Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in the Andaman Islands, India.

Objective: To investigate an outbreak of Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Andaman Islands during 2013.

Methods: Epidemiological, clinical data and samples were collected from HFMD patients who attended selected hospitals. Data were analyzed and samples were processed for detection of Enterovirus and further confirmed by sequencing.

Prevalence of mutations in basal core promoter and precore region of hepatitis B virus in vaccinated and nonvaccinated individuals of the aboriginal Nicobarese tribe of Car Nicobar Island, India.

The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of basal core promoter (BCP) and precore gene (PC) mutations in hepatitis B virus (HBV) isolates among the Nicobarese tribe and their relationship with genotypes and HBeAg status. A total of 726 blood samples were collected from two villages of the Car Nicobar Island where mass vaccination was performed in the year 2000. HBV DNA was isolated and the BCP and PC regions were amplified and sequenced directly.

HLA class II allele polymorphism in an outbreak of chikungunya fever in Middle Andaman, India.

A sudden upsurge of fever cases with joint pain was observed in the outpatient department, Community Health Centre, Rangat during July-August 2010 in Rangat Middle Andaman, India. The aetiological agent responsible for the outbreak was identified as chikungunya virus (CHIKV), by using RT-PCR and IgM ELISA. The study investigated the association of polymorphisms in the human leucocyte antigen class II genes with susceptibility or protection against CHIKV.