The Standardization and Quantification of Nuclear Factor Kappa B p65 by Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction.

The accurate quantification of nuclear factor Kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65) is critical for understanding inflammatory mechanisms, especially in HIV-1 infected individuals, where NF-κB p65 contributes to chronic immune activation. Conventional methods such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting are limited in terms of sensitivity and reproducibility. This study aimed to devise a standardized real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay for NF-κB p65 using specifically designed primers and a probe.

Nuclear Factor Kappa B p65: A Possible Biomarker for Persistent Inflammation in HIV-1 Infection?

Low-grade inflammation in people living with HIV (PWH) has become a significant contributor to the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, and renal dysfunction. Though antiretroviral therapy (ART) has dramatically reduced mortality by limiting the emergence of opportunistic infections, it has not been successful in eliminating the remaining chronic, low-grade inflammation and activation that persists in the infected despite viral suppression and better CD4+ T cell count. Nonetheless, this relatively asymptomatic and subclinical chronic inflammation remains poorly understood and has become a major contributor to mortality in PWH.

Ensuring Transfusion Safety: Screening Blood Donors for Human Parvovirus B19.

Ensuring the safety of blood and blood products is a vital aspect of healthcare. The potential for transmission of pathogens through blood and blood products makes transfusion safety a significant concern. Despite advancements in testing methodologies, donated blood products still pose a risk for infection transmission.

Increased parvovirus B19 seropositivity in healthy blood donors in India.

A core component of every blood program is the supply of safe blood and blood products. The elevated risk of transmission through these products is due to parvovirus B19 (B19V) resistance to the virus inactivation procedures. Our study aimed to screen asymptomatic blood donors for B19V at a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, between September 2020 and June 2021.

Expanded spectrum of varicella disease and the need for vaccination in India.

Varicella vaccine was first licensed in Japan and South Korea in 1989 for use in healthy children and was introduced in US in 1995. So far, 29 countries have adopted varicella vaccine in their universal immunization program (UIP). No Asian country, India included, has adopted the varicella vaccine as part of their UIP.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNAemia in saliva of viral encephalitis and nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a lymphotropic virus that causes diseases ranging from a flu-like illness called infectious mononucleosis to nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, and central nervous system (CNS) infection. Detection of EBV DNA is usually done using whole blood samples taken from the patients. We undertook the detection of EBV in blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and saliva by real-time quantitative PCR in two patients, one with a history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and the other having a case of viral encephalitis.

Are we dealing with melioidosis under the mask of tuberculosis? - A case series.

Melioidosis is prevalent in South-East Asia. India is now become endemic to melioidosis. Melioidosis mimicks Tuberculosis (TB) and is often overlooked clinically.

Hospital-based norovirus surveillance in children <5 years of age from 2017 to 2019 in India.

After the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine into the Universal Immunization Program in India in 2016, relatively few studies have assessed the prevalence and epidemiological patterns of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) among hospitalized children ≤5 years of age. We used a uniform protocol to recruit children with AGE as well as standardized testing and typing protocols. Stool specimens from children with AGE younger than 5 years of age admitted to six hospitals in three cities in India were collected from January 2017 through December 2019.

Satellite Epidemic of Covid-19 Associated Mucormycosis in India: A Multi-Site Observational Study.

Background: Sudden upsurge in cases of COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis (CAM) following the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was recorded in India. This study describes the clinical characteristics, management and outcomes of CAM cases, and factors associated with mortality.

Methods: Microbiologically confirmed CAM cases were enrolled from April 2021 to September 2021 from ten diverse geographical locations in India.

A shift in circulating rotaviral genotypes among hospitalized neonates.

In neonates, rotavirus (RV) infection is generally nosocomial. The control of rotaviral infection within hospital settings is challenging due to prolonged shedding of the virus and contamination of the surrounding environment. There are few studies that have reported asymptomatic infection within neonates.

Evolutionary analysis of rotavirus G1P[8] strains from Chennai, South India.

Rotaviruses by virtue of its segmented genome generate numerous genotypes. G1P[8] is the most common genotype reported globally. We intend to identify the evolutionary differences among G1P[8] strains from the study with vaccine strains.

Persistence of G10P[11] neonatal rotavirus infections in southern India.

Background: Neonatal rotavirus infections are predominantly caused by distinct genotypes restricted to this age-group and are mostly asymptomatic.

Method: Stool samples from neonates admitted for >48 h in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Vellore (2014-2015) and Chennai (2015-2016) in southern India, and from neonates born at hospitals in Vellore but not admitted to NICUs (2015-2016) were tested for rotavirus by ELISA and genotyped by hemi-nested RT-PCR.

