Strengthening Cause of Death Statistics in Selected Districts of 3 States in India: Protocol for an Uncontrolled, Before-After, Mixed Method Study.

Background: Mortality statistics are vital for health policy development, epidemiological research, and health care service planning. A robust surveillance system is essential for obtaining vital information such as cause of death (CoD) information.

Objective: This study aims to develop a comprehensive model to strengthen the CoD information in the selected study sites.

Differential Gene Expression and Transcriptomics Reveal High M-Gene Expression in JN.1 and KP.1/2 Omicron Sub-Variants of SARS-CoV-2: Implications for Developing More Sensitive Diagnostic Tests.

SARS-CoV-2, a positive-strand RNA virus, utilizes both genomic replication and subgenomic mRNA transcription. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) from clinical samples can estimate viral gene expression levels. WGS was conducted on 529 SARS-CoV-2 positive clinical samples from Assam and northeastern India to track viral emergence and assess gene expression patterns.

Health status of particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) of Odisha: a narrative review.

There are 75 identified Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India of which the highest numbers i.e., 13 PVTGs reside in Odisha.

Sickle cell disease in Indian tribal population: Findings of a multi-centre Indian SCD registry.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) registries provide crucial real-world data on demographics, epidemiology, healthcare, patient outcomes, and treatment efficacy. This paper presents findings from the Indian SCD Registry (ISCDR) on clinical manifestations, crisis episodes, disease management, and healthcare utilization in patients with SCD from 12 primary health centres (PHCs) in six tribal districts of India.

Methods: The ISCDR was introduced along with a three-tier screening process.

Seasonal distribution and upsurge of respiratory viruses among indigenous tribes with ILI and SARI in a far-flung Car Nicobar Island.

Background: Respiratory viral illnesses among children are a prominent cause of morbidity and mortality in the developing world. The aim of this study is to understand the seasonal pattern and surge of respiratory viruses among the Nicobarese tribe.

Methods: Respiratory specimens were collected from both ARI and SARI cases attended the BJR district hospital in Car Nicobar Island, India, between 2021 and 2022.

Malnutrition and Anemia Among Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups of Odisha, India: Needs for Context-Specific Intervention.

Background: As undernutrition and anemia persist to be prevalent in India, the socioeconomically disadvantaged groups continue to take the greater brunt. Odisha is home to the largest number of particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) in India. The study aimed to provide a comprehensive report on the undernutrition and anemia status of all the PVTGs of Odisha.

Accuracy of cobas MTB and MTB-RIF/INH for Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Drug Resistance.

This study evaluated the performance of cobas MTB and cobas MTB-RIF/INH for the diagnosis of tuberculosis and detection of rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) resistance. Adults presenting with pulmonary tuberculosis symptoms were recruited in South Africa, Moldova, and India. Performance of cobas MTB was assessed against culture, whereas cobas MTB-RIF/INH was assessed using phenotypic drug susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing as composite reference standards.

Prevalence and Pattern of Morbidity, Febrile Illness, and Treatment-Seeking Behavior in a Tribal-Dominated District in Odisha, India: An Observational Study.

Background Tribal populations constitute a major portion of India's total population, especially in the eastern and northeastern states. We lack comprehensive information on the community burden of general morbidity and febrile illness in tribal population-dominated areas, which is quite essential for the microplanning of healthcare expenditure and implementation. This study aimed to provide evidence on the prevalence and pattern of general morbidity and febrile illness at the community level as well as the treatment-seeking behaviour in a tribal-dominated area.

Assessment of larval and pupal indices of dengue mosquito vectors in a North-Eastern state of Tripura, India.

Background Objectives: Dengue is a major vector-borne disease having public health importance. It is caused by Dengue Virus (DENV) and is transmitted by mosquitoes of Aedes species. With the unavailability of a vaccine, vector control remains the only preventive measure for dengue.

An outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis due to Coxsackievirus A24 in a residential school, Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh: July 2023.

Purpose: An acute conjunctivitis outbreak was investigated at a residential school in Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India, in July 2023. We aimed to identify the etiological agent and assess any complications in follow-up cases.

Methods: We used a structured questionnaire to record clinical findings and followed up with cases one-month post-conjunctivitis.

First isolation and characterization of SARS-CoV-2 from COVID-19 patient of North East India.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) responsible for the current pandemic has resulted in over 5 million deaths globally. More than a year has passed, still SARS-CoV-2 panic the public life. Virus isolation is of paramount importance for development of vaccines, in-vitro screening of antiviral compounds, pathogenesis studies, etc.

Landscaping tuberculosis multimorbidity: findings from a cross-sectional study in India.

Background: Multimorbidity, the concurrent presence of two or more chronic conditions is an emerging public health challenge. Till date, most of the research have focused on the presence and interaction of selected co-morbidities in tuberculosis (TB). There exist a critical knowledge gap on the magnitude of multimorbidity among TB patients and its impact on health outcomes.

Immunoblotting Identification of Diagnostic Antigens of Type 1 for the Detection of Human Pulmonary Paragonimiasis in North East India.

Human pulmonary paragonimiasis, an emerging concern in North East India, frequently masquerades as pulmonary tuberculosis due to clinical and radiological similarities, leading to diagnostic challenges. This research aimed to harness the immunoblotting technique to discern immunodiagnostic protein antigens from both adult worm and excretory-secretory (ES) extracts of the prevalent type 1 in Arunachal Pradesh, North East India. We studied the time kinetics of immunoreactive patterns in relation to the duration of infection in rodent models.

Strengthening Health System and Community Mobilization for Sickle Cell Disease Screening and Management among Tribal Populations in India: An Interventional Study.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects 5% of the global population, with over 300,000 infants born yearly. In India, 73% of those with the sickle hemoglobin gene belong to indigenous tribes in remote regions lacking proper healthcare. Despite the prevalence of SCD, India lacked state-led public health programs until recently, leaving a gap in screening and comprehensive care.

Presence of fimH and iss type 1, 2 and 3 genes in uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates recovered from an apex medical institute in North India.

Purpose: To detect the presence of fimH and iss type 1, 2 and 3 genes in uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) isolates recovered from patients coming to the out patient department (OPD) of our hospital.

Methods: E. coli isolates recovered from patients who had symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI) were processed for the presence of fimH and iss genes.

Stigma of sickle cell disease among Indian tribal population: A multi-centric qualitative study.

Background: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is the most prevalent hemoglobinopathy, impacting around 5% of the global population. The Indian tribal population, which has been a key focus of the Indian SCD program, can experience health-related stigma due to the multidimensional impact of the disease. This preliminary qualitative inquiry delves into the lived experiences of individuals and synthesizes domains to identify the sources of stigma.

Norovirus gastroenteritis in children under-five years hospitalized for diarrhea in two cities of northeast India: A retrospective study.

Purpose: Norovirus gastroenteritis, known to cause 'winter vomiting disease' is increasingly being identified as a major cause of viral gastroenteritis worldwide. The impact and prevalence of this viral disease are lacking in many parts of India including northeast India. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and association of norovirus gastroenteritis among under-five-year-old hospitalized children in two cities in northeast India (Dibrugarh in Assam & Dimapur in Nagaland).