disease spectrum among four Dengue serotypes: a five years hospital based study from India.

The recognition of DF (DHF Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever) is very complicated due to occurrence of a wide spectrum of clinical signs and symptoms during acute phase of illness. Moreover, presence of four serotypes further complicates the prognosis. To investigate the predictors of disease severity and elucidate the prognostic markers among four dengue serotypes, this study was conducted on 320 inpatients having acute febrile illness clinically suspected as DI, over a period of five years.

Circulating levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha & interferon-gamma in patients with dengue & dengue haemorrhagic fever during an outbreak.

Background & Objective: Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a severe illness caused by dengue viruses, the pathogenesis of which is not fully understood. Immune enhancement caused by cytokines, interferon and activated complement system is one of the hypotheses proposed to explain the haemorrhagic form of disease. This study was undertaken to investigate the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in dengue infection, and their possible association with disease severity.

Molecular detection and serotypic characterization of dengue viruses by single-tube multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.

This study was designed to develop a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-based rapid and cost-effective diagnostic test for detection as well as serotypic characterization of dengue viruses in the acute phase of illness. In this regard, 2 methods of RT-PCR, namely, 2-step nested RT-PCR and 1-tube multiplex RT-PCR, have been evaluated. One-tube multiplex RT-PCR was found superior; thus, its sensitivity and specificity were compared with gold standard "cell culture".

Eco-epidemiological analysis of dengue infection during an outbreak of dengue fever, India.

Background: This study was designed to find out a relationship of dengue infection with climatic factors such as rainfall, temperature and relative humidity during the dengue fever epidemic in the year 2003. Blood samples were collected from 1550 patients experiencing a febrile illness clinically consistent with dengue infection. Serological confirmation of Dengue Infection was done using Dengue Duo IgM and IgG Rapid Strip test (Pan Bio, Australia), which detected dengue-specific antibodies.