Results: Of 791 neonates, 150 and 336 were recruited from Vellore and Chennai NICUs, and 305 were born in five hospitals in Vellore.

Hepatitis B virus X protein: The X factor in chronic hepatitis B virus disease progression.

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most common aetiological factor causing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBx gene plays an enigmatic role in HBV-related HCC. In this study we have analysed amino acid substitutions in HBx from HBV-infected individuals of different clinical stages.

Detection of cytomegalovirus disease by real-time quantitative PCR targeting immediate early gene (ppUL83) in different samples among post-renal-transplant recipients.

Renal transplantation is a treatment option for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was analysed among symptomatic and asymptomatic post-renal-transplant recipients (PRTRs). A total of 30 PRTRs were enrolled.

Gut microbiota and its mysteries.

Gut microbiota are microorganisms that inhabit the gut; they coexist peacefully with the host, thereby contributing to the health and well-being of individuals. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes largely dominate the gut microbial flora. The intestinal flora promotes intestinal mucosal integrity, provides essential nutrients such as vitamins and enzymes, protects the body against pathogens and produces antimicrobial peptides such as defensins, C-type lectins, cathelicidins, they also play an active role in the innate and adaptive immune system.

Sequencing of from saliva in patients with periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major periodontal pathogen. Saliva is the most easy, non-invasive microbiological sample for detection of periodontal pathogens.

Aim And Objectives: A prospective study on 37 diabetic patients was grouped into well-controlled diabetes with/without periodontitis and uncontrolled diabetic with periodontitis.

Detection of parvovirus B19 in selected high-risk patient groups & their phylogenetic & selection analysis.

Background & Objectives: Human parvovirus B19V (B19V) is known to be associated with erythema infectiosum commonly in children, aplastic crisis, especially in persons with underlying haemolytic disorders, hydrops fetalis in pregnancies and arthritis. This cross-sectional study was aimed to determine the presence of B19V infection in childhood febrile illnesses, association of B19V with arthropathies and in adult patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis. The genetic diversity among the sequences was also analysed.

Genetic characterization of Chikungunya virus 2009 isolates from South India.

Chikungunya Virus (CHIKV) is a single stranded positive sense enveloped RNA virus. Re-emergence of CHIKV caused a massive outbreak with severe clinical manifestation affecting multiple organs. The genetic diversity of CHIKV, which caused recurring outbreaks in India, was studied.

Development & standardization of an in-house IgM indirect ELISA for the detection of parvovirus B19 infections.

Background & Objectives: Parvovirus B19 infections occur worldwide; the infection is acquired early in childhood but could occur later. B19 is reported to cause infection in childhood febrile illnesses, and arthropathies in adults and children and in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) seen in adults. This study was designed to develop an in-house IgM indirect ELISA for serological screening among patients and controls, and to compare ELISA results with those of nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) assay.

Molecular characterisation and clinical correlates of rotavirus in children and adults in a tertiary care centre, Chennai, South India.

Aims: This study was undertaken to determine the rate of detection of rotavirus causing diarrhoea among children and adults, identify the common genotypes circulating and determine clinical correlates.

Settings And Design: This is a cross-sectional study in a tertiary care centre.

Materials And Methods: Stool samples were collected from adults and children, transported on ice, aliquoted and stored at - 80°C.

Next generation sequencing of oral microbiota in Type 2 diabetes mellitus prior to and after neem stick usage and correlation with serum monocyte chemoattractant-1.

Introduction: Oral microbiome impacts health and disease. T2DM and periodontitis are associated. Neem (Azadiracta indica) has antibacterial activity against oral microbiota.

Serological, molecular and clinical correlates of dengue from a tertiary care centre in Chennai, India.

Dengue disease is caused by dengue viruses 1-4 and has been ranked by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the fastest spreading vector-borne viral disease. Dengue is often underreported and misdiagnosed due to a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Diagnosis of dengue is based on clinical case definitions and laboratory methods.

Dental unit waterlines disinfection using hypochlorous acid-based disinfectant.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to investigate the efficacy of a new disinfectant to disinfect the dental unit waterlines.

Materials And Methods: New dental unit waterlines were installed in 13 dental chairs, and biofilm was allowed to grow for 10 days. Disinfection treatment procedure was carried out in the 12 units, and one unit was left untreated.

Maculopapular rash presentation of febrile illness in an adult with Varicella zoster virus infection.

Varicella zoster usually manifests as maculopapular rash (MPR), which later progresses to vesicle. It can also manifest as MPR without progression to the vesicle stage. This atypical manifestation is more common in adults and immunocompromised patients.